Tag Archive for: case study

Case study: Biological mould treatment in a managed property

When mould takes hold in a property, treating only what’s visible isn’t always enough. A recent call-out to a managed flat in Devon shows how our team not only tackled a severe biological mould infestation but also identified potential underlying moisture issues and provided practical recommendations to help prevent the problem from recurring.

Here’s how ServiceMaster Clean & Restore Devon tackled the issue.

The challenge

ServiceMaster Clean & Restore Devon were called to a managed flat with a severe biological mould infestation affecting two bedrooms and a bathroom. The worst concentration was hidden behind a headrest, where mould had developed largely out of sight.

In addition to treating the existing mould, we needed to identify any factors that could cause the problem to return.

The ServiceMaster solution

Our team carried out a full biological mould treatment across the affected areas to eradicate active spores and help make the property safe and hygienic again.

Following the treatment, we uploaded a detailed photographic report to the managing agent’s client portal within 24 hours, giving the property management team a clear record of the work completed and highlighting areas requiring further attention.

During the visit, we also identified a heavily contaminated fabric skylight blind that was beyond effective cleaning and recommended removing it.

Looking beyond the visible mould

Treating mould is only part of the solution. Unless you address the conditions causing excess moisture, it may return.

We advised the resident on practical moisture control, including appropriate heating and ventilation. Where residual staining remained, we recommended using a specialist anti-mould paint when redecorating, rather than simply covering it with standard emulsion.

Importantly, our team spotted a heavily blocked roofline gutter directly above one of the affected walls, which may be a source of moisture ingress.

We couldn’t safely reach the gutter with our ground-based gutter vacuum equipment because of the flat roofs below. We therefore advised the managing agent that a specialist access team would be required to clear and inspect the gutter, so they could address the issue and prevent water from getting in.

The result

The active mould was professionally treated, the managing agent received a comprehensive photographic report within 24 hours, and both the resident and property manager were given clear recommendations to help prevent the problem from recurring.

By looking beyond the immediate cleaning requirement, we also identified a potential external source of moisture and helped the managing agent take the next steps toward a longer-term solution.

Need help with a mould problem?

At ServiceMaster Clean & Restore Devon, we combine specialist cleaning knowledge, industry-approved products, and years of experience to deliver safe, 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 Clean Devon team on 01803 200 278 or email office@smcdevon.co.uk.

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Service Spotlight: Disaster Recovery

When disaster strikes, it can bring operations to a standstill. From burst pipes to fires, floods or storm damage, the impact on your buildings, staff, customers and tenants can be serious.

In this blog post, the team at ServiceMaster Restore Devon outline how we help businesses recover quickly, safely and with minimal downtime. We provide a rapid, professional response to get you back up and running.

Comprehensive disaster recovery services

Our full range of restoration and recovery services includes:

  • Flood and water damage restoration – water extraction, sanitisation, structural drying and moisture monitoring to make your premises safe and minimise damage.
  • Fire and smoke damage recovery – soot removal, odour control and surface restoration to return your premises to pre-loss condition.
  • Biohazard clean up – safe removal and disposal of hazardous materials, such as sharps and bodily fluids, which pose a risk.
  • Mould remediation – specialist cleaning and treatment of mould to protect health and prevent reoccurrence.
  • Specialist and trauma cleaning – discrete, professional cleaning for sensitive incidents, carried out in full compliance with health and safety standards.
  • Graffiti restoration – removal of unwanted graffiti from walls and signage to return your property to its original condition and maintain your professional image.
  • Leak detection – use of non-invasive methods and cutting-edge technology to quickly locate and address leaks, sparing your property from unnecessary damage.

Minimising disruption and downtime

We know that every hour of lost productivity costs your organisation money. That’s why our response is immediate and coordinated. We prioritise safety, containment and restoration from the moment we arrive, working efficiently to get your facilities operational again as soon as possible.

Our team can work out of hours or in phases to fit around your operations, helping minimise disruption for your staff, customers or residents.

For your peace of mind and insurance compliance, our reports include detailed assessments, photographs, progress updates and completion certificates. You’ll always know what’s happening, what’s been completed, and what comes next.

Why choose ServiceMaster Restore Devon?

As part of the ServiceMaster Restore network, we combine national resources with local knowledge. Our Devon-based technicians are on call 24/7, ready to respond anywhere across Exeter, Plymouth, Torbay and surrounding areas.

  • 24/7 rapid response across Devon
  • Local technicians with national support
  • Industry-accredited restoration specialists

When the unexpected happens, we’re here to help you recover quickly and confidently, protecting your people, your property, and your business continuity.

Why choose ServiceMaster Restore?

If you need a restoration specialist who can respond quickly and decisively in emergencies, and collaborate seamlessly with other service providers to deliver a safe, efficient, and comprehensive solution, 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: 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: How to optimise business continuity after disaster with ServiceMaster Restore Plus

How we ensured optimal business continuity in 24 hours after substantial fire damage with ServiceMaster Restore+.  

ServiceMaster Restore in Rotherham and Barnsley recently supported a company headquarters after a severe arson attack on the property resulted in significant fire damage to the ground floor.

The property, a substantial, stone-built, double-fronted detached two-storey office building, had to halt, disrupting and hurting their operation.

This is a major issue for businesses after significant damage, as they cannot get running again in much time (if at all!)

According to the London Fire Brigade, nearly 60% of businesses never recover after a fire.

Thanks to ServiceMaster Restore Plus, which streamlines the claims processes through our network of approved and accredited professionals, we restored the business to a safe working environment in twenty-four hours!

Here’s how…

What was the damage?

Fire Damage

The arson attack heavily damaged the left side of the building, necessitating an evaluation of Beyond Economic Repair (BER) contents.

Widespread Debris and Water Damage

The front and ground floor were covered in debris, with approximately 1 inch of water mixed with fire-damaged debris.

Electrical Safety Concerns

Power was cut off by the fire brigade when assisting with the fire.

How ServiceMaster Restore Responded with a same-day callout

  1. Following the emergency callout facilitated by ServiceMaster Restore Plus, the team conducted an immediate assessment.
  2. They then efficiently removed excess water from the right-hand side of the ground floor office area and deployed drying equipment, ensuring optimal levels were maintained.
  3. They then conducted a comprehensive electrical safety test and established a temporary power supply to support drying.
  4. Following this, they cleared extensive debris inside and outside the building and performed a BER assessment of the damaged contents.
  5. To restore the floor and interior, they removed water-damaged commercial vinyl flooring.
  6. Plans were made to overboard the subfloor for restoration and to conduct decor works on skirting boards and walls.
  7. Finally, they implemented ozone generation for deodorisation and thoroughly cleaned the entire property.

The result

When the business was in danger of significant disruption and permanent damage, our swift and effective response mitigated further damage, and the business could continue trading with minimal downtime.

The interventions allowed the client to plan for a return to their offices with minimal impact on their business operations.

Want to optimise business continuity after a disaster?

Through our network of trained and accredited professionals and our swift response through Restore Plus, ServiceMaster Restore’s capability to manage complex commercial property restoration efficiently ensures the continuity of business operations following catastrophic events.

If you require professional restoration services and want to minimise disruption to your business while ensuring unparalleled restoration results, find your nearest ServiceMaster Restore business today to see how we can help you in a crisis.