"Aaachooo!"

10/27/2021 (Permalink)

Use these tips courtesy of SERVPRO of North Kanawha & Teays Valley to keep yourself healthy this winter

When you look outside, you see orange, yellow and red leaves sprinkled over our beautiful mountains. Soon our mountains will replace the leaves for heaps of snow. This time of year is the most exquisite for West Virginia. However, this time of year has an icky drawback- the sniffles. Parents especially know how frustrating winter-time is when their kids are sick on and off throughout the season. Although we know sometimes illness is inevitable, we hope these tips will help you and your family stay healthy and safe from the sniffles.  

• Up your vitamin C intake. Better yet, make sure you are taking a multivitamin on a daily basis.  
• Stay active. It is easy to fall into a sedentary lifestyle during cold weather, but this will only do you a disservice.  
• Keep a humidifier going in your bedroom. This may seem trivial, but making sure the air in your home isn’t too dry can actually keep you from getting ill during the winter.  
• Keep your workspace clean. Sanitize your desk, phone and other surfaces you touch frequently throughout the day on a regular basis.  
• Donate Lysol Wipes to your child’s classroom.  Teachers do their best to keep the classroom clean, but it is always nice to make it easier on them with sanitizing wipes.  
• Put a hand sanitizer clip on your child’s backpack. Get them in the habit of using hand sanitizer often, especially after they get off the bus before they get home. 
• Wash your hands OFTEN. Teach your kids to wash their hands often and lead by example. This is the most valuable advice.  

Enjoy all of the beauty that comes with Winter and use our tips to be prepared for the yuckiness that accompanies it as well! If your workplace has an illness outbreak, give us a call to do Commercial Sanitization on the property.

Can You Feel the Heat?

8/12/2021 (Permalink)

The areas in orange are those affected by the heat wave. Stay safe West Virginia!

A heatwave is making it's way through most of West Virginia today, and while we all enjoy the nice warm summer days, this heatwave is far from enjoyable. Some key tips to remember when you see a heatwave on the weather forecast:

1. Drink before you realize you're thirsty. If you have reached the point of being thirsty, you are probably already dehydrated.

2. Stay inside in the air conditioning if possible. 

3. Keep outdoor activities to the early morning and evening. The hottest time of day is typically between 11 A.M. and 2 P.M, and is not the ideal time to do outdoor activities. 

4. Avoid alcohol and caffeinated/sugary drinks. These do not hydrate you and instead can cause you to dehydrate quicker. 

5. If you notice you are getting dizzy and lightheaded, sit down inside and sip on cool water. If your condition does not get better or worsens, seek professional medical assistance. 

Stay safe today West Virginia!

"You eyes can deceive you. Do not trust them" - Obi-Wan Kenobi

12/13/2017 (Permalink)

May the force be with you when you choose a restoration vendor in Charleston, WV

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away……….

Ok, we know this is a shameless ploy to play upon the release of the latest Star Wars film opening soon in a theater near you, but we just couldn’t help ourselves.

We all love these fantastic voyages into deep space where we can check out of reality for a bit and imagine we have Jedi powers to save the World. We can relate these classic and revered movies to real life, so that’s what we are going to do.

Using only quotes from the Star Wars saga, we will explain the difference between SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley and our competitors in the restoration industry.

1.“Do, or do not, there is no try”- Yoda

  With SERVPRO handling your disaster   situation in the Charleston, WV area you will never have to worry about us giving you the best service possible. Our highly trained technicians will never have to make a guess when it comes to the proper way to handle the cleanup and restoration of your project.

 2. “I’ll not leave you here: I’ve got to save you!” – Luke Skywalker

  This is the attitude of every one of our technicians as they tackle the task of getting your emergency under control, no matter what time of day or night. We will always be there for you 24/7/365!

3.“We shall double our efforts !” – MOFF Jerjerrod

  SERVPRO will always go the extra mile for our customers; if it means we have to call in reinforcements from one of our trusted SERVPRO Large Loss Recovery teams, then that’s what we will do. No loss is too large for us.  

 4.“Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose.” – Yoda

  With SERVPRO’s “Restore vs Replace” philosophy, we can keep the cost down on our projects by “saving” your property and contents by following very specific procedures in our restoration processes. These ideals keep us from having to perform excessive amounts of demo to the structure. Also, with the advances in technology in our field, we are able to restore content items that would have once been considered non-restorable a few years back. 

5.“Great kid. Don’t get cocky.” – Han Solo

  We do occasionally make mistakes, but unlike some of our competitors, we own up to our miscues and diligently correct any issues in order to restore your confidence in us. 

6.“You will know when you are calm, at peace, passive. A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack. “ – YODA

  We always strive to leave you cool, calm, and collected when we restore your home or business. This can be a very stressful time for you, but with our help, you can have the peace that comes with knowing you have someone that truly has YOUR best interest in mind.

 7.“You do have your moments. Not many, but you do have them. “ – Princess Leia

  It is not our practice to run down our competition, but the following has been just too much fun for us to pass up. To be honest, there may be one or two restorers that we might recommend if it was a situation in which we could, for some crazy reason, not be able to respond.

 8.“I wouldn’t be nice to you; it doesn’t pay much.” – Han Solo

  Some companies in our field are only worried about landing the “big one”. They won’t bother themselves with “smaller jobs” that may not pay them what they think they are worth. This pious attitude is not found in our organization. We care about every disaster no matter what size it is or how much it pays.

 9.“It’s not my fault.” – Han solo

  You may hear this from another company, but never from us. As we stated earlier, we do make mistakes, but we try everything possible to resolve them.

 10.“Mind tricks don’t work on me.” – Watto

  Some contractors may try to run up the cost of a claim by doing what we call “upselling a job”. These companies spend so much time trying to find other ways to take your hard earned cash that it clouds their vision of why they are there in the first place. We will always be upfront with you and NEVER try to get more out of you, or your insurance carrier, than is applicable to your emergency.

 11.“It’s a trap! “ – Admiral Ackbar

  Some contractors will also try to tell you that you HAVE to use them because they are on a specific insurance companies provider list. This is NOT true! It is the homeowner, or business owner’s choice of who they use as their trusted vendor. SERVPRO is a trusted vendor for many insurance companies, municipalities, and corporations and we are able to service you no matter what insurance program you have. Don’t let others fool you by telling you that you MUST use their services.  

 12.“The ability to speak does not make you intelligent, now get out of here.” –Qui-Gon Jinn

  Any company can spout restoration rhetoric; however, it takes a highly trained and certified technician to perform cleanup and restoration properly. All of our leaders are certified through The IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification). They also go through extensive SERVPRO continuing education and training during their time with us. Our technicians can not only talk the talk, but they can walk the walk as well.

 13.“In my experience there is no such thing as luck.” – Obi-Wan Kenobi

   In conclusion, don’t take chances when it comes to your restoration project. Call the Pro’s at SERVPRO for an out of this World experience. You’ll be glad you joined forces with the most respected company in the restoration field.

Summer Grilling Safety Tips for Charleston, WV

5/8/2017 (Permalink)

Grill Safety to consider when breaking out your inner backyard culinary skills.

June and July are peak months for summer grilling fires.  The Memorial Day weekend is approaching quickly, it’s time to dust off the grills and let the inner backyard culinary skills to work.  As exciting as it is to break out the grill for the official start of the summer season right, we have to always consider the safety that needs to be taken when preparing to light up the grill.

NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) says that the U.S. fire department responded to an average of 8,900 home fire that involved the use of grills, hibachis, or barbecues per year.  These 8,900 fires caused annual averages of 10 civilian deaths, 160 injuries, and $118 million in direct property damage. Almost all the losses resulted from structure fires. The leading causes of grill fires were a failure to properly cleaning of the grill, placement of the grill because it was placed to close to a structure, and leaving the grill unattended. Five out of six (83%) of grills involved in home fires were fueled by gas while 13% used other sources of fuel.

Precautions to take while grilling

Propane:

• Stay alert when grilling. Avoid grilling when you are tired or have consumed too much alcohol.
• Do Not leave your grill unattended.
• Keep the grill in a place that is free from flammable items and away from porch rails, and low lying branches.
• Keep children and pets as far away from the grill as possible
• Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year.

NOTE: A light soap and water solution applied to the hose is a great way to check for leaks. You can often smell a propane leak, but propane will also release bubbles when the soap and water solution is applied. If you detect a leak, turn the gas tank and grill off. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department.

• Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before igniting.
• If you smell gas while cooking, immediately move away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not move the grill.
• If the flames go out for any reason, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least 15 minutes before re-lighting it.
• Keep your grill clean by regularly removing grease or fat buildup from the grates and trays below.

Charcoal grill safety tips to consider:

• If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquid to the flames.
• Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources.
• Electric charcoal starters do not use fire. Be sure to use an extension cord for outdoor use.
• When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container with a lid.

Resolve to be "READY" in 2017

12/14/2016 (Permalink)

     With New Year’s Eve rapidly approaching, now is the perfect time to think of resolutions. While resolutions typically involve committing to personal changes and reaching goals, the single most important resolution that both business and homeowners can make for 2017 is to “Resolve to be Ready.”

     Preparing in advance to deal with the unexpected can make a world of difference in how quickly and completely property owners can put the pieces of their lives back together.  Emergency readiness plans are the foundation for effective and timely emergency response.

     We would like to encourage all property owners, commercial or residential, to take advantage of the no-cost emergency planning tools available from FEMA, as well as SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Profile and READY Plan Mobile App.

       For homeowners:

• FEMA resources include guidelines for creating a Family Emergency Plan and Emergency Supply List, with additional tips for pet owners, seniors, people with disabilities, and even commuters.
• SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley offers their free SERVPRO READY Plan App, which stores critical contact and property information electronically in advance, where it can be accessed with a mobile device in seconds if disaster strikes.

       For business owners:

• FEMA offers materials on topics ranging from creating a Business Continuity Plan to an Insurance Discussion Coverage Form in addition to guidelines for creating an Emergency Response Plan.
• SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley offers a no-cost facility assessment and assistance in creating a comprehensive Emergency READY Profile^® (ERP). The ERP includes information about emergency contact numbers, priority and high/risk areas, shut-off valve locations and more that can be stored in the READY app.

      The time to gather and store information like emergency contact numbers; insurance contacts; and location of shut-offs, fire suppression system controls, and such is before an emergency strikes, not during an emergency.  Having this information at your fingertips can help emergency responders react as quickly and effectively as possible, helping to limit loss of property and even lives.

      SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley specializes in disaster restoration, cleanup repair services, helping to remediate damage, making it “Like it never even happened,” for both commercial and residential customers. For more information on SERVPRO of Teays Valley the SERVPRO mobile app and the SERVPRO Emergency READY Program, please contact your local SERVPRO Restoration Consultants (Tim McDaniel @ 304-542-9257 / t.mcdaniel@SERVPRO9835.com or contact Jon Miller @ 304-610-8031 / j.miller@SERVPRO9835.com   ).

A Flood of Emotions During the WV Floods

9/2/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO was there before, during and after the Flooding to help our friends and neighbors.

A Flood of Emotions

The month of June 2016 was shaping up to be a typical summer month. The months of June and July are notorious for their lack of major weather related events in the Clendenin, WV area. We are always prepared for spring flooding, autumn tropical storm/Hurricane remnants, fall fires, and winter freezing that leads to frozen water pipes, but June and July are usually calm as far as the weather is concerned. When the severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides hit on June 22-29 our typical summer changed drastically.

SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley has seen our fair share of disasters over our 26 years of serving the citizens of Kanawha and Putnam County, but this particular disaster was different and hit us hard, not only physically, but also took a toll on us emotionally, and mentally as well. We are not sure if it was because an event of this magnitude had not been seen in our area for 100’s of years, or if it was because it hit in our own backyard this time and we had personal relationships with so many people involved? Most likely it was a combination of both. No matter the reason for its effect on us, it was a rough couple of months.

Here’s the thing; if you’re not from West Virginia you may not understand this, but we are some of the strongest people when it comes to overcoming obstacles and this disaster was NOT going to get us down. After taking a deep breath, we rolled up our sleeves and got busy putting folks lives back together. SERVPRO was able to produce jobs of all sizes ranging from a small crawlspace to a county school system during this disaster, all while never missing an assignment from our regular customers. Here is just one example of the larger projects we are capable of doing. https://www.facebook.com/SERVPROofWV9835/photos/pcb.1105836399484149/1105829466151509/?type=3&theater

SERVPRO would not have been as successful in our endeavors during flood relief if it had not been for the wonderful agencies and volunteers that helped feed, clothe, and shelter all those people that had lost everything to the storm. These kind acts allowed the folks to concentrate on getting their homes and businesses restored without worrying about life’s essentials.

The flood recovery is not finished by any sense of the imagination. There are still folks that need assistance, and will need help for a while. Please be sure to give to a local charity that you can trust to distribute items and services to the proper people.

Here are some of our favorites:

http://www.unitedwaycwv.org/

http://unionmission.com/

http://www.redcross.org/local/west-virginia

If you find yourself in need of assistance you can call one of the agencies listed above, or check out this website for information on Governor Tomblin’s initiative “Rise West Virginia” at:

 http://wvflood.com/Pages/default.aspx

WE ARE: WV STRONG!

Home Grown in Charleston, WV

6/15/2016 (Permalink)

Home Grown Goodness

Gardening season is here and soon everyone will start enjoying the fruits of their labors. Growing your own fruit, vegetables, or herbs can bring about many positive effects in one’s life.
Things like: 
1. You get to pick the items you know, like, have grown before, and know does well in your local area.
2. You know where the products come from and have a better understanding of their benefits.
3. Home grown produce is healthier than imported products.
4. Save you money because you don't have to pay the price of imported products.
5. You usually share with friends and neighbors, so they can enjoy your bounty as well.

If you think about it, your local SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley is a lot like home-grown produce:
1.  If you have an insurance claim you can pick someone you know, like, have used before, and that you can take confidence in knowing does well in your local community.
2. You know where your local independently owned and operated SERVPRO comes from. They live, work, worship, and play in the  North Kanawha Valley area, so you know they understand the people of West Virginia better than any out of state restoration vendor.
3. The health benefits of using your local SERVPRO is the peace of mind that it gives you knowing you've picked a company with over 25 years of continual service to our area.
4. We save you money because we are right here in your town and don't have to inflate our prices to cover the cost of running an office several states away like a lot of other restoration companies do. This also allows us to be "Faster to Any Size Disaster".
5. And lastly, when you see the many benefits you’re locally owned and operated SERVPRO can bring to you, you will want to share with your friends and family as well.

You may not know this, but one of our SERVPRO mottos is "Green Means Clean", so the next time you look at the wonderful produce from your garden you can think of this "corny" little analogy and know that it's not a "Tough Row to Hoe" when choosing a restoration company in your time of need............. Go with your local "Home Grown" SERVPRO

Employee Longevity in Charleston,WV

5/13/2016 (Permalink)

In today's society it is very difficult to find employees who are dedicated  to their employer. 

SERVPRO of N. Kanawha Valley/ Teays Valley - Area's Emergency Restoration Professionals

4/26/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO_catastrophic storm response_pic

SERVPRO of N. Kanawha Valley/ Teays Valley is locally owned and operated with over 25 years of experience in the Charleston, WV, Hurricane, WV, and surrounding areas.  We are available 24 hours 365 days to serve the community.  We have the ability to handle any emergency disaster no matter the size, promptly and professionally to help make it "Like it never even happened." 

Your local SERVPRO handles fire, smoke, soot damage restoration services, board up services, water damage mitigation services, catastrophic storm response, carpet cleaning services, deodorization  services, rug cleaning services, carpet and upholstery stain protection services, air duct/ HVAC cleaning services, cleaning services, mold removal/mitigation services, general contractor services, post construction clean up, vandalism, biohazard and crime scene clean up, and disaster repair services.

Forensic cleanup in Charleston WV and surrounding areas.

4/18/2016 (Permalink)

From the loss of a loved one to suicide, to an investigate homicide by police, or a welfare check by local fire departments and EMS,  SERVPRO is here to help.  Forensic cleanup is a specialty cleaning that only certified companies or individuals can handle.  SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley has the capability and certification to handle any forensic cleanup that is needed.  Serving the Kanawha and Putnam counties and surrounding areas for over 25 years, we are a locally owned and operated company that you can count on. The Forensic and Biohazard types of work that we specialize in but are not limited to are …

• Homicide
• Suicide
• Putrefaction
• Luminal residue removal

As well as other various Biohazard and forensic cleanup.  With the experience you need and the quality of professionalism that you deserve during this personal and emotional time, we are here for you.

Many hats may be worn during this time to make sure that you as the customer are taking care of.  The process can be grueling and emotional from beginning to end, but we are here to make your disaster a little less painful. For more information, call SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley 304-755-9510.

Kanawha Valley Board of REALTORS 2016 Education Fair

2/16/2016 (Permalink)

Kanawha Valley Board of REALTORS 2016 Education Fair

                SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley and Teays Valley will be at this year’s KVBR Education Fair, Wednesday, February 17, 2016. From timely response, large loss capabilities, to preparedness tools, we can make it like it never even happened! Just stop by and see us for all of your residential and commercial restoration questions.

For more information regarding the event times and details, please click on the link.

http://kvrealtors.net/events

SERVPRO of Charleston WV Proud to be #1 in Restoration services!

1/12/2016 (Permalink)

2016 Franchise 500

The SERVPRO Franchise Company is proud to report that we have maintained the national #1 ranking position in restoration services for the 13^th consecutive year!  It is also very exciting that the SERVPRO Franchise Company has placed #4 overall in the 2016 Franchise 500 ranking in Entrepreneur magazine!  This is the 7^th consecutive year that SERVPRO has been in the magazine’s top 10 rankings, standing out in a group of more than 951 franchises that qualified for inclusion on the list.  Attached is the link to the Entrepreneur magazine 2016 Franchise 500 list.  http://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500

SERVPRO founded in 1967 and is a leading provider of fire and water cleanup and restoration services and mold mitigation and remediation.  SERVPRO also provides professional carpet cleaning and air duct/ HVAC cleaning services.  There are more than 1,700 individually owned franchises in the United States and Canada that respond to property damage emergencies ranging from small individual disasters to multi-million dollar losses.  

Merry Christmas from SERVPRO To the Charleston, WV area

12/21/2015 (Permalink)

Blessed Christmas

The holiday season comes with its share of catastrophes, and we hope you don’t need us during this time to clean up from water damage, or fire damage, but rest assured we will be there to make It Like it Never Even Happened if you do.

Since we are a 24 hour, 365 day a year Disaster Restoration service provider, SERVPRO understands hustle and bustle.

This time of year every one of us can get caught up in the hectic-ness of the holiday season. We want to make sure everything we do is perfect; from the right gifts to buy the special people in our lives, the biggest and brightest decorations in the neighborhood, and even the most scrumptious food to serve at our holiday get-togethers. All this can add unnecessary stress to an already busy time.

We at SERVPRO would like to take a moment and ask you to slow down, take a deep breath, and concentrate on the important things this season. Take a moment to reflect on the things that truly matter; things like love of family, a roof over your head, and food on the table. Remember that true happiness does not come from things we acquire, but from the things that inspire.

Most of all we wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a blessed 2016.  May you and yours feel the love of Christmas that transforms lives.

Towering Inferno Drill Charleston,WV

6/17/2015 (Permalink)

Firemen from Charleston and South Charleston responding to the Mock fire on the 11th floor; and yes they did have to take the stairs

SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley and Teays Valley was honored to be a part of the Kanawha Putnam Emergency Planning Committee's High-rise Fire Drill on Saturday June 6, 2015.

The drill took place in Charleston, WV at the Columbia Gas Transmission Building with  the Charleston and South Charleston Fire Depts., Charleston Police, Kanawha County Ambulance, St. Francis and Thomas Hospitals, along with various other Putnam and Kanawha County agencies taking part.

The drill was created to see how well these various agencies would work together just as if a real  fire had been on the 11th floor of the building.

SERVPRO was part of the planning committee and was also on standby in case of any accidental water leaks from the fire hoses. Luckily there was very little leakage and we were able to clean it up fast 

SERVPRO turns 25!

1/5/2015 (Permalink)

25 Years of Serving Charleston,WV and the Kanawha Valley

SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley & Teays Valley has been serving the Charleston, WV area for a quarter century this year.

We would like to thank our faithful customers for making us the most trusted Restoration Company in the Kanawha Valley.

West Virginia Construction and Design Expo

3/31/2014 (Permalink)

SERVPRO booth at the 2014 West Virginia Construction and Desing Expo

The 2014 West Virginia Constuction and Design Expo held in Charleston, WV March 26th & 27th was a huge success for SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley. We were able to "Share the Best" with the gaints of contracting in our area as well as many PSD's, Municipalities, as well as some local businesses that could benefit from the services SERVPRO supplies.

Along with making new contacts, we had several former customers come by our booth and encourage us with their testimonies of how SERVPRO saved them in their time of need.

We can't wait to attend next year; plans are already in the works!