SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley Completes Fire Damage Restoration After All Classes of Fires

7/18/2022 (Permalink)

There are five different classes of fires, each designated by a letter.

Class A: The most common type of fire, Class A fires have combustibles that include paper, wood, cloth, plastic, trash and other ordinary materials that may be found in any home or business.

Class B: Fires caused by flammable liquids are considered Class B fires. These flammable liquids include gasoline, paint and oil. A Class B fire may also include combustibles such as propane or butane, which are flammable gases.

Class C: Electrical fires are Class C fires and include fires that originate from outlets, wires and other electrical components.

Class D: Any fire caused by combustible metals such as magnesium, sodium, aluminum and potassium, also known as chemical fires, are Class D.

Class K: Combustibles such as cooking oils, grease and fats are Class K fires.

No matter what class of fire has occurred, SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley will complete the Fire Damage Restoration for your home or business. Call today - we are available now and work with your insurance. 

Be Safe with Fireworks this 4th of July

6/28/2022 (Permalink)

Follow these safety tips when using fireworks: 

• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
• Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
• Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don't realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.
• Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
• After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.
• Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.

Source: CPSC online

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley Can Clean and Sanitize for COVID-19

3/20/2022 (Permalink)

Cleaning for COVID

SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley is HAZMAT and Bio Hazard removal certified. The industrial grade chemicals that SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley uses to clean, disinfect, and sanitize are high-grade and effective. If you are looking to have your business cleaned and sanitized, please give us a call today. If you are looking to have your business cleaned and sanitized after COVID-19 has infected your office, business, or commercial space, please give us a call today. Because we are HAZMAT certified, we are able to clean areas with known COVID-19 contaminations. SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley is available and here to help. We would also like to thank our community’s medical personnel and essential workers for helping us all to get through this time together.

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley Employees are Well-Trained

3/20/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley Damage Restoration Accreditations, Affiliations, and Certifications 

Back in 1992, SERVPRO Corporate developed a National Training Center to teach restoration and mitigation skills to Franchise Owners, employees, and insurance industry professionals.

The National Training Center offers employee training as a self paced program designed specifically for the franchise employee. Certification is awarded after successful completion of course materials and an examination. Modules include:

• Crew Training
• Fire Restoration
• Water Restoration
• Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning

SERVPRO is an approved IICRC (Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning) Training School that offers year-around classes in the following categories:

• Fire Restoration
• Water Restoration
• Carpet Cleaning
• Upholstery Cleaning
• Applied Structural Drying

In addition, SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley is bio hazard and mold certified as well. Click HERE to view our full list of certifications and affiliations. 

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO® Will Work with Your Insurance

3/19/2022 (Permalink)

Home Owners Insurance Coverage for Damage Restoration

In the unfortunate event your home or business suffers: water damage, fire damage, mold damage, or bio-hazard clean up needs,  SERVPRO® of Eagan/Apple Valley will work seamlessly with your insurance company.  This means less hassle and less worry for you. Our employees talk with insurance adjusters every day to make sure things are billed correctly with your insurance and the job is properly documented to ensure things are going according to plan. Being in business for years and years, whatever property and casualty insurance you or your company uses, odds are we have worked with them in the past.  If you need the job done right and less hassle for you, please do not hesitate to call SERVPRO® of Eagan/Apple Valley.

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley Understands That When It Comes to Business, Time is Money

3/17/2022 (Permalink)

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley Understands That When It Comes to Business, Time is Money

When SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley restores commercial spaces from water damage, mold, fire damage, and other damage, we understand that the longer a business cannot operate, the longer it cannot generate revenue. SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley will work emergency hours and around the clock to get your business back up and running as fast as possible while working with your insurance company the entire way. No commercial job is too big or too involved for SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley. We are faster to any size disaster and are here to help. To learn more about SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley commercial restoration click HERE or call today to learn more. Here to Help

Why SERVPRO – SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley Has Been Locally Owned and Operated in the Minneapolis area for Years

3/17/2022 (Permalink)

Why SERVPRO – SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley Has Been Locally Owned and Operated in the Minneapolis area for Years

The owner of SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley is a resident of the Minneapolis area himself and has been helping home and business owners in the Minneapolis area for over a decade. We have worked with all the insurance companies and know many of the agents. We are here to help not only you and your home/business, but Minneapolis as well. When Minneapolis is successful, we are all successful. We service the surrounding areas of: Eagan, Apple Valley, and Nicols. Each franchise of SERVPRO is individually owned and operated. Click HERE to view our team and HERE to learn more about us and our many certifications and affiliations. Call today to learn more.

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley Can Help Get Rid of Odors in Your Home or Business

3/16/2022 (Permalink)

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley Can Help Get Rid of Odors in Your Home or Business

Did you have a water damage that has left your home with a bad smell? Do you have smoke damage in your home from a fire or from cigarettes? SERVPRO Eagan / Apple Valley can take care of that musty, smoky, or foul smell in your home or business.  Are you smelling a musty smell that may point to hidden mold in the walls or behind the sink? Whatever odor is in your home, SERVPRO Eagan / Apple Valley can help you identify it and get rid of it. SERVPRO uses air movers, ionizers, and industrial grade cleaning solutions to clean, sanitize, and remove odors from your home or business. SERVPRO Eagan / Apple Valley will help to make it "Like it never even happened." Call today to get the process started.

What Secondary Damage can occur after Storm Damage?

1/19/2022 (Permalink)

After roof leaks or flood damage, if not properly dried and treated, a home or business can develop mold from the moisture left on: wood, tile, carpeting, windows, concrete, and/or other materials/items that were affected.  SERVPRO of Eagan and Apple Valley strives to prevent secondary damage every time we remediate water damage. Building material and flooring are dried and treated to prevent mold using specialized equipment and cleaning products.

If water damage is not properly treated, the perfect environment is created for mold spores to grow in your home and to contaminate the air.

Should you ever suffer water damage due to: excessive rain, storm damage, leaky roof, flood damage, a water heater leak, sink overflow, fire, refrigerator leak, or any other reason water has invaded your home or business, please know that SERVPRO of Eagan and Apple Valley is here to help.  Faster to Any Disaster

Mold Found in Kitchen at a Church in Minneapolis Area

1/16/2022 (Permalink)

What to Do When You Find Mold

Upon moving appliances, a church in the Minneapolis area found mold in their commercial kitchen. The professionals at SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley were called in to inspect and remediate the mold. SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley strongly encourages any place with a commercial kitchen: church, hotel, restaurant, etc. to have their commercial kitchens deep cleaned at least twice a year. When SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley deep cleans, we sanitize as well as remove any dirt and/or food particles. We will move the fixtures to the best of our abilities and clean in and around those as well - something that is not typically, frequently done. To schedule a deep cleaning of your commercial kitchen, call SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley today: 651-330-7271

Avoiding Water and Pipes in your Home During a Storm

1/16/2022 (Permalink)

WATER & PIPES

People on or in or near water are among those most at risk for lighting strikes during thunderstorms, both inside and outside the home. Water is a good conductor of electricity, and many homes have metal pipes (themselves fantastic conductors ). Not only can lightning striking your home travel through your pipes but lightning can travel stealthily into your home through shared pipelines that have sustained strikes some distance away from your home. Do not take a bath or shower, wash your hands, do laundry, use an ice maker, or otherwise use running water when there is lightning danger in the area.

If your home has encountered an electrical fire, please call the certified professionals at SERVPRO of Eagan and Apple Valley today to assess the damage and begin restoring your home. Faster to Any Disaster.

Source: HomeGuides Online

Ice damage, hail damage, frozen pipes and ice damming

1/15/2022 (Permalink)

Cold Climates and Ice Dams Winter storms can bring ice damage, hail damage, frozen pipes and ice damming. Combined with wind damage, these can cause roof leaks, requiring expensive roof repairs. When ice dams cause roof leaks, roof repairs must be quickly undertaken to avoid the massive release of flood water into the home or business. If ice dams are allowed to grow to a large enough size, the ice damming process can pose a serious risk of catastrophic roof failure.To keep ice dams from forming it is necessary to use heat tape and flashing. Place the heat tape or flashing on the problem areas of your roof to keep the snow melting into the rain gutters. If the gutters start to freeze you will see icicles forming and an ice dam will be next.

How Will SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley Work with Your Business' Insurance?

1/10/2022 (Permalink)

In the unfortunate event your business suffers water, fire, or mold damage, SERVPRO® of Eagan / Apple Valley will work with your insurance company, so you have less work and frustration on your plate.  Our knowledgeable employees talk with insurance adjusters every day to make sure things are billed correctly with your insurance and the job is properly documented to ensure things are going according to plan. Being in business for over 15 years, whatever Property and Casualty insurance company your business uses, odds are we have worked with them in the past.  Additionally, we offer a free SERVPRO Ready Plan program that helps your business be prepared with a damage restoration plan.  Give us a call to set up an emergency preparedness plan for your business today.

SERVPRO® of Eagan / Apple Valley will work hard to make any damage, "Like it never even happened."

Water Damage Timeline

1/10/2022 (Permalink)

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.

SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley is Prepared for Storm Damage

12/14/2021 (Permalink)

What happens if my home suffers storm damage?

SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley is Here to Help

SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley keeps an eye on the weather and is always prepared for storm damage at any moment. In the event of a huge storm that affects many homes in the area, storm "Extreme Teams" are called in to help us so we can help out even more homes and businesses in the Minneapolis area. Often times with storm damage comes water damage, and if not properly treated, comes mold damage. The first 48 hours of storm damage are critical in preventing further damage to your home or business.  As always, SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley works with your insurance every step of the way.  To learn more about storm damage restoration from SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley, click HERE.

Preventing Christmas Tree Fires

12/13/2021 (Permalink)

Like candle fires, Christmas tree fires are more common during the holidays, with 43% occurring in December and 39% in January. The NFPA says an average of 230 fires are attributed to Christmas trees each year and they are more likely to be serious because of the factors that can contribute to the fire: a dry tree, electrical lights, and an abundant fuel supply (gifts) under the tree. Christmas tree fires cause an average of $18.3 million in property damage each year.

The most common causes are electrical failures (32%), having the tree too close to a heat source like a fireplace or wood stove (17%) or being too close to candles (7%).

Safety tips:

• Keep live trees well watered and dispose of them before they become dry.
• Turn off tree lights before leaving the house or going to bed.
• Check lights for any shorts or other electrical issues before putting them on the tree.

Source: National Fire Protection Association

SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley Works Seamlessly with Your Business' Insurance Company

11/28/2021 (Permalink)

Will My Business Insurance Cover Water Damage?

At SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley, we have been a locally owned and operated business for over 20 years. There is not much we haven't seen, cleaned, or restored. We have worked with nearly all the area's business insurance companies over the years and have developed great working relationships with each. When you trust your business to the certified professionals at SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley, you are in good hands before, during, and after the restoration. Whatever insurance company you have: State Farm, Hiscox, Allstate, Hartford, Travelers, etc., SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley will make sure they have everything you need for your claim. Call us today for restoration/remediation/clean up completed by certified professionals. 

Preventing Mold Growth in the Workplace

11/28/2021 (Permalink)

How do I prevent mold growth?

The best way to prevent mold growth is to control moisture. The main requirements for outdoor mold growth are moisture and shade. Mold does not like the sun and/or ultra violet rays. The main requirement for inside mold growth is simply moisture and it can occur in ceilings, attics, floors, insulation, wood, drywall, clothes, carpeting, bathrooms, and more. Some causes of excessive moisture are condensation, humidity, cooking, washing, or water from a flood, leak or spill. Mold also grows in environments with a warm temperature. Mold growth can begin in less than 48 hours of excessive moisture.

What you can do as a business owner to prevent mold growth from forming in your place of business:

• Fix water leaks. Any known water leaks should be fixed quickly. Have a contractor inspect for unknown leaks.
• Limit condensation. Keep room temperatures warm and/or well insulated.
• Reduce humidity. Open windows, install exhaust fans or use a dehumidifier.
• Clean wet/damp areas. Any wet or damp area, materials or affected equipment should be cleaned within 48 hours to prevent mold growth.

If your business has experienced water damage or mold growth, please do not hesitate to call SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley today!

Deep Cleaning Industrial Kitchens

11/27/2021 (Permalink)

Companies Who Sanitize Large Kitchens

SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley would like to deep clean and sanitize your industrial kitchen! Whether your building is a restaurant, a school, a church, an office, a cafeteria, or even a roller rink, chances are it's been a minute since the kitchen has had a full deep cleaning and sanitization.  The flooring is cleaned and sanitized along with all surfaces and storage areas.  Today, it's more important than ever to keep food preparation and storage surfaces clean and sanitized. Customers and patrons have been more and more demanding of a clean restaurant and/or industrial kitchen. In addition to cleaning the flooring, and the food prep and storage surfaces, SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley employees will move large appliances to the best of their abilities and even clean behind those as well. Call today to schedule. SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley, Here to Help. 

"Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certified"

11/27/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Eagan and Apple Valley is "Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certified"

Do you need upholstery cleaning or carpet cleaning for your business? SERVPRO of Eagan and Apple Valley cleans upholstery for general cleaning , pet dander, smoke damage, office carpet tile, and more.

The IICRC is a certification and Standards Developing Organization (SDO) non-profit organization for the inspection, cleaning and restoration industries. In partnership with regional and international trade associates, the IICRC serves more than 25 countries.

The IICRC works with other organizations to increase awareness of certified firms – from companies like Shaw, which requires warranty work be done by an IICRC Certified Firm, to associations, to government officials. Additionally, the IICRC also partners with the American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA) to include a suggestion for use of IICRC Certified Firms that specialize in upholstery cleaning in its Furniture Care Codes.

When you see an IICRC logo, you can be confident that an IICRC-certified experienced, qualified professional is caring for your valuable property.

Source: http://www.IICRC.org

How Do I Prevent Ice Dams on My Roof this Winter?

11/26/2021 (Permalink)

Stop Ice Dams with a Cold Roof

Ice dams (and icicles) form when the snow melts, runs down your roof and refreezes near the edge. This only occurs when part of your roof warms to above 32 degrees F, warm enough to melt the snow, while the roof edge remains below freezing. This scenario is often the result of a warm attic. In most homes, heat escapes through ceilings into the attic and warms the wood and shingles directly above it. Although the outdoor temperature is below freezing, the snow melts over the warmed section of roof. When the melted snow runs down the roof, it hits the cold edge not warmed by the attic. There it freezes, creating a rim of ice. This rim can grow, trap more water behind it, and bingo—you have a full-fledged ice dam.

The key to preventing ice dams is simply to keep your attic and roof cold. After a snowfall, a cold roof will have a thick blanket of snow. A warmer roof, however, will soon have clear spots where the snow has melted off, and may well have icicles hanging from the eaves.

If your home or business has water damage from ice dams, please call the certified professionals at SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley today! We are open 24 hours for emergency services and available now.

Source: Family Handy Man

How to Set Up Weather Emergency Alerts on Your Phone

11/26/2021 (Permalink)

Search for "CMAS" or "WEA" in your phone's messaging settings. You can also dial "##2627##" (minus the quotes) on your phone to turn them on.

 If neither of these do the trick, you might not have a phone that is WEA enabled. That's OK, though. You can still get emergency weather alerts with weather apps like the Weather Channel app or WeatherUSA.

WeatherUSA sends out real-time alerts to you every time there’s any weather-related warning in your area. They send these alerts out whenever they are released by any federal agency, including the National Weather Service. These alerts are sent across to the subscribers via SMS or email. You can choose to add your county or state for the local weather warnings.

For Android users, To meet the FCC standards, Android introduced “Emergency Broadcasts” features in all its mobiles. Through this service, you can get severe weather alerts instantly. Apart from these alerts, this feature also sends out an alert whenever there’s any emergency in your area.

Source: USA Today Online

Why is My Refrigerator Leaking?

11/25/2021 (Permalink)

If your refrigerator is leaking water and causing water damage to your flooring it’s usually because of one of two reasons.

Reason #1 your fridge is leaking

A blocked defrost drain is one of the most common causes of water leakage. This happens when food particles or other debris clog up the drain hose, which can lead to ice build and, eventually, water leaking out of the freezer and refrigerator.

Fix: First, try flushing the drain from inside the freezer with warm water, using a turkey baster or a small funnel. You can also try using a pipe cleaner or a straightened coat hanger to forcibly remove the clog. If this doesn't fix the problem you may need to manually remove the debris that is clogging the check valve at the end of the drain hose.

Reason #2 your fridge is leaking

From time to time, a clogged or frozen water supply line will cause water to puddle beneath the refrigerator. It will also affect ice production from the ice maker and slow or stop water flow from the dispenser.

Fix: First, unplug the refrigerator and locate the shut-off valve, typically underneath the sink, behind the refrigerator, or below the refrigerator in the basement. Make sure this valve is closed, and look for any leaks, kinks, or clogs in the plastic supply line.

Source: CNET online

Strong Cigarette Smell

10/7/2021 (Permalink)

Getting Rid of Cigarette Smoke Odor

It's obvious to a non-smoker when a home smells like cigarettes.  The smell of tobacco and/or cigarette smoke and tar is stubborn because it "sticks" to all surfaces as it spreads through the air. So, how do you get rid of the cigarette odor?  The short answer is that it's very difficult.  ALL surfaces in the home need to be scrubbed and deodorized, including the: flooring, walls, furniture, appliances, knick-knacks, and clothing. Even the air in the home needs to be deodorized during the process.  It's not an easy task, but the experts at SERVPRO® of Eagan / Apple Valley have done it many times and are more than willing to help you.  Give us a call today and start breathing fresh smelling air! (651) 330-7271

Entering Your Home After a Storm, Hurricane, or Tornado

9/21/2021 (Permalink)

How do I enter my home after a storm?

Entering your home or business after severe storm damage can be risky… roofs can collapse, glass from shattered windows will be on surfaces and floors.  Cleaning up after major storm damage can mean facing: contaminated water, animals and insects, splintered wood and sagging ceilings. It is best to let the professionals who are trained and certified to work in these storm damage environments handle the damage restoration. However, according to the American Red Cross, if you absolutely must enter your home or business, be sure to wear:

• Long pants

• Long sleeved shirt

• Sturdy shoes or boots (no tennis shoes or flip flops)

• Work gloves

• Eye protection

• Disposable masks

• Hard hats

Whether it’s for your home or for your business, for more information on storm damage restoration from SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley, click HERE.

We are here to help, Minneapolis-Twin Cities area.

 Source: Red Cross Online

2021 Fire Prevention Week

9/21/2021 (Permalink)

Fire Prevention Week 2021 in United States will begin on Sunday, October 3^rd and end on Saturday, October 9^th. This year’s Fire Protection Week theme is: “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety!”.

The National Fire Protection Agency is working to educate everyone about the different sounds the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms make. Knowing what to do when an alarm sounds will keep you and your family safe. When an alarm makes noises – a beeping sound or a chirping sound – you must take action.

What do the fire alarm beeps mean?

• A continued set of three loud beeps—beep, beep, beep—means smoke or fire. Get out, call 9-1-1, and stay out.
• A single “chirp” every 30 or 60 seconds means the battery is low and must be changed.
• Chirping that continues after the battery has been replaced means the alarm is at the end of its life and the unit must be replaced. All smoke alarms must be replaced after 10 years.

For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, there are special smoke alarms and alert devices that include strobe lights that flash to alert people when the smoke alarms sound. Products like pillow or bed shakers that are designed to work with smoke alarms are also available.

Source: NFPA.org

Categories of Water in a Water Damage

9/16/2021 (Permalink)

Not all water is the same, and when you have a flood in your home, you want to leave it to the professionals to deal with contaminated water of any kind. Some flood water in Apple Valley, MN can be relatively clean while some homeowners have to contend with black water at one point or another. Any kind of water can lead to mold growth, so address your precise situation as best you can.

1. Category 1

Category 1 water is typically clean, but it may contain contaminants from the surrounding area. This type of water usually comes from a faulty supply line on an appliance or a broken water pipe. When the water leaks out into a room, it may pick up soil or materials from the surrounding area, such as materials from the subflooring, decking or walls. However, if it is accidentally consumed, then it should not result in any serious illness.

2. Category 2

Category 2 contaminated water is slightly more dangerous. In the event a person accidentally consumes it, then it would likely result in some discomfort or sickness. This level can also be called grey water, which can include water that comes from sink drains or washing machines.

3. Category 3

Category 3 flood water is the most dangerous and most commonly referred to as black water. This water typically contains fecal matter and can come from a toilet overflow. It can also come from rainwater picking up contaminants from the outside soil and bringing them inside your home in Apple Valley, MN. Additionally, standing water can promote bacterial growth.

Allowing water to stand in a room can cause less dangerous water to grow worse by the second. Fungi just needs stagnant air, a moderate temperature and moisture to grow. This is why it is so critical to remedy the situation as soon as you can. 

5 Things Never to Plug into a Power Strip

8/31/2021 (Permalink)

Power Strip Safety

No matter where you live—house, apartment, dorm room, mobile home—one factor remains constant: There never seem to be enough power outlets. This may explain the popularity of multi-outlet power strips, which provide additional outlets and also let you control multiple components with a single on-off switch. There are some appliances, however, that should never be used with power strips because they could overload the circuit and cause overheating or even a fire.

1. Refrigerators and Freezers

Large appliances like refrigerators require a lot of power and frequently cycle on and off, which can easily overload a power strip. These devices should be plugged directly into a wall outlet dedicated solely to powering the appliance. If you try to plug additional appliances into the same outlet, you risk tripping the circuit.  

2. Microwaves

The microwave is a miracle of modern food preparation, thawing, cooking, and reheating food in a fraction of the time it takes a conventional oven. But all that marvelous activity requires more energy than a power strip can provide. Like a conventional electric oven, the microwave should have its own dedicated power outlet.

3. Coffee Makers

You may not think that your morning cup of joe requires that much energy to brew, but most coffee makers need quite bit of amperage to turn those roasted beans into a hot beverage. Plug your coffee maker directly into the outlet or you run the risk of waking up to a half-brewed pot of coffee.

4. Toasters

If you’ve ever peered into a toaster to remove a particularly stubborn piece of broken crust, you know that the inside is basically a bunch of wires that heat up to red-hot temperatures to toast the bread. The current draw that those wires require can easily cause a power strip to overheat. This same issue affects toaster ovens, electric skillets, and waffle irons as well.

5. Slow Cookers and Hot Plates

You might think you're one clever cook when you plug your slow cooker into a power strip to free up outlet space for other countertop appliances, but you'd be wrong. These cooking appliances require more juice over a longer period of time than a power strip can handle. And because the appeal of a slow cooker is that it can operate without supervision, you definitely want to make sure it is safely plugged into a wall outlet to minimize any hazardous outcomes.

Source: MSN online

Water Damage from an Overflowing Toilet

7/19/2021 (Permalink)

An overflowing toilet is a problem everyone will likely deal with at some point. When water overflows from the bowl, chances are the culprit is a clogged toilet drain—usually an easy fix with some basic tools.

First, turn off the toilet’s water supply, on the wall behind the toilet. If you can’t find the water supply to stop the toilet overflowing, take the top off the tank and lift the float ball or cup high enough to stop the water from running. If that does not work, the shut off valve for the water supply to the house is generally located near the water heater.

Should overflow continue once the main water supply is off, you’re dealing with sewage backup, a serious situation due to the hazardous nature of the sewage water. If you are on a municipal septic system, you may need to call the city. If you have a septic tank, you’ll need a plumbing company that can flush out your system.

If you have experienced water damage to due an overflowing toilet, time is a factor. Please give us a call right away at SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley.

Home Fires Caused by Washer and Dryer Lint

7/19/2021 (Permalink)

Clothes dryer fires happen more often than one might think, accounting for 16,800 home structure fires in 2010 and doing more than $236 million in property damage according to the National Fire Protection Association. The most frequent causes of fires in dryers are lint/dust (29%) and clothing (28%). In washers, they are wire or cable insulation (26%), the appliance housing (21%) or the drive belt (15%).

Dryers were involved in 92% of the Washer/Dryer fires; the risk of fire was basically the same for both gas and electric-powered dryers.

Safety tips:

• Clean the lint screen frequently and don’t run the dryer without it.
• For gas and propane dryers, make sure there aren’t any leaks in the lines.
• Vent the dryer to the outside of the house and ensure nothing blocks the vent pipe.
• Clean the vent pipe and the area where the screen is housed.
• Keep the area around the dryer free of combustible materials.

Source: National Fire Protection Association 

Legal Fireworks Safety

6/29/2021 (Permalink)

If you choose to use legal fireworks, be sure to follow the following safety tips:

• Never allow young children to handle fireworks
• Older children should use them only under close adult supervision
• Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol
• Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear
• Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands
• Never light them indoors
• Only use them away from people, houses and flammable material
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person
• Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting
• Never ignite devices in a container
• Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks
• Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding
• Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don't go off or in case of fire
• Never use illegal fireworks

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to leave it to the experts and attend a fireworks show in the Minneapolis - St Paul area put on by professionals.

Source: National Safety Council online

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO is "Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certified"

3/21/2021 (Permalink)

If you or your business has suffered a water damage, fire damage, mold damage, or bio hazard damage, odds are it has affected some sort of fabric or textile in your home.  The IICRC is a certification and Standards Developing Organization (SDO) non-profit organization for the inspection, cleaning and restoration industries. In partnership with regional and international trade associates, the IICRC serves more than 25 countries.

When you see a IICRC logo, you can be confident that an IICRC-certified experienced, qualified professional is caring for your valuable property.

Do you need upholstery cleaning or carpet cleaning for your home or business performed by a company that is IICRC certified?  SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley cleans upholstery for general cleaning , pet dander, smoke damage, office carpet tile, and more. 

Source: IICRC Online

Why SERVPRO - SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley Mold Technicians are Mold Certified

3/21/2021 (Permalink)

Why SERVPRO - SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley Mold Technicians are Mold Certified

Are you smelling mildew or a musty odor in your home or business?  Can you visually see mold growth? SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley can perform your Mold Remediation using a Mold Certified Technician so you know it's done right. Mold remediation means the removal, cleaning, sanitizing, demolition, or other treatment, including preventive activities, of mold or mold-contaminated matter. The industry is regulated to ensure that persons conducting mold assessment and remediation services are properly trained and licensed, and are following minimum standards that protect the health of workers and building occupants. Please do not hesitate to give us a call today to set up a time to start the mold remediation process.

Why SERVPRO?  SERVPRO Uses Industrial Grade Equipment and Cleaning Products on your Home or Business

3/20/2021 (Permalink)

If your home or business has suffered a water damage event, simply cleaning up the water and opening up the windows will not completely dry the space, leaving your home or business vulnerable to future mold growth (known as secondary damage).  SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley uses industrial grade dehumidifiers and fans to completely dry your home or business.  SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley uses moisture testing devices to make sure your walls, closets, and floors are dry before we leave your home and close out the job.  In addition to drying, commercial grade anti-fungal treatments are applied in order to prevent mold from forming.

If your home or business has suffered a fire damage event, air scrubbers are brought in to the area to "scrub" the air clean and remove the chemical and smoke odor. In addition to air scrubbers, special cleaning agents are used to save as many smoke-affected items as possible in your home or business.

If your home or business has suffered a water damage, fire damage, or mold growth event, please do not hesitate to call us today.

Why SERVPRO?  SERVPRO is Hazmat and Bio Hazard Removal Trained

3/19/2021 (Permalink)

Bio hazard clean up is considered: blood clean up, urine clean up, human feces clean up, animal feces clean up, vomit clean up, and other human fluids.  General maid and janitorial services will not remove these items due to their potentially hazardous nature.  SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley technicians are trained and properly uniformed to safely remove bio hazardous materials. This is why you can rely on SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley to get the job done quickly, safely, and to sanitation standards.  Many homes and buildings that have been left unattended and/or improperly cared for will generally require this type of service. SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley will remove all hazardous items and properly dispose of them. If you or your business is in need of bio hazard removal, please do not hesitate to call today.

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO is Faster to Disaster

3/19/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Eagan and Apple Valley offers a 24 hour emergency service.  Our office is open Monday through Friday, however there will always be someone to answer your call after hours and on the weekends.  If the event is classified as an emergency, SERVPRO of Eagan and Apple Valley will be out right away regardless of time or day.  When hurricanes, floods, wild fires, and other disasters strike all around the country, SERVPRO franchises band together and travel sometimes thousands of miles to come to the disaster area to help restore homes and businesses affected. If there is a catastrophic event in your area, SERVPRO will call in "extreme teams" that will arrive in your city or town to help cover more ground and to help more home and business owners. If your home or business has suffered a water damage or other emergency event, please do not hesitate to call.  

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO Tests for What You Can’t See

3/18/2021 (Permalink)

Do you smell mildew or mold in your home or business, but cannot visibly see it? Do you suspect water damage in your ceiling or walls? Before your ceiling and walls deteriorate, call SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley. We can test for what you can’t see. We use industrial moisture detecting devices to help us detect water in walls, ceilings, floor boards, etc. Hidden moisture will cause mold in time and become an even bigger problem.

Would you like the help of SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley to detect water or mold damage or for any other type of cleaning or restoring? Click HERE to learn more or give us a call today at: (651) 330-7271

SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley is available 24/7 for emergency service and is Here to Help.

Steps to Restoration after a Pipe Burst to a Commercial Building

1/17/2021 (Permalink)

A pipe burst cleanup can look overwhelming at first glance. If you have ever undergone a water cleanup before, then you know that this can be a stressful time. As a business owner, you may find that you are less overwhelmed if you understand the process behind the cleanup.

1. Safety First

You and the restoration company cannot begin pipe burst cleanup procedures until you take the proper safety precautions. Make sure the water is off so that no more can enter the building. Additionally, it may be a wise move to shut down the power. If there are any electrical outlets or appliances that have been soaked, you have to keep an electrical current out of there.

2. Item Removal

Once we’ve taken care of safety, we can focus on what you can and cannot remove. Take everything that is salvageable outside to dry. We can clean all of your items outside of the building. Keep in mind that contents made out of porous materials can trap mold and mildew and should be thrown away.

3. Water Extraction

Water pumps, mops, and towels are brought in to remove any standing water.

4. Drying and Dehumidifying

After dealing with a supply line leaking, we have to focus on drying out your business. SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley uses industrial grade dehumidifiers, fans, and sprays for mold prevention. Lastly, a moisture detector is used to make sure all moisture was removed.

A pipe burst cleanup can be difficult to undergo. However, it does not have to be stressful, and with professional assistance of SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley, it can go quickly and easily. Give us a call today to start the process. 

Contaminated Water after a Storm

1/17/2021 (Permalink)

Should you experience a flood in your home after a storm, our team of technicians will inspect your home or business to determine the appropriate plan of action for the type of water encountered.

Category 3: "Black Water"

Category 3 water is grossly contaminated and could cause severe illness or death if ingested and any contact should be avoided. Examples include flooding from rivers or streams, water from beyond the toilet trap, water from the toilet bowl with feces, or standing water that has begun to support microbial growth.

• May contain untreated sewage, harsh chemicals, and microbes
• Water from flooding rivers or sewer backup

24 Hour Emergency Service

Water contaminated with sewage backup should be considered an emergency situation and dealt with as quickly as possible. Our technicians at SERVPRO® of Eagan and Apple Valley are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for any emergency situations that arise. We have been a trusted name in safety and properly restoring homes and businesses for almost 15 years! We are here to help!

How to Prevent Ice Dams this Winter

1/15/2021 (Permalink)

1. Close up attic bypasses
   In the average home, about one-third of the heat loss is through the ceiling into the attic. Most of that loss comes from air leaks caused by unblocked walls, gaps in drywall, and cracks around light fixtures, plumbing pipes, chimneys, access hatches and other ceiling penetrations. Air leaks can be tough to stop. You have to climb into your attic, pull or rake back insulation, and plug the leaks using foam, caulk and other methods. Low roof angles make some air leaks difficult to reach. This work is definitely a cool weather project; your attic will be unbearably hot otherwise. Always wear a dust mask, a long-sleeved shirt, and long pants to help prevent skin irritations caused by insulation.
2. Measure your attic insulation level
   While you’re in the attic, check the depth of your attic insulation. Building codes require about 12 to 14 in. of fiberglass or cellulose. Add more if you have less than 8 in. and have had ice dam problems in the past. Blown-in cellulose and fiberglass are usually better than hand-placed batts, because they fill more tightly around rafters, joists and other obstructions, leaving fewer gaps. It’s usually worth hiring a professional for this job; you probably won’t save much by doing it yourself. However, if you can’t find a good price, you can rent a blowing machine from a rental yard or home center. Often, the use of the machine is free with the purchase of insulation.
3. Add roof and soffit vents
   Attic ventilation draws in cold outdoor air and flushes out warmer attic air, cooling the attic and the roof in the process. The minimum ventilation area (size of the openings) should be about 1 sq. ft. of vent per 300 sq. ft. of ceiling area (attic floor area), when half the vent area is low on the roof and half is high. Add enough so their ventilating area is about equal to the area of soffit vents. This might deliver a whole lot more ventilation than the minimum requirement, but don’t worry. You’re unlikely to have too much ventilation.

Source: Family Handy Man

Water Damage and Wood Floors

1/15/2021 (Permalink)

A simple bucket full of water can leave damage to a wood floor. A leaky kitchen sink or dishwasher, an upstairs toilet overflowing, or even just a spilled mopping bucket might pose problems for porous wood floors and substructures. Whatever the cause, water causes warping, and can trigger mold and mildew growth that can ruin wood. Major flooding creates problems in foundations and walls that must be addressed, but the first step in mitigating the damage done by water to a home or building (including its wood floors) is to gently, but quickly ventilate and dry materials.

SERVPRO® of Eagan / Apple Valley uses commercial-grade machines that extract the water from the wood flooring with a powerful force.  If we are called immediately following a water damage event, there is a good possibility we can save your wood floors from buckling using the high-powered water extractors.  Don't hesitate to call right away.

Source: Homeguides

SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley Will Deep Clean Your Restaurant

1/14/2021 (Permalink)

Obviously, a restaurant's preparation areas should be kept clean. But, besides the everyday cleaning of kitchen equipment and appliances, it is necessary to perform a deep cleaning of kitchens at least once to twice a year.

Appearance

A restaurant's: atmosphere, attention to detail, and well-kept facilities are important for a customer's good first impression. The smell of a restaurant can either attract customers or repel them. The appearance of a restaurant's kitchen can bring in clients as well as scare them away.

Safety

A messy and unorganized look will affect guests' appetites as well as employee productivity. Daily mopping sustains a clean floor, but will not scrub deeply enough to remove certain bacteria. Sticky floors and unwanted objects can cause personnel or guests to slip. For a truly clean floor, it is important to remove: grease, oil, gum and even mold.

For a deep cleaning of your restaurant or other business, please call SERVPRO® of Eagan / Apple Valley today!

Source: Yahoo Finance Online

Roof Damage After Storm Sweeps through Minneapolis Area

12/15/2020 (Permalink)

A home located in Eagan, Minnesota experienced storm damage when strong winds and heavy rains rolled through the Minneapolis area. A couple of shingles blew off during the storm, which allowed rain water to get inside the attic. The rain soaked the insulation and the drywall in the ceiling below, causing the ceiling in this home to collapse. SERVPRO® of Eagan / Apple Valley received the call and came out immediately. Our technicians applied a temporary tarp to the roof to prevent further rain from causing additional damage to the home until the roof could be repaired. Then, our professionals began extracting any standing water and removing debris from the collapsed ceiling. We set up fans and dehumidifiers throughout the house to thoroughly dry the affected areas to help to prevent secondary damage or mold from forming. The learn more about storm restoration from SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley, click here.

Office Disinfecting for COVID-19

11/29/2020 (Permalink)

Office Disinfecting for COVID-19

During these difficult times, please know that SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley is here to help your business. SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley will disinfect your business, office, restaurant, school, commercial building, and more! Was your commercial space contaminated with the virus? We can clean and disinfect for that! Would you like to assure your customers and employees that your commercial space has been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected? We can help you with that! Deep cleanings and bio hazard removals have been services SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley has been offering for over a decade. We know how to do it safely and effectively. To learn more about Commercial Cleaning from SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley, click HERE. Or, call today for more information – we are here to help: (651) 330-7271

The Three C's of SERVPRO Clean

11/29/2020 (Permalink)

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, our new defensive pathogen cleaning program, goes way beyond standard janitorial cleaning practices. It is a proactive viral pathogen cleaning. 

SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley have been cleaning, sanitizing, and removing Bio Hazard in both homes and businesses for over a decade. Deep cleaning is not new to us. 

Below are the Three "C's" of SERVPRO Certified Cleaned: 

• Consult: Not all businesses are the same, so we’ll tailor a bespoke cleaning program based on the unique needs of each facility.
• Clean: Based on the agreed plan, an expert deep clean is initiated using our proprietary EPA-Approved Hospital-Grade cleaning solutions and always adhering to the leading level of cleaning and decontamination standards set by the CDC.
• Certify: You’ll know a business is Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned by the shield posted on their front window. Along with digital emblems and other collateral, this beacon represents their commitment to the comfort and security of their employees, customers and community.

So when you are walking around the Minneapolis area, when you see the Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned shield sticker in the window, you know the #1 choice in clean up and restoration was there.

Fire Prevention Tasks for Your Business

11/29/2020 (Permalink)

You’ve heard all of the preventative steps, you’ve prepped your employees, and your building is up to code. However, the easiest prevention methods are usually the most overlooked. Inspect these things today and be sure to set reminders accordingly:

• Smoke Detectors. Safety experts say that you should check these at least once a month and replace the batteries once a year, or as needed.
• Fire Extinguishers. See the directions on your fire extinguisher to see when it expires and who you can call to replace your extinguishers. Extinguishers can last anywhere from five to fifteen years. Also, depending on your fire marshal’s standards, you may have to have your extinguisher certified.
• Fire Exits and Exit Signs. Can guests clearly see exit signs? Can they easily get to them? Consider having a fire drill to ensure guests and employees can easily get out of the building in the event of an emergency. Practice regularly.
• See any State or Local Guidelines. There are some local and state guidelines that businesses have to follow to stay up to code. Take a minute to read up on these laws or talk to your local fire marshal to learn about the guidelines.

Keeping your business, employees, and guests safe is important. Just by taking the time to make sure the basics of fire safety are taken care of, you can protect your investment.

 Source: DKI Service Fire Services

Water Damage Underneath the Kitchen Sink

11/29/2020 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley, we’re are very often called due to water damage and mold growth found underneath the kitchen sink.  Often times, there is a slow leak that has occurred over time causing water damage and, in many cases, mold growth. Kitchen sinks with garbage disposals are especially prone to leaky pipes under the sink. In order to prevent water damage as well as mold growth, it’s important to inspect your kitchen sink pipes and make sure everything is dry and working properly. What you find might surprise you.  If you have discovered water damage underneath your kitchen sink or have discovered mold growth, please call us today at SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley as it is very important to remove, remediate, and restore the problem right away so the situation does not get worse and start warping kitchen cabinets.  Call today!

2020 - Fire Prevention Week - "Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen"

10/8/2020 (Permalink)

Fire Prevention Week 2020 in United States will begin on Sunday, October 4^th and end on Saturday, October 10^th. This year’s theme is all about fire safety in the kitchen. Since we are all home more in 2020, we are home cooking more. In order to reduce the amount of kitchen fires in 2020, the National Fire Protection Association has named this year’s fire prevention week campaign, “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!^TM”

Did you know?
Cooking is the #1 cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of fires in the kitchen.

3 Safety tips from the NFPA regarding kitchen fires:

1. Never leave the kitchen when you are frying, boiling, or cooking food.
2. Never leave kitchen towels, oven mitts, or flammable items on top of or near the stove.
3. Kitchen fires spread quickly. If you do have a cooking fire in the kitchen, get out immediately.

Source: NFPA.org

Which Sandbags to Use for Flooding and Why

9/22/2020 (Permalink)

Which Sandbags to Use for Flooding and Why

When the threat of a flood is close to your home, sandbags for flooding become as valuable as gold, yet they’re dirt cheap. There have been advancements with sandbags, which is great, thanks to water-activated sandbags which mimic the ability of real sand bags. Yes, they cost more, but are much quicker to implement in the case of a flood so the cost is negligible.

Sandbags for flooding are essential tools if you live in an area prone to flooding.  It is not advised to use other bags that are not intended for use as sandbags as they may not be as effective. Sandbags are constructed for the use of containing sand or soil to prevent or reduce the impact of water damage in the event of a flood. They are typically made with woven polypropylene or burlap sacks. Plastic garbage bags are slick and will not create a sturdy structure when stacked. Feed sacks, although made of similar materials to sandbags, are usually large and are also not practical for handling.

If your home or business has experienced a flood, please call the professionals of SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley right away – open 24 hours for emergency services and here to help!

Source: Chainshaw Journal. Jan 2020.

Which Type of Fire Extinguisher to Buy

9/22/2020 (Permalink)

There are four classes of fire extinguishers – A, B, C and D – and each class can put out a different type of fire.

Class A fire extinguishers

Class A fire extinguishers are used for ordinary combustibles, such as paper, wood, cloth, and some types of plastic. These extinguishers typically use water or certain types of dry chemicals to either absorb heat or coat the fire.

Class B fire extinguishers

Fires that originate from flammable liquids and gas can be extinguished by a class B fire extinguisher. This is the type of extinguisher you’ll want to use on a fire caused by oil or fuel.

Class C fire extinguishers

Class C fire extinguishers are effective against electrical fires from live wires, panels, and circuit breakers. The extinguisher works by releasing materials that stop the conduction of electricity.

Class D fire extinguishers

Class D fire extinguishers are used on combustible metals. These include magnesium, sodium, aluminum, and titanium.

Class K fire extinguishers

Commonly used in restaurant kitchens, class K fire extinguishers can effectively put out fires caused by cooking fats, greases, and oils. They use a process called saponification by releasing an alkaline agent to create a foam that traps vapors and puts the fire out.

Purchasing your fire extinguisher

Now that you know how many extinguishers you need and what types to get, you can head to the hardware store. Look for fire extinguishers that you can easily lift. Larger extinguishers may pack more power, but you must be able to use it properly.

Source: Safety Online

Air Conditioner Causes Water Damage to Ceiling in Minneapolis Area Home

7/20/2020 (Permalink)

The homeowner of a house in Minneapolis noticed round, yellowish, water spots had appeared on the ceiling of his master bedroom. Realizing that the cause of the water damage was likely the air conditioner located in the attic above the room, he climbed up to take a look. Sure enough, his air conditioner in his attic was the cause of the damage. He called out an HVAC repair company to fix the problem with the air conditioner, and next he called SERVPRO® of Eagan / Apple Valley to mitigate the water damage done to the floor of the attic and to the ceiling of the bedroom. Our technicians removed all affected drywall and set up several air movers to dry out the wet areas. After a few days of drying and daily moisture checks, the moisture levels were low and back to normal, so our crew pulled the equipment and packed up. The floor of the attic and ceiling of the bedroom were repaired, and it was like this water disaster never even happened!

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley is at the Forefront of Continuing Education for the Insurance Industry

3/20/2020 (Permalink)

Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley is at the Forefront of Continuing Education for the Insurance Industry

SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley offers complementary continuing education credits for insurance and real estate industry professionals.  Call today to find out when and where the next class is.

SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley offers both credit and noncredit courses for: real estate professionals, insurance adjusters, insurance agents, and franchise staff. These programs are designed to improve knowledge of emergency mitigation. Courses include:

• Water Damage Restoration
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Mold Restoration and Remediation
• Restorative Drying for Loss Control
• Mitigation Awareness Response Seminar
  (non-credit course)

When we all work together for our clients, everyone wins. Striving for the most efficient and cost-effective restoration process is always the goal. SERVPRO is happy to offer CE credits in our specialty lines of business.

Three Probable Causes of a Leaky Refrigerator

1/18/2020 (Permalink)

Three Probable Causes of a Leaky Refrigerator

DRAIN PAN

Examine the drain pan for any cracks, which is located at the bottom of the refrigerator. If you notice a significant amount of pooling underneath, chances are the pan has a crack and that's what is causing the leak. Replace the pan immediately if you notice any damage.

WATER FILTER

If your filter is not installed properly, or the filter is old or doesn't fit correctly with your refrigerator model, chances are there is a poor connection between the filter and the water supply. To prevent your refrigerator from leaking, check to see if water is escaping due to holes in the filter. Also, check the size and model of both the fridge and filter to ensure it's the correct part for your refrigerator.

DEFROST DRAIN

One of the most common causes of a leaky refrigerator is a faulty defrost drain. When the defrost drain is blocked by food particles or ice, it prevents the water accumulated during the defrost cycle to properly drain into the pan. Eventually, water will start to build up. Without anywhere to drain, water will begin to flow right onto your floor. Remove any blockage caused by food particles or ice by flushing the drain with hot water and removing debris carefully with a wire hanger.

Source: Roto-Rooter Online

How Big of a Water Heater Do I Need?

1/16/2020 (Permalink)

How Big of a Water Heater Do I Need?

The installation of your home’s water heater is an important decision. There are many factors to consider:

• Tanked vs. tankless water heater
• The right water heater for your household size
• Best location for your heater (installation)
• Gas or Electric
• How big of a water heater do I need

If you decided on a tank water heater, you may ask yourself, how big of a water heater do I need? Determining factors will be the size of your family and the utilities available in your home. Use this simple guide to determine your water heater size needs:

• Family size 1-2: 30-gallon heater
• Family size 2-3: 40-gallon heater
• Family size 3-4: 40-50-gallon heater
• Family size 5 or more: 50-80-gallon heater

Source: Zine Trip Online

Smoke Damage After a Kitchen Fire in Eagan, MN

12/15/2019 (Permalink)

Smoke Damage After a Kitchen Fire

Cooking is the #1 cause of fires in the home; specifically, fires that originate from the stove.  Even when the fire is caught early, the smoke damage that it causes can be devastating to a home. When a kitchen in a home in Eagan caught fire, the certified professionals at SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley were called to restore the kitchen and the rest of the home. The smoke odor got trapped in the curtains, sofas, walls, and other places in the home.  Thankfully, SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley is LLCR Certified to clean, deodorize, and sanitize upholstery. In addition, SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley has a proven process of eliminating the strong odor of smoke from the air using air deodorizers and air ionizing machines.

To learn more about smoke damage remediation, click here.

Please call today to get the process started: (651) 330-7271

Preventing Water Damage from Occurring in Your Commercial Building

12/2/2019 (Permalink)

1. Train all employees on the location of the water shut off valves and make sure they are easily accessible.
2. Find out if your business is located on a flood plain and if your area offers programs for business owners.
3. Conduct regular inspections of your HVAC units, roof, water heaters, refrigerators, sinks, toilets, and any other area you have that may have a water leak.
4. Make sure your insurance policy is up to date and you are insured.
5. Keep any documents, inventory, or anything critical to your business' survival at least a few feet off the ground.
6. Be prepared for a water damage event. The faster the water is removed and dried out, the better off you are going to be. Time is an important factor. Please save our number to your phone so you know who to call. SERVPRO® of Eagan / Apple Valley: (651) 330-7271   

HVAC and Electrical Fires in Commercial Buildings

12/1/2019 (Permalink)

HVAC System Malfunction

Roughly 9% of fires happen when an HVAC system malfunctions. This includes central heating systems, as well as water heaters, space heaters, and other appliances.

Heating systems should be regularly inspected, especially during winter when they are used most heavily. And always ensure flammable materials are kept well away from heat sources. Areas where the main HVAC system is housed, as well as any water heaters or storage rooms, should be outfitted with smoke alarms.

Electrical Malfunction

About 7% of fires are linked to an electrical system malfunction, often due to problems with wiring in the building. These fires are more likely to occur in older buildings with questionable wiring. Make sure your building is regularly inspected.

If your business has been effected by Fire Damage, please call SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley today!

Source: Smoke Guard Online

Minneapolis area Business Affected by Storms over a Holiday Weekend

12/1/2019 (Permalink)

Minneapolis area Business Affected by Storms over a Holiday Weekend

The crew of SERVPRO® of Eagan / Apple Valley was called out to a commercial office building located in Apple Valley when a terrible storm blew in over Memorial Day Weekend. The rain was heavy and the wind was strong. So strong, in fact, that it managed to blow in a window, sending shards of glass throughout a  lawyer's office causing damage to a couple pieces of furniture that were in the room. Not only did this office experience damage due to the glass breaking, but the rain caused an extensive amount of water damage as well. Since the storm hit over a holiday weekend in an office building, it went unnoticed until Tuesday morning. By the time we were called, the water damage had spread throughout the entire 5th floor office as well as onto the floors below.  There was a lot to restore, but no job is too big for our professional team of technicians who made this disaster "Like it never even happened."

.

Fire Prevention Month Theme

10/28/2019 (Permalink)

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has created the theme for this year’s Fire Prevention Week, October 6-12, 2019, “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!”. This year’s campaign recognizes the everyday people who motivate their families and neighbors to create and practice a home fire escape plan.

“This year’s campaign works to celebrate people of all ages who learn about home fire escape planning and practice, bring that information home, and spur their families to action,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA. “From young students who learn about the campaign at school to parents who attend a community event like a fire station open house - all of them truly are heroes because they’re taking steps to make their households much, much safer from fire.”

Source: Firehouse online

Fire Prevention Week 2019 is October 6th - 12th

9/23/2019 (Permalink)

Fire Prevention Week 2019 is October 6^th through the 12^th

Plan and Practice Your Escape
In a typical home fire, you may have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Escape planning and practice can help you make the most of the time you have,giving everyone enough time to get out.

In a fire, mere seconds can mean the difference between a safe escape and a tragedy. Fire safety education isn’t just for school children. Teenagers, adults, and the elderly are also at risk in fires, making it important for every member of the community to take some time every October during Fire Prevention Week to make sure they understand how to stay safe in case of a fire.

When it comes to fire safety, maybe you’re already a hero in your household or community. If not, maybe you’re feeling inspired to become one. It's easy to take that first step - make your home escape plan! 

Source: NFPA Online

Storm Damage – Tree Limbs Through Windows

9/23/2019 (Permalink)

Keeping Trees Properly Trimmed

Trees in our yards are beautiful, necessary for clean air, help to prevent water damage to our homes, and provide the relief of shade.  As healthy as a tree can be, often larger trees can have dead limbs that require trimming.  When trees are not properly trimmed, dead limbs are very susceptible to breaking off during a storm, causing storm damage to our homes or places of business. SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley has received multiple calls this storm season from Minneapolis area homeowners who have suffered storm damage due to a tree limb through their window or roof. When this happens, it is important to board the roof or window as quickly as possible after the storms have passed and to call SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley's remediation crew right away.

If your home is damaged during an area storm, call the professionals at SERVPRO of Eagan / Apple Valley at: (651) 330-7271.  Faster to Any Disaster

Overflowing Toilet? Don't Panic - Here's What to Do

9/2/2019 (Permalink)

Overflowing Toilet – What to Do

If your toilet is overflowing, don't panic. Here's what to do:

First, turn off the toilet’s water supply, on the wall behind the toilet. If you can’t find the water supply to stop the toilet overflowing, take the top off the tank and lift the float ball or cup high enough to stop the water from running. If that does not work, the shut off valve for the water supply to the house is generally located near the water heater.

If the toilet is still overflowing after you have turned off the water supply, you are dealing with sewage backup. A sewage back up is considered dark water containing dangerous contaminates. If you are on a municipal septic system, call the city. If you have a septic tank, you’ll need a plumbing company that can flush out your system. 

To remove the bio hazardous materials and the water damage, call the professionals at SERVPRO at Eagan / Apple Valley: (651) 330-7271.

Dryer Lint Fires

7/21/2019 (Permalink)

Between 2010-2014, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 15,970 home fires involving clothes dryers or washing machines each year. These fires resulted in annual losses estimated at 13 deaths, 440 injuries, and $238 million in property damage.

Facts and figures

• Clothes dryers accounted for 92% of the fires; washing machines 4%, and washer and dryer combinations accounted for 5%.
• The leading factor contributing to the ignition of home fires involving clothes dryers was failure to clean, accounting for one-third (33%) of dryer fires.
• A mechanical or electrical failure or malfunction was involved in the vast majority of home fires involving washing machines.
• Fires involving clothes dryers usually started with the ignition of something that was being dried or was a byproduct (such as lint) of drying, while washing machine fires usually involved the ignition of some part of the appliance.  

Source: NFPA

Fire Safety in Manufactured Homes

7/11/2019 (Permalink)

Fire safety in manufactured homes

Safety tips

To increase fire safety in manufactured homes, NFPA offers the following guidelines:

• Choose a HUD-certified manufactured home
  If you are in the market to purchase or rent a manufactured home, select a home built after 1976 that bears the HUD label certifying compliance with safety standards.
• Keep smoke alarms working
  Never remove or disable a smoke alarm. If you experience frequent nuisance alarms, consider relocating the alarm further away from kitchen cooking fumes or bathroom steam. Selecting a photoelectric smoke alarm for the areas nearest kitchens and baths may reduce the number of nuisance alarms experienced. As an alternative, NFPA 501 permits a smoke alarm with a silencing means to be installed if it is within 20 feet of a cooking appliance. Test all smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the "test" button. It is not necessary to use smoke or a real flame to test the smoke alarm's operability, and it is risky to do so. Replace batteries at least once a year, and when the alarm "chirps," signaling low battery power. Occasionally dust or lightly vacuum smoke alarms.
• Make sure you have enough smoke alarms
  If your older manufactured home does not have smoke alarms in or near every sleeping room and in or near the family/living area(s), immediately install new alarms and fresh batteries to protect these rooms.  For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
• Plan your escape
  Know ahead of time how you will get out if you have a fire. Make sure you can open and get out of windows and doors. All post-HUD Standard manufactured homes are required to provide windows designed for use as secondary escape routes for the bedroom. Familiarize yourself with their operation and don't block access to them.  Immediately fix any windows that have been painted or nailed shut, doors that are stubborn or "stuck," and locks that are difficult to operate. Security bars or grates over windows or doors should have quick-release devices installed inside, which allow you to open them in an emergency. Hold a fire drill twice a year to rehearse how you will react if the smoke alarm sounds.

• Electrical
  Hire a licensed electrician if you notice flickering lights, frequent blown circuits, or a "hot" smell when using electricity. Use extension cords for temporary convenience, not as a permanent solution. Avoid overloading electrical receptacles (outlets). Electrical cords should not be run under carpets or rugs, as the wires can be damaged by foot traffic, then overheat and ignite the carpet or rug over them. Ground-fault circuit interrupters reduce the risk of electrical shock and should be installed by electricians in kitchens and baths. Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters monitor electric circuits for arcing and should be installed by electricians on bedroom circuits.
• Cooking
  Unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires in U.S. homes. Supervise older children who cook and stay in the kitchen when heating anything on the stove. Keep cooking surfaces clean and place anything that can burn well away from the range. Heat oil slowly and know how to slide a lid over a pan if you experience a grease fire. Read more cooking safety tips.
• Heating
  Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn. When purchasing new space heaters, select appliances with automatic shut-off switches. Kerosene heaters are illegal for home use in some jurisdictions. Check with your local fire department before purchasing a kerosene heater. Turn off portable space heaters before falling asleep or when leaving the room. Refill kerosene heaters outdoors, after the heater has cooled down. Supervise children and pets when space heaters are operating. Read more heating safety tips.
• Walls
  All post-HUD Standard manufactured homes are required to have wall linings that do not promote rapid flame spread, with special protection around primary heating and cooking equipment, such as the furnace and cooking range. Presently, gypsum wallboard has replaced plywood wall paneling and wood based ceiling panels in the fabrication of manufactured housing walls and ceilings. This action has dramatically reduced the impact of fires in manufactured homes. Do not mount anything on the walls – such as paneling, drapery, or wall hangings – that would reduce this protection, especially near major heat sources.
• Smoking
  If you have smokers in your home, ask them to smoke outside. Wherever people smoke, set out large, non-tip ashtrays on level surfaces and empty them frequently. Thoroughly douse butts with water before discarding. Check around and under cushions for smoldering butts. Read more smoking safety tips.
• Protect yourself from intruders
  Install outdoor lighting to deter intruders, including would-be arsonists. Keep gasoline, charcoal lighter and other flammable liquids locked in an outdoor shed. Don't store items underneath your home. Store firewood away from your home and keep trash and other flammable debris cleaned up. Report any suspicious activity in your neighborhood.

Source: NFPA

Storm damage prevention and treatment: reducing damage from storms with preventive action using horticulture

1/19/2019 (Permalink)

Storm damage prevention and treatment: reducing damage from storms with preventive action using horticulture

Damage to trees from storms can be minimized by designing and implementing a tree management plan. Designing and executing a plan can help prevent problems.  There is no doubt trees can cause damage and be damaged in storms. However, appropriately placed and well-maintained trees can help to reduce storm damage to structures by deflecting wind, as well as reduce damage to the tree itself. Appropriate actions include: proper placement and planting, structural pruning prior to the storm, and proper species selection. Actions in the weeks and years following a strong storm can help bring damaged trees back to health.

If your home or business is affected by a storm, don't hesitate to call the certified professionals at SERVPRO of Eagan and Apple Valley.

Source: https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/stormy.shtml

Keep an Eye on your Water Bill in Order to Detect Leaks

1/19/2019 (Permalink)

Keep an eye on your water bill in order to detect leaks

With so many water pipes hidden behind walls and in the floors in your house, you might not know there’s a leak until the damage is done. That’s why it’s a good idea to keep a close eye on your monthly water bill. If you see it starting to creep up, or get one that’s uncommonly high, it’s a pretty good sign that you may have a leak somewhere.

It's not uncommon for us to get a call from a homeowner who has mold behind their dishwasher or mold behind their sink because there has been a slow leak in a pipe in their walls. It's always a good idea to take care of any water leak as soon as possible in order to prevent mold from forming in addition to the water damage.

SERVPRO is "Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certified"

1/19/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is "Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certified"

Do you need upholstery cleaning or carpet cleaning for your business? SERVPRO cleans upholstery for general cleaning , pet dander, smoke damage, office carpet tile, and more.

The IICRC is a certification and Standards Developing Organization (SDO) non-profit organization for the inspection, cleaning and restoration industries. In partnership with regional and international trade associates, the IICRC serves more than 25 countries.

TheIICRC works with other organizations to increase awareness of certified firms – from companies like Shaw, which requires warranty work be done by an IICRC Certified Firm, to associations, to government officials. Additionally, theIICRC also partners with the American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA) to include a suggestion for use of IICRC Certified Firms that specialize in upholstery cleaning in its Furniture Care Codes.

When you see aIICRClogo, you can be confident that an IICRC-certified experienced, qualified professional is caring for your valuable property.

Source: http://www.IICRC.org

Never Pour Grease Down Your Sink

1/17/2019 (Permalink)

Never pour grease down your sink

You’ve probably heard this before, but you should definitely avoid pouring grease down your kitchen sink. It doesn’t matter if you flush it with hot or cold water. It can still congeal and cling to your pipes, and could still cause some serious damage and blockage.

Some people use detergent to break up grease before pouring it down the drain…and that may help sometimes. But there’s no guarantee that it’ll keep the grease from sticking to your pipes, so why take the risk?

The safest thing to do is just to pour your grease in an empty can, and either let it sit or put it in the refrigerator. Once it hardens you can toss it in the trash and get rid of it. Done and done.

Pipe leaks from clogged pipes can cause water damage to your home as well as mold damage if the water damage is not soon addressed.

 Source: www.farmers.com

SERVPRO® Will Work with Your Business' Insurance Company

1/17/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® Will Work with Your Business' Insurance Company

In the unfortunate event your business suffers water, fire, or mold damage, SERVPRO® of Eagan and Apple Valley will work with your insurance company, so you have less work load on your plate.  Our employees talk with insurance adjusters every day to make sure things are billed correctly with your insurance and the job is properly documented to ensure things are going according to plan. Being in business for over 10 years, whatever property and casualty insurance company your business uses, odds are we have worked with them in the past.  Give us a call to set up an emergency preparedness plan for your business today. SERVPRO® of Eagan and Apple Valley will work hard to make any damage, "Like it never even happened."

Call SERVPRO® of Eagan and Apple Valley to Prevent Secondary Damage

12/17/2018 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO® of Eagan and Apple Valley to Prevent Secondary Damage

You have heard it said again and again: Time is money.

The old adage is never more true than when dealing with a water-damaged home or business. Every minute matters, because every minute the property remains wet could turn primary damage into secondary- or even permanent damage.  That's why emergency response matters.  

Secondary water damage occurs when the moisture from the primary event (flood, leak, etc.) begins to evaporate on its own into the air.  Over time the air will no longer be able to hold the moisture from the evaporation.  The moisture will have to go somewhere and a very basic principle behind psychometrics is that wet goes to dry.  The moisture may go into your drywall, cabinetry, sheetrock, hardwood floors, vinyl floors, etc.  Once the moisture is allowed to sit, mold can then begin to grow.  This is why emergency action is so incredibly important.  Call Today

Candles and House Fires, According to the National Fire Protection Association.

12/17/2018 (Permalink)

Candles and House Fires, According to the National Fire Protection Association.

Candles

From 2007-2011, the NFPA says there were an average of 10,630 fires in the U.S. that were started by candles, causing 115 deaths, 903 injuries and approximately $418 million in property damage. There are more candle fires in December and January; the top three days for fires are: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

About one-third of these fires started in bedrooms, causing 39% of the associated deaths and 45% of the associated injuries. More than half of all candle fires start because of candles that were left too close to flammable items.

Other causes of candle fires include leaving them unattended in a room or someone playing with the candles. Even something as simple as knocking a candle over when someone bumps a table they're sitting on or a pet brushing against one is enough to light a fire.

Source: National Fire Protection Association and http://www.propertycasualty360.com

What is The SERVPRO Ready Plan Tool

12/3/2018 (Permalink)

What is the SERVPRO® Ready Plan Tool

The SERVPRO^® Ready Plan is a tool for property managers and owners, both residential and commercial. It allows for the creation of an Emergency READY Profile. By developing a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile for your home or business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your home or business.

SERVPRO^® Franchise Professionals have restoration experts available 24 hours a day to get your business back up and running. Our expertise includes restoration services for fire and water damage, including electronics restoration and document drying. We are also your business’s best resource for mold mitigation and removal. Our Large Loss Division has the expertise to manage the cost and operations of large commercial disaster recovery projects.

Is Your Business Prepared for a Disaster?

12/3/2018 (Permalink)

Would your business be prepared in the event of a disaster?

What would you do if your business suffered: Water Damage, Fire Damage, Smoke Damage, Mold, or a Bio-Hazard contamination? Do you have a plan in place? SERPVRO® offers at no charge a business "Ready Plan" app for your phone that will walk you through a preparedness  plan that could save your business $1,000's. 

As many as 50% of businesses close down following a disaster, according to the latest research. Of the businesses that survive, the overwhelming majority of them had a preparedness plan in place. In general, the faster the response time to a disaster, the less secondary damage can occur. SERVPRO is "faster to any disaster" and works with you and your employees every step of the way.

The SERVPRO Ready Plan app will guide you through a: Water Damage event, Fire Damage event, Mold, Bio-Hazard contamination, and more.  Pre-planning and having this app on the ready can help to give you tremendous peace of mind.

By developing a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile for your business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business.

How to Prevent Mold on Your Patio Furniture

12/3/2018 (Permalink)

How to Prevent Mold on Your Patio Furniture

If you’re hoping to save your current furniture or you’ve bought a new patio set and want to keep it from falling victim to the same problem, you can take steps to prevent mildew and mold. When purchasing new furniture, look for water-resistant fabrics and materials and check to see if the dyes used are also weather-resistant. Acrylic and polyester are usually the most durable. You can also waterproof your patio furniture yourself by purchasing a waterproofing kit at your local supply store.

Note that sunscreen and bug spray are known to soak into cushions, so always use a towel to sit on as added protection, and never sit down directly after coming out of the pool. If you do spill water or otherwise soil the furniture, clean it immediately, and do routine cleaning every few weeks. If you do not use your patio furniture year round, consider using furniture covers, or find a shed, garage or storage unit to house it during the off season.

Now that you know how to remove mold and mildew from patio furniture, you can clean up your chairs, table and umbrella to return it to good condition. You’ll be back to lounging out in the summer heat in no time.

Source: https://learn.livingdirect.com/patio-furniture-mold-removal/

Learning About Mold Assessment vs. Mold Remediation

12/3/2018 (Permalink)

Learning About Mold Assessment vs. Mold Remediation

Mold assessment activities include an inspection, investigation, or survey of a dwelling or other structure to provide the owner or occupant with information regarding the presence, identification, or evaluation of mold, the development of a mold management plan or remediation protocol, and the collection or analysis of a mold sample. Mold remediation means the removal, cleaning, sanitizing, demolition, or other treatment, including preventive activities, of mold or mold-contaminated matter. The industry is regulated to ensure that persons conducting mold assessment and remediation services are properly trained and licensed, and are following minimum standards that protect the health of workers and building occupants.

SERVPRO of Eagan and Apple Valley can help you with your mold remediation needs for your home or business.  Additionally, we will work with your insurance. Please give us a call today.

Source: https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/mld/mld.htm

Lightning During Storms and House Fires Resulting

12/3/2018 (Permalink)

Lightning During Storms and House Fires Resulting

Unlike other types of house fires, which occur more frequently in the winter months, fires in the home caused by lightning are more likely to happen in June, July and August in the late afternoon or early evening. From 2007-2011, NFPA says there were an average of 22,600 fires per year caused by lightning strikes.  Lightning is responsible for a number of wildfires as well.

Lightning during storms poses the greatest risk outdoors and frequently strikes the highest point on a structure.

Safety tips During Lightning Storms: 

• When possible, stay away from doors and windows during an electrical storm.
• Do not use corded phones, computers, TVs or other electrical equipment during storms.
• Unplug major electronics – TVs, stereo equipment, computers and microwaves to minimize damage if there is a lightning strike close by.
• Avoid plumbing such as sinks, baths and faucets during a thunderstorm as metal plumbing is an excellent conductor of electricity.

Source: http://www.propertycasualty360.com and National Fire Protection Association

2 Outside Projects to do in Order to Avoid Water Damage

12/3/2018 (Permalink)

2 Outside Projects to do in Order to Avoid Water Damage 

1. Be careful where you plant

Some plants and trees, like weeping willows, have pretty invasive roots. If you’re not careful, they’ll grow right into your sprinkler system, drainage field, pipes, and septic tanks. Plan before you plant to keep roots away from any water lines.

2. Clean out roof gutters

You know it’s on your to-do list anyway, so if you can, take a safe climb up to your roof next Sunday and check out your gutters. If you’re seeing lots of leaves, birds’ nests, sticks, and whatnot up there, your gutters may not be doing the job you hired them for. And on a rainy day, a clogged gutter can send water spilling into your home’s foundation, through the roof, or down to your basement. That could cause some serious water damage! So next time you’re doing some seasonal cleaning, make sure those gutters are clean. And if your gutters are too high, be safe and get a professional to check them.

Fire Prevention Month is October 2018

10/29/2018 (Permalink)

Fire Prevention Month is October 2018

During Fire Prevention Week, children, adults, and teachers learn how to stay safe in case of a fire. Firefighters provide lifesaving public education in an effort to drastically decrease casualties caused by fires. See what programs your local fire station offers.

Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware – fire can happen anywhere!” That’s the theme for Fire Prevention Week.

LOOK
Look for places fires could start. Take a good look around your home. Identify potential fire hazards and take care of them.

LISTEN
Listen for the sound of the smoke alarm. You could have only minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Go to your outside meeting place, which should be a safe distance from the home and where everyone should know to meet.

LEARN
Learn two ways out of every room and make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily and are free of clutter.

Source: https://www.nfpa.org

What are molds?

9/4/2018 (Permalink)

What are molds?

One of the most common questions we receive at SERVPRO® is: what exactly is mold.  What kind of mold do I have?  How do I keep it from spreading?

Molds are fungi that can be found both indoors and outdoors. No one knows how many species of fungi exist but estimates range from tens of thousands to perhaps three hundred thousand or more. Molds grow best in warm, damp, and humid conditions, and spread and reproduce by making spores. In addition, mold spores can survive harsh environmental conditions, such as dry conditions, that do not support normal mold growth.

What are some of the common indoor molds?

• Cladosporium
• Penicillium
• Alternaria
• Aspergillus

SERVPRO® can help to remediate the mold in your home.  In addition, SERVPRO® will bring in air scrubbers that will help to remove the mold spores in the air in order to prevent any additional mold from forming.  In most cases, the contaminated area will be sealed off in order to contain the mold spores in the air while the air is being "scrubbed" by the air scrubbers.

In many cases, the mold can simply be remediated.  Please give us a call to schedule an appointment.

We Specialize in Basement Floods Clean-Up and Restoration

7/23/2018 (Permalink)

We Specialize in Basement Floods Clean-Up and Restoration

A basement can flood at any time, although flooding most often occurs during heavy rainfall. Basements are inherently prone to flooding because they are the lowest level of a building and are normally built partly or entirely below ground level. There are a number of reasons why your  basement could flood, including: 

• A blocked or failed sewer lateral pipe
• Heavy rain causes surface water to pool around your home
• Storm sewer backup
• Sanitary sewer backup
• Foundation drainage failure
• Water supply-line break or hot-water tank failure
• And many more

If flood water is not handled quickly and properly, it can jeopardize your health and safety, and cause severe damage to your home’s structure. Remember, the longer you wait, the worse the problem will get.

The bottom line: a flooded basement can jeopardize your health, safety, and your home’s integrity. It’s worth making a call to SERVPRO of Eagan and Apple Valley and let our trained, professional crews handle the situation safely and correctly. We have earned the trust of hundreds of homeowners, business owners, and property professionals.

We are Flooded Basement Specialists:

• We are Available 24 hours/7 days per week
• We’re a Preferred Vendor to many National Insurance Companies
• We Bill The Insurance Directly – One Less Thing For You To Worry About
• Our Technicians are Highly-Trained  in Water Restoration Techniques
• We use s500 IICRC Restoration Standards
• Advanced Inspection and Extraction Equipment

How to Decrease Your Mold Exposure

7/23/2018 (Permalink)

How to Decrease Your Mold Exposure

How can people decrease mold exposure?

Molds grow best in warm, damp, and humid conditions, and spread and reproduce by making spores. Sensitive individuals should avoid areas that are likely to have mold, such as compost piles, cut grass, and wooded areas. Inside homes, mold growth can be slowed by controlling humidity levels and ventilating showers and cooking areas.

Specific Recommendations:

• Keep humidity levels as low as you can—no higher than 50%–all day long. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep the level low. Bear in mind that humidity levels change over the course of a day with changes in the moisture in the air and the air temperature, so you will need to check the humidity levels more than once a day.
• Use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid months.
• Be sure the home has adequate ventilation, including exhaust fans.
• Add mold inhibitors to paints before application.
• Clean bathrooms with mold killing products.
• Do not carpet bathrooms and basements.
• Remove or replace previously soaked carpets and upholstery.

What areas have high mold exposures?

• Antique shops
• Greenhouses
• Saunas
• Farms
• Mills
• Construction areas
• Flower shops
• Summer cottages
• Lake Houses

Source: cdc.gov

Lightning During Storms and House Fires Resulting

7/5/2018 (Permalink)

Lightning During Storms and House Fires Resulting

Unlike other types of house fires, which occur more frequently in the winter months, fires in the home caused by lightning are more likely to happen in June, July and August in the late afternoon or early evening. From 2007-2011, NFPA says there were an average of 22,600 fires per year caused by lightning strikes.  Lightning is responsible for a number of wildfires as well.

Lightning during storms poses the greatest risk outdoors and frequently strikes the highest point on a structure.

Safety tips During Lightning Storms: 

• When possible, stay away from doors and windows during an electrical storm.
• Do not use corded phones, computers, TVs or other electrical equipment during storms.
• Unplug major electronics – TVs, stereo equipment, computers and microwaves to minimize damage if there is a lightning strike close by.
• Avoid plumbing such as sinks, baths and faucets during a thunderstorm as metal plumbing is an excellent conductor of electricity.

SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley is faster to any disaster and cleans-up after fire and smoke damage.

Source: http://www.propertycasualty360.com and National Fire Protection Association

What Secondary Damage can occur after water damage in your home or commercial building?

7/5/2018 (Permalink)

What Secondary Damage can occur after water damage in your home or commercial building? 

After water leaks or flood damage, if not properly dried and treated, a home or business can develop mold from the moisture left on: wood, tile, carpeting, windows, concrete, and/or other materials/items that were affected.  SERVPRO of Eagan and Apple Valley strives to prevent secondary damage every time we remediate water damage. Building material and flooring are dried and treated to prevent mold and other allergens/contaminates using specialized equipment and cleaning products.

If water damage is not properly treated, the perfect environment is created for mold spores to grow in your home and to contaminate the air that is breathed.

Should you ever suffer water damage due to: a water heater leak, sink overflow, fire, refrigerator leak, excessive rain, storm damage, leaky roof, flood damage, or any other reason water has invaded your home or business, please know that SERVPRO of Eagan and Apple Valley is here to help.  Faster to Any Disaster

Should You Throw Away Items Exposed to Black Water?

1/20/2018 (Permalink)

Black water is an extremely dangerous substance to enter your home after a flood. This is water exposed to sewage, so it often contains hazardous substances, including fecal matter. It carries pathogens and can result in many problems, which is why it is so critical to hire a water damage remediation professional in Eagan, MN to come out to your property right after flooding.

Items To Throw Away

As a general rule, it is almost always recommended to toss items exposed to black water, particularly those that are porous. Porous objects are those that absorb liquids and gases, and they include:

• Carpets
• Rugs
• Upholstery
• Clothing

It is sometimes possible to salvage paperwork exposed to flood water. These files must be handled by professionals, who can dry them off to the point where the writing is still legible. You need to make photocopies, and afterward, you can throw away the original documents.

Additionally, drywall almost always needs to be torn out. Drywall exposed to any kind of water damage, whether it came from clean or black water, is usually unusable after the fact. A professional team in Eagan, MN will have to tear out the drywall and any insulation behind it.

Items To Possibly Keep

Nonporous items can occasionally be salvaged. However, they need to be cleaned thoroughly after exposure to contaminated water. This goes beyond simply scrubbing them down with a sponge. The professionals you hire to extract water from your home should have the tools necessary to clean up your belongings.

Homeowners should always follow the advice given to them by expert cleaners. If a water damage restoration professional says an item is too far gone, then it is best to simply throw it out. Visit http://www.SERVPROeaganapplevalley.com for more information on storm damage.

Correcting Category 1 Contamination

1/20/2018 (Permalink)

When a broken pipe or a ruptured supply line causes water damage to your property, you may be concerned about what kind of hazards this can lead to. Fortunately, this type of damage is what’s known as category 1, or clean water, damage and can be dealt with fairly easily.

What Does Category 1 Mean?

All water damage is sorted into three categories. The distinctions are separated by the amount and type of contamination the original water sources contain, ranging from no contamination at all to hazardous microorganisms such as bacteria or mold. Category 1 is a clean water contamination, meaning its source contains no hazards. This makes it the easiest type of water damage to correct.

How Is Category 1 Damage Corrected?

Any water damage can require restoration services to repair. Fortunately, because there are no contaminants in category 1 water, the cleanup process is the easiest of all types of water damage. A cleanup company in Eagan, MN will likely help you to remove the water, dry out the affected area, and repair any damage to your pipes or supply line. They may also use fans or dehumidifiers to dry out the area faster and prevent secondary damage to your property in the form of humidity damage or mold.

Since there are no contaminants, you may not require a disinfectant application, but your restoration company may offer one anyway, especially if the water has been sitting for more than 24 hours. Before starting any cleanup, be sure to take plenty of pictures of the damage in case they’re needed for your insurance claims.

Don’t stress out about a pipe burst or supply line failure on your property. Although you should still get it repaired as soon as possible, category 1 sources contain only clean water, so the repair and restoration process is often simple and painless when handled quickly.
Visit http://www.SERVPROeaganapplevalley.com for more information on commercial water damage.

Preparing for Storms To Limit Flood Damage

1/18/2018 (Permalink)

If you live in Eagan, MN, you know the wet season is no time to take the weather lightly. Flood damage can be one of the costliest disasters that may strike a home, putting possessions and building materials directly in harm’s way. Flooding can often be mitigated or entirely prevented through proper preparation, however, much of which involves standard upkeep around the home. Reference these useful tips to help avoid storm damage this season.

How Floods Occur

You may wonder why your house can shrug off some rains but not others, but the answer is often further from home. Heavy downpours can create a variety of treacherous situations:

• Too much rain or melting snow for the soil to absorb becomes excess runoff.
• Nearby bodies of water overflow from too much rainwater.
• Waterways can become blocked and containment systems like dams can fail.

Because these factors are outside the realm of individual control, it’s important to address those flooding risks you can impact around the home.

How To Prevent Damage

A major key to keeping your property safe is advance preparation. Many of these recommendations may even be part of your normal routine already:

• Don’t let storm drains on your street become clogged. Dispose of yard waste and ensure other debris does not collect, particularly ahead of expected rainfall.
• Keep your downspouts clear. Even a single storm can create blockages, allowing for water to back up and create flood risks from above.
• Address potential runoff issues. Cisterns and rain barrels allow for collection of excess rainwater around the home. Absorbent rain gardens and use of permeable paving materials can also lessen storm-related impact.

Most flood damage recovery professionals recommend a proactive approach versus reacting to an existing problem. Keep a sharp eye on potential threats all around your property, from gutters to drains. Preventing flooding in Eagan, MN, does take effort, but the safety you’re likely to enjoy from storm damage makes it worthwhile every time.

Visit our website for more information about storm cleanup procedures.

Prevent Frozen Pipes

1/18/2018 (Permalink)

Cold weather in Nicols, MN, can cause frozen pipes. It makes landlords and homeowners alike anxious every time the temperatures start to dip below freezing. However, there are steps you can take to lessen the likelihood you will need a water line repair.

Facts

Freezing pipes are not just a cold-climate problem. Homes located in warmer climates actually tend to be more vulnerable. This is because pipes are less likely to be properly insulated in these milder locales. When the weather does get cold, problems occur.

Frozen pipes cause many issues. Not only can they prevent water flow, but they can actually burst, causing water damage and potential flooding. Taking preventative precautions is the key to preventing such disasters.

Tips

There are some measures you can take to help keep your pipes from freezing:

• Keep the heat on.
• Leave cabinet doors open during cold weather.
• Wrap pipes in electrical heating tape.
• Add extra insulation to pipes located outside or in vulnerable areas.
• Allow faucets to drip slightly.

If you are leaving your home, keep the heat on while you are gone. You don’t have to leave it on high, but keeping it set above 50 degrees Fahrenheit is a good idea. Pipes are usually located in cabinets. By leaving these doors open, heat can more easily get to these areas. Apply heating tape directly to easily accessible pipes adds an extra layer of protection against the cold.

Some pipes need to be further protected with insulation to keep them from succumbing to the weather. Turning faucets onto a drip relieves pressure in the system. Frozen pipes actually cause pressure, which is why they may burst.

Dropping temperatures don’t have to make you a nervous wreck. Before the days and nights start getting unbearably cold, take the time to insulate your pipes and prepare for the winter months. Taking a few precautionary steps up front can save you a lot of headaches later. If you are dealing with water damage from a plumbing leak, hire a professional water mitigation specialist to make sure your home is properly recovered.

Visit http://www.SERVPROeaganapplevalley.com if you'd like to learn more about our services.

3 Tips for a Mold-Free Home While You Vacation

12/15/2017 (Permalink)

3 Tips for a Mold-Free Home While You Vacation

In order to get the most out of your vacation, you probably want to make sure that your house is in the right condition to leave it. No matter where you live, mold can spread while you aren’t there. It’s important to make sure that you don’t have to come home only to start a cleanup effort. These three tips on mold prevention while on vacation should help ease your mind.

1. Check Home in Advance

As the date of your vacation comes closer, the checklist of things you need to do before you can leave gets longer and longer. The one thing that you don’t want to skip out on is ensuring that there isn’t any mold in your home. The first tip in mold prevention is to make sure that there isn’t any fungus that can spread. If you want extra reassurance, you can have a specialist perform a mold test.

2. Keep the Heat Low

What to do with your thermostat when you leave has everything to do with what time of year you vacation. Heat helps create the perfect environment for mold growth. If you’re leaving in the winter, then it’s a good idea to turn off your thermostat entirely. However, if you’re leaving in the summer, you may want to set it cooler. While you don’t want to waste energy on your air conditioning, you can keep your home at a temperature about five degrees higher than what you find comfortable.

3. Turn Off Water

Together, moisture and heat can derail your efforts against mold. If you’re leaving for a significant period of time, it’s smart to turn off your water entirely. After all, if there are any leaks while you’re gone, you won’t be able to catch them in time to prevent water damage.

If you’re on vacation, you deserve to relax without worrying about what might go wrong in Eagan, MN while you’re not there. Simple mold prevention can help reduce the risk of mold. Visit http://www.SERVPROeaganapplevalley.com for more information on mold.

How to Deal With Water and Fire Damage

12/15/2017 (Permalink)

How to Deal With Water and Fire Damage

Firefighters used a fire hose and a lot of water to put out the fire to save your home in Eagan, MN from the flames. So, where there’s fire damage, there’s water damage. Unfortunately, it can be even more difficult to get rid of water than it is to clean up the damage the fire left behind. Here are the recommended steps for dealing with a fire-damaged home.

1. Get Rid of the Water

Don’t just get a mop and bucket; this won’t successfully remove all the water. A sump pump is the best tool for removing water, and the more power it has, the better. Additionally, a press extractor can prove valuable if you want to save your carpets. It’s important to get rid of as much of the water as possible to prevent mold growth. Restoration professionals are experts in dealing with water damage after a home fire and know how to effectively get rid of the water.

2. Remove Soot

With fire damage comes soot, the black substance left by the smoke of the fire. This is what needs to be cleaned up next. Obvious pieces of soot can be removed with a vacuum cleaner, and a cleaning agent that contains trisodium phosphate is ideal for wiping hard surfaces. What’s problematic is that soot also travels into areas that are not easily accessible, such as the HVAC system and inner walls. Restoration experts have the equipment it takes to deep clean your home and successfully remove soot.

3. Repair the Damage

Part of repairing water and fire damage is preventing further damage. Vent your entire home, and install a few box fans and dehumidifiers to get rid of the smoke smell and to prevent mildew from growing. Not everything can be repaired, and if necessary, restoration professionals will advise you to replace carpets, drywalls and flooring. They have the tools and knowledge necessary to remove odors and repair damage.

Start with the cleanup process soon, as water damage can lead to more extensive damage in the long run, and you shouldn’t live in a home that’s sustained damage from a fire. Restoration professionals are the experts who can help revive your property.
Visit http://www.SERVPROeaganapplevalley.com for more information on fire damage.

Three Flood Preparation Tips To Protect Your Structure

12/15/2017 (Permalink)

Three Flood Preparation Tips To Protect Your Structure

No one wants their property to suffer storm damage, but if your business in Eagan, MN is susceptible to flooding, it is irresponsible not to be prepared. Not only should you have a restoration company picked out before the storm hits to repair the flood damage afterward, you should take these steps to prepare for rising waters.

1. Be Prepared Before the Storm

Your commercial property should have emergency kits with warm clothes, essential medication, water proof bags, life vests, flashlights, a first aid kit, food, water and flares. Know how to turn your water, gas and power off before you need to do it. If you know a storm is coming, you should also empty any refrigerators and freezers and encourage your employees to gather their valuables. Placing sandbags in toilet bowls and around drains can prevent sewage backflow from causing additional damage to your business.

2. Know the Danger of Flooding in Your Area

If you know your area is especially high-risk when it comes to floods, there are some additional steps you should take. You should know the evacuation plan for your area in Eagan, MN and what the designated meeting area will be. Typically, it is a high school gymnasium or a similar large building, but double check with your city offices to be sure. You may also want to consider permanent changes to your business if a flood is always a danger. Replacing your carpet with hard wood and strengthening your roof can make a big difference in preventing damage during a storm. Special shutters can also be purchased to protect your building’s windows as well.

3. Preparing Your Business

One of the best ways to prevent flood damage is to make small changes around your commercial property. Even something as simple as cleaning your gutters and storm drains can help minimize storm damage. You can also acquire water proof safes for important documents. It is vital that you take all of the necessary steps to be prepared for potential storm flooding. Visit http://www.SERVPROeaganapplevalley.com for more information on flood damage.

What do I do if I find mold in my home?

11/14/2017 (Permalink)

1. Contact a licensed mold remediation professional to assess the situation. In most cases an environmental hygienist will be called to test the microbial growth. 

2. Once the growth is tested a proper protocol will be written and guidelines for how to treat. 

3. Allow licensed restoration company to perform recommended treatment. Make sure that each step is documented and photos are taken. 

4. It is important to make sure containment is set up to prevent the spread of mold spores throughout unaffected areas. 

5. If you have any questions feel free to contact our offices at anytime. 

Mold remediation can be a stressful time for you and your family. It is important to hire the right company to make sure the job is done correctly. SERVPRO of Eagan/ Apple Valley is trained and qualified to handle any size mold project. 

Storm Ready

11/12/2017 (Permalink)

Trailer for storm equipment

With the support from our offices around the country and from our corporate headquarters located in Tennessee, we can handle any size disaster.  With teams in place like our large loss teams to storm teams planted all across the country, there is nothing too small or too large that we can't handle. Put together all the resources that we have to make it "Like it never even happened" you know we're here to help. Don't hesitate to call, we'll be there anytime!

It doesn't matter whether it is water, fire, mold or any type of cleaning in between we can handle any size situation.  Don't hesitate to call us today to take care of all your needs!  We are pleased to serve our Eagan/Apple Valley and Bloomington/Richfield communities and surrounding areas! Call us today! 651-330-7271.

Consequences of Storms

11/12/2017 (Permalink)

Two of the most important consequences of storms are flooding and roof damage.

These are often related, as wind damage, hail damage and other roof damage allows flooding to occur. Wind damage, hail damage and roof damage often entail expensive roof repairs. This is one reason why it is always best to get a professional storm restoration team on site as soon as possible.

Quick mitigation can prevent roof leaks from turning into major flooding events and can make roof repairs and other water restoration efforts cheaper or even unnecessary. Although many people picture river flooding as being a primary cause of storm-related damage, river flooding is actually a relatively minor cause. While river flooding is prone to occurring in some areas of the country, in most cases, wind damage, hail damage and roof leaks are, by far, the more serious concerns.

Is there mold in your coffee maker?

11/12/2017 (Permalink)

Steps to remove mold from coffee maker.

Coffee makers can build up mold in their moist environment. Take the time to clean it often for a great tasting cup in the morning.

1. Fill reservoir halfway with water and the rest with white vinegar.
2. Insert paper filter and start brewing process.
3. Allow half of the mixture to brew and then turn off. Let sit for 30 minutes.
4. Allow the rest to brew and discard water and vinegar mixture.
5. Rinse the reservoir by inserting a new filter and running clean water through twice.
6. Clean the carafe with soap and water.

Do these six steps for an excellent brew of coffee that is mold free.

Renting or buying a home? Check for mold.

11/12/2017 (Permalink)

How do you check for mold?

When buying a new house, or renting a home or apartment building, you want to keep you and your family healthy. Checking for mold is an important step but can cost up to $500 dollars. To save some money here are some common places SERVPRO finds mold.

• Outside walls - Where the carpet meets the outside wall is an easy place to check for mold. Pull up a bit of carpet to check if there is mold or rust on the tack strip.
• Under sinks - Check to see if the wood underneath the sink is warped or chipping. This could be a sign of a previous water damage.
• Window ledges - The drywall surrounding the windows should be clean. If there is cracking or water staining around the window there could be mold growing behind the wall.

How do I clean my carpets after a storm and have tracked dirt all over my carpet?

11/10/2017 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley clean the carpet in your Eagan home!

Although it may seem like a smart alternative, do-it-yourself home carpet cleaners can’t match professional services. SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley's certified professionals have access to a variety of cleansing agents, equipment, and other tools that enable deep and effective cleaning. Our certified technicians also have valuable skills and knowledge that helps them determine when the job has been done right. In fact, an untrained person can damage the carpet further if they are not careful, and not to mention that the process can be physically strenuous and stressful on a person.

Home carpet cleaners are just not as powerful as commercial options, and this does not mean that do-it-yourself varieties are always safe to use. An untrained person may not know how to select the right detergent for their carpet fibers, leading to discoloration, or worse. Though it may seem like operating that how water extractor may seem easy enough, untrained people tend to leave too much behind and that can create odors, damage the fibers, and possibly provide the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and mold to grow.

Our certified crews have undergone extensive training and education to help improve their skills. We know how to tackle a variety of soils and fabric types, employing safe treatment methods that extract everything down to the base of the pile, and even further. If a family wants to preserve its carpeting for as long as possible and keep it feeling and looking nice, there is no alternative to calling SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley today!.

SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley utilizes advanced equipment and technology and we proudly serve our Eagan community and surrounding areas. Give us a call today! (651) 330-7271

The fire restoration process explained

11/7/2017 (Permalink)

The fire restoration process explained

Fire restoration is a complex and difficult process. Truth be told, without the proper tools, training and years of experience, anyone trying to restore their own property that has experienced commercial fire damage is courting disaster.

In this article, we'll take a brief look at the process and some of the techniques and considerations of professional restoration companies.

Soot damage and smoke damage are bigger than you may think

Both soot damage and smoke damage are often serious sources of major damage in the aftermath of fires in commercial buildings. While most people think of fire damage as being primarily structural and the result of burning and melting of structural components, the truth is that modern firefighters are so good at their jobs that the vast majority of fires are contained to very small areas, less that the size of a room.

But this does not mean that the resulting damage is not often severe. Without quick action, soot damage and smoke damage can become extremely difficult to clean, possibly leading to permanent damage and the need to replace large amounts of materials.

Both soot damage and smoke damage are handled by quickly and aggressively cleaning. Teams may use air guns shooting sodium bicarbonate. The smoke damage is then encapsulated using a special sealant.

Special considerations with utility room fires and electrical fires

11/7/2017 (Permalink)

Special considerations with utility room fires and electrical fires

A large number of fires today are utility room fires and electrical fires. Both utility room fires and electrical fires are typically fought using fire suppression agents. Whether deployed automatically by built-in fire suppression systems or used by firefighters in lieu of fire hoses and fire trucks, these fire suppression agents need to be quickly removed from the building to avoid lasting damage. Although fire suppression agents are highly effective, they can cause serious damage to buildings and their contents. For this reason, utility room fires and electrical fires require professional cleanup efforts.

Fire sprinkler systems and fire hoses used by firefighters


Automatic fire sprinkler systems are another potential source of major damage. Fire sprinkler systems are capable of deploying massive quantities of water. Some modern fire sprinkler systems also deploy chemical agents.

Fire trucks are another potential source of damage. Modern fire trucks are capable of generating fire hose pressures of more than 300 psi. These fire trucks can put enough water through the fire hose to damage interior structures, such as drywall, and completely inundate the area. For this reason, professional cleanup teams with the equipment and training to quickly removed massive amounts of water from a building can make a tremendous difference.

Quick Fire Mitigation is Key

11/7/2017 (Permalink)

Quick Fire Mitigation is Key

Any fire damage restoration by a restoration company should start as soon as possible. In many cases, it helps to find out as much information as possible about the fire damage and fire cleanup from a professional. Fire cleanup can begin as soon as the fire is put out. However, it is important to be aware that the need for commercial fire damage restoration can only start after the fire is under control. It's best to contact those fighting the fire and get a handle on the status of the fire. A fire in home may have started early in the morning and spread to other parts of the community. The business owner may not be aware there is a problem until it has spread to their space. Many business owners have fire alarms in their businesses. However, such fire alarms may not always work. If there is any suspicious fire activity, the company owner needs to know. All employees should be trained to spot any problems with fire. They should also know exactly how to act in the event fire does break out. Company officials should do their best to provide specific instructions about what to do if anything arises. The sooner the problem is reported, the better it is for all concerned.

Working With a Restoration Company

After the fire has been put out, it's imperative to have contact with a great restoration company that knows how to cope with commercial fire damage. In many cases, they know exactly what to do to and how to respond to the damage. They can come to the rescue by creating a plan of action for the business owner to follow. All areas of the business need to be inspected closely in order to determine what to do to remove all damage. A commercial company has the knowledge and the know-how to respond effectively to this crisis. The owner may feel shocked in the aftermath of the fire. They may not know what to do or where to begin to cope. Working with professional help can truly alleviate this problem and get it under control as soon as possible.

Flood Water Removal

11/7/2017 (Permalink)

Flood Water Removal

After detailed site inspection and assessment, water extraction starts. The home restoration experts use flood pumps and vacuum units to remove most of the ground water or flood water in your house. The water restoration expert knows the type of flood pump to remove contaminated water from your home. Apart from flood pumps, a reliable water restoration expert uses moisture detectors to measure the extent of moisture saturation in your walls after floods or ice dam in your house.

Drying your Home Walls

After extraction of flooding or rising ground water in your house, the floors, walls, and ceilings may appear dry but wet when touched. The walls and floors retain water which can cause break down or more water damage on your property. The restoration expert uses air movers and dehumidifiers to dry your home. Monitor walls from ice damming or roof leaks.

Sanitization and Cleanup

After wind damage, storm damage, ice damage, hurricane damage, hail damage and water damage your walls, floors ceilings require professional cleaning services. The storm restoration expert will clean your furniture, clothing and other valuables in your house. Most river flooding, flooding and ground waters require certified odor removal. Water damage from ice damming, ice dams, frozen pipes and roof leaks need specialized cleaning such as dry, wet, foam or immersion cleaning to achieve proper storm remediation. Additionally, storm restoration experts use sanitizing and disinfectant treatment to clean your house. The water restoration expert will remove and dispose of damaged items with your guidance after severe storm damage, ice damage, wind damage, hurricane damage, hail damage and water damage.

Visit http://www.SERVPROeaganapplevalley.com for more information on storm damage.

Restoration and Storm Remediation.

11/7/2017 (Permalink)

Restoration and Storm Remediation.

After water cleanup, water restoration is next step in the process of storm damage removal and ensuring proper home restoration. Storm restoration involves minor repairs such as drywall replacements and installing carpets. Emergency water restoration services include roof repair after roof damage, roof tarp, board-up services, temporary fencing, and building a temporary warehouse space. Renovations and repair services such as floor repair, painting, tile repair, roof repair, and carpet repair are vital to achieving storm restoration.

Wind damage can cause substantial roof damage and roof leaks on your house. During the winter season, ice damage can occur. Ice damming, frozen pipes, ice dams, hail, and hurricanes can cause roof damage, hail damage, and hurricane damage. Taking mitigation measures to prevent flooding and taking flooding insurance covers is advisable. Roof repairs and board up services with the help of restoration expert are crucial to avoid further flood water damage of your property.

Visit http://www.SERVPROeaganapplevalley.com for more information on storm damage.

Restoring a Commercial Property in the Wake of Fire Damage

11/1/2017 (Permalink)

Restoring a Commercial Property in the Wake of Fire Damage

If you've ever experienced a fire damage event, you know how frantic the immediate aftermath of a fire can be. With emotions running high and a chaotic scene, it is always best to have a game plan laid out ahead of time so that you are not caught off guard by fire damage. And this is particularly true for anyone who owns commercial property.

Each year in the United States, fire damage accounts for more than $350 billion in total losses to property owners. This makes fire damage the single most important cause of property losses in the country and one of the most frequent and serious catastrophes that everyday Americans have to deal with. And the majority of these losses are due to commercial fire damage, affecting businesses, landlords and the ability of employees and owners to continue earning a livelihood.

Fortunately, almost every town in America has a professional fire restoration company that can be quickly deployed to the scene of commercial fire damage. But it is absolutely imperative that property owners understand that the single most important thing they can do to ensure a good outcome after a fire is, the second the firefighters declare that the fire is put out, to call in their local professional fire restoration company and get the ball rolling. In the event of commercial fire damage, time is always the most important factor.

Visit http://www.SERVPROeaganapplevalley.com for more information on commercial fire damage.

Fire Damage Should Be Cleaned Up as Early As Possible

11/1/2017 (Permalink)

Fire Damage Should Be Cleaned Up as Early As Possible

Fire damage can be highly serious. A fire in the home or fire in business can create all sorts of problems including soot damage and smoke smell. When dealing with commercial fire damage or home damage, it's imperative to be aware of the need to assess the fire cleanup as soon as possible. The fire in home in one area may cause fire in business in another place. A business owner confronting fire damage, smoke smell, soot damage and lingering smoke smell may need to board up the place in order to inspect it and determine the extent of the smoke damage. Fortunately a fire damage restoration company can be use in helping repair the damage from the fire in business and removing problems such as smoke damage, soot damage and commercial fire damage. The restoration company can also help get rid of problems such as smoke smell that may linger in the air.

The First Steps

In the aftermath of a fire in home that has spread to fire in business, a business owner may first need to board up. When they board up, they can have a look at the extent of the basic smoke damage and soot damage to the home. They can also decide where to begin the process of fire cleanup and fire damage restoration. It's a good idea to have a look at the entire area after the initial board up process is done. Commercial fire damage can be subtle. Smoke damage and fire damage can linger in unexpected spaces including the basement storage area and attic. Any business owner should be prepared to inspect the space closely and make be aware exactly what has happened.

Visit http://www.SERVPROeaganapplevalley.com for more information on fire damage.

The Process Of Storm Damage Removal

11/1/2017 (Permalink)

The Process Of Storm Damage Removal

Severe weather conditions including ice dams, hurricanes, thunderstorms, hail and ice storms can cause ice damage, hurricane damage, hail damage, roof damage, and water damage on your house. Dealing with water extraction as result of roof leaks, damaged roof, rising ground water, flood water or river flooding can be complicated. From water damage, roof repairs and security of damaged property is tedious. Every storm damage case is different, but the process of storm damage removal and home restoration is similar.

Contact a Wind Damage Restoration Expert

Ice damage process begins with reaching out to water restoration expert to aid in storm remediation. The storm restoration representative will guide you through water damage crisis. The water damage expert will inquire about the nature and type of water damage whether from flooding, ice damming, river flooding, frozen pipes, ice dam, hail or high winds. The information will help the restoration expert on resources and specialized equipment such flood pumps to bring on-site for storm remediation.

Assessing and Inspection of Water Damage

The home restoration expert will conduct the detailed site inspection. The storm restoration professional does a damage assessment on your home. They aim at identifying the source of water damage at your home either from ice damming, flooding, river flooding, bursting of frozen pipes, river flooding, or ground water. The experts inspect and test the house to determine how far water and moisture have penetrated into walls and floors to ensure a complete storm remediation. The expert move furniture and salvage items to prevent rust on wet carpet.

Visit http://www.SERVPROeaganapplevalley.com for more information on storm damage.

Residential and Commercial Water Damage

9/26/2017 (Permalink)

Residential and Commercial Water Damage

Water damage can cause shocking amounts of harm to a property. It is amazing that something as seemingly as innocuous as water could render properties big and small completely worthless in a matter of days. But this is the reality that water damage can impose on property owners who are not careful.

Flood damage is one of the most insidious forms of property damage because even relatively small amounts of water damage can quickly destroy a home or business. A small supply line break or pipe break can often fool property owners into thinking that they can easily fix the problem themselves simply by soaking up the excess water. But this is a serious mistake. Any time water damage has occurred, in any amount, it is absolutely imperative to call in the professionals so that a proper assessment of the damage can be taken and the restoration and water damage mitigation process can be carried out according to established protocols.

Any time flood damage occurs, call in your local restoration company


The single most important thing that anyone can do when flood damage occurs is to call in their local professional restoration company. These companies have tens of thousands of hours of collective experience in the restoration and mitigation of flood damage and have specialized and powerful equipment at their disposal to help them quickly resolve damage to a flooded home or business.

Once a property owner notices flood water in the business or water in the home, they should immediately place a call to their local restoration company. The company will send out a water cleanup team within minutes. This will begin the water cleanup process.

What does the water cleanup process entail?


The restoration and mitigation of a flooded home or business begins the moment the water cleanup team arrives on the scene. The restoration and mitigation team will immediately enter the property, taking note of the level, severity and classification of any standing flood water in the business or water in the home. The team will also hunt down any pipe break or supply line break, fixing it and establishing the extent of seepage around the area of the supply line break or pipe break.

The team will begin removing standing water in the home or water in the business


Next, the cleanup team will begin removing standing water from the flooded home or business. All standing water in the home or water in the business will be removed through the use of extremely powerful vacuum equipment, which is designed to suck out thousands of gallons every hour. Once this has been completed, which usually only takes a few minutes, the drying process will begin.

The team begins drying the premises


Using highly powerful drying equipment that is specially designed for flooding situations, the team will begin both drying the entire property and dehumidifying the air. In most cases, an ambient humidity of close to zero percent can be reached, much accelerating the drying process. This step of the cleanup usually takes the longest of any of the steps, lasting from a couple hours to a whole day.

The team will also carefully dry the area around the original pipe break or supply line break, making sure all moisture, visible or not, has been completely removed from the area. At this point, the restoration company team will have returned the flooded home or business almost entirely to its original state. But they will still need to do a final cleansing to complete the restoration process.

Cleansing of surfaces, furniture and fixtures


Using specialized chemicals and cleaning implements, the team will thoroughly cleanse all surfaces within the home or business that were exposed to the flood water. This will completely disinfect all surfaces, restoring them to their original condition and eliminating the possibility of foul smells developing later on.
Visit http://www.SERVPROeaganapplevalley.com for more information on water damage.

How to Deal with Fire Damage Professionally

9/26/2017 (Permalink)

How to Deal with Fire Damage Professionally

A fire accident, whether occurring at home or in a business, can be very costly since it will affect your property and business in many ways. The consequences of a fire damage can range from ruined and collapsing structures, damaged electric connections, to broken water and gas pipes. Moreover, smoke from the fire spreads quickly through adjoining rooms staining all your house walls and belongings while leaving a nasty smoke smell.

This is why you must respond to fire accidents appropriately to minimize fire damage, smoke smells, and soot damage. It is also important that you contact a fire restoration company to help you with the fire cleanup process. In the cases of an electric fire or a utility room fire, you may need to contact the relevant technician to have him or her rectify the problem that caused the fire. You might also need to install a fire sprinkler system and a fire hose to enhance your responsiveness to fire accidents.

What to do if you Experience a Fire Accident

Fire accidents, especially an electrical fire and a utility room fire, can happen anytime and unexpectedly. When the accident strikes, it is important to contact professional fire fighters even if your premise is equipped with a fire sprinkler system or a fire hose. With their fire trucks, firefighters are better equipped to carry out a successful fire suppression especially because their fire hoses and fire sprinkler systems are more advanced.

Secure the Site

Protect the site from any further fire damage, soot damage, smoke damage, and vandalism or theft. After the firefighters are through with the fire suppression, it would be important to contact a restoration company that deals with fire and water damages. This is because most firefighters use fire suppression methods that include fire trucks that use a fire hose to put out fire. Even with a fire sprinkler system in your premise, most commercial fires may demand firefighters and several fire trucks to put out.

A commercial fire damage also demands the attention of your insurance company. Note that no cleanup should take place before the company takes a full assessment of the damage.

The Process of Fire Restoration

The process of gathering the pieces after a fire can be disheartening. In addition, the fire itself, smoke damage, smoke smell, and soot damage often renders many properties especially when a fire in business occurs. This causes significant losses to the owner and the business as well. Nevertheless, with the appropriate fire restoration, the losses can be reduced. These are the steps to follow in any fire cleanup.

Fire damage restoration starts with a meticulous assessment of the whole structure affected by the fire. Whether you have suffered an electrical fire or a utility room fire, evaluation is important since it reveals the overall commercial fire damage. If the assessment reveals that your premise suffered an electrical fire or a utility room fire, the experts will advise you accordingly.

The next step is to assess the walls, floors, and ceilings of the burnt structure for such issues like smoke damage and soot. Inspect the area for possible damages on the walls, floors, and the ceilings to see whether they need replacement.

The overall restoration process of commercial fire damage can be lessened if you hire a reputable restoration company. The company can effectively guide you through the fire suppression and fire restoration processes after a fire accident. They may also advise you on the fire sprinkler system to install in your premises or the best fire truck to contact in case of a fire break out.

How to Recover Your Property after an Electrical Fire Accident
Fire restoration often kicks off by removing and disposing of items that are beyond repair. All items that are fire damaged, containing soot damage, or smoke damage should be disposed of if they cannot be revived. This may include curtains, carpets, and other fittings.

Tips To Contain a Commercial Fire Damage
• Limit your movement in the premise to prevent spread of soot to other areas and upholstery
• Keep your hands clean to avoid touching other walls and furniture with soot
• Do not wash any floors, carpet walls, or ceiling without the guidance of restoration company agents
• Do not wash linen or smoked garments with ordinary dry cleaner. Inappropriate cleaning may set smoke smells.
Visit http://www.SERVPROeaganapplevalley.com for more information on fire damage.

Don’t Let a Storm Set You Back! Use These Tips to Get Your Business Back Today

9/26/2017 (Permalink)

Don’t Let a Storm Set You Back! Use These Tips to Get Your Business Back Today

We see it all the time: A business or home ruined by a variety of storm damage disasters:

Wind damage
Flooding
Hail damage
Ice damage
Frozen pipes
Roof damage
and More!



But did you know that it doesn't have to be that way for your business or home restoration? You don't have to live with a roof leak, an ice dam issue, river flooding aftermath or hurricane damage that has torn apart the only business you've ever known. Instead, it's time to take action -- and you can do it effectively and the right way by utilizing professional storm remediation.

Read on to learn the top four tips for getting the flood water out of your home and getting started on a path toward storm restoration:

Tip #1: Determine Whether You Need a Roof Repair

When your home or business goes through storm damage or wind damage, then your roof may need a repair. Roof damage is one of the leading after effects of storms and often results in a roof leaf and requires roof repair.

Ask your hurricane damage and storm restoration company to do a thorough check-up of your roof and to inspect it for wind damage, hail damage, ice damage and more. They will be able to tell you the spots where your roof is in trouble and patch it or rebuild it.

Tip #2: Get Your Flood Pump Checked

In any water restoration project, you've got to make sure your home and business still has a safe infrastructure that will protect you against future damage. One common issue that we see after river flooding or flooding caused by storms is that the flood water and ground water both rise and make the flood pump inoperable.

Ask your water restoration pro to test your flood pump and to replace it if necessary.

Tip #3: Don't Forget About Ice Damming

In cold areas and seasons, it's common for a home or business to experience frozen pipes and an issue known as an ice dam. Ice damming occurs when ice builds up on the roof and water cannot run off the roof. Sometimes, it drips into the infrastructure of the house and down the walls of the home. Sometimes you don't even realize you have an ice dam forming and causing roof damage or a roof leak. So make sure you ask your home restoration professional to inspect your roof for icy slopes and to break up that ice as part of the roof repair and storm remediation.

Tip #4: Find a Hurricane Damage Company You Can Trust

When you experience any kind of storm damage -- from flooding to roof damage to wind damage to a ground water issue -- you cannot rely on just anyone to fix it. You need a licensed, trusted professional storm restoration and hurricane damage company that can fix your roof leak, break up your ice dam, clear your frozen pipes, repair your flood pump and prevent future ice damming, ground water, flood water and roof damage by stabilizing your roof and infrastructure.

Of course, none of this comes without a cost. Hurricane damage and ice damage is expensive. But whether its river flooding or hail damage that has brought you to us, we are here to help.

Call us today to learn more about our storm restoration services. Learn our approach to ground water issues and flood pump repairs. But our expertise to the test. We are a water restoration company that is ready to work for you. We believe in business and home restoration -- and doing it the right way.

Call us today for your quote for storm remediation.

Are You Ready to Remediate After a Big Storm?

Why are you waiting any longer? Storm damage and issues caused by flooding simply can't wait. You need to make the repairs now before its too late for your business or home. How many times have we seen roof damage that seems so small -- like a roof leak -- turn into an unmanageable roof repair, in which the entire roof caves in? Don't let that be you.

Hurricane damage wreaks havoc on homes and businesses -- from causing river flooding and wind damage to causing flood water and ground water to rise above a structure. Add wind damage and even hail damage to the mix, and you've got a natural disaster aftermath in more than one way.

You're first step in your storm restoration is to call your professional business and home restoration company to do a full analysis and give you a quote. Your team of professionals will do things such as check out your flood pump to make sure it is functioning properly, check your roof for ice damming that is causing leaks in your home, test your frozen pipes for ice damage, and other key checks in a water restoration project to help you reach storm remediation.

Don't let flooding ruin your business or home. Call us today to get started! Visit http://www.SERVPROeaganapplevalley.com for more information on storm damage.

Professional Water Damage Restoration Tips

9/5/2017 (Permalink)

Professional Water Damage Restoration Tips

Water damage is one of the most powerful agents of destruction out there – that's common knowledge. What most people don't know is that flooding can cause more damage than hurricanes, tornadoes, and hurricanes combined. The aftermath of standing water wreaks havoc on businesses and homes alike and in most cases, it requires the erection of completely new structures altogether. The water may come from supply line break, pipe break, or roof leaks.

The thing about water damage is that it doesn't have to happen suddenly, it can be gradual. It can be deceptive in that sense. Water can penetrate into the structural cavities of a building thus trapping pockets of saturation. If not detected, water in a home or water in a business can cause a bad odor, at best. At worst, water can damage split, shrink, and delaminate materials causing deterioration of structures.

Flood Damage Restoration Tips

If you get home only to find flooded house, home owners should act quickly to avert further damage. Call for help; contact a local restoration company to do a thorough mitigation. Water disaster restoration involves water cleanup, drying, and repairs. No one should enter a flooded building unsure of whether it's safe.

Both water in a home and water in business premises can lead to big losses. Since most of the water disaster cases in the United States occur when there is a supply line break or pipe break, property owners should always make sure that their pipes are in good working condition. Leaks should be reported and fixed promptly to avoid losses. Here are some of the steps a person can take if they get home to a flooded home to enhance drying.

Call a professional restoration company. They should check for IIRC certification before committing to a particular mitigation company.
Shut down the source of flooding water like a supply line break or a pipe break. However, the source of water can only be shut if it's safe, and if it can actually be found. Sometimes, there's nothing a homeowner can do to stop the water, hence the need to call a restoration company.
Unplug all electronic items and cut power at the main switch. Cutting power supply removes electrical hazards in a flooded home.
Move unaffected furniture in the flooded home to higher ground to prevent further flood damage. Upstairs or the attic is a good place for drying the undamaged items.

There's only so much an individual can do in the event of water in a home or water in a business in terms of mitigation and water cleanup. It's wise to let the professional restoration company do the work. It's not safe to try and restore the water damage without help.

Professional Restoration Process

For the best mitigation and water cleanup results, property owners should call a water damage restoration company for assistance. These professionals are trained and well-equipped to deal with such situations. The water damage restoration process involves the following.

Inspection and damage assessment. To determine the type of flood damage and materials affected, water disaster professionals will carefully inspect the flooded home or business premises. They will be looking for supply line break, pipe break, and other potential causes.
Water removal. This process involves using vacuum and powerful pumps to extract the water from all the corners of the house or office. The water removal process should start as soon as possible.
Drying and dehumidifying. This process involves the use of powerful water extraction equipment as well as dehumidifiers to remove any traces of water or moisture completely. When professionally done, this process is fast, efficient, and non-intrusive.
Water cleanup and deodorization- Last but not least, water in a home or water in a business has to be cleaned and deodorization done to get rid of any bad odors.

Standing water, whether it's in a home or a place or business, can be disastrous. Property owners should act quickly to contain the flood damage and minimize losses. Professional restoration company is most capable of restoring the building to livable conditions.
Visit http://www.SERVPROeaganapplevalley.com for more information on water damage.

Insurance and Professional Fire Damage Restoration

9/5/2017 (Permalink)

Insurance and Professional Fire Damage Restoration

Very little in life is more devastating than a fire in home or fine in business. You best contain residential or commercial fire damage through the intervention of an experienced, reputable fire damage restoration company.

There are a variety of factors that you need to keep in mind when it comes to addressing residential or commercial fire damage. One element is coordinating insurance issues with a professional restoration company.

Mitigating Fire Damage

When it comes to insurance compensation and coverage after a fire in home or fire in business, you have a legal responsibility to mitigate fire damage. What this means is that you legally must take steps necessary to prevent further unnecessary damage to a property after a fire in home or fire in business.

The best course you can take to mitigate fire damage is to obtain rapid response assistance from an experienced, reputable restoration company. Indeed, ideally you will have fire damage remediation experts on the scene directly after a fire in home or fire in business has been brought under control.

The process of mitigating damages, with the professional assistance of a restoration company, is undertaking to board up the premises. The board up process prevents the outside elements from causing additional damage to the premises. In addition, the board up process ensures that the premises are not breached by unauthorized individuals. As hard as it is to imagine, in the absence of a secure board up following a fire in home or fire in business, there are scavengers that enter properties to steal items from the premises.

Then initial fire cleanup process must also start immediately. The fire cleanup process serves a variety of purposes. First and foremost, immediate fire cleanup prevents further deterioration of the premises. Fire cleanup also aids in more fully identify in the extend of residential or commercial fire damage. This includes not only structural damage and water damage, but also smoke damage, soot damage, and smoke smell.

By immediately commencing to address residential or commercial fire damage, you satisfy the requirement of mitigating fire damage. This eliminates a possible reason for an insurance company to reduce payments in regard to vital fire damage restoration.

Comprehensive Compensation and Fire Damage Restoration

In addressing residential and commercial fire damage, you need to make certain that both insurance coverage and services provided by a restoration company are comprehensive. This includes not only dealing with all aspects of fire cleanup, but also restoration and remediation efforts involving such issues as smoke damage, soot damage, and smoke smell.

A restoration company can provide you with details on how issues like smoke damage, soot damage, and smoke smell will be dealt with. This includes a discussion of the specialists that will be involved in the remediation process. It also includes the equipment and technology used by a restoration company to address issues that include smoke damage, soot damage, and smoke smell.

Suitable Fire Damage Restoration Specialists

An insurance company will be interested in the qualifications of fire restoration specialists dealing with the aftermath of a fire at your home or business. It is important for fire damage restoration specialists to be properly licensed, bonded, and insured themselves.

A fire remediation service will be able to provide you with detailed information about the qualifications of specialists assigned to your property. This includes a confirmation that specialists were subjected to proper and thorough background checks.

Fire Damage Remediation Costs

Insurance companies establish certain parameters about levels of compensation for different fire remediation services. For this reason, you need to do some price comparisons before engaging a remediation service. You want to make sure that the costs associated with fire remediation is covered by insurance, when such coverage is in fact available. A professional fire remediation service will provide a comprehensive and reliable estimate before commencing work on a property. Indeed, some companies guarantee their estimates for fire remediation services.
Visit http://www.SERVPROeaganapplevalley.com for more information on fire damage.

The Right Way to Deal with Mold Damage

9/5/2017 (Permalink)

The Right Way to Deal with Mold Damage

Mold in the home and commercial mold damage do not only occur when a building is located in the south where it’s hot and humid. Mold in the home and commercial mold damage do not only occur in homes and businesses that are flooded with flood waters. Mold in the home and commercial mold damage is not limited to only bathrooms and basements. Mold in the home and commercial mold damage are not problems anyone can handle on their own.

These things are the most important things people need to know about mold growth and the process of mold removal. A restoration company is the only solution to any mold growth at home or work, and DIY solutions are never recommended. If there is mold growth at home or work, it’s best to call a restoration company to handle mold removal, remediation, and mitigation. It’s also best to learn a few more things about mold growth.

The Signs are There

Unless there is a major flood, most people don’t suspect they have any mold damage at home or work. It’s not uncommon for people to assume mold growth only occurs when there is flood damage, but this is not true. Pipes leak, bathrooms aren’t ventilated correctly, and that little spot of mildew or fungus people found somewhere could have been more than just a little spot of mildew or fungus. There are some serious signs of mold damage people simply don’t recognize as signs of mold damage.

- The presence of dry rot
- Any form of mildew or fungus in the home or office
- A smelly odor
- When deodorization methods don’t work to get rid of a smelly odor

Dry rot is a big sign of mold damage, but it doesn’t always mean there is mold in the home or commercial mold damage present. Dry rot means there is moisture in the home and in the walls. When people find dry rot at home, it’s worth taking seriously and not ignoring.

Mildew and fungus don’t mean there is mold, but they do grow in the same conditions. If people find mildew or fungus, it means the conditions are right for mold to grow. They might want to call a restoration company to come out and check to see if mold removal is necessary or of the remediation or mitigation process should continue.

A smelly odor that has a musty smell to it might be a big problem. This smelly odor probably means there is mold growth behind walls. Mold growth behind walls is a problem because it’s invisible to home and business owners. They have no idea if it’s black mold, if the mold growth behind the walls is isolated or widespread, or if they need to have someone come out. Most people use deodorization to get rid of the smell, and it takes them a few days to realize deodorization isn’t getting rid of it. This mold growth behind walls could be black mold, but the only way to tell is with the help of a restoration company. They have professional deodorization equipment that gets rid of the smell.

On the subject of black mold, not all of it is the kind people must worry about. Black mold is harmless in many instances, but it’s still something that requires mold removal. Calling a restoration company for remediation and mitigation is the only way to get rid of it.

What Not to Do

Once someone finds mold damage at home or work, they must call a restoration company. Following that call, they can work to remove any water damage in the home or office. They should never try to touch mold as it causes the spores to enter the air in mass numbers causing further mold damage. Additionally, it is always helpful to the remediation and mitigation process to shut down all air conditioners so spores don’t spread through the vents.

Never attempt DIY mold removal. It’s more dangerous, and it always causes more expensive damage. When people let the pros handle this issue from the start, they realize that mold is easy to get rid of. Allow the pros to come in and handle the problem right from the start.
Visit http://www.SERVPROeaganapplevalley.com for more information on mold.

How To Recover From A Flooded Home Or Business

7/25/2017 (Permalink)

How To Recover From A Flooded Home Or Business

Water can be a wonderful thing. It not only provides us with drinking and cooking water but provides bath water, allows us to water the garden and provides many other conveniences. However, when there is a flooded home or flooded business, it not only ruins your furniture and other belongings but can be frightening as well. To receive proper mitigation of this problem, it important to engage a restoration company who is acquainted with flood damage problems and is prepared to work with you in returning things to normal.

Fire, a supply line break, a pipe break and flood damage are the most common types of water damage. Firemen naturally have to use water to put out a fire. This is bound to cause water in home, water in business, or other buildings, in order to control the flames.

Flooded home or flooded business damage can be extensive when caused by things such as a water supply line break. A water supply line break is often caused by broken or worn out pipes. Extensive damage can be involved when there is water in home or water in business if it is not taken care of immediately. This makes it imperative to contact a restoration company immediately. Such a company will have the proper equipment to not only restore buildings but do a drying and complete restoration of many of the furnishings as well.

WATER DAMAGE

Many parts of the country suffer from flood damage each year. Having a flooded home means dirty water and debris covering everything. A water supply line break or an indoor pipe break can also cause flooding and algae growth. However, restoration is possible when the right company is contacted.

The first thing a company will do is remove contaminated materials and determine if anything can be restored. Often carpets, for example, will respond to rinsing, drying and cleaning in order to be returned to usable condition. Some of the other furnishings may also be restored, depending on the amount of water cleanup required. A restoration company has all the equipment required for this task.

They will repair such things as a pipe break and then use huge fans and suction machines for water cleanup, followed by heating units for drying everything out. This will help prevent mold from forming. Their crew is experienced in all type of flood damage repair and can immediately begin working on water cleanup to restore the premises to its previous condition.

WATER DAMAGE FROM FIRE

Fire in a home or business can be a terrible thing. It cannot only destroy personal items and business records but can be dangerous to life itself. Unfortunately, when there is a fire, water cleanup is required because of water damage from the fire company hoses. This can result in extensive water in home or water in business that does widespread damage.

A restoration company is prepared to not only work on a flooded home or water damage area but also can immediately start to work removing smoke, charred materials and drying the area’s contents. After removing the area’s contents they will use suction equipment to remove the water as well as the intense smoke smell that is always present. They will also help you in the mitigation of restoring your property to its original condition.

RESTORATION

Restoration means just that. A certified restoration company will remove water in home or water in business, replace a pipe break and restore the premises to as near its original condition as possible. This will include replacing windows, doors and flooring. They will also do mitigation of damaged walls and complete them with the same wall finish as they had originally.

When consulted, they will survey the situation and present a complete estimate. If there are things such as broken windows or a damaged roof, they will immediately cover these to prevent further damage from the elements.

Companies who are engaged in this business are prepared to respond immediately with highly skilled workers on water in home or water in business conditions. They understand an owner’s frustration when there is a flooded condition and equipment or furnishings are damaged or destroyed.

Many times mitigation of your original property seems impossible. A good restoration company will be prepared to walk you through, step by step, what is involved in this type of restoration including the cost and length of time involved.
Visit http://www.SERVPROeaganapplevalley.com for more information on water damage.

How Smoke Damage Experts Recover Your Home or Business After Fire

7/25/2017 (Permalink)

How Smoke Damage Experts Recover Your Home or Business After Fire

Smoke damage left behind after a fire is oftentimes just as devastating as the actual fire itself. After the flames are extinguished, many people think the fire in home or fire in business is over, and they begin plans for fire cleanup. They begin the board up process, and search for other ways they can get started with fire cleanup. However, smoke is very dangerous, and probably not as simple of a clean-up as you expected. It is imperative that you hire a restoration company to handle the removal of smoke damage left behind after a fire. Fire damage restoration is complete only when the professionals have arrived on the scene.

The Dangers of Smoke & Fire Damage

If you've experienced a fire in home or a fire in business, smoke damage is likely a major concern. Smoke smell is left behind in a unit after a fire, which causes breathing difficulties for many people. The damage the smoke causes is also of concern because it ruins your belongings. Commercial fire damage is of bigger concern because the lives of so many people are at-risk. Fire cleanup can diminish the smoke and fire damage at the business.

The damage that smoke causes to a home or business may also make the building unsafe. The fire may cause the flooring to become unstable, cause the walls to bulge, and cause other problems. A collapse in the foundation of the home or business is also possible after a fire. It is easy to discover why smoke damage is such a big cause of concern, especially commercial fire damage.

A fire damage restoration professional will evaluate the extent of damage and may recommend board up service to minimize the risk that smoke damage and the smoke smell causes to people living near the home or business. Commercial fire damage is best contained with board up service. Board up service is optional after fire damage, but very beneficial after a fire in business or a fire in home. The professionals will also determine any items they can salvage and clean after a fire. Although commercial fire damage likely leaves little to salvage, rest assured the restoration company will do their best to recover any items they can.

Soot Damage: A Big Concern

Soot damage is also of concern after a fire in home or a fire in business. It occurs after both residential and commercial fire damage. Soot is the debris of burnt particles that didn't completely demolish that are left behind after a fire. Soot contains many toxins and carcinogens that can be devastating to breath and touch. While the smoke smell is always of concern, the particles left to roam the air from soot shouldn't be forgotten. Soot damage can be removed by a fire damage restoration professional. Because of the danger of soot damage, it is best to leave the job to the experts, which reduces potential injuries and increases your peace of mind. A restoration company is ready to remove any damage left in your building after a fire.

What to do After Fire Damage

While you're eager to start the fire cleanup process, know your limitations, and leave the brunt of work to the restoration company. There are a few things that you can do for fire damage restoration, but the experts know best. Trained, certified professionals can quickly and safely remove smoke damage, soot damage, the smoke smell, and more after you've experienced a fire in home or a fire in business. They have the right tools and equipment to get things done so you can get back to the life that you love before the devastation occurred.
Visit http://www.SERVPROeaganapplevalley.com for more information on fire damage.

Facts about Mold Spores

7/25/2017 (Permalink)

Facts about Mold Spores

Mycotoxins and the Mold Spores

The black mold spores are primarily toxic in nature. The fungi reproduce by spreading its spores that have a smelly odor. The spores of the black mold are allergic. They are toxic since the mold spores carry mycotoxins which affect human beings making up part of the commercial mold damage.

Toxic Black Mold Spores

This fungus mostly uses moisture to survive. The mold is brownish in color. One cannot easily see the mold spores by our naked eyes although they have a distinctive smelly odor. So one can always know where they are. When they are observed under a microscope, toxic mold spores look like a dandelion that has spores growing at the end of the hyphae.

Mildew, on the other hand, can easily be noticed by naked eyes. It is whitish in color, and one can spot it by far. It also has the smelly odor which can be prevented by deodorization.

The Spread of Toxic Mold Spores

The mold is not airborne, and this is because of the wet coating that they have. When its moisture source is exhausted, a toxic mold dries out and releases numerous spores into the air. Change of humidity can also cause the fungus to release its spores. The spores may land on walls causing mold growth behind walls.

In case an individual or anything disturbs the toxic mold, the fungus releases its spores into the air. Even if the mold growth behind the walls might look small, never try to remove them. A restoration company that has the skills for effective mitigation of the situation should be contacted. Toxic mold mitigation is dangerous than removing any conventional mold in homes that is why it should be done by a restoration company representative who understands the remediation process.

The toxic mold spores do not remain in the air for long since they are heavy compared to other mold spores. The spores from the fungus die if it does not land on a suitable surface that supports mold growth. The toxicity of the spores remains even when the spores are dead. For the toxic mold to produce mycotoxins, there must be conditions that must be present. Mildew is essential for the mold growth and also the material where the mold growth will occur. Dry rot is the best phase where the fungi grow. Mold in homes mainly occurs areas such as carpet, drop down the ceiling and wooden paneling. When the items are exposed to wetness and remain in the same condition for long, then the areas are primed for mold growth behind walls which eventually leads to mold damage. Mold removal should be done immediately.

When mold growth in a home is detected, mold removal professionals should be contacted for mitigation of the commercial mold damages. Since at times it is hard to notice the mold, any smelly odor or mildew seen should be investigated. Individuals can handle mildew instead of contacting restoration companies.

Molds in homes also cause commercial mold damage to the owners. There is the loss of property that is experienced after restoration. Even mold remediation by deodorization which seems to be cheap can be costly to some individuals.

Restoration companies mainly respond to mold damages. Once they are contacted, they come and lay down the remediation procedure and how they will carry out mitigation of the mold in the home. The restoration company inspects for mold growth behind walls and all the areas to check for dry rot and the extent of mold damage. Mold removal commences immediately. So it is imperative to look at the issue from all angles. When doing mold removal by deodorization in the case of dry rot, always target the source.
Visit http://www.SERVPROeaganapplevalley.com for more information on mold.

Why Flood Damage is the Worst

6/14/2017 (Permalink)

Why Flood Damage is the Worst

Water damage comes in many forms. It’s leaking pipes, bursting pipes, clogged drains, and sewage issues. They’re all an inconvenience, and they’re all unwelcome in any home or office. Perhaps the biggest form of water damage any home or office might face is flood damage. Unlike household water damage from pipes or plumbing, flood damage causes mass damage. A clogged toilet that causes water damage by allowing the toilet to leak and run while a homeowner is away usually damages only one room. It doesn’t get high, it doesn’t spread far, and water cleanup is fairly tame.

When flood damage occurs, it can reach three and four feet high in a room. It can flood the entire house, and it can cause major damage that can only be repaired by a professional. When flood damage occurs, it’s more than inconvenient. It’s devastating, which is why people must know what to do when a flood occurs.

When Floods Bring Water in A Home

When water in a home is present following a flood, it can damage almost everything. From the floors to the walls to the furniture, nothing is safe. The longer the water in the home stands without being cleaned up, the more damage it does. When a flood occurs, it’s imperative to call for professional water restoration services as soon as possible. The insurance agency must also know about the flood that’s occurred. Water in the home causes a lot of problems, and it must be fixed right away. It can cause mold, it can ruin everything people own, and it can be dangerous.

When Floods Bring Water in A Business

Water in a business calls for immediate mitigation. It means calling for restoration services to begin as soon as possible. Flood water damage is difficult to clean up in a timely manner without the help of professional equipment, and it can mean losing more money that just what it costs go to through the water cleanup phase. When there is water in a business, it means business owners are forced to shut down. They lose money, they pay their employees for time off, and they suffer as a result. Water in a business is a devastation to owners.

Calling For Professional Restoration

The professional restoration services people need following a flood should include mitigation services. This allows business and homeowners to learn a little about water and the damage it causes. It’s also the best way to get things cleaned up quickly. The equipment professionals use speeds up the drying process, and it makes water cleanup so much faster. Everything must go through an extensive drying process to ensure no moisture is left behind. Proper drying saves business owners and homeowners a lot of money over time.

Since it takes very little for mold to grow and no time at all for it to spread rapidly, timing is everything in the water cleanup and drying process. It must be done quickly and efficiently, and utilizing the services of a professional is the best way to ensure this happens. No one can clean up water faster than the professionals, and no one has the knowledge they have.

Before anyone calls a pro to come in and clean up their water mess, there are a few things worth knowing. It’s important to stay out of standing water until the electric is shut off, and assuming the power outage is good enough is not safe. Creatures displaced in storms find their way into buildings filled with flood waters. Be on the lookout for them to avoid a nasty surprise.

Let the pros come out and do their job to get all homes and offices up and running in no time. The expense is worth it now rather than paying so much more later when damage that wasn’t properly repaired grows worse. Mitigation is what all home and business owners need right now. It's through mitigation they learn to properly handle and prevent future floods.
Visit http://www.SERVPROeaganapplevalley.com for more information on water damage.

Fire Damage Recovery Procedure

6/14/2017 (Permalink)

Fire Damage Recovery Procedure

A fire accident is among the most disheartening events that can ever happen to a homeowner or business owner. Apart from all the damage it can do to your property, it is also a traumatizing event for anyone. If you have experienced this event in your home, it is hard to recover at first but a restoration company can help you get back on your feet by saving whatever is left.

Results of a fire

A big fire can destroy many things especially in the room where it started. This type of fire may take longer to recover from, as you may need to replace most of the house items and building. A small fire, on the other hand, usually starts in the kitchen. It may not create huge damages but you may have smoke damage or soot damage from the fire damage. Smoke damage and soot damage usually destroy your house’s interior. Whatever the size of the fire, you need to hire professional fire damage restoration services.

Fire damage restoration process

Fire damage restoration services are aimed at remediating the damage in your home or business. It is simply a fire cleanup process to remove the smoke smell and restore your home to its original state. For everyone who has had a fire in home or fire in a business premise, the following are the step to follow to achieve an efficient fire cleanup process.

Calling for help: Once you have had a fire in your home, you should contact the fire emergency services. Calling the fire department quickly can save your property and prevent a major fire damage. You should then contact restoration companies.

Inspection and assessment: Once the restoration company arrives, they inspect the level of fire damage your property has sustained. For a fire in a business premise, they assess all the commercial fire damage that has occurred by reviewing everything in the premise. This gives them an idea of how much work the place needs and helps them plan their next step. They can then give a quote on how much the restoration will cost.

Tarp and sealing: Sometimes, the fire in your home might have destroyed your roof, doors, or windows. This poses a threat by itself as it leaves your home exposed. Tarp and sealing are done to cover up all the empty spaces left on your walls and doors. The roof is also covered to prevent rain from coming in.

Fire cleanup: The process of restoring your home begins here. Cleaning may start anywhere depending on how severe the fire damage is. If your property had a water damage as the fire was being put out, the restoration services may begin there.

Fire cleanup also involves dealing with the smoke damage and the soot damage. Soot and smoke damage are always on your walls and furniture. Restoration services ensure that such issues like soot damage and smoke smell are properly cleaned. After a fire, the smoke smell has to be taken care of especially in commercial buildings where many people work. Smoke smell is also attached to furniture and clothes making a proper deodorization necessary.

For a commercial fire damage, proper fire damage restoration is necessary. Proper sanitization and cleaning are essential to remove all the effect of the fire in business premises. This is to make sure that your employees will be safe when they come back to the building. Finally, it’s important to cleanup everything that was damaged in the fire in home. Everything beyond repair is also disposed of properly.

The last step is repair and restoration: Here, everything destroyed by the fire in a home is either repaired or replaced. The whole building is also repaired and brought back to life. For the fire in business premises that causes commercial fire damage, everything is repaired to bring the business back alive as fast as possible. Even though the commercial fire damage may set you back a little, you can recover and bounce back from reconstruction.

Professional restoration companies also advise you on how to minimize the future chances of suffering fire damages.
Visit http://www.SERVPROeaganapplevalley.com for more information on fire damage.

Key Tips When Dealing With Mold Damage In Your Home

6/14/2017 (Permalink)

Key Tips When Dealing With Mold Damage In Your Home

The home repair market has numerous chemicals that can eliminate mold, fungus, and mildew. While mitigation is important in the removal of mildew and fungus, polluting your home with additional harmful things might be counterproductive if you're trying to prevent the health hazards. There are plenty of safe ways to eliminate the commercial mold damage and smelly odor in a bathroom or carpet without opting for deodorization. Save money by using the typical family products that you might already have and prevent paying costly service bills. If you have an infected area, you can clean it up yourself without an expert.Mold damage remediation involves dealing with the lichens, fungus, and mildew.

Avoid DIY Mold Removal

The greatest mistake would be to attempt to handle the mold damage yourself or opt for deodorization. The harmful mold can trigger the release of millions of spores and toxins. These toxins can contaminate your house beyond repair, and a competent mold damage contractor can help you. The goal is to remove the smelly odor from your home. Materials such as drywall and pavements should be cut away and eliminated to prevent further mold damage. Dealing with mold in home and commercial mold damage can be a daunting task. Commercial mold damage can be more expensive that removing mold in home appliances.

Employ a Professional

Deodorization is not the right solution when it comes to mold remediation. If you have the poisonous mold in your home, the only choice is to hire an expert mold remediation service. Make certain you work with somebody who is qualified. Also, make certain that the practitioners can eliminate the toxic and non-toxic varieties of mold. Prompt mold removal can help to prevent extensive commercial mold damage if you take the mitigation and remediation processes seriously.

An expert mold removal company can get rid of the black mold and smelly odor without allowing the spores to spread into the rest of the home. The experts will cut away the material that the black mold is on and remove it from your house. The company will also seal the area to prevent the black toxic mold particles from spreading. The mitigation and remediation processes depend on the amount of mold in home surfaces.

Eliminating Black Mold with Ammonia

Besides deodorization, Deodorization ammonia is a great disinfectant that does a great job of eliminating the smelly odor. Ammonia is likewise inexpensive and easy to find in your hardware shops. However, ammonia's active ingredients can penetrate the porous products such as sheetrock and ceilings. The mold removal process involves eliminating the mildew, fungus, and any other mitigation and remediation processes that can help in restoration.

Precautions

Make sure your HVAC system is turned off, and doors and windows are closed. Avoid turning on your heating system while getting rid of the mold since the spores will be blown to other areas in your building. Seal any remaining openings with plastic sheeting and duct tape to make sure that no spores can spread to the entire home. If possible, have a staging area in between the contaminated space and the rest of the building, where protective clothes can be collected for cleaning or disposal once the job is done.

Make certain you've found all the mold. Search closely for any sign that mold nests are growing in the surrounding area. The spores can spread quickly, and if you miss out on just a bit, the mold will simply grow back. Professionals can generate the negative pressure in the work space to make sure that mold spores do not leave the afflicted location.

Don't Underestimate The Black Mold

Mold can have some negative impacts on your health. The black hazardous molds mycotoxins are so lethal that they have been used to manufacture the biological weapons. Unlike other molds, black poisonous mold can leave you with major and long-term health problems. Ignoring the danger is one of the most typical mistakes when dealing with black mold. People often do not realize the damage black mold can do until it happens.
Visit http://www.SERVPROeaganapplevalley.com for more information on mold removal and remediation.

What To Do when Floods Invade Your Home

5/23/2017 (Permalink)

What To Do when Floods Invade Your Home

Water damage mitigation is the process of preventing the extent of water damage that takes place during the heavy rains that cause floods. The flood damage experts are trained in a variety of mitigation procedures like the structural drying that eliminates the moisture without weakening the structure. This state-of-the-art technology dries the entire structure while maintaining the original form of the concrete to avoid damaging it. The smooth flow of water in business and residential drains will determine the magnitude of the flood damage. The technicians also rely on the moisture meters to find the stagnant water in home cabinets and other areas. The technicians ensure that your home is clean and dry before beginning the restoration process. The water in home plumbing systems must flow freely after the flood. Immediate water cleanup can minimize the absorption of water and reduce the damage. Drying the home after water damage can help to escalate the restoration process. Drying your home will also minimize the water damage.

Minimizing the water damage

Flooding is a natural disaster that occurs along the coast, inland, poorly drained areas, low-lying zones, and across every region of the country. If you live in the sunken land, you are at a high risk of flooding and water damage. Flooding risks are everywhere, and the experts recommend improving the drainage system by modifying the slope and unblocking the trenches. Most insurance companies provide the home protection policies to the people who reside in such areas. All water in business gutters needs to drain properly into the storage tanks. Flooding is a natural phenomenon that depends on several factors such as rainfall, topography, and the level of construction in the neighborhood.

How insurance helps during restoration and mitigation
It is critical to consider such issues when applying for home insurance. If you notice any problems in the system, you need a plumber to fix it. Having water in home electric systems can be dangerous. The blockage might limit the flow of water in business trenches and drains, meaning that you will have to inspect them and address the issue. Flood mitigation involves taking steps to prepare your home for such eventualities. Besides inspecting the drainage channels, you must devise an emergency communication and exit plan to evacuate your family. Start the water cleanup and find a way to handle the water in business drains that might have blocked during the storm.

Home restoration and water cleanup

You also need to install a standby generator to supply power whenever you need to pump the water. After water cleanup, you can minimize the cost of restoration after flood damage by mounting the electronic items above the flood level. The water in home floors can cause the wood to swell and warp. It is vital to think about the water in home rugs and carpets as you take them out to dry. While floods can invade your home when you do not expect them, it is vital to prepare for the worst-case scenario. The following measures will help you to eliminate the flooding problem from your home:

• Elevating your furnace, electric panel, and water heater if you live in a low-lying zone
• Install some check valves in the sewer and the drainage channels to prevent the water from going back. Backflow prevention is critical if you want the channels to eliminate the storm water
• Construct barriers with sand bags to redirect the water into the drainage systems and keep it away from your foundation to stop floodwater from entering your home.
• Apply the appropriate seals on the foundation and basement walls to eliminate the cracks that might encourage the seepage
• Undertaking the landscaping in a manner that allows the water to flow away from the house rather than toward the foundation
• Drying the surfaces after the water cleanup can minimize the flood damage and cut the cost of home repair significantly. Visit http://www.SERVPROeaganapplevalley.com for more information on water damage.

Completing the Process After a Fire

5/23/2017 (Permalink)

Completing the Process After a Fire

Fires are disasters that can cause severe damage, but this is especially true if it is a fire in a home or a fire in a business. When completing a fire cleanup after a fire in a home or a fire in a business, the recovery process must begin as soon as possible. For best results, the fire cleanup must begin as soon as the fire is extinguished. After the fire is extinguished, it is important to rely on the services of a fire damage restoration company. This company understands the different type of fire damage, including smoke damage or soot damage. More importantly, the fire damage restoration company will understand what goes into the fire cleanup when dealing with a fire in a home or fire in a business.

After the fire is extinguished, it is important to begin to assess the damage. This is where the fire damage restoration company will prove to be very valuable. Knowing the difference between smoke damage and soot damage is very important. Items that have heavy soot damage will not be cleaned in the same manner as items with heavy smoke damage. Also, water damage is another part of the fire cleanup. With water damage, the first step will be to remove all water from the home. A professional carpet cleaning company may become part of the cleanup at this time. Fire damage can be considered anything from soot damage, smoke damage, or water damage. All of these elements will be caused by the fire itself.

Knowing what items to keep and what items to throw away can be difficult. In most cases of the cleanup, items with heavy soot damage, smoke damage, or fire damage will need to be discarded. Although these items can be salvaged at times, they are usually thrown away because of the excessive amount of damage they have experienced.

As mentioned previously, restoring water damaged items is an important part of the fire cleanup process. A fire damage restoration company will be able to assist with this. Drying the furniture and floor is important. Once the items are dried, the company will begin to eliminate the smoke smell from the home. The smoke smell can be eliminated quicker if the windows are open during the fire cleanup process. With commercial fire damage, the owner will need to make sure that the merchandise does not have a smoke smell. Commercial fire damage often takes a longer time to cleanup due to the amount of items in the building.

If there is commercial fire damage, the owner should immediately notice the difference after the cleanup is complete. The smoke smell should be eliminated, and the owner can begin the process of making the property habitable once again. This may include painting different areas of the property and restoring furniture. If the furniture is unable to be restored, new furniture may have to be purchased. Once again, this is determined by the amount of smoke damage or soot damage. With commercial fire damage, the owner will also have to determine if the merchandise can be sold. This is one of the reasons in which commercial fire damage is so much more difficult to cleanup than a fire in a home.

Fires are devastating, but if the restoration process begins quickly, it makes it much easier to get back to normal. A reputable company will come on a short notice, and it will work with the homeowner to satisfy his or her needs. This is why all homeowners and business owners should have the contact information for a fire damage restoration company that they can call immediately if they experience a fire in a home or a fire in a business. Fire damage is costly, but if the company is called quickly, the property owner can save thousands of dollars. Visit http://www.SERVPROeaganapplevalley.com for more information on fire damage.

Why Ignoring the Signs of Mold Damage is So Dangerous

5/23/2017 (Permalink)

Why Ignoring the Signs of Mold Damage is So Dangerous

A little mildew here and there seems perfectly normal in any home or commercial locations, but a little mildew here and there is often a sign of much larger issues. While a little mildew might simply mean a bathroom needs nothing more than a good cleansing, the presence of mildew is a strong indicator there might be mold damage somewhere in your home or office. Commercial mold damage and mold in the home are both serious problems you simply cannot afford to ignore. It’s dangerous to allow mold damage to continue without professional remediation and mitigation. If you suspect you have some fungus growing in the house, it’s time to call for professional mold removal and remediation.

Ignoring Mold Damage is Risky

Perhaps you don’t consider mold in the home or commercial mold damage much of an issue when it’s in small increments, but this is where the danger comes into play. Mold in the home can cause many additional issues with your family and your structure when it’s left untreated, and the same goes for commercial mold damage. Mold is a fungus, and this is a fungus that grows quickly. This particular type of fungus needs only humidity higher than 40% as well as a little moisture to grow rapidly and spread quickly. This kind of mold in the home or commercial mold damage means air quality changes rapidly, and it means you have bigger problems to deal with.

Mold damage not professionally treated usually comes right back. Professional remediation requires the use of specialized tools and equipment designed to allow professional mold removal services to do their job adequately. When you have this type of mitigation occur, chances of mold coming back into the home or business are much slimmer than when you attempt this on your own. It’s costly to forgo professional remediation, because you’ll end up needing mitigation regardless no matter what you try on your own.

Don’t Ignore the Signs

Mildew is one potential sign of mold damage, but it’s certainly not the only sign. A smelly odor anywhere in the house could be a sign. This smelly odor might come across as slightly damp, and it’s a smelly odor with an old house smell to it. When you begin recognizing a smelly odor such as this, don’t assume deodorization is the answer. While deodorization is a temporary fix to a smelly odor, it doesn’t kill mold or prevent it from growing rapidly.

Since mold needs less than 48 hours to spread throughout your home or office, deodorization is only recommended to remedy a smell. Professional mitigation is the way to get rid of mold, though you can use deodorization for your own sanity.

When mold occurs in a home or office, there might be many signs. One sign it could grow quickly is the humidity level. The goal is to keep the humidity in your home or office at or below 40 percent. This is ideal for keeping mold at bay. Any higher than this and it has the potential for rapid growth. Even a small leak can cause mold to grow quickly. Since not all leaks are found easily, it’s helpful to keep an eye on the smelly odors you notice, and it’s helpful to keep the house or office as unfriendly for mold as possible. Mold removal is necessary when you find even the smallest amount.

Professional mold removal is designed to help rid your home and/or office of mold, and it’s necessary. The biggest problem for many is the idea they can do it themselves and save a little money, but it’s less expensive to pay for professional services right away and handle the problem effectively than it is to pour money into fixes that don’t work in the long run. Mold is dangerous on many levels, and getting rid of it the right way is necessary. Visit http://www.SERVPROeaganapplevalley.com for more information on mold damage.

Understanding the Fire Restoration Process

2/2/2017 (Permalink)

Fire damage restoration.

We are always here to help!

It is imperative that fire restoration should be implemented as soon as possible after a house fire is out. The longer the delay in contacting a restoration company, the more opportunity there is for damage from water and smoke to intensify. It is surprising just how well restoration works in light of how destructive a fire can be. Depending on the damage, a home can often be restored to its before-fire state. A restoration team has a difficult task to perform and a great deal of responsibility, but SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley's highly trained technicians are well-equipped to return a home to its original condition.

The fire restoration process involves the repair of any structures damaged by smoke, fire, or water. Sub-floor materials undergo inspection for damage and may need to be replaced. Upholstery and curtains are subject to a similar process. Furnishings are taken to a separate location and restored to pre-fire condition. Through the cooperation of the insurance company, the restoration team, and the homeowner, a home can be restored and made safe to live in once again.

SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley utilizes advanced equipment and technology to quicken the restoration time and to minimize cost. We are proudly serving our community and surrounding areas with 24/7 emergency availability. Don't hesitate and give us a call today! (651) 330-7271

Can Your Business Afford to Shut Down?

2/2/2017 (Permalink)

Nothing is too big!

Let SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley get you back on your feet!

Cleaning and restoring commercial properties require a unique blend of training, experience, and equipment. SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley has the resources and expertise to give you excellent results while minimizing the disruption to you and your clients. We can help make it “Like it never even happened.” SERVPRO has serviced small office buildings, large and high-rise office buildings, apartment buildings, restaurants, hotel/motels, small and large retail stores, high-rise residential, manufacturing & industrial, and even government/military facilities! 

We are available 24 hours a day to get your business back up and running. Our expertise also includes electronics restoration and document drying and we are also your business’s best resource for mold remediation. When the dirt, odor, and moisture challenges go beyond the scope of your regular janitorial staff, you need SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley. You can depend on us to get the job done right and get it done quickly. Our highly trained technicians use top-of-the-line equipment to make your business shine again. Learn more about our commercial cleaning services by clicking here!

SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley utilizes advanced equipment and technology to quicken the restoration time and to minimize cost. We proudly serve our communities and surrounding areas with 24/7 emergency availability. Give us a call today and we'll make it "Like it never even happened." (651) 330-7271

Fire Restoration For Minneapolis Homes

5/16/2016 (Permalink)

Damage From Small Christmas Tree Fire

We're Always Here to Help

We were called out to a small house fire in Minneapolis. The home had minimal damage from the flames, but much more damage due to the smoke. It was right after the New Year and the homeowner's small Christmas tree caught fire.  Thankfully she was able to put it out herself. She was a little overwhelmed, especially when we told her the process of getting her and her home back to where it was before the fire happened. We assured her that we were there to help and to do everything we could to make the process as smooth and quick as possible. We promptly packed out almost all of her belongings, she moved out of her home, and the cleaning and restoration process began. 

Having fire damage your home can be a devastating event to deal with, especially when it is around the holidays. When we work with customers who have suffered fire damage in their home, it is not just about cleaning and restoring their house to its original condition. It is also about helping them though the process of dealing with their insurance company and getting their lives back together. We love helping people when they need it most!

In almost no time at all we had our customer back to "Like it never even happened" and she couldn't had been more thrilled.  We received a letter from her shortly after we got her back in her home.  It stated:

"I may only hope that I find the correct verbiage to convince you without question that every SERVPRO associate I had the personal pleasure to meet and interact with, are, in short, the BEST! I am a retired Detective Sergeant of the New York City Police Department and a resident of Minneapolis, MN for the past 22 years. I 'read' people quickly and very accurately.  As 'out of it' as I was at our initial meeting, I shook your hands, looked each of you directly in the eye, and understood, without question, that you were there to 'serve', 'protect', and 'get the job done'. I was SAFE in your hands....and, therefore, I place myself in them without further question. I never placed a phone call that your project manager was not there to answer.  It never failed to astound me how often you would just appear at the house to make sure that all was going as planned and promised. In short...... you each possess the highest professional integrity and follow through I have ever experienced. A terrible moment in my life has given me the special opportunity and personal pleasure to have met each of you.... and, for this, I am most grateful. You are the jewels in the crown of SERVPRO. I am back in my home because of each of you, as your ad says, "Like it never even happened."

To find out more about our fire restoration services, please click on the following link. 

SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley Fire Restoration Services

Heavy Rain Can Cause More Damage Than You Think

5/16/2016 (Permalink)

Flooded Basement Due To Sump Pump Failure

Heavy rains can overwhelm city sewer systems and sump pumps throughout the south metro area.  With our highly trained specialists, we were able to take care of many homeowners that were in need of help.  Being faster to any size disaster, we will always be there when we are needed!

Restoring storm and flood damaged properties is the cornerstone of our business. Our highly trained professionals use specialized equipment and advanced training to quickly restore your property to pre-storm condition. We’re dedicated to responding immediately, which helps to minimize secondary damage.

SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley utilizes advanced equipment and technology to quicken the restoration time and to minimize cost. We are proudly serving our community and surrounding areas with 24/7 emergency availability. Don't hesitate and give us a call today! (651) 330-7271

Storm Damage Cleanup and Restoration in Minnesota

4/7/2016 (Permalink)

Faster to ANY Size Disaster!

Why Choose SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley?

Restoring storm and flood damaged properties is the cornerstone of our business. Our highly trained professionals use specialized equipment and advanced training to quickly restore your residential or commercial property to pre-storm condition. We’re dedicated to responding immediately, which helps to minimize secondary damage. When a major storm hits, it may overwhelm local restoration companies. SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley can scale our resources by accessing the equipment and personnel of 1,700 Franchises and can also access our Disaster Recovery Team that specializes in major storms and catastrophic events. Nothing is too big for us to handle!

Storms and inclement weather can be devastating to any home or business. Wind damage, heavy rain, and flooding can occur suddenly and cause substantial damage in a matter of minutes. There’s never a convenient time for flooding or storm damage to strike. For a business, every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, you want to make sure you have the right people there to help. Click here to read what to do and what NOT to do after a flooding event has occurred and while SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley is on their way!

Remember, we live and work in this community too; we might even be neighbors. As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley is close by and ready to respond to storm and disaster events. We are proud to be an active member of our communities and want to do our part to make our communities the best they can be!

SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley utilizes advanced equipment and technology to quicken the restoration time and to minimize cost. We proudly serve our communities and surrounding areas with 24/7 emergency availability. Give us a call today and we'll make it "Like it never even happened." (651) 330-7271

Spring Cleaning Advice for Minneapolis and St. Paul Homes

4/6/2016 (Permalink)

Spring cleaning is here!

How To Clean and Treat Hardwood Floor Right

SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley not only takes care of water damage, fire damage and mold remediation, we can also handle any size cleaning needs whether it be residential or commercial! We can take care of whatever comes our way including that spring cleaning that nobody likes to do. 

Spring cleaning is here and everyone loves the glowing warmth of beautiful wood floors, but as our friends at Homes.com point out, unfortunately very few people know how to take care of their wood floors correctly and never really get to experience what they could look like at their best and brightest.

Cleaning and maintaining your wood floors isn’t terribly complicated or difficult. In fact, it’s more about what you should not do than it is about a mandatory minimum maintenance. Spring is here. What better time could there be to learn how to clean and maintain your wood floors? 

Let’s start things off easy. Sweep, dust-mop, or vacuum your floors on a weekly basis, especially in high foot traffic areas. Built up dirt and grime can grind into the finish of your floors, dulling the surface shine that you’re looking for. If you’re going to use a vacuum to keep your floors clean, then make sure you are using a soft-bristled attachment. Do not use a vacuum with a rotating brush or beater bar and if your wood floors are new, forget what we told you and follow your manufacturer’s cleaning instructions instead!

If your floors are older and it’s been some time since they were finished, then a simple cleaning may not do much to get them to shine. If the wax on your floors has become discolored or has accumulated a build-up of dirt, you will need to reach for a liquid cleanser and wax that was made specifically for your type of wood flooring. Make sure that you are using the correct product for your floors. Products meant for tile or linoleum floors may actually hurt the finish of your wood floors. Cleaning products should be solvent, not water, based. Apply the cleaner/wax with a cloth and rub it gently to remove old wax and surface accumulations of dirt. Wipe it clean, let it dry, and then buff it to a shine.

Light, dirt, fluids, and excessive heat can all damage the finish on your floors. In order to minimize damage from dirt and fluids, don’t let them accumulate or sit on the surface. In order to protect your floors from the heat and light of the sun, use protective window treatments. Keep your pets’ nails trimmed, avoid walking on your floors in high heels and cleats, use furniture pads when possible, and rearrange your furniture as often as feasible to avoid establishing wear patterns and damaging your floors.

There are many things that can be done to protect and maintain your hardwood floors. On top of that, there are many things that need to be done in general to take care of all of your spring cleaning correctly. Click here to check out a spring cleaning checklist that might help you during this crazy time after all the snow has left us!

As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley is ready to help whenever we are needed. When there are cleaning needs, we have the resources and personnel to help. Call us today! (651) 330-7271

Tips for a Successful Move From Your Apple Valley Home

4/4/2016 (Permalink)

A lot happens before, during, and after a move!

Your family’s move can be an exciting time for all of you, but it can also be a stressful and sad time too. Your children may have different feelings as well.  They might be scared about going to a new school, excited about your new home, sad about leaving old friends, or even angry with you about moving.  With all of the emotions that come with moving to a new home, make it a little easier by following some tips that can at least make packing a little more seamless for you.  Simply click here to read what you can do to try and make that move a little less strenuous for you.  

Also don't forget during that selling process, if you are in need of some cleaning to get that home sold faster, you can always depend on SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley to take care of your cleaning needs!  Our residential cleaning services will ease the burden of cleaning your home and can even make a dirty carpet "Like it never even happened." We all know a clean home sells faster and we can help make that happen!   

SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley utilizes advanced equipment, technology, and expertise to provide a deeper clean than your basic house cleaning service could provide.  We are proud to serve our Eagan, Apple Valley, and surrounding communities! Give us a call today! (651) 330-7271

Always Call an Expert for Repairs

3/18/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Crews Ready at a Moments Notice

A water damage restoration service is the kind of professional that no one wants to call, but when they are needed, it is important not to delay. Homeowners know that moisture is often the enemy, capable of penetrating into just about any space, and taking advantage of every little crack and structural problem. No matter how moisture gets into the building, the response should be the same. Bring in SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley as soon as possible to clean the home, dry it, and ensure there are no lingering health threats once the moisture is gone.

If water has entered the home through a contaminated source, don’t try to handle it on your own. Floods and sewage backflows contain a cocktail of deadly bacteria, viruses and fungi, and even momentary skin contact can leave a person seriously ill. A certified water damage restoration service like SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley not only has the tools to eliminate the moisture, we have the protective equipment to remain free from harm.

Restoration technicians have a lot of technology at their disposal. These include powerful vacuums and pumping systems, high volume air movers, dehumidifiers, heat injectors, moisture meters, and a number of detergents formulated for destroying fungi and other microbial threats. While the technicians work on the building, disposing of compromised materials, and drying the rest, they will also destroy all mold and microbial colonies. This is the only way to ensure a home is safe to live, and a business safe to work in; any other cleaning method is a dangerous gamble.

SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley utilizes advanced equipment and technology to quicken the restoration time and to minimize cost. We proudly serve our community and surrounding areas with 24/7 emergency availability. Give us a call today! (651) 330-7271

When and why you need to call a specialist!

2/26/2016 (Permalink)

Water being extracted from flooded home.

"The thing about being a water damage and repair specialist is that no one seems to care about what you do until they desperately need your help."  No matter what time of the day or night you can count on us to be there to help.  Don't hesitate to call!

We are water removal and cleanup specialists and are ready to service your home or business when flooding or water leaks cause water damage. We quickly dry your property using state-of-the-art water removal equipment and advanced drying techniques, documenting the drying process to make sure your property is dry and the job is done right. Check out when and why you should call a specialist by clicking here! We are always here to help.  Give us a call today!  651-330-7271!

Lightening Strike!

12/28/2015 (Permalink)

Some of the damage to the kitchen in the home.

A lightening bolt struck this customer's home in the early hours one morning, waking her to see something she never thought she ever would.  Her home was on fire.  SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley had the privilege of helping this woman get her contents cleaned and help her put her life back together as much as we could.  Taking into consideration all the personal and sentimental items that were there, every technician took extra care and went above and beyond to make sure that what was able to be salvaged, came back to her in the best condition possible.  

When it comes to water, fire or mold and anything in between, we are always ready anytime day or night and are always here to help!  Don't hesitate to call today! 651-330-7271!