Recent Posts

Laborer to Production Operations Manager - Celebrating Success, Mentorship, and Team Spirit at SERVPRO® of South Orlando

12/6/2023 (Permalink)

man standing over green machine used for water restoration, hands out like he's teaching a lesson to an audience Heydrich Kattar Hernandez training his SERVPRO Team

In his 2 short years with SERVPRO® Team Nicholson, representing our Orlando location, Heydrich Kattar Hernández has proved endless in zeal, integrity, and a desire for personal and professional development. As we celebrate having Heydrich on board, we not only commemorate his individual successes but also the mentorship and inspiration he offers to our entire team.

In November 2021, Heydrich started with us as a laborer, bringing enthusiasm and an eagerness to learn. His tenure has been marked by significant, quick growth, shaped by his willingness to serve in a variety of roles. He says the diverse experiences—from working on various residential and commercial jobs to the challenges of long hours and extensive travel—have enriched his professional journey.

Now serving as Production Operations Manager within our Training Division, Heydrich continues offering a high standard of service as he uses his passion for making a meaningful impact on our customers’ and employees’ lives. He says, "I've had the privilege of meeting people from all walks of life and contributing to helping others in their homes."

Heydrich embodies the SERVPRO Team Nicholson culture that values knowledge-sharing, encouragement, and opportunity. He says,

“I am sincerely thankful for the belief placed in me, the opportunities to share knowledge, and the continuous support from colleagues who have been mentors and guides. Special appreciation goes to those who have dedicated time to teach, coach, or offer support.“

Heydrich's journey with SERVPRO of South Orlando and SERVPRO Team Nicholson not only marks a personal achievement, but serves as a testament to the power of teamwork and constancy.

Today, Heydrich is excited about the future as he focuses on scouting for talent that aligns with our core values, and continues to help our team grow and improve. Cheers to Heydrich!

Follow the story on our LinkedIn.

The Power of Master Service Agreements: Fast Response and Strong Relationships

9/18/2023 (Permalink)

Do you have a super hero on speed dial?
 In the fast-paced world of business, rapid response is essential, especially during emergencies. Picture this: a national heatwave causes an abrupt A/C outage, with the potential to turn a hospital into an oven of stress and panic. In times like these, having a Master Service Agreement (MSA) in place can be the lifeline that transforms panic into a strategic, well-managed solution.

A Race Against Time

SERVPRO® Team Nicholson's Scott Askew and his crew proved the power of an MSA recently. Within hours of receiving the call, our team was on-site, ready to help. Seven hours later, cooling equipment was up and running - thanks to our subcontractor, Coastal Mechanical. We even had a team of welders fabricating quick hose connections in the hospital parking lot in order to connect the mobile chillers to the hospital's existing cooling system.

By the evening, the hospital was cooling to a comfortable temperature, all without displacing patients or disrupting critical operations. The team avoided an evacuation and multiple diversions, where a hospital has to transfer patients to another hospital. In the end, all this was possible without having to tell an MSA client, "no," — the word doesn't exist in our vocabulary anyways.

Building a Bridge to Swift Solutions

The MSA is more than just a contract - we become your logistics team, your trusted solutions provider. The last thing a business owner wants is to face a double emergency – the primary situation and its repercussions. Like the scramble to evacuate patients, and to secure specialized equipment, like chillers, at odd hours in order to prevent high temperatures from spoiling medication. An MSA eliminates the chaos, minimizing the complexity and severity of interruptions to business.

The Value of Strong Relationships

In the realm of crisis management, strong relationships are worth their weight in gold. Our connections with clients, subcontractor partnerships, and a network of SERVPRO teams across the nation, our bonds serve as the cornerstone of effective and efficient solutions. When challenges arise, leveraging our network's capabilities means clients have access to additional equipment and resources quickly.

In a world of emergencies, a Master Service Agreement isn't just a contract – it's a promise - to provide rapid response, leverage strong relationships, and transform potential chaos into smoothly managed solutions. It's the assurance that when a crisis arises, our team of professionals is ready to shift the perspective - becoming your total solutions provider for whatever happens.

Protecting What Matters: The Emergency Plan Every Parent Needs Before School Starts

8/8/2023 (Permalink)

girl at bottom of blue slide smiling with thumbs up Does your child know what to do?

Do You Have a Back-to-School Family Emergency Plan?

No one likes to think that an emergency could happen to them, but the reality is that disaster can happen anytime, anywhere, including while your child is at school.

Even if you never end up needing your family emergency plan, it's best to be prepared—just in case. Having a detailed plan in place will give you everyday peace of mind, and—in the event of an emergency—could save lives.

Emergency Contacts

  1. List 1-3 trusted emergency contacts who can pick up your child from school if you are unable to do so.

  2. Confirm their availability and willingness to be emergency contacts.

  3. Teach your child how to contact each person by phone.

  4. Familiarize your child with each contact's appearance and vehicle.

Communicate with the School

  1. Keep school up-to-date with who is allowed to pick your child up.

  2. Provide correct contact information and identification for their records.

  3. Inquire about the school's policies for emergency situations and designated pick-up areas.

Alternative Drop-Off Locations

  1. Establish an alternative drop-off location in case emergency contacts cannot be reached promptly.

  2. This location could be a trusted friend or family member's house, or another secure spot.

  3. Familiarize your child with the alternate location's address and phone number to accurately guide authorities there.

Re-Evaluate Each Year

As your child ages, changes schools, or your family moves, it's smart to update your plan annually. 

Although we hope your family never experiences an unexpected disaster, if you do, SERVPRO® is available 24/7/365 for emergency service. Learn more here. Your family's safety and preparedness are paramount, and having a well-structured emergency plan is a crucial step in ensuring their protection.

SERVPRO of South Orlando are Cleaning Experts

7/24/2023 (Permalink)

 

SERVPRO of South Orlando is Here to Help

During unprecedented times caused by the global pandemic, our customers remind our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services. We adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.

Specialized Training

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) set forth protocols, SERVPRO of South Orlando is prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will 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 carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there's currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we follow all CDC and local authorities' guidelines.

Do you need proactive cleaning of your commercial property? Call SERVPRO of South Orlando today at 407-985-3200.

Smoke Residue Can Accumulate after Fire Damage to Your Edgewood Home

7/24/2023 (Permalink)

 

Rely on SERVPRO for Professional Fire Damage Restoration

An incidence of fire damage can cost you a ton of money and time to restore. The ability to restore depends on the extent of damage caused by the flames and the smoke and soot residue. Smoke and soot particles are one of the most significant contributors when it comes to fire damage to your Edgewood home. Not all fires produce identical residue, and the time and effort required to clean these different residue types determine the success of the restoration process. IICRC certified SERVPRO technicians use their extensive knowledge about different types of residue during the restoration process. While some residues have a minor impact, some others can cause more profound damage.

Dry and Wet Residue

Frequently encountered residue after a fire incident includes wet and dry residues. All fires produce both these residues, but their relative proportion can vary greatly. For instance, a rapid burning fire that has an abundant supply of oxygen usually produces dry residues. On the other hand, if the fire was slow-burning with less than optimal oxygen supply, the wet residue is formed mostly.

Another thing affecting residue generated is material burning. While natural materials such as wood and cotton result in drier smoke residue, synthetic materials such as rubber and plastic produce wetter smoke. As it turns out, drier residues are easier to clean compared to wetter residues. SERVPRO technicians can use less harsh techniques such as cleaning with a sponge to clean the damage due to drier smoke, but wet residues often require more intense cleaning processes.

Protein Residue

Protein residue is quite common if a fire breaks out in the kitchen. The burning of meat, poultry, or fish usually generates this type of residue. It's pale yellow and can stain surfaces quite easily. It's also accompanied by the characteristic odor that can linger on for a long time. Odor removal cannot occur without a thorough cleaning process followed by an efficient deodorization. Protein residue can be quite challenging to stop, and the restoration process may require additional time.

Call SERVPRO of South Orlando at (407) 985-3200 today to schedule a free consultation with one of our restoration experts.

When and Where Do Hurricanes Likely Occur?

7/12/2023 (Permalink)

 

Hurricane season in the Atlantic runs from June 1st to November 30th. However, storms outside of these dates are not unheard of. Activity ramps up in August and peaks in early September, then again in October.


Hurricanes form this season because of two factors: warm ocean waters (80 degrees or higher) and weak vertical winds (little change in wind direction and/or speed with height) are most common. This is also the season with the highest frequency of west-moving weather disturbances in the tropics that eventually develop into hurricanes.


The only difference between a hurricane, cyclone, and typhoon in your location. People in our area refer to violent thunderstorms as hurricanes, while people near the equator, Africa and Australia, refer to them as cyclones.

If your property experiences damages from a hurricane, SERVPRO of South Orlando is Here to Help. Call today at (407) 985-3200.

Crawlspace Mold? Call SERVPRO for Remediation!

7/12/2023 (Permalink)

 

Restoring Mold Damage in South Orlando Using Professional Procedures

Mold damage is likely to develop in the crawl space when the area becomes wet. When we perform an inspection in a crawl space, we check whether water is leaking in the area and fix the problem when possible. High humidity is another concern in such areas, so we have to identify the causes of high water vapor and address them. It is pointless to disinfect the molds in your Orlando home without addressing its primary cause.  

If your South Orlando home's crawl space has grading and drainage issues, mold damage will likely develop when the water collects under the house. Our SERVPRO technicians can decide to use sump pumps to extract the water. If moisture is evaporating into the crawl space from the surrounding walls and the ground, isolation may be necessary. We achieve that by using a space liner to enclose the whole area. This encapsulation acts as a vapor barrier and works very well when paired with a permanent dehumidifier in the crawl space. 

Differences in temperature between the surrounding areas and the crawl space allow the water vapor to condense. When correcting such issues, our SERVPRO technicians may recommend the installation of a dehumidifier. The device assists in monitoring and controlling the humidity in the area to discourage conditions favoring mold growth. 

Our SERVPRO technicians can pull out all the infested insulation and dispose of it. Since it is possible to restore fiberglass insulation, we carefully inspect the paper on the insulation to confirm it does not have fungal growth signs. It's possible to remove surface mold from below supports joists and beams and other hard surfaces through scraping. Though it is possible to remove surface mold from porous items such as drywall as long as the fungi have not penetrated too deeply with anchoring hyphae, we may have to discard such things once infested. Additionally, we can exterminate the spores by dispensing antimicrobial products into surfaces using thermal foggers. 

SERVPRO of South Orlando uses industry-proven techniques to protect your property from further damage after facing any size disaster. You can access our 24-hour emergency services at any time of the day by calling (407) 985-3200.

Humidity: Primary and Secondary Damages Explained by Restoration Experts

8/8/2022 (Permalink)

moisture meter held by a SERVPRO technician, hand on frame holding a small remote-looking device with screen, Call SERVPRO of South Orlando restoration experts to mitigate primary and secondary damage due to storm, flooding + water.
  

Different Types of Water Damage

Whenever excessive moisture gets inside a building, the problems it causes can be broken down into two categories: primary and secondary damage.

Primary Damage

When water leaks from a pipe or an appliance, it comes in contact with contents and building materials. Anything that happens due to direct contact with liquid water, such as the carpet's de-lamination, is considered primary damage. 

Secondary Damage

Once water gets inside a structure, it naturally raises humidity levels indoors when moisture from wet materials evaporates into the air. Elevated humidity levels can also cause building materials issues since water transfers from the air into dry materials to reach equilibrium. When water vapor causes structural problems, it is called secondary damage.

Extraction procedures help reduce primary issues, and structural drying helps mitigate both primary and secondary water damage. When our SERVPRO technicians deal with any water damage situation, we monitor both relative and specific humidity.

What Controls Humidity?

Controlling humidity levels in a structure helps speed up structural drying times. Wet materials dry out faster if the humidity inside a building is kept low using air movers and dehumidifiers. Monitoring and strategic placement of these devices optimize drying times. When we keep humidity levels low, we also reduce water vapor in the air, causing fewer secondary issues. 

Relative Humidity

Relative Humidity (RH) is a measure of how much water is in the air at any given temperature. RH is expressed as a percentage, so if the relative humidity is 100%, then the air is holding as much moisture as it can at that temperature. At this point, if not sooner, condensation can occur inside the building. "Raining" inside your home can only exacerbate the already water damaging effects. Air can hold more water at higher temperatures, so increasing the house's temperature will lower the relative humidity. That is one of the features of our HEPA filters. Not only does the filter suck the moisture from the air, but it also heats the air to dry the space quicker.

Specific Humidity 

The temperature has such a significant effect on relative humidity, but it's not always a good gauge of how much water exists in the air. Specific humidity is the actual amount of moisture in the air. When our restoration professionals measure specific humidity, they count the actual grains of moisture in each pound of air. To find specific humidity, we measure relative humidity levels and the room's temperature. We then put these numbers in a psychrometric chart that gives us the grains per pound (GPP) number. 

If you ever need help with issues related to water or humidity, such as flood damage, storm damage, or microbial growth, call SERVPRO of South Orlando at (407) 985-3200, available 24 hours a day.

Do You Have a Back-to-School Family Emergency Plan?

8/4/2022 (Permalink)

No one ever likes to think that an emergency could happen to them, but the reality is that disasters can strike anytime, anywhere, including while your child is at school.

Even if you never end up needing your family emergency plan, it's best to be prepared just in case. Having a solid plan in place will give you everyday peace of mind and, in the event of an emergency, could save lives.

Emergency Contacts

Make a list of 1-3 trusted emergency contacts who can pick up your child from school in the event that you are unable. Be sure to notify these people and get their permission. Review the list with your child to ensure they're comfortable with these people, know how to contact them by phone, and know what their vehicle looks like. Including an emergency card in your child’s backpack could prove useful for ensuring your child has the correct, pertinent information.

Communicate with the School

Ensure your child's school is kept up to date about who is allowed to pick them up. They'll need correct contact information and sometimes require a form of identification for their records. Many schools have materials they distribute to indicate designated pick up areas and other important information.

Drop Off Location

It’s scary, but it could happen. If none of the emergency contacts can be reached by phone or they're unable to pick your child up in a timely manner, alternative transportation may have to be arranged. Be sure to have a designated alternative drop-off spot. This could be a friend or relative's house, or another trusted location. Be sure your child knows the location, their current address, and phone number so that they can accurately tell authorities how to get there safely.

Reevaluate Each Year

As your child ages, changes schools, or your family moves, it's smart to update your plan. 

Although we hope your family never experiences an unexpected disaster, if you do, SERVPRO is available 24/7/365 for emergency service. Learn more here.

Commercial Water Damage Remediation in Your Orlando Business

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

 

Some of the Regular Water Damages SERVPRO Sees in Orlando Hotels


Water damage can happen anywhere in a hotel, but some areas and types of damage happen far more often than others. When problems go beyond simple cleanup and sanitation matters, your cleaning personnel or company may be ill-equipped to handle the consequences of significant water damage. SERVPRO of South Orlando specializes in fast and complete hotel services, ensuring rooms stay clean, undamaged, and pleasant-smelling after the incident. If these common problems happen in your building, call us or use our Emergency Ready Profile (ERP) system to get a crew of technicians to your location.


Overflowing Sinks and Bathtubs

One of the reasons SERVPRO is called into hotels when a guest causes a sink or bathtub to overflow. Determining when and why these problems happen can be difficult. At the same time, guests remain in their rooms, so it may not be uncommon to only find out about the matter days later or when water starts to leak elsewhere and cause further damages. SERVPRO inspectors create a detailed assessment of the situation to understand what specific problems might come from these scenarios and estimate our work times and costs.


Water Line Leaks and Breaks

With so many water lines running throughout the building, it may not be uncommon for them to leak or burst, especially when they are ancient. Be sure to call us as soon as you suspect that a water line may have been ruptured, as the speed of our response may be critical to prevent as much damage as possible. To avoid most water line problems in your hotel, make sure that pipes receive semi-regular maintenance and checkups.


Left-Open Windows

If guests can open windows in your hotel rooms, they may sometimes forget to close them before a storm rolls through the area. Rain pouring through an open window can cause significant damage to the carpet and upholstery; however, the worst effects are preventable by calling SERVPRO.


SERVPRO of South Orlando can handle both small, isolated incidents and large-scale disasters throughout an entire building. For the best outcomes, call quickly after an incident at (407) 985-3200.