Drip, Drip Drop—Staying Dry When It Rains | SERVPRO of East Evansville

8/27/2024 (Permalink)

Water started to form in home

When the rain comes down, it is everyone’s natural instinct to run inside to avoid getting wet. While you shake off your wet jacket and cuddle up on the couch to watch the storm pass, it can be easy to overlook the important job that your home is doing to keep you safe and dry.

While our homes are really reliable and can withstand some pretty significant weather events, that doesn’t make them invincible. If you have any sort of gap, crack or leak in the structure of your home, you could wind up with serious 

water damage. Preparing for storms and rain before they arrive can help you stay dry no matter what is in store. 

Preparation Steps
Staying connected to the local forecast is your first step. You can only plan appropriately if you know what to expect! 

If a storm is predicted to sweep through town or if a light rain is expected all afternoon, you can get ready beforehand. Start outside with your gutter system. You should be cleaning out your gutters regularly, but especially before predicted inclement weather. Pull out leaves and other yard debris that could lead to clogs and blockages.

Make sure your downspouts are connected and pointed away from your foundation as well to encourage the rain to flow down and as far away from your home as possible. Inside your home, take a walk around to make sure all of your windows and doors are shut tightly. This step may seem simplistic, but even one open window can easily let in a large amount of rain that will leak down your walls and damage your possessions. 

Up on the Rooftop 

Your roof is the first line of defense when it comes to storm protection and it can go through a lot in a typical year. Even the smallest crack in a shingle or minor impact damage from a fallen branch can have a significant impact on your home’s well-being. Even simple structural aging as your home gets older can lead to sagging spots that can let in water when it rains. 

We also suggest that you perform a routine visual inspection of your roof after every storm to check for damage. Look for issues along your roofline, check your vents and be sure you aren’t missing any shingles. Addressing this damage right away can help you stay dry when the rain starts to fall. 

The Aftermath 

After you have done all that you can and the storm is on the horizon, it’s time to head indoors and wait it out. The weather is unpredictable and even if you do everything right, you could still wind up with puddles around your windows or water in your basement. Call us right away if that happens to you!

Our talented team will expertly handle the water removal while also tracking down lingering or hidden moisture behind your walls and under your floors. Once dry, we will be able to handle your entire reconstruction to help repair warped walls, swollen floors and ruined carpet. We will be there to help you every step of the way.

Dealing with water damage after a storm? Call SERVPRO of East Evansville today.

When Every Minute Counts: Fire Escape Plans | SERVPRO® of East Evansville

4/8/2024 (Permalink)

fire exit emergency plan

No one plans to wake up one day expecting a house fire to break out. House fires are true emergency situations that can take almost anyone by surprise and can cause chaos to ensue as soon as the flames start building and spreading. 

Even though a fire can be confusing, scary and downright overwhelming, reacting quickly by getting out of your house can save your life. Do you have a reliable fire escape plan in place for your family and your household?

Creating the Plan 

No matter the layout of your home, you need to have a strategy that is communicated to your entire family. The best way to do this is to create your fire escape plan together! 

Grab a piece of paper and draw out each level of your home and then go on a quick tour with your kids. Have them point out the escape route in each room of your home, making sure they understand that windows should be included in your plan. This is also a great time to explain that while escaping out a window may be necessary, your windows should be respected and always avoided unless absolutely necessary. 

Once your exits have been documented on your layout, it’s time to head outside and decide on a central meeting location. Your meeting spot should be easy enough to get to but far enough away from your house to stay protected while the fire department fights the fire. A mailbox, a neighbor’s porch or a curb across the street are all good options. 

If you live in an apartment complex or a multi-unit property, make sure your escape plan is tailored to your home’s specific needs. Identify emergency exits on each level of your complex and also ensure that you know where the fire escape is located. Remind your children that it is important to avoid using the elevator during a true fire emergency.

Putting It to the Test

A plan is great, but only when it works! After you have created your escape routes and agreed on where to meet after everyone is outside, it’s time to practice. Simulate a normal day by having your kids playing in different areas of your home and then hit the test button on your smoke alarm. Once they hear the sound, time them to see how long it takes your kids to get out of their rooms and out the door.

As they are escaping, have them attempt to crawl on their hands and knees, explaining that this may be necessary if smoke has already filled the hallway. House fire smoke is toxic and even just a few inhales of smoke can leave you disoriented and make it harder to stay focused on your escape. 

Recovering Afterward 

Once everyone is outside and the authorities have been called, it is unfortunately all you can do until the fire is out. Give us a call as soon as the authorities leave so we can get to work on your restoration right away.

Our team understands how impactful house fires can be, which is why we work quickly to address your destruction in a quick and efficient manner. We will clean, sanitize, restore and rebuild your home with confidence so you can get back to your regular life faster.

Dealing with fire damage? Let SERVPRO of East Evansville take care of you.

Commercial Emergency Plans

9/6/2022 (Permalink)

Here at SERVPRO of East Evansville we hope that none of the business in our area ever experience a loss due to fire or the weather, but unfortunately the unexpected happens so business need to be prepared for it. Is your business prepared for an emergency at the office?

Do you…

• …have an evacuation plan in the event of a fire?
• …know where the nearest emergency exit is located?
• …have someone appointed to provide direction in the event of an evacuation?
• …practice fire drills at least once a year?
• …know to take the stairs instead of the elevator during disasters?
• …realize that you should move away from windows during a tornado?
• …have specific plans for disasters common to your location? (ie. Earthquakes)
• …have strategies to deal with power outages?
• …have a plan to handle computer network failures?

The business’ that are the most prepared for an emergency are the ones that are able to, get back to normal the fastest. Take a moment to evaluate your emergency preparedness at work. Putting just a little time and thought into preparation now, can improve your safety later! If you have any questions about emergency preparedness reach out to us. 

We are here to help!!

Business Fire, Are You Prepared

9/6/2022 (Permalink)

To a business owner having a fire break out at their establishment is a nightmare scenario.  Are my employees safe?  How bad is the damage?  Will I be able to reopen?  SERVPRO of East Evansville hopes that none of business friends ever have to deal with such a loss. At SERVPRO we believe that education and preparation is key in preventing such tragicize. Below are few statistics and tips to increase preparation.   

- FEMA’s National estimates for nonresidential building fires and losses in 2018, the most recent year for which data are available, are as follows: Fires: 103,600. Deaths: 85. Injuries: 1,025. Dollar loss: $2,656,600,000.

1. Inspection by the Local Fire Department

Always calendar annual inspections and be ready for the fire marshal to inspect your property. Continue to inspect, maintain and repair equipment as needed. Verify any violations from the last inspection are now compliant.

2. Fire Protection Systems

Fire protection systems include fire extinguishers, fire sprinklers and fire suppression systems. To reduce the amount of fire damage, inspect, maintain and repair the systems as necessary. Extinguishers must have tags marked with dates of inspection and it is essential the extinguisher type fits the type of fire. Inspect and test fire sprinkler systems according to NFPA Code 25.

3. Fire Safety Plan

Your employees need training in fire safety. They should know the location of all exit doors and fire extinguishers. Post emergency exit plans clearly throughout the business. Instruct your employees in the operation of fire extinguishers. Have a plan in place and educate your people. Practice fire drills regularly.
Worry over a possible business fire will not be an issue with inspection, maintenance, repairs and training. Speaking with a hazmat or fire clean up specialist such as SERVPRO of East Evansville can give you peace of mind that you are protecting your employees and your business.

Family Gathering Fire Safety Tips

9/6/2022 (Permalink)

Every year millions of families gather together to celebrate special occasions. Many of these special gatherings include preparing and enjoying meals together in each other’s homes.  What many of us do not think about is fire safety during our gatherings.  According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking is the main cause for home fires and injuries.  Here are some safety tips provided by the American Red Cross.

• NEVER leave cooking food unattended!
• Check food regularly while cooking and always remain in the home.
• Keep children away from the cooking area.
• Keep all flammable items-pot holders, wood utensils, and paper or plastic goods-away from the stove.
• Make sure to not wear loose fitting clothing while cooking.
• Always clean kitchen surfaces to prevent grease build up.
• Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
• Make sure all appliances are turned off when finished cooking.

SERVPRO of East Evansville wishes you and your family safe and happy special occasions! If you need us we are here to help, call us at (812)-471-3132

SERVPRO of East Evansville is here to serve you and all your restoration needs

9/6/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Evansville provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster in the Evansville and the surrounding tri-state areas.  We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

• 24-Hour Emergency Service
• Faster to Any-Sized Disaster
• Highly Trained Restoration Technicians
• A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
• Locally Owned and Operated
• Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment

Have Questions? Call SERVPRO of East Evansville Today – (812) 471-3132

Residential Services

Whether your home needs emergency flood damage or your upholstery cleaned, you can depend on us.  Our technicians have extensive cleaning and restoration training and can make your property look its best. Learn more about our residential services:

• Water Damage Restoration
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Mold Remediation
• Storm Damage Restoration
• Cleaning Services

Commercial Services

There's never a convenient time for fire or water damage to strike your commercial property. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services we has the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business. Learn more about our commercial services:

• Commercial Water Damage Restoration
• Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

24/7 with SERVPRO of East Evansville

9/5/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPROof East Evansville is available 24/7 for commercial losses in Vanderburgh and surrounding counties. Imagine coming into your office on a Saturday to tie up some loose ends to find that a faulty water valve has been leaking since early Friday night, what do you do? Call SERVPROof East Evansville! Our technicians stay on an on-call rotation to make themselves available for situations like these. As many of you know, moisture turns to mold very quickly and a timely response is vital to prevent microbial growth. Another critical benefit of getting a SERVPRO of East Evansville technician on site is to minimize company downtime, recovering from an unexpected void in production at your company is difficult, and the challenge grows every day that your company is not operational. With SERVPRO of East Evansville’s 1-4-8 promise, we can have you back up and running in no time! Our 1-4-8 promise states the following:

• You will receive a phone call from a SERVPRO of East Evansville professional to arrange mitigation services.
• SERVPRO of East Evansville will be onsite to begin services (if necessary).
• Within 8 hours we will have a scope of work, damage report, and verbal briefing for our client.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned -- AA Defensive Cleaning Porgram

9/5/2022 (Permalink)

Extensive training and specialized products

As the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration*, we stand on more than 50 years of experience and expertise to help your business become Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.  Beyond fire & water, SERVPRO professionals are trained and experienced in biohazard decontamination and chemical spills – always adhering to the cleaning and decontamination standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local authorities. 

From formulating and creating our proprietary cleaning products, like SERVPROXIDE, at our headquarters in Gallatin, TN, to taking the utmost care while disinfecting, we will ensure you and your business are set up to inspire consumer confidence.

We’re Here to Help – 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Call SERVPRO of East Evansville today at  812-471-3132 to schedule your Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned service.

* #1 Choice in cleanup & restoration based Commercial Attitude & Usage Tracking study. Polling 816 commercial business decision makers on first choice for future needs related to cleanup & restoration work. Study conducted by C&R Research: October 2019

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned means professionally trained SERVPRO franchises perform the requested cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection services according to proprietary SERVPRO protocols and recognized industry and CDC standards with EPA approved cleaning products to deliver a SERVPRO certified cleaning experience.  Each SERVPRO franchise is independently owned and operated.

SERVPRO of East Evansville Smoke and Soot Cleanup

9/5/2022 (Permalink)

Anyone that's ever experienced a house fire can attest, smoke and soot can be very invasive and get into unseen areas within a home.  

Facts about Smoke and Soot:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Three Types of Smoke:

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of East Evansville test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

1. Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

2. Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

3. Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

When we go into these situations we inspect and assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action. Each situation varies as does our approach. We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today 812-471-3132

Safety Tips to Remember When Cooking at Family Gatherings

9/5/2022 (Permalink)

Fire Safety Tips

Every year millions of families gather to celebrate special occasions, birthdays and more in their homes. What many of us do not think about is fire safety during our gatherings. According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking is the main cause for home fires and injuries. Here are some safety tips that I found in SERVPRO's November issue of Restoration Newsline provided by the American Red Cross:

• NEVER leave cooking food unattended!
• Check food regularly while cooking and always remain in the home.
• Keep children away from the cooking area.
• Keep all flammable items-pot holders, wood utensils, and paper or plastic goods-away from the stove.
• Make sure to not wear loose fitting clothing while cooking.
• Always clean kitchen surfaces to prevent grease build up.
• Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
• Make sure all appliances are turned off when finished cooking.

SERVPRO of East Evansville is here to help when disaster strikes. Give us a call any day at any time 812-471-3132