Annual Emergency Expo 2013

SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston is excited to be participating in this years Annual Emergency Presented by Lowcountry Community Emergency Response Team at the Lowe's on Northwoods Blvd.  The festivities begin Saturday morning, June 1st at 11:00 am and will continue until 2 pm (Details below).

Check that "Trip to Lowe's" off your To Do List tomorrow and while you are there, be sure to drop by our tent!  We will be the one's with the BIG green truck!

We are looking forward to helping your family safely thru the 2013 Storm Season.   Can't make it, but interested in how we can help you be prepared in the event of a severe storm? Call 843-747-8750 and ask for Bryan.  Or contact us thru our website.

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Just a little shout out to our host and sponsor!

 Lowe's -- Northwoods Blvd

Lowcountry Community Emergency Response Team

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Full Detail for Saturday's Event:

Annual Emergency Expo 2013

Date: Saturday June 1, 2013
Time: 11am - 2pm
Location: Lowes, North Charleston
7555 Northwoods Blvd, North Charleston, SC 29406

Lowcountry CERT and Lowes of North Charleston are partnering together for our joint Annual Emergency Expo. The event is free to the public!

This Tri-County event is designed to get the word out to our neighbors on what is needed to prepare and to protect your life and property. As in the past we will have Fire, Police, US Coast Guard, DHEC, volunteer organizations and other Tri-County Emergency Services Providers present to demonstrate how they serve the communities.

The event will also include:

• Interactive displays from over 40 federal, county and municipal governments, volunteer organizations and local businesses to include rescue boats, fire trucks, etc.
• New York Life's Child I.D. program will be offering FREE Child IDs at this event. The Child IDs include your child’s photo, digitally-scanned fingerprints, and emergency contact information and other pertinent information needed by the police in case of an emergency. A Child I.D. card is printed for each parent or guardian free of charge. Please note that children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
• Free inspections and installations of car seats are being offered to Lowcountry parents. Certified car seat technicians will be on hand to check car seats for proper installation as well as install new car seats free of charge. The City of North Charleston Fire Department is offering this service in partnership with Safe Kids Trident Area and several area fire departments. The safety check station will open at 11 a.m. and run until 1 p.m.

Tuesday Tip ~ May 21, 2013

Unclog and freshen your drains without using harsh chemicals!  Among it's many uses... Baking Soda can be trusted with your slow moving drains and musty odors.  A single use can help clear clogged lines and regular use will help to keep them clear as well as keep odors at bay.  Click here to check out a couple different "how to" methods.

Baking Soda, aka bicarbonate,  should be a staple item in any household toolbox.  Here are 50 more ideas how you can replace many harsh chemical based products in your home. 

Have a stain too tough for the faithful bicarb?
Wait too long to unclog that sink and it's overflowed into your bathroom?
Have no fear! SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston is here to make it like it never even happened!  Call anytime ~ 24/7 ~ (843) 747-8750.

A SERVPRO SUPER SUMMER!

Thank you SO much to our 2013 Super Summer Contributors!  

We had a great time at this Charleston Chamber of Commerce's 2013 Business Expo. 

Please take a minute to visit our these generous local businesses.

Whether you are flying out to see friends and family,
in need of a date night,
looking for adventure on the water or
wanting to burn off a little energy...
These contributors have you covered!

2 Free Rides to Charleston International Airport from

Charleston Green Taxi

Find them on Facebook!

Paintball for 4 from
Paintball Charleston
Find them on Facebook!

2 Paddleboard Rentals from:
Odyssey Board Shop
Find them on Facebook!

2 Dolphin Sunset Tours to Capers Island from
Barrier Island Eco Tours
Find them on Facebook!

Gift Certificate from
Foster's Pub
Find them on Facebook!

SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston hopes you and your family have a safe and disaster free Summer.   However, we are here, around the clock, in the event that your Summer fun gets interrupted by a water or fire damage in your home or business.  843-747-8750 ~ 24/7  Save that number in your phone and relax knowing that peace of mind is just a phone call away!

We love doing business with you Charleston!

How to Trace a Plumbing Water Leak

Tracing a leak in your home’s plumbing can be tricky, but it is necessary to avoid the potential damage that leaking pipes can cause. Finding the source of the leak depends largely on the type of leak you have. A leaking pipe under your sink is easier to find than one that is blocked by ceilings or walls. The first step to tracing the leaking pipe is to determine that you do indeed have a leak, and then you must inspect each room of your home.

Confirm the Leak

Move appliances out of their location wherever possible to look for the source of the moisture. A damaged supply line on a dishwasher, for example, will leak water around the appliance. If this does not reveal the source of moisture, turn off every faucet, appliance and fixture in your home that uses water, and mark where the needle is pointing on your water meter with a pencil or a piece of tape. Leave fixtures, faucets and appliances off for about eight hours, and read the meter again. If the needle has moved, this indicates a leak somewhere in your plumbing system.

Kitchens and Bathrooms

Open cabinet doors beneath sinks and shine a flashlight inside to look for moisture at joints and at the bottom of the P trap. Signs of a leaking pipe may also include corrosion on the supply line fittings and valves. Clear out the cabinet and examine the bottom for water stains, dampness, mold or mildew, and buckled or peeling material, which indicates a leak has occurred. Tighten fittings and wipe away moisture. Turn the water back on to see if this fixes the problem. Sometimes the leak is in the supply valve or line, and it will be evident when the supply is turned off and then activated again. If this is the problem, replace the leaking supply line. You can do the same for all water-using fixtures and appliances such as your toilet, dishwasher and refrigerator.

Floors, Walls, and Ceilings

Examine the flooring around fixtures and appliances that use water, including toilets, bathtubs, dishwashers, and refrigerators. Cracked or warped flooring or spongy spots in the floor indicate the presence of moisture and a possible leak. Examine the walls and ceilings in rooms located directly beneath bathrooms as well. Stains on the ceiling or walls, and bubbling or peeling paint or wallpaper, indicate a leak somewhere in those pipes. Contact a plumber to inspect and repair the leak, and to confirm its location before you begin ripping out walls or floors.

Basements and Crawlspaces

Inspect exposed pipes in basements and crawlspaces. Corrosion or moisture present around the pipes indicates a leak. If you see mold, mildew or rotted wood around these pipes, your leak is probably in this area. Water tends to travel downward, and often the location of water stains is not the exact location of the leaking pipe. Still, it is a good indicator of the general area of the source of moisture.

Types of Carpet Stains

Many stains on your carpet can be cleaned yourself - knowing about the type of stain is the first step in addressing the cleanup.

Water-Soluble Stains

• alcoholic beverages
• berries
• colas
• excrement
• food dyes
• gravy
• ice cream
• jelly
• milk
• mud
• washable ink
• wet or latex paint

Use a simple cleaning solution made up of 1/4 teaspoon of nonbleach detergent (or white vinegar) mixed with 32 ounces of water.

 

Special Water-Soluble Stains

• blood
• chocolate
• coffee
• mustard
• tea
• vomit
• wine

Try 1 tablespoon of ammonia mixed with 1 cup of water (but not on wool or wool-blend carpet; instead use mild detergent and water). If that doesn't work, you can try one part chlorine bleach to five parts water, but only on solution-dyed carpets, such as polypropylene. Bleach will harm other types of carpets; check with the manufacturer if you are unsure what type of carpet you have.

 

Fat, Oil, and Wax

Place a paper towel over the carpet and iron on warm setting. The wax, fat, or oil should come up off the carpet and stick to the paper towel.

 

Cigarette Burns

These can be removed by gently rubbing the pile with the edge of a hard and flat surface, such as a dull knife.

 

Glue

Moisten a cotton ball or soft cloth with rubbing alcohol and press it on the affected area. Once the glue residue is thoroughly moistened, gently wipe it off and repeat until the carpet is clean.

 

Wax and Gum

Use ice to freeze the wax or gum, then shatter it with a blunt object, such as a spoon. Vacuum before the pieces soften, and blot the carpet with a white towel.

 

Nail Polish

Blot the area with a rag dipped in nail polish remover.  

Urine

Absorb as much as possible with white towels, then blot with a damp, cool cloth. Next, spray or blot with a solution of one part white vinegar to one part water. Finally, apply a solution of 1/2 teaspoon of clear, mild, nonbleach detergent mixed with 32 ounces of water, rinse, and blot dry. If the urine was the result of a dog's accident, you may also want to try a housebreaking aid such as No-Go.