Recent Posts

Guarding Against the Silent Threat: Attic Fires

1/8/2024 (Permalink)

Attic on fire The attic of this house has caught on fire and will need SERVPRO® to help with the aftermath.

Attic fires pose a significant, yet often overlooked, threat to homeowners. These silent culprits can smolder undetected for extended periods before erupting into a full-blown blaze. The confined space of an attic, filled with insulation and stored belongings, creates a perfect environment for fires to thrive. To safeguard your home, prioritize regular inspections of your attic's electrical wiring and appliances. Ensure that insulation is installed properly, reducing the risk of overheating. Installing smoke detectors in the attic can provide early warnings, crucial for swift action. Additionally, keep the attic clutter-free to eliminate potential fuel sources. Vigilance and preventative measures are key in protecting your home from the hidden danger of attic fires. Should you experience an attic fire, call your local SERVPRO®.  

The Sneaky Culprit: Appliance Leaks and Water Damage

1/5/2024 (Permalink)

Water leak from water heater on basement floor This water heater had a large leak and can cause water damage to the surrounding areas.

Water damage from appliance leaks can be a silent destroyer, wreaking havoc on your home without warning. From dishwashers to washing machines, these seemingly innocent appliances can turn into potential disasters. The issue often lies in deteriorating hoses, faulty connections, or aging components that give way unexpectedly.

Prevention is key. Regularly inspect and replace worn-out hoses, check for loose connections, and keep an eye on the overall condition of your appliances. Being proactive about maintenance not only safeguards your home but also ensures the longevity of your appliances. Don't let a small leak turn into a big problem – stay vigilant and protect your home from appliance-induced water damage.

Should you find any unwarranted water damage due to appliances, call your local SERVPRO.

Understanding the Impact of Freezing Temperatures on Homes

1/5/2024 (Permalink)

Frozen Pipes in Winter A frozen over pipe in winter.

As winter's icy grip tightens, it brings with it a myriad of challenges for homeowners. Freezing temperatures can take a toll on our residences, causing potential damage that extends beyond the visible frost on windows. The most common concern is frozen pipes, which can burst and lead to costly repairs. Additionally, the contraction and expansion of building materials under extreme cold can result in structural issues and compromised insulation.

To safeguard your home, focus on insulation upgrades, weatherstripping, and regular maintenance of heating systems. Taking preventative measures, such as allowing faucets to drip during frigid nights, can help mitigate the risk of frozen pipes.

In the event that your home experiences a burst pipe or any other interior damage, call your local SERVPRO.

What is water damage?

4/10/2023 (Permalink)

A man with a blue bucket catching water from the ceiling. A man trying to prevent water from the ceiling causing additional damage throughout his home.

Water damage is a serious issue that can cause significant harm to your property and your health if left unresolved. Whether it's caused by a leaky pipe, a natural disaster, or a sewage backup, water damage can result in costly repairs and pose health risks. In this blog, we will discuss what water damage is, its causes, and how to prevent and deal with it.

What is Water Damage?

Water damage is the destruction or damage that occurs when water intrudes into your property. Water damage can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

  • Floods
  • Burst pipes
  • Leaky roofs
  • Plumbing problems
  • Appliance malfunctions
  • Sewage backups

Water damage can cause significant harm to your property and possessions, including:

  • Structural damage to your property
  • Mold growth
  • Electrical damage
  • Health risks due to mold and bacteria growth

Causes of Water Damage

The causes of water damage can vary depending on the source of the water. Some of the most common causes of water damage include:

Natural Disasters

Natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and heavy rain can cause significant water damage to your property.

Burst Pipes

Burst pipes are one of the most common causes of water damage in homes. They can be caused by frozen pipes, old and corroded pipes, or water pressure buildup.

Leaky Roofs

Leaky roofs can cause water to seep into your home and cause damage to your ceilings, walls, and floors. Leaky roofs are often caused by missing or damaged shingles, cracked flashing, or clogged gutters.

Plumbing Problems

Plumbing problems such as clogged drains, overflowing toilets, and damaged water heaters can cause water damage to your property.

Appliance Malfunctions

Appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, and refrigerators can malfunction and cause water damage if not properly maintained.

Sewage Backups

Sewage backups can occur due to clogs, damaged pipes, or heavy rain. Sewage backups can cause significant health risks and require immediate attention.

Preventing Water Damage

Preventing water damage is much easier than dealing with the aftermath. Here are some tips for preventing water damage:

  • Regularly inspect your pipes and plumbing fixtures for leaks and damage.
  • Keep gutters clean and free of debris to prevent water from backing up and causing damage.
  • Check your roof for damage or missing shingles.
  • Regularly inspect your appliances and plumbing fixtures for signs of wear and tear.
  • Install a sump pump to prevent basement flooding.

Dealing with Water Damage

If you do experience water damage, it's important to act quickly to minimize the damage and prevent mold growth. Here are the most important steps to take if you experience a water damage.

  • Turn off the water source to prevent further damage.
  • Contact SERVPRO @ 336-379-1772 for help with cleaning up and repairing the damage.

Retail Cleaning and Restoration?

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

A woman holds a white sweater This gal isn't going to hike through six inches of floodwater to buy this sweater!

If you own a retail business, you know your financial stability hinges upon getting enough employees into your shop, and making enough sales. Having a flood or a fire will really throw a wrench into your business plan! Thankfully, SERVPRO of Greensboro North is IICRC-certified to handle your retail cleaning and restoration needs, whether it’s restoring and reconstructing after a fire or a storm, or something smaller, like mold remediation or air duct cleaning! We are replete with top-of-the-line Franchise Professionals who are trained and experienced with all types of cleaning and restoration jobs you might have for them to contend with.

If your retail business encounters some damage, you should call SERVPRO immediately at (336) 379-1772 and we can be on-site with our industrial equipment in less than four hours.

Fire Damage needs Swift Action. Fire Damage needs SERVPRO.

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

Firemen put out a house fire SERVPRO will be there a few minutes after these brave boys go back to the station!

If your home or business experienced any fire damage during the Holiday Season, you need to act quickly to handle the cleanup, and the first step is finding a Fire Damage Cleanup and Restoration Company, and that company is SERVPRO of Greensboro North! We specialise in finishing the entire job, from cleaning walls, ceilings, and floors, to deodorizing carpets and upholstery, to cleaning out air ducts, which can keep the smell of smoke alive in your home for weeks if not taken care of. If you hire a cleanup and restoration company that only finishes half the job and moves along (almost certainly charging you the same price despite doing an inferior job!), your damage won’t actually be fully restored, and you’ll be back to where you started. So get someone who can do it right the first time and finish the job with excellence.

SERVPRO still has some of the Best Reviews in Town!

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

Five stars on a table They give you actual stars now.

According to the majority of shoppers reviewed by JD Power, reviews are one of the most important factors to choosing a business to patronise. Even in customers who have already been given a seal of approval from a trusted friend or family member, reviews can still sway the prospective purchaser’s decision.

That’s why we at SERVPRO pride ourselves on our ability to maintain high reviews despite working in such a contentious industry. (People don’t usually call us when they’re in a good mood!) Despite the perils of keeping a public review option for anyone to leave his or her feedback (whether actually a customer or not), our reviews are always greater than 4.5, so you can be confident that the overwhelming majority of our customers are extremely satisfied with our professionalism, perfectionism, and punctuality, which means you will be as well!

Greensboro Businesses Gotta Stick Together!

1/4/2022 (Permalink)

Two teen girls sit on a curb, hugging and smiling Now, this is a friendship that will last a lifetime...or until they ship off to different high schools next year.

We’re all in this together, folks! Being a business owner in this world is tough, and local businesses have to have each others’ backs when things get rougher. That’s why SERVPRO of Greensboro North is here to help your business cleanup and restore whatever damage you might be dealing with. We’re quick on the scene (average time until arrival after a call is around three hours!), and we’re open 24/7, so no matter what type of business you’re running, we’ll be there to take care of the disaster. Fire, water, mold, and storms can all damage your precious company, and you need to have someone you can rely on to respond rapidly and professionally (guess who has forty thumbs and is IICRC-certified…Us!), and SERVPRO of Greensboro North is that establishment. So when disaster strikes, call SERVPRO at (336) 379-1772 and we’ll be there to have your back.

Fireworks on New Year’s Eve? Be Smart and Safe!

1/1/2022 (Permalink)

A Man watches fireworks holding a sparkler This fella is getting outclassed in the perennial "Bring your coolest firework" competition.

2021 AD is passing through our fingers by the day, and 2022 AD is rapidly approaching, and anyone expecting you to lay low on NYE and hold off on the fanfare doesn’t understand what this great country is all about. We all know you’re going to drive down to SC and get some real fireworks (or you already did during your last beach trip, and you’ve been saving your stash until now!), so you might as well be safe during the weekend festivities so you don’t end up like football star Jason Piere-Paul, or worse, accidentally burning some of your cool things you own.

The biggest rule is don’t hold fireworks in your hands. This shouldn’t even need to be said, but too many galaxy-brains on the internet have been running around, shooting each other with roman candles and bottle rockets. It’s not the 1980s anymore, folks! Those anarchic days of old are over, and you can’t behave like that in 2022.

Next, make sure you point your fireworks away from your house or the houses of others, as well as stacks of firewood. That’s just a recipe for disaster.

So have fun and stay safe, folks!

Snowmen, Snowangels, Snowstorms… We’re Snowverloaded!

1/1/2022 (Permalink)

A car is crushed by a tree This guy was "too busy" to take care of that tree near his car, so nature picked up the slack for him.

Winter is here, which means it’s getting chilly out there. When it gets chilly, water freezes. I’m not forging new ground here, but hang with me. This is gonna get useful!

Snowstorms and ice storms are an unusual mix of fun and danger. We’ve all made snowmen and snowangels outside after a good storm dumped some powder on us, but there are downsides too! Snow storms, and especially ice storms, can bring down trees near your house, destroying power lines, windows, roofs, (etc.)

It’d be prudent as the winter kicks up to be proactive and look around your property for any dead or dying trees or branches hanging out near your house or car or shed and trim those puppies up. It’ll take a few minutes of your time today in exchange for a huge headache later!

Three out of three property owners who trimmed the trees near their homes were grateful afterwards. (I only asked three people.) Now chop-chop!