Tag Archive for: devon

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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: 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.