SERVPRO Clinton Understands Your Water Damage

9/7/2022 (Permalink)

Anytime water invades our homes or businesses responding quickly is always the best course of action. SERVPRO Clinton always has a team of trained technicians to dispatch to the scene. These technicians will look at the category and class of the damage allowing them to determine the best and fastest way to remove and remediate the water damage.

Water damage comes in 3 different categories. Assessing which category, the water damage falls under is very important in determining what is needed to start water removal and damage repair.

Category 1 is a clean water loss. The possible causes of this type of damage may include a broken appliance or a sink overflowing. This is water damage that poses no threat to humans.

Category 2 is a gray water loss. A gray water loss means that the water is contaminated and contains microorganisms that may cause sickness if ingested. Some common causes of a Category 2 Water damage include broken toilets, broke sump pumps and seepage.

Category 3 is black water. This type of water loss is unsanitary since is contains bacteria and other organisms that cause sickness. Sewage problems and contaminated standing water are possible sources of black water damage.

Once SERVPRO Clinton has determined which category your water loss is we are then able to assess the water damage repair options. There are 4 classes of water damage that our SERVPRO Clinton technicians use to assess the options for repairs.

Class 1 is the least harmful with the easiest water damage repair. The materials involved in this loss absorbed very little of the water making remediation and repairs quicker.

Class 2 generally involves damaged carpets and cushions. Having a fast evaporation rate makes the Class 2 water damage more difficult to repair.

Class 3 has the fastest evaporation rate. The water from this loss may have come from broken sprinklers or other overhead sources that have soaked the walls and furniture.

Class 4 requires specialized water removal and restoration procedures. This type of damage may affect areas such as hardwood floors, plaster and concrete.

Call SERVPRO Clinton @ 563-212-2874 anytime you experience water loss or damage to your home or business.

When Storms or Floods hit, SERVPRO is ready!

8/22/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Clinton specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.  Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today. 563-212-2874

Let us do the worrying

8/19/2022 (Permalink)

You come home from work and find a flooded basement. You left a towel to close a burner and it started a kitchen fire. Weather turned bad and your yard decide it should be in your house. You have purchase a new home but it needs a good cleaning before you move in.

Why SERVPRO? Because those are just a few emergencies that SERVPRO Clinton will handle for you. Water!!! No Problem. Fire!!! Restored. Mud and Sewer!!! Removed and Sanitized.  New home!!!! Cleaned and Deodorized.

 Our technicians are highly trained to handle any situation that may arise. As a team, we show up and take your troubles away . Our amazing office staff helps put your mind at ease speaking with your insurance and helping you to understand your claim.

Contact SERVPRO Clinton @ 563-212-2874 and let us do the worrying

Tis the Season for Severe Weather Patterns

7/6/2022 (Permalink)

This is the time of year when severe weather seems to pop up across the Midwest. We here at SERVPRO Clinton are prepared to weather any emergency that will arise. As severe storms move thru our area there are so many incidents that may arise. From the smallest rainstorm to the devastating Derecho, SERVPRO Clinton is Faster to any Disaster. 

Rainstorms, big or small, seem to always find the way into the basement leading to flooding. Every homeowner knows that removing, cleaning and restoring the home to its original state is always difficult to deal with. SERVPRO Clinton steps in and handles everything from start to finish. After removal of contents and water, we begin the drying process and assess and restore any damage that incurred from the water.    

Larger storms with lightening and high winds are capable of creating more damage than flooding. Lightning strikes and high winds are capable of wreaking havoc on a home. Fires and damaged trees spawn roofs and window dilemmas. We at SERVPRO Clinton will arrive to board up broken windows and tarp a damaged roof allowing the home owner time to assess the damage.

SERVPRO Clinton lends a hand to our customers because we know storm damage leads to dealing with insurance concerns. Our representatives are able to help the customer to navigate and understand the process of filing a claim. Being able to help our customer makes an effortless process, from the beginning to the end.

Why Choose SERVPRO Clinton for your business cleaning needs

6/30/2022 (Permalink)

Every day you work hard to build your business and a disruption to your daily functions can be a lot to deal with. Accidents both large and small happen at any time and SERVPRO Clinton is able to help with specialty cleaning for your commercial property.

Whether it is a routine need like carpet cleaning or a major emergency, such as biohazard and crime scene cleanup we have the equipment and experience to get the job done. Our skilled  professionals work with the most advanced products and techniques to clean and restore your commercial property and getting you back in business with the least amount of down time.

If an emergency has left your business needing one of our specialty cleaning services we prove a 24/7 Emergency Service. We respond quickly to prevent further damage thereby lessening the cost of the repairs.

We are trusted leaders in the restoration industry and our professions are trained to the highest standards. We use only the sate of art equipment and have more than 50 years of experience.

SERVPRO Clinton will help navigate the claims process with you and your insurance agency and coordinate the necessary paperwork making the experience quicker and easier.

When Your Home is Damaged by a Storm We Are Only One Call Away

6/30/2022 (Permalink)

Forces of nature can take a violent turn. Events such as floods, wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes and blizzards can have a devastating effect on your home. SERVPRO of Clinton  is equipped with the training and experience to handle whatever damage any storm may unexpectedly bring your way.

SERVPRO of Clinton wants to get you back into your home as quick as possible. Regardless if the storm damage is major or minor, SERVPRO Clinton has the experience and equipment to cleanup and restore your home getting your life back to normal as soon as possible.

SERVPRO Clinton provides 24/7 Emergency Service and our teams are available should disaster strike. We will provide you with assistance navigating the insurance claims process and will coordinate the necessary paperwork making your experience easier and quicker.

Ready Set Grill

6/24/2022 (Permalink)

Ready, Set, Grill!

Local SERVPRO Clinton/Sterling fire remediation specialists advises grill masters to prepare now for a safe, savory outdoor cooking season

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) warns families that the onset of the summer season also marks a rise in home fires started by outdoor grilling activities. According to the NFPA, on average, 10,600 home fires are started by grills each year. July is the peak month for grill fires, followed by June, May, and August.¹

Sixty-one percent of U.S. households own a gas grill. A total of sixty-four percent own at least one outdoor BBQ, grill, or smoker. The popularity of this outdoor cooking equipment combined with longer, warmer days creates a unique fire hazard that should be taken seriously.

The time to take precautions is now, before the outdoor cooking season is in full swing. The NFPA offers these basic tips for fire-safe grilling:²

For gas/propane grills:

• Check the gas tank for leaks before using.
• Open the lid on all gas grills before lighting the grill.

For charcoal grills:

• Use only charcoal starter fluid to start the fire but never add it or any flammable liquids to a fire that is burning.
• Cool coals completely before you dispose of them in a metal container.

For all grills:

• Place grill well away from house and deck railings. Don’t place under eaves or branches.
• Remove grease and fat buildup from grills and trays after each use.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill.
• Never leave the grill unattended when in use.

Basic precautions set the stage for a safe and enjoyable outdoor cooking season. Life is unpredictable, but you can take steps to control the risk of house and property fires caused by outdoor cooking. Whether you are strictly a summer grilling warrior or you use your grill year-round, simple, common-sense actions can help ensure that the only smoke you smell this summer is the sweet aroma of steaks and vegetables grilling.

SERVPRO specializes in fire and water cleanup and restoration services and repair services, helping to remediate damage for both commercial and residential customers. For more information on SERVPRO^® of Clinton/Sterling, please contact our office at 563- 212-2874. For more information on SERVPRO of Clinton/Sterling, please visit www.SERVPROclinton.com.

¹ https://www.nfpa.org//-/media/Images/Infographics/Grilling-Infographic2020BIG.png

² https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/Press-Room/News-releases/2021/NFPA-offers-safe-grilling-tips-and-recommendations-to-prevent-fires-and-injuries

Restoring Your Commercial Property After A Water Damage Event

6/22/2022 (Permalink)

Flooding and water damage events at commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

About SERVPRO of Clinton

SERVPRO of Clinton specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Who Ya Gonna Call? SERVPRO!

6/10/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Clinton is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help
Call Today - 563-212-2874

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of Clinton has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

About SERVPRO of Clinton

SERVPRO of Clinton specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Smoke and Soot Cleanup

6/8/2022 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.  

Smoke and soot facts:

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

Different Types of Smoke

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

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

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

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

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

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

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

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions.  We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage? Call Us Today – 563-212-2874

Key tips to staying Safe During Thunderstorms

3/25/2022 (Permalink)

With spring right around the corner and summer rolling in, its true what they say, "April showers bring May flowers", but do you know how to stay safe during pop up thunderstorm season? 

In the Midwest when the sirens go off, everyone rushes outside to see where the storm is coming from, or which direction the tornado is forming. In reality what should happen is that at the first sound of thunder, the safest thing to do is move indoors. Being completely covered is important to avoid lightning strikes.

Once inside stay up to date with a weather radio and avoid using excessive electronics connected to electrical outlets to avoid any shock. 

It is also best practice to avoid running any water in case of an electrical surge. This would include washing dishes and taking a shower. 

A fun fact that most people aren't aware of is that 6 inches of fast-moving water can swipe you off your feet and cause serious harm. It is best to avoid walking through fast moving water and driving through flooded roadways. Water will not think twice about taking you away with the current, which is why you have to think twice for it.

Please remember to make sure that your emergency preparedness kit is always stocked and easily accessible in case of any emergency. 

Recovery After the Storm

3/25/2022 (Permalink)

Has a server storm ever gone through your hometown leaving you clueless what do next to repair the damages? We have the helpful guide to get you on the road to recovery.

The first thing is to ensure that you and your family are all healthy and free of any injury. If you were evacuated from your home, it can be very over-whelming to return to your property, but do not return until the safety officials have given the green light.

Once you have returned home and able to assess all damages, you are going to want to call your insurance and file a claim. Take note of all the damages and take pictures for your own personal documentation. Save all your receipts for any clean up you do to turn into insurance as well.

Beware of all safety concerns such as open gas lines, fallen powerlines, excessive standing water with the potential to hold an electrical current, and unstable foundations.

Notify officials of any unsafe factors such as chemical spills, a strong gas smell, and large amounts of standing water. 

We are your 1 stop shop!

3/25/2022 (Permalink)

Water and Fire Damage? Call SERVPRO. Mold? Call SERVPRO. Storm Damage? Call SERVPRO. Reconstruction? Call SERVPRO. Commercial losses or cleaning? Call SERVPRO. 

When we say one stop shop, we mean one stop shop! Whether your house just caught fire, or you had a water main break, we can make any disaster appear "Like it never even happened."

Our technicians are certified and experienced in all your restoration needs. Every job no matter how big or small is scoped and completed to our customers satisfaction. We pride ourselves in our attention to detail and leave no book unturned, literally! If you have called us for a general cleaning, we leave it looking brand new. 

Have a commercial business that has high traffic and needs some attention to detail? We can help you with that. We have some of the best carpet cleaners in the business, and they become a stains worse enemy. 

If you find yourself in a bind, give your neighborhood SERVPRO a call. We are faster to any disaster. 

We have the Technology

3/25/2022 (Permalink)

In today's world technology is always advancing, and at SERVPRO of Clinton we are advancing right along with it. We have some of the best advance technology to help cure your restoration needs. 

We follow the scientific drying process to ensure that your water losses are restored to their preloss stage, and it happens quickly and effectively.  

We also have infrared cameras that help us detect water through walls, ceilings, and floors to ensure that we get the entire space dry to prevent mold growth. 

Knocking down water is one of our specialties. Our air movers and dehumidifiers working together eliminate moisture not only on the ground, but in the air as well. Our dehumidifiers work around the clock to make sure that all the moisture is being pulled from the new circling air. 

The crew at SERVPRO of Clinton is highly trained and very knowledgeable of the science we use to stay with the times, and ensure we are getting you back into your homes faster with no issues. 

Fire Safety Plan. Practice with your Family.

3/25/2022 (Permalink)

We all know that fires move fast and that our first instinct when we see a fire is to evacuate as quickly as we can, but what we forget to do is come up with an effective fire escape plan with our families. 

Every second counts during a fire, and it is important that you and your family are on the same page on what to do if this disaster strikes your home. 

With your family walk through all the rooms in your home and come up with 2 exit strategies on how you would vacate the room in case of a fire.

While you are doing your walk through make sure that all windows are accessible and unstuck for quick opening. 

Walk around the room in the dark to practice trying to find the doors and potential obstacles in case of a fire occurring in the middle of the night.  

Talk to your children on the importance of not being afraid of fire fighters.

Having an effective plan can be life or death for your family. 

What to do if there is a Fire

3/25/2022 (Permalink)

If you find yourself in your home in the event of a house fire, the first thing you are going to want to it drop down to the floor and crawl low, under any smoke to your exit.

If you find yourself in a closed bedroom before opening a door, feel the doorknob and door for warmth. If either is hot, you are going to look for your second way out of the room.

Open all doors slowly to reduce the risk of waving in heavy smoke or fire.

If you can’t get to someone needing assistance, 
pets are trapped inside your home, tell firefighters right away when they arrive as well as the operator when you call 9-1-1.

If you can’t get out, close the door and cover vents and cracks around doors with cloth or tape to keep smoke out. 

If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop and roll covering your face with your hands. Roll over and over or back and forth until the fire is out. 

The do's and dont's of water damage

3/25/2022 (Permalink)

What To Do After Flooding

-Remove excess water by mopping and blotting.
-Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items.
-Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions.
-Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
-Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in summer.
-Remove colored rugs from wet carpeting.
-Remove art objects to a safe, dry place.
-Gather loose items from floors.

What Not to Do After Flooding

-Don't leave wet fabrics in place. Hang furs and leather goods.
-Don't leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpet or floors.
-Don't use your household vacuum to remove water.
-Don't use television or other household appliances.
-Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.

Call SERVPRO for any water needs, and we can make it "Like it never even happened."

Get that Mold Outta Here!

3/25/2022 (Permalink)

When water intrudes into your property, mold growth can start in as little as 48 hours. Consider the following mold facts:

Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors. Mold spores are microscopic, float along in the air, and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.

Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
Mold often produces a strong, musty odor, and that odor can lead you to possible mold problem areas. Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

SERVPRO of Clinton has just the thing needed to get any mold that you have in your home out for good. 

Reduce Claim Loss Expenses

3/16/2022 (Permalink)

Mitigation requires quick action. The faster a SERVPRO franchise professional can arrive on-site to perform water and fire cleanup, the better the results - including lower claim costs.

Service Response Guidelines:

1: Within one hour from notice of loss, one of our SERVPRO team members will be in contact with the insured to arrange for service.

4: Within 4 hours of loss notification, a SERVPRO of Clinton professional will be on-site to start mitigation services.

8: Within 8 business hours of on-site arrival, a verbal briefing of the scope will be communicated to your insurance company.

No more waiting days for a contractor to respond when every hour counts. SERVPRO of Clinton is dedicated to providing 24-hour emergency service, 365 days a year.

Should your home or busines sustain any water or fire damage, call SERVPRO of Clinton at 563-212-2874.

How To Stay Safe During A Tornado

3/15/2022 (Permalink)

Tornadoes are violent: they can completely destroy well-made structures, uproot trees and hurl objects through the air like deadly missiles. Although severe tornadoes are most common in the Plains States, they can happen anywhere. Learn what to do to keep your loved ones safe.

A tornado WATCH means a tornado is possible.

• Identify a safe place in your home where household members and pets will gather during a tornado: a basement, storm cellar or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows.

• In a high-rise building, pick a hallway in the center of the building. You may not have enough time to go to the lowest floor. 

• In a mobile home, choose a safe place in a nearby sturdy building. If your mobile home park has a designated shelter, make it your safe place. No mobile home, however it is configured, is safe in a tornado.

If You Are Outdoors:

• Seek shelter in a basement, shelter or sturdy building.

• If you cannot quickly walk to a shelter, immediately get into a vehicle and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter. Remember to buckle your seat belt.

• Stay away from bridge/highway overpasses.

• If strong winds and flying debris occurs while driving, pull over and park, keeping your seat belt on and engine running. Put your head down below the windows, covering your head with your hands and a blanket.

We love Stains!

2/3/2022 (Permalink)

Stains! No one likes to see them on their carpets and upholstery, and now you won't ever have to worry about it again. SERVPRO of Clinton has certified technicians that pride themselves in eliminating your deep surface stains. 

We are certified through the IICRC and use their standards as a guide on how to clean each unique stain. Since all stains are different our professionals will walk you through different cleaning options, and together you can decide what options works best for you. 

After the cleaning is finished, we have a soil protection benefit that will protect against future stains. Our technician can walk you through the benefits of applying this solution, and let you be the judge if you would like the added protection. 

We want you to be happy in your space and make it our task to ensure we leave you with the confidence that your space was taken care of by professionals. 

Best Choice for Quality Restoration in Clinton

2/1/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO toy van parked out front of building

SERVPRO of Clinton has been in business Clinton and surrounding communities for one year. During this time, we have really worked to form strong relationships with both commercial and residential clients. We offer a number of services and take pride in restoring our client's personal property. 

We don’t start what we can’t finish, and we’re committed to finishing well. When we’re through, we’ll have restored your property equal to or better than its pre-disaster state.

Disasters happen. Stovetops catch fire, pipes freeze, storms cause flooding. And when disaster comes knocking, your local SERVPRO will be ready to answer, so you can get back to your real job.

We are quicker to any disaster and leave you feeling "Like it never even happened."

Houses sell with SERVPRO

2/1/2022 (Permalink)

We believe in getting houses clean and getting them sold. We love working with our local relators to get houses clean before they get out on the market. 

We offer a number of services to help revive your listing to top showing shape. Carpets tend to hold dirty in their high traffic areas, not anymore! Our technicians become dirt and stains worse nightmare. We clean carpets, blinds, and upholstery.  

Have a ceiling and floors that are holding dirt and stains? We can clean ceilings, walls, and hardwood surfaces. Ensuring that the structure is returned to presentable state. 

Harsh smells can really turn a homeowner's heads to not want to see more. Our special deodorization process can get those deep scents out and leaving the space smelling fresh and clean. 

Other services provided are HVAC cleaning and Mold mitigation.  Give us a call before your next showing. 

Restoring your Commercial Property after a water Loss

1/26/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage to any building whether it is your home or commercial space can be a traumatic event. When it happens to a commercial space the damages can become more extensive than if it was in your home because there are more liabilities. The first step you are going to want to perform is a risk assessment of the potential damages presented to your staff, occupants, and other personnel. Some of the biggest hazards to look for would be Electrical hazards, slip hazards, and hazards that could present themselves in your HVAC system causing bacterial contamination. Calling a professional to come and help assess the damage is always encouraged.  

The second step in assessing a water damage event is to mitigate damages to ensure that secondary damages do not occur. Secondary damages can be identified as mold growth, damages to carpet that cannot be extracted, wall coverings, artwork, critical documents, etc. It is important that area is properly dried, and the humidity is kept to an acceptable level. 

6 Helpful hints after a Commercial Fire loss

1/26/2022 (Permalink)

When fire strikes it is easy to make a business owner feel overwhelmed, but we have 6 helpful steps to follow that will help lighten the load.

Step 1: Prevent Further Damage

Preventing further damage can range anywhere from tarping the roof, turning off the water mains, adding security fencing, and boarding up any broken window. 

Step 2: Speak to the Experts

Don't leave everything to your insurance when it comes to reaching out to contractors to fix your damages. Collecting your own documentation is crucial.

Step3: Notify Insurnace

Contacting your insurance in a timely manner is crucial. With being a commercial business, your insurance policy is seen as a contract.

Step 4: Stay Organized

Make sure you keep all receipts, claim notes, estimates, and all written communication. Place all these things in a binder with your policy. 

Step 5: Know that all fire claims are unique

Not all fires cause the same damages, so it is important to realize that every fire needs to be handled in its own special way. Make sure that the building is treated and tested for smoke and water damage in all areas.

Step6: Stay calm and don't rush

Alot of the time business owners are focused on re-opening before all damages are cared for. Do not rush the restoration process, or it could end up costing you more money in the end. 

Prevent Frozen Pipes

1/26/2022 (Permalink)

Whether you are a homeowner who has been cursed with frozen pipes in the past or a new homeowner who doesn't want to deal with the hassle, we have listed some helpful hints on how to get you through the brutal winter.

The first helpful hint is to insulate pipes located in the attic and crawl space using pipe insulation. This tip is helpful even if you live in a climate where harsh freezes do not occur.   

Second helpful hint is to seal or caulk any cracks that might let in cold air. Drier vents and water pipes tend to run outside the home, so it is crucial you inspect those for crack before the weather gets cold.

As you winterize your home do not forget to take care of your outdoor elements as well such as, disconnect your garden hoses. If you have outdoor faucets with cut-off valves, be sure they are closed, drained, and protected with an outdoor faucet cover.

Stay up to date with your local weather. If cold weather settles in and the temperatures are staying in the negatives or single digits, start a small drip of both hot water and cold water in the faucets in your home. A small water drip can prevent frozen pipes.

Best practices to reduce your chances of water damages

1/26/2022 (Permalink)

There are many things you can do around your home to prevent water damages. To start with the basic outdoor essentials, make sure that you disconnect your garden hoses from the house. By disconnecting you hose you are preventing the risk of water freezing in your hose and then back freezing into your pipes. 

The next helpful tip is to make sure that your gutters and downspouts are clear of all debris. Standing water can cause major damage to your foundation allowing water to enter your home. Make sure that all downspouts point in a direction away from your home. 

Another huge factor that can play into water damage is the placement of your foliage. All though shrubs and trees look great, if you plant them to close to your pipes their roots have the tendency to grow right through your pipes. 

Moving inside the home, make sure you know where your water main shut off is. If water starts pooling in, the best thing to do is cut off the access. 

Keeping up on the maintenance of your appliances is another great way to reduce your risks of water damage. Checking the hoses on the washing machine and fridge water line to ensure there are no holes or wear and tear marks. 

The last helpful tip we have for you is to make sure that you fix all leaks promptly. It may be an easy fix to place a bucket under a drip or leak, but it may cost you more in the long run. 

When Fire burns through your home

12/17/2021 (Permalink)

If you’re of a certain age—let’s say, old enough to remember keeping change in your car for pay phones—then you probably remember a time when there were simply more things for which people had to wait. It wasn’t uncommon to have to sit and wait on a person or a service, with nothing to do but look around or maybe balance your checkbook.

In the Internet era, we don’t expect to wait for almost anything—instant gratification is the name of the game. And waiting is out. We don’t even wait for things we want anymore, so why should we wait for things we desperately need?

For example, when a pipe bursts or a fire ravages your kitchen, not only is it helpful to have the 24-hour service of SERVPRO available; it’s crucial.

After a fire. Some effects of fire are easily seen, and the destruction of hungry flames is quickly recognizable. But a sneaky after-effect of fire damage is the presence of soot, which is sticky, incredibly small and dense, and which begins to stain ceilings and walls immediately, and attaches itself to carpets and fabrics right away.

In only a few hours, soot can leave irreparable marks on your home and become embedded in your carpets and furniture beyond repair. This plus the smoke smell that works its way into every surface combine to create a great need for immediate remediation.

After water damage. The countdown starts right away, and in addition to the immediate damage done by water, you have 48 hours at most to get your home dried out and dehumidified before mold takes hold. Your respiratory health, and indeed the integrity of your home’s surfaces and walls, may hinge on fast recovery from water damage.

Storms, fires and natural disasters can all disrupt your life, and they can happen at any time of day, leaving you with no time to wait. Mold doesn’t twiddle its thumbs until the office opens at 9 a.m., and neither should you.

When you trust SERVPRO with your cleanup and recovery, you know we’ll be on the case right away, taking care of the things that most endanger you and your home. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster, and that’s a promise.

When you need help after a home or business disaster, fast service is a priority, and there’s nobody faster or more prepared than SERVPRO. Call us anytime to take advantage of our 24-hour emergency service.

Water Damage Statistics will Wash Over You

12/8/2021 (Permalink)

Your plumbing does two incredibly important jobs. It helps the water you rely on get from place to place and serve its purpose for bathing, drinking or cleaning. It's equally important task is keeping that same water in its proper place. Without your pipes, hoses and appliances holding that tension at all times, you’d have a watery mess on your hands, and that right fast.

It’s crucial for your plumbing and water systems to be maintained because frankly, the numbers representing water damage are astonishing.

48. This is the number of hours it takes for mold to begin building its kingdom in your house after a water invasion. Under the right conditions, it could begin even more quickly.

98. We’d love for this to be a misprint, but it’s accurate—about 98% of all basements will experience water damage eventually. The odds of you missing out on this one are slim.

10,234. This is the average dollar amount needed to fully repair a water damage claim. Obviously they don’t all cost this much, but then again, some cost much more.

14,000. This might be the most incredible number on the list, as it represents the number of home water incidents reported every single day. That means a new incident is occurring something like every six seconds!

13,000,000,000. It takes this many dollars per year to undo all the damage done by water in homes across the United States—a truly staggering figure.

What can you do to avoid being part of these statistics? Check your plumbing regularly, keep your water systems up to date and manage leaks immediately when you find them. You can also do things like turn off your water main when you go on vacation, wrap pipes in winter and let faucets drip during freezes. Taking these precautions can keep the repair crew away.

If water damage catches you off-guard and leaves you all wet, you’ve got help on your side. Contact SERVPRO to see how we can quickly and fully restore water damage to your home or business.

Preparation for Winter Storms and Extreme Weather | SERVPRO® of Clinton

11/19/2021 (Permalink)

Something that should never be forgotten in the upcoming season of family traditions, holidays and the look forward toward a new year is the importance of staying safe during potentially dangerous weather. Living in Clinton means you’re going to be facing some kind of winter hazards, it’s just a matter of (ahem) degrees. (We’ll see ourselves out, thanks.)

So as winter creeps in, let’s run down the list of things to recall and check in on.

Protect Your Family
One of the most important things you can do to prepare your family is to communicate well. Ensure that your household knows and practices an emergency action plan in order to keep in contact, minimize fear and induce action in the face of distress.

Winterize your vehicle. Check that all necessary parts, including battery and tires, are working, and that all fluids are topped off. Keep a windshield scraper and emergency kit inside, as well as some spare clothes that can keep you warm should it become necessary to shelter in your vehicle.

Protect Your Home
Frozen pipes cause a great deal of headache for homeowners in cold weather, and knowing how to avoid them can keep you in the dry.

Check and maintain all your home heat sources. If you use a fireplace and chimney, make sure it’s clean and well-vented, and handle every fire with caution. Keep extra fuel or wood on hand in case of an extended indoor stay.

You can also maintain thermal comfort indoors by sealing or resealing windows, and adding extra insulation to the attic.

Protect Your Pets
If you’re cold, your pets probably are, too. Bring them inside if you can, and make sure they have somewhere comfortable to stay. If you have horses or livestock, see to it that they have adequate shelter and a way to get non-frozen water.

Watch for Melts and Flooding
Melting ice and snow can result in dangerous floods, which put homes and businesses at risk. Always let local news and weather alerts help you stay on top of potential dangers such as these.

If winter weather should bring damage or flooding to your home or business, contact SERVPRO for fast, restorative solutions.

House Fires & Their Top Causes

11/4/2021 (Permalink)

The thought of fire—unpredictable, quick to spread and potentially devastating for a home and family—causes nightmares for homeowners. One would imagine homeowners would go to any and all lengths to avoid this kind of disaster, and yet a quarter of all reported fires still occur in the home, despite all we now know about fire safety and decades of safety campaigns.

So we’re here to once again raise the issue and make sure you know the dangers of home fires—let’s look at the most common ways they start.

Cooking. Cooking is by far the No. 1 cause of house fires and injuries, although there’s another cause that claims more lives. Half of all house fires start at the stove or in the kitchen, and most of those begin because of unattended cooking. Yes, the single highest cause of all home fires is preventable simply by being present and paying attention while you cook.

Heating equipment. Heaters start 14% of all fires at home. Many of these are caused by portable space heaters in colder months, which tip over or catch nearby curtains, furniture or clothes on fire.

Electrical fires. An under-represented cause of fire is the fact that we generally use more electricity than many old homes are wired for. Combine this fact with the tendency of wiring and outlets to develop faults and seasonal overloads for lighting, and you start to see exactly how easy it is for electrical fires to start at home.

Intentional fires. You might not believe it, but there are some 28,000 intentional home fires each year in the United States. These are fires that began with the intention of burning a structure, not simply fires set on purpose for some other reason that got out of control.

Smoking materials. Smoking materials, while responsible for only 5% of home fires, are tragically responsible for more fire deaths than any other cause. Ashes are often left burning as victims fall asleep, leaving little time to react and increasing carbon monoxide toxicity.

Regardless of the cause, SERVPRO is here for you if your home is affected by fire. Contact your local team today to see how we can help.

The Commercial Cleaning Services Your Business Needs

10/19/2021 (Permalink)

Are you ready to have the cleanest business in town? Contact SERVPRO of Clinton for all your cleaning needs.

You know SERVPRO is the name homeowners trust most when they need cleanup and restoration from all kinds of disasters, from fire to flood and everything in between. But did you know that we’re also the source of great services for business and commercial enterprises?

We are! In addition to residential services, we also provide incredible benefits of all kinds for businesses of any size.

Just one example of how we can help your business: SERVPRO knows that the cleanliness of your facility says a lot to your customers about how you care for them, so we’ve made it part of our assignment to help you put your best foot forward when it comes to cleaning and sanitation.

Commercial Services for Businesses of Any Size

Your focus should be your products and customer experience—let us handle the cleaning. We can make any kind of facility feel like a breath of fresh air—like these:

Retail facilities, from small local shops to malls and complexes. From the smallest book shop to the largest chain store, we can give everyone clean, germ-safe facilities that sparkle.

Educational facilities of all sorts, including sports stadiums and arenas. Regular cleaning by students and teachers, though well-intentioned, only destroys about half the bacteria present on the most-used classroom areas, and the percentage is much lower for objects like printers that don’t receive everyday cleaning. We can fix that.

Healthcare facilities, assisted living spaces and hospice homes. Healthcare spaces host some of our most vulnerable citizens, and we go the extra mile to make sure the air they breathe and the surfaces they come in contact with are spotless and germ-free.

Hotels, resorts, and hospitality facilities. From the convention center floor to the hotel lobby, we’ll make everything next-level clean and you’ll have a space that welcomes customers and gives them peace of mind.

Foodservice facilities and restaurants. Let us take cleaning off your plate. Whether your business is preparing and distributing food or serving it directly to consumers, we’ll make sure no pathogens put their health at risk.

Property management, from small office buildings to multi-level high rises and commercial complexes. Your tenants deserve a worry-free environment, and we can help provide it with the highest standards of professional cleaning.

Workplaces lose an unreal $260 billion per year because of workplace illnesses and lost productivity during sick days. Let us help you foster a sanitized environment and keep your employees and your bottom line at peak condition.

When you’re ready to have the cleanest business in town, we’re ready to help. Contact your local SERVPRO to get the pros working on the cleaning so you can work on the work.

How to Be Sure You Can Trust Your Restoration Company

10/7/2021 (Permalink)

You can rest easy knowing you’ve got the trusted leader in the restoration industry on the other end of the line, SERVPRO of Clinton

It’s unfortunate to think about, but the odds are high that at some point you’ll have to deal with home damage from a disaster of some kind, whether it’s something caused by nature or just a faulty washing machine hose.

When that day arrives, it’s going to put you in a pressing situation that forces you into some quick decision-making, as you settle on a company to help you with your restoration.

Before you make that decision, these are the three questions you need to ask yourself.

Are They Legit?

Here’s some vital information you may not realize: Not everyone who offers to help after a storm is really there to help you. Sadly, natural disasters in particular bring scammers out of the woodwork—con artists who are unlicensed, and who will make promises of fast or cheap repair, get your money upfront, and be gone, leaving you with no recourse.

SERVPRO is a name you can trust—having been a leader in the industry for over half a century, we’ve carved a place as a dependable partner by delivering on our promises over and over again.

And what’s more, national brands such as the PGA Tour, which rely on fast, meticulous service, depend on us to maintain their facilities and tour stops. If they trust SERVPRO, you can, too.

Will They Be There When I Need Help?

When you’ve got a flooded basement, you want to know you can get someone on the case tout suite. Who’s got time to wait?

We’re on call 24 hours a day, every day, to make sure we’re available when you need us. We’ll have a team of experts out to start the process before you know it.

Where’s a Fleet When You Need One?

SERVPRO of Clinton is locally owned and operated, so there’s already a highly trained and equipped team right here to tackle your disaster recovery. But in the case of a major regional disaster or a surge of weather activity, your local team is flanked by the full national SERVPRO network, chock-full of expert teams ready to step in and lend a hand.

That means that while you may be overwhelmed, we never are. Once we light the beacon, we’ve got a fully powered army of water-drying, smoke-removing technicians ready to step in and help the homeowners all around you, without your needs ever getting lost or pushed back.

When you call SERVPRO, you can rest easy knowing you’ve got the trusted leader in the restoration industry on the other end of the line. When disaster hits home, contact us to get our local experts and nationwide network on your side.

Autumn Fire Dangers

9/16/2021 (Permalink)

Do you feel that? The air is getting crisper, the humidity is dropping, and in the mornings and evenings, you may even want a light jacket. That’s right: Fall is here again. A favorite season for campers, leaf-peepers and of course trick-or-treaters, fall is perfect for many fun activities.

As always, however, each season brings its own potential fire hazards as activities commence. So grab a pumpkin spice latte, and let’s look over a few fire safety tips for the season.

Campfire Safety

Knowing where and how to build a campfire is as important as knowing how to put it out. Use a match or lighter to set fire to dry leaves or twigs, then add dry wood and bigger sticks.

Never use an accelerant like kerosene or lighter fluid. Build your fire away from structures and out from under tree branches.

Extinguish your fire completely before leaving your campsite. Slowly douse it with a bucket of water and make sure no embers remain—anything you leave behind can start up again with the right breeze.

Leaf Burning

Your yard is almost certainly full of dry, brown leaves by now, and many people like to burn them as a disposal method.

This is fine, provided it’s legal in your area, but only put leaves in that burn barrel. Adding household trash or debris can have adverse effects like explosions or the release of toxic fumes.

Space Heaters

Portable space heaters are one of the most frequent causes of home fires in fall and winter. Keep your heater away from anything flammable on any side.

Make sure it’s on a level surface away from kids or play areas, and that it has automatic shutoff capability for tip-overs and overheating. Plug it directly into an outlet, never an extension cord, and turn it off when you leave the room or go to bed.

Halloween

We’ll talk more about this later, but candles, decorations and even costumes can be fire hazards, and all these things are ubiquitous during the spooky season, so be attentive and responsible as you celebrate.

If a fire hazard should turn from potential to reality in your home, remember the trusted leader in the recovery industry and contact SERVPRO to get your property fully restored right down to the smell of smoke.

Where to Look for Water Damage at Home

9/3/2021 (Permalink)

No one dreams gleefully about waking to water damage—those dreams are always nightmares. Sadly, these nightmares occasionally come true, and they occur on their own timetables, giving us little or no notice.

Water is always on the prowl, looking for any crack or gap through which it can flow and explore new spaces. It’s critical to know the ways water might cause a ruckus at home, so let’s look at a few of the common culprits.

Toilets. Toilets are one of the most-used items at home, and over time, flappers and wax seals can fail and allow water to leak through the floor.

Appliances. Water tanks, washing machines and dishwashers can all develop leaks over time. Hoses and connections may corrode or dry and crack, creating opportunities for fissures, leaks, and with older water heaters, full-on explosions.

Clogged gutters. Months of dirt, fallen leaves and debris can gunk up those gutters and send water up into your roof when heavy rains come. Gutter backup overflows and manifests itself in soggy ceilings, cracked or bubbling paint, or pooled water by the walls.

Roof damage. Roof damage is a malicious storm’s favorite friend, as it allows easy access into your home. Heavily aged roofing, fallen limbs or large hailstones can create problems for your roof that allow water to set up shop in your attic or upper level.

Pipes. Aged or damaged pipes are a leading cause of water damage—corrosion or rust, frozen pipes in winter or even tree roots finding a crack in outdoor lines can cause big headaches for homeowners.

Blocked garbage disposals or other pipes. Disposals and drains can clog because of excess or difficult-to-process food particles, and under-sink pipes can give way under the force of repeated plunging if joints are loose, leaving you with a mess of water and bits of leftovers all over the floor.

Pipes, home appliances and roofs all have limited lifespans, and it’s on you to keep up with routine maintenance and necessary updates. If you catch trouble before it gives way to a leak or burst, you’ll be much happier. Sweet dreams indeed.

If a water leak erupts into a big problem at home, you’ve got the best team in the business on your side. Contact SERVPRO today so we can get started.

Summer Storm Basics

8/18/2021 (Permalink)

Summer is fully upon us, and it has brought the things we love about the warm part of the year. Many of us got to take that vacation we’ve been waiting for, warmer weather begs us to spend time outdoors, and days are prolonged and sunny—well, most of them.

It might sometimes seem as if summer months are more likely to bring thunderstorms, and that’s actually true. Warm air and moisture combine to create storms such as last August’s destructive derecho.

Be Storm-Alert

Storms may be a typical part of summer, but they should never be taken lightly. Always listen to storm alerts, and consider whether outdoor activities may need to be postponed. Get yourself an NOAA Weather radio that will continue to alert you even if you lose power.

It’s hard to predict flooding, but if it’s forecast to be likely, you should plan to keep off the roads and stay at home. Heavy storm winds can overturn backyard items and snap weak tree branches. Keep the arbor trimmed and move patio items or trampolines to safe areas if possible.

Dozens of people die every year because of storms, so you should never take your safety for granted.

Be Storm-Safe

When a thunderstorm hits, the presence of lightning means you should stay inside. Don’t head outdoors until there’s been no thunder for at least 30 minutes—this indicates that the storm has moved far enough away that lightning won’t strike your area.

And your mother was right (as usual)—you should avoid windows and stay out of the tub or shower during a storm.

In cases of tornadoes or extreme thunderstorms, make sure you’ve prepared an emergency kit, and that you know local evacuation routes.

If flooding occurs, head to high ground and stay out of flood water if at all possible. If you encounter flooded roads while driving, turn around. Rushing water can carry your car away into danger and cover up roads that have been washed away altogether.

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

Why Clinton County Residents Call on SERVPRO

8/12/2021 (Permalink)

If you own a home or business, you juggle several jobs—you have to manage resources, keep people happy and productive and deal with financial issues.

When disaster strikes, those responsibilities all go flying out the window and a new job takes their place. As the pressure mounts, you realize you’re up against something you haven’t trained for, and it’s affecting everyone.

That pressure isn’t fair to you. But we thrive in it. Because disaster recovery isn’t your job; it’s ours.

Here’s why you can count on SERVPRO when life hits the fan.

We’re Always Ready

We’re ready to take care of your disaster at a moment’s notice. Who’s got time to wait around when the office pipes have burst or the grill caught the deck on fire?

We stay ready so we can be there when you need us.

We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster

We know better than most that every second matters when it comes to fire, mold or water disasters.

Every day you wait before restoration starts causes more mold growth, stronger smoke smell or more lost items. A fast response is essential, but with our local franchise right here in Clinton, you reap the benefit of having a powerhouse national resource network in combination with the readiness, flexibility and personal touch of a local business.

We’re Trained to Handle Residential and Commercial Services

Disasters strike without remorse, and both houses and businesses have equal chance to be damaged in storms or fires.

But our custom solutions take your specific situation into account, so you can get back to business or residential life quickly.

We’ll Make It "Like it never even happened."

We don’t start what we can’t finish, and we’re committed to finishing well. When we’re through, we’ll have restored your property equal to or better than its pre-disaster state.

We Offer the Services You Need in a Changing World

We live in an era in which disease prevention is a major focus, and in light of that we offer a next-level cleaning program that goes beyond the boundaries and standards of traditional sanitation services.

We can offer you a hyper-clean space that give anyone who walks by peace of mind before they even step inside.

Disasters happen. Stovetops catch fire, pipes freeze, storms cause flooding. And when disaster comes knocking, your local SERVPRO will be ready to answer, so you can get back to your real job.

Regardless of why you need cleanup or disaster recovery, SERVPRO has the tools, the technicians and the training to get your situation under control. When you’re ready to get help from the best, get in touch with SERVPRO of Clinton.

Keeping Wildfire From Threatening Your Home

7/22/2021 (Permalink)

Wildfires are a more common threat to homeowners than you might realize. They are incredibly powerful, damaging and fast-moving, and given the amount of natural terrain and manmade structures made of combustible material, it’s a bit of a marvel that we are even able to contain them at all.

But there are some things we can do right at home to give ourselves a better chance of keeping our home safe from wildfire, aside from the obvious choice of simply being more careful.

Specifically, we’re talking about “defensible space.”

What Is Defensible Space?

Despite the nomenclature, it has nothing to do with Star Wars. “Defensible space” is the buffer zone (actually there are three zones, but we won’t go that deep today) you can create around your home by removing potential fire fodder like leaves and dead trees, adding gravel and hardscaping to the immediate area around your exterior, and pruning and planting responsibly.

Think of it as a barrier of protection (aka defense), designed to slow the spread of fire as it nears your home, keeping it from breaching your exterior walls as it runs out of fuel. Defensible space also gives first responders their best chance of stopping a wildfire before it breaches the perimeter of the structure.

Defensible space is not required by law in Iowa like it is on the West Coast, but it’s a good fire safety doctrine to consider all the same.

Why Defensible Space Matters

You may think of wildfires as a California problem, but wildfires can happen anywhere. There were over 59,000 wildfires across the United States in 2020.

Even removing California and its astounding 10,000+ fires from the statistics, the national average of wildfires per state in 2020 was almost 1,000.

What’s more, the first six months of 2021 have seen an increase in fire activity of about 25% over last year’s rate. Iowa suffered 126 wildfires (see, we told you) that burned over 2,100 acres of land.

Defensible space is just one of any number of preventive measures we can take against fire damage, but any measures that can save lives and property are worth taking.

If your home is damaged by fire of any sort, wild or not, SERVPRO is ready and able to repair the damage caused. Get in touch today to get the pros on your team.

The Rising Cost of Severe Storms

7/8/2021 (Permalink)

As if 2020 didn’t bring enough drama to the table, it also became a record-setting year for weather and climate disasters. Of all the years in history for which we have data, 2020 was the most financially destructive.

2020 saw 22 official weather disasters (which are defined as events that cause at least a billion dollars in damages), plus a host of other damaging storms not counted in that statistic. There were so many hurricanes and tropical storms that the NWS had to dip into the Greek alphabet for only the second time in history just to be able to name them all.

Not Only Hurricanes

Although it’s easy to understand why hurricanes would bring immense destruction and cause large amounts of monetary damage, they’re not doing it all. In fact the most expensive disasters of 2020 in the contiguous United States were thunderstorms and tornadoes. 

Fourteen of the official weather disasters of the year were severe thunderstorms, some of which unleashed ravaging tornadoes as well. Thunderstorms happen everywhere, in every season, and there’s no avoiding them. They happen inland and on the coast, Seattle to South Beach, and everywhere in between.

One example of what a single storm system can become: In August 2020, a seemingly typical line of thunderstorms in eastern Nebraska exploded into a derecho (think of something like a tornado, but with straight-line winds instead of swirling ones, combined with a heavy thunderstorm) which impacted more than 10 million acres of corn fields, almost half the state’s corn crop—that’s over 11% of the entire country’s corn fields. This same storm tore through eastern Iowa, including right here in Clinton County, producing winds up to 140 miles per hour.

Not Only 2020

Unfortunately, when it comes to weather, 2020 seems to be more like a new normal than an outlier. It was the 10th consecutive year with at least eight billion-dollar disasters. 2018 and 2019 saw a combined $136 billion in damages, and 2017 saw a damage total of over $300 billion, the highest total on record.

The bottom line is that storms are inevitable, and their frequency and intensity show no signs of  diminishing. As a home or business owner, you should take whatever precautions are possible to minimize any damage to your property and keep yourself and any family living with you safe. 

And should those precautions give way to property damage, you’ve got a friend in the restoration industry whose goal it is to recover your valued items and restore your property “Like it never even happened.”

When storms do damage, we go to work to make things right. Contact SERVPRO today to see how we can help.

Serving Your Business Community With a Higher Level of Clean

6/18/2021 (Permalink)

If you’re business has sanitation and cleaning needs, get in touch with the SERVPRO of Clinton team.

With recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic expanding everywhere from rural and suburban areas like DeWitt County to major metropolitan areas, hopes are rising that life patterns we once considered normal are on the verge of returning, and business owners are holding onto that hope as well.

But consumers are now more contagion-conscious than ever, and they are going to need to know they are protected from airborne threats or surface contagions as they enter your building. And that peace of mind has to extend beyond COVID-19 precautions.

Your customers need assurance that their safety is as important to you as your bottom line as they being the familiar habits of in-person shopping, and your employees need the same as they return to on-site work. They need the assurance of knowing your business is Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

Get Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned

The Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program gives customers and employees the peace of mind they need when returning back to brick-and-mortar businesses by providing a deeper clean than they knew was possible.

Your building will never have been cleaner than when we’re through, and your customers will know it right away, and they’ll feel good about spending more time in your business.

So what makes this partnership so unique? Let’s look at the Three C’s of a Certified: SERVPRO Clean.

Consult. There’s no business quite like yours, and your customer and employee base deserve a cleaning solution that fits like a glove We’ll sort out exactly what your specific needs are, and how they should be implemented. It helps that SERVPRO of Clinton is locally owned and operated, so we are already aware of many intricacies of the area.

Clean. Once we’ve established your business’ needs, we’ll being cleaning like you’ve never experienced, with proprietary, ultra-high-grade cleaning solutions and techniques unavailable anywhere else. Your building will receive the highest standard of available cleaning, the degree of which always meets or exceeds current CDC standards. And this extends beyond the coronavirus: Our methods are engineered to reduce the risk of transmission of any number of viruses or spreadable surface contagions.

Certify. Before your office team or customers cross the threshold of your building, they’ll know that you’ve gone the extra mile to consider their safety. That’s because you’ll be displaying the Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned badge in your front window or on your door. Along with other digital and physical resources, you’ll be displaying a beacon of sanitation to cautious shoppers and a promise of care to your team.

If you’re ready to get serious about sanitation and have your business Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, get in touch today to get the best team in cleanup and restoration on your side.

Avoiding Fires While Enjoying Barbecue Season

6/4/2021 (Permalink)

Spring and summer give us a lot of things. They give us a gentle reminder that even the coldest, harshest winters pass and give way to warmth and new life.

They give us encouragement to get out and get going on all the things we’ve been putting off since January. And of course, maybe the greatest thing spring and summer give us is an excuse to barbecue.

Barbecuing and backyard activity skyrockets in the spring and summer months, and it’s a joy in which to partake. But it also means that there’s an unfortunate rise in the number of accidental fires.

In fact, spring sees more daily fires on average than any other time of year. Let’s take a look at the main culprits of grilling season fires and how we can prevent them.

The grill. Let’s start with the No. 1 perpetrator of barbecue season fires: the barbecue grill. It has all the elements needed for accidental fires—high heat, open flame, grease and in some cases flammable gas. Some important things to remember: Only operate your grill if it’s in good working order, with no leaks or rusted-out holes. Don’t use liquid accelerants to speed up the process or quickly raise the temperature. And don’t forget how important it is to keep the grill clean. Almost 20% of grill fires are due to poor cleaning.

The fire pit. A newer favorite among homeowners, the fire pit has become the center of the backyard hangout for some families. So when you’re gathered around the pit on a warm evening, make sure you have a bucket of water within reach, so you can quickly quell any jumping flames or falling ash. Use a grate to cut down on flying embers, and don’t add leaves or pine needles for the same reason. Never leave the fire unattended, and don’t allow unsupervised activity around it by children or pets. When it’s time to turn in, douse the fire slowly with your water bucket, making sure all ashes are soaked through and cool to the touch before you call it a night.

Chimneys and dryer vents. And while we’re on seasonal fire safety, it’s probably a good time for you to clean out your chimney, getting rid of layers of built-up soot and leftover ash, and to check your dryer’s vent pipe for dangerously flammable lint that may have snuck past the lint trap initially.

Your local SERVPRO technicians are on hand ²⁴⁄₇ for emergencies. If you encounter fire damage at your home or business, no matter the cause, we will be there faster and have it cleaned up sooner. Call or click today, and experience the SERVPRO difference.

Ready For Summer Barbecues? Follow These Tips To Prevent Home Fires When Grilling.

5/26/2021 (Permalink)

It's summer time and that means it's barbecue season! Many families will be camping or hosting barbecues at their homes and we want to help everybody take the proper precautions to grill safely.

Do:

1. Keep your grill at least 10 feet away from your house. Farther is even better. This includes portions attached to your house like carports, garages and porches. Grills should not be used underneath wooden overhangs either, as the fire could flare up into the structure above. This applies to both charcoal and gas grills.

2. Clean your grill regularly. If you allow grease and fat to build up on your grill, they provide more fuel for a fire. Grease is a major source of flare ups.

3. Check for gas leaks. You can make sure no gas is leaking from your gas grill by making a solution of half liquid dish soap and half water and rubbing it on the hoses and connections. Then, turn the gas on (with the grill lid open.) If the soap forms large bubbles, that's a sign that the hoses have tiny holes or that the connections are not tight enough.

4. Keep decorations away from your grill. Decorations like hanging baskets, pillows and umbrellas look pretty AND provide fuel for a fire. To make matters worse, today's decor is mostly made of artificial fibers that burn fast and hot, making this tip even more important.

5. Keep a spray bottle of water handy. That way, if you have a minor flare-up you can spray it with the water to instantly calm it. The bonus of this tip is that water won't harm your food, so dinner won't be ruined!

7. Turn on the gas while your grill lid is closed. NEVER do this. It causes gas to build up inside your grill, and when you do light it and open it, a fireball can explode in your face.

8. Leave a grill unattended. Fires double in size every minute. Plan ahead so that all of your other food prep chores are done and you can focus on grilling.

9. Overload your grill with food. This applies especially fatty meats. The basic reason for this tip is that if too much fat drips on the flames at once, it can cause a large flare-up that could light nearby things on fire.

10. Use a grill indoors. People often think it will be safe to use a grill, especially a small one, indoors. NOT TRUE. In addition to the fire hazard, grills release carbon monoxide, the deadly colorless, odorless gas. That gas needs to vent in fresh air or it can kill you, your family, and pets.

Should you need assistance with fire restoration, call SERVPRO of Clinton at 563-212-2874

Home Fire Safety

5/25/2021 (Permalink)

Did you know that if a fire starts in your home you may have as little as two minutes to escape? During a fire, early warning from a working smoke alarm plus a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly can save lives. Learn what else to do to keep your loved ones safe!

• Install smoke alarms on 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 plan and 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.

The most effective way to protect yourself and your home from fire is to identify and remove fire hazards. Sixty-five percent of home fire deaths occur in homes with no working smoke alarms. 

Steps You Can Take Now:

• Keep items that can catch on fire at least three feet away from anything that gets hot, such as space heaters.
• Never smoke in bed.
• Talk to children regularly about the dangers of fire, matches, and lighters and keep them out of reach.
• Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep.

SERVPRO of Clinton is here to help should your home suffer any fire damage. Our team is ready to assist and available 24/7. Please call 563-212-2874.

SERVPRO of Clinton Emergency Ready Profile

5/25/2021 (Permalink)

Call today to schedule a time to complete an ERP for your business!

As many as 50% of businesses may never recover following a disaster, according to the latest industry research. Of the businesses that survive, the overwhelming majority of them had a preparedness plan in place. Pre-planning can serve as an insurance policy aimed at peace of mind. By developing a SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile for your business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business.

Are You Ready?

Preparation is a key component for making it through any size disaster, whether it’s a small water leak, a large fire or an area flood. The best time for planning for such events is not when the event happens, but well before it happens. No one ever plans on a disaster, but you can plan for it. Now is the time to ask yourself, “Are you ready for whatever could happen?” The SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile is a start up approach that provides the critical information needed to begin mitigation and recovery services. It is designed to serve as a quick reference of important building and contact information. By working with SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Profile, your business will receive the benefit of over 40 years of experience in reducing the impact of any natural or man-made disaster. SERVPRO® is a leader in water and fire damage response and can help you quickly get your property back in working order.

A no cost assessment of your facility.

– This means there is no need to allocate funds, giving you a great value at no cost.

A concise Profile Document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency.

– It will only take a little time to complete and will not take you away from current projects. But it will save a lot of time if ever needed.

A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster.

– This can help minimize the amount of time your business is inactive by having an immediate plan of action.

Establishes your local SERVPRO® Franchise Professional as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider.

– You have a provider that is recognized as an industry leader and close by.

Identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin.

– This saves time so we can begin the work of mitigating the damage which can save you time and money.

Provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas and priority contact information.

– Having a quick reference of what to do, how to do it and who to call provides solutions in advance of an emergency so that during the emergency you are “Ready for whatever happens.”

Call SERVPRO of Clinton today to get started! 563-212-2874

How to Tell if Your Home Has Water Damage

5/20/2021 (Permalink)

It’s a quiet night, and you’re settling in to relax with some much-deserved ice cream, when you hear it: an unfamiliar drip. It’s not the kitchen sink; you can see that from your couch. The bathroom seems fine, too.

You follow the steady dripping sound on tiptoes only to finally discover it’s…inside your wall? Hmm, that doesn’t seem right.

Sounds odd, but it happens. And it’s just one of many signposts that you may have a water issue somewhere in your home that needs attention.

Around 14,000 Americans a day face a water damage emergency. It’s one of the most likely and, if unchecked, most expensive home repairs you may face.

So how can you know what to look for to nip a water situation in the bud? Here are some of the most common giveaways that there’s something going on:

Wet or dark spots in the ceiling. If you’re in a single-level home, or on the top story of a multi-level home, this is a sure sign of a roof leak or gutter backup. If you’re on a lower level, the first thing to consider is whether a bathroom above you might be leaking.

Unusual or musty smells. If an area of your house suddenly smells like a pile of wet towels left in a hot car, there’s probably some excess moisture gathering somewhere and potentially mold or mildew as well.

Flaky or bubbly paint. Even waterproof paint can only hold back the problem for so long—if paint is cracking, flaking or bubbling, you’re almost certain to have some water coming in or down the walls.

Dripping sounds. If there’s a drip but no sink, a flow but no faucet, you’ve got trouble. Follow the sound and figure out how the water’s getting in.

Increased utility bills. It could just be because your kids are home from college, but If your water bill is suddenly much higher and there’s no obvious reason, it could indicate a leak in a less-than-obvious location. Check basements, crawlspaces and water heaters first.

Water leaks in the US alone waste an astonishing amount, up to a trillion—yes, a trillion—gallons of water per year. You’re highly likely to experience a water emergency at some point, but dealing with it early can be the difference in having a minor issue or a major repair.

If you notice any of these signs in your home, let us take a look. Our expert water restoration technicians can help you determine what is causing these issues and how to treat it properly. Contact us today to learn more.

Damages That Often Occur Due to Thunderstorms.

5/6/2021 (Permalink)

The frequency with which thunderstorms occur is quite high during the warmer months throughout the year, but every thunderstorm still brings a potential for danger. Each storm brings rain, thunder and lightning with it, and can also give rise to high winds and hail.

All of these things can combine to cause serious issues, even though thunderstorms are considered a routine occurrence.

Whenever a thunderstorm is present, there is always both thunder and lightning, even if you can’t see or hear one or the other. Thunderstorms that are upgraded to severe thunderstorms will also feature hail larger than an inch in diameter and winds that reach 58 miles per hour or more. Both types of thunderstorms can present serious hazards to anyone in their path.

The Serious Hazards That Thunderstorms Present

Damage and injury from lightning strikes. If there is thunder present, the storm will always also contain lightning strikes, whether they are striking between the clouds or towards the ground. Lightning is a powerful thing that is documented as causing a minimum of 300 injuries every year. In addition to causing physical harm, lightning can also cause significant property damage due to fires and felled trees.

Property damage due to hail. While hail is something that will not be present during every thunderstorm, it quite frequently is and can cause serious damages. While large hail is a major threat, even small hail can cause injury and property damage. Anyone who is in the pathway of hail should be properly sheltered, and after the storm, check for damage to your car and your home’s roof and siding that hail is notorious for causing.

Harm from flash flooding. While flooding is typically contained to areas near bodies of water, flash flooding can happen anywhere that heavy rain is occurring. It is often associated with underperforming storm drains or runoff areas, but as rain continues to fall, it can quickly become a major concern. Flash floods are highly dangerous even if they are just a few inches high and can happen suddenly.

Thunderstorms are dangerous and can cause significant damage to homes or commercial spaces. If you have damage due to a thunderstorm, you can count on us to help. Contact us ²⁴⁄₇ for more information about our storm restoration practices.

Are You Ready In The Event of Severe Weather?

5/4/2021 (Permalink)

Severe weather can happen anytime, in any part of the country. Severe weather can include hazardous conditions produced by thunderstorms, including damaging winds, tornadoes, large hail, flooding and flash flooding, and winter storms associated with freezing rain, sleet, snow and strong winds.

Understanding the type of hazardous weather that can affect you and your family based on where you live, is a great first step in order to properly prepare for any storm events.

Make a Plan:

Make a plan today. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could affect your area. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find.

Here are some basic questions to ask yourself when you are preparing for storms.

1. How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
2. What is my shelter plan?
3. What is my evacuation route?
4. What is my family/household communication plan?
5. Do I need to update my emergency preparedness kit?

Consider Specific Needs In Your Household:

As you prepare, tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Discuss your needs and responsibilities and how people in the network can assist each other with communication, care of children, business, pets or specific needs like operating medical equipment. Create your own personal network for specific areas where you need assistance. Keep in mind some of these factors when developing your plan:

• Different ages of members within your household
• Responsibilities for assisting others
• Locations frequented
• Dietary needs
• Medical needs including prescriptions and equipment
• Disabilities or access and functional needs including devices and equipment
• Languages spoken
• Cultural and religious considerations
• Pets or service animals
• Households with school-aged children

Should your home or business sustain any damage due to storms, give SERVPRO of Clinton a call and we'll be happy to assist!

563-212-2874

The Restoration Experts You Need

4/20/2021 (Permalink)

There’s never a good time to deal with home damage. But if it happens to you, you can count on your local team of SERVPRO experts to make the process as painless as possible.

One of the first decisions you make after your home is damaged is also the most important. That’s calling the right home restoration company.

Choosing the right one is key to ensuring the damage is handled professionally and that your home can be restored just the way you remember it.

Millions of Homes Are Damaged Each Year

The statistics don’t support the belief that home damage is rare. It’s actually quite the opposite. Millions of homeowners are faced with situations that damage their homes every year.

The Insurance Information Institute estimates that fire damage impacts one every 350 homes every year. If you consider every possible cause of home damage (like storms and flooding), the numbers become closer to one out of every 20 homes each year.

Instead of being frightened by these statistics, use them as a motivation to have a plan in place. Knowing how to choose your restoration partner is key.

We want to be our area’s preferred restoration partner. That is exactly why we prioritize our technicians’ training when they join our team.

Training and Education Are a Priority

When you work with our team, you can be certain you will receive timely service from exceptional professionals. Our technicians go through our extensive training program and also has the ability to train through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC).

The IICRC sets the industry standards for restoration and offers extensive certifications for all of our technicians.

We invest in training because we want to be sure you have a trustworthy resource that can provide you with high-quality restoration services. That means you can trust us when you need it the most.

If your home is damaged due to a fire or any other cause, you can always count on us for restoration assistance. We have teams who are available ²⁴⁄₇ in the event of an emergency. Contact us at any time more about our restoration services and how we can help your family.

Don't Let Heavy Rains Damage Your West Branch Home

4/5/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage to your home can come from expected and unexpected sources. If you’re like most homeowners, you probably know that natural disasters (like flash floods) and home accidents (like plumbing failures) can cause water damage.

But have you thought about the damage heavy rains can do?

Heavy rains might not have been at the top of your list of water damage causes. But it can be a real problem for homeowners. And it’s common. If your home is not properly maintained, heavy rain can cause costly damage.

If you have to file a claim for water damage, you’ll be in good company. One in every 50 Americans will also be filing a claim this year. Depending on your neighborhood, that means several people you know may file a claim soon.

You can’t avoid all water damage hazards. Flash flooding, strong storms and tornadoes can’t be avoided and can damage multiple homes in communities or neighborhoods.

But the damage caused by heavy rains can sometimes be avoided by homeowners who take a few extra precautions.

We see many water-damaged homes, so our teams have valuable insights into how you can protect your home from suffering water damage.

Basic home maintenance can make a difference, and many of these projects might be on your list already.

Take stock of your yard. Knowing how your yard drains (and how it works with your home) is vital. If you notice that your yard is draining toward your home, then you might want to get in touch with a landscaping expert to look for ways to protect your yard.

Make thoughtful landscaping decisions. Most homeowners select plants and flowers for their yard for curb appeal, meaning they like the aesthetic. But native plants can give you both visual appeal and an added layer of protection. Native plants, trees and bushes can be vital in protecting your home from water damage.

Consider sealing your roof. Here’s a surprising statistic. Insurance industry experts estimate about 95% of damage is cause by water finding its way through gaps in your shingles.

If you need help dealing with damage caused by water, fire or any other issue, we’re here to help you restore your home. We have crews who are available ²⁴⁄₇ in the event of an emergency. Contact us at any time to learn more about us and how we can help you restore your home to its original state.

For Immediate Service, Call SERVPRO

3/19/2021 (Permalink)

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

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

Have Questions? Call Us 24/7 – 563-212-2874

Residential Services

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

• Water Damage Restoration
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Mold Remediation
• Storm Damage Restoration
• Cleaning Services
• Building/Reconstruction Services

Commercial Services

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

https://www.SERVPROclinton.com/commercial-restoration-cleaning

• Commercial Water Damage Restoration
• Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

Keep Your DeWitt Business Certified Clean During the Pandemic

3/17/2021 (Permalink)

If you need cleaning assistance at your business, we’re here. Contact SERVPRO of Clinton to learn more.

How much work have you put into making your family’s DeWitt small business successful? If you’re like most business owners, the answer is simple. It’s “a lot.”

And that’s to be expected. After all, no one cares as much about your dream as you do. It’s your idea, your leadership and your savvy that make your business a success. You’ve done everything you can to ensure you operate a successful business and your family has a proud legacy.

But the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has made many business owners rethink how they operate.

Though many businesses are already open, it’s still difficult to navigate the waters of running a business during the pandemic. You’ll want to ensure your space is safe for your customers and employees, and you’ll want to tweak your business model to meet changing needs and desires.

Resources to Help and Support You

Not all the news coming out today is bad. In fact, there are plenty of people in our community and beyond invested in your success. Plus, there are tools and resources for you. You can find out more about available business loans and get tips, advice and more from sources you can trust.

We can help you, too. We’re ready to help you be certain your business is clean and sanitary when it reopens.

Our team can help be sure your business is “Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.” The technicians who will clean your business have advanced training. They also have access to leading-edge cleaning technology.

Here’s what we do:

First, our team will consult with you about your business and your needs.

Then, our team of experts will clean your space using our proprietary EPA-Approved Hospital-Grade cleaning solutions. Plus, we use cleaning and decontamination standards directly from the CDC.

The final step is simple. We’ll certify your business as clean.

If you need cleaning assistance at your business, we’re here. We have crews who are available ²⁴⁄₇ in the event of an emergency. Contact us at any time to learn more about our cleaning services and how we can help you.

When Storms or Floods hit, SERVPRO is ready!

3/10/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Clinton specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.  Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today. 563-212-2874

Making Your Home Spring-Safe

3/3/2021 (Permalink)

Are you ready to put another cold and snowy Midwestern winter behind you and start celebrating a warmer, happier spring?

We know we’re ready to go outside and enjoy more sunny spring days.

Many Clinton residents, including our team members, are ready for the warm weather and sunshine as the calendar turns to March, and we can start thinking about spring. Are you ready for the reprieve warm weather brings?

Maybe you’re ready to start planting a spring garden, taking hikes through the countryside or just planning to bring your grill back out and cook hamburgers and hotdogs for your family.

However, like with every season, spring brings a new set of possible problems for homeowners to consider. During the spring season, that can include strong thunderstorms.

Strong thunderstorms with wind, hail and rain are just part of the new season. And there’s nothing we can really do to control the weather patterns that move across our region.

But there are things we can do to put our homes in the best position to weather the coming storms.

Your Spring-Safe Home

Here are some things you can add to your to-do list:

Ensure overhanging limbs are removed from your home. Limbs and branches overhanging your family can come down when the winds get high and heavy. Cut down any stems hanging over your roof or garage.

Check your gutters for debris. Clean gutters are vital to keeping water around your home flowing the right way, instead of causing water damage.

Take a good look at your home’s roof. Inspect your roof for issues like missing shingles and signs of leaks. Repair them to keep your home safer.

Take a minute to check your home’s sump pump. Not every family has one of these (or needs it), but it’s important to be sure it’s working correctly before your house goes through a rainy spring.

Secure the items around your home. Don’t let unsecured furniture or other similar items become tools for wind damage. Trim back trees that need it and secure everything you can.

If a fire, flood or any other cause damage to your home, you can always count on us for restoration assistance. We are available ²⁴⁄₇ in the event of an emergency. Contact us at any time to learn more about our restoration services and how we can help you.

SERVPRO of Clinton knows the commercial restoration process inside and out. Here are some of our best tips in choosing the right restoration company.

2/18/2021 (Permalink)

Are you a DeWitt business owner?

If you answered “yes,” then it’s smart to have a disaster plan in place to help you deal with the damage fires and floods can do to your business. But after a disaster strikes, it’s sometimes difficult to know where to start—even if you have a solid plan ready.

Because we regularly help business owners deal with the aftermath of a disaster, we have a good sense of what it takes to steer your business from a disaster to reopening. Here’s some of the best advice we can give business owners facing a restoration scenario.

Help During the Restoration and Repair Process

Here are some of the best tips our team can give business owners working to restore their business after a disaster:

Move forward with your set disaster plan. Dealing with a disaster is a taxing experience, so remember why you need to continue working through your disaster strategy step by step. For some business owners, this could even include moving your business to a temporary backup location.

Document your damaged inventory and take plenty of photographs. It’s a good idea to take pictures before cleaning up the damage, so your insurance company can see and understand the full extent of the damage. Be sure you inventory all your damaged equipment and stock, too. Include accurate values with that inventory.

Don’t forget to talk with your stakeholders. It’s a good idea to regularly reach out to your suppliers, your employees, your customers and your community. Email lists, social media pages and phone calls can be effective ways to keep your business top-of-mind.

Be sure you’re taking care of your personal needs. Dealing with a natural disaster and its impact can be taxing on your physical and mental health. Eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of rest and talking with trusted friends and loved ones can help.

Partner with a robust support system. Because there are so many aspects of the process to manage, it’s best to work with trusted community partners who foster strong communication.

If a fire, flood or any other cause damages your business, you can always count on us for restoration assistance. We have crews who are available ²⁴⁄₇ in the event of an emergency. Contact us at any time to learn more about our restoration services and how we can help you.

If your home is damaged due to a disaster, Contact SERVPRO of Clinton. From start to finish, we will be here to help.

2/3/2021 (Permalink)

Millions of homeowners every year in American find themselves in a situation they don’t want to be in, filing an insurance claim so they can get damage to their homes repaired.

These claims are filed for a wide variety of reasons. They can include severe weather issues, like wind, hail and rain. A large number of claims are also the result of home accidents and appliance malfunctions.

Every homeowner’s situation is unique, just like their claims. No two claims and no two types of damage are going to be exactly alike. Sometimes claims are for minor damage that needs restoration. Other homeowners may be dealing with more extreme restoration needs.

But all these homeowners have one thing in common: The sooner the repair process gets started, the better your outcome is likely to be.

That’s because a lot of types of home damage grow worse over time if left without repairs. That time passes more quickly than you might guess.

For example, water damage can begin to warp wood within days. The first signs of mold can begin within hours. The longer these problems persist, the more difficult it is to remediate and repair them.

Local Experts in Your Corner

That’s why your local SERVPRO team is always available to help you. You have a team in your corner that’s prepared to help you if an emergency arises.

When you need restoration services, your team is available to you ²⁴⁄₇. That means if you suffer water, fire or other damage on nights or weekends, you can trust us to be available, to answer, and to be prepared to help.

Beyond speed, there are plenty of other reasons, so many residents trust us to do their restoration work.

Our technicians are experts in their field. The teams we work with have the knowledge and certifications they need to help you restore your home economically and efficiently. They’ll create a personalized restoration plan for your home.

Our teams use proven, leading-edge technology. We’re connected with a nationally known and trusted brand. That means we have access to some of the best restoration technology available today. Our technicians are empowered to use it.

We are locally owned and operated. Our teams live and work in the community. We take pride in the work we do and the ways we can help our neighbors.

If your home is damaged due to fire, water, or any other cause, you can always count on us for restoration assistance. We have teams who are available ²⁴⁄₇ in the event of an emergency. Contact us at any time to learn more about our restoration services and how we can help your family.

Easy Steps You Can Take To Prevent Winter Fires At Home

1/22/2021 (Permalink)

There’s no season of the year that’s free from the danger of house fires. These tragedies are more common during the winter months than they are at any other point during the year.

Beyond the damage that events like house fires cause to property, they cause thousands of injuries and even deaths. Experts estimate that as many as 890 people die from house fires every winter.

Why is that? There are various reasons for the uptick in fires during the winter season, ranging from the lights and candles we all enjoyed all over the recent holiday seasons to more time spent in the kitchen and issues with home heating systems. But regardless of the fire risks, there are steps you can take to mitigate them.

How You Can Lower Your Risk

Lowering your home’s risk for fire doesn’t have to be a difficult task. You can take plenty of steps to make your home safer that won’t require you to invest a lot of time or money.

Make a safe kitchen your priority Grease catches fire quickly. Do you know how to put one out? Water can make these fires worse. Instead, use a fire extinguisher. A metal lid or baking soda will work, too.

Use candles safely. Don’t leave a candle burning when you’re not home because it can create a fire risk. Instead, use them only when you’re going to be around. Be sure they’re not placed in a spot where kids or pets can knock them over.

Don’t use extension cords for space heaters. The safest way to use these items is to plug them directly into the wall. Also, make sure your space heater is clear on all sides and away from any flammable items, including curtains.

If your home is damaged due to a fire or any other cause, you can always count on us for restoration assistance. We have teams who are available ²⁴⁄₇ in the event of an emergency. Contact us at any time to learn more about our restoration services and how we can help your family.

Follow These Mold Safety Tips If You Suspect Mold

1/21/2021 (Permalink)

If you see visible mold, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores which become airborne and can circulate inside your home.

What to Do:

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
• Contact SERVPRO of Clinton for mold remediation services.

What Not to Do:

• Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
• Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
• Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
• Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.

About Our Mold Remediation Services

SERVPRO of Clinton specializes in mold cleanup and restoration, in fact, it’s a cornerstone of our business.  Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – 563-212-2874

IICRC Certified Firm

1/21/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Clinton is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

IICRC Certified Firms must

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.

• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.

• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.

• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.

• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

About SERVPRO of Clinton

SERVPRO of Clinton specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Restoring Your Commercial Property After A Water Damage Event

1/19/2021 (Permalink)

Flooding and water damage events at commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

About SERVPRO of Clinton

SERVPRO of Clinton specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Does Your Home Have A Mold Problem

1/19/2021 (Permalink)

Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere, both outdoors and indoors. This makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Therefore, mold remediation reduces the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts:

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

If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today –563-212-2874

Faster To Your Water Damage Event

1/11/2021 (Permalink)

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Clinton provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays.

Faster To Any Size Disaster

Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more. SERVPRO of Clinton arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – 563-212-2874

Water Damage Timeline

Within Minutes

• Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
• Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
• Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
• Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.

Hours 1 - 24:

• Drywall begins to swell and break down.
• Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
• Furniture begins to swell and crack.
• Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
• A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

• Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
• Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
• Metal begins to rust and corrode.
• Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
• Paint begins to blister.
• Wood flooring swells and warps.
• Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 Week:

• Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
• Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.

About SERVPRO of Clinton

SERVPRO of Clinton specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Smoke and Soot Cleanup

12/21/2020 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.  

Smoke and soot facts:

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

Different Types of Smoke

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

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

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

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

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

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

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

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions.  We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – 563-212-2874

Clinton County Residents: Follow These Mold Safety Tips If You Suspect Mold.

12/15/2020 (Permalink)

If you see visible mold, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores which become airborne and can circulate inside your home.

What to Do:

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
• Contact SERVPRO of Clinton for mold remediation services.

What Not to Do:

• Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
• Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
• Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
• Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.

About Our Mold Remediation Services

SERVPRO of Clinton specializes in mold cleanup and restoration, in fact, it’s a cornerstone of our business.  Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today –563-212-2874

24 Hour Emergency Water Damage Service

12/11/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Clinton is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help
Call Today - 563-212-2874

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of Clinton has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

About SERVPRO of Clinton

SERVPRO of Clinton specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

We are cleaning experts

12/9/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is Here to Help during this time of need

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

Specialized Products

The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.

Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning  If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today –SERVPRO of Clinton 563-212-2874