Recent Why SERVPRO Posts

Community Spotlight: ServiceSource

6/1/2023 (Permalink)

seven men standing behind a rock wall at a ServiceSource event Our owner Bill Warnecki is also proud to be ServiceSource Board Member.

ServiceSource is a non-profit organization near and dear to our hearts here at SERVPRO Team Warnecki. The important work they do for the disabled community and their families is truly inspiring! First founded locally in Virginia, they have now expanded across the east coast and Utah, offering services tailored to help those with disabilities enter the workforce.  From working with employers to ensure proper accommodations are met, to helping future employees with skill-based training, ServiceSource is constantly working towards a more inclusive world for the disabled.

Our owner Bill Warnecki, who is also a proud ServiceSource Board Member, traveled to Utah last week to witness firsthand the impressive programs run by ServiceSource’s affiliate PARC. He was humbled to meet all the hardworking staff and participants there and couldn't be prouder of them!  And we couldn’t be prouder to support such an outstanding organization as ServiceSource!

Please feel free to visit their website and learn more at https://www.servicesource.org/

Bill Goes to the Capitol

6/1/2023 (Permalink)

Over the past couple of months, our President, Bill Warnecki, has been lobbying on Capitol Hill on behalf of the Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI) in efforts to solidify and expand the rights of our front-line workers.  This is a very personal mission for us because all of our employees are family. 

The pandemic helped recontextualize the incredible and important work our Crew Chiefs and Production Technicians do every day, and whether they need more comprehensive protections on our worksites or clearer roadmaps for their citizenship, we will fight for them.  Our employees are the lifeblood of our family, and even though their issues may not be as visible or understood by our legislators up on the Hill, Bill will proudly continue to champion their needs.

This Year’s Women’s Forum at SERVPRO Convention

5/31/2023 (Permalink)

woman with dark hair in SERVPRO shirt against white background We are so proud of our inspiring owner, Jennifer Rueda Warnecki!

Every year, SERVPRO holds a national convention as a way to bring the whole SERVPRO family together, celebrate the brand, and learn the latest ways to give our customers the best experience possible.  This year’s Convention, held in Tampa on June 28th, is particularly special to us.  Our inspiring owner Jennifer Rueda Warnecki has been invited to be a panelist on the SERVPRO Women’s Forum!

Hosted by the SERVPRO Women's Initiative, the forum was created last year to highlight and support the wonderful women in the SERVPRO family and to discuss, among other things, the challenge of "taking their own seat at the table" in a traditionally male dominated industry.  Having experience building our Construction Department from a dream into the foundational cornerstone it is now, Jennifer is a proud example of the potential women have in our industry to not only succeed, but to flourish.  It is a humbling honor to be a part of this panel and to help support the next generation of SERVPRO women!

Our Morning WIP Meetings

6/2/2022 (Permalink)

Three young professionals gathered around a wooden table in the lobby of an office, discussing. Our WIP meetings allow all departments to catch up with each other.

Excellent customer service is the backbone of our business model.  It is our guiding star.  To help maintain this high standard, every morning at 8AM, we hold a company wide Work In Progress (WIP) meeting.  This meeting keeps all departments up to date on all current jobs.  Keeping everyone on the same page means that any of our customer’s concerns, whether voiced the day before or in an after-hours call, can be addressed as soon as possible.

These meetings also help monitor the progress of our jobs and set up accountability for the day.  Fostering open communication allows us to act on the newest information, whether our Job File Coordinators need to send out new release forms or our Production Team needs to act on a brand-new leak. 

Most importantly, however, these WIP meetings are an opportunity to come together as a family.  To greet each new day with the strengthened support of each other.  We are blessed to have an amazing team, and everyday we give thanks to that.  These are the values and ideals our customers can expect when they hire us for a job.

Employee Testimonials

5/26/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Logo on a green background with the words Employee Testimonials in the middle Why do our employees enjoy working for SERVPRO? Here's some of them in their own words.

We pride ourselves in providing our customers the very best service, but that’s not possible without providing our employees with the very best and supportive work environment possible.  Don’t take our word for it, though.  Here are some of our employees’ experiences firsthand:

“SERVPRO is well-known for offering great services to our community in time of need with restoration. As much as they care about their customers, their employees are treated even better. They offer a great family culture with respect and room to grow. They value their employees by showing how much they care with little things such as Birthday Celebrations and Team bonding Events. They work hard to make sure everyone feels part of the team and welcomed.  I really enjoy coming to work daily and love the wonderful team that SERVPRO has created.” - Amanda Escobar

“I like working here because I get the opportunity to show my potential. I like that I'm part of the team and that my work feels appreciated. I look forward to work every day and continuing to grow within the company.” - Francisco Rodriguez

“I enjoy working at SERVPRO of Alexandria because the culture of the company is amazing. The owners of the franchise really go out of their way to show appreciation for their employees often. From celebrating individual birthdays, to staff lunches, they are always making sure that they are creating a very pleasant work environment for everyone. I appreciate that the on boarding process is very organized. Every new hire receives a development plan which helps to track your progress and achievements. The company's online training programs are great. I find the modules very helpful. I can always refer back to the training programs for any questions that I may have. Overall, I thoroughly enjoy working at SERVPRO of Alexandria!” - Kendra Owens

“I enjoy working at SERVPRO of Alexandria because I feel very welcomed, and I look forward to working with my fellow employees. Best job in the world!” - Yennifer Bustillo

“I love working at SERVPRO of Alexandria because we treat each other with kindness. Never a dull moment, very family oriented. We push each other to strive high and encourage one another to reach our goals.” - Jennifer Rodriguez

“I really enjoy working at SERVPRO of Alexandria. I’ve been able to learn new skills, grow as a professional, and challenge myself daily.  I have been encouraged to provide my input on things, and my opinions have always been appreciated. Most of all, my coworkers have become an open and close family to me.” - Jose Cortez

“I like working at SERVPRO of Alexandria because I am learning new things, my co-workers are very nice and help me to learn my position. I also like the owners Bill & Jennifer as they are very understanding and friendly.” - Patricia Gomez

“I like working here because my co-workers work as a team, and we have fun together.” - Carlos Garcia

“I like working here because of the people, environment, and overall mission. Everyone is pleasantly kind and willing to lend a helping hand. The environment is consistently positive and the teamwork in each department is very motivating as we work through all situations together. This job is also very rewarding since we assist clients through a time in need and get them the best quality service. There are also many opportunities to learn and grow within this company which drives everyone to improve in their field/department while embracing what everyone uniquely brings to the table.”- Maria Fuster

February is American Heart Month!

2/8/2022 (Permalink)

Eight SERVPRO employees wearing red in an office with the SERVPRO logo on the wall behind them Our team is wearing red to promote American Heart Month!

February may be best known for Valentine’s Day, but there’s another reason why it’s associated with hearts: it’s American Heart Month!  We at SERVPRO understand the importance of heart health.  Every year, we strive to do our part and encourage not just our employees, but everyone, to live a more active lifestyle.

Sadly, heart disease remains the number one cause of death in the United States, but the good news is that there are lot of ways to protect your heart.  Here’s a simple checklist of some preventative actions you can take.

  • Understand Your Risks, Whether Genetic or Habit.
  • Get Your Blood-Pressure and Cholesterol Checked
  • Choose Heart-Healthy Foods
  • Aim for a Healthy Weight
  • Manage Stress
  • Get Regular Physical Activity
  • Quit Smoking
  • Get Enough Good-Quality Sleep

More in depth information can be found on the NIH website here: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/heart-healthy-living

This year, to further promote a healthy heart lifestyle, we are running (no pun intended) a Steps Challenge for our office.  For the entire month, our employees are tracking the number of steps they take every day.  Whoever has the most cumulatively at the end of February 28th wins a gift card.  The real winners, though, are all of our hearts! 

We also would like to extend an invitation to everyone to join us in this challenge and help us raise awareness for this cause.  Together, let’s keep our hearts healthy and pumping!

What is the IICRC?

12/15/2021 (Permalink)

Picture of front door of office with a white IICRC certified sticker and an orange SERVPRO sticker on it. Our IICRC Certified sticker is the first thing you see when you walk up to our front door.

You may already know that SERVPRO is proudly an IICRC certified firm, but what exactly is the IICRC and how does it ensure our customers get the best service?

To start off, IICRC stands for the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration.  Founded in 1972, It is the governing body of the mitigation/restoration industry, setting the procedural standards by which all cleaning, inspection, and restoration work is measured.  Considered “state of the art” in the contamination field, the IICRC is also an accredited member of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) which verifies the regulation process.  In short, these entities quicken the acceptance of new products and methods while keeping them safe and effective for all consumers. 

By continually maintaining our IIRC certification, SERVPRO can offer our customers the most technologically advanced products and techniques in the restoration business.  More importantly though, these rigorously tested standards help keep our customers safe, another reason why SERVPRO is the premier restoration company.

Creating Precise Estimates with Xactimate

12/14/2021 (Permalink)

Brown haired man with beard using an iPad to create estimates Xactimate can even be used on an iPad!

Our focus here at SERVPRO is to offer our customers the very best service in their time of need.  That is why our team is certified to use the software program Xactimate, which helps us to create estimates much faster and more accurately than ever before. 

In fact, Xactimate is the leading standard in the restoration industry, used by contractors and insurance adjusters alike.  This means that our customers’ insurance companies can work seamlessly with our estimates, cutting down on the time spent not working on that water leak in your basement.  Since we are the preferred vendor for insurance companies like State Farm, it also allows them to send us jobs directly, even further streamlining the restoration process.

Most importantly, our customers can rest assured that the estimates they receive from us are detailed and precise.  We have worked hard to obtain and maintain our certifications.  Just another example of our commitment to our customers’ satisfaction.

Our 1st Annual Coat & Blanket Drive!

12/13/2021 (Permalink)

Professional man with gray hair and professional woman with dark hair standing next to festive donation box. Donations are piling in!

It’s the most magical time of the year! The holiday season is a time where families and friends come together and make these cold and long evenings feel warm and bright. It is a time to be grateful for the little things, but most importantly, it is a time to give back to those that may be less fortunate. That is why, in the grand tradition of the season of giving, we are proud to announce our 1st Annual Coat & Blanket Drive!

Along with our local State Farm partners Sharon Eddy, Reggie Harris, and Kelly Allison, we are accepting new and gently used coats and blankets at our offices for the entire month of December. Our staffs and families have already contributed, but we would love to invite the community as well to participate in this cause. Even if you are unable to make it to our office or any of our drop locations, simply give us a call at (703)739-2800 and we will make arrangements to pick up any donations you have.

At SERVPRO, our motto, “here to help,” applies to more than just repairing water damage from a violent storm. It is a social responsibility we take on daily. A commitment to always give more than we take because we are all in this together.

At the end of the month, we will gather all the coats and blankets and donate them to our local Christ House ensuring the most in need this holiday season will benefit from them. Giving back and providing a helping hand is in our DNA here at SERVPRO. Whether it’s helping those that are less fortunate get through these cold months with warm clothes, or restoring a family home after a devastating disaster, we are forever grateful for the opportunity to serve our community.

From our families to yours, we wish you all a blessed holiday season!

When you hire SERVPRO of Marlton/Morningside, You Hire a Family

6/3/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Marlton/Morningside member Martin Graduates SERVPRO of Marlton/Morningside member Martin Graduates

We know you have so many choices when it comes to damage restoration service providers in the Marlton/Morningside area, however, we believe we stand out from the rest of the competition, not only because we work harder, better and faster the rest, but because we care about each other just as much as we care about our community.

Here at SERVPRO of Marlton/Morningside we don't only work together, we love, celebrate and grieve together.

Whether it be a graduation, or the untimely death of a relative, we are there for one another as a real family.

So when you SERVPRO of Marlton/Morningside responds to a damage restoration service call,  we're sending out our family to help make our community better.

In this picture we have one of our crew members celebrating his recent graduation with the rest of the team! Look how happy everyone is!

Morning Meeting Date 6/3/21

6/3/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Team Meeting The SERVPRO team meets to discuss the plans for the day

One of the reasons SERVPRO of Marlton/Morningside is so efficient in responding to local damage restoration service calls is our commitment to preparation. 

Even before we get our first call of the day we are working together to strategize the best way to handle the tasks of the day, celebrate and review what we accomplished the day before, and set new objectives and goals for the days ahead.

These "power meetings" are just one of the many team structural tools our President, Bill Warnecki has set in place to keep us close as a team and focused.

In the picture in this blog we were going through our daily team meeting, trying to fine tune the routing schedule for the day. 

Everyone on the team is present (even if they aren't all in the picture) and we all are invited and encouraged to chime in and provide our insights and input.

Nothing especially noteworthy happened today, but that's perfectly fine. Business as usual is still business!

SERVPRO of Marlton / Morningside is an IICRC Certified Firm

3/25/2021 (Permalink)

IICRC logo Our IICRC Certified Specialists can Restore your Alexandria Home

SERVPRO of Alexandria is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. 

IICRC Certified Firms must

  • Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.
  • Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.
  • Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.
  • Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.
  • Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry

About SERVPRO of Alexandria

SERVPRO of Alexandria specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

From this SERVPRO family to yours, it’s moments like these that make us so incredibly proud to be apart of our community!

12/24/2020 (Permalink)

From this SERVPRO family to yours, it’s moments like these that make us so incredibly proud. Image of family outside. From this SERVPRO family to yours, it’s moments like these that make us so incredibly proud to be a part of our community!

As the season of giving is upon us, SERVPRO of Marlton / Morningside, along with our sister franchise SERVPRO of Alexandria, would like to share with all of you how we have gone above & beyond this holiday season to truly make a long-lasting impact within our community this year! 

As you may know, we highlighted an initiative in early December & asked you for your help! Our goal was to spread the Christmas spirit to a family in need. A family who did not have access to their loved ones, food, presents, or a home. You all came through in a big way this year and shared with us your stories. We were blessed to have received so many entries & shed a tear with each one. 

There was one family's story in particular that truly touched our hearts. We were contacted by the eldest daughter of a family of 7. This family has been through so much this year that we could not pass up the opportunity to make their holiday season bright! 

On top of the special and personalized gifts we shared with each of the family members, we were able to provide them with a bit more peace of mind. We are covering the cost of their rent in January 2021 and have invested $1,500 into a college fund for their eldest. As you can imagine, the tears were flowing from all of us. We are so happy to have connected with this family to make a difference. 

From this SERVPRO family to yours, it’s moments like these that make us so incredibly proud to be apart of our community! We are wishing you a joyous holiday season filled with happiness & good health and cannot wait to see you all in 2021! Happy Holidays

SERVPRO of Marlton & Morningside Making a Difference in OUR Community

12/19/2020 (Permalink)

Happy Holidays from your SERVPRO of Marlton & Morningside family Happy Holidays from your SERVPRO of Marlton & Morningside family!

As we continue to make a long-lasting impact in our community this holiday season, we are happy to share some exciting news! SERVPRO of Marlton and Morningside have partnered with the Salvation Army to sponsor two children in our local community through the Angel Tree program.

The Salvation Army has assigned two Angels to us as a sponsor & sent the children's wish lists our way. Our team had a blast shopping for our "Angles" in hopes to make this a holiday season they would not forget.    

Our team at SERVPRO of Marlton and Morningside will be donating toys & clothing to a young boy & girl. Let the fun begin! The young boy had a bike on his wish list & the young girl asked for LOL Dolls. We are so happy that our SERVPRO team was able to come through will the requested items & cannot wait for these children in our community to receive the wonderful gifts!

Why SERVPRO of Marlton/Morningside is Your Best Choice in the Marlton & Morningside Area

12/19/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Marlton/Morningside is Your Best Choice in the Marlton & Morningside Area SERVPRO of Marlton/Morningside is Your Best Choice in the Marlton & Morningside Area

"Great things in business are never done by one person. They're done by a team of people" - Steve Jobs

We are your go-to highly trained restoration specialist when it comes to damage in your home or commercial space. Our staff s equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Our team members are certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and sets the standards for the cleaning and restoration industries. Our Professionals study IICRC standards and best practices in water restoration, fire restoration, mold remediation, carpet and upholstery cleaning, and other cleaning and restoration courses.

The Employee Certification Training is a self-paced program designed for SERVPRO Franchise employees. Certification is awarded after successful completion of course materials and an examination. Certification is awarded once a crew member passes successfully completes modules in the areas of: Crew Training, Fire Restoration, Water Restoration, Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning.

e-Learnings: All of our staff have access to web-based training. This voluntary program is designed to be an ongoing, self-paced coaching series for a Franchise's employees. Video presentations and support materials are followed by a knowledge test at the end of each module. This keeps our technicians and office staff up to speed on industry standards and the professional quality you expect.

Continuing Education Classes: SERVPRO of Marlton / Morningside offers both credit and noncredit courses for insurance agents, insurance adjusters, real estate professionals, and Franchise staff. These programs are designed to improve knowledge of emergency mitigation. Courses include:

  • Water Damage Restoration
  • Fire Damage Restoration
  • Understanding Mold in the Restoration Industry
  • Restorative Drying for Loss Control Mitigation
  • Awareness Response Seminar (non-credit course)

Have Questions about Mold Damage? Call SERVPRO of Marlton & Morningside Today – (301) 856-5402

Secondary Damages | SERVPRO of Marlton/Morningside

12/18/2019 (Permalink)

Brick house with boarded up windows and plastic tarps covering roof Contact SERVPRO of Marlton/Morningside if you experience any storm damage. We have the expertise and the resources to handle any size disaster.

How to Protect Your Home Against Secondary Damages After a Storm or Fire

Whether your home was damaged by a storm or a fire, secondary damages are a real concern. The term secondary damages refers to the types of damage that occurs after but as a result of the initial event. For example, if your roof was damaged during a storm, water damage that occurs during subsequent storms, as a result of the damaged roof, would be secondary damages. Fortunately, options exist for preventing these damages.

Tarp Over Services

A properly installed roof tarp can provide protection for up to three months — plenty of time to settle insurance issues and schedule a repair. The key is to contact a damage restoration and mitigation company immediately so they can apply tarp and dry out any moisture in your attic before further damage occurs.

What to Expect

Professional tarping services are much more secure than the average DIY job. Professionals first remove the debris and measure the damage to ensure that they use the correct tarp size. Tarps must be larger than the damaged area to ensure moisture cannot penetrate the roof.

Further, the tarps must be positioned so that water cannot flow underneath them, which is achieved by always bringing the tarps over the peak opposite the damage and sandwiching the edges beneath boards so that future winds and storms will not pull the tarp free.

Window Boarding

Not all window damage results in broken glass. Damage to the seals or frames can be just as devastating, since moisture can still get into the home.  Signs that you need damage control include damp ceilings below an upstairs window, moisture leaks in around your windows, bubbling paint on the walls surrounding your windows, or mold on the window frames.

What to Expect

Professional boarding services are able to cover your windows without causing permanent damage to the frames or your home's siding. Boards are cut to fit each specific window. Any damaged glass is removed, and then the window may have a sheet of plastic to keep out moisture.

Once the window is covered with plastic, the boards go into place. The boards typically screw into the frame or siding, but the damage can be patched after the window is replaced. Keep in mind that boards are more for security and to prevent further damage, not moisture prevention.

Mold Prevention

Mold growth can begin in as little as 24 hours after water damage occurs. If you suspect that your home suffered damages and that moisture is still present following a storm or fire, then schedule a visit from a damage contractor within the first day.

You must notify your insurance company to let them know that you have a contractor coming out to mitigate secondary damages. The insurance company may require specific documentation, including photographs and reports, if mitigation begins before an insurance adjuster has a chance to view your property.

What to Expect

The best strategy to minimize mold growth is to quickly dry out the home. First, pump out any standing water in the home. Once this is complete, move furniture, personal items, and rugs to a dry location. The carpet may also need removal, especially if it is not salvageable.

Once the room is clear, the contractors will begin the full dry process. Typically, a combination of water extractors —similar to powerful industrial vacuums — and industrial fans quickly remove the water. A biocide treatment may also be applied at this point to minimize the chances of mold growth.

Contact SERVPRO of Marlton/Morningside for more information on repairs and restoration after damage occurs to your home. We want to help get your home back to good condition.