Be Prepared: Disaster Readiness Made Simple

6/5/2024 (Permalink)

Being ready for a disaster is easier than you think. While disasters are often unavoidable, educating yourself on how to navigate tough situations can make all the difference.

Prevention is key; the best way to avoid a disaster is to take steps to prevent it from happening in the first place.

Here are some tips to help you stay prepared:

1.Regular Safety Checks: Dedicate time each week to check all your fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are functioning properly.

2.Evacuation Plan: Create an evacuation plan ahead of time. Ensure your employees know the safest and most efficient ways to exit the building in case of an emergency.

3.Emergency Contacts: Keep an updated emergency contact list accessible to everyone in your organization.

4.Emergency Supply Kit: Assemble an emergency supply kit with essentials such as flashlights, a radio, bottled water, blankets, extra batteries, non-perishable food items, and first aid kit supplies.

If you experience a fire, water, mold, or asbestos disaster, SERVPRO® is here.
We are available 24/7 for all your cleaning and restoration needs, with highly trained professionals ready to assist in your time of need.

Here to Help®

Call us today!

Fire Damage in Idaho Falls

6/5/2024 (Permalink)

Fire and Smoke damage

A house fire is a homeowner’s worst nightmare, causing devastating damage, emotional distress, and potential health risks. Understanding the dangers and knowing who to call in the aftermath can make all the difference. Here’s why immediate professional help is crucial.

1: Causes and Common Sources of House Fires

Common Causes: Electrical malfunctions, cooking accidents, heating equipment, and smoking materials.
Preventative Measures: Reduce the risk of house fires through proper maintenance and safety practices.

2: Immediate Dangers of House Fires

Property Damage: Fires can destroy personal belongings, structural components, and irreplaceable items.
Health Risks: Immediate health hazards like burns, smoke inhalation, and toxic fumes.
Emotional Trauma: The emotional impact of losing a home and the sense of security it provides.

3: Long-term Consequences
Structural Damage: A fire can weaken a building’s structure, making it unsafe for habitation without extensive repairs.
Smoke and Soot Damage: Smoke and soot can permeate walls, furniture, and HVAC systems, causing ongoing health issues and unpleasant odors.
Water Damage: The water used to extinguish the fire can cause additional damage, leading to mold growth and structural problems.

4.Why You Should Call SERVPRO®

Expertise and Experience: At SERVPRO we deal with fire damage restoration and recovery.

Prompt Response: We emphasize the importance of a quick response to fire and water damage. Our team is available 24/7.
Comprehensive Services: Emergency response, structural repairs, smoke and soot removal, and water damage restoration.
Advanced Equipment and Techniques: State-of-the-art equipment and techniques to ensure thorough and efficient restoration.

If you have a fire, water or mold emergency, give us a call anytime!
SERVPRO is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Here to Help®

Call:
208-523-5365

Pipe burst results in water damage in Idaho Falls

6/4/2024 (Permalink)

Water damage after a pipe burst in Idaho Falls

6/3/2024

When a pipe bursts, it’s not just an inconvenience – it’s a ticking time bomb that can lead to severe damage and costly repairs.

Understanding the dangers of a pipe burst and knowing who to call can make all the difference. Here's why immediate professional help is crucial.

1.Understanding Pipe Bursts

Causes of Pipe Bursts: Freezing temperatures, aging pipes, and high water pressure.
Signs of a Pipe Burst: Reduced water pressure, damp spots, and unusual noises.

2. The Immediate Dangers

Water Damage: A pipe burst can lead to water damage in walls, floors, and personal property.
Mold Growth: Standing water can create the perfect environment for mold, which poses health risks.
Structural Damage: Prolonged exposure to water can weaken the structural integrity of a building.

3. Long-term Consequences
Respiratory problems and allergies can happen if mold is present.
Increased Repair Costs: Delaying repairs can lead to more extensive and expensive damage.
Impact on Property Value: Water damage and mold can decrease property value and make it harder to sell.

4.Why You Should Call SERVPRO®

Expertise and Experience: At SERVPRO we deal with pipe bursts and water damage.
Prompt Response: We emphasize the importance of a quick response to water damage and our team is available 24/7.

Comprehensive Services: We offer leak inspections, water damage restoration, and mold remediation.

If you have a fire, water or mold emergency, give us a call anytime!
SERVPRO is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Here to Help®

Call:
208-523-5365 for Idaho Falls

How to Make Your Summer Safe

6/14/2023 (Permalink)

With everyone lighting up the grills, preparing for fire’s might not be a bad idea. Here are some tips from from your local Idaho Falls SERVPRO to keep your family safe, and your gatherings happy.

1.) Educate your family on the risks

Summer is a great time for family fun. Lets keep the fun safe though. Make sure your family knows how to keep your home safe by going over what fire hazards are and how to prevent them.

2.) Test your smoke alarms.

No one likes to wake up to a smoke alarm going off but its much better than waking up to a raging fire. Check batteries, and consider upgrading if you already haven't, to a Wi-Fi enabled fire alarm that can send you an alert anywhere you have internet service. These fire alarms are also able to connect with other smart home devices to keep your home safe.

3.) Keep lawn clippings and flammable materials in a safe place.

Lawn Clippings, dry leaves and branches, used rags, paper, even hairspray and other aerosol cans, should be taken care of in a safe way, and disposed of correctly. Make sure nothing flammable is in direct heat and sunlight. Throw away old rags with flammable liquids like oil, gas, and chemical cleaners by first washing them in water and an oil breakdown detergent before throwing them back in the garage or in the garbage can.

4.) Check your house’s wiring and crawlspaces.

Attics, crawlspaces, and wiring can be great spaces for pests to build nests in during the winter. Inspect these and other small spaces for nests, cobwebs, and other flammable objects. Check wiring where able to ensure no new wire’s are exposed since last year. Make sure your air conditioner and heaters are clear of any debris and away from any combustible materials. Check your dryer outlet and chimney for any obstacles blocking a clear flow of air.

Even with these measures we can’t expect to prevent every fire. That’s why we recommend having an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) consultation with our trained experts so you can have a quick, smooth recovery of your loss. Let one of SERVPRO’s estimators walk you through how to handle your next emergency whatever it may be.

If you have a fire, water or mold emergency, give us a call anytime!
SERVPRO is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

We are Ready to Help!

Call:
208-523-5365 for Idaho Falls

With Rising Water Levels; Are You Prepared?

6/14/2023 (Permalink)

With all the rain, and how full the river is, are you ready for a possible flood?

This year has really put into perspective how much rain, and water can affect people and their homes. Have you prepared for a possible flood? Flooding can happen in a multitude of ways, high amounts of rain, overflow from the river, even a the city pipe lines can flood leading to nasty sewage coming up the drains of you and your neighbor’s homes. Here are some guidelines to help prevent these and other water related disasters from affecting your family.

Here in South East Idaho we are at risk of flooding every year. Every home has a different level of risk associated with flood damage. Learn more about your home’s risk level. Find out what type of flood zone you live in, and the potential flood elevation in the area. FEMA offeres a great map service at https://msc.fema.gov/portal/. You can also check in with your local planning and zoning office or building department to learn more about the flood zone. Find out if from them or your neighbors if your area has flooded in the past and what caused it.

Another important part of preparedness is insuring against the loss. Its hard enough being uprooted as temporary as it may be, but to be placed with a financial burden at the same time is even harder. Consult your insurance agent and find out if flood insurance is part of your insurance plan.

Reduce your risk as best you can. Decide how you plan to react to the threat of a water emergency. Speak with one of SERVPRO’s consultants about an Emergency Ready Plan (ERP) and find out what might be best for your area. Using an ERP can help speed up the process should an emergency occur. With an Emergency Ready Plan your prepared for any water, fire, mold or other major event that may require our help. Speak to your SERVPRO consultant today for a free ERP.

Lastly, make sure you know your home well. Find out if you have any low spots that may collect water first. Check your basement after every rainstorm to ensure no new leaks have occurred. Check your drywall for any wet spots along the ceiling, walls, or floors to make sure no water got in.

We can’t prevent every natural disaster, and we can’t prevent every water emergency, but using these and other helpful tips can help mitigate our possible loss in the event something does happen.

If you have a fire, water or mold emergency, give us a call anytime!
SERVPRO is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

We are Ready to Help!

Call:
208-523-5365 for Idaho Falls

Commercial Buildings Need an ERP

6/14/2023 (Permalink)

Has Flooding Affected Your Commercial Building?

Water levels are higher than ever this year. Did your building get affected by the rain and river levels? Have a SERVPRO consultant come out today and set up a free Emergency Ready Plan (ERP) with you today. This plan will help in the event another flood, mold, or fire emergency. Having an ERP in place will help speed up the process, mitigate your total loss, and get your business back on its feet. Also speak with your SERVPRO consultant about our other services like document recovery, deodorization and more.

With a solid ERP in place SERVPRO will have you recovering from any emergencies and back in business as soon as possible

If you have a fire, water or mold emergency, give us a call anytime!

SERVPRO is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

We are Ready to Help!

Call:
208-523-5365 for Idaho Falls

Attic Inspection

5/5/2023 (Permalink)

We think of our home as a safe place to protect us. We do our best to maintain the things that wear out or need attention, however, most of us forget about the main thing protecting our home from the elements: The roof and attic.

The winters in eastern Idaho and surrounding areas have brought an incredible pack of snow fall this year. This has put extra pressure on a roof that already carries a big load.

Spring is here, causing the snow to melt and run off. We hope it runs down the gutters or just off the roof and not into your home. It is also a possibility the water has leaked into your attic, but not in sufficient amount to visibly affect the ceiling inside.

With the insulation preventing the water from coming thru your ceiling, but allowing wood work to stay wet, it increases the humidity in the Attic. Mold growth in the attic on walls and ceiling base, can end up affecting the living areas of your home if left unchecked. When microbial growth happens, it can have a musty smell. If you suspect you may have Mold in your Attic, it’s best to call a professional.

SERVPRO is your resource to help with mold or moisture concerns in your home. We can take care of the problem and give you the peace of mind in your attic or home.

If you have a water or mold give us a call! SERVPRO is available 24 hours 7 days a week. We have a trained, professional team ready to help! 208-523-5365

Preparing for Spring

5/3/2023 (Permalink)

Springtime is coming! Time to get your home prepared. Turning on the outside faucets and sprinkler system with broken lines can cause water damage inside your home.

Water damage in your home can be caused by a variety of different things: a leaky faucet, broken drain, an outside source, etc. Figuring out where the water coming from is never easy. Calling SERVPRO can be.

With water comes the likelihood for mold, and it’s important to act fast. 

Here’s some helpful tips:

1. Check to ensure water is not backing up into your home.
2. Make sure sprinklers are running at the right time and shutting off on time.
3. Check for broken lines in your sprinkler system that can flood your ground and end up flooding back into your home.  
4. When you have a leak or a burst pipe, shutting off the main water valve helps to prevent more damage.

When finding a restoration company, call SERVPRO, who works with your insurance company during your time of need.

If you have water damage in your home SERVPRO available 24/7 24 hours a day 7day a week. Call SERVPRO for all your cleaning restoration and Construction. SERVPRO is a team of highly trained professionals ready to help.   

Commercial Disaster

11/15/2022 (Permalink)

Being ready for a disaster is easier than you think. Although you cannot avoid a disaster, you can educate yourself enough to navigate through the tough situation. The best way to avoid a disaster is to try and prevent the disaster from happening in the first place.

• Dedicate time weekly checks of all your fire alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.
• Create an evacuation plan of time. Make sure you employees know the correct and safest way to exit the building in case of a disaster.
• Keep an updated emergency contact list for everyone to have access to
• Put together an emergency supply kit with items such as flashlights, radio, bottled waters, blankets, extra batteries etc.

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

Burst Pipes

11/15/2022 (Permalink)

Water disasters, such s broken pipes, can happen suddenly and without warning especially in the winter months. Some common signs of busted water pipes include:

• Water puddle forming under your sink
• Watch for a dramatic increase in your water bill
• Watch to see if your water is fluctuating
• Stinky or rust smelling water
• Noisy pipes

If you happen to have a pipe burst you should immediately turn off your water, locate the burst pipe and call a professional. The quicker you do these three things, the better the outcome my be.

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