SERVPRO Can Help Pinpoint Trouble Spots During Spring Cleaning

Each year, homeowners and businesses observe National Cleaning Week during the last week of March. As always, this year's campaign, from March 27 to April 4, is designed to encourage property owners to clean out winter's cobwebs, odors and dampness and get ready to enjoy spring breezes and warmer weather.
If your spring cleaning turns up signs of mold or water damage, then it's probably time to call in the professionals. According to Mike Whittles, owner of the local SERVPRO of Annapolis/Severna Park, these problems, left untreated, may cause major structural and health problems that can mean big expenses down the road.
"While we offer a full range of routine cleaning services for walls, ceilings and floor surfaces, as well as furniture fabric, fixtures and more, we also specialize in cleaning and restoration of fire, mold or water-damaged buildings and their contents," said Whittles. "As trained professionals, we know how to perform a thorough cleaning to help ensure there are no lingering odors, structural or environmental issues that could affect the health of the building's occupants or the value of the building itself."

Whittles offers this list from the Environmental Protection Agency as some of the things to keep an eye on during your spring cleaning this year. Any of these problems could create an environment where indoor mold can flourish:
1) Plumbing leaks, including holes in pipes, leaky faucets, leaky pipes under sinks, etc. The fix - repair the leak or call in a professional to fix it for you.
2) Condensation and wet spots around water heaters, air conditioners, toilets, etc. The fix - prevent moisture due to condensation by increasing surface temperature or reducing the moisture in the air.
3) Standing water in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) drip pans. The fix - keep the pans clean, draining properly and unobstructed.
4) Excessive moisture from moisture-generating appliances such as dryers. The fix - vent these appliances to the outside where possible.
"The National Cleaning Week campaign is a perfect time to remind local residents and business owners about the services we offer," Whittles added. "Our clients include insurance companies seeking superior and timely restoration services, as well as commercial and residential property owners who require routine cleaning services. We bring 40 years of experience, the SERVPRO system's time-tested techniques, and proprietary cleaning products to every job we do."
Many SERVPRO franchises also offer cleaning and restoration of special items, such as HVAC duct systems, building exteriors, electronic equipment, computers and documents that have sustained water damage. For more information about SERVPRO of Annapolis/Severna Park, contact Mike Whittles at 410-647-8181.