10 Tips to Prevent Water Damage

12/16/2024 (Permalink)

Water damage can be a costly and disruptive event. By taking proactive measures, you can significantly reduce your risk of experiencing water damage in your home or business.

Here are 10 essential tips:

1. Elevate Electronics: Keep electronics off the floor to protect them from potential water damage.
2. Inspect Washing Machine Hoses: Regularly check washing machine hoses for wear and tear. Replace them every 5 years to prevent leaks.
3. Monitor Water Bills: Keep an eye on your water bill for any unusual spikes, which could indicate a hidden leak.
4. Locate Water Shut-Off Valves: Ensure everyone in your household knows where the main water shut-off valve is located.
5. Schedule Regular Roof Inspections: Professional roof inspections can identify and address potential leaks.
6. Inspect Plumbing Pipes: Check for signs of corrosion, leaks, or condensation on your plumbing pipes.
7. Limit Toilet Flushes: Avoid unnecessary flushing to reduce water usage and potential leaks.
8. Maintain Gutters and Downspouts: Keep gutters and downspouts clean and free of debris to prevent water damage to your foundation.
9. Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Use natural cleaning methods or gentle drain cleaners to avoid damaging your pipes.
10. Flush Your Water Heater: Regularly flush your water heater to remove sediment buildup and improve efficiency.

By following these simple tips, you can significantly reduce your risk of water damage and protect your property.

Danger of Chimney Fires

12/18/2023 (Permalink)

Did you know chimney fires account for over $120 million in damage every year? Although this fire can cause extensive damage, there are ways to prevent it from occurring. You must get your chimney cleaned by the professionals and have an annual inspection. A chimney fire is characterized by loud cracking and popping noises, a lot of dense smoke, and an intense hot smell.

Chimney fires can be explosive, noisy, and dramatic, undetectable until the next inspection, or anywhere in between. The explosive fires produce flames and dense smoke shooting from the top of the chimney and sounds similar to a low flying airplane. The undetectable chimney fires are slow-burning and do not get enough air to be visible, but the damage to the chimney  and nearby areas of the home is extensive.

If your home is damaged from a chimney fire, give SERVPRO® of Allen, Barren, Hart, Green, and Taylor Counties a call at 270-659-0067!

Prevent a Deadly Christmas tree fire!

12/18/2023 (Permalink)

Decking the Halls and getting into the Christmas Spirit? Christmas trees are at the forefront of many household annual traditions and for some who neglect a few simple tips can lead to tragic consequences. Sadly, Fire departments across the country respond to deadly Christmas tree fires during the holiday season each year.  One in every 31 Christmas tree fires is deadly, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The association says electrical failures and malfunctions caused 30 percent of Christmas tree fires.

The NFPA recommend the following safety tips: 
• Make sure string lights have no loose connections, cracked lamps or frayed cords.
• Use only a single extension cord that can reach your home's outlet without being too long and being tangled.
• Use UL-approved lights and cords.
• Make sure lights are off when you go out and before you turn in for the night.
• Make sure all outdoor light connectors are away from metal rain gutters and off the ground.
• Never use candles to light or decorate a tree.
• To lessen the chance of a fire hazard, purchase a freshly cut tree.
• Make sure to keep your tree at least three feet away from any heat source.
• Water the tree every day, and remove it from your home after Christmas or once it becomes dry. 
• Don't burn Christmas tree branches or wrapping paper in your fireplace.
• Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that could burn. 

When you can't see where the water is hiding?

12/18/2023 (Permalink)

When home or business owners experience a disaster to their property, often the first step is to start cleaning up the water with a towel, mop or even a shop vac. Although this is very common practice, what about the water you do not see? Just because there is no visible water, doesn’t mean that the area is considered dry. It is very important at this time to call on the professionals at SERVPRO of Allen, Barren, Hart, Green and Taylor Counties to make sure your property is properly dried to prevent secondary damage to your flooring, furniture, or even the possible threat of mold growth.

Our crews are available 24/7 to help in the event that something unexpected happens. We understand the importance of response time when it comes to water damage. 

SERVPRO of Allen, Barren, Hart, Green and Taylor Counties 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. 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.

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help Call Today – 270-659-0067

Frozen Pipes

12/18/2023 (Permalink)

Frozen pipes can cause big problems but there are steps you can take to reduce some of the stress and worry of that happening in your home or business.

Short-Term Steps for Preventing Frozen Pipes

Installing a Foam Faucet Cover. If you don't have much time to prepare, there are still steps you can take to protect your pipes. These measures help reduce the risk from subfreezing temperatures:

• Find your main water shutoff so you can turn off the water quickly if needed. Locations vary — look in the crawlspace or basement where the water supply enters the house, inside a water meter box directly outside the house or near the water heater.
• Disconnect garden hoses from exterior faucets to prevent water from freezing in the hose and rupturing the faucet. Drain the hoses and, if possible, store them where they will be protected from cold weather.
• If your exterior faucets have cut-off valves, close them and drain the faucets. If they don't, insulate them with foam faucet covers.
• Close foundation vents.
• Fix broken basement windows.
• Open cabinet doors under sinks to let warm air flow around the supply lines. Move any cleaners or other chemicals out of the reach of children.
• Keep your thermostat at the daytime setting during the night. If you'll be away for several days during subfreezing weather, keep it set above 55° F.

There may be other areas around your home that need attention. Irrigation systems, swimming pool supply lines and devices in unheated garages — such as washing machines, water softeners and pressure washers — are at risk. Follow the manufacturers' instructions for winterization. Information provided from https://www.lowes.com/n/how-to/frozen-pipes-prevention-and-repair

Process Makes the Difference

2/25/2022 (Permalink)

It’s all about the process. SERVPRO has built a tried-and-true system that is geared towards making the claims process smooth and efficient for all parties involved, from the adjuster to the property manager and essentially the property owner or resident. A couple of the key elements are COMMUNICATION and DOCUMENTATION. Optimally, SERVPRO will already have done a full property evaluation, or an Emergency Ready Plan, and photographed the entire facility or residence so that the preexisting condition is well established.

If these photos are not in place before a loss, we immediately begin to photograph the entire area and gather data such as moisture readings, evidence of organic growth, and conditions of all parts of the structure from the roof and exterior to the interior and insulation.

We then are able to build our estimates based on established IICRC protocols, so that everything is packaged for the Insurance Adjuster to compare data and evaluate the policy in accordance with accurate proof of the damages and evidence of the cause of loss. This makes for a swift turn around on getting claims approved, and allowing us to start reconstructing the property for the customer!! Easy as that! Call us today!

Danger of Candles

2/25/2022 (Permalink)

Candles are an awesome way to light up, add nice decor, or make a home smell like fresh flowers. However, according to the NFPA, from 2014-2018, there were an estimated 7,610 house fires that were started by candles per year that caused an annual average of 81 deaths, 677 injuries, and $278 million in property damage. Save your home with some of these alternatives!

Flame-less candles

For those who just want the aesthetic of a candle and no scent, flame-less candles are a great option! They are typically battery-operated and give the same flame-like feature as real candles.

Wax warmer

Wax warmers are a great alternative because you can get that amazing scent that comes from real candles without the hazard. Warmers are typically either battery or outlet operated to melt the wax.

Diffuser

Calling all of our essential oil fans, this one is for you! With hundreds of combinations to try, diffusers are a great option for the whole house.

Stick diffusers

The most low maintenance option is a stick diffuser. Put your scent in the vase and let the sticks do the work.

If you still plan to opt for a candle, be sure to trim the wick before each use to minimize sparking, place the candle where it can’t fall or be knocked over, and always blow out the candle anytime you leave the room or plan to leave the home.

SERVPRO is a fan of diffusers!

Toilets Cause Water Damage Too!

2/16/2022 (Permalink)

You never know when you will need emergency water restoration services, but when you do, you can count on the professionals at SERVPRO® Here are some great tips for inspecting and preventing toilet failure:

• Be patient after you flush and wait for the valve to completely finish refilling the tank and bowl. If an overflow looks imminent, lift off the tank cover, lift the float to shut off water flow to the tank, and then turn off the supply valve.
• Twice a year, inspect a toilet’s components, such as the fill, supply, and flush valves and the supply line. Make sure you can turn off the water supply. If you have older screw-type valves that are hard to turn or start leaking, consider replacing them with simpler ball valves that are easy to shut off quickly.
• Sewage backups should be considered an emergency and dealt with as quickly as possible. Our technicians have the training, equipment, protective gear, and experience to safely restore sewer backups.

When your home or commercial business has a water damage emergency, SERVPRO® is Here to Help. ®

Keeping Your Company Running During an Emergency

2/8/2022 (Permalink)

One of the biggest fears for business owners is losing any progress they have gained when disaster strikes. Once you have a business emergency plan in place, there is no need to fear in losing momentum. Whether you have a new or an established company, protect your assets by building a plan custom tailored to you.

1. Conduct a Business Impact Analysis Survey with your more experienced employees. You will need to assess the most vulnerable areas in your company and determine how to keep the risk of loss low. Where will you conduct your business if you have to vacate the premises, for example? When is the best time to contact commercial building restoration services? With a thorough assessment of your company’s needs, you can be better prepared to continue work, whether that means renting out an area from a nearby facility or having a temporary workplace set up.

2. Develop an emergency response team. Your team should be willing and able to handle its daily responsibilities and emergency response training. If you choose, you can have yourself or the team leader trained as a Business Continuity Plan Professional by taking a course from the Disaster Recovery Institute International. A certified professional can direct your team with efficient loss prevention techniques.

3. Update your emergency response plan with new training and revisions. As your business grows and changes, your plan will need to grow and change with it. Keep your employees informed of any changes and the reasons behind them. That way, when an unexpected setback occurs, you are ready.

In the event of fire, flood, or other emergency, you would hate to lose business because you had no plan to keep the wheels running. No one can expect when a flood or fire will occur, but you can prepare for the unpredictable at any time. No occasion is better than the present to develop a business continuity plan.

Common Causes of Commercial Building Fires

2/8/2022 (Permalink)

Most office fires are caused by cooking equipment, accounting for slightly over one in every four commercial office fires. However, while these fires are the most common, they do not account for most of the property damage to office buildings. That position is taken by the intentional damage category. Intentional damage alone accounts for a full 20% of commercial fire property damage. Intentional Property Damage occurs when a person seeks to purposely damage the office property through arson.

Two other leading causes of fire in office buildings are heating equipment, electrical distribution, and lighting equipment. Together, they account for 18% of property damage to commercial office buildings. These can include things such as space heaters, light fixtures, electrical wiring, outlets, electrical appliances, extension cords, and more.

While lower on the list, smoking materials, electronic, office, or entertainment equipment account for 12% of commercial office property damage.

Lastly, exposure fires, as defined by the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), are fires resulting from another fire outside of the commercial building itself. This kind of commercial fire damage accounted for 18% of property loss.