Recent Why SERVPRO Posts

Institute of Cleaning & Restoration Certification (IICRC)

8/22/2023 (Permalink)

IICRC logo We are an IICRC firm

SERVPRO of Lexington, Waltham, Watertown, Arlington, Somerville, and Charlestown 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 have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

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

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration, and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

About SERVPRO of Lexington, Waltham, Watertown, Arlington, Somerville, and Charlestown

SERVPRO of Lexington, Waltham, Watertown, Arlington, Somerville, and Charlestown 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.

The Correct Spelling of SERVPRO

8/1/2022 (Permalink)

photo of SERVPRO corporate headquarters building When you experience fire, flood, or mold damage call the #1 brand in restoration, SERVPRO.

In my time at SERVPRO I have seen numerous variations of the spelling which prompted me to write this blog and set the record straight. Service + Professionals = SERVPRO. Not SERVPRO or SERVPRO, or even Serve Pro. ServicePro is also incorrect along with ProServ. We are definitely not Service Master or any alternative spelling to it. RestorePro is also not us, neither is All Pro Restoration nor Pro Plus Services. You see, there are many imitators to us and our brand because we have built such a successful company. Others see our success and try to copy it. When you experience fire, flood, or mold damage call the #1 brand in restoration, SERVPRO. 

Why Plumbers Partner with SERVPRO

7/22/2022 (Permalink)

plumber's hands on pipes with valves Plumbers partner with SERVPRO

Imagine walking into your home after a long day at work to find half an inch of water pooled in your living room. After shouting a few curse words and getting over the initial shock you calm down a bit and begin investigating what exactly happened. Come to find out a pipe broke in the wall and water is still pouring out. First, you run to the basement to shut off the water. What do you do next? I think most people would call a plumber to get the pipe fixed as soon as possible so you can turn your water back on and go about your life. The plumber comes over and is happy to fix your broken pipe. Then what? You have a large amount of water soaking into your beautiful hardwood floor. The plumber says their work is done by fixing the pipe and good luck. What?! Now your next call may be to your insurance company to see if it is covered loss or it could be to SERVPRO, in which order those happen does not really matter at this point. There is an opportunity for the plumber to let you know about SERVPRO and that we should be your next call. We partner with plumbers in the area to let them know we can be a resource for their clients that experience a water emergency and need help. That way they are assisting their customer further and solving their problem as opposed to simply wishing them luck as they leave their water-logged living room. Now imagine this person calls SERVPRO first, before the plumber, because they know we are faster to any disaster. SERVPRO cannot start drying the property until the pipe is fixed or else it will just flood again. So now we have an opportunity to refer a plumber to help solve the problem. This is why plumbers partner with SERVPRO, it is a natural partnership. Plumbers fix the source of a leak, but do not clean up the mess, SERVPRO will clean up the mess but, not fix the leak. By partnering together we solve a problem for the client. If you are a plumber or know a plumber, please have them contact us so we can partner and help our clients together. 

SERVPRO Cleans Dryer Vent for Local Non-Profit: The Cat Connection

5/13/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technician on ladder putting hand in dryer vent SERVPRO cleans dryer vent for local non-profit The Cat Connection

SERVPRO recently had the opportunity to help a local non-profit organization, The Cat Connection, with dryer vent cleaning. Elisif Brandon, a local architectural photographer, reached out to Aaron Roy, Sales and Marketing Manager of SERVPRO, to get involved with TCC. Aaron helped Elisif create an Emergency Plan for the shelter last summer, part of which focused on fire safety. The Cat Connection recently opened its first-ever shelter in Brighton so a plan was needed for the property. It occurred to Elisif that The Cat Connection washes and dries numerous towels daily to care for their feline friends. It was uncertain the last time the dryer vent had been cleaned in the building, so she called on Aaron once again to assist. SERVPRO was happy to provide a high-level dryer vent cleaning in exchange for letting the crew play with some kittens afterward. If you are interested in adopting a cat while also supporting a great cause, please contact The Cat Connection. If you need an Emergency Ready Plan created for your business or a dryer vent cleaning, reach out to Aaron Roy.

More About The Cat Connection

The Cat Connection is an almost all-volunteer (one employee) 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is: to rescue stray and abandoned cats and find loving homes for them through our foster and adoption programs, to help decrease the local homeless cat population through our Trap-Neuter-Return-Maintain program, and to provide resources to help people in our community retain and care for their cats.

Utilizing Advanced Technology with Matterport

2/21/2022 (Permalink)

three dimensional virtual rendering of building under construction Matterport can create a 3D virtual rendering of a property

When our project managers arrive on-site responding to a call they have a few tasks that need to be completed. The first is to meet the client or representative who called and learn more about what is going on at the property. Once they know what the issue is, they can begin to assess the situation. A large part of the assessment is taking photos of the affected areas as well as measurements. Since we use Xactimate software to generate estimates we need to know measurements to input to create an accurate price per line item. The photos are used to document the damage before, during, and after restoration. Measurements are taken with a laser and used to create a sketch of the affected areas. This can be quite time-consuming if there is a lot of space affected. Imagine if there was a tool we could use that would take a picture and measurements of a property all at once? Well, there is! Our office recently purchased its first Matterport camera. It is a camera that takes 3D virtual renderings of a building as well as measurements. That rendering can be easily uploaded and shared as needed. Now, a project manager can arrive on-site, drop the Matterport in the affected spaces, and effortlessly get all the information they need to create an estimate and scope of work. Using cutting-edge technology is just one of the many reasons why SERVPRO is the number one brand in restoration. Our locally owned and operated franchises are always on the lookout for the newest technology to support our crews in their work. 

Service + Professionals = SERVPRO

2/15/2022 (Permalink)

orange arrow pointing up with the word servpro in it and the year 1967 below it Our original logo was an arrow pointing up to represent elevated customer service.

The name SERVPRO comes from combining the two words, service and professionals. We strive to bring top-notch customer service to each and every job. It is what separates us from our competitors. The orange house logo is actually an evolution of the original logo which was an arrow pointing upwards, representing elevated service. It is who we are at our core as an organization. There are many imitators of SERVPRO but none stress the importance of high-quality service more than we. I was recently reminded of this and wanted to share it with you. A friend of mine went away on vacation with his terminally ill wife, they were enjoying the small amount of time they had left with one another. When they returned home they encountered a leak from their refrigerator. It was a small leak but since it was unattended for some time while they were away, it caused a pretty significant amount of damage. Water leaked into their basement, destroying most of the building materials used to finish it. My friend called me and we responded immediately. We had the place dried out in a couple of days, taking care of a stressful situation for a couple that did not deserve any more negativity in their lives. My friend’s wife passed away shortly after, sadly. My friend wanted to host a get-together to celebrate her life at his home and the best space to do that was in the now destroyed basement. Since our franchises now offer reconstruction services, he hired us to do the work. The problem is that he needed the basement finished immediately to be able to host this event. Our construction manager went out of his way to move things around and put my friend at the top of the list. We were able to get the basement redone and my friend could host his event celebrating his late wife. This would not have been possible without the kindness and generosity of our crews, especially the reconstruction team. When you hire SERVPRO you can expect only the best in terms of customer service. 

More Than Just Another Restoration Company

1/3/2022 (Permalink)

screen shot of 5-star review We love making happy customers!

I was fortunate enough to meet Debbie at Bedford Day back in September. It was my first event setting up a tent to interact with the public, answering questions, and giving out promotional products. I did not know what to expect but I knew I was there to represent the company in one of our service areas. Debbie approached our tent and asked about the other services we provide besides fire, flood, and mold remediation. I was happy to let her know about all of the various cleaning services we offer and gave her a pamphlet with all of them listed out along with my business card. I did not think much more of the interaction as I spoke with numerous people that day. A couple of months later I got a call on my cell phone from Debbie wondering if I could give her a quote to clean some items in her home. She was interested in duct cleaning, carpet cleaning, and upholstery cleaning for her couch. She liked the price and asked to add on a recliner, bathroom floor tiles, and her back stairwell. We worked around her schedule and sent out a crew on a day that was convenient for her. The crew spent all day at her home and brought back her area rugs to be washed at the shop. Debbie called me to ask when they would be returned and we were not going to have them done before Thanksgiving which was a problem as her husband was having surgery that weekend. Our team was able to expedite the area rug cleaning and get them delivered just in time for the holiday. Debbie was so impressed with our work she left us a 5-star review on Google, “I have never used Service Pro before and was pleasantly surprised.  I found the young men Jake and Elijah were: professional, knowledgeable, and hard workers.  They were here most of the day and left everything in perfect shape.  I will be recommending Service Pro to my friends and family.  Thank you for a great job!” I am writing this to let people know we are more than a restoration company. We are a cleaning company but even more than that, a customer service company. 

Does Homeowner's Insurance Cover Mold?

8/16/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technician inspects crawlspace for mold SERVPRO technicians are here to help and will inspect crawlspaces for mold growth.

Over here at SERVPRO of Lexington-Bedford and Waltham/Weston/Watertown/Wayland, we have been getting a lot of calls concerning mold. With the unusual amount of rain and humidity in July, followed by high temperatures, microbial growth has been very prevalent this summer. SERVPRO has an excellent relationship with insurance companies and we are happy to work with them directly so you do not have to. A common question that comes up is, “Does my homeowner's insurance cover mold remediation?” This is a fair question to ask but is difficult to answer. In the late 90s to early 2000s, most insurance companies changed the coverage in homeowners' policies to limit mold remediation. This is because there were too many claims being filed that amounted to hundreds of thousands of dollars being paid out by insurance companies. Because of this, policies got more specific about what they would and would not cover.

As a general rule of thumb, mold remediation is covered by insurance if it is a result of a specific problem that is covered by your policy. Furthermore, you must demonstrate that the mold damage was sudden, accidental and that you reported it immediately. For example, if your roof had a leak that you promptly fixed and in the process found microbial growth in the attic due to water damage, it would most likely be covered. But if you let the leak in the roof go unattended for a year before addressing it and then you found mold all throughout the attic, it would not be covered. The difference is that the roof leak is accidental but not fixing it immediately is negligence in which case the subsequent mold growth could have been avoided. It is important that you document everything in as much detail as possible to show your adjuster. If you come across mold in your home or business give us a call immediately to begin remediation. If it is covered by your insurance, we will work with them directly so you do not have to.

Why Realtors Choose SERVPRO

8/2/2021 (Permalink)

large home with a for sale sign in front of it Realtors choose SERVPRO when selling homes!

A good real estate agent has strong ties to the community and knows everything there is to know about the areas they do business in. Realtors regularly recommend and call on SERVPRO of Lexington-Bedford and Waltham/Weston/Watertown/Wayland for a variety of reasons. The most common reason is for a general deep clean of a home that is about to hit the market. Having your home professionally cleaned from top to bottom by highly trained professionals makes a huge impact on the overall presentation of the home. Beyond general cleaning, we can handle a host of other issues that may arise when getting a home ready for an open house. We have state-of-the-art equipment and advanced technology to handle deodorization. Whether it was a smoker or pets, we can remove unwanted odors from your home. Did you find mold during the home inspection? No problem! SERVPRO specializes in mold remediation so you do not have to worry about microbial growth while selling your home. Did you remodel the kitchen and bathroom ahead of listing your house? Let us handle the post-construction cleanup. We can professionally clean drapes, blinds, upholstery, walls, floors, ceilings, crawlspaces, and even your ducts! You do not want to leave sawdust sitting in your ventilation system as it can lead to mold growth that will spread through the HVAC system over time. No matter how big the job is, we are here to help. We can even clean out the home of a hoarder, regardless of how extensive the cleanup job is, we can clean it up and get your home into pristine condition. Find out why realtors choose SERVPRO to sell their homes faster at 781-861-0500.

Introducing Construction Manager: Nelson Valada

5/18/2021 (Permalink)

Construction manager Nelson Valada poses with his two dogs Construction Manager Nelson Valada with his two dogs Pretzel and Rosie

We are ecstatic to officially introduce the newest member of our management team, Nelson Valada! Nelson is the Construction Manager here at SERVPRO of Lexington-Bedford and Waltham/Weston/Watertown/Wayland. He joined our team in February 2021 and hit the ground running. He has 20+ years in the construction industry working as a carpenter, general contractor, and construction supervisor with experience in both residential and commercial settings. He is well versed in many trades and has “a guy” for everything. He has an 11 year old son who is an awesome hockey player and is active in Arlington Town Hockey Leagues. He is a Somerville High School graduate and currently lives in Burlington with his wife, son, and two dogs; Pretzel and Rosie. Nelson and his family are avid animal lovers who have adopted several pets over the years. His meticulous nature and high standards in “fit and finish” are commonly complemented along with his pleasant and easy going demeanor. We are happy to welcome him aboard to our new (Re)-Construction team!

Read what Peter from Weston had to say about Nelson’s recent work at his home, “Your painters have done an absolutely marvelous job with the basement. Their meticulous work brings vibrancy to a drab old basement. Throughout the entire salvage operation, from decontaminating the sewage backflow, to restorative carpentry and painting, your men acted with the utmost professionalism and courtesy. My hat off to the team at SERVPRO: they are role models for the industry.”

If you are planning to remodel your bathroom, kitchen, basement, or attic  this summer and are unsure of which contractor you can trust - look no further! Our franchises have been locally owned and operated for over 35 years - we live and work in this community too; we might even be neighbors and we are always here to help.

Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)

3/1/2021 (Permalink)

IICRC certified logo Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)

About the IICRC

The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification, or IICRC, is a non-profit organization founded in 1972. The organization originally began as the International Institute of Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Inc. but has grown to become the global organization that it is today with over 60,000 active technicians by expanding its scope. The Institute has 4 core values:

  1. Get it done: We don’t make excuses. We find solutions.
  2. Be honest: No one needs to be around to do the right thing.
  3. Embrace failure: We learn from our mistakes.
  4. One Team, One Mission: No silos. Our mission requires us to operate together.

The SERVPRO Mission

The SERVPRO Mission Statement is, “To develop a team of quality people who focus on excellent service, fairness, and mutual respect”. The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) certifies 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 IICRC core values and the SERVPRO Mission Statement align with one another. Together, we have satisfied clients for over 40 years by being leaders in the industry.

We Are Here When it Matters Most

2/19/2021 (Permalink)

servpro tent and semi trucks SERVPRO emergency response storm team

According to CNN, “about 78 million Americans are currently under a winter weather alert and more than 27 million are going to bed under a hard-freeze warning”. The weather system that developed in the southern part of the country, with particularly high impact in Texas, is moving through the mid-Atlantic and east coast bringing snow, ice, and rain with it. At SERVPRO®, We are Here to Help® - our storm team has been activated and hundreds of crews are on standby to assist communities in need 24/7.

Our Highly Trained Teams Are:

  • Experts in water, fire, and mold restoration
  • Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certified (IICRC)
  • Recommended by most insurance companies
  • Faster to any size disaster
  • Utilize advanced water inspection, extraction, and drying equipment

Water Damage Timeline

Within Minutes

  • Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
  • Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
  • Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
  • Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.

Hours 1 - 24:

  • Drywall begins to swell and break down.
  • Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
  • Furniture begins to swell and crack.
  • Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
  • A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

  • Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
  • Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
  • Metal begins to rust and corrode.
  • Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
  • Paint begins to blister.
  • Wood flooring swells and warps.
  • Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 Week:

  • Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
  • Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.

Don't wait for a storm to hit to respond to water damage and have an emergency response plan in place just in case.



Our Mission

1/6/2021 (Permalink)

2020 is thankfully in the past, and hopefully the grass is much greener on the other side of 2021. In 2020, despite all the uncertainty and unprecedented events, we were still proud we were able to help out as many people as we did, as safely as we did. We always took all precautions necessary to each and every job and left no stone left unturned. As an "essential business", we remained open for the entire 2020 calendar year and continued to offer 24/7 Emergency Restoration services. In 2021, we look forward to continuing to work with our communities and strive to be better than ever. 

Integrity, Respect, Teamwork and, Excellence.

Those are four key aspects all of our employees always believe in. 

With integrity, comes honesty. Here at SERVPRO we believe in being honest people with strong character. We hold ourselves accountable and each other responsible which ties into teamwork. Here at SERVPRO teamwork is very important. We are only strong and successful when we all work together and build a powerful work environment. Here at SERVPRO, our team members are always flexible and supportive of each other. We can only accomplish what we set out to accomplish when we work as a team. 

We respect everyone here at SERVPRO. We respect our team members, our customers and our community. We are a patient group open to new ideas, different beliefs and suggestions. Treating others respectfully and professionally is something we take seriously every day. 

Finally, last but not least we are committed to excellence! We always want to give our customers a great experience so our crew always works hard! Our crew and team is thorough, diligent and focused on the task at hand. Our office members and the restoration team have an abundance of experience in this industry and are always more than ready to help out! 

Check out our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned Program

8/20/2020 (Permalink)

This year has been a firsts for so many of us. Consumers, customers and employees have had to do numerous things differently this year compared to years past.  Being vigilant about our health and well-being is as important as its ever been, which is why many of us constantly think about the best ways to approach our daily lives during this pandemic.  

The 2020 Covid-19 Pandemic has certainly changed the way we approach things but one thing that has not changed is SERVPRO's commitment to helping our community. 

With our SERVPRO: Certified Cleaned program, we can help businesses, stores, offices, employees and customers feel as safe as possible. Our disinfecting and decontamination services can help give you a better peace of mind. Most of the general public has been more observant of cleaning procedures in 2020, and SERVPRO always takes pride in executing top-notch cleaning services. 

Whenever we conduct a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned service, our professionals make sure no stone gets left unturned. Our crew has a vast deal of experience and has the proper training to help the community. We use C.D.C approved cleaning products and our products are also E.P.A registered. 

Our crew wears PPE to every job and are always eager to help out!

Show your customers and employees you are taking their well-being seriously, and schedule a SERVPRO: Certified Cleaning with us today!

781-861-0500

24/7 Emergency Fire and Water Damage Services

8/20/2020 (Permalink)

Established in 1984, Our SERVPRO offers 24/7 Emergency services no matter how early it is in the morning or how late it is at night. We understand Fire and Water Damage can happen at any given time, and we are fully equipped and prepared to help out when it happens. We are the trusted leaders in Fire and Water restoration. 

At our SERVPRO, we are fortunate to have not one, but two outstanding, hard-working Production managers. We are also thrilled to have a handful of crew members who are dedicated to getting jobs done and satisfying customers. Our team has an abundant of experience and know what it takes to mitigate a disaster. 

We have team members on-call and ready to help out. Call us right away at 781-861-0500 if you experience water damage, flooding, or fire damage day or night. 

SERVPRO Can Always Help You

6/1/2020 (Permalink)

Here at SERVPRO, our Professional SERVPRO Crew does not work a 9-5 schedule. We are always available 24/7 Day and Night. Our experienced, franchise professionals understand your situation and are always ready to help you out. 

When you are in need of assistance regarding water damage mitigation, mold remediation, or fire damage restoration, look no further than us!

In addition to those services, we also take great pride in providing top notch cleanings, sanitation work and can help you disinfect your structure. 

All of our technicians have been properly trained and are always eager to help you restore your property. 

The SERVPRO brand has been around for over 50 years and has more than 1,700 franchises across North America. Through the years, SERVPRO has been recognized as one of the leaders in the restoration industry. 

When we arrive on a job, we work diligently and efficiently to ensure your home or building gets back to normal asap. 

Most importantly, we value and listen to our customers. We always love your feedback and suggestions and whenever we hear about unhappy customers we strive to make it right and we will not be satisfied until the customer is. 

Do not hesitate to reach out to us for help!

781-861-0500

SERVPRO's Cleaning Expertise

4/2/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Lexington-Bedford and Waltham/Weston/Watertown/Wayland remains open and is available to help at this time

During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.

Specialized Training and CDC approved Cleaning products

We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables

With commercial spaces we could do a cleaning and disinfecting of offices, schools, classrooms, Stairs, handrails, equipment, shelves, etc. 

While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and Massachusetts. 

If your home or business would like or needs deep cleaning services today, please do not hesitate and call our office in Waltham 781-861-0500. 

Regarding the Coronavirus

3/12/2020 (Permalink)

There has recently been an outbreak of a respiratory disease caused by a novel Coronavirus also known as the COVID-19. The Coronavirus was first detected in Wuhan, China months ago and has spread to 60 locations internationally as far as we know. One of those locations is the United States. 

  • SERVPRO professionals are trained in adhering to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.
  • SERVPRO is performing all cleanup and bioremediation in accordance with the guidelines provided by the CDC and local authorities.
  • SERVPRO’s proprietary cleaning agent, SERVPROXIDE, is an EPA-certified, hospital-grade disinfectant that has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19) on hard, non-porous surfaces.
  • There is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the Coronavirus.
  • Proactive cleaning will not prevent or protect the building from future contamination if an infected person was to enter and occupy the building.

SERVPRO's Cleanup Protocol regarding the matter

SERVPRO professionals can perform proactive cleanup that involves facility or structure cleaning and disinfection where the customer states that there is no active known threat of COVID-19 contamination or exposure. Please note and acknowledge that cleaning and disinfecting will only apply to the current state of the structure and contents. The structure would not be protected from future COVID-19 contamination if an infected person was to enter and occupy the building. If you would like our SERVPRO Franchise to assist you during this time or if you have any questions, please contact our office in Waltham at 781-861-0500. 

Advice 

The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, toilets, phones, tables at a minimum.  The CDC also recommends washing your hands often with soap for at least 20 seconds and limiting touching your face such as your eyes, nose and mouth.