Why SERVPRO: Emergency Ready Plan

8/29/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is faster to any size disaster, and we excel in multiple different kinds of services. From fire and storm damage to mold remediation, we’ve got the expertise and help to make you feel comfortable after a big or small-sized disaster, but why are we trusted for our commercial services?

Emergency Ready Plan

This option gives you a plan so that you and your team can stay a step ahead of unexpected events. This plan makes sure that if anything were to disrupt your daily business that this will only be temporary. So, why use the SERVPRO Emergency Ready Plan?: 

• A no-cost assessment of your facility
• A concise Profile Document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency
• A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster 
• Established your local SERVPRO as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider
• Identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin
• Provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations
• An easier insurance claims process

An Emergency Ready Plan is important for the security of your workers and yourself, but it is also vital in giving everyone involved peace of mind knowing that if anything WERE to happen it would be handled and covered. That’s why you should choose SERVPRO. Plus, we’re here when you need us, 24/7.

What to Do When Lightning Strikes

8/29/2022 (Permalink)

When lightning strikes, it is very important to know what to do in these situations, and to make sure that you are taking the precautions that are needed in these specific occurrences. 

Check the Forecast

Staying up to date with the news and keeping it on during storms is your best bet for knowing exactly when the storm will start and when it will end. This also gives you a great gauge on when you will be able to safely go outside. 

Don’t Go Outside

You should never voluntarily go outside when it is lightning. You will never know the severity of the lightning until it’s too late, so, in these instances, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you are outside and not home, make sure to find shelter nearby. 

Avoid Water

Bathing, showering, washing dishes, and anything having to do with water are off-limits until the storm has cleared. 

Avoid Anything Plugged into an Outlet

Try not to use electronic devices that are plugged into an outlet. With lightning being able to travel through electrical systems, your best bet is to not use anything plugged into an outlet. 

Stay Away From Windows

Remaining a safe distance from windows is a great way to be cautious during the event of a lightning storm. Certain windows can conduct electricity, meaning that if you are standing very close to them or touching them, they can electrocute you if lighting strikes at the right time. 

There are ways to be cautious during a lightning storm, and make sure you are remembering to always be vigilant and listen to your local news. If lightning strikes and causes a disaster, SERVPRO is here for you 24/7.

How to Prevent a Flood From Happening in Your Home

7/26/2022 (Permalink)

Nobody wants their home to flood. But there may be flooding circumstances that we will have to look out for. There are some great ways to make sure that this never happens, and if there is a flood warning, you, your family, and your house remain untouched. 

Raising Your Home’s Flood Level

Raising your home's flood level is a great exterior change that will have a lasting impact. The best way to achieve this is by installing stilts or piers on the outside of your home is a great way to lift it off of the ground if a flood were to ever occur. 

Mulch and Siding Tip

Space between your mulch and your siding on your home is a great way to prevent any flood damage as well. If the mulch on the outside gets wet, it can rot and deteriorate your home's siding, leading to more issues of flooding and an unstable house. 

Install a Sump Pump or Check It Frequently

If you do not have a sump pump, the time is now. These are great for pumping any excess water out that may escalate into a flooded home. 

Raise Electrical Outlets

This may not be a tip in preventing a flood, but it is a great tip for if a flood ever happens. Making sure that your outlets are raised and are far off the ground or past the flood line is a great way to ensure your and your family’s safety and any electrocution risks. 

Check Valves

Check valves are important to make sure that there is no chance of having a flooded system. This will also help to prevent flooding based on knowing that there is a lessened chance of a flooded system.  

It is important to check your home’s flood-resistant levels and to make sure that you are ahead of a future flood disaster. SERVPRO is here for you and will be here if anything happens, 24/7.

Why It's Important to Be Prepared For Spring Flooding

7/26/2022 (Permalink)

There are many reasons why we should all be prepared when it comes to storms and flooding, especially during the months when thunderstorms, rain, and floods are more susceptible to happen, such as spring and summer. Here are some reasons why it’s important to prepare for spring flooding, 

To Protect Your Valuable Items

The fact that valuable items could get damaged to the point where they are unable to be restored is an important reason to be prepared for spring flooding. With your documents that lie on the ground that are important, making sure that they are up high, on a desk, or above the line in which water could reach is vital to protecting them from any damage. 

To Establish a Staple Emergency Kit

This is a great time to also prepare an emergency kit if you do not have one already. This will be important in making sure that you are prepared for flooding, but also in general for unexpected storms. Having a kit that you have everything you may need during one of these events with flashlights, food, water, and radio is an important step for extreme cases. 

How SERVPRO Can Help

It is important to be prepared for these situations, and while there are great ways to be prepared, there may be situations where you have done all you can and things may not work in your favor. In those certain situations, SERVPRO is here 24/7 for you. We specialize in Water Damage Restoration and have a process that will make sure to help you in certain cases of a disastrous flood. Our customer-focused professionals will assess the residential water damage to your property. Then, we’ll help you understand the severity of the damage so you’re able to make the best decisions for the restoration of your home. Our top-notch people use the most advanced equipment to detect hidden moisture and extract standing water.

What to Clean Weekly in your Office

7/26/2022 (Permalink)

Cleaning your office weekly is important, especially during these COVID-19 times. Having a clean office is not only safer and healthier for you and your employees, but a clean office allows for employees to feel more comfortable, less stressed, and more productive. 

Here are some things to clean in your office on a weekly basis:

• Take out trash to prevent odor and bugs.
• Clean and dust all surfaces like desks, fan blades, and shelves. 
• Clean computer monitors.
• Sweep or vacuum the floors and mop every two weeks.

Having a clean office will make everyone who works there feel better. Contact SERVPRO today to see their office and commercial cleaning services.

Flood Safety Tips and Best Practices

7/6/2022 (Permalink)

Flood warnings are not as common as storms such as a thunderstorm, but there is always a possibility of one happening in your area. So, where should you go during one, and what are some tips for evacuation and traveling? 

Do Not Walk Through Water

If you are evacuating during a flood, it is important to not walk through any flowing water if you are able to. This is important because if the water is flowing at a rapid pace, there is a good chance that you or somebody you are evacuating with could drown. 

Don’t Drive Through Roads With Flooding

If you attempt to drive through water, your car is always at a chance of being swept away. If your car is stranded in water, never get out of your car. If the water is rising and you cannot move your car, get out of the car through the window and sit on the roof of your car. 

Staying Inside

If you are advised to stay inside during this warning, make sure to have a radio or television on with the news on. This is the best way to find out what you or your family should be doing. 

It is important to always be as safe as possible during floods, and if you are advised to leave, never drive or walk through flowing water, and make sure that you are being vigilant and watching or listening to updates on your situation via the news or a radio, or your phone if you don’t have access.

SERVPRO Is Great For Cleaning Services

7/6/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is great for many different reasons and we have a cleaning service for any size disaster. From HVAC/Air Duct Cleaning to COVID-19 Cleaning, SERVPRO® does it all, so that you don’t have to. 

HVAC/Air Duct Cleaning

If the air ducts and vents in your home are looking a bit dirty, you may need our services for HVAC duct cleaning to inspect them and give you the next steps toward better home air quality. Making sure that the air in your home is of good quality and that you’re checking this frequently is important.

Biohazard/Crime Scene Cleanup

The restoration of your property following a biohazard event or a crime requires experienced and empathetic professionals like those at SERVPRO® to safely clean them to our professional standards. Challenging cleanup requires a professional, and that professional is SERVPRO®. 

Document Restoration

When a home or business has been damaged by a flood, fire, or some other emergency, acting quickly to restore small but important items made of paper, such as photographs, certificates, and vital documents, will help prevent them from being lost for good. When this disaster happens, you need professionals in document restoration, that’s why SERVPRO® is here to help. 

Odor Removal

SERVPRO® uses state-of-the-art products, equipment, and techniques to rid your home of pervasive odors, getting to the source and leaving your place smelling fresh. From pet odor to sewage odor, SERVPRO® is here to help.

Vandalism & Graffiti

When your home has been targeted by vandals, SERVPRO® can clean up the mess, including broken windows and graffiti, before it becomes a larger issue with more costly repairs.

COVID-19

As we all move forward in the battle against COVID-19, inspiring safety and confidence in our communities remains the number one concern. That’s why at SERVPRO®, we remain dedicated to bringing a higher standard of cleanliness to businesses across the country through Certified: SERVPRO® Cleaned. We’ll be here to help if you are ever in a COVID outbreak situation, and we’ll make sure that you feel better, your family feels better, and your team feels better. 

We have many different services available at SERVPRO® and that is why you should always choose SERVPRO® we’re the experts.

HVAC and Air Duct Cleaning

7/6/2022 (Permalink)

Ventilation systems are often the biggest culprit in poor indoor air quality in businesses within Portage County. Make it a priority to inspect the ductwork of your business. If your HVAC has been operating for some time without attention, it could be circulating one or more of the following: dust, pollen, odors, dirt, and debris. We will get this clean and taken care of so you can have the great air quality you deserve. SERVPRO of Portage County Professionals routinely inspects the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit (HVAC).  Keeping them clean can extend the life of the equipment. 

However, duct cleaning is not always necessary. We will make recommendations about the best way to address any indoor air quality concerns. This can save you money and provide peace of mind about the health of your system.

The benefits of servicing your HVAC unit include:

• Helps to restore energy efficiency.
• Can help to eliminate offensive odors.
• Helps reduce the potential for mold growth.

How to Build a Safe Bonfire

6/23/2022 (Permalink)

To build a safe bonfire, there are a few tips to remember. Building a bonfire is fun because you can tell ghost stories, make smores, roast hotdogs, and sing campfire songs. You just need to pile up dry wood in a safe place and light a match. Building a bonfire can be very fun, but it is important to remember that safety comes first.

Before you make your bonfire:  

• Make sure that bonfires are legal in your area, and during which times of year
• Contact your local fire department to see if there are any requirements for building an outdoor fire

Proper Bonfire supplies:

• Bricks or stone

• Tinder (newspaper, bark, needles, pine)
• Kindling: Kindle are larger sticks to be used for the fire
• Fuel: Logs will be used to keep the fire going for however long you please

How to build the fire:

1. Make a circle with bricks or stones. If you are considering making a permanent bonfire pit in your yard, consider digging a hole and bordering it with stone or bricks.
2. Stand the tinder up in a teepee shape in the center of the circle.
3. Make a teepee using the tinder, and be sure to leave gaps so that oxygen can escape. 
4. Add some fuel logs. Make sure they are parallel to each other on either side of the teepee. Repeat this process up to 5 times depending on how large you want your bonfire to be.
5. When the bonfire is set up, drop a match in the center of the teepee to get the fire started. Make sure the match is completely inside the teepee.

Putting out Different Types of Fires

6/1/2022 (Permalink)

Fires are complex, and each fire has different plans for action and for extinguishing. There are five different types of fires, Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, and Class K. There are ways to approach each type of fire, and knowing tips and ways to extinguish these fires will be beneficial if you are ever caught in a fire safety situation. 

Class A

Extinguishing with water, using a hose to have constantly flowing water into the fire is the best way to put these out. These types of fires are commonly ignited by wood, trash, papers, plastics, and more. Dumpster fires are prime examples of Class A fires.

Class B

Extniguies by depleting oxygen. If a Class B fire ignites, the best bet for extinguishing is by trying to smother the flames. If you use water on these types of fires the flame will spread and cause more damage. These types of fires are commonly ignited by the exploding of flammable liquids. Gasoline, alcohol, oil, and more can cause Class B fires.

Class C

Extinguishes by shutting off the power. These are known as electrical fires and the best way to extinguish these fires is by cutting the power off, which is described as the fuel source for the fire.  

Class D

Extinguishes with dry powders. These types of fires are common in laboratories and are ignited by combustible metals. Never use water to extinguish, this will worsen the flames. Powdered copper, graphite, and sodium chloride are effective in extinguishing Class D fires. 

Class K

Extinguishes with fire extinguishers. These are cooking fires, and these fires are sparked by greases, oils, and fats. The chemical fire extinguishers you have on hand are the best for putting these out because the chemical agents contained in these fire extinguishers absorb the heat of the flames.