Recent Posts

Satisfaction and Innovation in the Workplace

7/20/2022 (Permalink)

Keeping a happy and functional workspace is not only important for visiting members of the community, but also ensures that those team members that spend every day there are happy and your place of business is running to the best of its ability. Check out these ideas to make sure there is a positive environment that everyone can thrive in, no matter their walk of life.

  1. Energy Efficiency

In addition to making your work environment more comfortable, paying attention to the energy efficiency of your appliances, such air the HVAC system, can also keep it safe by reducing the risk of allergens and microbes in the air. You will also save money on your overhead by increasing the functionality, without having to use additional systems or using higher power levels.

  1. Floorplans and Work Stations

Creative floorplans and workspaces can benefit your employees by giving them a varied work environment to “mix it up” and can lead to increased productivity. In addition to this, when your storefront has a unique layout, it can lead to patrons engaging more, and will likely end up in increased purchases- think IKEA, have you ever gone in a big store like that without leaving with a full cart?

  1. Using Outside Inspiration to Your Advantage

We as humans definitely do not know it all, so build new ideas by using outside inspiration. Utilize industry titans, social media discovery, or even something you come across day-to-day to build your own individuality in the workplace.

  1. Address Concerns Head-On

Sometimes when a small issue bubbles up, our first line of thought is to put it on a list for later. However, often this can lead to bigger problems down the road (especially when it comes to the integrity of your building), so it is better to tackle them as they come. This will also help your employees feel secure, as they know that you will deal with anything that comes up.

  1. Recognize Individual Successes

Everyone wants to feel appreciated, so by recognizing successes by employees or teams, it can really help with morale in the workplace. This can lead to more pride in the work being done and overall job satisfaction. Your team members are the bread and butter of your business, so it is always important to recognize the achievements they have helped you reach.

  1. Never Stop Learning

One of the worst things you can do for your business is to become stagnant, and the quickest way to do that is to think you know everything and stop in the pursuit of learning. Keep up-to-date on trends, learn from colleagues and community leaders, and try to have an open mind when it comes to helping your business grow.

  1. Maintain the Standard of Cleanliness

Sometimes if you have a large commercial space, keeping it immaculately clean can be difficult. SERVPRO can ensure that your place of business is safe from lingering germs by using our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, which is our defensive pathogen cleaning program. Have Questions? Call us today at (540) 389-5818 to see what we can do for you.

Air Quality Addressed the SERVPRO Way

7/12/2022 (Permalink)

Keeping your business space clean can be tough alone, especially when you can’t even see one of your biggest concerns. Air quality can be hard to maintain if you aren’t undergoing routine maintenance to tackle each issue. Thankfully, SERVPRO has a system that not only improves air quality by eliminating odor, but it also tackles those microbes that are not visible to the naked eye.

Patented roto-scrapers remove visible debris from air ducts, which is then vacuumed out and collected in containers to make sure no remnants are left, and finished off with a HEPA Filtration system to remove 99.7% of particles that were trapped in the air. Sealants can also be applied to tackle and prevent larger concerns, such as microbes that can cause illness. 

Our trained team of professionals can steer you in the right direction to ensure you are receiving the service that your commercial or residential location needs, without tacking on extras. For more information on HVAC and air duct cleaning, call us today, (540) 389-5818.

Why SERVPRO for Restoration

7/12/2022 (Permalink)

Have you ever had a personal item that had been damaged and you thought it was beyond repair? SERVPRO can tackle the big problems, like damage from storms or fires, but we also make sure to take the time to restore those items that may seem insignificant to some, but have big meaning to the people they belong to.

Thanks to our tried-and-true techniques, we are able to clean even the hardest to revive items. This means that even if you have damage to items like clothing, paperwork, electronics, and much more, SERVPRO has a team assembled that have the knowledge to handle your personal effects and restore them, if at all possible. We offer a range of options to cater to the needs of different levels of care, and make sure you are not only saving where you need to, cost-wise, but preventing further damage from taking place over time.

Don’t believe us? Check out this restoration job where one of our employees realized a much beloved leather jacket was damaged beyond what he thought was fixable, and was completely restored to its original condition. This item measured an unbelievable “7,718” on the contamination scale (“30” is considered hazardous), and came out an impeccable “0” after running it through our ESPORTA Wash System.

See how we can help you revive the items that you cherish and help make your house a home by calling SERVPRO at +1 (540) 389-5818.

Fourth of July Fire Safety Tips

7/1/2022 (Permalink)

The Fourth of July is a wonderful time of year to celebrate our freedom in the United States, as well as providing a chance to get together with friends and family, and enjoy some outdoor activities like having a barbeque, swimming, and watching fireworks. However, it can also be quite dangerous if the necessary precautions aren’t taken to provide a safe and fire-free environment. Check out these tips on a few common activities that are traditionally seen around this time of year.

  1. Barbeque and Grills

Always have someone monitoring the grill to prevent children approaching and to watch for potential fires. One minute away from the grill could potentially mean a potential disaster.

Always make a point to read the owner’s manual to make sure you are operating it correctly, check for gas leaks, and keep on a level surface away from home and other potentially flammable fixtures. It is also good practice to have fire extinguishers at the ready and never use a grill indoors.

  1. Fire Pits

Someone should always be assigned to monitor the fire to ensure it stays under control.

Use hard wood meant for burning on a fire and never use gas to get it going will help prevent unmanageable flames.

You should also keep the pit away away from trees, in an open area, have an extinguisher on hand, and make sure chairs and people are distanced from the fire itself. It is also good practice to keep yourself up-to-date on local fire pit laws to make sure your festivities comply with safety protocol set by the place you live in.  

  1. Fireworks

When using fireworks, always point away from yourself and any other spectators in the area, use them one at a time, and keep buckets of water on hand. The operator should also be sober to prevent reckless or careless usage.

Another great option to see fireworks is to go to a professional show for a better experience, in the sky and safety wise! Many local organizations hold shows for the community to view, which is a great chance to have some fun without the risk.

  1. Children

Always monitor children outside while they are in close proximity to fires or flammable materials. A trusted adult should be assigned to watch the kids to prevent potential fire related injuries.

  1. Lightning

With local area predictions of rain and storms on the forecast, it is also good to protect the inside of your home from storm related fires. Use surge protectors on all electronics to avoid electricity related fires, refrain from using large appliances like washers and dryers, and unplug minor ones such as chargers.

Your family at SERVPRO of Roanoke, Montgomery, and Pulaski Counties wishes you a happy and safe Fourth of July!

Seven Summer Home Maintenance Tips for 2022

6/14/2022 (Permalink)

The summer months are finally here and with that comes seasonal maintenance to keep you and yours safe within your home. Check out these seven tips that can help you prevent issues that may lead to more serious and expensive problems down the road.

  1. Control and monitor the temperature and humidity in your home to prevent mold growth. To keep air circulating you can also change the direction of your fan to turn counterclockwise, so it creates a down breeze, which helps to keep the air cool in those hot summer months.
  2. Check and replace smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries to protect you and your family from potential emergencies. Also, take the time to clean and service grills and fire pits to prevent potential fires.
  3. Trim trees on your property and ensure large structures are up to code to prevent damage due to falling objects during summer thunderstorms.
  4. Keep your home comfortable and cool by doing routine HVAC maintenance, that not only increases efficiency, but also eliminates odors, reduces potential mold growth, and improves the overall quality of the air in your home.
  5. Prevent potential disasters by getting your air ducts and dryer vents cleaned, to remove dust and debris.
  6. Have your carpets and upholstery cleaned to reduce allergens in your environment that are brought in daily. Particles and debris from A/C, open windows, and traffic can settle deep within the fabrics in your home and may require deep cleaning to prevent breakdown and damage at a deeper level.
  7. Help prevent flooding in your home by cleaning out your gutters and downspouts, checking for potential issues in the foundation of your house that could lead to leaks, and make sure your roof is in good condition in case of summer rainstorms.

Owning a home is no small feat, and just with anything else of importance, there are things you must do periodically to take care of what you have worked so hard for. SERVPRO of Roanoke County and Montgomery and Pulaski Counties is proud to provide services that can help keep your home safe and clean during every season of the year. If you need assistance in anything from duct cleaning to storm or water damage, give us a call to see how we take the stress off of your shoulders: (540) 389-5818.

A storm damaged my house, wow what?!

7/16/2021 (Permalink)

The damage a storm causes to a home can leave your life suddenly upended. In the first days after a storm, you might be overwhelmed with the damage, with everything you have to do and with concerns about getting your life back together. But careful planning can help you return to normalcy as quickly as possible

Take these steps to make life a little easier to get back to normal as soon as possible.

  1. Safety First: Avoid power lines, mold, and open areas of murky water. You may need to leave your house until professionals can check it 
  2. Document Damage: Take pictures before an impending storm of your home, protect important documents, and when it is safe to enter your home take pics of the damage.
  3. Have a plan: If you know a large storm is coming to your area have a plan in place on where you will go, expense plan, and a plan to get back on track.

For assistance you can always call SERVPRO for help! 540-389-5818

Dont Let Stormy Weather Ruin your Vacation

7/14/2021 (Permalink)

Hurricane season is June 1 through November 30, peaking in mid-August to late October. Here are traveling and safety tips so storm damage has little to know damage on your vacation.

  • Hurricanes can disrupt flights and you may be separated from your baggage. You can minimize this inconvenience by packing necessities in your carry-on bags. Also, our travel insurance plans can reimburse you if you need to buy necessary items if your bags are delayed more than 12-24 hours, depending on your plan.
  • It's tempting to completely unplug on vacation, but advance warning about hurricanes is not always guaranteed. We recommend you keep up-to-date on the latest information about possible storms before and during your trip.
  • If you're truly concerned about a hurricane impacting your travel plans, consider taking a cruise to your destination as they are more flexible than flights and can detour to alternative ports.

Families or groups traveling together should make an emergency plan to determine where they are going to meet and how they will get there. Additionally, they should check with their accommodation provider to see if they can access an emergency kit with a radio, water, food and other survival basics, if necessary.

Helping Hands at Feeding America

7/14/2021 (Permalink)

Pandemic Volunteers

During the pandemic many of our neighboring volunteer organizations struggled to find volunteers. Our owners and Marketing team decided what better way to help than to volunteer our time in the community we serve. Feeding America in our area was one organization we love to support and happy to help. They check temperatures and require gloves and masks to come into the building. They take measures to make a safe place to volunteer. Once inside you can help clean off all the food, sort boxes, check for damages, or do pack up. It is an awesome time to meet other volunteers in the community. The team has decided to spend time each month helping organizations like Feeding America. You can check with your local chamber or library to find local organizations in need of helping hands. Feeding America Southwest is always looking for smiling faces and a helping hand to serve the community.

The Importance of Water Safety

7/7/2021 (Permalink)

For many people, the summer means cookouts, swimming, and having fun with those we are closest to.  And while swimming can be a great way to cool off in the summer heat, it is important that we are keeping an eye on all and any children tempted by the cool water, no matter how hectic and busy the parties may get.

Here are some tips provided by CPSC.gov to ensure your child's safety this summer!

Staying Close, Being Alert and Watching Children in and Around the Pool

  • Always keep an eye on your children around any body of water, and never leave them unattended!
  • Make sure your child is aware of basic water safety tips
  • Keep small children away from pool drains, pipes, and other openings to avoid entrapments
  • Make sure to keep a telephone close by whenever you are near a body of water
  • If a child is missing, look for them in the water first
  • Share safety instructions with family, friends, and neighbors, so everyone will be alert

Learning and Practicing Water Safety Skills

  • Make sure both you and your child know how to swim if you will be in the water
  • Learn how to perform CPR on children and adults, and update those skills regularly
  • Understand the basics of  life-saving so that you can assist in any water emergency

Following these tips and being aware this Independence day will not only keep your child safe, but it will give you peace of mind, so you can enjoy the holiday to the fullest!

Safety with Heating Sources

7/7/2021 (Permalink)

Tips to help prevent fires in your home or office from heating sources:

  1. Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.
  2. Use heating equipment that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
  3. All heaters need space.  Keep flammable objects at least three feet away from heating equipment.
  4. Plug space heaters directly into outlets.  Never use a power strip or extension cord.
  5. When using fuel burning heaters, use only the type of fuel specified by the manufacturer.
  6. Install and maintain carbon monoxide and smoke alarms inside your home and business.  Test alarms monthly.
  7. Remember to turn off portable heaters before leaving the room or going to bed.
  8. When using a wood-burning fireplace, make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to help prevent sparks from flying into the room.  Spent fireplace ashes should be cool before removing and putting them into a metal container.  The container should be stored away from your home or business.

Safety tips provided by National Fire Prevention Association