The importance of a tidy oven

11/14/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is known for their experience in fire, water mold and asbestos disasters, but did you know we also have highly trained and experienced crews to battle commercial cleaning jobs as well? Recently we went to a retirement home where the over had not been cleaned in quite some time. Now this might not seem like something that a large restoration company would do but having a clean and well working oven is extremely important.

There are many hidden dangers that can become real life if an over is neglected. Some of those dangers included are health risks due to food poisoning and possible grease fires from food dripping into the bottom of the oven and not being cleaned up. Less dangerous instances would include foul smells that could linger around your house for days. Cleaning your oven after every clean is extremely important and something everyone should get in the habit of doing.

Give us a call today! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs. We have highly trained professionals ready to help in your time of need.

Preparing for winter damage

11/13/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage to your home becomes a much higher possibility when winter weather hits. Rain and snow can do a number on your home if it is not prepared correctly. There are a few ways to get yourself prepared for when jack frost come nipping at your door. Here are few examples on how you can get ready for winter.

Clean your gutters and drains outside your home. Recaulk your windows and doors. Get your roof inspected for any cracks or leaks. Reverse your ceiling fans so the warm air moves down to the floor. Drain the fuel from your gas-powered lawn mowers and other engines. And finally cut back tree branches to avoid falling on your home.

We have highly trained professionals ready to help with all your fire, water mold and asbestos needs. We are ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Give us a call today!

Christmas tree danger

11/13/2022 (Permalink)

Every year there is estimated to be over 100 Christmas tree fires in homes in the US. As beautiful and festive as Christmas trees are, they can be a very scary hidden danger. There are a few things you can do to help prevent a disaster this Christmas season. Make sure to look for and pick a fresh-looking tree. Keep the tree hydrated by always watering it. Do not put the tree neat any heat, including heaters, candles, etc. Check the tree lights for any broken bulbs and turn off lights before bed. And finally, if the tree looks like it is dead, dispose of it.

Here are a few Christmas tree fire facts:

• Between 2015-2019 , U.S. fire departments responded to an average 160 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year. These fires caused an average of two deaths, 12 injuries, and $10 million in direct property damage annually.
• Electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in almost half of home Christmas tree fires. Nearly one in five Christmas tree fires were stared by decorative lights.
• In nearly one-fifth of the Christmas tree fires, some type of heat source, such as a candle or equipment, was too close to the tree.
• One in five Christmas tree fires were intentional. These fires were more common in January.
• Roughly three-quarters of Christmas tree fires occurred in December or January.
• Almost two of every five home Christmas tree fires started in the living room.

We have highly trained professionals ready to help with all your fire, water mold and asbestos needs. We are ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Give us a call today!

Prepare your business

11/13/2022 (Permalink)

When it comes to your business you can never be too careful in the winter months. Being prepared and planning can make a huge difference when a disaster hits. There are many things you should do to prepare your business for the winter months to come. Make sure to communicate with your employees your emergency plan that way they will already know what to do if a disaster hits. If you are preparing to close your business during normal business hours, then make sure to notify your customers about your dates that you will be closed. Salt the sidewalks in front of your storefront or business to make sure your customers remain safe. Possibly consider buying a generator in case of a power outage. And finally, check and re check fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

We have highly trained professionals ready to help with all your fire, water mold and asbestos needs. We are ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Give us a call today!

Mold in the window sills

6/3/2022 (Permalink)

Recently we received a call from a homeowner that was concerned about multiple mold sightings in window seals. When our estimator went out to the home he discovered that due to the lack of proper sealing in the window frame itself, it had allowed water to enter through the window causing mold spores to then grow and reproduce.

Windows have two sides – one on the inside and one that faces outside. Should windows be caulked on the outside? Yes, it's best to apply caulk to both the interior and exterior when installing new windows. This will seal any unwanted air leaks.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster, give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We have highly trained professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your disaster restoration needs. We are ready to help and make it "Like it never even happened."

Fire at your home or business

6/3/2022 (Permalink)

When a fire occurs at your home or business there are steps you should immediately take after the disaster. According to the Red Cross, these are the four steps to take immediately after a home fire.

1. Call 9-1-1. Give first aid where needed; cool and cover burns to reduce the chance of further injury or infection.
2. Let friends and family know you’re safe.
3. People and animals that are seriously injured or burned should be transported to professional medical or veterinary help immediately.
4. Stay out of fire-damaged homes until local fire authorities say it is safe to re-enter.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster, give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We have highly trained professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your disaster restoration needs. We are ready to help!

Commercial Water Loss

6/3/2022 (Permalink)

When a business owner has a commercial water loss there are a lot of steps ahead that need to be taken to get the problem fixed quickly and correctly. According the Hartford these are the four steps to take for a commercial water damage.

1. Identify the source of water damage. Water leaks and intrusions can happen in many places. Some common areas to check are pipes or holes in your roof or walls. You can also work with a local plumber to help identify the source.
2. If necessary, shut off the water main. If you have a leaking or burst pipe, shut off the water main to prevent more damage.
3. Immediately contact your insurance company. Notify your insurance company about the water damage as soon as possible. It’s a good idea to also document the damage with photos.
4. Find a restoration team. You can work with your insurer to find a company specializing in commercial water damage repair. If there’s extensive damage, there may be an emergency service for water extraction or mold remediation available for your business.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster, give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We have highly trained professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your disaster restoration needs. We are ready to help!

Water Disaster

5/26/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage in your home can be caused by a lot of different things. Weather, a leaky faucet, an outside source, etc. Figuring out where the water came from is the easy part, figuring out how to stop it and where to locate it is not as easy at times. Unfortunately, in most cases with water comes mold. So you need to act fact if you think your home can have a water issue. Here are some steps you should be taking in the event of a water disaster.

• Call your insurance company
• Call a restoration company
• Take inventory of all of your belongings
• If there is water damage, start the remediation process asap

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today! We have highly trained professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs.

Mold grows almost anywhere

2/25/2022 (Permalink)

Mold can happen nearly anywhere. According to the EPA website molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.

Mold tends to grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Mold can also grow on many different surfaces. For example, mold grows on surface like wood, tile, cardboard, paint, wallpaper, insulation, carpet and drywall just to name few.

Mold can be a very scary thing to deal with so please consult a professional if you suspect you may have mold. If you have any fire, water or mold disasters give SERVPRO a call today! We have trained professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Fire, soot and smoke damage

2/25/2022 (Permalink)

Recently SERVPRO was called to a fire job in Montana where a restaurant had caught on fire possible due to a dryer malfunctioning. Fires are never an easy thing do come back from simply because of the destruction that is can cause. Not only do you have to worry about your possessions that were ruined by the fire itself, soot and smoke due quite a bit of damage as well. We always suggest doing these things after you have suffered from a fire disaster in your home or business.

• Call 911 immediately
• Call your insurance company and start a claim
• Call SERVPRO to start the cleaning and restoration process
• If allowed start documenting all damaged items
• If allowed retrieve items that are salvageable

If you have any fire, water or mold disasters give SERVPRO a call today! We have trained professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

4 story water disaster

2/25/2022 (Permalink)

This month we were called out to an apartment complex that had a huge 4 story disaster due to pipes bursting. Over 30,000 gallons of water flowed through four stories of apartments causing a huge amount of water damage. SERPVRO was on the scene in less than an hour with a huge team ready to go!

The apartment owner knew this process would be a lot of work and let us get right to work. Our guys started with extracting all of the water and setting up Dehumidifiers to dry up all the water. We did moisture readings everywhere to detect all water or moisture that was present. We then continued to monitor all moisture levels.

If you have any fire, water or mold disasters give SERVPRO a call today! We have trained professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Why I am a proud SERVPRO employee

1/31/2022 (Permalink)

When people ask me where I work I am proud to respond with SERVPRO. SERVPRO is a veteran owned business who is dedicated to helping our community with all things fire, water, mold asbestos and biohazard. SERVPRO is extremely family friendly and knows the importance of a work life balance. That is why they make sure that every employee has the training they need.

We have highly trained professionals who not only are book trained, but also inquire a lot of on the job training from our wonderful crew chiefs and production managers. We make sure our crews are certified in IICRC so they can have every bit of knowledge about the job at hand as possible.

If you have a water, fire, mold or asbestos disaster, give SERVPRO a call today. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs.

Here at SERVPRO

1/28/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby has trained professionals who are ready to help with mitigation of your home or business day or night. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of cleaning and restoration need. Our team is educated in all things fire, water, mold, asbestos and biohazard.

Here at SERVPRO we believe that all of our mitigation team needs to be trained in fire, water, mold, asbestos and biohazard. We have our team complete online training as well as outside training programs. We make sure that our team members also have on the job training so every aspect of the job is clear to them.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

1,900 locations

1/28/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is the leader in the cleaning and restoration industry. SERVPRO has been around for 55 years and we have over 1,900 locations nationwide in the United States and Canada. SERVPRO was founded in 1967. Our teams can help with all of your cleaning and restoration needs. We specialize in everything fire, water, mold and asbestos related. We also have a full rebuild team so that we can complete a job from start to finish.

We strive to be a one stop shop for our customers. We communicate with your insurance as well so that we can make sure the disaster process goes as seamless as possible. We have team members who specialize in fire, water, mold, asbestos, biohazard and COVID related disasters. We also have a full rebuild team who specializes in flooring, carpentry, cabinets, and all things rebuild.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give us a call today! We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Marketing Coordinator

1/27/2022 (Permalink)

Danielle has been with SERVPRO of coming up on four years and she absolutely loves working here. She is our Marketing coordinator / executive assistant to one of our owners. She has experience in customer service as well as social media so this was the perfect position for her. She loves staying organized and helping her marketing team stay on track. A few of the things she does at SERVPRO is creates all of our social media content, organizes events, creates schedules and assists customers with job estimates and scheduling.

Danielle and her husband have been married for 136 years and share two beautiful children together. They are originally from Southern California where all four were born and raised. One summer they decided to visit her family in Montana and by chance stopped in Idaho Falls on their way home for food. They absolutely fell in love with the area and 4 months later moved here! They love being able to be out in nature and enjoy all the fun experiences Idaho has to offer.

Our Painter

1/27/2022 (Permalink)

Philippe is our one and only painter currently and he does an absolutely phenomenal job. Philippe has been painting professionally for over 5 years and absolutely loves what he does. His favorite part of painting is watching how he can transform a space from drab to amazing with just a few simple strokes of a brush. He has painted everything from big industrial buildings to residential properties.

Philippe was raised in Arizona where he lived most of his life. He loved living there and loved all the beauty it provided. Cold winters and warm summers definitely prepared him for his life in Idaho. It was an easy transition because of all the similarities between the two states. They both have amazing mountain ranges, endless nature, and gorgeous lakes and rivers everywhere you look.

We are so happy to have Philippe and his painting skills a part of our SERVPRO family!

Veteran Owned Franchise

1/27/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is a Veteran owned company who loves to give back to our community. Every year we participate in various events including Shop with a Cop, Toys for Tots, as well as a huge lunch we put on for our first responders. Being a veteran owned company we know how important it is to show support our community so anytime there is something we can be a part of we jump at the chance to do so!

We love collaborating with local businesses as well so we try and join in on their events as well as ask for participation in ours. It is very important to us to show our community that we are really here to help. We know how terrifying it can be to have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster so anytime we get on a job we try our very best to make our customers feel as comfortable and well taken care of as possible.

We absolutely love what we do and hope that we can continue to be there for our community for years to come!

When water enters mysteriously

1/26/2022 (Permalink)

When water enters your home from an unknown area it is extremely important to contact a professional right away so they can:

1. Identify the source of the problem
2. Assist in stopping the water
3. Assess the damage
4. Test for mold
5. Get a plan together to fix the problem that may have occurred

When water is present for an extended period of time there is a good chance that mold may be lurking close behind. Molds growth period is about 24-48 hours so it is extremely important to get any standing water cleaned up. Mold thrives in wet dark environments so water leaks are an ideal breeding grounds for mold.

If you suspect mold is in your home or business it is always a safe idea to call a professional. SERVPRO has highly trained employees who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Roof preparation when a storm is comming

1/26/2022 (Permalink)

Here in Eastern Idaho, storm season is a 2-3 month period every year that the residents must prepare for. Being unprepared can result in your home incurring large amount of damage. One very real issue you could have during a storm is water coming into your home through your roof and causing not only water damage but possible mold as well. If your roof has damage, missing shingles, etc. you should consider calling a professional to come asses any damage that you may have.

Here are a few things to do to prep your roof for an upcoming storm:

1. Get an inspection
2. Clean gutter and downspouts
3. Remove debris
4. Trim trees
5. Check large trees for age and weakness
6. Prevent ice dams
7. Buy some tarps
8. Secure or store loose items around your house
9. Check your insurance policy
10. Program a few important numbers in your home

If you suspect mold is in your home or business it is always a safe idea to call a professional. SERVPRO has highly trained employees who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Fires in Eastern Idaho

1/25/2022 (Permalink)

So far this year Eastern Idaho has had five structure fires since January 1, 2022. None of these fires have been nature related meaning something inside the home has been the cause.  According to firstalert.com the three most common reasons for structure fires are cooking, heating equipment and faulty wiring. Other culprits can be smoking materials like candles, Christmas tree fires and appliances.

Home fires are not always preventable but there are some ways to prepare for these terrible disasters. The first thing you can do is educate everyone in your home on fire safety. Help them to learn the fire exits and what to do in case a fire happens in your home. Second is to always make sure you have working fire alarms in your home and test them monthly to make sure the batteries are still working. And finally check all the wiring on your appliances. Make sure there are no cracks or bites in the wiring and that everything is plugged in correctly. And never overload the power strip.

If you have a fire, water, mold or biohazard disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. Our trained professionals are ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Mold at a commercial building

1/25/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial buildings are just as susceptible to mold as any residential property is. Depending on the business you run, mold can be a major danger. For example, if you own a restaurant and are constantly dealing with water and food mold can be lurking around many corners. Mold thrives in damp, humid and wet conditions. Mold requires water to grow and spread so a restaurant is an ideal breeding ground for mold if you are not careful.

There are however ways to prevent mold from growing and spreading in your business. Examples are:

• Keep humidity levels in as low as possible
• Be sure there is air flow
• Fix any leaks you happen to see as quickly as possibly.
• If you have a fire, water, mold or biohazard disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. Our trained professionals are ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

If you have a fire, water, mold or biohazard disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. Our trained professionals are ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Fire at a commercial property

1/24/2022 (Permalink)

When a commercial business has a fire there are many things to consider. How did the fire start? Could it have been prevented? Is there anything that is salvageable? How soon can my business by back up and running? What will the insurance cover? All of these questions will be answered soon enough by the investigators as well as the insurance company.

It can be a very scary time for business owners especially with all of the unknowns. There are steps however that will help you during this time.

1. Take steps to prevent further damage if possible
2. Notify your insurance company asap
3. Try and take inventory (pictures) of damaged items and non-damaged items
4. Let the fire department and investigation team finish their investigation before touching anything
5. Call a restoration company to start getting your business back in working order.

If you have a fire, water, mold or biohazard disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. Our trained professionals are ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Commercial content cleaning

1/24/2022 (Permalink)

After a business has a fire and all of the investigations are finished there is still a lot to do! One of the major things SERVPRO does as a cleaning and restoration company is Contents Cleaning. After a fire, the soot and smoke tend to saturate your belongings making them almost unnoticeable anymore. SERVPRO has trained cleaning professionals who know just how to restore your more most valuable belongings.

What is content cleaning? Content cleaning is done by highly trained professionals who have experience in cleaning, sanitizing and deodorizing your belongings. There are many different reasons for you to need us to clean your contents. A few being items that were damaged as a result of mold, water, sewage, smoke etc.

If you have a fire, water, mold or biohazard disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. Our trained professionals are ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Mold at a warehouse

1/24/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial properties experience all of the same disasters a residential home does. That includes Water, Fire, Mold and Asbestos disasters! One disaster that we come across quite often and is sometimes completely unavoidable is mold! Especially in dark damp factory settings, mold always seems to find its way in and begin to spread. There are a few tips and tricks we would like to share that may help keep that pesky mold out!

1. Clean up leaks right away when you see them
2. Monitor your humidity levels
3. Remove contaminiated items safely or call a professional
4. If you see mold call a professional right away to take care of the problem

If you have a fire, water, mold or biohazard disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. Our trained professionals are ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Mold can be extremely tricky

1/21/2022 (Permalink)

The thing about mold is that it is extremely tricky. It likes to hide in dark spaces with little to no sunlight. Dark wet spaces is very beneficial to the growth process of mold. For example, some of molds top hiding places include air conditioners, washing machines, bathrooms, crawlspaces, and kitchens. Many of those spaces are places you wouldn't even think to look! There are also many different kinds of molds. Some of those include aspergillus, cladosporium and stachybotrys area. The colors and dangers differ from mold to mold.

One thing that doesn't differ is the need to get them checked out and tested by a professional asap. Our trained technicians complete online as well as in person training classes to learn everything they need to know about mold. Once they receive their certifications, they are able to go to our customers’ homes and businesses to help rid them of this nasty fungus.

If you suspect mold in your home or commercial business, please give SERVPRO a call today. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs.

Storm season is upon us!

1/21/2022 (Permalink)

Storm season is here so that means its time to get those sprinkler systems blown out. If you live in a state where the weather goes below what they consider “freezing” then blowing out your sprinklers is a must! The reasoning behind blowing out your sprinklers is to prevent damage and cracking to your pipes as well as the components. Blowing out your sprinklers is the absolute best way to ensure they are dry and ready for the fast-approaching winter months.

If you forget or decide not to blow out your sprinklers you can be in for a world of damage to not only your irrigation system but also your lawn. If the water ends up freezing inside your pipes, valves or sprinkler heads you run the risk of completely destroying the system because when the water freezes it will expand the pipes and eventually burst. That will cause a remarkable amount of damage in your sprinkler system.  Once the warm weather comes back it can then dethaw and flood your yard and possibly get into the cracks of the foundation of your home.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today. We have highly trained certified professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Winter preperations

1/21/2022 (Permalink)

The winter months are upon us and everyone is hurrying to get all of their preparations complete! These preparations can be the determining factor with house your home will survive during the frigid months. One of the best ways to get your house ready is to look into heat cables for your gutters. Its definitely in your best interest to avoid ice dams as much as possible.

Ice dams Are a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow from draining off the roof. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to the walls, ceilings, insulation and other areas. There are however tips and tricks to prevent this disastrous situation.

1. Keep your gutters clean
2. Cap the hatch
3. Caulk any penetrations
4. Insulation in the ceiling

If you suspect you may have an ice dams give SERVPRO a call today at (208)523-5365. We have trained professionals available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Snowflakes, Sweaters and Hot Cocoa

1/20/2022 (Permalink)

• Snowflakes, sweaters, hot cocoa and fireplaces are all things that people may think of when thinking about winter time. But in states that receive many inches of snow every year there are far more hidden dangers to think about. Black ice is a very big reality and can become devastating very fact if you are not prepared for it. 
  
  What is black ice? Black ice, sometimes called clear ice, is a thin coating of glaze ice on a surface, especially on roads. The ice itself is not black, but visually transparent, allowing the black road below to be seen through it. 
  
  When driving try to: 

1. Avoid driving over black ice 
2. Know when to expect black ice 
3. Learn to deal with a black ice encounter 
   
   It is also a good idea to keep a driving safety kit in your car during winter. These items can include a small Shovel, gloves and winter clothes, blankets, emergency flares, first aid kit, bottled waters and rock salt. 

Beautiful snow fall

1/20/2022 (Permalink)

Snow fall can be beautiful and extremely dangerous all at the same time. Wet and heavy snow can possibly cause a lot of damage to trees and their branches by weighing them down and causing them to bend or bream. And in some case make the entire tree uproot and tragically call on your home or business.

A tree falling on your home can cause a great extent of damage that could be devastating to recover from. Thankfully there are ways to ready your home for the upcoming winter months with these tips and tricks.

1. Have a tree service company come assess your trees
2. Get an idea of branch sizes and which ones may be dangerous
3. Trim any limbs that may look dangerous
4. If you’re planning on planting a new tree, make sure to be aware of the placement

If you do have a disaster in your home or business give SERVPRO a call today! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Lending a helping hand

1/20/2022 (Permalink)

This year our incredible employees were dispatched to Louisiana to help with the devastation that the hurricane had left behind. Hurricane Ida reared her ugly face in Louisiana in August of this year. Ida was a category 4 storm with winds reaching over 150 miles per hour. It was said to be one of the largest storms since hurricane Katrina.

At one point after the storm there were more than 1 million homes without power. They have also identified that over 90,000 homes and businesses had poor or severs roof conditions and ravaged through the inside of many homes and businesses. It is said to have cause $1 million in damage.

SERVPRO flew across the United States to lend a helping hand. We assessed the damage and got to work. It was absolutely devastating seeing all the families and business owners affected by Ida. But we are hoping that by us lending our help we brought a small glimmer of hope.

Home Fire

1/19/2022 (Permalink)

Home fires can be extremely scary and sometimes confusing. Fires aren’t planned but that doesn’t mean you can’t be! According to an online poll they estimate that 358,500 home fires occur in the United States every year. With those statistics it is definitely worth it to become prepared in case of an emergency. Here are a few tips and tricks you can do to get prepared.

According to the Red Cross you should:

• Install smoke alarmson every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. 
• Test smoke alarms every month. If they’re not working, change the batteries.
• Talk with all family members about a fire escape planand practice the plan twice a year.
• If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL FOR HELP. Never go back inside for anything or anyone.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today. We have highly trained certified professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Water damage from a home fire

1/19/2022 (Permalink)

1. When people think of their homes catching on fire, they think of just that. Fire smoke and soot are not the only things to worry about after a home fire. There is also extensive water damage that can affect your belongings and the structure of your home. When you have a fire in your home the firefighters’ must use a forceful amount of water to get it out. In return this may affect your home’s structure and belongings.

With water damage no matter how big or small there is always potential for mold growth. If mold spores begin to grow, it can cause more problems for you. With everything can happen to your home after a fire it is extremely important to take proper actions.

• Call your insurance company
• Document the damage
• Find a professional to help
• Ask what to do next

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today. We have highly trained certified professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

How much damage can water do to a home?

1/19/2022 (Permalink)

How much damage can water do to a home? Well, more than you may think. Water can affect your home in many ways. Some of those ways may include mold damage, damage to your structure or wood, damage to your ceiling, caulk and drywall damage, electrical and carpet damage.

When water enters your home weather it be from a storm, a leak or any other way it gets to work right away causing a large amount of damage to almost anything it comes in contact with. Did you know that mold growth can start happening within 24 to 48 hours? Mold reproduces by spores that travel through the air. Mold will eventually damage the area they grow on and then continue to the next surface.

If you think you may have mold damage, please contact SERVPRO as soon as possible. We have highly trained professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs!

Turkey Fire

11/27/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO along with the Idaho Falls Fire Department, KIFI News and The Knowsy Neighbor displayed a demonstration on what not to do when deep frying a turkey this holiday season. We watched many how to videos and did the exactopposite with the help of the fire department. We overfilled the pot with oil, heated the oils past 500°, and placed a frozen turkey in the oil. Needless to say the flame was way over 20 feet high. Below are the correct instructions on how to have a safe and happy Holiday with your family and friends. 1. Stay Away from The House – Set up the turkey fryer more than 10 feet away from your home and keep children and pets away. Never leave it unattended. 2. Find Flat Ground – The oil must be even and steady at all times to ensure safety. Place the fryer on a flat, level surface and carefully gauge the amount of oil needed. 3. Use a Thawed and Dry Turkey – Make sure your Thanksgiving turkey is completely thawed and dry. Extra water will cause the oil to bubble furiously and spill over. If oil spills from the fryer onto the burner, it can cause a fire. 4. Monitor the Temp – Use caution when touching the turkey fryer. The lid and handle can become very hot and could cause burns. Also be sure to keep track of the oil’s temperature as many fryers do not have their own thermostats. 5. Be Prepared – Have a fire extinguisher (multipurpose, dry-powder) ready at all times in the event that the oil ignites. 

Veteran Owned

11/27/2021 (Permalink)

When people ask me why SERVPRO, my answer is always the same. I would choose SERVPRO because not only is SERVPRO a veteran owned franchise but it is a family owned company. SERVPRO prides themselves in treating every customer as if they were part of our family. Every job is done with 100% satisfactionGuaranteed and we work incredibly hard to make every customer feel satisfied that the job is done right the first time.  SERVPRO specializes in cleaning, restoration and construction. We want our customers to feel secure knowing that we will be able to be thereFrom start to finish during their disaster. We are certified in water, fire, mold, asbestos and biohazard disasters. We also have a full constructionTeam to help with the rebuild process as well. If you have a disaster and need SERVPRP give us a call today. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have certified professionals ready to help! 

Winter is here!

11/27/2021 (Permalink)

Winter is here and along with that comes all of the dangers it brings. One of the main worries you may have is the ones that affect your house which is ice damming.What is an ice dam? An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow (water) from draining off the roof. The water thatbacks up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation and other areas. Water leaking in your home is really never a great situation. Moisture entering the home from ice dams can lead to the growth of mold and mildew. To prevent an ice dam here are some tips and tricks to try. Ventilation under the roof deck, which keeps colder outside air circulating through the attic and prevents it from warming above the freezing point so it can melt snow on the roof.Insulation in the ceiling below the attic, which will prevent warm air from rising up into the attic space to melt snow on the roof.Blocking any heat sources that may be contributing to high temperatures in the attic. If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Hot and Humid

10/28/2021 (Permalink)

Recently we were called out to a loss for possible mold sitting in a large and very old warehouse building. In an environment that is constantly hot and humid paint and other products sometimes will start to fail making the protective barrier that the paint provided to the wall almost nonexistent. In this case the paint began to fail causing a possible microbial spotting underneath.

Knowing how quickly mold can spread and cause an even bigger problem we set up containment immediately and got to work. In our confined space we set up air scrubbers inside so that it would create negative air pressure and filter out anything that shouldn’t be present inside. We also do testing to always ensure that it is not dangerous to anyone around.

If you have a fire, water, mold, asbestos or biohazard disaster give SERVPRO a call today! We have highly trained professionals ready 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you with you cleaning and restoration needs. 

Local Hero's

10/28/2021 (Permalink)

We are so excited that for the third year in a row we were able to show our appreciation to our wonderful local first responders. Every year we provide a free lunch for all of our local hero’s. We set the time between 11-3 so they can come as they are able to do so.

This year we had a few amazing sponsors that participated and donated towards this amazing event. Our sponsors included Golds Gym of Ammon, Onek Property Management, Rich Broadcasting, The Wolf Radio Station, Firehose car wash, T-Mobile, Gandalfo’s and Duck Donuts.

We were able to not only have an amazing FREE lunch for our local hero’s but all of the business listed above brought freebies and amazing deals for them as well. We are so thankful to all of our first responders and hope to keep this tradition going for many more years to come.

Why are burn bans so important

8/9/2021 (Permalink)

What is a burn ban? Why are they so important? What would warrant a burn ban to be implemented? Lets start with the basics! A burn ban is a fire restriction that is implemented by the Land Management Agencies to help reduce the risk and prevention of wildfires during periods of high or extremely high fire dangers.

Fire restrictions are usually brought on quickly and sometimes without notice depending on how the quality of the air is, the wind speed and also the temperatures. 

Why are these burn bans so important? Well did you know that debris burning starts the most human-caused fires? When someone makes the decision to burn debris they need to be very aware of the wind speed as well as the temperatures. Fires can become out of control extremely quickly and can cause extreme amounts of damage including structure fires and wild fires just to name a few. Every county has a fire information website that can be checked for fire ban questions.

If you have a fire disaster please give SERVPRO a call today! We have highly trained professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Heavy rains, tornadoes, power outages and flooding!!!

8/9/2021 (Permalink)

It has definitely not been a great year for the residents of the Southeast Michigan area. They have experienced quite a few disasters that decided to make quite an entrance hand and hand. The disasters hit once after another and were not very quite with their arrivals. The are suffering from heavy rain, flooding, power outages and at least one tornado had been reported! 

What makes these storms so much worse than a "normal" thunderstorm is that they are dealing with a "tornadic" thunderstorm. That means that this specific thunderstorm that they endured was a rotating thunderstorm which is called a supercell which makes it more favorable for a tornado. 

SERVPRO's Storms team contacted SERVPRO's around the United States to join together in helping these wonderful families in getting their homes and businesses back up and running. If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We have trained professionals that are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! 

Ten plus floors affected

7/15/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO recently was called out to an apartment complex where they had experienced a terrible water loss that affected over ten plus units.  The culprit? A leaking/running toilet.

There are many reasons that a toilet would be leaky or runny. One of the most common reasons for this would be an old flapper. Flappers get old overtime causing them to not seal correctly anymore. Replacing the flapper is an easy fix that one can usually do on their own. If you do not feel comfortable, please call your local professional for help.

If this leaking is not caught in time it can result in a huge headache for home owners and property owners. Water is so incredibly sneaky and can really find every crevis, crack and cranny possible. If you find that you have standing water in your home or business it is extremely important to call your local professional. This standing water can result in mold which is not something you want in or around your home or business.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today. Our highly trained professionals are ready to help day or night. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs.

House fires can happen anywhere at anytime

7/15/2021 (Permalink)

House fires can happen at any time be it day or night. There are many dangers with house fires other than the actual fire itself. Smoke inhalation is a major safety hazard that needs to be handled with as much care as the fire itself.

Once a home catches fire and the fire department hopefully is able to put it out there are many things they have to investigate before the home owners can call a restoration company. Once they are finished with their investigation the home owner is then able to call a cleaning and restoration company to come out and help rebuild and clean their home.

Smoke damage is one of the most damaging outcomes from a fire. The SERVPRO Franchise Professionals use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces.

They will clean all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. They use a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to pre-fire condition. They’re also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

Restoration is the final step—getting your home or business to its pre-fire condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today. Our highly trained professionals are ready to help day or night. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs.

The importance of water extraction

7/15/2021 (Permalink)

Water extractions from homes and businesses are extremely important because with excess water there is a high potential for mold growth. Mold can not only ruin the walls, floors, and items inside your home, but it can cause health effects to you and your family.

Our process is very extensive and we take our water extraction process extremely serious. We make sure that we do it right the first time. The process includes:

1. Finding the leak and stopping it at the source
2. Removing as much of the sitting water as possible
3. Drying the ground and walls
4. And then using our dehumidifiers in the house or on any specific area we feel it is needed
5. If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today. Our highly trained professionals are ready to help day or night. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs.

Mold in my shower

6/14/2021 (Permalink)

Water is a wonderful thing to have around! Its refreshing, clean and hydrating! But did you know that it also has a dirty and dangerous side? It does! Water and mold go together like two peas in a pod.

For example: Water from the shower can become a pretty messy situation if it gets out of the area it is supposed to be in. When that happens you try and try to clean up every speck of water possible because you know that mold LOVES water and dark spaces. And bathrooms are infamous for both of those things. 

What happens when water slips through the cracks and goes unnoticed? Mold happens! There are many different types of molds so don't freak out just yet. SERVPRO has trained professionals that will come out to your home and diagnose and preform mold tests. We want our customers to get the best and most accurate results possible so we make sure to send it out to the lab for testing. After the results come back, that's when we make our game plan.

If you suspect mold in your home or business give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your water, fire, mold and asbestos needs!

Spring has sprung and so has fire season!

5/5/2021 (Permalink)

Spring is upon us and so is that time of year when people in Southeastern Idaho start doing their controlled burns to rid the ditches of dead leaves, tree limbs and other debris. Although controlled burns are a normal and very common event, sometimes it can be a little bit on the uncontrollable side.

Many things can go wrong when you mix fire with wind. Recently in Idaho Falls firefighter were called out to a field west of Idaho Falls. About 1.5 acres of dry grass became inflamed after a controlled burn had gotten out of hand. With the strong winds in Idaho Falls controlled burns can quickly become dangerous when they are near homes, businesses, or dry fields. To help avoid a burn from becoming out of control you should always check your local fire department for burn ban bulletins as well as checking your local weather station to look out for wind advisories.

If you do have a fire disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

The toilet decided to overflow

5/5/2021 (Permalink)

Flooding can happen almost anywhere! One of the more common places that water damage happens is a residential property. That being the case because they have SO many different outlets for water to become a problem. Kitchens, bathrooms and sprinkler systems are some of the major areas of issues.

For example, a call came in today from an older woman who was in distress over the fact that her basement bathroom had flooded into the other rooms causing a large amount of water damage in her walls, flooring, and carpet. A toilets valve broke and the water started to overflow. SERVPRO knew that with this kind of loss we had to get started ASAP. We sent our guys out to her home within 30 minutes to start to evaluate the disaster.

We realized very quickly that the amount of rooms affected were way more than the customer had thought. We started extracting the water and setting up air movers right away. Thank fully with that being done we were able to get the loss under control quickly and efficiently. This disaster could have been a lot worse if we would not have been able to get the water out as quickly as we did.

If you do have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Customer service and trust

3/29/2021 (Permalink)

Customer service and trust has and always will be two of our main priorities. We believe that if we offer amazing customer service, our customers will be able to trust that we will make sure the job is done right.

We believe it is extremely important that our technicians are up to date certified on all things water, fire, mold and asbestos. They attend yearly classes to make sure they feel confident and ready to help our customers in their time of need.

More times than not when our crews are called out to an emergency disaster we need to act fast! With their ongoing education and training they have the ability to analyze a situation quickly and figure out a solution. 

If you have a water, fire, mold or asbestos disaster give us a call today! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Eddie

3/29/2021 (Permalink)

Eddie is the newest member of our team and we are beyond thrilled to have him! He is the production manager and has fully dove into his new scope of work. He is a team player and is excited to build working relationships with his new team.

Eddie has over 20 years of experience in construction. This experience includes painting, drywall, carpentry, flooring etc. He also has many years of experience managing and running large scopes of work. His quick thinking and ability to wrap his head quickly around any job makes him a valuable asset to our team. 

If you have a fire, water, mold, asbestos it remodel disaster please give us a call today. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your disaster and cleaning needs.

Why SERVPRO? Because we care!

3/26/2021 (Permalink)

Customer service has always been and will always be our first priority. Every employee who works at SERVPRO knows that we are not only restoring a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster, we are giving people back their homes and businesses. 

We understand the importance of getting families back into their homes as quickly as possible. We also know how extremely important it is for a business owners to get back to work. That is why we stay up to date on new techniques and products. We also make sure that our crew members are certified in water, fire, mold and asbestos so we are ready for any disaster.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give us a call today! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

When disaster hits we will be there

3/22/2021 (Permalink)

Why SERVPRO? Because SERVPRO has compassion. After the terrible winter storms that ravaged states across the US SERVPRO was there to lend a helping hand!

Our Franchise decides we needed to be out there helping all of the families suffering from their devastating loss. We initially went to Oklahoma City. We stayed there for almost 3 weeks working hard to help these families have their homes and businesses back. We worked on residential properties as well as commercial properties which included churches, hospitals, schools etc. We did it all!

We new we had to work fast because with water comes mold. We worked long hours and fought extremely hard to help get this city back up and going. We feel so lucky that we work for a company that regardless of where you are located, we are always ready to help you in your time of need.

If you have a fire, water, mold, asbestos or biohazard disaster call SERVPRO today! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs.

Winter storms bring water and mold

3/22/2021 (Permalink)

Recently winter storms have hit the lower south coast hard. Families and business owners were stranded with no place to go because of the severe damage they had faced.

Water damage from the storms had ravaged through these homes and businesses. If that wasn't enough water brought along a friend by the name of mold! With water comes mold and with mold comes a whole new set of problems. We had to work fast!

With as many homes and businesses that were affected by these winter storms, SERVPROs Storm Team had called in other franchises from out of town to help. We were lucky enough to be among those called.

We started in Oklahoma and ended in Texas. We were out there for over a month and worked day and night to help restore these wonderful peoples homes and businesses. The people in the communities were amazing even after having to go through what they did.

With our guys keeping a positive attitude we were able to get families and business owners back in their locations quickly and efficiently as possible. We are proud to say that we were able to help!

If you have a fire, water, mold, asbestos or biohazard disaster call SERVPRO today! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs.

I love where I work!

3/22/2021 (Permalink)

When people ask me where I work I am proud to respond SERVPRO. I am the Marketing Coordinator and have been with our wonderful franchise for over 3 years. I love working for a company that shows so much love, support and kindness to their employees and customers.

In our line of business there is never a dull moment. Being a disaster cleaning and restoration company you really never know what that next call is going to be that comes in.

We help deal with anything from bat guano to water damage to flooring replacement. We have technicians trained in biohazard cleanup, water damage, mold, smoke damage and asbestos removal. We also have a full reconstruction team that is ready to build, paint, texture and tape, lay new flooring and fix anything you might need!

We really are a one stop shop and our customers are the main priority. We work extremely hard in making sure they are satisfied with our work from start to finish. We understand that their homes and businesses are their personal spaces and we make sure to respect that as such. I am so happy to say that I am a SERVPRO employee and I am excited to see our company continue to grow.

If you have a fire, water, mold, asbestos or biohazard disaster call SERVPRO today! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs.

Oklahoma City

3/2/2021 (Permalink)

After the huge and unexpected storms hit Oklahoma City our SERVPRO team was asked to fly out and help assess and fix the damage. Oklahoma City was devastated by two major record breaking winter storms in February that caused a large amount of disasters for residential and commercial buildings. These storms caused hazardous driving conditions, rolling blackouts, water main breaks and a ton of other issues.

Our franchise owner Skylar along with a crew of guys flew and drove out there ASAP to see what we could do to help. The damage that the storms left behind was terrible. We have been working on everything from schools, to libraries, to hospitals. Water damage and water leaks were the two biggest issues we had dealt with. With water comes mold so extracting the water and controlling the leaks was extremely important. We had to work fast and efficient to get things under control.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today! We have trained professional ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Water damage in Oklahoma

3/2/2021 (Permalink)

Our teams flew out to Oklahoma City this weekend to help with the terrible disasters that they were experiencing. Oklahoma City was hit with two major storms which resulted in leaking and breaking pipes. SERVPRO was asked to fly down to Oklahoma to help aid in this disaster and that is exactly what we did!  

Water damage can cause a variety of different problems, but one of the biggest problems it can cause would be mold! Mold develops when surfaces become moist. It really thrives in dark places like under baseboards and in walls. Mold can start growing within 24-48 hours after a flood or water leak. The amount of mold growth also depends on the material or surface the water lands on as well as the moisture level and temperatures.

We have moisture readers that will tell us what areas have been affected by water as well as mold testing to determine what kind of mold is growing. All of this will play a factor in what we need to remove or dry out.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today. We have highly trained professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Back up and running

2/2/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO works with a lot of commercial properties all over Southeast Idaho. We handle water, fire, and mold disasters. It is all about timing when it comes to commercial properties. It is all about getting them back up and running so they can continue to make money. We have very strategic plans set into place so that we can always preform their jobs quickly and efficiently. With that being said, we know that having our crews always up to date on training is extremely important.

We are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  We have highly trained and certified professional ready to help! If you do have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO of Idaho Falls & Rexburg/Rigby a call today (208) 523-5365.

Fires happen in the winter

2/2/2021 (Permalink)

Fires happen any time during the year, even in winter! There are tons of different ways that a fire can start.

• Cooking
  1. Never leave your stove or oven unattended
  2. Make sure to clean your oven often
  3. Keep all paper products away from your stove

• Smoking
  1. Do not smoke in your home. Even if the weather is ridiculously cold outside.
  2. Make sure before you toss your cigarette butts out make sure they are completely out.
  3. Make sure to keep them up and away from children.

• Candles
  1. Never leave candles unattended or fall asleep with a candle on
  2. Never leave candles near curtains or blinds

We are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  We have highly trained and certified professional ready to help! If you do have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO of Idaho Falls & Rexburg/Rigby a call today (208) 523-5365.

My business caught on fire. What's next?

1/7/2021 (Permalink)

Has your business's building burnt down in a fire? What do you do now? There are different things you should and shouldn’t do when you have experienced a fire within your businesses.

1. Don’t touch anything
2. Turn off all utilities
3. Immediately contact your insurance company
4. After you are instructed to you can remove your necessary items
5. Make sure to let your local police department know so they can help prevent vandalism or break ins
6. You or your insurance company will call a Cleaning and Restoration professional to help you get back up and going.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We have highly trained professionals who are ready to be there for your home and business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Christmas Trees gone bad

1/7/2021 (Permalink)

Today we did a demonstration on how quickly a Christmas Tree can start on fire. Did you know that between 2014-2018, U.S. fire departments responded to an average 160 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year. These fires caused an average of two deaths, 14 injuries, and $10 million in direct property damage annually.

Thank you to Ammon fire department for helping us with this demonstration. We wanted to help to educate the public on how quickly a happy holiday tradition can go wrong.

Be sure to keep your trees watered and away from any heat source such as candles, heaters, etc.

SERVPRO of Idaho Falls & Rexburg/Rigby is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your Fire, Water, Mold and Asbestos need! (208) 523-5365

Kitchen or indoor pool?

1/7/2021 (Permalink)

Water disasters can happen in almost any part of your home. One of the most common places for it to happen however is the kitchen. The kitchen has many different factors that can contribute to water issues. Fridge, dishwasher, water lines to fridge, sink, etc.  There are steps you can take however after a water disaster occurs in your home.

1. Your going to want to turn off the water and power in your kitchen area. You want to try to stop anymore water from coming out.
2. Next you will want to call your insurance company right away to see what is covered.
3. And finally you will want to call a cleaning and restoration company to come out and asses the damage. They will let you know if this is something you can fix yourself or if a professional will need to assist you with.

SERVPRO of Idaho Falls & Rexburg/Rigby is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your Fire, Water, Mold and Asbestos need! (208) 523-5365

Bathrooms... Dark, damp and isolated spaces.

1/7/2021 (Permalink)

While working on a tile job we discovered a customer’s bathroom had been invaded by mold! Bathroom mold occurs primarily because mold loves damp, dark, wet and isolated spaces. Bathrooms are a breeding ground for mold because of the unlimited amount of water supplied in a small space. Sinks, toilets, bathtubs, showers and let’s not forget your littles bath time routines that involves shoveling the water from the bathtub to your bathroom floors.

According to houselogic.com a great way to help prevent a moldy bathroom mess would be:

• Use your bathroom ventilation fan when you shower or bathe, and leave it on for 30 minutes following the end of your bath; if you don’t have an exhaust fan, install one.
• Keep household humidity levels below 50%; an air conditioner or dehumidifier can help.
• Use a mildew-resistant shower curtain, and wash or replace it frequently.
• Don’t keep bottles of shampoo or shower gel, toys, or loofahs in the shower, as they provide places for mold to grow and hide.
• Wash your bathroom rugs frequently.

If you still happen to have a mold disaster give SERVPRO a call today and we can come out ASAP. SERVPRO of Idaho Falls & Rexburg/Rigby is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your Fire, Water, Mold and Asbestos need! (208) 523-5365

Dangerous weather in Idaho

1/7/2021 (Permalink)

Even in the worst stormy weather SERVPRO will travel near and far to be there in your time of need! Our franchise travels all over Southeastern Idaho and the weather out here can get pretty treacherous at times. Last year alone we saw an average of 38.9 inches of snow. The US averages at 27.8. So needless to say, our winters are pretty chilly.

Road conditions are not always the best so we always urge our employees to take these steps while driving in stormy weather.

1. Slow down. Even if you haveall-wheel drive, reduce your speed about 10 miles per hour below the speed limit
2. Beware of black ice
3. Avoid tailgating
4. Don't brake duringa turn
5. Turn into a skid

These tips can make a huge difference while driving in adverse weather conditions. If you do have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO of Idaho Falls & Rexburg/Rigby a call today (208) 523-5365.

Mold where you least expect it!

1/7/2021 (Permalink)

Commercial buildings have to deal with almost everything a home would have to including mold. Mold is a touchy subject because unless tested or viewed by a professional you can’t tell how dangerous it can really be. Mold occurs primarily because mold loves damp, dark, wet and isolated spaces. So really almost just about anywhere. Below are some tips on helping to prevent a mold disaster in your business.

1. Always stay vigilant. Mold is very tricky and sneaky and can hid almost anywhere that is even the tiniest bit damp
2. Make sure to always make the proper repairs to foundation cracks, leaky roofs, etc.
3. Dehumidifiers are always a great idea to combat mold growth
4. Clean clean clean! Try your best to keep your property clean!

If you do have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO of Idaho Falls & Rexburg/Rigby a call today (208) 523-5365.

Water damage in your building

1/7/2021 (Permalink)

Commercial buildings have to deal with almost everything a home would have to including water damage. While working on a commercial property this week we found that water had seeped into the cracks through the foundation. Idaho has been dealing with a lot of highs and lows this month which means cold snow followed by melting snow. This can only mean one thing... soppy messes!

When the foundation in your building has a crack or opening water can and will find its way in. Water inside your business should never be ignored. It should be cleaned up immediately and if you feel that it has caused more of a disaster than you can deal with make sure to call a professional to come help. Remember water sometimes leads to mold!

If you do have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO of Idaho Falls & Rexburg/Rigby a call today (208) 523-5365.

Steps to take after a storm

1/6/2021 (Permalink)

After a storm there are definitely steps to take to make sure your home is safe and secure and has not been affected negatively. Make sure you do the following after a major storm event:

• Check your home and property for damage.
• Keep clear of damaged buildings, powerlines and trees.
• Be aware of road hazards such as floodwater, debris and damaged roads or bridges.
• Do not drive through affected areas unless it is necessary.

Storms can happen almost any where at any time. Being prepared can give you a huge advantage if your city is hit by a dangerous event. Make sure that you and your family have a plan in place. Certain things like overnight bags, canned foods and non-perishable foods stored, escape plans, etc. can make things a lot simpler if something were to occur.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We have highly trained professionals who are ready to be there for your home and business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

How to secure your home before a storm

1/6/2021 (Permalink)

If a storm happens in your town there are definitely things you can do before and after to help get through it. Before any storm you should:

• Check that loose items such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured.
• If it is safe to do so, check gutters, downpipes and drains are not blocked.
• Park your car undercover and away from trees.

 And after a storm you can:

• Stay indoors and away from windows.
• If outdoors, shelter away from drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
• Be prepared for power outages.
• Floodwater is dangerous – never drive, walk or ride through floodwater.
• Floodwater is toxic – never play or swim in floodwater.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We have highly trained professionals who are ready to be there for your home and business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What to do if a storm affects your crawlspace

1/6/2021 (Permalink)

Storms can affect your property all different kinds of ways. One of the ways that it can affect your home is by letting water seep into the crawl space. Water leaking in your crawlspace can cause a lot of issues in your home. These issues include mold, flooding, rot, and could attract pests.

If water leaks into your home the first thing you should do is assess the damage right away. Then you should always call your insurance and see what kind of coverage you will be covered for. You or your insurance will likely cause a restoration company to come and clean up and dry up the water and assess and fix any further damage.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We have highly trained professionals who are ready to be there for your home and business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Preventing cracking pipes

1/2/2021 (Permalink)

With cold winter weather comes low temperates. Gnarly wind chills can result in freezing or bursting pipes. If water in pipes turn to ice it can grow and expand and cause your pipes to crack.

Winter weather causes a lot of obstacles for homes and businesses. There are ways however to prevent the cracking inside the pipes. These are a few examples.

1. Make Sure Pipes Are Insulated.

2. Let Your Faucet Drip.

3. Seal Up Cracks and Leaks.

4. Open Those Doors.

5. But Keep The Garage Door Closed.

6. Watch That Thermostat.

7. Disconnect/Shut Off The Water.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We have highly trained professionals who are ready to be there for your home and business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Sneaky mold growth

1/2/2021 (Permalink)

Mold is the just the worst! It can show up without any warning... or so you may think. Mold thrives in dark damp places and can start growing and become dangerous before you even know it! Bathrooms, basements and kitchens are ideal growing conditions for mold.

There are ways however to try and help prevent mold growth. They are ways however to help Stop Mold Growth in House.

Control moisture. Keep the humidity level under 60 percent.

Dry up wet materials quickly. ...

Clean, disinfect, and dry surfaces prone to mold growth. ...

Repair leaks. ...

Dry items thoroughly before storing them.

Improve airflow at home. ...

Monitor your basement's ventilation.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We have highly trained professionals who are ready to be there for your home and business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Water on the wood floors

12/21/2020 (Permalink)

Wood flooring damaged by water in kitchen.

Our crews went out to this home because they had a leaky fridge causing the wood floor to get extremely wet. When water penetrates the wood flooring it can lead to swell against each other, buckle or even warp. If left untreated it can also lead to mold underneath the wood flooring. 

Mold growth can become an issue if the water starts to seep down into the wood and then into the plywood. Mold tends to flourish in dark damp spaces so water + wood + dark space = an amazing breading ground for mold!

SERVPRO specializes in Mold damage and has a highly trained teem of individuals ready to help you 24 hours a day. 7 days a week!

If you need SERVPRO's assistance give us a call today!

We care about our community

12/21/2020 (Permalink)

Our owner and marketing rep with a sheriff donating money.

This year SERVPRO's marketing team got together to brainstorm on ways to help the community. Every year we come together and think about what we can possibly do to make a good impact on our local friends, family and neighbors. One of the things that we decided to go with was the Shop with a Sheriff foundation put together by Bonneville County Sheriffs Department. 

We know that due to COVID a lot of people have been impacted and unfortunately may not have enough money this year to give their children a good Christmas. So we got on the phone with the police department and had them over that next day with a check made out for $600. 

SERVPRO feels that looking out for your community is one of the most important things you can do!

We love our first responders

12/21/2020 (Permalink)

Our first responder lunch set up in our SERVPRO office.

SERVPRO is always looking for ways to give back to our first responders. Especially during things times of uncertainty. SERVPRO decided to give back to our local Hero's by serving them free lunch, drinks and desserts at our SERVPRO office in Idaho Falls. 

We served easily over 60 officers and office staff that day and were so thrilled to do so. We know that these men and women work so hard day in and day out to keep our community safe and we wanted to be able to show them our appreciation.

We had officers all over Southeastern Idaho show up! We got to feed them as well as chat with them about their work, family, etc. It was such an amazing day and we cannot wait to do it again next year!

Thank you Firefighters

11/23/2020 (Permalink)

Fire Department posing for a picture with SERVPRO employees in front of fire truck.

Thank you, Central Fire Department, Station #3 in Lewisville and our Marketing Rep Megan Olsen for helping SERVPRO put together this video to help spread awareness of the dangers that could come from cooking a turkey in the deep fryer. To avoid this happening make sure your turkey is thawed and dry before putting it in your hot oil.

Each year, fire departments respond to more than 1,000 fires related to deep fryers. Those fires cause serious burn injuries and more than $15 million in property damage. So please everyone be safe this Holiday Season! Here are some helpful tips from the Idaho State Fire Marshal.

• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
• Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
• Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away.
• Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
• Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
• Keep knives out of the reach of children.
• Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
• Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
• Never leave children alone in room with a lit candle.
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

Really cool looking mold

11/23/2020 (Permalink)

Mold growth on wood at a commercial building.

Some of these may look like really cool pieces of art but this is in fact the many faces of mold!

All of these styles of mold were in the same area in a commercial basement of a building we were working on. This one in particular caught our eye because it looks like a beautiful tree.

Mold can come in many different shaped, sizes and colors. Mold is found almost everywhere and can grow in any substance when moisture is present. Mold can reproduce by spores, which is carried by air, when spores land on a moist surface they begin grow. Mold is typically found indoors.

Our highly trained team of professionals are ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We strive to always be up to date on the newest training and techniques as well as CDC guidelines. If your business has a fire, water, mold, asbestos, biohazard or COVID disaster, give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365.

Helping our Heroes

8/20/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO was out again today volunteering our time fogging and disinfecting our first responders’ vehicles. Our main goals in this is to continue to do our part and help to keep those on the front lines and our community safe. We know how hard and long they work everyday to keep our community safe and this is our way to give back.

Right now, with COVID-19 being such a huge concern, the last thing we want our first responders to worry about is the safety and cleanliness of their vehicles. Therefore, we have dedicated many hours to our local emergency response companies so that we can help take one thing off their plates. Thank you again to Central Fire District, Mud Lake Ambulance, Robert Fire District and Idaho State Marshall for allowing SERVPRO to come out!

Our highly trained team of professionals are ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We strive to always be up to date on the newest training and techniques as well as CDC guidelines. If your business has a fire, water, mold, asbestos, biohazard or COVID disaster, give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365.

We are the cleaning specialists

8/20/2020 (Permalink)

Our Cleaning Specialist Candace and her crew are currently working on this fire job. They need to first dry sponge to remove the soot and then they will begin their cleaning process. SERVPRO uses a dry sponge cleaning process for removing soot because it avoids the smearing that occurs with damp cleaning. Chemical dry-cleaning sponges are specifically engineered to absorb particular matter right into their pores, like soot.

Smoke damage is very tricky and a long process but our SERVPRO cleaning specialists are highly trained and ready to get your home or business back to its original state.

Our highly trained team of professionals are ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We strive to always be up to date on the newest training and techniques as well as CDC guidelines. If your business has a fire, water, mold, asbestos, biohazard or COVID disaster, give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365.

The dangerous effects of Asbestos

7/16/2020 (Permalink)

Over the weekend our SERVPRO team removed Asbestos tiles from a local business. Asbestos is extremely dangerous and should be handled quickly and efficiently by trained professionals. Asbestos is a heat-resistant fibrous silicate mineral that can be woven into fabrics. And it is used in fire-resistant and insulating materials such as brake linings.

According to oregonstate.edu, the most common way for asbestos fibers to enter the body is through breathing. In fact, asbestos containing material is not generally considered to be harmful unless it is releasing dust or fibers into the air where they can be inhaled or ingested. Many of the fibers will become trapped in the mucous membranes of the nose and throat where they can then be removed, but some may pass deep into the lungs, or, if swallowed, into the digestive tract. Once they are trapped in the body, the fibers may cause health effects. 

If you suspect you have Asbestos in your home or business please give us a call and we can be there ASAP to keep you safe with our highly trained and certified crew! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Give us a call today at (208) 523-5365.

Helping out our local heroes!

7/16/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has been teaming up with our local Fire Departments to volunteer our time in helping prevent the spread of COVID-19. Per the CDC website Coronavirus (COVID-19) is an illness caused by a virus that can spread from person to person. • The virus that causes COVID-19 is a new coronavirus that has spread throughout the world. • COVID-19 symptoms can range from mild (or no symptoms) to severe illness.

We have been volunteering our time by going out to our local Fire Departments and cleaning all emergency vehicles. We fog and disinfect all vehicle free of charge. We hope that by doing this we can help to keep our first responders safe and able to continue to be there for our community.

If you have a fire, water, mold, asbestos, biohazard or COVID-19 related disaster, give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have highly trained professionals ready when you need us!

Rainfall is so pretty, and so damaging

7/16/2020 (Permalink)

It's that time of year again when the heavy rain creates even heavier runoffs. Make sure to call your insurance agent to see just what is covered under your policy for flood and ground water. It is always a great idea to be in the know so you can protect your home and business.

There are a lot of damaging affect that rain water can end up causing to your outdoor space. If rainwater collects in your yard, you can wind up with large pools that can damage the landscaping and flood your basement. If your yard has repeatedly flooded after rainstorms, you have a serious drainage problem that needs to be addressed to avoid costly damage.

If you have a fire, water, mold, asbestos, biohazard or COVID-19 related disaster, give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have highly trained professionals ready when you need us!

Removing some wet carpet

6/12/2020 (Permalink)

Carpet puller machine being loaded into a SERVPRO truck.

Removing some carpet today! SERVPRO went to a job where the homeowners carpet needed to be removed because of water damage. If carpet has been wet for longer than 72 hours it is a good time to consider replacing it. Mold takes no longer than 72 hours to form and spread making it difficult to clean thoroughly after that time. If mold begins to spread that you will be in for a lot of other issues.

However, there are steps you can take to hopefully avoid removing the carpet.

1. Remove water as quickly as possible
2. Use fans to speed up carpet drying process
3. Use a dehumidifier to dry out the room
4. Steam clean carpet and flooring

If you have a Fire, Water, Mold, Asbestos, or Biohazard disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365 We have highly trained professionals that are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your disaster needs.

Rain Rain Go Away

5/21/2020 (Permalink)

Heavy rain and winds can leave a lasting and very negative impact on your home. Rain along with hail, wind, and snow, is known to cause all sorts of damage when severe enough. There are many ways to prepare your home to help prevent the damaging affects that the elements can cause. According to www.property24.com they suggest that you consider these options when prepping for a storm.

1.Inspect your roof - Walk around your home’s exterior so you can inspect your roof. Do this at least twice a year to avoid costly problems that could escalate into a much greater expense.

2. Inspect your gutters - Gutters are an essential part of your roofing system. The purpose of the gutter is to collect and funnel away any water that lands on the roof. These carry water away from the building’s foundations, protecting your exterior surfaces and stopping water from entering the home. 
3. Inspect the inside of your home- Check all your windows and doors. Make sure that both close and seal properly, and make any repairs or improvements as necessary.Check out your ceilings to make sure that you are not experiencing signs of roof or other leakages. Be on the lookout for water rings, mould or dark spots and trails. Wall or ceiling discolouration could also be an indication that there is a problem. 
4. Surrounding trees and foliage - It would be prudent to consider cutting back any trees and foliage that hang over the house and gutters as their branches and leaves will most likely cause blockages and guttering problems. Additionally, this will reduce the risk of them falling during a storm and damaging your home.

If you have a fire, water, mold, asbestos or biohazard disaster, give SERVPRO a call today. Our trained technicians are available

Bats in the attic

5/13/2020 (Permalink)

Our production managers Brittany and Justin were in Moran, Wyoming today putting together an estimate for some clean up needed at the Fire Station. There was bat guano in an upstairs basement.

According to www.daytonwildlife.com “Bat droppings are also called guano and are considered very harmful to human beings. The droppings look like droppings of mouse but these turned into powder form when touched. This powdery substance then becomes airborne. This substance is very dangerous if inhaled mistakenly and can cause a very terrible disease that harms the respiratory system and known as Histoplasmosis.”

The serious dangers guano can spread:

Most of the time people remain unaware of the affects or harm bat dropping can cause. But it is true that human can face serious hazards to health if the care is not taken while cleaning area infected with guano. There are numbers serious diseases that guano can spread and some of them can even be fatal. The animal droppings may be a danger simply by their weight as well. As the bats live in colonies so they can make wastage and guano beyond your expectation. The areas like attics can be of special attention for you as droppings and urine of bats can destroy the surface.

If you have a Water, Fire, Mold, Asbestos or Biohazard Disaster give SERVPRO a call today. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! We have trained professionals ready to help.

We have the most amazing Marketers

3/30/2020 (Permalink)

Our marketing team Megan and Melissa cleaning a kitchen in a home that had a fire disaster

Our marketers really are amazing! They are team players and always strive to be better at what they do. Along with that, they are helpful and always team players. With the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic affecting businesses everywhere our marketers have decided to schedule out a few days a week to help out crews out in the field.

So, they suited up in their SERVPRO uniform and went out to a fire job that we were currently in the process of cleaning. Their day entailed cleaning up after recon so the homeowners could move back into their home. They had to clean and wipe counters and cabinets, sweep and vacuum, moped flooring, cleaned inside and outside of closets, wiped down the very top of cabinets, cleaned up appliances, etc.

If you can think of the most thorough cleaning you have ever seen in your life, that’s what our team did. We are so blessed to have such amazing team players on our side.

If you have a Fire, Water, Mold or Asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We are available 24hours a day, 7 days a week.

Fogging and cleaning an airport

3/30/2020 (Permalink)

Our marketer Megan suiting up to start her shift at SERVPRO fogging an airport.

Our marketing rep Megan decided to lend a hand in the fogging and cleaning of a local airport. We are currently cleaning and fogging homes and businesses to help stop the spread of Coronavirus. 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

If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today – SERVPRO of Idaho Falls & Rexburg/Rigby today at (208)523-5365

Stay Home Please

3/27/2020 (Permalink)

map image of Idaho with a heart in the middle.

Governor Brad Little has just issued a State Wide Stay-Home order for Idaho.

He has asked everyone to self-isolate. Meaning all residents of Idaho must self-isolate and stay and work from home as much as possible. You are able to leave to obtain or provide essential services.

He has also asked non-essential businesses to close down and services to stay open.  Limited public transit, traveling and gathering as well.

He has said that outdoor activities are ok meaning near your home. Do not go out and have a huge get together with all your friends and neighbors. He also requests that we practice good hygiene and continue to wash our hands often.

SERVPRO is considered an essential business and is here to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your Fire, Water, Mold and Asbestos Disasters.

We are also offering Fogging and Extensive Cleaning to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus. Give us a call today at (208) 523-5365.

The leaky fridge

3/27/2020 (Permalink)

Flooring in a kitchen that had been affected by water damage from a fridge.

With a lot of businesses having to temporarily shut down due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, we are blessed to still be able to offer an essential service to our community. Zach and his crew were at a water loss in Wyoming this week caused by a fridge supply line.

Though water damage can be visible sometimes and a punctured line my be easy to see, there are a lot of times when you may have no idea that there is a leak occurring. You’re in luck though! There are other indicators that can help you figure out if your line has broken.

1. The fridge may be making a little bit too much noise.
2. You may see water leaking under the fridge.
3. The ice maker may not be working anymore

If you have a Fire, Water, Mold or Asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

SERVPRO is here to help!

3/27/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO employee suited up about to clean a FedEx truck

SERVPRO is here to help!

As a responsible business and member of the community, we are asking the same question that you are: How can we keep our customers and community safe?

At SERVPRO we can help minimize the spread of germs with proactive cleaning and/or fogging. We are trained to adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitization standards, making us the #1 choice for cleanup and restoration.

In addition to Proactive Deep Cleaning, we also offer the following:

A fogging process delivered with a mechanical system that atomizes electro-statically charged droplets of SERVPROXIDE that can get it to the hard to reach cracks and crevices of the treated area. SERVPROXIDE is a proprietary hospital grade disinfectant that has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to the SARS-Coronavirus (COV-2).

• SERVPROXIDE is NON-TOXIC and is not considered hazardous by OSHA. It is as safe or safer than many household cleaners.
• SERVPROXIDE has a mild smell and areas treated can be inhabited as soon as 15-20 minutes after being treated.
• SERVPROXIDE DOES NOT cause any respiratory or skin irritation.

From a business point of view, doesn’t it make sense to put yourself in a position to say you have taken all reasonable precautions to take care of your customers and staff?

Give us a call today to find out how we can help.SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby & Idaho Falls
208.523.5365

SERVPRO cares about your safety

3/26/2020 (Permalink)

Or crew suited up in hazmat suits in front of a FedEx truck cleaning.

SERVPRO is asking everyone to please be careful and educate yourselves in this critical time. We are seeing reports of multiple companies and individuals falsely reporting that they can clean and eliminate any trace of Coronavirus OR that they have products you can buy that will eliminate it. Please read the EPA registration for these products that are being offered either as a service or are for sale.

Also, if you are planning on hiring a professional to clean and fog make sure to hire someone who is well known, knowledgeable, and is familiar with these types of cleanings on a day to day basis.

Regardless Of The Disaster SERVPRO® Is Here To Help. 24/7 Emergency Service! 24 Hour Service. Advanced Technology. Faster to Any Disaster. Highly Trained Specialist. Services: Water Damage Restoration, Fire Damage Restoration, Storm Damage Restoration, and Bio Hazard.

Give SERVPRO a call today so we can give you a FREE quote over the phone to clean and fog your home and business (208) 523-5365. We can work with you on scheduling days and times that meet your needs.

Ice Dams can become a disaster fast

3/13/2020 (Permalink)

The effect from an ice damn causing damage to the wall to this customers home.

Our Crew Chief Zach was in Wyoming over the weekend checking out an icedam that affected some of the interior walls of this home. We placed equipment and got right to work! Icedams can turn into a disaster faster than you know!

Nationwide.com gives these tips on How to prevent ice dams:

Properly winterizing your roof is for ice dam prevention. Consider these precautions.

• Have your gutters cleaned before winter.
• Keep your attic well ventilated, so it stays cold, and properly ventilate the roof and eaves.
• Insulate the attic floor to reduce the amount of heat rising from within the house.
• Rake or shovel snow off the roof before it freezes or hire a professional roofer to clear your roof.
• Create an air barrier between the house and attic with a foil-faced cover over an uninsulated attic hatch or whole-house fan opening.
• Install a water-repellent roof membrane.

Finally, before winter, check for any potentially dangerous heat sources, including uninsulated recessed ceiling can lights, uninsulated folding attic stair openings, heating ducts, furnace or water-heating equipment and inadequate bathroom vent fans. Make sure to remedy these issues before the weather turns cold.

Give SERVPRO a call today if you have a Water, Fire, Mold or Asbestos Disasters. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

(208) 523-5365

Stuck in the snow

3/3/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO vehicle coming to the rescue to a vehicle that was stuck in the snow.

Last night on our way home from a new water loss in Rexburg our guys noticed 2 cars that slid off the road. Our guys were awesome enough to stop and see if everyone was okay and if there was anything they could do to help! We really do have the best SERVPRO Team!!!

With the weather being as stormy and unpredictable as it is it is always a good idea to be prepared for any disaster. That includes getting a vehicle stuck in the harsh winter weather conditions. Here are a few items to consider having in your car.

• Ice scraper/Snow brush
• Shovel
• Gloves and other warm clothes
• Blanket
• Flashlight
• Reflector or Flares
• Rock salt, Sand, or Kitty Litter
• First Aid Kit
• Extra Windshield Washer Fluid
• Chains or Ropes
• Cell Phone Charger
• Basic Tool Kits
• Water and Non-Perishable Snacks
• Jumper Cables

If you have a Fire, Water, Mold or Asbestos Disaster give SERVPRO a call today! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Fire in the home

2/14/2020 (Permalink)

A living room in a home that caught on fire.

This past weekend our production manager Justin responded to a fire loss in Egin, ID. Unfortunately, they were unsure how the fire had started. SERVPRO was there to help give them a little bit of direction until they heard back from their insurance company. According to www.safewise.com this is what you should do in the case of a fire.

Extinguish the Fire If Possible

If the fire has just sparked—for example, a pan catches fire on the stove—you may be able to contain it. Grab your fire extinguisher and remember to PASS: pull the pin, aim at the base of the flames, squeeze the extinguisher handle, and sweep from side to side until the fire is extinguished. Make sure that the fire is completely out and not still smoldering. Crawl Beneath the Flames to Escape

Check Doors and Doorknobs for Heat

If you must go through a door to get to an exit, check if the door is hot. If the door (or doorknob) is warm to the touch, there could be fire raging on the other side, so do not go through it. If you open a door and see fire or smoke, shut the door and go to a second exit.

Run to Safety

Once you make your way outside, run away from the fire to safety. Part of the house or apartment, like the roof or siding, may catch fire and fall around the perimeter of the building, so run across the street or down the block to safety.

Call for Help

Once you have made it away from the fire, call 911. If you don’t have a cellphone, go to a neighbor’s house and ask to borrow a phone. Tell the operator that there’s been a fire at your address, and then keep the line open to see if they need any other information.

If you have a Fire, Water, Mold or Asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today! We will help you through every step of the process. (208) 523-5365

Mold in the attic

2/3/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO found mold in the attic of this commercial building. Just because we found the primary source in the attic, we were not quick to assume that was the only place mold had been growing. We were very careful to check all over the business because we know that mold spores are able to make their way through the smallest openings, traveling from your attic down to your business. 

Whenever you feel that you may have a mold disaster in your home and business you should take the proper precautions asap to help identify and get rid of the problem. You can call a professional to come take a look in your attic or other parts of your home and they will do a thorough inspection. We have special equipment that will find the mold and the source and stop it dead in its tracks.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today. Our specialized technicians are available for all your disaster needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Fire in Jackson Hole, WY

1/17/2020 (Permalink)

Cleaning up after a fire job in Jackson Hole, Wy

A Commercial property we worked on in Jackson, WY this year ended in a second business getting smoke damage from its neighbor’s fire. This is a common situation that happens quite often when businesses are close to each other and a fire breaks out.

Smoke damage can affect your home and businesses greatly. After a fire, your home needs to be properly and thoroughly ventilated, this will allow some smoke particles to leave your home or business and prevent them from settling onto other items. Immediately after a fire you should do these things right away.

1. Call your insurance agent immediately
2. Call your local SERVPRO so that we can clean up soot, board up the windows, and start any cleaning and restoration that needs to be done.

SERVPRO has specialized fire, water, mold and asbestos damage restoration training and experience to clean up and restore your home as soon as possible. We offer 24-hour emergency services for everyone. Give us a call at (208) 523-5365. We are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs.

Toilet leak

1/17/2020 (Permalink)

Water leaked from the toilet and caused mold.

We were recently called to an assisted living home where a toilet had leaked and caused water and mold damage. When water causes a leak that you are unaware of mold quickly and swiftly comes marching in to ruin the day.

A water leak in your home can be a cause for alarm, and for good reason. A leak generally means that one of your critical home systems has developed a problem. Paying for the large water bill is only the first expense.

Some leaks are obvious. You may be able to detect moisture on the floor or under a sink that reveals the source of the problem. However, at other times, a leak may develop in a pipe that’s deep within the wall, or it may come from a source somewhat further down the line. In these cases, you may require the help of SERVPRO to detect these hidden leaks.

If you need a fire, water, mold or asbestos professional call SERVPRO today at (208) 523-5365.

Check your roof

1/15/2020 (Permalink)

Tree fell on house and damaged house.

There are many ways to properly secure your home for winter storms. Summer and early fall is the ideal times to get all of this complete before the terrible winter storms hit. The first thing to consider is making sure that all hazards are cleared away and you secure any and all openings so that water and any other elements don’t find there ways in.

1. Check your roof for stability. With high winds comes look shingles. Examine your roof for any loose or visibly damaged shingles. Or have a contractor determine what needs to be fixed.
2. Make sure that all of your drainage is aimed away from your house. If a storm should occur, the amount of water getting aimed at your home can become a water disaster very quickly.
3. Remove any trees or debris that can cause unneeded damage to your home. Trees are responsible for the majority of damage to homes during winter storms.

If you have a Fire, Water, Mold or Asbestos disaster, give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365.

Hot water heater issues

1/14/2020 (Permalink)

Image of the basement that the hot water heater leaked in to.

Zach and Thomas are doing a job in Jackson where a hot water heater burst in the crawl space. They decided to remove the insulation and are treating the microbial growth for the customer before winter hits.

www.networx.com mentions that water heater tanks are made of steel, and water corrodes steel. If this sounds like planned obsolescence, it is; water heaters aren't designed to last forever. To stave off corrosion, standard tanks have a glass lining and a magnesium anode rod that attracts corrosive elements in the water, sort of like how a no-pest strip attracts flies (the rod should be checked periodically and replaced as needed). But the tank can rust eventually and possibly rupture like the hull of the Titanic. If you discover your water heater leaking from the tank itself, it's time for a new tank.

 If you have a water disaster give SERVPRO a call at (208) 523-5365.

Security is key

1/14/2020 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO truck in front of a fire job.

We were at a fire loss at a lodge in a Jackson, WY this last weekend. We had to get a generator set up so we could have power for the building. We then made sure to immediately board up the windows and doors to keep the building safe and secure.

When a fire disaster occurs, we always make sure that we secure the contents inside.  With this particular building there was an underground tunnel that connected the two buildings that we started to move out in the very next morning. Securing and keeping all of our customers contents safe is a number one priority. These are their special belongings that means a lot to them.  These items are part of their family and we make sure that we treat them as such.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster please give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365.

The water heater in the attic

1/14/2020 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO house in front of one of our customers houses.

Zach and Thomas were at an island park home working on a water loss from a broken water heater line. The water heater is in the attic which caused a large number of walls and floors to become affected. Upon opening the walls, we found there to be a leak in the roof causing more damage to the exterior sheeting of the building.

Water pipes might corrode due to high mineral contents. This seems to happen the most during months of cold weather when temperatures drop at night to freezing cold. This could cause the pipes to crack and therefore water can seep out the cracks.

 If you suspect you have a water heater leak follow these steps.:

• Stop the Water - Locate the cold water supply pipe
• Shut Off the Power - The electric or gas heating element can pose a new hazard to your home if it continues to run. It can stay heated long after the water has leaked from the tank.
• Make an Insurance Claim - Contact your insurance agent or company to make a claim.

 If you have a water disaster give SERPVRO a call today at (208) 523-5365.

Being a part of our community

1/9/2020 (Permalink)

Caliber Homes Loans grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony.

Recently Melissa E. from our marketing department decided to become a part of the Chamber of Commerce in our local city. She gets to speak with other local commercial businesses locally and share exactly what SERVPRO does with and for our community. She participates in meetings as well as grand opening events for other local businesses ribbon cutting ceremonies. Recently she participated in the ribbon cutting for Hazel Webb – Caliber Home Loans, Inc.

Caliber Homes Loans is a home loan and mortgage company. Their website states “At Caliber Homes Loans, mortgages are our only business…. And out products and services are proof of this dedication. Our specialized approach to home financing enables us to deliver exceptional service during every stage of the process. We understand that you have unique, personal needs and expectations, so we work together to deliver exceptional service and help you close your loan to your complete satisfaction. With a variety of home loan programs, highly competitive pricing, in-house loan processing and our unique, state-of-the-art technology, Caliber Home Loans’ staff of professionals are ready to guide you through the home financing process.”

We find it very important to stay up to date with other local businesses in our community so we are able to build those professional relationships and help one another when we need it.

How to prepare your home for a winter storm

1/7/2020 (Permalink)

How to prepare your home for a winter storm

While Jack Frost is nipping at your nose you may forget that there are some key things you should be prepared for if a winter storm should hit your city.

According to www.homeadvisor.com this is how you should prepare your home for a winter storm:

“If you live in an area with severe winter weather, you home should be winterized sometime during the fall season. There are many things that can be done to prepare your home for winter including insulating attics, basements, and walls to help heat your home more efficiently, and putting plastic over windows. Heating systems should also be cleaned and serviced each year before they are used to ensure they are safe and working properly. Any drafty areas should be caulked, or otherwise repaired and the roof should be checked to ensure that there are no leaks and it will be able to bear the weight of the snow.

Before cold weather approaches, you should also spend some time cleaning gutters and trimming any tree branches that could fall on your home in the event of a bad storm. Pipes should also be insulated to prevent them from freezing which can result in burst pipes and flooding.”

If you do happen to have a water disaster, give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

When the storm has cleared

1/7/2020 (Permalink)

If it's safe you should always assess the damage after a storm.

After a storm it is always important to evaluate the damage, if any, that has occurred. With heavy rain and winds comes trees breaking and falling on roofs, windows or vehicles. A storm can also collapse a wall or crack the foundation allowing water to seep into your home in areas you may not be aware of.

Storms can really take a toll on our houses and it is best to keep a very detailed inventory and photographs of the damage that was caused. If it is safe to walk around your home and property it is extremely smart to make a detailed list of all the damage as well as pictures.

You should always contact your insurance company. They are there to help and will send out a professional right away to assess the damage so they can get started asap.

If you have a water, fire, mold or asbestos disaster, give SERVPRO a call today (208) 523-5365. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs.

When the storm has cleared

1/7/2020 (Permalink)

If it is safe you should always asses the damage after a storm.

After a storm it is always important to evaluate the damage, if any, that has occurred. With heavy rain and winds comes trees breaking and falling on roofs, windows or vehicles. A storm can also collapse a wall or crack the foundation allowing water to seep into your home in areas you may not be aware of.

Storms can really take a toll on our houses and it is best to keep a very detailed inventory and photographs of the damage that was caused. If it is safe to walk around your home and property it is extremely smart to make a detailed list of all the damage as well as pictures.

You should always contact your insurance company. They are there to help and will send out a professional right away to assess the damage so they can get started asap.

If you have a water, fire, mold or asbestos disaster, give SERVPRO a call today (208) 523-5365. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs.

Mold can be a very sneaky thing

1/3/2020 (Permalink)

This bathroom had a leak which caused mold to grow.

Mold is a very serious issue and should be treated as such. Mold is found everywhere and can grow on almost any substance when moisture is present. They reproduce by spores, which are carried by air currents. When spores land on a moist surface suitable for life, they begin to grow.

According to www.Moldpedia.com

Smelling a Mold Odor

When you have mold growing hidden away in your house, often a moldy smell might be the only clue that it's there. Don't ignore mold odors if you can't see any mold.

Seeing Signs of Mold Growth

Visible mold growth might seem like an obvious sign of mold. However many people don't notice small amounts of mold growth or they think it's just soot or dirt.

Signs of Water Problems

If you have had any long term moisture problems in your house it's usually inevitable they will lead to mold beginning to grow.

Water Leaks

The above signs of water problems in homes are usually created by leaks. However if you already know that you have had a water leak (such as leaking pipes or a leaking ceiling) then just that knowledge by itself, even if you don't see signs of water damage, is a good sign that you might have mold growing in your house around the area where the leak was.

If you suspect mold growth in your home call SERVPRO today at (208) 523-5365

Beware of Ice Dams

1/3/2020 (Permalink)

This image is of an ice dam forming on a roof of a house.

The storms are rolling into to Eastern Idaho and they are definitely coming with a vengeance. The weather is wet and cold and the roofs are beginning to get heavy. Ice Dams are a very serious issue that can cause a lot of different problems with your roof and home.

According to www.thespruce.com, the best way to prevent an ice damn is:

1. Ventilation under the roof deck, which keeps colder outside air circulation through the attic and prevents it from warming above the freezing point.
2. Insulation in the ceiling below the attic, which will prevent warm air from rising up into the attic space.
3. Blocking any hear sources that may be contributing to high temperatures in the attic.

If you have a Fire, Water, Mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. Our highly trained professionals are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Board Up

11/2/2019 (Permalink)

Board up needed for a local business

Over the weekend a local business caught fire affecting 2 other businesses with in the building. SERVPRO was able to respond and provide Emergency Board up for all 3 businesses.

We make sure to assess the area thoroughly so that we have a better idea of just what we are working with. We check for smoke, soot and fire damage as well as assess all of the items that may have been affected by this disaster. The reason we preform a thorough check of the building is so that the customer has a better grasp on the situation. What is salvageable or not.

The reason we offer board up service is because after a fire occurs it may leave your doors, windows, and walls exposed. This could in turn lead to vandalism, break ins and also possible further damage to the structure. We strive to be able to keep out all the elements to the area that has been compromised.

Workplace cleanliness

11/2/2019 (Permalink)

Getting ready to clean the ceiling tiles in this kitchen

Our crew members Justin, Zach & Austin went and cleaned the ceiling tiles in the kitchen at Olive Garden after hours. We made sure to work on this specific job after hours so that the restaurant could still function normal when open.

According to an online source there are many reasons restaurant kitchens need to stay clean.  The first and most important reasons deal with safety. Clean kitchens reduce the number of pathogens and other illness causing agents to infect the food that will be served to customers.  Having a well-kept kitchen also reduces the number of accidents that occur due to workplace hazards.  Slipping on a banana peel makes for great comedy but in a kitchen environment it will spell disaster and result in serious consequences.

In addition to safety, clean kitchen promotes workplace efficiency and productivity.  Working in a orderly kitchen will make easy for staff to find needed ingredients and complete tasks in a timely manner.  A clean kitchen is inviting.  It makes the employees want to prepare the amazing dishes that they know they can prepare.  It gives them confidence to work in such an environment.

They smell great... But beware!

8/26/2019 (Permalink)

Our crew was called out to a fire job this last week. The disaster happened because of a candle that caught a couch on fire!

According to the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments responded to about 9,300 home structure fires started by candles between 2009 and 2013. Those fires led to 86 deaths, 827 injuries, and $374 million in direct property damage.

• On candles.org they give these safety warnings.
• Always keep a burning candle within sight. Extinguish all candles when leaving a room or before going to sleep. Be sure the wick ember is no longer glowing.
• Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire. Keep burning candles away from furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper, flammable decorations, etc.
• Keep burning candles out of the reach of children and pets.
• Trim candlewicks to ¼ inch each time before burning. Long or crooked wicks can cause uneven burning and dripping.
• Always use a candle-holder specifically designed for candle use. The holder should be heat resistant, sturdy, and large enough to contain any drips or melted wax.
• Be sure the candle-holder is placed on a stable, heat-resistant surface. This can help prevent heat damage to underlying surfaces and prevent glass containers from breaking.
• Keep the wax pool free of wick trimmings, matches and debris at all times.
• Always read and follow the manufacturer’s use and safety instructions carefully. Don’t burn a candle longer than the manufacturer recommends.
• Keep burning candles away from drafts, vents, ceiling fans and air currents. This will help prevent rapid, uneven burning, and avoid flame flare-ups and sooting. Drafts can also blow nearby lightweight items into the flame where they could catch fire.
• Always burn candles in a well-ventilated room. Don’t burn too many candles in a small room or in a “tight” home where air exchange is limited.

Bats are everywhere!

8/26/2019 (Permalink)

Zach, Jeremy and Justin started working on a house in Jackson, Wy last week. The house is in the process of being remodeled and the contractors found that bats had gotten into the ceiling and had made a mess. They set up containment and set an air scrubber with a charcoal filter to help with the smell. Then they removed all the affected materials and hepa vacuumed and treated with anti-microbial. They will then do a CL02 treatment to remove all smells.

On www.getbatsout.com they explain better why bats and their droppings can be so dangerous.

The Hidden Danger of Bat Guano

Ask nearly anyone, and you’ll hear that bats (although beneficial in insect control) can be dangerous because they carry rabies. But a lesser known danger, and one that is not as easy to avoid, is histoplasmosis. Histoplasmosis is a disease you can get from exposure to bat guano (bat droppings).

Below is a quick list of common questions we get about histoplasmosis.

What is Histoplasmosis?

It is an infectious disease caught by inhaling the spores of the histoplasma capsulatum fungus. While it is not contagious between two people, the disease can affect a wide variety of the population who may not even be aware they are at risk.

Breweries and crawlspaces

7/10/2019 (Permalink)

1. Keep Moisture Out 

Moisture control is one of the first steps towards having a safe and clean crawl space. As pointed out in The Washington Post, the ground beneath and around your home contains moisture, which ideally, should evaporate back into the atmosphere.

When this fails to happen, the moisture can collect into visible water droplets. But the real problem happens when this water accumulates near wood, causing mold and mildew to grow. If left alone, the mold can be bad enough to compromise the structural integrity of your home.

Good moisture control begins outside the building envelope. For example, gutters are a relatively small investment that can work wonders by directing water away from your home’s foundation. If gutters are impossible or impractical, you can also try landscaping the soil outside the house such that it slopes to direct water away from the building.

2. Inspect and Clean the Interior of Your Crawl Space

Once you’ve eliminated all external sources of moisture, you can then proceed to inspecting the crawl space itself. If you have exposed dirt floors, you should consider sealing it with a moisture retardant like polyethylene. In a guide for the National Post, writer Mike Holmes notes that crawl spaces with dirt floors can lead to problems caused by humidity. Dirt floors can also be infested with bugs.

Regular cleaning will also help keep the crawl space dry and moisture free. If the crawl space has already been “infected” with moisture-caused mold, a professional cleaning service may be necessary to fix the problem. This is especially true if you have a pool of stagnant water in the crawl space, which calls for a perimeter drain.

3. Block Out Rodents and Ventilate

After cleaning your crawl space, the next step is keeping it clean. You can start by making sure any potential entry points for rodents are blocked off. Watch out for small cracks and seams, which—while looking deceptively tiny—are large enough for mice and roaches.

At the same time, you want to make sure your crawl space still has enough ventilation to let it “breathe.” Ventilation in the form of laminated water vapor barriers are excellent solutions for allowing crawl spaces to vent, while still keeping pests out.

4. Insulate the Crawl Space

After installing your vents and water vapor barriers, you can then proceed to installing insulation. Fiberglass batts are by far the most common and popular insulating solution for crawl spaces, and can be install between floor joists. While effective, you might want to consider pairing fiberglass batts with spray foam insulation, although more expensive, spray foam insulation can create a super tight seal against heat transfer and air movement.

A thin layer of spray foam can be enough to fill in the nooks and crannies of your crawl space, which, when paired with the cheaper fiberglass, can keep warm air in and cold air out, and vice versa during the summer. Spray foam also works wonders against moisture damage and mold growth because it’s impermeable to moisture.

Proper insulation not only regulates the temperature of the crawl space, it also helps insulate the rest of the home. During summer and winter, uninsulated crawl spaces are one of the biggest culprits for burgeoning utility bills caused by HVAC systems working harder to fight warm or cold air from escaping from beneath the floor.

Rainy Season

7/10/2019 (Permalink)

With all these recent rain storms it is important to protect your home from water damage. On www.hometips.com they suggest these tricks and tips to help you keep your home safe and sound this rainy season.

The best way to deal with water damage is to stop it before it starts. Here are measures that you can take to prevent water from entering your home from outside.

Waterproof Your House Exterior

The exterior of your house is its first line of defense against water damage. Protect your home from the outside in by maintaining the exterior.

Maintain Your Roof

Properly handling the water that flows down your roof is essential.

Your roof’s primary purpose is to keep water out of your house. Neglecting it could lead to a whole host of problems, the worst of which includes extensive water damage that could compromise the structure of your home. Most roofs have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years, so it’s easy to think that if yours is still within its period of usability, it’s fine. But that’s not necessarily true.

Seal Windows and Doors

Windows and doors are common vulnerable sites for water leakage. Water can seep in through the space around window and door frames if they’re not properly sealed. Don’t wait for a leak. Ensure that the weatherstripping and seals around your windows and doors are in good shape.

Maintain Your Home’s Exterior Finish

Signs of water damage on your house’s interior walls that don’t seem to have a source, such as mold, peeling paint, or discoloration, could be due to water entering through holes in your exterior walls. If your siding and exterior paint aren’t well-maintained, water could be leaking through to the inside of your home.

Ensure Proper Drainage

You can take measures to keep water out of your home, but waterproofing alone isn’t enough to protect your home from water damage. If water isn’t properly diverted away from the base of your house, your foundation could be at risk. And even the best waterproofing measures are no match for standing water that collects on or around your house in areas of poor drainage. 

Clean Your Gutters

Depending on surrounding tree coverage, gutters need to be cleaned out two to six times a year to ensure proper flow of rainwater.

Making sure your gutters function properly is critical to protecting your home from water damage. If your gutters are full of leaves and pine needles, or not angled properly to funnel water to the downspout, then water will run down the side of your house and collect at the base, which could put your foundation at risk.

Check Your Downspouts

Downspouts should direct water at least three feet from the exterior walls of a home.

Functioning gutters send water out through the downspout, which should funnel the water away from your home. If necessary, repair gutters and downspouts.

Redirect Runoff

If your home sits on the bottom of a slope, water runoff from your yard should be channeled away from your home. If it isn’t, then you probably have problems with standing water near your foundation. Over time, this can cause the ground near your foundation to erode, making it vulnerable.

Lithium Battery problems

7/10/2019 (Permalink)

Steven and Hanna received a call from a water loss at an Apartment complex in Rexburg. Upon arrival they decided they needed help so they contacted Zach and Justin so they could help them move contents and place drying equipment to help stabilize and start the drying process. The loss was caused from a lithium battery being left on the charger. It had exploded and caused the sprinkler system to activate flooding 1 apartment and 2 hallways. On www.call2recycle.org they suggest these safety tips.

Don’t overdo it.

One of the most important things you can do to extend battery life is to avoid overcharging. Disconnect chargers and devices with rechargeable batteries after the battery reaches full charge. Overcharging occurs when the device or battery is plugged into a charger after full charge has been reached and may reduce battery life.

Be present.

Whenever possible, recharge your batteries while you are nearby. A battery fire could happen if a device with a defective battery is left unattended and it overheats. A working smoke detector and a fire extinguisher provide extra insurance if something happens.

Stay away from flammables.

Be sure to place the device or battery charger on a non-flammable surface during charging. That includes pillows, blankets, sheets, paper, clothing and fabric, such as curtains. When there is good air circulation around the device and minimal exposure to direct sunlight, the device won’t overheat and cause smoke or fire.

Don’t be extreme.

Rechargeable batteries are often exposed to unfavorable temperatures. Just think about when you’ve left your phone in your car on a really hot or cold day. Extreme temperatures can shorten expected battery life, so store your batteries and devices in a cool place whenever possible. The recommended storage temperature for most batteries is 15°C (59°F) according to Battery University. This temperature minimizes capacity loss while keeping the battery in operating condition and allowing self-discharge.

Pick the right method.

You should always charge rechargeable batteries in the device it’s used in, the charger it came with or a charger recommended by the manufacturer.

Recycle! Recycle! Recycle!

Don’t throw your used rechargeable batteries in the trash. They will go straight to the landfill. We recommend that you remove the rechargeable batteries before disposing of an electronic device; most electronics recyclers do not recycle batteries separately.

Be Safe.

Next time you are tempted to take a shortcut when storing, charging or recycling your electronic device, think twice. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has a long list of reported battery-related incidents that occurred while an electronic device was in use, being stored and during battery charging. By taking just a few precautions and using some common sense, you can protect yourself from potential hazards and extend the battery life of your portable devices.

If you have a Fire, Water, Mold or Asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! (208) 523-5365

Fixing a mistake

6/11/2019 (Permalink)

Our production manager Eric and tech Justin went to Alpine over the weekend to look at the crawl space in a home that’s still under construction. Because the floor joists were not sealed correctly when they were installed by a different company, mold had begun to grow and water was beginning to seep in through the foundation.

SERVPRO is dedicated to being available to our customers 24 hours a day 7 days a week. We make sure that when we start a project we complete it in a timely manner as correctly the first time. Customer service is our number one priority. And we know how bad people want to be back into their homes after a disaster may hit.

Mold can be very dangerous and usually requires a professional for removal so if you suspect you may have mold growth in your home or business please give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365

The phone had a mind of its own

6/10/2019 (Permalink)

Steven and Hanna received a call from a water loss at an Apartment complex in Rexburg, ID. Upon arrival they decided they needed help so they contacted Zach and Justin so they could help them move contents and place drying equipment to help stabilize and start the drying process. The loss was caused from a lithium battery being left on the charger. It had exploded and caused the sprinkler system to activate flooding 1 apartment and 2 hallways.

So what exactly causes a lithium battery to explode? According to www.consumerreport.com the chemicals inside the battery begin to heat up, which causes further degradation of the separator. The battery can eventually hit temperatures of more than 1,000° F. At that point the flammable electrolyte can ignite or even explode when exposed to the oxygen in the air

If you have a Fire, Water, Mold or Asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! 

Standing Water

5/16/2019 (Permalink)

Over this past weekend Zach, Justin, Brittany and Eric received a call that they were needed at a Water Disaster in Idaho Falls. A hose bib had broken causing water to flood in 5 different rooms.

Per www.happystartsathome.com the first thing to do is to dry the area. Cleaning up the water you see is important, but the most important thing is to dry up the water you can’t see – in the carpet pad, in the sheetrock, in the insulation in your walls… This means drying the room or rooms completely, possibly using a commercial air mover to force water off floors and out of carpets, walls and furniture.  Along with that, you’ll want to set up a dehumidifier. This machine will suck all of the excess moisture from the air, not only helping to dry the room quickly, but preventing mold from growing.

Thankfully SERVPRO is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help assist you with all of your Fire, Water, Mold, and Asbestos Disasters.

Be Prepared

5/9/2019 (Permalink)

Fires can happen at any time and almost any place. It is important to always be prepared for a disaster in case it happens to you. Here are some safety steps from www.prevention1st.com

Prevent Fire

1. Don’t smoke in bed or when sleepy. Smoking materials are the cause of 24% of home fire fatalities.
2. Turn off portable space heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep. Heating equipment is the source of an additional 24% of home fire fatalities.
3. Turn off the stove if you have to answer the phone or leave the room. Cooking equipment is the source of 15% of home fire fatalities, and by far the leading cause of home fire injuries.
4. Put away matches or lighters in a high cabinet or locked drawer, out of sight and reach of children. Children under age 5 are eight times more likely to die in a fire caused by playing with a heat source than are older children and adults.

Be Prepared If a Fire Occurs

1. Install a smoke alarm. One working smoke alarm on each floor is better, and one working smoke alarm inside every sleeping area is best. The National Fire Protection Association and the International Association of Fire Chiefs recommend installing both ionization and photoelectric alarms, or dual alarms that incorporate both technologies. Ionization smoke alarms respond best to flaming fires, and photoelectric to smoldering fires.
2. Press the test button on your smoke alarm to make sure it’s still working, even if it’s hard-wired or has long-life batteries;
3. Plan and practice a home fire drill. Make sure everyone in your home knows what to do when the alarm sounds:

• Get out right away.
• Go directlyto your meeting place. Choose a meeting place in front of your home or where firefighters can see you.
• Don’t go back inside for anything.
• Call 9-1-1. Provide your address with the complete and precise street name (e.g. is it Sunset Street, Sunset Circle, Sunset Boulevard?) and the nearest cross street.

If you have a fire disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365.

We always care

3/27/2019 (Permalink)

When SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby receives a good review, we can’t help but think we must be doing something right! We value ourselves in having great customer service and always being able to make sure that this is just what the customer has received.

Before we go to a job we try and relay as much information as possible to our technicians. We do this so they can be prepared for anything that may come up on the job and be able to offer the best customer service. Not all of our jobs are fire, water, and mold. We also encounter biohazard and crime scene cleanup which takes extreme compassion and understanding on our part.

If you have a biohazard or crime scene cleanup and would like the most caring and understanding company to help, give SERVPRO a call at (208) 523-5365.

Veteran owned and operated

3/27/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby is a Veteran family owned franchise. Skylar Price spent 9 years serving our country before deciding to buy a SERVPRO franchise in Southeastern Idaho. Skylar was born and raised in Idaho and now raises his three children here along with his wife Tamara Price. Together they keep the small-town values alive in their business. Their main objective is and has always been customers first. They go above and beyond to make sure any job we take on is done to the best of our abilities. They are always looking for ways to volunteer our services in the community. This year in 2019 their marketing team has planned over 6 volunteer opportunities and cannot wait to be apart of them!

If you have a fire, water, mold, or asbestos disaster, give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365

We strive to be better

3/27/2019 (Permalink)

Reviews are everything to our franchise. We strive to always get positive reviews but also appreciate negative ones. With negative reviews we feel that this gives our company room to grow. If we are not doing something correctly than we are able to address these concerns and better ourselves in the long run. We have learned over the years that we aren’t always going to be perfect with everything we do. But this way we are at least able to see our faults and grown and learn from them.

I burnt potatoes and they were able to get the smoke smell out of my house.

-Stephanie C.

friendly staff , dependable honest work.
I would recommend SERVPRO to anyone.

-Stephanie M.

If you have a fire, water, mold, or asbestos disaster, give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365.

Careers with SERVPRO

3/27/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Rexburg / Rigby is proud of the work we do and is always looking for people interested in a rewarding career. We put great value into our employees and the work that they do.

Our staff at SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s Corporate Training Facility to regular IICRC industry certifications, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. Our training program includes the following:

• IICRC Training
• Employee Certification Training
• Initial Franchise Training
• e-Learnings
• Continuing Education Classes

Here at SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby we pride ourselves in being a veteran family owned franchise. Our mission is to develop a hardworking team of quality people who focus on excellent service, fairness, and mutual respect.

If you are interested in a career with SERVPRO please check back frequently as new career opportunities become available. Or give our SERVPRO office a call at (208) 523-5365.

Why SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby

3/27/2019 (Permalink)

You always here people asking why this company and why that company?! So, I decided to ask people around our office why they would choose SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby and here is what they had to say…

“Because we make it look "Like it never even happened." We are fast on site and we care about our customers.”

-Megan Olsen

Marketing Manager

We are faster to any size disaster. We are a dedicated team in wanting to restore your home to its original.

-Jared Lusk

Production Manager

Our techs are fast and do quality work. The women in the front office are by far the most caring and efficient workers I’ve ever worked with. And I am more than proud to be a part of.

-Courtney G.

Marketing/Sales

“We are courteous, informative, and have real life people answering our phones!”

-Melissa M.

Job File Coordinator

We love volunteering

3/26/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby loves to get involved with local events in our area. One of the more recent events that we will be donating our time to is the Spring Brew event in downtown Idaho Falls, ID. This event will be hoping to host hundreds of people and is a fundraising event for Idaho Falls Downtown Developments Corporation. If you are interested in attending this event more information will be posted below.

Head Downtown to enjoy friends, brews, and bands April 13th from 1:00 to 6:00pm at the Civitan Plaza (corner of Park Avenue and B Street)! Come enjoy local craft beers and live music on the stage. Grab your friends and come enjoy the afternoon outside with us. Admission is $15, which gets you 3 beer tokens and a commemorative pint glass. Additional beer tokens may be purchased at the event. Non-drinkers get in for $5.

April Showers Brings May Flowers

3/13/2019 (Permalink)

Many people, myself included, are astatic and cannot wait for those beautiful flowers to bloom and that terrible white stuff on the ground to disappear for a few months. But are we really ready for all spring has to offer? There are many hidden dangers as well as preparations we should be checking off our list before spring makes its first appearance.

On www.diynetwork.com they suggest a few things that will help you be more prepared.

• Clean Gutters - Grab a ladder, and check your gutters for debris. Remove as much as you can with your hands (Don't forget to wear gloves!). Remove any leftover gunk with a garden hose. Take off any nozzle and have a helper turn on the water when you’re ready. Shove the hose into the downspout to power out of gooseneck bends. Make sure your downspouts channel water at least five feet from foundation walls.
• Scrub Walls, Baseboards and Outlets - Scrub all the walls — in the bathroom, kitchen, bedrooms and living areas — with a sponge or brush and mild soap and water. This includes baseboards and outlets. Make sure to completely dry outlet covers before replacing.
• Replace Filters - Replace all filters including water, range hood and air vent filters. You should replace these filters every 3-6 months depending on the type of filter you have.
• Clean Faucets and Showerheads - Unscrew the faucet aerators, sink sprayers and showerheads, and soak them in equal parts vinegar and water solution. Let them soak for an hour, then rinse with warm water.
• Clean Out the Dryer Vent - A clogged dryer vent can be a fire hazard. To clean it, disconnect the vent from the back of the machine and use a dryer vent brush to remove lint. Outside your house, remove the dryer vent cover and use the brush to remove lint from the other end of the vent line. Make sure the vent cover flap moves freely.
• Wash Exterior Windows - Hire a window-cleaning service to clean all exterior windows.
• Keep Allergens Away - Keep dust, mold and pollen at bay by decluttering your home, checking pipes for leaks and keeping the air clean.
• Check Foundation Vents - A house with a crawl space has vents along the foundation walls. The vents provide air circulation that helps prevent excess moisture and mold growth, and they prevent critters from taking up residence underneath your home. The screens collect leaves and other debris from fall and winter. Spring is a great time to clean them out and check for damage. Clean the vents by hand or use a shop vacuum. Repair any damaged screens — critters can get through even the smallest holes.
• Clean the Grill - Your grill has most likely collected dust during fall and winter. Help your grill live a long life with these maintenance tips, whether you have a charcoal or gas grill.
• Prep Your Garden - You can't have a successful garden without good soil. Follow these tips on how to prepare your soil to help you grow a lush garden.
• Test Smoke Alarms - Test smoke alarms and CO detectors, and change out batteries as needed. It's cheap, only takes a few minutes and can save your family's lives.
• Clean Outdoor Furniture - Outdoor entertaining season is just around the corner.

Flood Warnings

3/1/2019 (Permalink)

With the winter weather slowly drifting into spring, rain is sneaking right in. And with rain sometimes brings floods. Floods in the streets, yards, and even worse… your home or business. One way to prepare for a possible flood situation is to have a plan. On www.ready.gov they have a list of preparations you can use in case your area floods or there are flood warnings.

Prepare NOW

• Know types of flood risk in your area. Visit FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center for information.
• Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.
• If flash flooding is a risk in your location, then monitor potential signs, such as heavy rain.
• Learn and practice evacuation routes, shelter plans, and flash flood response.
• Gather supplies in case you have to leave immediately, or if services are cut off. Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication. Don’t forget the needs of pets. Obtain extra batteries and charging devices for phones and other critical equipment.
• Purchase or renew a flood insurance policy. It typically takes up to 30 days for a policy to go into effect and can protect the life you've built. Homeowner’s policies do not cover flooding. Get flood coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
• Keep important documents in a waterproof container. Create password-protected digital copies.
• Protect your property. Move valuables to higher levels. Declutter drains and gutters. Install check valves. Consider a sump pump with a battery.

If you have a fire, water, mold, or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365.

Are you prepared???

2/14/2019 (Permalink)

A house or commercial fire can be a very scary event. The scariest part can be how unprepared you are when a terrible disaster like a fire happens.

On www.wikihow.com they offer a few examples of things you can do to make sure that you are a bit more prepared for this sort of situation.

Purchase a house with fire sprinklers installed. A sprinkler only applies water to the area threatened by fire.

Make copies of important documents and pictures and keep a copy of them at a friends or relatives house. Put the originals in a fire resistant safe.

Make an escape plan to evacuate your home in case of a fire or other emergency. If your room is on the second floor, consider purchasing a fire ladder to aid in escape.

Keep areas around the furnace, water heater, outlets, and other potentially hazardous areas clear of combustible materials.

Purchase and install smoke detectors or test the ones you have to ensure they are in working order.

Purchase fire extinguishers for your home and consider getting a Class k extinguisher for your kitchen in case of grease fires.

Practice escaping from your house as if it were on fire by staying low and following your escape plan.

Ensure exits such as doors and windows aren't obstructed and are in working order if you do not choose to repair them.

Have your chimney inspected and swept regularly. This will prevent build up of residue which causes chimney fires.

Keep the main gas shut off and electric meter visible and accessible to aid the fire department in the extinguishing of the fire.

Call your local fire department and ask about a home fire inspection. they'll most likely be willing and will do it for free. while you’re calling you can ask about any fire prevention functions.

Get involved with your fire department. It may be one of the best ways to prepare. Try volunteering for them, if they need help or if they have an auxiliary you can join to help at functions.

Moldy bathrooms

2/14/2019 (Permalink)

Our crews were in Jackson, Wy doing a mold job that had occurred because of leak in a customer’s bathroom. This disaster in turn caused mold to grow. If you suspect mold anywhere in your home make sure to call a trusted professional right away.

According to www.moldpedia.com, they offer a little more insight.

Causes - Why and How Mold Grows in the Bathroom

It's very common for mold to be found in bathrooms. One obvious reason why is that there's lots of water and humidity in the bathroom. Frequently running water in the bathroom basin, the bathtub and the shower creates wet surfaces and puddles of water. If you don't dry this moisture out quickly it can easily lead to mold growth. On top of this, when the water in the bathroom does dry out it evaporates into the air and increases the humidity. Steam from the shower or a hot bath also makes the bathroom more humid. Since bathrooms are often not well ventilated the humidity tends to hang around and wet surfaces take a long time to dry out.

If you think you may have a mold disaster, give us a call today at (208) 523-5365.

Water can equal mold

2/1/2019 (Permalink)

This past weekend a family had a flood in their bathroom which resulted in the findings of a lot of other issues. Upon removing the laminate flooring and particle board they found that the stagnate water had created mold!

According to www.buildingscience.com, mold needs water to grow; without water mold cannot grow. Mold also needs food, oxygen and a temperature between 40 degrees and 100 degrees F. Since mold decomposes dead organic (once living) material it can grow on wood, the paper facing on gypsum board (drywall) and other materials made from wood. Molds secrete digestive fluids that decompose the substrate, making nutrients available. Mold can also digest some synthetic materials such as adhesives, pastes and paints. While mold cannot get nutrients from inorganic material such as concrete, glass and metal, it can grow on the dirt present on these surfaces. Molds prefer damp or wet material. Some molds can get moisture from the air when the air is very damp, that is when the relative humidity is above 80%. The high humidity makes surfaces damp enough for mold to grow.

Without taking care of it properly mold can spread rapidly. Mold can grow by extension of hyphae that are like tiny root hairs. In this way, a small colony of mold can expand to cover many square feet of material. Mold can also make spores that are like very small seeds. Spores can survive conditions that are too sunny, hot, cold, dry or wet for mold to grow. When spores are released they can be carried by air or water to new locations. Some spores are so small that they are more affected by air currents than by gravity. When spores land on a damp surface that has food and oxygen available, and if the temperature suits them, they will start to grow. It is important to realize that mold spores are present everywhere, in outside air as well as indoor air – unless very special precautions are taken to remove or kill them.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster make sure to give SERVPRO a call right away. We are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

It's melting, It's melting!

2/1/2019 (Permalink)

Recently we were on a job where the melting snow had run down the foundation and into basement apartments. Our crews had to extract the water and place equipment in the basement apartments.

When dealing with a water loss we have to work fast. Water can be quite the mischief maker when left alone. Water acts as a breading ground for all sorts of dangers, especially mold!

According to www.cdc.gov mold is found both indoors and outdoors. Mold can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems.

Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.

If you have a fire, water, mold, or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365

Fire Dangers

1/15/2019 (Permalink)

Commercial fires are very dangerous and can get out of hand extremely fast. There is so many ways that fires can develop. On fireline.com they have a list of common commercial fire accidents.

Arson

Arson is one of the leading causes of fire damage, death, and workplace injuries in commercial buildings. But arson doesn’t just affect business owners or the company. It can injure or kill workers and fire fighters, result in loss of a job for workers, and easily spread to other buildings and public utilities nearby. Arson might be instigated by the owner for insurance purposes, unhappy workers or clients, vandalism, to hide bigger crimes, or by mentally unstable individuals.

Human Errors

Not every fire caused by a human is meant maliciously. A smoldering cigarette or forgotten coffee pot could be the reason behind a human error fire. The risk of fire increases as more people enter the building and use the equipment. The equipment itself is not usually the cause of the fire, but instead the misuse of the equipment.

Water Heaters, Boilers, and Furnaces

While there are strict codes regulating the installation, use, and maintenance of this equipment, sadly it is not always followed. Improper installation and lack of maintenance can trigger a fire in your building. Combustible materials like chemicals, paper and trash should never be stored in the same area as this equipment.

Electrical Fires

Electrical appliances or systems can start a commercial fire, but sadly people are often at the root of this fire as well. When businesses hire unqualified individuals to modify electrical outlets or circuitry, it can lead to problems. Electrical code violations are often committed by unreliable builders or workers. These code violations can lead to fires in your building. Another cause of electrical fires is the electrical equipment itself. Equipment that is misused or overloaded can often cause fires as well as a lack of proper maintenance.

If you have a fire, water, mold, or asbestos emergency give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365

Stormy weather ahead

1/11/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is there for you 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. That means our crews drive in all sorts of different weather. The most dangerous though is the winter weather months. We travel all over Eastern Idaho and experience all the highs and lows of the weather patterns.

We are very big on safety and require our crew members to always drive safe and remember how stubborn the winter months can be. According to www.coverhoud.com here are some tips to keep you safe while driving in these harsh conditions.

1. Prepare your car
   Once the first few drops of water start hitting your windshield, you should immediately turn on your windshield wipers and your headlights.
2. Focus on the road
   When the rainwater first hits the dry road, it mixes with built-up oil and grease deposits, making the roads incredibly slick. This makes the initial moments of a rainstorm more dangerous than if it has been raining for a while, since the water will eventually wash away the build up.
3. Slow down sooner
   The rain will make the roads wetter and more slippery, which makes it take longer to come to a full stop. When approaching a red light or traffic, be sure you begin the braking process earlier and slower than usual to give yourself additional time to halt your forward progression without the car sliding.This reduces the chances of the vehicle hydroplaning.
4. Keep calm
   No matter how safely you drive, there is always a chance the car will end up hydroplaning. If this happens, don't panic and slam on the brakes or spin the wheel, since this could cause the car to spin out. Edmunds.com recommended slowly taking your foot off the brake pedal as you calmly keep steering straight and the car will eventually regain traction.
5. Avoid puddles
   Even the deepest puddles can appear shallow. If you approach a puddle, check to see if it approaches the bottom of the car doors. Don't take any unnecessary chances with deep water and either drive around it or find an alternative route. If you must drive through it, proceed slowly and cautiously. Getting any water in the engine can risk damage to the electronic cooling systems.
6. Steer clear of traffic
   Sometimes you cannot avoid the other cars around you. If there is considerable traffic on the road around you, maintain the three-second rule. If possible, extend this to five seconds. Stay away from buses and trucks, since their tires will spray up a considerable amount of water in their wake and reduce your visibility.
7. Pull over
   If the rain becomes too torrential to see anything, pull over and wait it out. The safest form of driving is not driving at all, and in situations where visibility drops to near zero, there's no need to risk trying to reach your destination.

Sneaky Mold

1/11/2019 (Permalink)

How can mold affect if left untreated? Hold is a very serious issue and should be treated as such. Mold is found everywhere and can grow on almost any substance when moisture is present. They reproduce by spores, which are carried by air currents. When spores land on a moist surface suitable for life, they begin to grow.

There are many different ways you can learn that there is mold in your home or business. www.Moldpedia.com has offered these seven different signs you can look for.

Allergic Symptoms from Mold

If you are having a problem with allergies then there's a good chance there could be mold growing somewhere in your home. Common allergic reactions to mold include sneezing, sore eyes and a runny nose or nasal congestion.

Smelling a Mold Odor

When you have mold growing hidden away in your house, often a moldy smell might be the only clue that it's there. Don't ignore mold odors if you can't see any mold.

Seeing Signs of Mold Growth

Visible mold growth might seem like an obvious sign of mold. However many people don't notice small amounts of mold growth or they think it's just soot or dirt.

Signs of Water Problems

If you have had any long term moisture problems in your house it's usually inevitable they will lead to mold beginning to grow.

Water Leaks

The above signs of water problems in homes are usually created by leaks. However if you already know that you have had a water leak (such as leaking pipes or a leaking ceiling) then just that knowledge by itself, even if you don't see signs of water damage, is a good sign that you might have mold growing in your house around the area where the leak was.

Past Flooding

If your house has been flooded in the past then it's likely that mold would've started to grow. Any mold would probably be growing in places where flood water remained the longest such as in the basement. Floods can often create mold growing out of view behind walls or under floors.

Condensation

If you see a lot of condensation in your home then it's a sign that you have a high amount of moisture and hence a sign that you could have a mold problem. Condensation will occur on surfaces such as glass windows or metal pipes. Mold could be growing where the condensation builds up and collects. Rusting indoor pipes are a sign that you could have a lot of condensation in your house.

If you suspect mold growth in your home call SERVPRO today at (208) 523-5365

Not so controlled burn

1/11/2019 (Permalink)

Burning debris in spring

With spring right around the corner, a lot of people are gearing up to start burning all the debris they have to get rid of it. But there are many hidden dangers in doing so. According to the National Weather Service is advising people to check weather conditions before starting any controlled burns.

 They also remind us that Fire danger increases rapidly in the spring once the snow beings to melt, especially in windy lower elevation spots. These conditions often result in several agricultural burns getting out of control year after year. 

 It doesn’t take long once the snow begins to melt for fire danger to rapidly increase even after a cool and wet winter. The persistent spring wind only serves to further dry vegetation and literally provides more fuel for the fire. A wind-whipped fire in quick-burning dormant vegetation can cause a burn to easily become uncontrollable.

It is common for calm morning wind to give way to gusty wind around the midday hours during the spring months. A weather forecast of how and when the wind speed and direction may change during the day can mean the difference between a successful burn and having an animated discussion with your local fire warden.

The National Weather Service in Riverton is advising people to get the most up-to-date weather forecast before conducting agricultural burns.

If you have a fire disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365.

Mold even in the winter!?

1/11/2019 (Permalink)

When dealing with mold you can never let your guard down. It is a year-round battle that never goes on vacation. Mold can occur at any place and time with little warning to you if you don’t know what to look for.

Although there is no way 100% to ever avoid mold, there are definitely ways to fight back and try and keep ahead of the game.

According to www.highya.com these six ways may help to prevent mold growth in the winter.

1. Increase Air Circulation and Reduce Humidity

One cheap and simple step to reduce moisture is to use fans and open windows. By increasing the air circulation in rooms, cold air is less likely to condense in nooks and crannies.

2. Keep an Eye Out for Leaks That Can Let in Excess Moisture

Watch for leaks in common areas such as windows, exterior-to-interior doorways, and the surrounding areas by swamp coolers and skylights.

3. Repair Any Leaky Area Immediately

Mold and mildew can grow at a rapid pace. The longer you leave a leak unattended, the more likely you are to experience mold and the damage that comes with it.

4. Limit the Possible Areas Where Mold and Mildew Can Grow

Since fungi thrive on quick-to-decompose items such as books, piles of loose papers, or boxes of clothing, use strategy when storing these items.

5. Take Care to Keep Entryway Flooring Dry During Wet Weather

In rooms where moisture is a problem, area rugs and other washable floor surfaces are preferred over wall-to-wall carpet, if possible.

6. Use Exhaust Fans in the Kitchen and Bathroom

Boiling water and taking steamy showers provide your home’s environment with plenty of moisture. Make sure not to slack when it comes to turning on exhaust fans, including the one in your oven’s hood, which can help reduce condensation formation.

If you have an issue with mold give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365

The pipes are bursting

1/10/2019 (Permalink)

Here our guys are getting prepped and ready to start reconstruction after  a water piped burst in this home. During the winter months it is very common for water pipes to burst. There are however ways that may help to prevent this terrible problem. For example, www.simplemost.com suggest these simple tips and tricks to help avoid your pipes bursting.

1. Make Sure Pipes Are Insulated

Exposed pipes are prone to freezing, even in warmer climates. There are a variety of ways to keep those pipes snug as a bug in a rug. One way is to add insulation to pipes around the home.

2. Let Your Faucet Drip

Most people see a dripping faucet as an issue that needs to be fixed. However, during the winter months, it’s actually good to allow your faucet to drip just a little bit. A little bit of water flow keeps pressure low in the pipes. Low pressure, means less of a chance of those pipes bursting!

3. Seal Up Cracks and Leaks

Caulk should be your best friend this time of year. You want to keep out as much of the cold air as possible. Do a careful inspection of your house to determine if there are any air leaks. Places to look include near dryer vents, windows, electrical wiring and, of course, the pipes.

4. Open Those Doors

Whether you’re home or out of town, the American Red Cross recommends keeping the interior doors of your house open. This allows the heat to move through the house more efficiently. This also helps the heat reach closer to the pipes, reducing the risk of them freezing.

5. Disconnect/Shut Off The Water

Another tip if you’re going to out of town for a while: Consider shutting off your main water line and draining your water system. This will leave your pipes empty in the house, so no water can freeze inside of them to cause a rupture.

Drywall repair is an art!

1/10/2019 (Permalink)

After a toilet leaked from the second story and our crew cleaned up that mess, its on to the reconstruction phase. Our employee Matt is very careful in his efforts to make this ceiling look like new again. Drywall is a skilled trade and requires a lot of steps and detailed work.

The last part of the process is to make it look "Like it never even happened." www.HGTV.com has given these steps below.

1. Spread a drop cloth around the area.
   2. Use a putty knife to scrape damaged paint from the ceiling. Hold the putty knife at a 30-degree angle for the best results. Remove all the paint from the ceiling to avoid mismatched textures.
   3. Use the utility knife to remove any damaged sections of drywall. For small areas, remove as little drywall as possible. For larger damaged areas, cut out the entire damaged area and replace it with a patch using standard drywall repair techniques.
   4. With a small putty knife, spread a thin layer of joint compound along each seam.
   5. After smoothing the compound, cut a piece of drywall tape to length and apply it to the wet compound. Drywall tape has no adhesive and must be applied while the joint compound is still wet.
   6. With a clean putty knife, smooth the tape to remove air bubbles.
   7. Apply a layer of joint compound on top of the tape. Allow the compound to dry, and sand it smooth. Use a wider drywall knife to apply a second layer, and sand the compound smooth after it dries. For smooth drywall joints, keep the blade as steady as possible and maintain consistent pressure.

Winterize before winter takes over

1/10/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO was called out to a job today that happened due to water damage from sprinkler system freezing. In regions like Eastern Idaho temperatures can reach the negatives very fast so preparing for the winter months are a must.

There are definitely ways to possibly help prevent this problem. www.Rainbird.com offers a step by step process on how they winterize their irrigation system.

1. Insulate your assets:

Shut off the water supply to the irrigation system. The main shut off valve for your irrigation system needs to be protected against freezing. Make sure it is wrapped with insulation (foam insulation tape and a plastic bag) to protect it from harsh winter temperatures and prevent it from freezing. If you do not have a main shut off valve, you might consider installing one as a preventative investment. Also, any above ground piping needs to be insulated. Self-sticking foam-insulating tape or foam insulating tubes commonly found at home supply stores are fine.

2. Stay in control: 

If you have an automatic system then you will need to "shut down" the controller (timer). Most controllers have a "rain-mode" which simply shuts off the signals to the valves. The controller continues to keep time, the programming information isn't lost (start times, valve run times, etc.) and the clock continues to run throughout the winter.The only change is that the valves will not activate. If your controller is responsible for activating a pump, as a precaution you should remove the wires that are connected to the MV (Master Valve) and common terminals. This will prevent the possibility of the pump being accidentally activated which could cause damage from overheating. An alternative to using the rain mode is simply to shut off the power to the controller. If you do, you'll need to reprogram the time and potentially all your other settings as well, in the spring.

3. Drain the pipes: 

Now you need to remove the water from the pipes and sprinklers so that it won't freeze/expand and break the pipe. There are several ways to drain your pipes: a manual drain valve, an automatic drain valve or the compressed air blow-out method. However, since there could be potential safety risks we recommend contacting your local irrigation specialist. Many offer sprinkler winterization services this time of the year.

4. Protect valves and backflow preventers: 

Insulate backflow preventers and valves if they are above ground. You can also use insulation tape for this. Be sure not to block the air vents and drain outlets on backflow preventers.

Duct not Duck

1/10/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is now offering duct cleaning! Today the guys went to a local high school and preformed duct cleaning as well as fogging the ducts. It is very important to have your ducts cleaned. We have found a few tips online.

As a rule of thumb, the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) suggests cleaning your ducts every three to five years. There is not a formula for figuring out an exact time period. Rather, professionals have collectively based it on past experience with a wide range of systems. If your HVAC system needs cleaning more than once a year, then there is a problem with the system that is allowing dirt to infiltrate the components.

Quite a few things can contribute to the reasons you may need to clean your ducts. You can deduce that your HVAC system needs to be cleaned based on where you live. The climate in which you live can also determine what may clog your vents or build up in your ducts. Here are some telltale signs you may need professional HVAC duct cleaning:

• Dusty build-up around the outside of the vent register
• Excessive debris around the filter area
• Obviously thick dirt in ducts
• Noticeable bursts of rubbish exiting supply registers
• Mold smell present in the air flow from vents
• Visible vermin infestation or accessing

If you need your ducts cleaned give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365.

Toilet issues

1/9/2019 (Permalink)

We had an unfortunate disaster that happened because of a faulty toilet. It happened to be on the 3^rd story of this apartment building and made its way down all the way to the first-floor apartment.

SERVPRO was there, even in the middle of the night, to help with this disaster. Issues like this can likely be avoided if you follow these six warning signs from www.customairinc.com. You may be able to avoid a plumbing disaster.

1.The Sound of Running Water

While you’re certainly supposed to hear running water while you’re washing dishes, doing a load of laundry or taking a shower, you shouldn’t hear it all the time. If you hear running water when you’re not supposed to, there may be a leak somewhere in the house. Examine the exposed pipes to try to locate the leak yourself. Look for visible drips and signs of recent water damage, such as water stains or warped wood under cabinets.

2.Gurgling in the Toilet

Your toilet shouldn’t make noise when you’re not using it. When a toilet gurgles periodically, it’s trying to pull in air. This may indicate that a clog is forming in the pipes. The sooner you address this problem, the easier it is to clear the clog. Getting rid of that developing clog early will help you avoid the dreaded problem of an overflowing toilet.

3.Unpleasant Odors

If your drains are releasing an odor that smells like rotten eggs or sewage, contact a plumber immediately. That rotten egg smell is hydrogen sulfide, which is emitted by sewage and bacterial growth. It may indicate that there’s a leak in one of your sewage pipes or bacterial growth somewhere in your pipe system.

4.Slow Drains

Have you noticed that water pools at your feet while you shower? Or perhaps your kitchen sink fills up with water when you rinse the dishes. Whenever a drain is running slowly, it’s likely that a clog is forming somewhere in the pipes. The most common thing that clogs showers is hair.

5.Low Water Pressure

Many different issues can cause low water pressure. First, check the faucet head to make sure that it’s not clogged. If cleaning the faucet head doesn’t cause the water pressure to return to normal, you may have a leak, a broken pipe or an eroded water line.

6.Corroded Pipes

Check visible pipes for signs of corrosion. You can typically find exposed pipes under your sinks and in your basement. Discoloration or build-up on the pipe is a sign of trouble. Other signs of leakage include water stains and warped wood.

SERVPRO is always here so give us a call day or night for all of your cleaning and restoration needs.

building safety

1/1/2019 (Permalink)

Whether you own your commercial building or are leasing it from another entity, it is always a good idea to have a safety plan in place in the possibility that disaster should strike.

SERVPRO offers a free Emergency Readiness Plan which will help you to determine the safest and quickest way to handle an unforeseen emergency.

Call your local SERVPRO today to set up a time to meet with one of our qualified personnel to go over the needs of your particular structure.

However, there are some things that you can do yourself to reduce that chances that disaster may strike

Before closing for the day, assign someone to check for the following:

Inspect bathrooms for any running water in sinks or toilets

In cooler weather familiarize yourself with any space heaters that may be in use.  If not already done so, unplug them from the wall sockets

When temperatures drop below freezing, set thermostats to an overnight level that will prevent pipes from freezing, ESPECIALLY if this has been a problem in the past

Make note of any tree branches that may be close to windows and have them trimmed down.  Strong winds can cause them to either swing in to the window or fall and break the glass

Make sure that if you have a disaster to give SERVPRO a call at (208) 523-5365

Winter is upon us

1/1/2019 (Permalink)

With the winter months up on us now is the perfect time to know helpful tips and tricks to stay safe while driving on these icy roads.

• Accelerate and decelerate slowly
• drive slowly if needed
• the normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should increase to eight to ten seconds
• know your breaks
• don't stop while going up a hill

Another tip is to always keep your vehicle stocked with survival items. Some of these items may include...

• Ice scraper
• Shovel
• Gloves
• Blankets
• Emergency flairs
• Rock salt
• First aid kit

Preparing your vehicle for winter is also a great way to be ready for the cold winter months. These are a few things you can do...

• Check your engine coolant and antifreeze levels
• Check your tire pressure and tread depth-good tires are key to staying on the roads and keeping safe while the weather becomes questionable
• Use winter windshield wiper fluid - When winter comes switch out your fluid for winter fluid

It is always a good idea to know your environment and to check your local weather reports. This will help prepare you for road conditions and may prevent a bad situation.

Major Damage

1/1/2019 (Permalink)

When storm damage hits, it can wreak major havoc and cause horrible damage to your home and business. For those of us who live in states who experience all 4 seasons you know that winter weather can be very unforgiving. They can come fast and hard and it is always important to be prepared before and after when disaster may hit.

Some storm damage can even cause a hazardous unsafe situation. When it comes to your family’s safety, some things need to be taken care of quickly and efficiently.

Storms can cause all kinds of damage including fallen trees on your house, collapsed walls leading to standing water in your home or even basement, and window damage to name a few. 

Standing water is never a good sign and should be treated and taken care of as soon as possible. The moisture from the water can soak into the carpet, walls, and furniture and cause mold to grow. Mold can cause a lot of health issue and should be treated right away.

If you have a cleaning or restoration disaster call SERVPRO today at (208) 523-5365

Heavy rains

1/1/2019 (Permalink)

This homeowner found water seeping in from a recent storm right away because the damage occurred in a basement right at the bottom of a highly used stairwell. 

Water issues in a location that is a high traffic area allows owners to be more aware of a water loss sooner than in areas of the house where they don’t often go.

Right away the owner pulled up the carpet and pad to dry both of them with all the fans she had in her home.  By doing so she was actually able to dry out the carpet, but the pad still needed to be replaced.

By contacting SERVPRO we were able to give her an evaluation of the damage which helped her from having any secondary damages and prevented mold growth as well.

Upon inspection it was discovered that due to recent heavy rainfall a crack that was in the foundation of the wall allowed water and mud to seep into the house.  The crack looked as if there had been an attempt to repair it previously but it obviously wasn’t enough to stop the water and mud from coming through.

If you have any fire, water, mold or asbestos disasters give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365

Wild Fires in Wyoming

10/29/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has been on the scene in Pinedale, Wyoming helping to clean up the aftermath of the wild fires that started on mid-September 2018. Our crews have been working tirelessly trying to get families whom have been affected by this disaster back to their everyday life. We have been cleaning and restoring person belongings, flooring, and anything else that may have been touched by this horrible smoke residue.

As of September 21st there were over 230 homes evacuated and over 34,000 acres burned. There has been a ton of help in trying to stop this fire from continuing to spread. The response includes air tankers, helicopters, engines, and tons of fire firefighters trying to get control of this enormous blaze!

SERVPRO is dedicated to doing anything and everything to make sure these families who have suffered through this disaster will be able be back to normal as soon as possible.

If you have a cleaning or restoration disaster that you need assistance with give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365 .

Idaho Preparedness Fair

10/29/2018 (Permalink)

The Idaho falls preparedness fair was a great opportunity for SERVPRO to get out in our community and share some of the things that we deal with on a day to day basis.

We were able to help better prepare people of the dangers of all kinds of disasters as well as educate them on ways to prepare the best they can in the event of a disaster.

The day itself was a huge success. There were a ton of vendors and attendees. We handed out swag, did giveaways, and engaged the crowed with a game of cornhole.

The importance of the Preparedness fare is to help people get a better understanding on how to deal with a situation when or if a disaster of any kind may hit. Our goal is to give them the tools they need to so they can be prepared in a situation that sometimes seem very scary to some. We enjoyed being at this event and will definitely be back again next year!

In the event a disaster hits you, please give SERVPRO a call. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Be careful with that insulation

8/31/2018 (Permalink)

Some people are unaware how dangerous insulation in their homes. Most are careful about the amount of insulation installed, but often the type, the age, and other quality factors are ignored. Being educated about potential health, and safety, issues is an important way to protect your home and family.

Asbestos, Zonolite, and mold are all dangers that can lurk inside of insulation and all cause different threats.

Asbestosis is a serious, non-cancerous disease of the lungs that is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. The lung tissue is irritated and scarring occurs, making it hard for oxygen to get into the blood. There is no effective treatment for asbestosis.

Zonolite

Another dangerous insulation that was produced well into the 1980s, Zonolite, was manufactured by the Grace Company. Zonolite was produced using sharp vermiculite crystals and looks like small, 1/4 to 1/2 inch puffy nuggets. The respiratory dangers are similar to asbestos.

Mold

Mold and fungus will damage and discolor the walls, floors and ceilings in homes. If left unchecked, it can damage the structural integrity of the building by eating away at the wood and drywall. It can also cause breathing problems.

There are certainly ways to avoid the dangers that come with insulation. If you do decide to make changes or upgrades to your home you will want to consider an energy efficient home renovation. That means that you will need to look into more of a simple energy solution. Including alternative forms of insulation.

If you happen to have a disaster please give us a call at (208)523-5365. We are open 24 hours a day 7 days a week for all your cleaning and restoration needs. We are on call so we can be there immediately to help you with your disaster.

Fire safety

8/30/2018 (Permalink)

When dealing with residential fire safety, time is of the essence. Fire spreads quickly and relentlessly. Fire is unforgiving and quick to engulf anything and everything in its path. In just two short minutes, a fire can become life threatening. In just five minutes, an entire home can be engulfed in flames.

Being aware is not enough but knowing the proper preventative actins to take may help. Here is some expert’s advice that may help.

-Having a working smoke alarm provides a 50% better chance of surviving.

-Overloading electrical circuits, ignoring frayed cords, and running extension cords as a permanent source of power are also common hazards. Extension cords should only be used temporarily. Not as a permanent solution.

-Make sure your family designates an outside meeting place in the event of a fire.

-It’s best to make the kitchen no-child zone if you can.

-Make “fall & crawl” a part of the escape routine so children understand that the temperature and air quality are more survivable lower to the ground.

-Always have an emergency plan and go over it over and over again. The more your children know and remember the better the situation will be. Practice makes perfect and understanding the plan helps.

If you happen to have a disaster please give us a call at (208)523-5365. We are open 24 hours a day 7 days a week for all your cleaning and restoration needs. We are on call so we can be there immediately to help you with your disaster.

Fire Season Is Here

7/27/2018 (Permalink)

With these hot temperatures warming up the Eastern Idaho region, you will need to be very careful with all of your outdoor activities. If it becomes very hot, windy, and dry it is probably a good idea to limit your outdoor activities that might possibly result in a wildfire. Burning debris and target shooting are a couple activities that need to be rethought if the weather is too hot.
 
Because of the lack of snow pack this year there is a higher risk of fires. Snowpack keeps the ground and soil moist by covering it longer into spring and summer which in turn influences the onset of fire season as well as the widespread and seriousness of wildfires.
 
As many as 90% of wild fires in the United States are caused by burning of debris, campfires being left unattended, throwing out cigarettes, and simply people intentionally starting fires, aka arson.
 
Because of this, wildfires threaten thousands of homes a year. www.readyforwildfire.org
suggests these steps.
 
1.       Review your evacuation plan checklist
2.       Ensure that your emergency supply kit is in your vehicle
3.       Cover-up to protect against heat and flying embers. Wear long pants, long sleeve shirts, heavy shoes and boots, and goggles or glasses. 100% cotton is always preferred
4.       Locate your pets and take them with you to safety
 
Always remember that if you are evacuated and then able to return home to be alert and look over a few things.
1.       Always be alert for downed power lines and other hazards,
 
2.       Check propane tanks, regulators, and lines before turning on your gas
 
3.       Check your residence carefully for any hidden embers or smoldering fires
 
 
If you do unfortunately happen to have fire damage on your home make sure to call a professional like SERVPRO to help with your disaster.

Harsh Weather

7/25/2018 (Permalink)

Harsh weather in Idaho can really do a number on residential and commercial buildings. One of the job we are currently on we are tearing out an overhang that is molding, rotting, and falling apart due to crazy weather conditions.

The most important function for a roof overhang is to help keep water off siding, windows, and doors. I it obviously impossible to stop all the rain from getting to your walls, a wide roof overhang will make a big difference for you. Although, and overhang that might be trying to keep a more than two story building dry will be much less unsuccessful than a one-story building would be.

Replacing an overhang is a big job and should be completed by a professional. There is a lot of important steps and safety precautions that need to be taken before you can even get started. Weather is always a factor as well when you are doing an outside repair. Rain, wind, snow and hail seem to be tricky and sneaky all at the same time.

Our employees are highly trained and are devoted to staying safe and keeping others safe. The have continued education available to all employees as well as training that allows them to continue to learn while working with SERVPRO. We are dedicated to having the most experienced and safe employees possible.

If you need a professional to help with your disaster, call SERVPRO at (208) 523-5365. We will make look “Like it never even happened”.

Boiler room leak

7/11/2018 (Permalink)

A boiler room leak can be a huge problem. Not only can it lead to rust and corrosion, but any other issues. Four main reasons it can be quite possibly be is pressure issues, damaged seals, cracks in the body and loose joints. Corrosion will cause pipes and tanks to weaken overtime allowing water to leak. If water is to leak, that will open your building up to a whole new batch of issues.

No matter what the reason, having water leaking in the building is always a bad sign. If you let it go untreated it can lower the value of your property and possibly make it harder to sell. It can be an eyesore and extremely hard to cover up with paint. An inspector can spot it easily and report it which in turn can make a potential buyer less interested in purchasing your property. It can also cause a ton of external damage as well.

It can also damage ceilings. The longer you wait to hire a company to clean it up, the bigger your problem will become. Paint on the ceilings can discolor and plaster may bulge. It can also lead to holes in you concrete, ruin your electricity, break down carpet, ruin your drywall, and cause health hazards.

If you suspect any leaking please call the professionals at SERVPRO so we can help make it look “Like it never even happened.”

Is mold lurking in your doorway?!

6/12/2018 (Permalink)

Mold can strike anywhere moisture is found. Attics and ceilings are two of the most common and sometimes preventable places that mold will show up. Those two spots need to be inspected as often as possible. To keep your home safe call a professional if you suspect mold growth at all.

Here is some tip to identify if mold could be lurking in your doorway.

• You notice signs of mold such as a mold smell or mold symptoms
• To identify the species of mold in your home
• To help you find where mold is growing
• To test indoor air quality by measuring the number of spores in the air
• To test if mold in your home has been fully removed

Here at SERVPRO we do FREE mold testing and will always be more than happy to come out and check on your home. 

Sneaky Sneaky

6/12/2018 (Permalink)

Water can be an extremely sneaky substance. It can hide in areas that you would never in a million years even think to look. If you even slightly suspect water might be present in your home you should always call a professional. If caught soon enough the costs for repair can be reduced significantly.

The professionals at SERVPRO are trained and certified in dealing with this exact issue. We have the tools and knowledge to stop that sneaky water buildup in its tracks. Our ultimate goal is to help restore your items and ultimately make your disaster look like it never even happened.

If you think you may have a water problem give SERVPRO a call so we can set up an appointment to come out and inspect the area.

A Day of Remembrance

5/25/2018 (Permalink)

Memorial Day, was inaugurated in 1868. It was previously designated Decoration Day, for the purpose of decorating the graves of Civil War veterans. Memorial Day has since become a day on which all war dead are commemorated. On Memorial Day, we remember those among us and those who have gone before, who secured for us the precious freedoms that we enjoy today. It is a day to once again acknowledge the price for which our freedom was purchased--a cost beyond measure.