What Is The IIRC? What Does It Mean For Me?

8/15/2023 (Permalink)

What Is An IICRC Certification? Why Does It Matter?

The IICRC is the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification, a non-profit organization for the Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Industries. 

When considering who to call for water damage, do you go with the company your insurance company recommends? How about your neighbor’s recommendation? In the internet age of information-overload and bias, how can you know what’s right? Who really does the best job? Who does the most work for the money? Who handles a water loss job from start to finish? SERVPRO is proud to be your one-stop-shop for disaster relief after a fire, flood, or storm—but don’t take our word for it—let us show you.

Your local SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park is proudly an IICRC accredited firm.

What is an IICRC Certification?

IICRC Certified Firms have earned the right to display the IICRC logo as a symbol of quality. In order to achieve IICRC-certified status, firms must meet a rigorous list of standards in business ethics and expertise.

All IICRC Certified Firms must:  

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.
• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.  
• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry. 
• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.
• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.  

When it comes to cleaning, restoration and inspection, the IICRC writes the books. As an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Standards Developing Organization (SDO), the IICRC has paved the way in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, upholstery and fabric cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation.  

Each IICRC standard takes years to develop and the coordination of several experts in the field, including:

1. allied trades persons
2. manufacturers
3. international, national and regional trade associations
4. individual or franchise professionals
5. cleaning, inspection and restoration industry organizations
6. insurance industry
7. training schools
8. contractors and public health professionals

These standards are reviewed and updated at least every five years. Many of these fields, such as the water damage restoration field, change rapidly and those who are certified keep up with the advancement of the science and generally accepted practices of the industry.

We don’t take this stamp of approval lightly—we uphold it. If your home or business suffered water, storm, or fire damage, call us for 24 hours emergency service or for a free estimate.

What to Look for in a Restoration Company

9/25/2022 (Permalink)

1. The Ability to Deal with Multiple Damage Types

Many professional restoration services like SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park offers the ability to work with multiple damage types. This is because one kind of damage can lead to another. For example, fire eliminated by water can result in mold if the water stands long. Most restoration companies can help with fire, water, mold, and storm damage.

2. A Quick Response Time

Being faster to any size disaster means arriving with the materials and equipment required to do the job. Locally owned franchises such as SERVPRO® have locations across the country, allows them to respond faster when a disaster strikes.

3. They Offer a Variety of Services

A restoration company such as SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park offers various services designed to help your agent process the insurance claim. These include an electronics inventory service and an online database that provides access to information.

Whether you're choosing a restoration company because they're faster to any size disaster, or they can deal with multiple damage types, you want to look at the other services they provide. Many companies can help you clean your damaged items, the structure, and the services they can offer, making keeping track of the details needed by your insurance provider easier.

Having a company that can coordinate the whole process from start to finish makes your life easier and gets you back in your home or business faster. "Like it never even happened."

If you would like additional information on hiring a team experienced in multiple types of restoration, call SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park today (813) 694-9085.

A Smoother Claim Process

9/12/2022 (Permalink)

If you have suffered a disaster at your home or business, the last thing you want is to worry. For this reason, our team ensures they make a claim process as stress-free as possible. SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park will help make it “Like it never even happened.” That way, you and your family or business can get back to what is important.

Our goal is to make the insurance process as smooth as possible. Therefore, we will:

• Create thorough visual and written documentation of the damage to your home or business;
  
  
• Document the condition of each item we remove for cleaning or storage;
  
  
• Work directly with your insurer, communicating with you at all times;
  
  
• Handle the paperwork to make sure the processing and payment of your claim is as fast as it can be.

We are so proud that so many insurance companies recommend SERVPRO to their client. They are aware of the benefits that come along with our partnership. We do everything we can to make the entire process as easy as possible.

Our team is here for you if you experience a disaster. Our technicians have specialized training and years of experience in water, fire, mold, and bio-hazard clean up and restoration services. Call us anytime at (813) 694-9085. We are available 24/7.

SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park Lesser-Known Cleaning Categories

7/3/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park has the means to help your commercial property—whether a main service or a lesser-known cleanup.

So...What Does SERVPRO Do?

With so many restoration companies out there, it’s hard to know which company is the right fit. And in the midst of a crisis, calling for emergency service, that decision can seem impossible and overwhelming. We are a restoration company defined by quality. While we have built a reputation for our top tier fire and water restoration services, (seriously, see our 5-star reviews), we also service many other cleanup categories. 

SERVPRO’s Lesser-Known Cleanup Categories

On top of water damage cleanup, fire restoration, mold remediation, commercial and residential cleaning, contents cleaning—which includes drapes, blinds, walls, floors ceilings, upholstery and carpets—SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park also does:

• General cleaning and graffiti removal
• Air ducts and HVAC cleaning, not repair
• Brick, stone, and concrete cleaning
• Odor removal and deodorization
• Debris removal
• Vandalism and graffiti removal
• Trauma and Crime Scene cleanup
• Biohazard cleaning
• Sewage cleanup

Wow, what a list, right? That’s not all we do. We also professionally sanitize your home or business with our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned process. We have a proprietary blend of disinfectants to deal with biological contaminants.

Specialized Training — Certified: SERVPRO Clean

The Center for Disease Control Prevention (CDC)  set forth protocols, and we are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business to high standards. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants. We go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff performs daily.

The CDC encourages cleaning high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC's guidance for commercial spaces include:

• Kitchen/Food Areas
• Bathrooms
• Schools/Classrooms
• Offices
• Retail Spaces
• Water Fountains
• Shelving/Racks
• Sales Counters
• Carpets and Rugs
• Stair Handrails
• Elevator Cars
• Playground Equipment
• Fitness Equipment
• Specialized Products

The CDC recommends the usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line, available on Amazon, carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. Do you need proactive cleaning of your commercial property or any of our lesser-known cleaning services? Call SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park today at 813-694-9092.

SERVPRO Removes Pet Odors

2/6/2022 (Permalink)

Don’t Live a Life Full of Unpleasant Smells.

Odors from smoke, pets, decomposition, or mold can cause lingering odors in your home or business. A simple surface clean doesn’t necessarily get rid of these smells. With technicians certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration (IICRC), SERVPRO provides specialized services that can rid your home or business of offensive odors left by smoke, mold, or other sources. Our professionals do not cover up lingering odors with a fragrance; they seek out and remove the odor's sources.

Once the source is found, we use SERVPRO’s proprietary line of cleaning products to treat and prevent the odor from returning. Any restorable item in affected areas will also be professionally cleaned and deodorized, including furniture, draperies and upholstery, electronics, art, flooring, walls, ceilings, HVAC air ducts, and more. Our proprietary line of cleaning products, SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park, uses various techniques and equipment to treat odors.

These techniques are capable of penetrating surfaces to neutralize an unpleasant odor thoroughly.

Some of Our Tools to Neutralize Odors

Ozone Generator: The Ozone Generator is one of the quickest ways to eliminate odors from a home or office. We use the Ozone Generator to oxidize odor and eliminate odors from mold, mildew, pets, nicotine, smoke, and more without chemicals. Though the room being treated cannot be occupied while in use, the generator works quickly to clean, sanitize and remove offensive odors. 

Hydroxyl Generator: The Hydroxyl Generator has several benefits that the Ozone Generator does not. The main benefit is that the room being treated can be occupied during the deodorization process, though it does work slower. The Hydroxyl Generator can be used to treat fire and smoke and biohazard jobs, water damage, crime scene situations, and animal odors. 

Air Filtration Device: This piece of equipment, also known as an air scrubber, is used to remove airborne contaminants during water, fire, smoke, mold, and sewage restoration work. These work by pulling air through HEPA filtration to remove airborne particles from the air. This helps clean the air and remove odors.

Whether you are a building manager who needs an apartment cleaned for the next tenant or a homeowner who wants to get your home ready for sale, getting rid of offensive odors is a high priority.

Fire, water, or mold damage, or just a stubborn odor that refuses to go away, SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park is here to help make it, “Like it never even happened.”

What to Look For in a Restoration Company

1/3/2022 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park (813) 694-9085 for your water, fire, mold, and storm damage restoration needs.

The Ability to Deal with Multiple Damage Types

Many professional restoration services like SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park offer the ability to work with multiple damage types. This is because one kind of damage can lead to another. For example, fire eliminated by water can result in mold if the water stands long. Most restoration companies can help with fire, water, mold, and storm damage.

A Quick Response Time

Being faster to any size disaster means arriving with the materials and equipment required to do the job. Locally owned franchises such as SERVPRO® have locations across the country that allow them to respond faster when a disaster strikes.

They Offer a Variety of Services

A restoration company such as SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park offers various services designed to help your agent process the insurance claim. These include an electronics inventory service and an online database that provides access to information.

Having a company that can coordinate the whole process from start to finish makes your life easier and gets you back in your home or business faster. “Like it never even happened.”

If you would like more information on hiring a team experienced in multiple types of restoration, CallSERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park at (813) 694-9085 today.

Mold Misconceptions

12/15/2021 (Permalink)

When it comes to mold, there's information you need to know. However, that doesn't mean that it's all correct. From mold cleaning tips to which types of mold are hazardous to your health, misconceptions are everywhere. If you find yourself browsing through the internet looking for guidance after encountering mold growth in your home, keep an eye for these common mold myths:

Mold is Only Found in Water-Damaged Homes.

While it's true that mold forms in areas that have issues with water damage, that's not the whole picture. Mold and mildew are always present—both indoors and outdoors. When mold spores land on a surface containing moisture, they can begin to grow. Regardless of whether or not you've had recent water damage to your home or business, all structures have the potential for a mold problem, especially in high humidity areas like crawlspaces and basements. 

It's Not a Dangerous Mold if it isn't Black.

While black mold does have a dark appearance, it's not the only type of mold that can cause health effects. Mold can also be brown, green, yellow, pink, or white in appearance. Since mold can affect your health it is important to address any type of growth in your home or business. 

Black Mold is "toxic" to Humans and Animals.

Calling black mold "toxic" implies that it is somehow poisonous to those who contact it. No "toxic" mold exists, although molds can be toxigenic. If a toxigenic mold is growing and releasing spores into the air, it can create unhealthy air quality conditions that affect household members. Black mold is one of the most well-known toxigenic molds associated with health concerns.

Mold Can be Treated with DIY Methods.

There's a lot of DIY advice out there from unreliable sources that tell homeowners that treating mold with bleach is enough to fix the problem. Although bleach can indeed be an effective surface cleaner, mold often colonizes porous materials that cannot be treated with this DIY method, like behind walls, under floors, inside insulation, etc. For remediation that eliminates the issue permanently, contact SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park, your local mold removal professionals. 

While there's no question that mold can be a headache for homeowners, it's not a problem that has to result in an empty wallet and a damaged home! At SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park, we provide fast, highly effective mold remediation. Best of all, our services are guaranteed! 

Don't rely on random, incorrect information from the internet to treat your mold issues—just give our experts a call for a free estimate at (813) 694-9092. For additional information about understanding mold and the mold remediation process, check out our website at SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park.

How can SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park Help with Hazardous Waste?

12/10/2021 (Permalink)

Although SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park is well-known for fire and water restoration, you may not know that we offer hazardous waste disposal. Our highly-trained professionals can help you or your business with biohazard, vandalism, and crime scene cleanup. We specialize in removing and cleaning common hazardous wastes such as bloodborne pathogens, sewage backups, illegal drugs, hoarding situations, crime scene residues, and more. We are trained to safely decontaminate these situations in accordance with OSHA and CDC regulations. Our sanitizing agents, antimicrobial treatments, thermal foggers, and deodorization agents help us make your property “Like it never even happened.” 

When you experience a biohazard concern or have hazardous waste on your property, leave the responsibility of hard cleanup to us. Bloodborne pathogens, bodily fluids, and other contaminated waste can put you at risk. Follow these steps after contamination. 

• Call SERVPRO ofGreater Carrollwood / Citrus Park immediately at (813) 694-9085
  for biohazard cleanup. 
• Stay out of infected areas. 
• Call first responders if the situation is life-threatening. 
• Treat all areas and/or bodily fluids as if they are contaminated. 
• Turn off the HVAC system if there is sewage damage. 

Don’t wait to call us when you have a biohazard emergency. These situations can leave home and business owners feeling vulnerable, violated, and unsafe. SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park is here for you 24/7, 7 days a week at (813) 694-9085.

Career Opportunities at SERVPRO

7/21/2021 (Permalink)

Interested in being a part of the SERVPRO family? Apply today!

With 17 franchises in 6 locations throughout TN, FL, and TX, SERVPRO Team Nicholson is an exciting, diverse, innovative place to work. We foster positive company culture, offer competitive compensation packages, and prioritize community involvement. Come find out what it takes to be a part of our team! 

Our mission is to be a proud, laser-focused team holding each other accountable while creating positive opportunities for our people and becoming the most efficiently run organization in the markets we serve. We value honesty, reliability, relationships, trustworthiness, and authenticity! Our team develops and provides solutions; we are go-getters and carry a “bring it” attitude to our work environment. We listen and value each other’s thoughts and ideas and strive to bring them to life. We are built on hard work, transparency, good business, and integrity. We believe “You can’t go wrong doing the right thing.” 

Bill Repsel, our Regional Administrator, shared his testimony on what it's like working for SERVPRO. He said "Every day is a new day. It is an opportunity to serve others in our community in a time of need. We have an incredible team of people with great talent that strives to make a difference every day." 

SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park is proud of the work we do and is always looking for like-minded people interested in a rewarding career. Please submit your resume to recruiting@SERVPROclarksville.com, stop by our office at 5409 E. Henry Ave, Suite 1003, Tampa, FL . from 8:00 am-5:00 pm Monday-Friday, or click here to check out our current job openings.

A Smoother Claim Process

2/12/2021 (Permalink)

If you have suffered a disaster at your home or business, the last thing you want is to worry. For this reason, our team ensures they make a claim process as stress-free as possible. SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park will help make it “Like it never even happened.” That way, you and your family or business can get back to what is important.

Our goal is to make the insurance process as smooth as possible. Therefore, we will:

• Create thorough visual and written documentation of the damage to your home or business;
  
  
• Document the condition of each item we remove for cleaning or storage;
  
  
• Work directly with your insurer, communicating with you at all times;
  
  
• Handle the paperwork to make sure the processing and payment of your claim is as fast as it can be.

We are so proud that so many insurance companies recommend SERVPRO to their client. They are aware of the benefits that come along with our partnership. We do everything we can to make the entire process as easy as possible.

Our team is here for you if you experience a disaster. Our technicians have specialized training and years of experience in water, fire, mold, and bio-hazard clean up and restoration services. Call us anytime at (813) 694-9085. We are available 24/7.

Flu Prevention Tips

2/12/2021 (Permalink)

Sniffling. Aching. Fever.

It might seem that the flu season should be wrapping up. This year's flu season is up there with some of the worst recorded today. All states in the US have reported widespread flu activity this season – except Hawaii. The flu spreads and strikes quickly, but you're not entirely defenseless.

When it comes to flu prevention, we've got 5 tips for you – and they all involve the place where you likely spend your time: your home.

Wash your hands! 

One of the single most important things you can do to prevent the spread of the flu virus is washing your hands. A great habit of getting into is washing your hands first thing when you get home. This will help to minimize the influx of viruses and bacteria that you may be carrying.

Change your dishtowels regularly, or use a paper towel.

You and your family share more than you might realize. Stop sharing germs by making sure that you launder your towels regularly, or better yet, use disposable paper towels to minimize germ transfer from person to person.

Take out your humidifier.

The flu virus doesn't thrive in humid, warm environments, so up your defense by utilizing your humidifier.

Wipe down all hard surfaces.

Flu germs float in the air, but they have to land somewhere! Disinfect hard surfaces like countertops, handles, faucets, light switches, etc.

Look at your home from 'Kid-Level.'

Be sure to wipe down and disinfect areas your children have access to, including those cabinets you may have overlooked during your cleaning or the floors they may be crawling on.

Follow these tips and stay healthy this flu season, and as always, we're here "Ready for whatever happens" should you need a little help cleaning!

How Can SERVPRO Help With Biohazard Concerns

2/11/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park can make your disaster "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park offers other services besides fire and water restoration. Our professionals can help you with biohazard, vandalism, and crime scene cleanup. Bloodborne pathogens can be scary. Bodily fluids, tissues, and other risky substances are cleaned and disposed of by our trained technicians. Crime scene residue can be overwhelming. When law enforcement finishes with the area, let our professional technicians come in and deal with the fingerprint powder, evidence-gathering chemicals, and residues from tear gas or pepper spray. Arson and vandalism can leave home or business owners feeling vulnerable, violated, and unsafe. We're always "Here to Help" in any situation you might encounter. We pride ourselves on being a bright spot in a bad situation. Should you ever need our services, call our office anytime at (813) 694-9085.

What to Look for in a Restoration Company

2/9/2021 (Permalink)

1. The Ability to Deal with Multiple Damage Types

Many professional restoration services like SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park offers the ability to work with multiple damage types. This is because one kind of damage can lead to another. For example, fire eliminated by water can result in mold if the water stands long. Most restoration companies can help with fire, water, mold, and storm damage.

2. A Quick Response Time

Being faster to any size disaster means arriving with the materials and equipment required to do the job. Locally owned franchises such as SERVPRO® have locations across the country, allows them to respond faster when a disaster strikes.

3. They Offer a Variety of Services

A restoration company such as SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park offers various services designed to help your agent process the insurance claim. These include an electronics inventory service and an online database that provides access to information.

Whether you're choosing a restoration company because they're faster to any size disaster, or they can deal with multiple damage types, you want to look at the other services they provide. Many companies can help you clean your damaged items, the structure, and the services they can offer, making keeping track of the details needed by your insurance provider easier.

Having a company that can coordinate the whole process from start to finish makes your life easier and gets you back in your home or business faster. "Like it never even happened."

If you would like additional information on hiring a team experienced in multiple types of restoration, call SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park today (813) 694-9085.