Understanding Mold

8/2/2024 (Permalink)

Understanding Mold

Confusion and misunderstanding surround the topic of mold and mold remediation. Some restoration businesses even make claims to remove all mold from a building. This is a fallacy. Mold spores occur naturally almost everywhere, both indoors and outdoors. These microscopic spores float along in the air and can enter a home or business through windows and HVAC systems. Consider these facts:

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
• Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture and can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.
• Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
• Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

Tornado Aware

8/2/2024 (Permalink)

How to Prepare for a Tornado Before It Happens

Tornadoes are serious weather events that can cause devastating property damage and loss of life. Fortunately, you can take several steps to minimize damage if one occurs.

Know Your Risk

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that tornadoes have touched down in all 50 states. States located in the Midwest and Southeast are at the highest risk of tornado damage.

Knowing the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning is critical. A tornado watch means that conditions are optimal for a tornado, while a warning means that tornadic activity has already occurred. The National Weather Service offers emergency alerts via text message to ensure adequate preparation for severe weather events.

Create an Emergency Plan in Advance

Ready.gov, a branch of the federal government that educates the public on disaster preparedness, suggests that every household create a severe weather emergency plan. Minimally, you should plan to include the following details in your household emergency plan.

• Identify the safest place in the home for people and pets to take shelter until the threat of a tornado passes.
• Make a list of important phone numbers, such as your insurance agent and the utility company, that you may need to contact once the storm has passed.
• Draw a floor plan of your home with tips on how to seek shelter from each room. If special equipment like a ladder or rope is necessary to escape a room, be sure to indicate its location.
• Place marks on the floor plan to indicate the location of fire extinguishers, first-aid kits, valves, and utility switches. Appoint one person to turn off valves and utility switches before taking shelter in a tornado.
• Teach your children what an emergency weather alert is and ask their teachers to send home information regarding each school’s severe weather plan.

Once you have put together a tornado emergency plan, be sure to practice it with the entire family at least once a year.

Learn to Recognize the Signs of a Tornado

Tornadoes can strike with little warning, so knowing what to look for is important. Below are some of the top indicators that a tornado is headed your way.

• The sky appears green or another dark color
• Clouds have formed into a funnel-shape
• Clouds appear lower than usual
• Hail has begun falling from the sky
• Extremely loud noises are present

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends taking shelter immediately if you notice any of these signs of an impending tornado or a tornado in progress. The safest places to take shelter include a storm cellar, a room without any windows, or the basement of your home.

Flood Tips

7/25/2024 (Permalink)

Knowing how to prepare and deal with potential flooding in advance can affect how much of your property can be restored and how much has to be replaced. Below are prevention, mitigation and restoration tips to follow until help arrives:

Flood Prevention Tips

• Determine if your property is in a floodplain.
• In any emergency, always listen to the instructions given by the local emergency management officials.
• Carefully assess how your company functions, both internally and externally, to determine which staff, materials, procedures and equipment are absolutely necessary to keep the business operating.
• Plan what you will do if your building, plant or store is not accessible. This type of planning is often referred to as a continuity of operations plan, or COOP, and includes all facets of your business.
• Review your emergency plans annually. Just as your business changes over time, so do your preparedness

Simple Steps to Avoid Water Damages

8/2/2023 (Permalink)

Read your water bill

It is always a good idea to monitor your water bill regularly. Most people just look at the "amount due" and forget the rest of the bill. Look it over and compare the previous months usage to the current months usage to check for any differences. That can be the best indication of a leak that you might not know about.

Chemical solutions may not be the best thing when unclogging you sink

Clogs happen. Everyone has experienced them in one way or another. Unclogging solutions are extremely handy, however they can potentially erode your pipes and possibly cause future problems. Whenever possible, try to avoid those chemical solutions and try using a drain snake instead.

Never pour grease down your sink

Grease can be harmful to pipes if it hardens inside the trap and causes back ups. If you think diluting grease with hot water and degreaser dish soap helps, it doesn't . The best thing for grease disposal is to put it in a container such as a old coffee can and let it harden before you throw it away.

Be careful planting trees or shrubs

Planting trees and shrubs are great if you are looking to add some shade to help your home cool down in these hot summer months. Always be careful of trees and shrubs that may have invasive roots. Trees and shrubs with invasive roots can cause problems with irrigation pipes and even septic tanks.

SERVPRO of Fort Dodge 515-955-4009 

Why SERVPRO???

8/2/2023 (Permalink)

When you are looking at restoration companies who can provide you with water damage mitigation, mold damage remediation and fire, smoke and soot cleaning and restoration services you might ask yourself, Why SERVPRO?

• Here are some things about SERVPRO, that makes them different than other restoration companies:
• SERVPRO has been around since 1967 when Ted and Doris Isaacson founded the company as a painting business. Today, more than 1,900 SERVPRO franchises exist nationwide as well as internationally.
• SERVPRO is one of the top 10 franchises today.
• Our SERVPRO started over 25 years ago. Our owners started this SERVPRO franchise, with one van and just a few pieces of equipment. Now, in 2022, they operate with several long term employees, have acquired a fleet of vehicles, and have a wide range of equipment for ALL types of work in our field, in addition to acquiring licensing to do Reconstruction services.
• All of our technicians are professionally trained in the work that they do. All crew chiefs are IICRC certified in Water Damage Restoration. Several have additional certifications in Fire, Smoke, Odor and Applied Structural Drying. 
• We work with your insurance company to make sure you are covered for the work that we complete. If your insurance company does not cover a service we recommend, we will let you know the price before the work is done.
• We work quickly to ensure that your home/business is back to normal, “Like it never even happened.”

Prepare for Summer Storms

8/2/2023 (Permalink)

Summer is the time of year we make plans most often. We plan trips and vacations, sporting events and long weekends.

Sometimes we even plan to have no plans and enjoy a day outside doing absolutely nothing. It’s the warmest time of the year, so we anticipate all the days will be filled with sun and we can soak up as many rays as we want.

But have you ever noticed how often summer plans get derailed by thunderstorms?

If you’ve ever thought that storms are more likely to cause cancellations in summer, it’s not just you. July and August are the rainiest months of the last three quarters of the year, and the warmth of the summer air combines with the atmospheric moisture to turn regular rains into potential thunderstorms.

Be Storm-Alert

We often don’t give storms the credit they’re due because they’re the most common weather danger—but the threat they present should never be ignored. Tune into local forecasts or use weather apps for timely forecasts and alerts. An NOAA Weather radio can also be helpful, because it focuses on weather and stays on even if power and cell service goes out.

If flooding is predicted, you should rethink your travel plans and stay home, or get home quickly if you’re out on the road. If forecasters warn about heavy winds, check around your yard and store items that may get blown away or carried off by running water.

Yes, getting ready for a storm is a chore, and not the kind of task anyone wants to do, but we mustn’t ignore it. Storm-related deaths reach into the dozens every year, and a little prevention could save many of those lives.

Be Storm-Safe

During a storm, your greatest protection from danger is indoors. Stay inside until you haven’t heard any thunder for at least a half hour—that’s your signal that the storm has moved on and you’re outside the range of a lightning strike, which can occur up to 10 miles away from the storm.

Wait until after the storm to bathe or shower, as metal and water are hyper-conductors of electricity. And avoid windows as much as possible, as there’s always a danger of them being shattered by lightning, or even debris.

Keep an emergency kit stocked with food, water, medication and other supplies you may need if you’re forced to evacuate or go several days without power.

Stay away from flood waters, whether you’re on foot or in a vehicle. Rushing water can easily carry away full-size SUVs, and even touching floodwater is dangerous because it may be contaminated.

There are any number of dangers that can come into play in a thunderstorm, and it’s always best to be cautious and put things on hold until storms safely pass. If storms cause damage to your home or business, SERVPRO is on the line, ready to make things right again.

SERVPRO of Fort Dodge

515-955-4009

Preparing for Tornadoes

8/2/2023 (Permalink)

We are in the heart of severe weather and tornado season here in Fort Dodge, and while it has been a quieter season than usual at this point, severe weather can pop up at any time. This hot and humid time of year is known to produce warm and sunny mornings that quickly turn south as storm systems develop over the plains and roll toward us. 

Preparing for severe weather starts much earlier than after the weather warning is announced. By preparing your yard, family and home now, you can jump into action as soon as a tornado warning is issued. SERVPRO of Fort Dodge’s team wants you to stay as safe as possible during this volatile time of year, so read on to learn how to prepare. 

Preparing Your Home

One of the most destructive parts of a storm is wind. Winds can easily reach over 100 miles per hour during a strong storm and they can pick up debris and objects along the way. Keep your yard tidy as often as possible by removing dead branches or limbs and pick up toys or yard equipment regularly.

If severe weather is predicted a few days out, take the time to tie down outdoor furniture and secure things to the ground like propane tanks or anything else you don’t want blowing or floating away. You should also clear out any debris from your gutters to help the rain flow down and away from your home.

Preparing Your Family

Tornadoes can be dangerous or even deadly if you are in their path, so the last thing you want to be doing is running around grabbing supplies and getting ready if one is on the way to your house. Ensure that your safe shelter location is in an interior room without any windows, and keep it clear during the entire season so you can get to it quickly if needed.

Your freshly restocked emergency kit should also be waiting for you there. Pack anything that your family would need to live comfortably during and after a storm. This includes fresh water, shelf-stable food, batteries and flashlights, and a weather radio. Don’t forget to check your kit at the beginning of every season to make sure nothing is expired or was used and not replaced. 

What to Do During a Tornado Warning

We know that many people’s first instinct when a tornado warning is issued is to head out to the driveway to chat with the neighbors about it and watch the storm come in. Storms are cool, that much is true, but don’t do that! Conditions can change in the blink of an eye, and the wind can quickly create projectiles.

Head inside and get to your safe shelter location right away. Don’t forget to grab your pets, too! Stay there and wait out the storm, and consider sheltering under a sturdy table or workbench for added protection. 

After the storm, take a walk around your property to assess the damage. SERVPRO of Fort Dodge’s storm restoration team is trained to handle any sort of storm damage, and we are here for you 24/7 to help you recover. Don’t hesitate to call us!

End of Summer Tips to Care for Your Home

8/2/2023 (Permalink)

If you are like us at SERVPRO of Fort Dodge, it's hard to realize that the end of Summer is here!  Schools are starting, busses are on the roads again and soon it will be Fall. 

The time between the seasons of Summer and Fall is a great time to make sure your home is ready for a new season and in a few months that word...SNOW.

Here a few tips we recommend to help keep your home in good condition for a new season.

Outside your home:

• Clean your gutters. Remove any debris to ensure rainfall can go through the gutter. 
• Perform a visual inspection of the perimeter of your home. Look to make sure there is a positive grade going away from your home, not towards your foundation. 
• Look at trees, branches and limbs close to your home.  Are there any that could damage your home and windows if there were strong winds? 

Inside your home:

• Check your furnace filter. Do you need to change it? Make sure to write the date you changed the filter. 
• Check your smoke detectors. This is a good time to change the batteries. 
• Do you have a carbon monoxide detector? It's a good time to change the batteries or get a new one. 

How Can Commercial Establishments in Fort Dodge Avoid Mold Damage?

3/25/2022 (Permalink)

Be Vigilant of Flooding or Excess Humidity in Great Falls Businesses to Avoid Mold Damage 

Mold damage to a Fort Dodge business can happen easily when a flood or a leak increases the relative humidity in your business and creates a suitable environment for mold spores to travel and spread. Knowing who to call to help address the damage and understanding the parameters of the cleanup process is necessary to determine if and how the growth will affect your operations and how you can pivot to minimize the loss. Hiring a professional team of experts can help you understand what needs to be done and plan for it. 

In Fort Dodge, your mold damage needs are met by our SERVPRO staff and certified crew of technicians. Just a phone call away, our team is ready to help around the clock and identify ways in which your commercial operations can continue while mold remediation activities occur. Although it isn’t always possible, we do our best to minimize the loss and the disruption to your business operations. Setting up physical containment barriers while we work is essential to our success, but we also concentrate on the following: 

• Address the ventilation system and airflow to prevent mold from traveling through A/C ducts and settling in other parts of the space. 
• Create containment areas whenever possible where your business can continue unaffected in a safe manner. 
• Resolving the source of the excess humidity so mold does not become a recurring issue.  

When mold damage threatens your business, SERVPRO of Fort Dodge is ready to help. Call our crew at (515) 955-4009, and let us show you how our industry knowledge is put to work for you. Like you, we want your staff and customers to feel “Like it never even happened.” 

Fire Damage Restoration for Commercial Customers in Fort Dodge

3/25/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO commercial damage restoration services are second to none. We are here to help 24/7 365 days a year, no matter the size of disaster. 

Commercial Fire Damage Restoration You Can Trust with SERVPRO 

You may have a Fort Dodge commercial or business property that's built tough, but there is little you can do when it gets hit with the devastating power of fire. Should you have severe fire damage, you may need to shut down. Hiring commercial restoration to get you back up and running is critical if you do not want extensive downtime. Your first action should be getting in touch with SERVPRO to address your fire and smoke damage. 

The bottom line is that SERVPRO's commercial fire damage restoration for Helena process helps you reopen your doors to the public faster. Your entire property gets back to being safe, sound, and free of unsightly damage or pungent odors. SERVPRO offers 24-hour commercial restoration, even if you have a fire that rips through the building during the night shift. We work on all types of fire-related incidents, handling every detail with precision and care. 

• Initial Emergency Contact – With your initial phone call, we deploy our Green Fleet to your door, where our team mobilizes with the latest equipment and tools. 
• Inspection and Assessment – Once on the scene, we assess the damage, learn about the incident, and determine the best tools, products, and methods to restore. 
• Mitigation – Depending on smoke and fire damage, mitigation can be crucial to keep secondary damage from wreaking havoc. We air out the scene, seal off impacted areas, and remove charred debris. 
• Cleanup – Our fire and smoke restoration technicians (FSRT) focus on dust, soot, residues, and all surface areas throughout your commercial building. We also tackle any leftover water from first responders putting out the flames. 
• Restoration – With our controlled demolition phase, all unsalvageable materials get replaced; flooring, drywall, cabinets, carpets, and other elements get installed to make it "Like it never even happened." 

SERVPRO of Fort Dodge 515-955-4009