Safety in the Kitchen

11/29/2023 (Permalink)

Its that time of year where we all gather in the kitchen to celebrate the holidays with family and friends. While preparing delicious meals you should keep in mind some safe cooking practices. According to the National Fire Protection Association cooking is the main cause for home fires and injuries.

Please take the time to review these safety tips.

• Always stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. Never leave cooking food unattended.
• Use a timer as a reminder that the stove is on. Check food regularly while cooking.
• Keep kids away from the cooking area.
• Keep anything flammable away from the stove or any other appliance that generates heat. Such as pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packages and towels.
• Do not wear loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.
• Avoid grease build up by cleaning cooking surfaces regularly.
• Always have a fire extinguisher to keep in the kitchen.
• Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving the home to make sure everything is shut off.
• Install a smoke alarm in the kitchen and on each level of the home, near sleeping areas and inside and outside of bedrooms.

Here at SERVPRO® of Steuben, DeKalb and LaGrange we wish the best Holiday season.

What Is Your Water Damage Response Plan?

4/8/2022 (Permalink)

A sudden water intrusion like a leaking pipe or the breakdown of your water tank can be a sizable inconvenience. However, this inconvenience turns into a substantial loss if not addressed quickly and using the right methods. Hiring trained water restoration technicians (WRT) to come to your home helps you limit the loss and get your home back to normal faster than DIY methods alone. 

What is SERVPRO’s Response Plan for Water Damage?

Whenever we get called for water damage restoration, we formulate a plan based on any combination of methods to help us:

• Minimize the need for demolition
• Repair or restore rather than replace
• Create an optimum atmosphere for drying, such as closed drying systems 
• Expedite restoration to have you back to your routine fast

So if water damage hits your home or business, give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and are here to get you back to "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Is Here For You When Water Damage Becomes Overwhelming

4/8/2022 (Permalink)

• Luminometers and Moisture Meters
• Upholstery Cleaning Machines
• LGR Dehumidifiers
• Stationary and Self-propelled Deep Extractors

When dealing with clean water damage incidents in Steuben, Dekalb or LaGrange, microbes, and contaminants are probably the last things one would think about as a threat. However, various issues, including taking too long before starting the water removal and restoration, can lead to microbial growth. Contaminants can also originate from many areas, including materials dissolved by the spilled water. Having Luminometers on-site helps our SERVPRO technicians test surfaces and water for organic contaminants, though in flash flooding incidents, these are more commonly needed.

Soiled upholstery items require proper cleaning. Water spills can soil upholstery in many ways, including dyes in adjacent contents running or debris swept by the water. Cleaning upholstered furnishings is challenging because of the different materials they are made from and their bulky nature. Our SERVPRO teams overcome this challenge easily by using specialized upholstery cleaning machines, which provide better agitation and rinsing capabilities, cleaning all traces of the soiling.

Proper extraction of water from wet areas is an essential part of the restoration process, though not always easy. Carpeted areas absorb most of the water lengthening the extraction process. Our SERVPRO technicians use weighted tools such as water claws or ride-on high volume extraction rovers to simplify the process. The weight of the equipment or the technician squeezes water from the carpet before the extractor sucks it out. We attempt in place drying whenever possible to salvage the floor coverings. Our crew is well versed in "floating" a carpet, lifting it from the edges to introduce a warm air circulation to expedite evaporation. Then we have advanced dehumidification equipment such as LGR dehumidifiers, which can reduce humidity in the air to as low as 40gpp, improving the drying process.

The right equipment can help ease the restoration of a water-damaged property. Call SERVPRO of Steuben, Dekalb and LaGrange. We have a fully equipped team to tackle any issue, "Like it never even happened." 

Make Sure You Are Confident With Your Extinguisher

4/2/2022 (Permalink)

P- Pull The Pin. Hold the nozzle pointing away from you and release the locking mechanism. 

A-Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.

S- Squeeze. Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly. 

S-Sweep. Sweep the nozzle from side to side. 

Become familiar with the extinguisher and read the instructions. Also, ensure you have the correct type of extinguisher for your facility. 

There are 5 different classes of fire extinguishers. Class A, B, C, D and K. Each one is used for different types of fires. 

It's That Time Of The Year - Vacation Time!

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

With schools starting their Spring Break, most of us are also starting our vacations. Going on vacation should be relaxing and worry-free which is why it is important to make sure your home is secure before you leave for your trip. Here at SERVPRO, we want you to be ready so you don’t come back to damages in your home.

Make Arrangements with an Emergency Contact

• Entrust a close friend or family member with your trip itinerary and contact information so they can contact you if anything happens at your home.
• Set various house lights on a timer to give the impression that someone is home.
• Leave written directions for alarm codes, doors, or other information needed to properly care for your home.
• Have a friend or family member collect your mail and paper for you daily. Full mailboxes and porches can tip potential burglars off.
• Contact the US Post Office and your local newspaper and ask to have your mail held and services suspended if someone cannot collect them for you.

Take Plumbing and Electric Precautions

• Prevent leaks and floods from damaging your home by shutting off gas and water at the meter, supply tank or appliances. Your local Duluth water company can help with this.
• Turn off the water valves to washing machines, sinks, and the dishwasher.
• Unplug electronics to cut down on any possible shortages which could potentially cause a disastrous fire.
• Double check your smoke detectors to ensure they are working properly.
• Adjust your thermostat for the season in the winter to 55-60 and in the summer to 75-80 to help control usage.

The Day of Departure

• Let your security company know that you are leaving town, and leave them the name of an alternate contact in case of an emergency.
• Take out all trash in the home and clear the fridge of anything that will perish while you are away.
• Go on one last walk-through of your home to secure windows, blinds, fences, doors, and plugs. This will ensure all entries are safe from hazardous obstructions.

If you come back from vacation and do find damage within your home, call SERVPRO! The sooner you call us, the sooner we can make it “Like it never even happened.”

For Proactive Cleaning Needs - Call SERVPRO Today!

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

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

Specialized Training

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

The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:

• Kitchen/Food Areas
• Bathrooms
• Schools/Classrooms
• Offices
• Retail Spaces
• Water Fountains
• Shelving/Racks
• Sales Counters
• Carpets and Rugs
• Stair Handrails
• Elevator Cars
• Playground Equipment
• Fitness Equipment

Specialized Products

The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.

Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning

If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts at SERVPRO of Steuben, Dekalb and LaGrange at 260-665-7998.

SERVPRO Will Make Things "Like it never even happened."

3/27/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage, floods, fires, and mold contamination can occur at any time, sometimes with little notice. We all like to prepare for storms, boarding up windows and moving items to higher ground or placing sandbags. But sometimes all of the preparation is in vain. Now is the time to call in the experts and restore your home or business to its original condition, "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO is locally owned, part of the community of providing flood damage recovery, fire, storm, and mold remediation. We can respond in less than four hours and provide a 24/7 response to our customers. We can respond to small disasters as well as more significant events with the assistance of our four connected locations in the area.

Advantages of Using SERVPRO

Every disaster is different; however, over the years, we have amassed the knowledge, the equipment, and the focus on customer satisfaction to provide high quality, trusted cleaning, remediation, and restoral services to our community. The following are some of the advantages we bring to every disaster situation:

Services for Residences and Commercial Buildings of all Sizes

Water, fire, mold and storm damage restoration

Biohazard remediation and removal

Cleaning and drying of all surfaces

Odor removal and deodorization

Vandalism restoral

Graffiti removal

Cleaning air ducts, HVAC, Sewage, Carpet and furniture, drapes and blinds and more

Equipment

Large inventory of air movers,

Extraction equipment – including wands, submersible pumps, truck-mounted pumps

Air purification machines

Dehumidifiers

Moisture sensing devices

Staging areas as needed

Leadership and Training

Locally owned and operated

IICRC trained technicians

We coordinate with contractors to minimize the time and cost required

Certification training for our employees

E-Learning tools

Continuing education focus

Response Time

24/7 response to all sizes of disasters

Crew Chief onsite within four hours

Immediate assessment – safety, equipment needs, team members required

Support for insurance claims

Don't see the services you are looking for, call us for a consultation.

Call SERVPRO today!

A Partial Loss Is Still A Loss Which Is Why You Need To Trust SERVPRO

2/22/2022 (Permalink)

Your building in Steuben, Dekalb or LaGrange doesn't have to burn completely to suffer a fire loss. That doesn't mean that restoration isn't needed, though. Even if areas of your commercial property are not burned, they can still show signs of smoke or soot damage or secondary damage such as mold. Any time you have a fire in your building, you need to stay aware of four potential problems with the restoration process.

1. Insufficient Cleanup

The first call you should make after a fire is to fire restoration experts. Don't just choose the first company listed, though. Do your homework and choose certified professionals with good reviews and a good service record. Shoddy repair is not much better than no repair at all.

2. Delayed Assessment

Even if you call experts for an assessment right after the damage occurs, it may take a while for your insurance adjuster to visit the site, especially if the company has other clients with more pressing issues. If this happens, you should still hire technicians to halt any ongoing damage to your building. Make sure to document the original damage with photos or video footage and an itemized list of everything that needed repair or replacement.

3. Additional Damage

A partial fire loss often leaves sneaky problems in the building. Make sure that you have air ducts and cabinets inspected for hidden smoke damage. It is also a good idea to have the area tested for mold growth, particularly if it sustained a lot of water saturation.

4. Unmatched Finish

Another benefit of hiring quality professionals is that they restore you property to a uniform look. This often involves replacing flooring, ceiling tiles, walls or wallpaper that wasn't damaged by the fire so that the whole room looks the same. A room with matching issues should not be considered a proper restoration.

Even if a small portion of your building is affected by the fire, you still must take repairs seriously. By treating a partial loss as a complete problem, you can bypass some of the common issues that occur when only part of your building is damaged.

So give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and ready to make things "Like it never even happened."

Mold Is Not Only Dangerous To Your Home, But Your Health Too!

2/21/2022 (Permalink)

Mold can make you uncomfortable, and maybe even a little scared. No worries! We will share with you on what to do until help arrives! If you see visible mold, do not disturb it! If mold is disturbed it can release microscopic spores which become airborne and can circulate in your home.

What you can do:

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
• Contact us for mold remediation service.

What not to do:

• Don't touch or disturb the mold.
• Don't blow across any surfaces with visible mold.
• Don't spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.

Our crew is highly trained in mold remediation. We use highly specialized equipment and techniques to remove the mold quickly and safely.  

A Brief History Of SERVPRO Franchise

1/30/2022 (Permalink)

Here at SERVPRO of Steuben, DeKalb and LaGrange we are a proud part of this family and will help you every step of the way.

The SERVPRO Industries Inc. Franchise System was founded in 1967 and is a national leader of fire, water, mold and other specialty cleanup and restoration. SERVPRO franchises have responded to multi-million dollar property damage emergencies  such as the Pentagon, to those suffered by individual businesses and homes. Professionals have established relationships with major insurance companies and commercial clients nationwide.

We strive and make it our number one goal to return damaged areas and items to pre loss condition.

• SERVPRO professionals are trained in extensive water restoration training and certification
• SERVPRO franchises have the resources to help you take back control of your life.
• SERVPRO professionals use detection equipment to help locate areas of the structure affected by water.
• SERVPRO uses the most effective method of removing moisture from a structure. Extraction.
• SERVPRO franchises uses top of the line equipment to dry out structures such as air movers and dehumidifiers.

Here at SERVPRO of Steuben, DeKalb and LaGrange we are a proud part of this family and will help you every step of the way. 

Ask The Experts: How is the need for demolition determined?

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

With many water removal projects, demolition is required to remove any wet structural components or wall materials. Controlled or partial demolition efforts allow us to remove and replace just a portion of the materials to have it finished off to match the preloss condition. Our team always uses a variety of non-invasive techniques to ensure no moisture is left behind, including:

• Moisture sensors
• Moisture detectors
• Thermal cameras

Of course, whenever your interior has standing water, we use extraction tools and a combination of methods to facilitate faster removal. Some of the standard options our SERVPRO technicians will use include:

• Submersible pumps
• High-powered extractors
• Draining any trapped water behind walls using bore-holes
• Mopping
• Wet-Vac, and more

Why Should I Have SERVPRO Restore My Carpets?

We are well-versed in best practices for restoring carpeting impacted by water loss within the home. Upon arrival and formulation of our restoration plan, we inspect your carpeting and select the best equipment and methods to achieve our goals. The process includes:

• Inspecting carpeting using moisture probe technology – this allows us to determine how deep the moisture has embedded into the carpet and the pad below.
• Detachment of the carpet with the proper tools so our technicians can further inspect to see if the carpet has delaminated or mold has begun to colonize.
• In cases where the water has not infiltrated the carpet pad or the subfloor below, we may use centrifugal air movers to float the carpet, thus allowing warm air to circulate beneath.
• In cases where water moisture saturates the carpet fully, we will remove the padding below and dispose of it to be replaced after the drying of the zone is complete.

In general, carpet detachment is the fastest way to facilitate drying as it allows air to flow underneath. However, we have some in-place drying methods that will enable us to achieve drying goals without detachment. This may involve using a weighted extractor, or rover, that works from the perimeter inward while drying. In-place drying is ideal when moisture has not made it all the way down to the carpet padding.

What many homeowners may not realize is that there does not have to be extensive water damage for it to add up to an immense loss. There could be hidden moisture left behind in wall cavities and other tight spots that make it difficult for DIY methods to get the job done. SERVPRO features IICRC-certified technicians that have the choice between two distinct systems to ensure your home is back to appropriate humidity levels. These systems include:

• Open Drying System – This works by using outside air to speed up the drying of the impacted area. Warmer months allow us to use an open system for active, time-efficient drying. This method helps to promote evaporation while using equipment like air-movers and box fans to exchange evaporated moisture with drier outside air. We can do this by opening up doors and windows in conjunction with a centrifugal motion to create fluid air movement.

• Closed Drying System – This system works by using dehumidification equipment within a concentrated drying zone for air exchange. Such a method is excellent during times of the year when temperatures are lower, and access to the outdoors is limited. This works on the same principle, yet a closed system gives more control of the temperatures. Higher temps mean the air holds more moisture, and drying is faster. We also use desiccant dehumidifiers within the work zone for moisture removal and to thwart the potential for mold growth.

Give us a call today! We are faster to any disaster and are here to help get you back to "Like it never even happened."

Why SERVPRO? Two words...flooded basement!

2/2/2021 (Permalink)

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

Last year there were many flooded basement due to heavy rains and overflowing creeks and rivers.

We use advanced inspection and monitoring equipment such as infrared cameras and moisture meters to determine if your home’s structure is actually dry. Touch is not a reliable method, as moisture can trap inside.

If Water Damage is not handled quickly and properly, it can cause severe damage to your home’s structure, not to mention the potential harmful health effects of mold. Remember, the longer you wait, the worse the problem will get.

So give SERVPRO of Steuben, Dekalb and LaGrange a call! We are faster to any disaster and ready to make things "Like it never even happened."

Ask The Experts: Must have info on Spot & Fluffy

1/18/2021 (Permalink)

Do you have pets? Are your pets just as important as a family member? Did you know there are several things you can do to make sure they stay safe during an emergency?

*Make sure you have at least a 3 day supply and store it in an airtight, waterproof container.

*Have at least 3 days of water stored for your pet.

* Make their medicines and medical records accessible in case of an emergency.

*Make sure you have important papers such as registration papers, adoption papers and vaccination documents.

*First aid kit that includes bandage rolls and tape, scissors, antibiotic ointment, latex gloves, flea and tick prevention, isopropyl alcohol, saline solution and a pet first aid reference book.

*Collar or harness with ID tags.

*Pet carrier

*A picture of you with your pet in case of separation.

*Familiar items such as toys and bedding.

Keep your pets safe by following these prep tips. You can also visit Ready.gov/pets for more information.