Do you need your ducts (HVAC) cleaned?

8/20/2021 (Permalink)

Ductwork can be part of what is irritating your senses, you might want to have them checked out.

There are so many impurities that can run through your HVAC duct system which is why is it important to have them cleaned. Smoke, dust, dirt, pet dander and hair, pollen, smoke and mold can all be circulating through your ductwork.

When this occurs you, your family, employees, etc. could be exposed to allergens and triggers that keep circulating leading symptoms to occur more often. Mold growth in the ductwork or HVAC system can cause damage and as spores circulate through the air, it can pose health effects. Impurities that flow through your HVAC ductwork can also lead to odors in the home.

Duct cleaning services are usually on a as needed basis and while there is no need to clean them regularly, you may have certain circumstances where they need cleaning more often. For example, you may have mold or mildew growth which can cause a moldy smell or you may even be able to see mold growth within the ducts or HVAC system. Pests such as mice are also able to penetrate through ducts through the attic, crawlspace or even outdoors. If they nest or even die inside they leave behind droppings, bodies, and impurities.

If you ever find yourself needing a duct cleaning service then please feel free to call us here at SERVPRO of Columbia & Suwannee Counties and we can give you a quote.  We cover Lake City as well as surrounding counties to assist you with your cleaning needs.

There are a couple of steps that you can take to help keep the HVAC ductwork such as changing air filters on a regular basis. You can also clean the vents thoroughly with warm soapy water removing the impurities from the vents.   We offer free quotes & can give you advise or our professional opinion to determine our specific needs.

Hoarding Concerns? Call us!

8/3/2021 (Permalink)

Have you someone in your life that this room could be in their home?

If you are a landlord, property manager, or another housing professional, you may be concerned about the possibility of a hoarder renting your property. After all, not only does this behavior create fire safety issues, indoor air quality problems, and potential health effects, it can also damage the property where the hoarder lives. Learn what degree of damage can occur and the potential legal ramifications for tenants who hoard.

Property Damage Caused by Hoarding

• Vermin infestation: Cockroaches, rats, and flies are attracted to rotting food and animal waste, so they may be present in severe hoarding situations. The presence of vermin in a property not only spreads disease among the people and animals living there, but it can lead to holes in the cabinetry, stains on the carpet, and other property damage.
• Mold growth: Hoarders often hold onto food, even after it has gone bad. Spoiled food in the refrigerator, on pantry shelves, and sitting out for days, weeks, or even months harbor mold growth. This may easily spread to the walls and floor of the rental unit, damaging the property in the process.
• Plumbing damage: In extreme hoarding situations, clogged drains may be difficult to access for repair purposes, resulting in sewer backups that leak into the floors and cause sanitation issues.
• Pet damage: Some hoarders attempt to care for dozens or even hundreds of animals. Unsanitary conditions often result, with urine and feces saturating every surface and making the space a serious health hazard.
• Structural damage: It’s possible for hoarders to collect so many belongings that the sheer weight of it all causes structural damage. The problems listed above can also lead to concerns regarding a home’s structural integrity.

Laws Against Hoarding

There are no laws that prohibit hoarding, but there are rules against the problems that hoarding can cause. Hoarders have the right to manage the objects in their home as they see fit—as long as their behavior doesn’t violate housing codes or their obligations to maintain the dwelling. Examples of violations that could justify an eviction include:

• Causing direct property damage to a rental unit
• Blocking emergency exits
• Interfering with fire sprinklers or ventilation systems
• Keeping explosive materials onsite
• Storing perishables in such a way that they attract mold or vermin
• Housing animals in violation of the lease agreement
• Landlords may seek monetary compensation for damages to the property caused by hoarding behavior.

How to Evict a Hoarder

If the person who hoards is cooperative, it’s best to avoid a court-ordered eviction unless absolutely necessary. Remember, hoarding disorder requires patience and encouragement on your end. It also can be someone elderly you are dealing with and you need to take a different approach.  Regardless of how you handle it remember they could have a much deeper issue than just hoarding.

Get Help Restoring a Property Damaged by Hoarding

If your previous tenant was a hoarder, and now you need help cleaning up the property before you find a new renter, reach out to SERVPRO of Columbia & Suwannee Counties. Cleaning and deodorizing are two of our specialties, as is mold remediation, so we’re confident we can restore your rental unit to pristine condition. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule services.

Area Rug cleaning

8/4/2020 (Permalink)

Cleaning an Area Rug in our warehouse

An area rug can be used a few different ways. To designate a certain area of a room or to protect the flooring underneath.

SERVPRO of Columbia and Suwannee Counties offers a few different options for cleaning area rugs.

Our fantastic team can clean your area rug where it is located in your home but we also have options for having it cleaned at our warehouse. We can either bring the rug to our warehouse or you can drop it off and then we can begin the process of steam cleaning your area rug.

Once your area rug is cleaned, SERVPRO of Columbia and Suwannee Counties can either deliver the rug to your home or you can stop by our warehouse and pick up the area rug.

Whichever option you choose, feel free to call SERVPRO of Columbia and Suwannee Counties and we will be more then happy to assist.

Difference between regular and deep cleaning

4/2/2020 (Permalink)

Before and After photo of a kitchen cleaning

Regular cleaning is what most people do on a daily or weekly basis. Deep cleaning is normally carried out every 6 months to a year.

Regular cleaning maintains a good level of cleanliness around the house. Regular cleaning tasks often cover things like:

• hoovering and mopping the floors
• cleaning bathrooms – sink, mirror, bath and toilet
• Tidying up
• cleaning the kitchen – wiping down work surfaces, cupboard doors, hob etc

Deep cleaning is different from regular or spring cleaning because it reaches the deep grime and dirt in your home.

It covers areas which aren’t traditionally covered by a regular or spring clean for example:

• behind kitchen appliances like the washing machine and oven, cutting through the grime that builds up
• under the sink
• inside the oven including the oven door glass
• inside of window frames and patio doors
• inside and outside of all windows
• washing all blinds
• full and deep dusting including all the corners of rooms for cobwebs
• scale removal from all bathroom tiles, kitchen tiles, taps, shower heads etc

If deep cleaning seems like a task that you may not want to tackle, give SERVPRO of Columbia and Suwannee counties a call and we can see how we can help.

We are SERVPRO, Here to Help if Needed!

3/24/2020 (Permalink)

If you need help, we are always here!

Each one of us is learning to live a little differently these days with "social distancing."  We pray you and your family and businesses are being successful practicing a safe distance from everyone.  

During times like this we come to realize how strong we truly are.  We hope you are taking as many precautions as you can to keep your home and business safe.  

If you find yourself in need of some extra deep cleaning and are unable to do so, please feel free to call SERVPRO of Columbia & Suwannee Counties to help you out.

We can help minimize the spread of germs with proactive cleaning! At SERVPRO, we’re trained to adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitization standards, making us the #1 choice for cleanup and restoration. Call 386-754-0261 or email us at SERVPRO9322@comcast.net to see how we can help clean your home or business. 

Spring Clean while you Quarantine

3/19/2020 (Permalink)

Cleaning supplies

While some of us have been asked to "self quarantine" by our places of employment, now would be the best time to spring clean and create a necessary distraction from the current state of affairs. SERVPRO of Columbia and Suwannee counties would like to share some tips for how to most efficiently use your time to get your home better cleaned and organized.

Form a plan of attack - Personally, I pick an area to work on rather then just stating "I need to sweep or mop". I choose the kitchen or bathroom and when that is completed I move on to the next area until I have completed the cleaning that I had planned.

One of the hardest tasks to undertake when spring cleaning is removing items that we may no longer need. Whether it be sentimental value or just a potential need for the item in the future, removing some items can be one of the toughest parts of spring cleaning.

Windows and walls are sometimes a forgotten area when cleaning.  Cleaning the window screens and also the blinds along with the windows can breathe new life into a room.

Replacing air filters for your central air system can be easily forgotten. If a filter stays in use for two long, it will become clogged and not properly filter the air in your home which can cause sickness. A recommendation for when to replace the air filters is about 3 months.

Carpet Cleaning Tips

3/10/2020 (Permalink)

General carpet cleaning

Our team at SERVPRO of Columbia and Suwannee Counties love to keep our customers and community informed on best practices for carpet cleaning and other services we might be able to share our knowledge on.

Some tips we would like to share for carpet cleaning are how to remove small stains, recommended vacuuming tips and how often the high traffic areas should be deep cleaned separate from the entire carpeted area of your home.

A common tip for removing stains would be to use club soda but you could also add a tablespoon of dish soap and a quarter teaspoon of white vinegar to a quart of warm water.  Before using on a stain or large area of the affected carpet, test the solution on an area that is not as visible.

Carpets are recommended to be vacuumed once a week.  When vacuuming, a tip for being able to keep track of the area that has already been completed would be to divide the room or area into small sections.  

Depending on the amount of traffic, the amount of time between deep cleaning of the carpet could be every 6 to 12 months.

30-Day Cleaning Challenge - Begin Today

2/25/2020 (Permalink)

It is Florida and Spring is in our view..... Time to do some spring cleaning and prepare for those days at the beach!

It's that time of year when everyone starts getting the Spring Cleaning bug....  we have been stuck inside for more days than us Floridians like due to cold weather.  

Even though we have not had a harsh winter, it just keeps going up and down in temperature.  We hope we are on the down slope towards Spring!  

Now is the time to plan what you can clean, schedule with SERVPRO of Columbia & Suwannee Counties what you might like us to clean and prepare for long days at the beach or on the river.

Here is a cleaning list to help you with what you might like to clean and then you can just schedule with us through this website or calling our office located in Lake City, Florida at 386-754-0261.  You might also want to get your HVAC ductwork cleaned and we have the best prices in town for the advanced equipment we use versus just using a small shop vac system as some of our competitors use. 

We would be glad to assist you in any of your needs.  

Drapery & Blind Cleaning

1/14/2020 (Permalink)

When Should My Drapes Be Cleaned?

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals excel at cleaning fine fabrics and intricate pieces. Fabrics are carefully inspected and tested to determine which of the System’s five cleaning methods is most appropriate.

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals are trained to use state-of-the-art equipment designed specifically for cleaning fine fabrics. Wet and dry cleaning methods are available as required. You can be confident in the SERVPRO System - we inspect and pretest to determine the safest and most effective cleaning method. When it comes to drapery and blinds, your local SERVPRO Franchise Professional has the training, equipment and experience to make them clean again.

A good rule-of-thumb is to clean drapes approximately every two years. A recent survey by SERVPRO disclosed that the average customer believes drapes should be cleaned when they look dirty. Depending on your heating system, the amount of smokers in the home, and other factors, drapes may not show soil for two to six years. The oily atmospheric soil will gradually cause the fabric to deteriorate. Often, direct sunlight is unjustly blamed for this. You may triple the life of your draperies through professional cleaning, which is relatively inexpensive compared to replacement costs.

Professional Cleaning

When your draperies need cleaning, make certain they are dry cleaned ONLY. Only a small percentage of materials can be laundered. If in doubt, call your local SERVPRO Franchise Professional for advice. Be discriminating in your choice of professional dry cleaners. Some cleaners have equipment designed for clothes cleaning, while others have equipment specifically designed for draperies.

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals have an exclusive process of dry cleaning draperies right in your home. There’s no need to have your home or office exposed while your draperies are out being cleaned.  SERVPRO Franchise Professionals inject a specially formulated solvent into your drapery under pressure and extract the chemical, leaving your drapes clean. This special process results in no damage or shrinkage to the material. Most importantly, you will get quality cleaning at a reasonable price. Call your local SERVPRO Professional at 386-754-0261 for a free survey of your drapery cleaning service.

What the Smell?!

8/19/2019 (Permalink)

Odors could be a sign of other issues with your home. Stop using those air fresheners and call SERVPRO today to fix your odor problems at the source.

Do you have unpleasant and embarrassing odors in your home? Maybe you aren’t even sure where the smell is coming from or what it is, but you are running out of air fresheners trying to mask it. At SERVPRO of Columbia and Suwannee Counties we are odor experts.

We have the expertise and knowledge to identify what these mysterious odors are and where they are coming from. Our highly trained and licensed technicians are equipped with the latest top of the line chemicals and equipment to effectively treat and remove those odors in the toughest conditions right at the source.

Stop buying more sprays that are just a temporary fix to the problem. Give us a call so we can come and evaluate your home. We will have your home restored “Like it never even happened.”

Deep Cleaning Your Home

4/19/2019 (Permalink)

In today's real estate market, you can have an edge with a reputation for having quality listings. You also want the ability to move a sale through quickly to get a commission. Presentation is everything and clean homes sale quicker.

A homeowner in Columbia County was extremely concerned about the cleanliness of her home because she was about to list it for sale. She hired SERVPRO of Columbia and Suwannee Counties to thoroughly clean their home. Their family had been living there for more than 20 years; they also had 2 small, not so housebroken pets.

The home definitely had a strong pet odor in some rooms. SERVPRO of Columbia and Suwannee Counties cleaned the house from top to bottom, including windows, window screens; pressure washed the patio, cleaned all the cabinets inside and out, and even completed the duct cleaning. To complete the process, we did a thermal fogging of the entire home with a neutralizing deodorizer.

The homeowner was more than ecstatic by the results of the cleaning and was happy to stage and put their home on the market.  SERVPRO of Columbia and Suwannee Counties clean on the deepest level and will enhance your home's true value by making you shine and help you sell your home at the highest price possible.

Would you like a deep cleaning of your home? Give us a call today! (386) 754-0261

Should I Clean My Carpets?

3/22/2019 (Permalink)

I Don’t See Anything, Should I Still Clean My Carpets?

Absolutely!

What steps should I take to maintain carpet in a high-traffic area on a daily basis, and to deal with spills and stains?

• Purchase a properly sized entry mat, the bigger the better.  There must be room for at least two steps to sufficiently wipe soil from feet before encountering the installed carpet. A carpet with a nylon face and vinyl back is best for moisture and oils absorption, combined with the resiliency necessary to collect a quantity of particle soil. The IICRC suggests a rental mat, since that guarantees frequent maintenance. Place entry mats on hard surfaces rather than on carpet where they can trap moisture or cause plasticize migration.
• Use high-efficiency double-lined poly-fiber collection bags. This reduces periodic maintenance such as dusting of furniture, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) filter exchange.
• Make sure the HVAC system is slightly positively pressurized as well, which means that air is going out when doors are opened, rather than being sucked in. Proper air exchange rates can be calibrated according to ASHRAE regulations for the building with a trained HVAC contractor.
• Be sure to vacuum on a daily basis. Especially after major events. The sooner you collect soils from the surface, the easier it is to remove them. For most carpet, you should use an upright vacuum with brush agitation, unless your canister vacuum is particularly well designed. The wider the head, the more efficient.
• Typically, deep cleaning should be accomplished on at least a semi-annual basis, with no more than two entry and high-traffic area "rinse" cleanings between the deep cleaning. This is dependent on traffic and daily maintenance as well. At a minimum, some attention should be given to primary entry areas on a quarterly basis.
• Ensure proper air filtration through the HVAC System. High-efficiency pleated filters, rather than inexpensive fiberglass filters, are recommended.

If spots are treated immediately, most will respond with plain warm water and very little mild detergent added.

SERVPRO of Columbia and Suwannee Counties offer cleaning services ranging from cleaning restaurant hoods to removing biohazard contaminants. We have the specialized training and products to get your property back to business. Give us a call today to find out more. (386) 754-0261

Carpet Cleaning - Spring Cleaning

4/20/2018 (Permalink)

Before and after photo of carpet cleaning in an apartment complex located in Florida

SERVPRO of Columbia & Suwannee Counties can do so much more than water mitigation and fire restoration. We are here to help with any residential or commercial carpet cleaning, duct cleaning and/or furniture cleaning. Have questions on specialty items you need professionally cleaned, give SERVPRO of Columbia & Suwannee Counties a call today for a quote over the phone. There is no job too big or small.

We can dry clean onsite, clean oriental area rugs.  Pressure wash carports, homes or businesses.  We clean campers and RV's if your getting ready to do some summer camping.  Drapery, Upholstery, Carpet, Ceramic Tile, Area Rugs and just about anything else you can think of...... We CLEAN! 

Located in Lake City, Florida for over 12 years we service Columbia County (Lake City, Fl), Suwannee County (Live Oak, Fl), Baker County (MacClenny, Fl), Hamilton County (Jasper, Fl), Union County (Lake Butler, FL) & Lafayette County (Mayo, Fl), in addition to surrounding North Central Florida areas.

Call SERVPRO of Columbia & Suwannee Counties (386) 754-0261 today! 

Should I have my ducts cleaned?

3/29/2018 (Permalink)

Knowledge about the potential benefits and possible problems of air duct cleaning is limited. Since conditions in every home are different, it is impossible to generalize about whether or not air duct cleaning in your home would be beneficial.

You should inspect your ducts if your furniture is excessively dusty or if you notice your registers (vents) are dust filled.  After a visual inspection of the inside of the ducts, you see no indication that your air ducts are contaminated with large deposits of dust or mold (no musty odor or visible mold growth), having your air ducts cleaned is probably unnecessary. On the other hand, if someone in your household suffers from allergies, unexplained symptoms or illnesses you may want to consider having your ducts cleaned.  It is normal for the return registers to get dusty as dust-laden air is pulled through the grate. This does not indicate that your air ducts are contaminated with heavy deposits of dust or debris; the registers can be easily vacuumed or removed and cleaned.

Contact SERVPRO located in Lake City, Florida (386) 754-0261 to have your ducts cleaned today!!

Spring Cleaning Services Offered By your Local SERVPRO

3/17/2018 (Permalink)

Cleaning ceiling with dry clean sponges

One thing we recognize is that in the world today we all have busy schedules.  NO ONE has proper time in their life where they easily manage time set aside to clean.  Whether at your office or at home there just isn't enough time.  

Whether is taking your children to dance or baseball practice, work, fixing dinner or everyday tasks at hand.... cleaning is not a priority sometimes.  We understand that here at SERVPRO. 

That's where we come in..... here at SERVPRO of Columbia & Suwannee Counties we can do it for you!  Whether it is cleaning baseboards and your bathrooms to pressure washing your home or business!   We do it all.  Residential and Commercial we can assist you in your Spring Cleaning or whenever cleaning. 

As we said above, no matter if your in Lake City, Mayo, McClenney, Fort White, Lake Butler or anywhere surrounding this area (we cover several counties)... we can do it.    Our staff has background checks and have experience in cleaning like no others.  SERVPRO offers excellent and reliable cleaning services all-year round to your homes or businesses.

We use only the best products available to us through our professional lab at our corporate office.  They spend hours mixing and providing us with the most efficient cleaners to make our work easier on us.  We also have environmentally "green" products available upon request for carpet cleaning, windows and more.  That is how much we care about our customers.  We have Scotchguard as well as other products to help maintain the "fresh & clean" appearance also!

We provide all sorts of cleaning services - some listed above, but if you have a question you can call our office located in Lake City, Florida at 386-754-0261 and we will be glad to answer any additional you may have.  This is the perfect time to get upholstery, drapery, ceramic tile, carpet, ductwork (HVAC) and anything else you might need done taken care of.  

Duct Cleaning Process

12/8/2017 (Permalink)

Duct Cleaning Process:

• The process begins by using patented equipment including a roto-scraper, which automatically adapts to the duct's shape an diameter while traveling through the duct, removing debris and filth before vacuuming begins.
• Next, a powerful push-pull air delivery and collection system transfers the debris from the ducting to a 16-gallon container.
• Air is filtered through a HEPA filtration system, removing 99.97 percent of particles in the airstream. HEPA filters capture debris and keep the environment clean.
• As an optional process, a sealant or coating product may be sprayed to address odor to microbial concerns.
• Filters will either be cleaned or replaced to remove odor and dirt.

Duct cleaning may not always be necessary. SERVPRO of Columbia & Suwannee Counties will inspect your HVAC system and ductwork and make recommendations about the best way to address any indoor air quality concerns. This inspection can save you money and provide peace of mind on the health of your HVAC system and ductwork.

In some circumstances, such as after fire, smoke or suspected mold growth, duct cleaning becomes an essential part of the cleanup process. In these cases, SERVPRO of Columbia & Suwannee Counties can often restore the HVAC system and ductwork to pre-damage condition.

Duct Cleaning

12/6/2017 (Permalink)

Duct vs. Duck Cleaning...... There is a Difference!

When you hear someone mention duct cleaning you may think “do they rescue wildlife as well?” As much as we love animals of all kinds we mean your Air Duct System. The ventilation system in your home or business is crucial especially in the hot Florida weather. Most times the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning System (HVAC) is long forgotten about unless it stops working and you’re left in a pool of sweat. Dirty Ducts can not only circulate contaminants such as mold and dust, it can also circulate odors.

So what is SERVPRO of Columbia and Suwannee Counties Duct Cleaning process?

Our highly skilled and trained technicians begin by using patented equipment including a roto-scraper. This equipment automatically adapts to the ducts shape and diameter while traveling through the duct work. During this process it is also removing any filth or debris before the vacuuming starts.

The Second step of our process is a powerful push-pull air delivery & collection system which transfers any and all debris to a 16-gallon container. The Air is filtered through a HEPA filtration system which removes 99.97% of particles in the airstream.

The Filters in your air duct system will need to be cleaned or replaced to finish the process of removing odor and dirt.

As an optional process we offer to spray a sealant or coating product to address odor or microbial concerns.

If you would like us to come give you a quote to clean those Dirty Ducts and drastically improve your air quality, give us a call (386) 754-0261. 

Nicotine affects on your Columbia County Home or Business.

5/20/2016 (Permalink)

This is a Vent from a Nicotine Cleaning we did on a Suwannee County Home.

Nicotine is an alkaline chemical that acts as a stimulant by raising blood pressure, which in turn increases your heart rate. It has also been found to act an appetite suppressant. Nicotine is the primary chemical found in most tobacco products. It is absorbed into the body through the skin, lungs, digestive tract, mucous membranes in the nose, and tissues located in the mouth.

While it has been proven that Nicotine exposure can cause some health issues, what most people do not realize is that there can be traces of Nicotine in the home long after the last puff. The residue left by the use of Nicotine products is commonly referred to as “Third-Hand Smoke.”

Third-Hand Smoke is caused by smoke combining with indoor pollutants such as ozone and nitrous acid, in turn creating new compounds. Third-Hand smoke not only mixes but settles with dust and drifts down onto furniture and carpeting. It will also get deep down into paneling, drywall, and any other porous surface. These new compounds are also carried on the body of the smoker, so even if they did not smoke inside of a building they act as carriers. 

Third-Hand Smoke was shown to decrease a home’s value by up to 29% in 2010. According to the U.S. Census, the median sale price of an American home in 2010 was $221,800. Meaning smokers or homes with Third-Hand Smoke could potentially lose about $64,000 on average.

These new compounds are difficult to clean-up, and have a long life span of their own. Research has not figured out exactly how long it takes to completely remove every trace, but it has been proven over 20 years later, Nicotine was still found in homes.

Here at SERVPRO of Columbia and Suwannee Counties we are trained to handle Nicotine Cleanings in homes, businesses, and cars. We are also highly trained in Fire, Smoke and Soot Restoration and Cleanup, Water Removal and dehumidification, Biohazard, Vandalizm, Crime Scene, Mold, Air Duct Cleaning, Carpet and Stain Cleaning, Odor Deodorization, and Upholstery. 

Give us a Call at (386)754-0261 and let us make it “like it never even happened.”