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Case study: Professional bathroom mould remediation

How we helped a residential customer remove mould from their bathroom in Devon.

When mould strikes at home, it can quickly become more than an aesthetic problem. Left untreated, mould poses serious health risks and can cause lasting damage to your property.

This was precisely the challenge facing the homeowner in Exeter, who discovered black mould in their bathroom. Concerned about their family’s well-being and the potential cost of repairs, they turned to ServiceMaster Restore Devon for a safe, thorough, and lasting solution. Here’s how we responded.

The Problem

The homeowner contacted ServiceMaster Restore Devon after discovering severe black mould growth in their bathroom, which had spread across the ceiling, tiled walls, grout lines, and around the window frame.

This presented two major concerns:

  • Health risks: Black mould can exacerbate respiratory conditions like asthma and allergies if not properly treated
  • Property damage: Prolonged mould growth can stain and deteriorate surfaces, causing long-term and costly damage

Our solution

Our team of trained technicians carried out the following steps:

  1. Initial survey

  • A full inspection of the bathroom to assess the severity of mould and identify the underlying cause (which can range from inadequate ventilation to high humidity).
  • Risk assessments were completed to ensure safe working practices by our team.

  1. Preparation

  • Protective sheeting was installed to safeguard any unaffected areas
  • Our operatives used the correct PPE (respirators, gloves, coveralls) to handle mould spores safely

  1. Specialist treatment and cleaning

  • We applied professional biocidal cleaning agents designed to kill mould spores at their root
  • We then deep-cleaned the ceiling, walls, and fixtures to restore them to a safe and hygienic standard

  1. Prevention advice

After treatment, we gave bespoke recommendations to the homeowner for aftercare, including making improvements to ventilation, moisture control, and conducting regular maintenance cleaning to prevent any regrowth.

The Outcome

The bathroom was fully restored, with all black mould safely removed; its surfaces were left clean, sanitised, and free from staining. Our team left the homeowner’s bathroom and returned to a safe and healthy environment, and by addressing the root causes, the risk of recurrence was significantly reduced.

Why choose ServiceMaster Restore?

ServiceMaster Restore combines specialist cleaning knowledge, industry-approved products, and 65 years of brand experience in the UK to provide safe and effective mould remediation services. Whether it’s a small patch of mould or a severe outbreak, our team can restore your property quickly and efficiently.

If you’re concerned about mould in your property, contact the ServiceMaster Restore Devon team on 01395 350065 or email office@smcdevon.co.uk.

Or nationwide, find your nearest ServiceMaster Restore business to see how we can help you today.

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Case Study: Rapid response to campus contamination crisis

Rapid restoration response and containing a biohazard at a university in Devon.

When a biohazard incident occurs in a public space, swift and effective action is critical. The following case study from ServiceMaster Restore Devon illustrates our specialist response to a serious sanitation emergency at a prestigious university campus, where a sudden sewer overflow threatened the health and safety of students and staff, disrupted academic operations, and put valuable infrastructure at risk.

Confronted with contaminated wastewater flooding both a campus bathroom and part of the university library, and with initial clean-up efforts worsening the situation, the institution urgently needed expert support. Our team was called in to contain the biohazard, restore hygiene standards, and ensure the safe, swift reopening of key university facilities.

The Problem

A sudden and severe sewage overflow occurred in a public bathroom on a prestigious university campus, with contaminated water spilling into the adjoining library. The incident posed an immediate health risk to students and staff, threatened significant disruption to campus operations, and put university property at risk of long-term damage. Initial clean-up efforts by university staff using standard wet vacuums not only proved ineffective but also resulted in further contamination of their equipment, emphasising the need for specialist intervention.

What we did

Upon receiving the urgent call, our team was on-site within two hours, and our priority was to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment and ensure that all technicians were adequately equipped with the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) before commencing any work.

We immediately coordinated with the university’s on-site drainage provider to ensure the source of the overflow was identified and remedied promptly. Once the issue was under control, our technicians moved swiftly into action.

Using our high-performance equipment, we extracted all contaminated wastewater from both the bathroom and the affected library carpet. This was followed by a thorough sanitisation process, which included deep cleaning of the entire bathroom floor, all surfaces—particularly high-touch areas—and the library carpet to eliminate any remaining contaminants and odours.

In response to the university’s additional challenge, we also collected their contaminated wet vacuums. These were transported off-site, where they underwent rigorous cleaning and sanitisation before being safely returned to campus, providing further peace of mind and practical support.

The Results

Our swift and professional intervention delivered several key outcomes:

  • Minimised disruption: Our rapid two-hour response and efficient clean-up limited downtime across vital university facilities, ensuring operations could continue with minimal interruption.
  • Ensured safety: Thorough sanitisation eliminated biohazard risks, making the affected areas safe for students, staff, and visitors to return.
  • Prompt reopening: The speed and effectiveness of our work enabled the building to reopen at the earliest opportunity, avoiding prolonged closure and academic disruption.
  • Comprehensive support: Our proactive approach to cleaning and sanitising the university’s contaminated equipment provided additional value and support, showcasing our commitment to going above and beyond.

Don’t know what to do next? We do.

If you need a restoration specialist who can respond quickly and decisively in emergencies, expertly manage complex biohazard clean-ups, and collaborate seamlessly with other service providers to deliver a safe, efficient, and comprehensive solution for our clients, contact the ServiceMaster Clean Devon team on 01803 200 278 or email office@smcdevon.co.uk.

Or nationwide, find your nearest ServiceMaster Restore business to see how we can help you today.

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Case study: Fire clearance and clean

A fire within a home can have a devastating impact.

Quick and effective action is critical to minimise damage and restore the home.

This recent case study from ServiceMaster Restore Devon details our role in addressing the aftermath of a fire caused by a DIY dehumidifier.

The incident resulted in extensive smoke and fire damage, leaving the property needing urgent professional intervention.

Situation

We were called to assist after a fire triggered by a DIY dehumidifier in a bedroom of a barn conversion caused significant smoke and fire damage.

Solution

We began by taking a detailed inventory of all items on the property, even including the contents of the cutlery drawer.

Once the inventory was complete, we removed all items and transported them to a local waste facility for disposal using our company vehicles.

After the clearance, we were asked to provide a quotation for a full internal structural cleaning.

We arrived on-site within 24 hours of the quote acceptance to begin the work.

Our focus was on the high-risk fixtures and fittings vulnerable to secondary damage from the acidic nature of soot, including chrome-plated taps, shower screens, rails, plastic electrical fittings, and kitchen units.

The property was plastered with lime mortar, which made soot removal particularly challenging.

We started by vacuuming all surfaces to eliminate loose soot, which removed approximately 80% of the contamination.

After the dry cleaning, we used ServiceMaster restoration cleaning agents to wash all surfaces suitable for wet cleaning, eliminating residual contamination in preparation for redecoration.

Outcome

Our cleaning process significantly reduced the risk of cross-contamination and odour.

The work took five days in total, and while some surfaces still show staining, they are thoroughly cleaned and ready for stain blocking and redecoration.

The property was left soot-free and clean, ready for the next trades to restore it to its pre-incident condition.

Don’t know what to do next? We do.

For specialist fire clearance and cleaning, contact the ServiceMaster Clean Devon team on 01803 200 278 or email office@smcdevon.co.uk.

Or nationwide, find your nearest ServiceMaster Restore business to see how we can help you today.

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Case study: Flood Drying in Devon

How our experts dealt with flooding in a bungalow due to a burst pipe. 

When it comes to flooded properties, we often assume the cause is sudden and heavy rainfall. However, a common cause of flooding is a burst pipe or leak. Leaked water can cause extensive property damage and requires expert and prompt remedial care.

ServiceMaster’s technicians are trained to deal with flood water and have specialist water-drying equipment. This recent case study from ServiceMaster Restore Devon provides insight into our process and the benefits of using our services to deal with the aftermath of a leak or flood.

What was the problem?

We attended a semi-detached bungalow that suffered a water escape during the night due to a burst pipe. Our client was unaware of the situation until she woke to find water had saturated the floors (concrete with laminate wood-effect flooring) in several rooms—the bedroom, conservatory, and kitchen.

Solution

Our step-by-step process to remediate the damage was as follows:

  • We drilled small holes in the floors to access the concrete below with our moisture probes. This investigation confirmed water moisture equivalent (WME) readings of 100% (saturated).
  • We removed the laminate floor to expose the sub-concrete floor below.
  • After carefully removing the furniture to a safe space, we installed a tented drying system in each room to only localise the drying to the floor, as other areas were unaffected.
  • We used a combination of refrigerant dehumidifiers to reduce humidity in the room and desiccant dehumidifiers to blow warm, dry air into the polythene tents. Using both types of humidifiers together creates a very dry atmosphere, accelerating moisture evaporation in a targeted way.
  • We installed humidity sleeves into the concrete and completed weekly visits to check the equipment, take moisture readings, and monitor the overall drying progress.
  • At our weekly visits, we adjusted the tenting to ensure the drying system continued to operate at optimum levels.flood-drying-devon

Outcome

Our swift intervention prevented further damage to the property and ensured our client could reinstate her home in the least amount of time possible. It took approximately six weeks to dry the floors completely.

Upon completion, we issued a certificate of dryness and a final report with all the key information for the homeowner’s records.

Need us?

For swift restoration following a flood or water leak, contact the ServiceMaster Restore Devon team on 01803 200 278 or email office@smcdevon.co.uk

For residential or commercial carpet, rug, upholstery or hard floor cleaning, visit our ServiceMaster Clean website.

Or nationwide, find your nearest ServiceMaster Restore business to see how we can help you today.

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What to do if your home is flooded

Unfortunately, summer is already a distant memory, and we’re facing the wettest months of the year. As we move into autumn and winter, many of our homes may be at risk of flooding. If you find yourself having to deal with this catastrophic event, it’s essential to act quickly to minimise the impact.

Here’s a step-by-step guide from ServiceMaster Restore Devon on what to do if your home is flooded.

Stay Safe

  • Evacuate if necessary and check with the emergency services before returning to your property.
  • Turn off the electricity and gas.
  • Avoid contact with the flood water, which may be contaminated. Wash your hands thoroughly if you touch the water.
  • Wear gloves, a face mask and sturdy footwear when cleaning your home.
  • Keep young children, pets, and vulnerable people away from flooded areas.

Report

  • Contact your insurance company immediately to notify them and begin a claim.
  • Document any damage and take photos and videos to provide evidence.
  • Make an inventory of damaged items.

Clean up

  • Remove standing water with pumps or buckets.
  • Clean and disinfect all areas that have come into contact with the water.
  • Open doors and windows to help ventilate and dry out the area.
  • Remove and dispose of saturated carpets, rugs, upholstery and soft furnishings.
  • Relocate undamaged furniture to a dry area.
  • Use dehumidifiers and fans to help dry out the area.

What next?

Your insurance company will arrange for someone to visit your property to assess the damage. They should then appoint property-drying professionals to help dry your home.

Our cleaning and disaster restoration team is BDMA-trained and accredited to handle flood damage restoration, building drying and dehumidification. We also offer residential and commercial carpet, rug, upholstery and hard floor cleaning by ServiceMaster Clean.

If you would like further advice or help to deal with the aftermath of a flood, please contact ServiceMaster Restore Devon on 01803 200 278 or email office@smcdevon.co.uk

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Flood Drying in Devon

Autumn is now here, so we can expect more rainfall over the coming months and the potential for leaks and flooding. Unfortunately, floodwater can cause extensive property damage, so quick action is essential to minimise the impact. We offer specialised flood and water drying services (as well as residential and commercial carpet, upholstery, rug and hard floor cleaning services) to reduce possible damage and help restore your property swiftly. Here’s a summary of how we can help.

Why ServiceMaster Restore?

ServiceMaster is one of the longest-established disaster restoration companies in the UK and a founding member of the British Damage Management Association (BDMA). We know how to deal with water damage, and our experienced technicians use specialist equipment to restore flooded properties with minimal disruption and delay. We can handle any level of water damage, from minor leaks to severe flooding.

Our Flood drying & restoration process

We begin by assessing the extent of water damage. This process includes identifying the affected areas, determining the type of water (clean, grey, or black), and evaluating the severity of the damage. We use moisture detection tools to map out the areas with elevated moisture levels, even those not immediately visible. This helps us effectively target the drying process.

If standing water remains, we remove it using powerful pumps and industrial-grade wet vacuums. This step is crucial as it prevents further water saturation. If necessary, we’ll remove and dispose of fixtures and fittings if their presence will hinder the drying process. Depending on the type of water, we’ll then sanitise the area to make it safe.

With all standing water removed and the area sanitised, we can begin the drying process.

The process we follow and the equipment we use will depend on the nature of the site and the flood situation. We use industrial-grade dehumidifiers to extract moisture from the air and reduce humidity levels. For trapped moisture in walls and floors, we use injection and tented drying.

Throughout the drying process, we monitor the moisture levels to ensure the drying process is effective and adjust the equipment and techniques as necessary.

Once complete, we issue a dry certificate and a final report with all the key information for the property owner and insurer’s records.

Need our help?

Using ServiceMaster Restore for flood restoration and drying will minimise the damage to your property and mean you can begin reinstating it as soon as possible.

For swift restoration following a flood or water leak, contact the ServiceMaster Restore Devon team on 01803 200 278 or email office@smcdevon.co.uk

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Case study: Flood Remediation in Devon

How the ServiceMaster Clean Devon team restores flooding damage in a flash.

At this time of year, winter storms bring sudden heavy rainfall that can flood homes and properties.

Floodwater can cause extensive property damage and create a possible health hazard from contaminated water, so clearing up after a flood requires expert and prompt remedial care.

With 60 years of expertise, ServiceMaster Restore is one of the longest-established disaster restoration companies in the UK and a founding member of the BDMA, which sets the industry standards for fire and flood restoration.

They use experienced technicians and specialist equipment to restore properties to their pre-loss condition with minimal disruption and delay.

This recent case study from ServiceMaster Clean Devon‘s Restore Team provides insight into the process and the benefits of using their services.

What was the problem?

The team were called to assist after a 1902 mid-terraced property was flooded during a heavy downpour.

Black water had entered the house via the front entrance and, due to its volume, passed throughout the ground floor, affecting the kitchen to the rear, the front living room (including a timber-clad understairs cupboard that houses a washing machine and an upright fridge freezer), and the lower section of the carpeted staircase.

The water levels reached approximately 0.6 metres.

Upon our arrival, the homeowner was removing contents from the affected areas.

There was extensive saturation and deposited sediment, particularly beneath the kitchen units.

Solution

First, the team undertook a moisture assessment, which showed high levels as expected.

However, the readings were lower than anticipated in the living room, at skirting levels and to the decorated lower walls, meaning remediation needn’t require major strip-out works to this room.

They then completed a visual inspection of the property:

  • The original historic tiled floor showed no obvious structural defects and has reportedly withstood several similar occurrences. Therefore, we left this structure intact and monitored it throughout the cleanup.
  • They found signs of damage to the understairs cupboard, which had timber tongue and grooved cladding and would need removal.
  • Within the kitchen, the base kitchen units were damaged and would need removal to allow a complete sanitising treatment and facilitate the operation of our drying system.

With the assessment complete, the team began the remedial works, which included:

  • Removal of the kitchen base units and range oven.
  • Removal of all the understairs timber cladding.
  • Thorough rinse, extraction and sanitisation of all affected materials.
  • Injection and tented drying to the affected walls and floors to dry all the trapped moisture.

Outcome

Our input prevented further damage to the property, made it safe and ensured it dried out swiftly.

The homeowner was able to begin reinstating their home in the quickest possible time.

Upon completion, the team issued a dry certificate and a final report with all the essential information for the homeowner and insurer records.

In a pinch?

For expert disaster restoration services, find your nearest ServiceMaster Restore business or contact the ServiceMaster Clean Devon team on 01803 200 278 or email office@smcdevon.co.uk.

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Case Study – Designing a Carpet Preventative Maintenance Plan

Cleanliness is high on the agenda and one of the first things people notice when walking into commercial premises is the carpet.  Maintaining a clean environment remains a high priority and carpets are a visible example.  Commercial organisations have multiple factors to consider and planning ahead of time really helps.  Carpet replacement is costly and disruptive so extending the life of a carpet is financially advantageous.

Customer and Team Priorities

It’s important to take account of how the property is used and consider what is important to your customers and staff.  Professional carpet cleaning involves machinery so is best organised for when customers and employees are not using the property.

  • Residential blocks managed by housing associations or property managers may favour annual deep carpet cleaning
  • Schools, university, collages often plan for Easter and summer projects
  • Nurseries favour quarterly visits on weekends for close contact cleanliness
  • Offices and professional services sometimes prefer evenings

Considerations

  1. Zones
    How heavy is the usage and wear throughout the year?  Divide up the property into zones, each one to be addressed at a different time.  Some high traffic zones area such as reception, walkways, stairs may require monthly cleaning and spot stain treatments, whereas meeting rooms may require quarterly or annual deep carpet cleaning.  An audit of the area can be used to draw up a specification of works or scope.
  1. Visual Schedule
    A visual schedule makes it easy to see and can be displayed and shared so people can plan, and allow time for setting equipment aside for access to the areas if required.  Automating the process by making one set of bookings for the whole year saves time on the planning and preparation.
  1. Integrated planning
    Other cleaning such as the upholstery on sofas and office chairs or periodic deep cleaning to surfaces and hard floor cleaning are most effective when coordinated.  Linking the carpet cleaning programme to other maintenance plans can be more cost effective and be more efficient.
  1. Predictable Budget
    Unpredictable costs are a source of stress. If you have one zone that requires monthly cleaning and other zones that are half yearly or annually, consider asking your carpet cleaning company to factor the whole years costs and split evenly to provide even monthly expenses. This gives a predicable monthly cost to your business and the cleaning is already scheduled in.

Conclusion:

Designing a carpet cleaning maintenance programme automates the important aspect of maintain a hygienic facility.  Having a consistent approach that integrates with your organisational routines means the problem of remembering to arrange carpet cleaning, booking visits and unexpected costs are addressed.

If you want to know more about how ServiceMaster Clean Devon can help with your Carpet Preventative Maintenance Plan contact us to find out more.

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Case Study – Your five-step plan for workplace cleanliness and infection control

The importance of having a clean work environment has never been greater. As an employer, how can you ensure that your building meets the strict criteria for cleanliness and infection control?

Here is our five-step plan:

  1. Assess the risks

Start with a risk assessment to identify the critical areas of concern and how you will address them.

  1. Create a cleaning plan

Since the individual areas of your building each have different uses, plan your cleaning routines accordingly. Consider what activities are undertaken where and the frequency of usage. Creating a plan will ensure that each area receives the appropriate level of attention and maintain consistency of cleanliness.

  1. Sanitise touchpoints

High touch areas such as handles, switches and desks will require frequent sanitisation. Highlight those areas in your cleaning plan and ensure they receive regular attention.

  1. Use appropriate PPE

Check the COSHH assessments of each cleaning product to ensure that you use the correct personal protection equipment such as gloves and masks.

  1. Deep clean periodically

Incorporate a regular deep clean into your cleaning plan. To keep on top of harder to reach areas, schedule in other less frequent cleaning routines such as fogging and ozone treatments.

By following these steps, you will maintain a clean work environment and reduce the risk of any infectious disease outbreak. For more information and other helpful resources, visit the government and HSE websites.

If your workplace has been exposed to Covid-19, we can provide a complete sanitisation to ensure infection control. Please contact ServiceMaster Clean Devon to find out more.

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Case Study – Quality assurance from ServiceMaster Clean Devon

At ServiceMaster Clean Devon, we pride ourselves on the high quality of our work and our exceptional levels of customer service. But, of course, we would say that!

So, putting our money where our mouth is, what is our quality assurance?

As our customer, this is what you can expect from us:

Safety first: We regularly carry out risk assessments on our individual cleaning services and create risk assessment method statements (RAMS). Consequently, all our staff follow a step-by-step safe working guide that protects both them and our customers.

Superior equipment: We continually upgrade and invest in our equipment to ensure it is best in class and delivers exceptional results for our customers.

Customer reporting: Our comprehensive completion reports give certainty that the job is finished and completed to the highest standard.

Responsive service: We deliver our service to suit our customer’s needs. Whether that is cleaning outside of usual office hours or responding to an emergency, we can be there.

Staff training: Our new employee induction process, coupled with our ongoing internal and external industry training programme, ensures our staff can do the best job.

Professional attire: Our branded vehicles and staff uniforms provide reassurance that we are genuine and reflect our high standards of professionalism.

We never wish to rest on our laurels, so we continually seek ways to improve our customer service. If you have any feedback or suggestions for improvement, please email us at office@smcdevon.co.uk.

If you want to know more about how ServiceMaster Clean Devon can help with your carpet, floor & upholstery cleaning contact us to find out more.