Think you're cold? What about those frozen pipes?

2/9/2023 (Permalink)

We're here to help!

BRRRRRR!  Baby, it's cold outside!  Winter is upon us and while we may look forward to building our first snowman, sledding with our children, or sitting by a toasty fire, frozen pipes can become a reality as well.  Prevent freezing of pipes by following these recommendations:

• Make sure you drain water from a water sprinkler system or a swimming pool.  There are typically manufacturing directions on how to do so.  
• Drain and detach any water hoses from exterior spigots. 
• Check your basement, crawl space, attic, and garage for any uninsulated pipes. Make sure to keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines located there. 
• Check under kitchen and bathroom cabinets as well.  Open the cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate around the plumbing.  Consider installing specific insulation for pipes. 
• Let water drip from a faucet served by exposed pipes since this will help prevent them from freezing. 
• If you will be gone from your home during cold weather, don't allow your thermostat below 55 degrees.   

What happens if despite all your good intentions, you suspect a frozen pipe?    

• If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, chances are good that your pipe is frozen.  It will most likely be located near an exterior wall or where your water service comes into your home.
• Apply heat to the pipe with an electric heating pad, an electric hair dryer or a portable space heater (maker sure nothing flammable is close by).  You can also wrap the pipes in towels soaked with warm water.  DO NOT use a blowtorch, kerosene, propane heater, for any other open flame device.
• Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and water begins to melt, it will then begin to flow through the frozen area.  It will also help to melt additional ice in the pipe. 
• If you cannot thaw the pipe, aren't able to locate the frozen area, or you can't get access to it, call a licensed plumber.
• Be sure to check all other faucets in your home because chances are if you have one frozen pipe, most likely you have others as well. 

Finally, if the "dreaded pipe break" should happen, call us at 816-246-5566. We will respond quickly and get you back to "Like it never even happened."

Water Damage Claim

2/9/2023 (Permalink)

Call us today to help with your water damage.

Anyone who has experienced flooding is likely familiar with the various colors associated with floodwaters: white/clear, gray, and black. These colors are often tied to a category and a classification that specifies the number of safety precautions necessary and the level of mitigation and cleanout. When filing a claim, it is critical to know the category and classification because each ascending level impacts the severity and costs of damage. Therefore, pretesting is used to designate the category and classification of water to ensure that claims and restorative preparations are efficient and accurate.

1. Category One

When filing an insurance claim, category one, or white/clear, water is the least expensive to remedy. The source is sanitary, meaning that there are no harmful bacteria or sewage present. While this category can be a relief, it is still necessary to act quickly to remove the water and repair the damage. If the water sits for too long, it can be contaminated by other items in the area, causing an elevation in category or classification.

2. Category Two

If the water is found to be category two, or greywater, through pretesting, then it is best that you do not go near it. This result indicates that there are organic and inorganic substances in the water and that you may become ill if it is consumed or touched.

3. Category Three

Category three, or black water, is the most dangerous water. The level of contamination includes sewage, chemicals, bacteria, and possible toxins. It is likely that your insurance agent and company will recommend a disaster restoration specialist in the Harrisonville/ Belton/ Raymore area who will probably seal the space as they work to remove the water safely.

Insurance claims require accurate representations of the damage to property. Pretesting provides those assessments for insurers by providing definitive information about the category and classification of the water and damage to your home.

Why the Chemical Mercaptan is a Lifesaver

12/27/2022 (Permalink)

The gas that heats many homes and provides energy for water heaters and clothes dryers is colorless and odorless. If it leaks from pipes or hoses it creates a dangerous situation due to its extreme combustibility. To make gas more detectable, engineers have added the chemical mercaptan, making it easily identifiable by its sulfurous, rotten egg smell. It is hard to estimate how many times a gas fire has been prevented by this chemical.

When a homeowner smells mercaptan it is a sure sign that somewhere in your home there is a gas leak. When this happens, immediate steps should be taken to shut off the gas or at least get people and pets out of the home and call the fire department. 

The Best Actions To Take With a Natural Gas Leak

Specific actions can reduce the likelihood of a gas fire in a home or apartment. The goal is to stop the gas leak or increase the safety of everyone in the home. Here are the most effective actions to take:

Check all the appliances that use natural gas, beginning with the stove since this is the most likely source. Many times burners do not light, or go out, allowing gas to leak into the home. If you can find the source of the leak and stop it the emergency is over.

Increase the ventilation of your home by opening windows and doors. This enables the gas to dissipate and not collect in a certain area, reducing the likelihood of a gas explosion.

Don't use electrical devices, or even turn on lights, as this could ignite the gas.

Evacuate the home and call the fire department

The Best Way To Handle Fire Damage

Gas fire in your home is likely to cause soot and smoke damage and loss of property. Call in a fire remediation team that will respond quickly and clean up the damage in a professional manner.

Is Your Business Prepared?

12/27/2022 (Permalink)

Up to 50% of businesses never reopen following a disaster. This usually happens because the amount of damage was too large and too expensive to recover from. Your business should be prepared to minimize the damage to your business so that doors can open back for business.  

There are a few things you can do to make sure your establishment is ready.

Continuity Plan

A business that does reopen after a disaster must have a preparedness plan. You must identify the components of your business that are essential for it to continue running. Prepare a plan with the appropriate staff as well. Your staff must know who and what should happen in the case of an emergency.

Prepare your Emergency Plan

Have a plan in place. Letting SERVPRO prepare an Emergency Ready Plan (ERP) will help minimize the damage by having a quick response to an emergency. Knowing what and when to do will ensure that the right steps are taken.  Something as simple as just knowing where the shutoff valves are can save you from extensive water damage.

Review Your Insurance

Make sure you are familiar with your insurance. You need to know who to call when you need answers regarding your business. Understanding your policies will help you be able to know what is not covered and reassess if your needs require more coverage.

Cyber Security

The physical damages to your property but also internal damage to important files and data. Be sure to have all your data backed up.

Specific Items You Can Save From Mold With The Right Treatment

12/27/2022 (Permalink)

The presence of mold, whether it comes from water damage or high moisture, can permanently damage your possessions. While there are items you should throw away, such as food and medicine, there are others with sentimental value you might hesitate to throw away. Mold cleaning, especially when handled by mold remediation specialists, can bring back some of these possessions with no health hazards and no permanent damage. Take note of the specific items you can save with the right treatment.

Leather Items

Leather can be an appealing choice for several items in your household. It can have a classy look that also brings extra warmth to the user.

• Jackets 
• Furniture
• Baseballs and baseball mitts
• Briefcases
• Purses

It can be difficult to dispose of these leather items if they suffer from mold damage. Thankfully, there are chemicals that can clean and fight the mold's mycotoxin, such as borax and tea tree oil. Ultimately, a remediation technician will make the final call depending on the item and damage. 

Clothing

Nothing can be more frustrating than seeing mold grow over your favorite clothes. Just as with leather, there are a variety of mold cleaning products such as hot water, vinegar, bleach, or borax. There are even specialized laundry machines, such as the Esporta Machine, designed to remove all types of damage from clothes, including mold and mildew. Use these resources depending on the clothing's specifications so the cleaners avoid damaging them. Once again, consult with cleaning specialists for the best solution. 

Paintings

The paintings in your residence may effectively decorate your home but salvaging them from mold growth can be difficult. Painting over the mold is not recommended, as the paint can peel off and the toxins can remain. Instead, consult a specialist that can remove the mold safely with the right tools and chemicals. 

Even though mold can ruin many of your priceless possessions, they are not beyond salvaging. Research mold cleaning professionals and techniques, to bring your prized possession to its former glory.

Benefits for Commercial Clients

10/16/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial Property Managers

If you work in the property management industry you understand the value of a quick response and fast turnaround time when it comes to an emergency situation. A quick response time can mean a reduction in the size and scope of the damage, it can also mean the difference between having a chance at saving business-critical documents and equipment for the clients that are most important to you. 

Commercial Client Benefits 

Choosing SERVPRO of Harrisonville/Belton/Raymore for your commercial damage mitigation accrues you benefits not limited to: 

• Working with you to tailor the solution to you, priding ourselves in accurate and straightforward communication. 
• Every large commercial loss is supervised by a local commercial operations manager to help ensure seamless communication and timely mitigation. 
• The SERVPRO Commercial Large Loss Division is composed of our best of the best in restoration. Our elite large-loss specialists are pre-qualified and strategically positioned throughout the United States to handle any size disaster. 

Call us Today!

Contact the Commercial Fire and Water damage experts at SERVPRO of Harrisonville/Belton/Raymore when you discover damage at your business. (816)884-2240 to set up an appointment for an inspection and consultation.

Storm Damage? No Problem for SERVPRO

10/16/2022 (Permalink)

When Harrisonville/Belton/Raymore businesses suffer serious damage after storm events, SERVPRO of Harrisonville/Belton/Raymore will work around the clock to clean up any debris and to restore the property to pre-storm conditions. We understand that commercial storm damage can be very costly in terms of productivity; that is why it is always our goal to get your business back up and running as quickly and as seamlessly as possible. 

We Have the Resources to Handle Large Commercial Storm Damage 

When a storm hits Harrisonville/Belton/Raymore, we can scale our resources to handle large-loss commercial restoration projects. We have access to equipment and personnel from a network of over 1,600 Franchises across the country. 

If your business is ever damaged by severe floods or storms, call us right away at (816)884-2240. Disaster can strike when we least expect it, but SERVPRO of Harrisonville/Belton/Raymore will be there to help you weather the storm.

Fire Escape Planning For Your Business

10/16/2022 (Permalink)

An emergency plan is not required for all businesses, however, OSHA recommends building an emergency action plan to protect yourself, your employees, and your business during an emergency. OSHA suggests the following steps when developing a plan. 

Organize an Emergency Preparedness Procedures review with employees to review your company’s emergency plans. You may wish to select an individual or team of individuals to lead and coordinate your emergency plan. 

Once a plan is developed, post-evacuation procedures, including routes and exits, where are easily accessible to all employees. Ensure all exits and routes are clearly marked, well lit, wide enough to accommodate the number of evacuating personnel, and unobstructed and clear of debris at all times.

Conduct office evacuation exercises and drills. Designate a safe spot outside of the facility where employees can regroup, recover and conduct a head count. Once completed, evaluate how well the plan worked and if additional training or exercises are needed.

Shut Off Valves at Work

10/16/2022 (Permalink)

Many workplaces always call on the boss or the maintenance man when something goes wrong. What if they were homesick, or in a meeting and you need to locate the water shutoff, where do you start? 

SERVPRO of Harrisonville/Belton/Raymore can help commercial properties in planning for water, fire, and storm damage. How, with a free Emergency Response Profile created by the SERVPRO Marketing Department. 

By having a plan of action and including it in your regular training at your office you can minimize the cost of an unplanned event happens like a frozen pipe, fire, or anything. 

Some property managers use this as a tool to keep everything organized in one central location. 

Is your business ready for a disaster? Even a simple pipe burst can cause a lot of damage and headache. A SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile can have critical information to minimize damages, provide the resources for the employees of the company, and provide property details and information. This is a FREE service that we provide to commercial properties. 

Make an appointment today to get started!

If the unthinkable happens, call your local SERVPRO of Harrisonville/Belton/Raymore Professionals at (816)884-2240 seven days a week 24/7 to help you avoid the cost and hassle of secondary damages.  We will help make it "Like it never even happened."

Storm Damage Can Happen Anywhere

9/26/2022 (Permalink)

According to the National Weather Service (NOAA), “Approximately seventy-five percent of all Presidential disaster declarations are associated with flooding.” NOAA lists the most common flood hazards in the United States as:

• Flash Flooding
• River Flooding
• Storm Surge and Coastal Inundation from Tropical and Non-Tropical Systems
• Burn Scars/Debris Flows (Caused by Wildfires)
• Ice/Debris Jams
• Snowmelt
• Dry Wash (Caused by heavy rainfall in dry areas)
• Dam Breaks/Levee Failure

Just because you haven’t experienced a flood doesn’t mean you won’t in the future. In fact, 20% of all claims paid by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) were for policies in low-risk communities. On average, floods cost $3.5 billion in annual losses in the U.S., and commercial flood claims average more than $75,000 (NFIP).

When catastrophic water damage happens to you, SERVPRO® Harrisonville/Belton/Raymore Professionals can help. They can help you prepare ahead of time with an Emergency Ready Profile® (ERP), or respond to any size disaster to begin cleanup and restoration to get you back in business as soon as possible.

Your local SERVPRO® Harrisonville/Belton/Raymore Professionals are ready to help make it “Like it never even happened.”