Lightning Strike - house fire - update

4/3/2019 (Permalink)

This photo shows the exterior the house that was struck by lightning during a thunderstorm.

This home was struck by lightning during a severe thunderstorm.  No one was home at the time of the lightning strike, which made the damage to the home much worse.

When the fire was discovered by the neighbors over half of the back of the house had been burnt.

Our crews had to work very hard to clean the contents and the structure of the home. Almost every SERVPRO cleaning product we have available to us by HQ was used on this loss.  Boy are we lucky we have such great products that make our crews so successful!  The chemists at SERVPRO HQ are the BEST!

We were very successful in removing all of the lingering soot and fire damage odors from all of the different items that had burned.

This homeowner was very happy with the outcome of this loss.

Call us today to help you with any cleaning needs you may have (804)730-6788.

Why SERVPRO - Water Loss - pipe burst on 3rd floor

4/3/2019 (Permalink)

This photo shows the actual pipe that burst on the 3rd floor and caused over $25,000.00 damage.

Why SERVPRO?

Why SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline?  

The main reason to call SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland  & Caroline is quick response times that help limit the extent of the damages.

This home sustained a substantial water loss during the winter months when temperature went below 10 degrees.  This home had plumbing roughed in by their builder and the homeowner's were going to finish the 3rd floor at a later date on their own.

Unfortunately, the plumbing was not insulated well enough to protect the plumbing fitting from busting in those cold and windy conditions.  We see this type of water loss a lot when the temperatures are so low for several days in a row.

The resulting damages were water damage to the half of 2nd level of the home and 1/4 of the main level of the home.  Since we were able to arrive on site so quickly this minimized the spreading out of the damages.

Commercial Water Damage - office

4/3/2019 (Permalink)

This photo shows the drywall and insulation that was removed during our work at this building.

This commercial water damage had a water heater that leaked over the weekend.  When the tenants came in to work on Monday, boy did they have a surprise!  Many of the offices were water damaged in this office space.

There was water to extract, wet drywall to remove and dry, wet insulation to remove and glue down carpeting over concrete flooring for us to dry.  There were many of the tenant's contents that were also affected.  We blocked the feet to the wet furniture to limit the damage to their contents.  All furniture survived the water damage with no repairs needed.

Our team work quickly to get the tenant's space back up and running in a short amount of time.

The landlord and the tenants were very happy with how quickly we responded to the loss and how quickly we were able to get all of our work completed.

Commercial Water Damage - Equipment

4/3/2019 (Permalink)

This photos show the different types of air movers used to dry water damaged building materials in a Commercial setting.

This are many different types of drying equipment we use to help our customers get their water damaged structures dry.  There are many different factors that determine which of our many drying equipment choices will work best?

For example, is there enough power to run all of this equipment, is there a trip and fall hazard, where can I have my dehumidifier drain tube draining into?

SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline takes the time to ensure which type of drying equipment we install will perform at top operating efficiency and which equipment will get the job dry the quickest and most efficiently.

Our goal is to only inconvenience our customers for as short of a time frame as possible. 

We are very successful and getting jobs dry in a timely manner due to all of our different types of air movers.

Call SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline today if you need help with a water damage (804)730-6788.

Tree fell on house during a storm

4/3/2019 (Permalink)

This photo is of a house that had a tree fall on it during a spring thunderstorm that had high winds.

This house suffered a large amount of damage from a very large tree that fell on it.  The tree fell during a spring thunderstorm last year, this storm had very high, straight line winds associated with it.

As a result, the contents of the home had to be packed and move out in order for the extensive structural repairs to be able to be performed by the contractor.  There were broken roof trusses, siding ripped off the house, drywall and blown in insulation everywhere inside the home including on all the contents in the home.

The damage was so extensive that this homeowner had to have a textile company come out and clean all of her textiles (linens and fabrics) in the home due to the extent of the damages that blew the debris through the house.  There was blown in insulation on almost everything in this house.

Unfortunately, this type of storm damage is very common in March, April and May in this area.

Post Construction Cleaning after repairs

7/25/2018 (Permalink)

Call us today to perform your post construction cleaning!

SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline works with many local Commercial Businesses within our territory area to assist them with what we call post construction cleaning after repairs. 

Whenever a Commercial Business experiences some kind of water damage that requires demolition, additions or remodeling you may come across construction dust throughout the areas worked in.  Contractors will cut flooring, trim-work and may have to sand drywall in the area they are working.  As a result, there is a fine dust/powder that can be on all horizontal surfaces. 

When the construction work is completed and all repairs or remodeling are done, the commercial business will contact us to schedule a crew to come out and clean the space before returning it to their tenant or customer.  We go on-site and do a thorough cleaning of the areas worked in: cleaning walls, baseboards, window sills and flooring.

If you have a commercial property and need SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline's services, call us today at 804-730-6788!

Fire and Soot Cleaning Projects

7/25/2018 (Permalink)

This photo shows "soot bunnies" - which are the soot particles that join together and appear to be cobwebs, but are not.

Fire and Soot cleaning jobs can be very emotional for our customers.  The trauma from the actual fire and the overwhelming task to clean the structure and affected contents often proves to be too much for a homeowner or business owner to perform the cleaning and deodorization work themselves.

Our first course of action is to meet with the homeowner or business owner to establish their concerns and schedule the work to begin as soon as possible.  The quicker the homeowner sees progress the sooner they feel at ease. 

We want to address all aspects of the fire loss: the visual soot particles that are to be cleaned, the odor resulting from the fire and the emotional part affecting the customer. 

We want to make sure our customer's know that we will treat their items as if they were our own.  We take our time so that we can be as thorough and successful as possible.  Our goal in fire and soot cleaning jobs is to make the customer feel whole again after such a tragic life event.  We try to make a bad situation as pleasant as possible.

We take our time and do not rush to complete the job.  Our crews take pride in their work.

SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline will make it "Like it never even happened."

Equipment - Air Scrubber information - update

7/23/2018 (Permalink)

This photo shows one type of air scrubber that can be used. Air scrubbers are used to help remove gasses, particles and or odors from affected area.

Do you ever wonder why Fire and Water Damage Restoration Professionals use Air Scrubbers or Negative Air Machines on many of their jobs including fire or water clean-up jobs? 

These devices are utilized to clean the air from the odors and toxic gases that are left over after the fire has been extinguished or the residual odors from a water loss. 

This specialty piece of machinery also creates a safe working environment for the crews that are working in the damaged environment. Air scrubbers can also can prevent damage from spreading to other structural building materials and to help limit contents from absorbing the odors. 

This is achieved by changing over the air in the damaged structure at a minimum of three to four times per hour.  We accomplish this by setting up the machines under positive air flow or negative air flow.  Which type of air flow needed is determined by the situation and or the severity of the job.  This specialty piece of equipment helps  our crews reduce or eliminate smoke or soot residue, ash particles and any other residues which are present after a fire or water damage. 

If you have questions or need help with any deodorization, please call SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline at (804)730-6788!

Hurricane Season

7/23/2018 (Permalink)

Flood waters are very dangerous, please don't drive through any flood waters.

With hurricanes, flooding can follow.  Here are some interesting facts about flooding.

According to records during the past 30 years:

• A person can be swept away by six inches of moving water.
• An automobile can be swept off the road in 12 inches of moving water.
• Rainfall is typically heavier with slower moving storms.

It is important to stay safe during hurricanes and be prepared.  Check out this website to prepare yourself in the event your area is in the path of a hurricane: 

https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes 

Should you experience water damage from a hurricane, call SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline and we will make it "Like it never even happened."  Our office number is (804)730-6788.  We would love to be able to help you.

Benefits of Soda Blasting - updated

7/23/2018 (Permalink)

Here is an example of soda blasting being performed in a crawlspace.

Soda blasting is a great blasting media to use for many different remediation/cleaning jobs. This method of cleaning can be used for microbial growth and soot contamination removal from structural building materials that can not or are not being removed or replaced.  The baking soda media that is used not only acts as a more abrasive method to remove mold or soot it also acts as a natural deodorizer and drying agent.  This can be very beneficial when trying to reduce moisture levels in crawlspaces as well. 

The process of soda blasting is attached to a 185 cfm compressor to the soda blasting machine with the use of air hoses.  The pressure flows the soda media through the blast hose and out the nozzle with a strong force to remove the microbial growth or soot contamination from the surface you are applying it to. 

Soda blasting is sometimes a more effective method to cleaning mold over hand cleaning. This is dependent on the size and amount of mold growth.  Remember there is more clean-up associated with soda blasting.

Call SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline today if you have a situation where you think Soda Blasting may work for you!  We are always here to help and make it "Like it never even happened."  

Our office number is (804)730-6788.

Air Movers are Essential to Drying

7/19/2018 (Permalink)

This is a photo of a velo air mover.

Air movers are an essential and necessary tool for drying structures of homes.  Air movers help move large amounts of air over surfaces to dry them. Air movers also help the dehuidifiers work to their optimum performance.

There are a number of different air movers that can be utilized depending on the size of the job: velo air movers, shara air movers, ace air movers and vortes or axial air movers.

Velo air movers are low-profile air movers that can be used to get to hard to reach areas and a great way to assist in the drying of wet carpeting. 

Sahara air movers are great for drying carpets and directing air upwards to helping with drying ceilings. 

One of the most common air movers that SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline uses is the ace fan.  These air movers are great for directing large amounts of air either forward, upward, downward and use little power(lower amperage). 

The last type of air mover that we use is the vortex air mover or axial air mover.  This air mover works great for crawlspaces.  They are very effective at creating negative pressure and pushing humid air out of a space.

Air movers work great when paired with dehumidifiers.  The air mover can move the hot dry air over the wet surface you are trying to dry.  Without use of air movers being used throughout the  drying process it would delay our crews who are drying the structure.

Hardwood Floor Drying

7/18/2018 (Permalink)

We added this valuable drying capability to our business to help our customers avoid costly wood floor replacement.

Hardwood floors used to be one of the hardest types of floor covering to dry once wet.  The moisture would get trapped between the layers and under the hardwood boards, felt paper and subflooring. Not too long ago the normal practice was to remove the hardwood floors. 

SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline has been very successful in drying sand-on-site hardwood floors with the use of the Dri-Eaz Rescue Mat System in conjunction with dehumidification.  This system goes directly on the floors and pulls the moisture up from between the boards.

“The Dri-Eaz Rescue Mat System is used along with the Dri-Eaz DriForce high pressure blower to deliver effective drying to the full depth of water damaged wood floors, even to the sub-flooring. This system utilizes sturdy, self-sealing mats and the Dri-Force air mover to draw evaporated moisture from deep inside the material thru the surface, replacing it with drier air.” (source: Dri-Eaz Rescue Mat Manual)

The key to successful hardwood floor drying is to start the drying process as quickly as possible.  This allows the moisture to be removed before the hardwood floors start to cup, crown or buckle.  Even if you do notice slight cupping or buckling the rescue mat system may still be able to dry the floors and cause them to settle back down. 

If drying is successful but the floors remain cupped, then sanding and re-finishing may be necessary to restore the hardwood flooring to preloss condition.

Storm Damage - Tree Damage

7/18/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline can help with any storm damage from a fallen tree. Call us today!

Some people love to sit and watch thunderstorms from the comfort of their porch or covered deck, while others wish they would hurry up and move on!  No matter which you prefer do you know what to do if a tree were to fall on your home?

As soon as the storm has passed you will need to survey the extent of the damage.  You may want to contact your homeowner's Insurance company to see if they can help you contact a tree removal company to remove the tree or limbs that fell on your home.  After the tree has been removed the damaged area may need to be tarpped or boarded up by a contractor.  Once the area has been confirmed to be structurally sound, any water mitigation mitigation or debris clean-up may begin.

Mitigation would include any additional demolition necessary, such as the removal of any wet drywall, flooring, trim etc.  Sometimes, the contents in the affected area may need to be packed and moved out of the affected area in order to complete the demolition.  SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline will then dry the remaining structure back to its normal moisture content using air movers and dehumidifiers.

SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline hopes you never have to experience a tree falling on your home, but should it happen we will be here ready to help you through the process! Call us at (804) 730-6788 and we will make it "Like it never even happened."

Crawlspace Mold - New Construction

7/16/2018 (Permalink)

Elevate moisture and elevated humidity in Virginia can be the perfect recipe for mold growth in the crawlspaces, have us check your today(804)730-6788

We often get questions and concerns regarding mold within residential crawlspaces.  Most homes in Virginia have a crawlspace beneath the house.  Although some people choose to have their crawlspace conditioned, more often they are not.  Since, we do not “live” in the crawlspace, most people don’t even think about it.  However when they do, the biggest concern is possible mold growth.  We live in a state that has areas where the water table is high making the surrounding ground areas very wet.  We also suffer from high humidity during the summer time.  Those two do not make a good match together.

During the rainy season, it is not uncommon for us to have to clean and treat the wooden joists and main beams in a crawlspace, of a newly built home.  The building materials can get wet from the rain.  Once it is built we have hot humid days and therefore mold may have the best conditions to grow.  Such was the case for a recently built home in Hopewell, VA.  Sometimes the mold can be removed by  the sandwich method: hepavacuuming, hand wiping with our EPA registered disinfectant / cleaner from SERVPRO then hepavacuuming again.  However, in this particular instance, the mold growth was significantly growing throughout all the wooden framing in the crawlspace.  We recommended soda blasting for this project, which would not only help remove the mold, but would also help with the moisture issues in the crawlspace.  A dehumidifier was installed to help lower the humidity in the crawlspace, all of the vapor barrier and insulation was removed.  After the entire crawlspace was soda blasted, a brand new 6 mil. poly vapor barrier was installed.  The dehumidifier and a fan was re-installed to reduce the moisture content of the joists and beams.  To help prevent future mold growth, all of the joists, beams and sub-flooring were sealed with an anti-microbial sealer.  Finally, new insulation was re-installed and a dehumidifier was purchased and installed so that the new  homeowner could run it during the hot and humid season. The homeowner and builder were impressed and very happy with the work SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline completed in the crawlspace.

ERP - Emergency Ready Profile

5/14/2018 (Permalink)

A guide to help you get back into your building quickly following a disaster!

“No one plans on a disaster, but you can plan to be ready for whatever happens!”

As a small local business owner we know the magnitude of being ready for anything.  That is why we can’t stress enough, the importance of being prepared for a disaster.  Did you know that 50% of businesses that experience a disaster may never re-open their doors? We do not want that to be you!

Being prepared is the key to making it through a disaster.  Let us help you get prepared.  With our Emergency Ready Profile (ERP) program we will provide critical information that will allow you to start mitigation and recovery services.  The ERP is a quick reference guide for your business to refer to if a disaster should strike.

We will come to you and provide a FREE assessment of your facility!  With this FREE assessment we will create a very detailed profile that will be a quick reference to important contacts and phone numbers such as your utility companies, on-site contact, building contact, insurance company contact, maintenance department contact and hospital contact.  The Emergency Ready Profile will also prepare our SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline team. Please don’t let your business fall on the wrong side of the 50% when you can take advantage of this FREE assessment. 

We make it "Like it never even happened." 

SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline is ready to keep your business READY for whatever happens! Call us today, 804-730-6788, to schedule your Emergency Ready Profile!

Proper Drying with Dehumidifiers

5/10/2018 (Permalink)

For successful drying, make sure you use proper drying equipment, like a dehumidifier.

Proper water damage equipment placement is key to successful drying of any structure.  there are many types of dehumidifiers. The different types of dehumidifiers we use are:

1. Refrigerant Dehumidifiers
2. Desiccant Dehumidifiers.

These dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air at different rates and use different process to remove the moisture from the air and water damaged building materials.  The goal of a dehumidifier is to efficiently aid in the drying process by removing the excess moisture and humidity associate with water damage. dehumidifiers are key to our success.  we service our equipment frequently to ensure proper performance.  If your equipment is not working properly, your drying job will take longer.  We want to dry jobs efficiently and be able to give the customer their home/business back to normal as quickly as possible. 

If you experience a water damage, make sure you call the professionals.  SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline are here to make it "Like it never even happened." 

Specialty Drying Equipment - Heater

5/10/2018 (Permalink)

The heater is a cost effective way to dry out bound water.

SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline uses the most up-to-date drying equipment.  The most effective piece of equipment to dry crawlspaces and bound water is a drying heater. 

This piece of specialty drying equipment is placed on drying jobs where uses for other equipment is limited and when it is too cold to use other forms of drying.  We monitor this heater daily and make sure it is working to its optimum performance.  They drying heater is placed on the outside of the structure being dried.  A tube is inserted under the structure to dry the wet wooden framing.  Some air movers may be needed to circulate the warm dry air to the specific area requiring the drying. 

The drying heater is a very cost effective way to quickly return water damaged building materials to their dry standard.

Sporicidin

5/10/2018 (Permalink)

Sporicidin, the EPA registered disinfectant!

SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline was recently asked to clean the ducts in several systems in a very large mansion that was uniquely constructed.  Some were accessible and some were not and some of them had humidifiers in each system. Some were partially insulated where the humidifiers were located and had microbial growth present.  The management company did not want to replace the system due to construction and demo that was needed.  The solution was to perform a duct cleaning and treat the unit with Sporicidin to prevent any future microbial growth.

Sporicidin is an EPA registered disinfectant and deodorizer which can be used on porous and non-porous surfaces.  Sporicidin is a very versatile product and used in various medical facilities (hospitals, doctor offices, dentist offices, veterinarian offices) that is used to clean up blood born pathogens and has a low toxicity rating.

Candle Burning

5/10/2018 (Permalink)

Remember to maintain a small wick and limit your candle burning to reduce soot in your home.

Did you know that burning all those candles do more than set the mood and/or scent the air with fragrance?  Burning candles can cause soot throughout a home.  Soot is a powdery black substance composed primarily of small carbon particles, and is the natural byproduct of incomplete combustion.  There have been studies that 100% soy or beeswax candles are somewhat cleaner burning, but a lot of candles are are made with Paraffin Wax and/or blend of different types of waxes.    

The soot from burning candles often accumulate and cling to walls, ceilings, furniture, contents and even carpet.  In more extreme cases, candles burning by an HVAC return can have soot distributed throughout the home via its HVAC system.

Soot cleaning a home is very labor intensive and therefore soot damage can be a costly expense.  At SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland and Caroline, we utilize Specialty Dry Cleaning Sponges to remove soot from walls, ceilings, appliances, furniture and contents.  After cleaning, we recommend the painted surfaces be primed and/or sealed and then painted.  Please note, if a thorough cleaning is not completed prior to painting, staining can appear after a period of time through the paint.  Upholstered furniture and textiles need to be cleaned and sometimes the staining from the soot does not come out.

What can you do to avoid this?  Occasional burning of candles is fine, just remember these factors:  Buy quality well-made candles; Keep the wick trimmed down to ¼ inch, if you see black smoke coming from the candle, it is often a sign that the wick is too long; Candles should really be burned in a well ventilated area, however you do want to keep the burning candle away from drafty areas (the flame should not be flickering or dancing around); Use jar toppers/cappers for large jar candles and for other candles, use a glass vase or hurricane.

If you have questions or concerns about the result of burning candles in your home, call SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline today!

Introducing ... SERVPROXIDE

5/9/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPROXIDE - the KO punch!

The great thing about SERVPRO is that we have chemists on staff at our corporate headquarters that create and provide us with top notch products to use for our customer's.  Recently, SERVPRO introduced SERVPROXIDE to our arsenal of products.  

SERVPROXIDE is an EPA registered, stabilized chlorine dioxide based disinfectant and sanitizer. The great thing about SERVPROXIDE is that is carries the EPA's lowest toxicity rating and is safe for everyday use.  This product is designed to kill harmful bacteria, viruses and mold on hard surfaces and is an effective sanitizer for soft surfaces.  On top of all the great things this product provides, it can be used just about any where!

SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline is excited to put this new product to use on our next mold job! 

Vapor Shark - odor removal

5/9/2018 (Permalink)

The vapor shark helps with odor concerns.

Recently, we were contacted by one of our commercial real estate customers to help them with an odor concern in a tenant occupied unit.  As part of the process with taking care of the odor we utilized our vapor shark. 

This specialty piece of equipment is used by SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline to neutralize foul odors. The equipment is designed to provide a simple, safe solution for addressing tough odor problems.  After all debris have been removed and surfaces thoroughly cleaned, there could still be a residual odor present.  As a result of that residual odor, we would install the vapor shark.  The vapor shark utilizes highly concentrated neutral or scented membrane packs which air is forced over, dispensing scent into the surrounding areas.  This process will penetrate all porous surfaces, safely eliminating the odor in the air.  

This piece of specialty equipment is very effective and can be utilized in fire, water and mold remediation projects here at SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline.

Call us today so we can help you with any odor concerns you may have.

Protecting Your Home from Water Damage

5/9/2018 (Permalink)

Properly taken care of gutters will result in a water damage free home!

Soon we will be approaching thunderstorm season.  With thunderstorms comes the possibility of water damage to your home or business.  Be proactive and protect your property by taking care of the outside, especially the gutters.

A rain gutter's main purpose is to funnel water off the roof and away from the home. But, if you do not take proper care of your gutters and clean them regular they can get clogged with leaves, pine needles, pine cones or other debris. The fascia boards that hold the gutter system are often made of wood. When gutters clog and fill with water, the boards start to deteriorate and rot. If a home has wood siding, clogged gutters can also cause water to overflow out of the gutter system and down the sides of the home.

Be proactive and take care of the outside of your home, so you do not experience water damage on the inside.  If it does happen, know that you can call SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline!

Bomb Cyclone

1/5/2018 (Permalink)

Single digit temperatures, bomb cyclones, snow - OH MY!

Who is ready for the snow and cold snap to exit the area? Me for sure.  Snow was fun when we were younger because that meant we did not have to go to school, but as I have gotten older I have learned that snow throws a wrench in my day.  The uncleared roads for several days, the interesting people on the road driving and the overall inconvenience of delaying my day, not for me.

What a crazy week it has been with temperatures barely getting above freezing during the day and in the single digits at night.  My heat pump is tired!  This week we experienced what they call a bomb cyclone.  I have been doing some reading on what exactly that bomb cyclone is or another fun name for it is bombogenesis. It is when drastic drops in barometric pressure occur when a region of warm air meets one of cold air. The air starts to move, and the rotation of the earth creates a cyclonic effect. The direction is counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere (when viewed from above), leading to winds that come out of the northeast — a Nor’easter.  So to me it sounds like a winter hurricane!

Stay safe and warm out there! Remember to keep an eye on your pipes, we only have a few more days with these super cold evenings and then hopefully we can get back to normal Virginia weather!  

SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline is a phone call away!  If you need us to make it, "Like it never even happened." call us at (804) 730-6788

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

12/27/2017 (Permalink)

From our SERVPRO family to yours!

Each year we celebrate Christmas with our SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline Family.  Last year and this year we decided on a bowling party.  A great way to interact with everyone and throw in some friendly competition among everyone in the field and in the office.  Last year, Jesse Black took home the trophy, so there was some friendly talk about how he would be dethroned from the top bowler this year.  Well, we all gave it a great try but were unsuccessful.  Jesse Black took the title again. Way to go Jesse!  Until next year!

After our bowling competition we enjoy our Christmas.  Margie works hard on picking out gifts and wrapping them in preparation for the festivities.  Movie tickets, restaurant gift cards, Home Depot gift cards and Walmart gift cards.  It is always fun to see who gets what!

We cannot thank David and Paige enough for our fun Christmas party.  We thank you for the awesome presents and the fun time bowling with our SERVPRO family!  

SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline want to wish your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  We hope 2018 brings you much joy and success!

Fire Safety- Update

12/6/2017 (Permalink)

Be safe this Holiday season.

With the holidays in full swing, it is important to be aware of your surrounds and keeping an eye out on candles, gas logs, cooking elements and overloaded outlets.

Many of us get into the spirit of the Holidays and install lights on our trees, windows, lights outside or even inflatable decorations.  All of these extra decorations require an outlet.  It is important to distribute the outlet usage and not plug too many items in one.  Extension cords should not be connected to another extension cord.

We also like to burn candles, especially when we are entertaining.  Make sure you never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire. Keep burning candles away from furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper, flammable decorations, etc. Keep burning candles out of the reach of children and pets. Trim candlewicks to ¼ inch each time before burning.

Lastly, don't forget to keep a fire extinguisher in your house and have it close by for quick a response. 

To operate a fire extinguisher, remember the word PASS:

• Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you, and release the locking mechanism.
• Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
• Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
• Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side.

SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline, INC. want you to be prepared and know the importance of fire safety!  If something happens and your need our help, we are a phone call away.

Understanding Mold - update

11/13/2017 (Permalink)

Take care of your water damage as soon as possible, so you don't have to meet this little fella! Mold can be a monster!

Microscopic mold spores can and does exist in almost every enviornment.  It can be outdoors and indoors, making it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business.  That is why we compare the inside air of your home or business to the outside air.  This is how we are able to determine if the air within your space is safe.

Here are some facts about mold:

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
• Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture and can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water.
• Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. If the water source is not addressed, then mold will come back.
• Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
• High humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

Why Choose SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline?

• We are faster to any disaster.  A fast response limits damage and reduces cost.  Mold can spread quickly, so something small can turn into something large.
• We are trained professionals and have Applied Microbial Remediation Specialists on staff 24/7.

It is important to mitigate any water damage that occurs in the home.  A water damage that goes unattended can result in a larger problem, MOLD!  Call SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline to help with water damages or mold remediation.  We make it “Like it never even happened.”

Dressed Up and Looking Good

10/2/2017 (Permalink)

Looking very dapper in their suits! Jesse Black, Crew Chief; Chris McDowell, Crew Chief, David Butler, Owner; Tyler McDowell (Chris and Paige's son).

Often times we forget that the individuals that help in times of need for a water damage, fire clean up, mold remediation or bio-hazards have a personal life as well.  SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline is a very close knit operation.  A lot of the employees that work here are family or have been friends for years, so it's nice when we can step away and have some fun.

This weekend David's niece and Paige and Jesse's cousin got married this weekend. We get so used to see everyone in their uniforms on a weekly basis, that is nice to see them dressed up and looking their best. 

I would say that these gentlemen are looking pretty sharp in their suits and tux! Thank you for your hard work during the week and we hope you enjoy "letting your hair down" and "cutting a rug" at the reception!

Welcome Back Matt!

9/25/2017 (Permalink)

Matt Clemens our Operations Manager. Welcome Back!

Today we welcome back Matt Clemens!  We are very excited to have Matt back here at the SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline family. Matt will be joining our SERVPRO family as our Operations Manager.  In this role, Matt will be handling all our Crew Chiefs and managing the daily needs in our warehouse.

Matt will be very involved with all kinds of projects here in the office and in the warehouse overseeing the day to day tasks.  He will also get to meet with our homeowners and work them through the process of their water damage, fire cleaning or mold cleaning. What helps having the ability to be involved in so many projects is the certifications and continuing education that we are able to provide to Matt.  He currently has certifications in: Water Damage Restoration, Applied Microbial Remediation and Applied Structural Drying.

Matt plays an important role in our day to day operations and we are glad he is back with of our SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline team!

Employee Spotlight

9/22/2017 (Permalink)

Our Marketing Representative, Tammy LaCognata, starting her Friday out with a smile!

Our Spotlight Employee this week is Tammy LaCognata.  Tammy started with us in February of 2016 as our Marketing Representative.  Before Tammy started working at SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland and Caroline, she worked in the education field.  Tammy has three beautiful girls (high school, middle school and elementary school), and was able to stay home with her girls until they were all in school and when that happened, Tammy joined a fun and crazy team.  One of Tammy’s favorite things about her job is that she enjoys going to different businesses and meeting all the new people.  It is nice to see all the new faces in our community and let them know we are there if they need us for our services. 

Tammy enjoys spending time with her husband and three girls.  If she isn’t at a tennis match or a cheering competition Tammy would spend as much free time as she could traveling.  If Tammy could be a superhero her name would be “Teleporta” so she could get to places quicker than by car.  If she was “Teleporta” then she could do a lot more traveling.

We love having Tammy on our SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline team!

FREE CE Credit Course

9/21/2017 (Permalink)

FREE CE Credit Course: November 16, 2017 2-4pm at the Henrico County Public Library - Glen Allen Branch (10501 Staples Mill Road, Glen Allen VA 23060)

SERVPRO Industries, Inc. # 124994 is offering the following FREE CE CREDIT COURSE “Understanding Mold in the Restoration Industry” this will be a two hour course held on Thursday November 16, 2017. The CE course will take place at Henrico County Public Library Glen Allen Branch 10501 Staples Mill Road Glen Allen, Va. 23060.

The purpose of this course is to allow insurance professionals a better understanding of the history of mold awareness and of the participants in mold related claims. When and where the mold “issues began and how to help with mold remediation. The science of mold will be introduced to the insurance agents as it damages properties. Discussion of what mold is how it is dangerous and where it likes to grow will be reviewed. Safety guidelines and precautions on how to deal with the different levels of mold will be reviewed. Insurance professionals will understand the processes vendors use to properly complete mold remediation. 

For reservations call SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline at 804-730-6788 or email arlene@SERVPROhanover.com         

SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline Team

9/21/2017 (Permalink)

Our highly skilled and trained team is ready to help you and make it "Like it never even happened."

Let me share some history about SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline.  In 1996, David and Kathie Butler decided to take a leap of faith to start what is now SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline.  What started out in a 1,500SF warehouse/office space and 6 employees has now turned into 21,000SF and 25 employees.  With the dedication and hard work that started this business, we were able to get the trust of many Insurance Companies because of our quality of work and customer service is top notch! 

Highly trained technicians! If you don’t believe me check out “Our Crew”.  Follow this link, http://www.SERVPROhanovergoochlandcaroline.com/crew-photos, and read about all of our trusted technicians. 

We work with your Insurance!  If you need help with a water damage or fire cleaning we will work with your insurance company through the entire process.  We will be there every step of the way and coordinate those things for you!  If you have Nationwide, State Farm, Erie, Travelers, USAA, Donegal, Rockingham Mutual, The Hartford, Amica or Farm Bureau Insurance just to name a few, call us! We have relationships with these companies and many others! Let us be the middle man!

Don’t forget, we are a locally owned and operated, 24-hour emergency service company that is available to you 365 days out of the year, because water damages and fires are never planned! 

SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline - We make it "Like it never even happened." Call us today at 804-730-6788 if we can be of service to you.

Just few reasons Why SERVPRO!

Packing and Moving

9/18/2017 (Permalink)

Let us do all the work and heavy lifting!

SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline is not just a mitigation, fire and mold remediation company.  We have many other services that we can offer you!  Did you know that we can pack and move your furniture for you?

Contractors often ask us to come in and take care of packing and moving a homeowner’s furniture and content out for flooring repairs.  Some homeowner’s need to have carpet installed or hardwoods sanded and refinished. In order to complete that task, everything must be moved out.  We have an excellent crew that comes in and treats your items as if they are their own.  It is very important to us to pack each item properly to ensure that the piece stays intact. Once your personal items are packed, we send in the “muscle” to move your packed content and your furniture.  We have an 18,000SF climate controlled warehouse where we can store your items.  Once your repairs are completed, we perform a post clean by wiping down your horizontal surfaces and then we return your items back to their original location.

Take the nightmare out of packing and moving, and call SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline, “your trusted and local packing and moving experts!”

Call us today at 804-730-6788 and we will take the headache out of the packing and moving.

Happy Retirement Tom Summers

1/5/2017 (Permalink)

It's not goodbye, it's see you later!

What a year 2016 was for SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline! We welcomed some new faces to our team, celebrated 20 years in business, and we said goodbye to some hardworking men.

With that being said, we have to highlight a top notch gentlemen who was with SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline for 18 years.  Tom Summers started his journey with David and Kathie in 1998 and watched as the company grew into what it is today.  In 1998, there were 5 employees at SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline and in 2016 and now there are 24 employees.  Tom has seen everything that one could see working in this business.  He was always ready to work and always worked hard.  Tom was our go to guy for carpet cleanings, upholstery cleanings and fire cleanings.  Of course, if we needed a hand with water damages, he was always there to help.  You could always count on Tom!  On December 28, 2016, Tom officially began a new life.  A life of relaxation, waking up when he feels like it and a life of new adventures.  Now Tom will get to enjoy his days with his wife, his new house, doing yardwork, taking care of his cats and playing golf when the weather warms up.

Tom will be missed greatly.  The SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline family will miss his smile, his giving heart, his “hat flipping”, his laugh and his dedication to this company. 

Happy Retirement Tom Summers! 

Why SERVPRO - Employee Spotlight - Margie

12/13/2016 (Permalink)

Margie always gives service with a great big smile!

Let me introduce you Margie.  Margie has been with the SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline team for over 11 years. She is our go to gal!  Whenever there is something the office staff needs or the crews need, Margie always has it in her “hidden” stash.   She is also our chef extraordinaire and will cook some of the most amazing dishes … YUM!   

Margie’s SERVPRO life consists of handling home builder warranty or production needs that we work with in the area in addition to the local county services needs and all of our self-pay jobs that are called in.  One of Margie's newest programs she is an expert at is Symbility.  She really adapts to what is needed.  

Through the years of working with mold jobs, she has learned how to translate Malvern’s handwriting, resulting in Margie being fluent in “Malvernese”.  Margie holds our SERVPRO Crew Training certification and loves that there is never a dull moment here at work!

When Margie is not working hard at work, she is busy spending time with her husband and running her kids to and from their commitments!  Margie has 2 kids, Xavier who is 18 and Malia who is 16. 

SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline is very lucky to have Margie.  She is incredibly dedicated and gives top notch customer service to all of our customers.  Thank you for all your hard work Margie!

Candle Safety - update

12/8/2016 (Permalink)

Blow out candles when you leave the room. Avoid the use of candles in the bedroom and other areas where people may fall asleep.

With cooler weather upon us, many people start using candles this time of the year within their homes.

Candles may look and smell pretty, but they can be a cause of a home fire.  Remember, a candle is an open flame, which means that it can easily ignite anything that can burn. Also, while the candle is burning their is a smoke that the candle emits. 

Facts:
* November and December are the peak months for home candle fires.

* Roughly one-third of home candle fires start in a bedroom.

* More than half of all candle fires start when things that can burn are too close to the candle.

For example: drapes/curtains.

Candles and Kids:
* Never leave a child alone in a room with a burning candle.
* Keep matches and lighters up high and out of children's reach.

Candles are pretty and smell good, but think about using flame-less candles, they look and smell just like the real thing!

Be safe!

If something should happen, please don't hesitate to call SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline at (804)730-6788 for assistance. We will make it "Like it never even happened."

Employee Spotlight

10/3/2016 (Permalink)

"Mait the Great" is always working hard for our customers!

This week in our Employee Spotlight, we will be introducing a newer employee to the SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline team.  Maitland Wright started with SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline over a year ago.  Maitland is one of our technicians who works on water damages, move outs, move backs, and mold jobs with each Crew Chief daily.  Every day is different, but Maitland’s favorite thing about his job is seeing jobs come together from start to finish.  Each job is an adventure, so seeing different types of jobs unfold and finish keeps things exciting for Maitland.

“Mait the Great” as the crew in the back call him, enjoys spending his free time with his family, and helping out with his little brother’s football team.  He also spends a lot of time in the gym working out and being a “bench warrior”.  All the gym time may explain Maitland’s super hero name, “The Dip King”. His super power is the ability to lift multiple people up at once. Arm dips give you good arm muscles!  Finally, something you may not know about Maitland is that he has 5 younger siblings. I bet Christmas time is fun at Maitland’s house!

We are glad to have Maitland as a part of our SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline family!

Thank you!

9/29/2016 (Permalink)

Check out how much fun we had at the event on September 9, 2016!

We cannot thank everyone we work with enough for their constant and continued support.  Without them we would not be where we are now.  With celebrating 20 years in business this year we had a party at our office.  We wanted to thank all the vendors that we work with, and the homeowners for their trust in us to make it like it never even happened.

We want to also thank the Hanover County Fire/EMT department for coming out with their crew and fire truck!  Great guys who also work hard for our community!

We appreciate everyone who came out to help us celebrate: Blue Heron Construction, Wilton Construction Services, Farm Bureau, Baker Properties, Professional Restoration Services, Electronic Restoration Services, Hamlet Cleaners, ABox, Herman Allen Plumbing, Southern Piano, Hawks Renovations, Nationwide, Daymark Adjusters, Cardno MMA and our Crew Chiefs and Technicians!

We look forward to serving our community for another 20 years. SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline is hear to make it like it never even happened!

20th Anniversary Celebration

9/1/2016 (Permalink)

Come on our and help us celebrate 20 years in business!

What an exciting year for SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland and Caroline.  We will be celebrating 20 years in business this year, and will be hosting a celebration at our office September 9th, 2016 from 2-5pm.

Bring the kids! We will have face painting, corn hole, a bounce house, a raffle with awesome prizes, snacks, drinks and more! Don't miss out on the fun!  We would love to have you, so RSVP to SERVPROhanover@gmail.com and let us know if you can make it.

We have a great customer base, and we cannot thank them enough for their continued support over the years.  Twenty years in business is definitely an accomplishment and we want to celebrate with the people that made it happen.  

We look forward to seeing you September 9th from 2-5pm!

Employee Spotlight

8/5/2016 (Permalink)

Jesse is one of our most versatile employees and our "go to" guy.

The moment you’ve been waiting for, the introduction of Jesse Black!  Jesse has been with SERVPRO for 18 years.  Jesse started out as a technician helping other Crew Chiefs perform water damages and worked his way up to Crew Chief.  He is certified in water damage restoration, mold remediation, fire cleaning, carpet and upholstery cleaning and advanced structural drying.  Jesse is one of our most versatile "go to" employees.  If we need help with a duct cleaning, carpet cleaning, water mitigation or moving furniture; we can always count on Jesse to step up to the plate and lead his crew.  One of Jesse’s favorite things about his job is the comradery between everyone at SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline. 

In Jesse’s free time he enjoys playing golf.  The best round of golf he has shot was an 84.  He also is very involved with his stepson Drew, and when he isn’t working or playing golf he is chasing around his 3 year old son, Aiden.  Jesse is also a newlywed, and recently married his long-time love Jennifer on March 26, 2016.  Something you may not know about Jesse is that he has a small “farm” and has chickens, dogs, and a guinea pig.

We are happy to have Jesse and all his experience, knowledge and are glad he is a part of our SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline family.  

Emergency Ready Profile

7/21/2016 (Permalink)

Be on the right side of the 50% and be prepared. Contact us today for your FREE assessment.

“No one plans on a disaster, but you can plan to be ready for whatever happens!”

As a small local business owner we know the magnitude of being ready for anything.  That is why we can’t stress enough, the importance of being prepared for a disaster.  Did you know that 50% of businesses that experience a disaster may never re-open their doors? We do not want that to be you!

Being prepared is the key to making it through a disaster.  Let us help you get prepared.  With our Emergency Ready Profile (ERP) program we will provide critical information that will allow you to start mitigation and recovery services.  The ERP is a quick reference guide for your business to refer to if a disaster should strike.

We will come to you and provide a FREE assessment of your facility!  With this FREE assessment we will create a very detailed profile that will be a quick reference to important contacts and phone numbers such as your utility companies, on-site contact, building contact, insurance company contact, maintenance department contact and hospital contact.  The Emergency Ready Profile will also prepare our SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline team. Please don’t let your business fall on the wrong side of the 50% when you can take advantage of this FREE assessment. 

We make it "Like it never even happened." 

SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline is ready to keep your business READY for whatever happens! Call us today, 804-730-6788, to schedule your Emergency Ready Profile!

Employee Spotlight

6/9/2016 (Permalink)

Janet and her husband at the Richmond Dragway banquet a few years ago.

This week we are featuring our Crew Chief, Janet Sams.  Janet has been with SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline for 13 years, specializing in fire cleaning, pack outs and post cleaning.  Janet has a keen eye, she is hard-working and is incredibly detail orientated which are just a few of the qualities that make her a top-notch Crew Chief.  Janet currently holds certifications as a fire restoration technician, water damage restoration technician and odor control technician.   One of Janet’s favorite things about her job is meeting new people and assisting homeowners during a difficult time.  When Janet is sent to a job, she is usually helping homeowner’s through a very challenging time.  Fire damage can be very devastating, but Janet is very compassionate which is why all our homeowner’s appreciate her knowledge and dedication. 

During Janet’s free time, she likes to spend as much time as she can with her 2 children; Junior and Amy; and her 3 granddaughters, Alysa, Jaslynn and her newest addition Lily.  But wait there is more … Janet also enjoys drag racing with her husband and friends at the Richmond Dragway. 

Something you may not know about Janet is that she and her husband recently purchased a RV and went on a cross country trip to Texas.  She hopes to take more trips this year.

Janet plays a crucial role in our day to day operations. Her knowledge and experience is very important to our success, and we are happy that she is part of our SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline family!

Why SERVPRO of HANOVER - About Us!

5/25/2016 (Permalink)

We can handle any size water damage, fire cleaning or mold remediation!

Here is some history about SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline, INC.  In 1996, David and Kathie Butler decided to take a leap of faith to start what is now SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline, INC.  What started out in a 1,5ooSF warehouse/office space and 6 employees has now turned into 21,000SF and 25 employees.  With the dedication and hard work that started this business, we were able to get the trust of many insurance companies due to our quality of work and top notch customer service! 

Highly trained technicians! If you don’t believe me check out “Our Crew”.  Follow this link, http://www.SERVPROhanovergoochlandcaroline.com/crew-photos, and read about all of our trusted technicians. We are constantly striving to educate our crew and keep them up-to-date with the newest techniques that are coming to the market.  As manufactures of flooring companies, paint manufacturers and builders are coming out with new products, it is our job to stay educated with the best way to clean and how to care for them. 

We work with your insurance!  If you need help with a water damage or fire cleaning we will work with your insurance company through the entire process.  Often times, we will need to reach out to your adjuster to get approval to do work outside of the traditional scope of work.  There are times we will need to coordinate with your insurance company when your clothing or electronics need to be cleaned due to a smoke/fire damage.   We will be there every step of the way and coordinate those things for you!  If you have Nationwide, State Farm, Erie, Travelers, USAA, The Hartford, Amica or Farm Bureau insurance just to name a few, call us! We have relationships with these companies and many others! Let us be the middle man!

Don’t forget, we are a locally owned and operated, 24-hour emergency service company that is available to you 365 days out of the year, because water damages and fires are never planned! 

SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline - We make it "Like it never even happened." Call us today at (804)730-6788 if we can be of service to you. 

Just a few reasons why SERVPRO of Hanover!

Employee Spotlight

5/20/2016 (Permalink)

Billy is heading out to a job to help a homeowner.

Say hello to Billy Gosnell!  Billy has been with SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland and Caroline for 13 years.  Billy started out working in the summer’s part time when he was on summer break all through high school, took a pit stop in the electrical world and then eventually started working full time.  We are very lucky to have Billy here at SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland and Caroline because not only is Billy a Crew Chief, but he is also our “Mr. Fix-It”.  When something is not working or needs to be repaired, Billy takes care of it.  He is incredibly knowledgeable and very handy when it comes to fixing things and troubleshooting issues with equipment.  One of Billy’s favorite things about his job is his co-workers.  Since Billy has been with SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland and Caroline for so long, as well as most of our employees, you create a work “family”, and he enjoys having that comradery.  

Billy enjoys spending his free time working on cars, helping his mom out around her house and going fishing.  He secretly enjoys smoking meats, and makes a killer pulled pork shoulder.  Finger licking good! With his love of the outdoors, Billy spends time taking care of his 4 Koi fish and growing his garden.  Not only is he a handyman, but he has a green thumb.  Hopefully he shares some of his home grown goodies out of his garden this year.

We are very fortunate to have Billy as a part of our SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline family.  His ability to fix and trouble shoot equipment in addition to being a Crew Chief make him a valuable asset to our team!

Employee Spotlight

5/4/2016 (Permalink)

Our go to girl, Paige McDowell, Owner and General Manager of SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline.

This week we are featuring the one and only Paige McDowell.  In case you did not know, Paige is one of the owners of SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline and serves as the General Manager.  Paige started with SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline part-time when she was in high school, and after college she started full-time.  Through her years here, Paige has experienced all facets of the business.  She has been the marketing representative, project manager, she has worked in the field, and now she does the daily roles of the General Manager.  With the number of years of experience Paige has, she also holds numerous certifications; Carpet Cleaning, Applied Microbial Remediation, Fire & Smoke Restoration, Odor Control, Water Damage Restoration, Health & Safety, Applied Structural Drying, Journeyman Water Restorer, Master Water Restorer, and Carpet Repair & Reinstallation.  She is the go to girl when you have a question.  With all those certifications, she can trouble shoot anything.  Of all the responsibilities that Paige holds here at SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline, doing the daily schedule is one of her favorite things to do because it allows her to problem solve and troubleshoot.  Which is probably why her nickname at work is “HBIC”.

If Paige could be a superhero, she would want to be Wonder Woman, and with juggling a business and a family, some would say she already is Wonder Woman!  In Paige’s free time, she really enjoys spending time with her family.  With her daughter, Sydney, in cheering and her son, Tyler, playing football, she is always on the go supporting them.  If she is not hanging out with her immediate family, she is hanging out with her Girl Scout family.  Paige is a troop leader for Troop 5288, and is always doing activities and helping her girls earn as many badges as possible.   

Something you may not know about Paige is that she loves watching cartoons with the kids!  I think we could all enjoy doing that on the weekends! 

Paige is what makes SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland and Caroline tick!  Without Paige running the day-to-day business, we would be lost!  Thank you for all your hard work and dedication!

Employee Spotlight

4/25/2016 (Permalink)

In Brenda's spare time, she loves spending time in the yard and planting flowers.

This week we will be introducing Brenda Pettirossi. Brenda has been part of the SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline family for six years specializing in our fire/soot cleaning jobs.  Brenda currently holds a fire and smoke restoration certification, but helps in many other facets of the day-to-day jobs.  SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline performs a number of post construction cleanings along with packing out homes for repairs, and Brenda is one of our “go to” technicians that is always ready to help homeowner’s when she can.  One of her favorite things about her job is meeting all the people who we help during trying times for homeowner’s. 

When Brenda is not working with her SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline family, she is spending time with her kids and five grandchildren. With these beautiful spring days, you can also find Brenda working hard in her yard.

Something you may not know about Brenda is, that she has worked hard her whole life, and three years ago she purchased her first house on her own.  Way to go Brenda!

Brenda is a great employee at SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline and it shows with her hard work and dedication! 

Employee Spotlight

4/7/2016 (Permalink)

Our Production Manager, Matt Clemens.

This week we are featuring our Production Manager, Matt Clemens.  Matt has been with SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline for 8 years and before that he was a sub-contractor for 3 years prior to joining our team.  One of Matt’s favorite things about his job is the variety of projects that he can be involved in on a daily basis.  He also enjoys all the people that he gets to meet and work with on a daily basis, whether it is homeowners or contractors.  What helps having the ability to be involved in so many projects is the certifications and continuing education that we are able to provide to Matt.  He currently has certifications in: Water Damage Restoration, Applied Microbial Remediation and Applied Structural Drying.

Some fun facts about Matt is that in his free time he is an outdoors man, and really enjoys hiking, camping and fishing.  He enjoys exploring the outdoors in the summer with his wife, two sons and his step daughter.  His kids call him the “Unbreakable Workhorse”, which explains why Matt is such a worker bee!

Something you may not know about Matt is that he grew up on a farm in Missouri, which may explain his love of the outdoors and getting his hands dirty.

Matt plays an important role in our day to day operations and we are glad he is part of our SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline team!

Employee Spotlight - Chris McDowell

3/24/2016 (Permalink)

Chris is ready to tackle the day and take care of our customers!

Meet Our Crew!                       

Introducing one of our longest serving Crew Chiefs, Christopher V. McDowell.  Chris has been with SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline for 13 years.  Through his years with SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline, he started out as a technician helping other Crew Chiefs perform water damages and worked his way up to Crew Chief.  Chris is certified in water damage restoration, mold remediation, advanced structural drying and carpet cleaning.  When we receive large commercial water damage jobs and large mold jobs, Chris is our lead on running those jobs.  His knowledge and excellent note taking makes the work flow of the jobs run seamlessly. Helping homeowners out when they are experiencing water damages and walking them through the whole process is one of the key things Chris enjoys about his jobs.  Chris also likes to see the large jobs come together with the drying process. 

If you know Chris, you know he is a diehard Florida State University sports fan.  His favorite memory is attending the Rose Bowl when FSU won the title, a memory to last a lifetime! Chris is very passionate about sports and staying fit, so in his free time he plays flag football, basketball, soccer and enjoys going to the gym.  Something you may not know about Chris, is that he wanted to be a health administrator at a sports clinic.

We are very lucky to have Chris as a part of our SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline family.  His knowledge of this industry and his passion for helping homeowners is key to our success!

Meet Our Crew!

3/9/2016 (Permalink)

Meet one of our technicians, Kyle!

This week in our Employee Spotlight, we will be introducing a new employee to the team.  Kyle Craig started with SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland and Caroline 8 months ago.  Kyle is one of our technicians who works very closely with each Crew Chief.  Every day is different for Kyle, which is his favorite thing about his job, because when you work in the emergency service field you never know what kind of job you are going to get when the phone rings.  Today, Kyle is moving furniture and boxes back to a homeowner who experienced the devastation of a fire, and tomorrow, Kyle could be helping out with a water mitigation.

Some fun facts about Kyle:

His nickname at work is Brindza.  The guys named him after the Notre Dame field goal kicker.  If he could be a superhero he would be called Brindza! His super powers would be to run super-fast …  whooooooosh – who was that?!

In Kyle’s free time his favorite thing to do is play video games. 

I asked Kyle to finish this sentence, “Something you may not know about is, that I like to go camping.”

We are glad to have Kyle as a part of our SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline family!

Meet the Man, The Legend - Malvern Barrow

3/2/2016 (Permalink)

Focused and working hard for our customers!

Introducing you to one of the gentlemen that has been with SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline since the beginning.  David and Kathie Butler started this franchise in 1996 and asked Malvern to be part of their team.  Malvern started this adventure feet on the ground going out to water damages, fires, bio-hazard clean ups and mold jobs.  You name it Malvern was there side by side with David and Kathie.  As the years passed, Malvern received more and more credentials from IICRC, Indoor Air Quality Association and the American Council for Accredited Certification.  Here is just a list of his certifications from IICRC:

• Master Fire & Smoke Restorer
• Master Textile Cleaner
• Master Water Restorer
• Journeyman Textile Cleaner
• Journeyman Fire & Smoke Restorer
• Journeyman Water Restorer
• Applied Microbial Remediation Specialist
• Water Damage Restoration
• Carpet Cleaning
• Stone, Masonry & Ceramic Tile Cleaning
• Carpet Repair & Reinstallation
• Health & Safety
• Color Repair
• Odor Control
• Applied Structural Drying
• Fire & Smoke Restoration
• Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning

The amount of knowledge Malvern has is abundant.  Have you ever wondered how to get a stain out of the carpet when it first happens?  Do you have a stubborn stain on a leather piece of furniture? Or in my case my 2 year old who poured fingernail polish all over a wooden chest and bedroom carpet.  That definitely makes your heart skip a beat.  Malvern was my first phone call to see what I needed to do to save my carpet and my nice antique piece of furniture.  Thank goodness for Malvern!

If you are curious about anything that relates to cleaning carpets, floors cleaning, furniture cleaning, mold remediation, odor in your house or your air duct system please send them our way.  Ask Malvern and email us at SERVPRO8293@erols.com and we will share your question and response from our expert at SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline.

We make it "Like it never even happened."

Employee Spotlight

2/22/2016 (Permalink)

Meet Rocco on the top, and Isabel on the bottom.

Meet Our Crew!

We have a 25 person team that works hard to make SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline a “well-oiled machine”.  Every other week, we will spotlight one of our employees that will showcase their role and some fun facts about them!

This week, we will be introducing Trish. Trish has been with SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline for 20 years. With that much experience here, Trish has done just about everything there is to do here at SERVPRO.  Her current role is Human Resources/Accounts Receivable.  Trish focuses on invoices, deposits, healthcare and background checks just to name of few things that keep her busy in the office.  Her favorite thing about her job is assisting all the employee’s with anything they need.

Here are some fun facts about Trish:

If she could be an animal, she would be a Pit Bull … watch out!

If she could be a super hero, her name would be Violet the Valiant!

Her favorite thing to do in her free time is to read and love on her diva cat, Isabel and her spunky dog, Rocco.

Finally, I asked Trish to finish this sentence: “Something you may not know about me is …”

            “I would like to have gone to school to become a med-flight helicopter pilot."

We love having Trish on our SERVPRO of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline team!