SERVPRO Tips For Keeping Water Bills Down

6/21/2022 (Permalink)

We have talked about all sorts of ways to prevent and reduce the risk of water damages in your home or place of business, but what about reducing the cost of that water bill you receive?

Here are a few tips from our wonderful highly trained team of experts here at SERVPRO of St Clair County that will help you keep your water bill lower while also helping your home or business and the environment in the process:

1. First and foremost, it’s important to identify and then fix any water leaks you may have. Not only can leaks potentially drain thousands of gallons worth of water, they can lead to major water damage problems for your home. Check faucets, drains, and plumbing around the house to look and listen for any signs that could indicate a leak. If you find one, get it fixed right away!

2. Use your dishwasher! That’s right – running a full load of dishes in the dishwasher is actually a much more efficient use of water than washing dishes individually by hand. The key here though is running a full load, that’s how you’ll get the most out of your water usage.

3. Take shorter showers, or switch to a low-flow shower head. Reducing your shower time by even a couple of minutes makes big cuts in the amount of water you use from month to month. As an alternative, low-flow shower heads use 2.5 gallons per minute, which according to the US Department of Energy could end up reducing you water bill by 25-60 %, saving you a significant amount of money in utility bills.

4. Insulate your water pipes. One trip to the hardware store for some foam insulation cut in the shape of a pipe and your half-way there! Taping insulation to your water pipes will help them heat up water faster, which in turn means less time running water from your sink or shower waiting for it to warm up.

5. Limit your use of the garbage disposal in your kitchen sink. Instead, scrape whatever excess food that’s on your dishes into the trash, then place them in the dishwasher – remember? We want a full load! Disposals use a lot of water to flush things down the drain, so reducing its use will reduce the amount of water you’re using in your kitchen.

With these helpful tips to get you started, you should start seeing a big drop in your water bill in no time at all. By also being mindful of your water usage and very aware of the conditions your pipes, faucets, and appliances are in, you can help prevent any costly water leaks or damaging water spills that may occur.

What To Do If You Have A Commercial Water Damage

6/21/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial water damage often involves larger spaces, pipes, or roofs, and it may be more costly to fix than damage in a residential structure. If your commercial property in Las Vegas, NV has sustained damage from broken pipes or a leaky roof, you should take steps to reduce the amount of excess water and contact a commercial restoration service that specializes in water cleanup.

Cleaning up after a leak can be a messy process, but there are several ways to limit the extent of the damage and the potential for secondary damage. Immediately after a leak occurs, you should:

• Use buckets, mops, or towels to prevent water from soaking into building materials, carpet, furniture, or other items.
• Contact a plumber or roofing company to handle the leak as soon as possible.
• Contact a cleanup and restoration service that’s certified to handle leaks and prevent secondary damage within 24 hours of the leak.

Once you have dealt with the broken pipe or any other source of excess water in your commercial property, you should contact a certified commercial restoration service to dry, clean, and restore the affected areas to their original conditions.

A water damage restoration company can provide several services, including:

• water mitigation by removing standing water from your commercial property
• Dehumidification and ventilation to control moisture and prevent secondary damage, such as mold growth
• Restoration of property damaged by storms, burst pipes, or roof leaks

If broken pipes or a leaky roof have caused damage in your commercial property in St Clair County you should contact a local or regional service that specializes in water damage cleanup and restoration. The sooner you fix a leak and address any damage that has resulted, the more affordably, effectively, and quickly you will be able to restore your property to a functional and safe condition. 

What To Do If You Have A Water Damage

2/25/2022 (Permalink)

A flooded home is a devastating event for any homeowner. It has the ability to ruin many of your possessions in addition to your property itself. Due to the fact that water damage can quickly become permanent if not addressed as soon as possible, if you do suffer flood damage to your home, it’s important that you call the professionals at SERVPRO of St Clair County to help restore the home. Here are some things you can do immediately after a flood to start the restoration process.  

Call Your Insurance Agent

Regardless of how bad a flood has hit your home, it has likely done some significant damage to some of your possessions and to the structure of your home. Soon after you recognize the damage, you should call your insurance agent.

Check Before Entering Home

Before you re-enter your home after flood damage, check for any structural damage that may have occurred. Severe flooding or water damage has the ability to compromise the integrity of the structure. If you enter the home without closely inspecting what you’re walking into, the building could potentially collapse, trapping you inside. Once you’ve entered the home, you should be very careful about where you’re walking, especially if you’re moving from carpeting onto a hard surface.  

Document Evidence

Once you have entered the home, document the evidence of that damage that has been done by taking photos of it. If there are any questions, particularly by your insurance company about the validity of your claim, you’ll have evidence to show them. While you document the damage, save any items that you can. Some items, such as porous materials, may have been damaged beyond repair. When the SERVPRO crew arrives to restore the home, they’ll save as many items as possible. But if there are items that have not been damaged, you can take them out to avoid any further potential damage.  

Take Inventory

While you’re examining the damage that has occurred in your home, make a list of the damage or lost items in the home. Make sure to include the date they were purchased and their value with any receipts you may have. Store that list with any inventory of your possessions that you may have taken before the flood. If any of your possessions must be disposed of, which some may, make sure you have photographs of the items.  

Turn Off Power

After the flood damage occurs, turn off all power, especially to the affected rooms. Also refrain from using any electrical appliances as you could electrocute yourself if you’re standing in water. Keep the power to the home off until an electrician can come and thoroughly inspect the system to ensure it’s safe to turn back on again.  

Prevent Mold

Mold thrives in environments where moisture is present which makes flooded parts of a house ideal for mold growth. The existence of mold in a home can be hazardous so it’s important to prevent the mold from growing if at all possible. Removing any wet contents from the home as soon as possible will help to prevent such mold growth around the home.  

Proper Protection

Regardless of how well you think you can clean up after a flood, you should call the professionals at SERVPRO of St Clair County to ensure that as much of your property is salvaged as possible. But if you do decide to start the cleanup process before they arrive, it’s important that you are properly attired. Wear long sleeves, pants, gloves, and boots when dealing with flood water to ensure your safety. 

Give us a call at (205)-525-0332

The Water Damage Numbers Say It All

12/7/2021 (Permalink)

If water damage catches you off-guard and leaves you all wet, you’ve got help on your side. Contact SERVPRO of St Clair County.

Being a homeowner is something to be proud of! You worked hard to accomplish buying your own home, and you also work hard at keeping it well-maintained.

So, that’s why we wanted to share some information regarding water damage to your home. While you might do everything to prepare for events, things don’t always go according to plan. Statistically speaking, you are likely to encounter water damage of some kind.

While you can’t prevent every disaster, the truth is you can be better prepared by keeping appliances and pipes well-equipped and maintained. By doing this, at least you know you did your part to avoid becoming part of the statistics.

24. This references the percentage of all home insurance claims filed because of water damage. One out of every 50 homeowners file a water claim in a year’s timeframe.

48. This is how long you have, 48 hours, before mold begins growing in your home. Water damage can cause major problems the longer it sits, so reacting quickly is best.

98. Do you have a basement in your home? This number is the percentage of how many homes with a basement experience water damage at some point.

10,234. Water damage, no matter the size, can cause major damage to your home. This number reflects the amount of money paid out to homeowners after filing a water claim. Because water doesn’t only affect your home—it also affects the possessions inside your home.

14,000. If you had to guess how many water damage experiences happened daily, would you guess 14,000? If so, that’s right! This is how many Americans encounter water damage every day. That means every six seconds there’s a newly busted pipe or leaky appliance somewhere.

13,000,000,000. Billions of dollars are paid out each year to fix water damage here in the United States. $13 billion worth to be exact. When you look at previous statistics, you’ll see how this number can be possible.

The numbers can be overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that most water damage is preventable. Make sure you keep up with home maintenance and plumbing and make repairs as needed! While nothing is ever fully preventable, doing these things can certainly help.

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.

How Does Water Damage Hardwood Floors

8/9/2021 (Permalink)

Hardwood flooring is an everyday staple of construction in many St Clair County homes, but caring for this material can often be a challenge. Moisture and saturation can distort the shape and weaken the integrity of these materials, which can ultimately cause homeowners to need to replace them. To avoid this costly repair and reinstallation of hardwood, seek the experience and industry-leading equipment of restoration professionals that can address this saturation effectively. 

Many homeowners mistakenly believe that addressing flooring damage in their home after a water loss incident in St Clair County is only involved as removing surface moisture and standing water. In truth, these situations can often move far beyond the surface and affect into subflooring material. The only way to know the full extent of the spread of water damage is to utilize the advanced detection equipment and thermal imagery cameras available to our SERVPRO team. 

We understand how vital it is to address water damaged flooring as quickly as possible because, within a few days, hardwood flooring and vinyl alternatives can begin to swell and distort. Bloating can cause the tongue and groove connections of the individual planks to disconnect, separating entire portions of flooring. Once this degradation begins, it is no longer possible for professionals to reverse this damage and controlled demolition techniques become necessary instead. 

Our SERVPRO team can work quickly to set up our Injecti-Dry System with drying mats to begin a slow and steady draw of moisture from these affected materials. By tenting over these mats, our team can better regulate the loss of moisture from the planks, helping to keep constant monitoring of moisture content to ensure that the flooring does not get overly dry which can be equally destructive. 

We understand how critical a fast response is to protecting hardwood flooring in your house, and so our SERVPRO of St Clair County professionals stay available 24/7 to help. You can trust our experienced and equipped professionals to make flooring damage “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call anytime that you need us at (205)-525-0332

What To Do If You Have Water Damage

8/9/2021 (Permalink)

A flooded home is a devastating event for any homeowner. It has the ability to ruin many of your possessions in addition to your property itself. Due to the fact that water damage can quickly become permanent if not addressed as soon as possible, if you do suffer flood damage to your home, it’s important that you call the professionals at SERVPRO of St Clair County to help restore the home. Here are some things you can do immediately after a flood to start the restoration process.  

Call Your Insurance Agent

Regardless of how bad a flood has hit your home, it has likely done some significant damage to some of your possessions and to the structure of your home. Soon after you recognize the damage, you should call your insurance agent.

Check Before Entering Home

Before you re-enter your home after flood damage, check for any structural damage that may have occurred. Severe flooding or water damage has the ability to compromise the integrity of the structure. If you enter the home without closely inspecting what you’re walking into, the building could potentially collapse, trapping you inside. Once you’ve entered the home, you should be very careful about where you’re walking, especially if you’re moving from carpeting onto a hard surface.  

Document Evidence

Once you have entered the home, document the evidence of that damage that has been done by taking photos of it. If there are any questions, particularly by your insurance company about the validity of your claim, you’ll have evidence to show them. While you document the damage, save any items that you can. Some items, such as porous materials, may have been damaged beyond repair. When the SERVPRO crew arrives to restore the home, they’ll save as many items as possible. But if there are items that have not been damaged, you can take them out to avoid any further potential damage.  

Take Inventory

While you’re examining the damage that has occurred in your home, make a list of the damage or lost items in the home. Make sure to include the date they were purchased and their value with any receipts you may have. Store that list with any inventory of your possessions that you may have taken before the flood. If any of your possessions must be disposed of, which some may, make sure you have photographs of the items.  

Turn Off Power

After the flood damage occurs, turn off all power, especially to the affected rooms. Also refrain from using any electrical appliances as you could electrocute yourself if you’re standing in water. Keep the power to the home off until an electrician can come and thoroughly inspect the system to ensure it’s safe to turn back on again.  

Prevent Mold

Mold thrives in environments where moisture is present which makes flooded parts of a house ideal for mold growth. The existence of mold in a home can be hazardous so it’s important to prevent the mold from growing if at all possible. Removing any wet contents from the home as soon as possible will help to prevent such mold growth around the home.  

Proper Protection

Regardless of how well you think you can clean up after a flood, you should call the professionals at SERVPRO of St Clair County to ensure that as much of your property is salvaged as possible. But if you do decide to start the cleanup process before they arrive, it’s important that you are properly attired. Wear long sleeves, pants, gloves, and boots when dealing with flood water to ensure your safety. 

Give us a call at (205)-525-0332

Here Is How To Keep Your Water Bill Low

6/1/2021 (Permalink)

We’ve talked a lot about how to prevent and reduce the risk of water damage in your home, but what about reducing the cost of water in your home?

Here are a few tips from our team of experts here at SERVPRO of St Clair County that will help you keep your water bill lower while helping your home and the environment in the process:

1. First and foremost, it’s important to identify and then fix any water leaks you may have. Not only can leaks potentially drain thousands of gallons worth of water, they can lead to major water damage problems for your home. Check faucets, drains, and plumbing around the house to look and listen for any signs that could indicate a leak. If you find one, get it fixed right away!

2. Use your dishwasher! That’s right – running a full load of dishes in the dishwasher is actually a much more efficient use of water than washing dishes individually by hand. The key here though is running a full load, that’s how you’ll get the most out of your water usage.

3. Take shorter showers, or switch to a low-flow shower head. Reducing your shower time by even a couple of minutes makes big cuts in the amount of water you use from month to month. As an alternative, low-flow shower heads use 2.5 gallons per minute, which according to the US Department of Energy could end up reducing you water bill by 25-60 %, saving you a significant amount of money in utility bills.

4. Insulate your water pipes. One trip to the hardware store for some foam insulation cut in the shape of a pipe and your half-way there! Taping insulation to your water pipes will help them heat up water faster, which in turn means less time running water from your sink or shower waiting for it to warm up.

5. Limit your use of the garbage disposal in your kitchen sink. Instead, scrape whatever excess food that’s on your dishes into the trash, then place them in the dishwasher – remember? We want a full load! Disposals use a lot of water to flush things down the drain, so reducing its use will reduce the amount of water you’re using in your kitchen.

With these tips to get you started, you should start seeing a drop in your water utility bill in no time. By being mindful of your water usage and aware of the condition your pipes, faucets, and appliances are in, you can help prevent any costly water leaks or damaging water spills.

What To Do When You Have Water Damage

6/1/2021 (Permalink)

A flooded home is a devastating event for any homeowner. It has the ability to ruin many of your possessions in addition to your property itself. Due to the fact that water damage can quickly become permanent if not addressed as soon as possible, if you do suffer flood damage to your home, it’s important that you call the professionals at SERVPRO of St Clair County to help restore the home. Here are some things you can do immediately after a flood to start the restoration process.  

Call Your Insurance Agent

Regardless of how bad a flood has hit your home, it has likely done some significant damage to some of your possessions and to the structure of your home. Soon after you recognize the damage, you should call your insurance agent.

Check Before Entering Home

Before you re-enter your home after flood damage, check for any structural damage that may have occurred. Severe flooding or water damage has the ability to compromise the integrity of the structure. If you enter the home without closely inspecting what you’re walking into, the building could potentially collapse, trapping you inside. Once you’ve entered the home, you should be very careful about where you’re walking, especially if you’re moving from carpeting onto a hard surface.  

Document Evidence

Once you have entered the home, document the evidence of that damage that has been done by taking photos of it. If there are any questions, particularly by your insurance company about the validity of your claim, you’ll have evidence to show them. While you document the damage, save any items that you can. Some items, such as porous materials, may have been damaged beyond repair. When the SERVPRO crew arrives to restore the home, they’ll save as many items as possible. But if there are items that have not been damaged, you can take them out to avoid any further potential damage.  

Take Inventory

While you’re examining the damage that has occurred in your home, make a list of the damage or lost items in the home. Make sure to include the date they were purchased and their value with any receipts you may have. Store that list with any inventory of your possessions that you may have taken before the flood. If any of your possessions must be disposed of, which some may, make sure you have photographs of the items.  

Turn Off Power

After the flood damage occurs, turn off all power, especially to the affected rooms. Also refrain from using any electrical appliances as you could electrocute yourself if you’re standing in water. Keep the power to the home off until an electrician can come and thoroughly inspect the system to ensure it’s safe to turn back on again.  

Prevent Mold

Mold thrives in environments where moisture is present which makes flooded parts of a house ideal for mold growth. The existence of mold in a home can be hazardous so it’s important to prevent the mold from growing if at all possible. Removing any wet contents from the home as soon as possible will help to prevent such mold growth around the home.  

Proper Protection

Regardless of how well you think you can clean up after a flood, you should call the professionals at SERVPRO of St Clair County to ensure that as much of your property is salvaged as possible. But if you do decide to start the cleanup process before they arrive, it’s important that you are properly attired. Wear long sleeves, pants, gloves, and boots when dealing with flood water to ensure your safety. 

Give us a call at (205)-525-0332

How Water Can Damage Hardwood Floors!

7/1/2020 (Permalink)

Hardwood flooring is an everyday staple of construction in many St Clair County homes, but caring for this material can often be a challenge. Moisture and saturation can distort the shape and weaken the integrity of these materials, which can ultimately cause homeowners to need to replace them. To avoid this costly repair and reinstallation of hardwood, seek the experience and industry-leading equipment of restoration professionals that can address this saturation effectively. 

Many homeowners mistakenly believe that addressing flooring damage in their home after a water loss incident in St Clair County is only involved as removing surface moisture and standing water. In truth, these situations can often move far beyond the surface and affect into subflooring material. The only way to know the full extent of the spread of water damage is to utilize the advanced detection equipment and thermal imagery cameras available to our SERVPRO team. 

We understand how vital it is to address water damaged flooring as quickly as possible because, within a few days, hardwood flooring and vinyl alternatives can begin to swell and distort. Bloating can cause the tongue and groove connections of the individual planks to disconnect, separating entire portions of flooring. Once this degradation begins, it is no longer possible for professionals to reverse this damage and controlled demolition techniques become necessary instead. 

Our SERVPRO team can work quickly to set up our Injecti-Dry System with drying mats to begin a slow and steady draw of moisture from these affected materials. By tenting over these mats, our team can better regulate the loss of moisture from the planks, helping to keep constant monitoring of moisture content to ensure that the flooring does not get overly dry which can be equally destructive. 

We understand how critical a fast response is to protecting hardwood flooring in your house, and so our SERVPRO of St Clair County professionals stay available 24/7 to help. You can trust our experienced and equipped professionals to make flooring damage “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call anytime that you need us at (205)-525-0332

What You Should Do When You Have Water Damage

7/1/2020 (Permalink)

A flooded home is a devastating event for any homeowner. It has the ability to ruin many of your possessions in addition to your property itself. Due to the fact that water damage can quickly become permanent if not addressed as soon as possible, if you do suffer flood damage to your home, it’s important that you call the professionals at SERVPRO of St Clair County to help restore the home. Here are some things you can do immediately after a flood to start the restoration process.  

Call Your Insurance Agent

Regardless of how bad a flood has hit your home, it has likely done some significant damage to some of your possessions and to the structure of your home. Soon after you recognize the damage, you should call your insurance agent.

Check Before Entering Home

Before you re-enter your home after flood damage, check for any structural damage that may have occurred. Severe flooding or water damage has the ability to compromise the integrity of the structure. If you enter the home without closely inspecting what you’re walking into, the building could potentially collapse, trapping you inside. Once you’ve entered the home, you should be very careful about where you’re walking, especially if you’re moving from carpeting onto a hard surface.  

Document Evidence

Once you have entered the home, document the evidence of that damage that has been done by taking photos of it. If there are any questions, particularly by your insurance company about the validity of your claim, you’ll have evidence to show them. While you document the damage, save any items that you can. Some items, such as porous materials, may have been damaged beyond repair. When the SERVPRO crew arrives to restore the home, they’ll save as many items as possible. But if there are items that have not been damaged, you can take them out to avoid any further potential damage.  

Take Inventory

While you’re examining the damage that has occurred in your home, make a list of the damage or lost items in the home. Make sure to include the date they were purchased and their value with any receipts you may have. Store that list with any inventory of your possessions that you may have taken before the flood. If any of your possessions must be disposed of, which some may, make sure you have photographs of the items.  

Turn Off Power

After the flood damage occurs, turn off all power, especially to the affected rooms. Also refrain from using any electrical appliances as you could electrocute yourself if you’re standing in water. Keep the power to the home off until an electrician can come and thoroughly inspect the system to ensure it’s safe to turn back on again.  

Prevent Mold

Mold thrives in environments where moisture is present which makes flooded parts of a house ideal for mold growth. The existence of mold in a home can be hazardous so it’s important to prevent the mold from growing if at all possible. Removing any wet contents from the home as soon as possible will help to prevent such mold growth around the home.  

Proper Protection

Regardless of how well you think you can clean up after a flood, you should call the professionals at SERVPRO of St Clair County to ensure that as much of your property is salvaged as possible. But if you do decide to start the cleanup process before they arrive, it’s important that you are properly attired. Wear long sleeves, pants, gloves, and boots when dealing with flood water to ensure your safety. 

Give us a call at (205)-525-0332

The Best At Water Damage Restoration!!

5/6/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of St Clair County is available all day everyday for your water damage emergency needs, weather they be large or small. When you are dealing with any kind of water damage, immediate action is very crucial. Any sort of delay of just waiting a few hours can greatly increase the severity of any sort of water damage.

SERVPRO of St Clair County understands that when you call us, you may be feeling very confused, all sorts of stress, as well as very vulnerable. You need an expert like our team of trained technicians to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of St Clair County has the specific water damage training to help you through this tough time in your life. We specialize in all sorts of water damage restoration—in fact, it's the main expertise of our business.

What you can Expect

When you call SERVPRO of St Clair County, our office staff will ask you several questions regarding the water damage you have experienced in your home or place of business. These questions will help our team best determine what equipment as well as resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed for the damage as well. 

Our SERVPRO Representative will also ask several questions which are listed below:

• 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 St Clair County

SERVPRO of St Clair County specializes in the cleanup as well as restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our trained technicians are well aware of the process of property damage restoration. From the initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to just the regular IICRC-industry certification, you be rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property to preloss condition.

Carpet Affected By Water Damage?

5/6/2020 (Permalink)

The SERVPRO of St Clair County standards of carpet and upholstery cleaning show that not only will we extract that water and grime stuck in your carpet, we will also remove any unwanted dust and dirt. Our professionally dried and cleaned carpets will make all the difference in freshening up your home or place of business and improving indoor air quality. The major casualties that happen in a flooded home is flooring, particularly carpets. Once it is soaked and soaked through, both it and the underlying padding will potentially need replacement, which is an added expense that most homeowners or business owners would like to avoid. If there is a case of heavy flooding, whether it's from a natural disaster, a broken appliance, a busted pipe, or any other kind of water emergency, many people think that there's no chance that their carpets can ever be saved – but you can rest assured that SERVPRO of St Clair County will be there to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Just give us a call @ 256-378-1319 with any questions or concerns you may have. 

Tips For Keeping Those Water Bills Down

5/6/2020 (Permalink)

We have talked about all sorts of ways to prevent and reduce the risk of water damages in your home or place of business, but what about reducing the cost of that water bill you receive?

Here are a few tips from our wonderful highly trained team of experts here at SERVPRO of St Clair County that will help you keep your water bill lower while also helping your home or business and the environment in the process:

1. First and foremost, it’s important to identify and then fix any water leaks you may have. Not only can leaks potentially drain thousands of gallons worth of water, they can lead to major water damage problems for your home. Check faucets, drains, and plumbing around the house to look and listen for any signs that could indicate a leak. If you find one, get it fixed right away!

2. Use your dishwasher! That’s right – running a full load of dishes in the dishwasher is actually a much more efficient use of water than washing dishes individually by hand. The key here though is running a full load, that’s how you’ll get the most out of your water usage.

3. Take shorter showers, or switch to a low-flow shower head. Reducing your shower time by even a couple of minutes makes big cuts in the amount of water you use from month to month. As an alternative, low-flow shower heads use 2.5 gallons per minute, which according to the US Department of Energy could end up reducing you water bill by 25-60 %, saving you a significant amount of money in utility bills.

4. Insulate your water pipes. One trip to the hardware store for some foam insulation cut in the shape of a pipe and your half-way there! Taping insulation to your water pipes will help them heat up water faster, which in turn means less time running water from your sink or shower waiting for it to warm up.

5. Limit your use of the garbage disposal in your kitchen sink. Instead, scrape whatever excess food that’s on your dishes into the trash, then place them in the dishwasher – remember? We want a full load! Disposals use a lot of water to flush things down the drain, so reducing its use will reduce the amount of water you’re using in your kitchen.

With these helpful tips to get you started, you should start seeing a big drop in your water bill in no time at all. By also being mindful of your water usage and very aware of the conditions your pipes, faucets, and appliances are in, you can help prevent any costly water leaks or damaging water spills that may occur.

Trust In Us!!

5/6/2020 (Permalink)

We are... Faster To Any Size Disaster

Any sort of flooding or water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither does our team. SERVPRO of St Clair County provides emergency cleaning and restoration services all day everyday—including all holidays. You can expect an immediate response time, day or night.

We are... Highly Trained Professional Technicians

Our technicians are highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s Corporate Training Facility to regular IICRC industry certifications, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. 

We have... Advanced Technology

The past few decades has seen a rapid advancement in the technology as well as the techniques used in the restoration and remediation industry. These advancements allow our professional technicians to restore a property back to preloss condition quickly, reliably, and more effectively.

Call SERVPRO of St Clair County with any of your water damage needs! We are always available at 256-378-1319.

Does Your Insurance Policy Cover Broken Pipes?

4/9/2020 (Permalink)

Flooded kitchen in St Clair County

Imagine coming home from work to find your worst nightmare of a flood in the bathroom or kitchen. Water can cause a ton of damage in a small amount of time. Luckily, your insurance provider may help you pay for emergency restoration services.

What Is Covered

A typical homeowner's insurance policy pays for the harm caused by an unforeseen or sudden issue. Your insurance may cover damage that results from the following problems:

• Leaking air conditioner
• Cracked pipe or water tank
• Broken washing machine
  
  

Keep in mind that your policy will only cover water damage caused by an emergency within your home. It does not include harm caused by a weather event such as a rainstorm or hurricane. It also doesn’t cover destruction resulting from overflowing sewers. However, you can purchase a separate flood insurance policy to protect your home from these potential disasters.
The insurance company can also deny your claim if it determines that the flooding was caused by your negligence. Specifically, if the insurer concludes that your failure to properly maintain your pipes caused them to break or burst, you may have to pay for repairs yourself. This means you should check your pipes regularly and address any small cracks or leaks immediately. Those who live in colder climates should also take steps to prevent pipes from freezing.

Initial Versus Resulting Damage

This insurance money can be used to clean and replace items that were harmed or destroyed by the excess water. Insurance should even cover the cost of removing the water and preventing mold growth. However, many policies do not include the expense of repairing the item that caused the flood in the first place. You will likely have to pay to fix the broken pipe or appliance yourself.
If your St Clair County, home suffers a water emergency, your insurance coverage can make the repair process less painful. However, in order to ensure that the provider accepts your claim, you should perform regular maintenance on your appliances and pipes.

What To Do After Commercial Water Damage

3/25/2020 (Permalink)

Damage due to a water loss.

Commercial water damage often involves larger spaces, pipes, or roofs, and it may be more costly to fix than damage in a residential structure. If your commercial property in Las Vegas, NV has sustained damage from broken pipes or a leaky roof, you should take steps to reduce the amount of excess water and contact a commercial restoration service that specializes in water cleanup.

Cleaning up after a leak can be a messy process, but there are several ways to limit the extent of the damage and the potential for secondary damage. Immediately after a leak occurs, you should:

• Use buckets, mops, or towels to prevent water from soaking into building materials, carpet, furniture, or other items.
• Contact a plumber or roofing company to handle the leak as soon as possible.
• Contact a cleanup and restoration service that’s certified to handle leaks and prevent secondary damage within 24 hours of the leak.

Once you have dealt with the broken pipe or any other source of excess water in your commercial property, you should contact a certified commercial restoration service to dry, clean, and restore the affected areas to their original conditions.

A water damage restoration company can provide several services, including:

• water mitigation by removing standing water from your commercial property
• Dehumidification and ventilation to control moisture and prevent secondary damage, such as mold growth
• Restoration of property damaged by storms, burst pipes, or roof leaks

If broken pipes or a leaky roof have caused damage in your commercial property in St Clair County you should contact a local or regional service that specializes in water damage cleanup and restoration. The sooner you fix a leak and address any damage that has resulted, the more affordably, effectively, and quickly you will be able to restore your property to a functional and safe condition. 

SERVPRO Uses Multiple Options for Drying Hardwood Floors

3/11/2020 (Permalink)

Water quickly damages hardwood floors. SERVPRO has the know how to restore your floors. Call us today!

Strategies to Remove Water in Wood Flooring Homes

With engineered or hardwood plank flooring in your Dallas residence, situations like water loss incidents could have a dire effect. Despite the severity of the loss situation, migrating water can get absorbed into the planks faster than many homeowners might believe. Because engineered wood typically gets comprised of thin materials pressed together, this material is especially susceptible to saturation and splitting. 

When you need to consider water removal for your St Clair County home flooring, our SERVPRO team has multiple options for wood materials. The approach chosen depends on the saturation levels of the material, when water damage stays on the surface, when free moisture in the plank exists, and when the water has bonded with the molecular structure of the flooring. Once water becomes ‘bound’ in the wood plank floors, these physical deformities develop. 

Air Movers  

Air movers are often the first line of defense for almost every drying task that our professionals undertake. These tools are vital in removing a vapor barrier that exists during evaporative drying. These high-velocity machines displace the cool air trapped above the surface of wood plank flooring to allow the material to dry evenly and quickly. 

Drying Mats 

Drying mats are one of the specialty pieces of equipment that our professionals have to address saturation in porous, hard materials like wood plank flooring. With a consistent, slow draw of the moisture trapped in the planks, we can regulate the water removal process and ensure that these materials do not get dried too quickly or too completely, both of which could damage the wood. 

Reconstruction 

When there are no feasible solutions for removing trapped moisture in the flooring, and physical deformities have already developed, it is necessary to remove these portions. Our SERVPRO contractors can utilize controlled demolition techniques to only remove the areas overly damaged by the migrating water to protect subflooring materials. 

These are a few of the strategies that our SERVPRO of St Clair County team can use to manage water loss situations in area homes. No matter how we can help, give our team a call at (205)- 

Removing Kitchen Water Damage in a St Clair County Home

2/24/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage can ruin your St Clair County home, call SERVPRO we will help.

Winter can be a trying time for pipes in any home. Whether you are struggling with pipe leaks, frozen pipes, or other plumbing concerns that come from the weather during this season, it is crucial to address them quickly. All it takes is a hole as small as 1/8" to pour hundreds of gallons of water into your home each day.

If the kitchen of your St Clair County home has suffered a water damage, IICRC certified SERVPRO technicians are ready to restore your home to a preloss condition. These disaster mitigation specialists are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, because disasters do not occur on a 9-to-5 schedule. Along with a stringent background check, our employees are often US veterans. We appreciate their service to our country, and we have a hiring campaign to have these exceptional individuals as part of our team. 

Signs of Damaged Pipes in Your Kitchen

Winter can be a risky time for pipes, so keep an eye out for the signs of frozen or damaged plumbing in your kitchen:

• Temperature. The most significant factor that determines whether pipes can freeze is whether the weather is at or below freezing temperatures. Have your plumbing inspected for potential vulnerabilities as soon as possible, ideally before the first frost or the next dip in temperatures.
• Frost. Check exposed pipes for frost accumulation on the outside of the pipe, especially under the kitchen sink. This is a common warning sign that the pipe is frozen.
• Water. If water is not coming out of the faucet and there is either no water or only a slight trickle, the pipe supplying the water to that faucet might be frozen.
• Odors. One of the biggest giveaways of a blocked or frozen pipe comes in the form of strange smells. Because blockage prevents the travel of water through the pipe, the only way for odors to move is up through drains.

How SERVPRO Can Help

The most crucial step technicians take before establishing drying goals and extracting water from your home is measuring moisture with a variety of advanced tools. If you have a pipe leak behind an exterior kitchen wall, for example, technicians can use infrared cameras to detect moisture behind visible surfaces that might be affecting structural materials such as studs, insulation, and drywall. 

Other measurement tools, including penetrating and non-penetrating sensors and meters, are consistently used throughout the cleaning and drying process and compared with the ideal relative humidity for various materials.

SERVPRO of St Clair County can ensure that your kitchen looks, "Like it never even happened." You can call (205)-525-0332 for a cleanup that begins within hours.

Call SERVPRO Immediately After A Water Loss Occurs

2/21/2020 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of St Clair County for any help you may need. Our service line is always available day or night! 256-378-1319

When a broken pipe happens inside your home, water coming out in a steady stream floods the area rapidly. Lost water like this can evaporate fast enough to cause other problems inside your home. High amounts of water vapor can lead to a range of issues, from microbial infestations to loosened wall coverings.

We help property owners stabilize their home's humidity levels, which can prevent water damage from developing. We use thermal imaging equipment to locate water leaks, trapped water, and areas with higher-than-normal amounts of moisture content. Our drying equipment includes pumps of different sizes, air movers, desiccant machines, and dehumidifiers. Air scrubbers also play a role in making your home secure again, "Like it never even happened."

Water damage that occurs after water loss events can happen anywhere inside the house. Water does not stay confined to only the area where the pipe broke. This is why we use thermal imaging equipment in looking for damaged areas that might remain undetected otherwise. Peeling paint on ceilings is more evident than mold hidden inside wall spaces and under cabinet bottoms. However, both need mitigation and cleanup work to keep your home healthy.

When homeowners call us immediately after an incident, we can extract the water and completely prevent water damage from spreading to other areas of the home. This process may seem highly intensive, but we must ensure that we extract the water as it spreads. Water travels to drier locations steadily, but extraction efforts can significantly slow this down.

Extracting water is only part of the work, and we set up the other machinery to ensure that water cannot settle in any location. Trapping it as either a liquid or as vapor in the air re-establishes dry conditions again. When a slow leak and not a broken pipe with sudden water loss caused the problem, we use similar methods. Either way, we restore dry conditions that protect your home from the effects of water damage.

SERVPRO performs both preventative work against water damage and mitigation where current damage exists. Contact us for more information by calling 256-378-1319

3 Factors That Can Increase the Chances of Flooding in Your Basement

1/22/2020 (Permalink)

If you have a cracked foundation in your home you should get it fixed to avoid any flooding in your basement.

Some homeowners in St Clair County, experience the occasional basement flood more often than others. Homes where lower-level flooding happens regularly often show signs of at least one of the following factors.

Shoddy Work

If corners were cut during construction, it's likely that your basement will bear the consequences.Water damage experts recommend that you inspect your home for problems that need to be fixed:

• Bad seals on basement floors and walls
• Improperly positioned downspouts that direct water toward the house rather than away from it
• Cracks in the foundation
  
  

Some of these problems may be expensive to fix, but doing so can save you more money in flood repairs in the long run.

Clogged Drainage

Regular home maintenance is important. It's more than just making your home look nice, though. Keeping your gutters clean can help your drainage system work properly during a heavy rainstorm. If they are clogged, water is likely to run down the side of your house, resulting in a basement flood. Cleaning the debris out of your gutters on a regular basis, particularly in the fall when leaves tend to gather there, not only looks good but also protects your home.

Poor Site Planning

A tendency toward basement flooding may go as far back as when the site for your home was chosen. If it was built in a low-lying area, you may have a flooded basement every time a big storm comes your way. Over time, sediment can build up to create a barrier against floodwaters. Until that happens, however, you can build up terraces in your landscaping plan to redirect the water's flow elsewhere.
Several factors can contribute to flooding on the lower levels of your home, and you may not be aware that any of them are a problem until the first flood happens. Your home may not be resistant to a basement flood now, but there are several things you can do to decrease your chances of water damage in the future

Prevention of Water Damage When Your On Vacation

1/8/2020 (Permalink)

If you are taking a winter vacation, then be sure to insulate your pipes to avoid a water pipe repair

The last thing you want to worry about while on vacation is having to deal with a water pipe repair back home. Therefore, before you pack your bags, be sure to run through this water damage prevention checklist.

• Thorough Home Inspection
• Clean Gutters and Downspouts
• Check Sump Pump
• Insulate Pipes
• Shut off the main
• Ask someone to check-in
  
  

Thorough Home Inspection
Many a broken pipe starts out as small manageable repairs. Therefore, before you take off, go through your home inspecting under sinks, faucets, visible plumbing and even appliances. Then, contact a plumbing specialist in St Clair County and request an inspection. Any leaks or damage should be repaired before you leave.

Clean Gutters and Downspouts
Next, head outside and clean those clogged gutters and backed up downspouts. If water can run freely off of your roof, then it will seep beneath shingles and into your attic space eventually.

Check Sump Pump
Do you dread a flooded basement? Then, be sure to check and maintain your sump pump. While these small devices don't seem like much, they can ensure that your basement stays dry while you're away.

Insulate Pipes
If you are taking a winter vacation, then be sure to insulate your pipes to avoid a water pipe repair. Exterior and exposed pipes are especially vulnerable to freezing and bursting, so you should ensure that these lines are covered.

Shut Off the Main
Are you planning on leaving for several weeks or longer? If you are, then turn off the water main and drain the lines before you go.

Ask Someone to Check-in
Last, you can ask a friend to check on your property occasionally while you are away. Give them a key so they can do a walk-through every time they visit.
Preparation and taking preventative action is a sound way to reduce the risk of water pipe repair while on vacation. However, to make sure that all your bases are covered, consider having a professional inspection of your plumbing system before you leave.

St Clair County Residents: We Specialize in Flooded Basement Cleanup and Restoration!

1/7/2020 (Permalink)

A basement can flood at any time, although flooding most often occurs during heavy rainfall. Basements are inherently prone to flooding because they are the lowest level of a building and are normally built partly or entirely below ground level. There are a number of reasons why your St Clair County basement could flood, including: 

• A blocked or failed sewer lateral pipe
• Heavy rain causes surface water to pool around your home
• Storm sewer backup
• Sanitary sewer backup
• Foundation drainage failure
• Water supply-line break or hot-water tank failure
• And many more

Have Questions about Basement Flooding?

Call Today - 864-292-6399

If flood water is not handled quickly and properly, it can jeopardize your health and safety, and cause severe damage to your home’s structure. Remember, the longer you wait, the worse the problem will get.

The bottom line: a flooded basement can jeopardize your health, safety, and your home’s integrity. It’s worth making a call to SERVPRO of St Clair County and let our trained, professional crews handle the situation safely and correctly. We have earned the trust of hundreds of homeowners, business owners, and property professionals.

We are Flooded Basement Specialists:

• We are Available 24 hours/7 days per week
• We’re a Preferred Vendor to many National Insurance Companies
• We Bill The Insurance Directly – One Less Thing For You To Worry About
• Our Technicians are Highly-Trained  in Water Restoration Techniques
• We use s500 IICRC Restoration Standards
• Advanced Inspection and Extraction Equipment

Basement Flooded? Call Us Today – We’re Ready To Help 205-525-0332

What are Common Sources of Water Damage in St Clair County?

7/19/2019 (Permalink)

St Clair County Water Damage Causes Homeowners Should Know 

Water damage arises when unwanted water starts to pool in places where it is should not. In most St Clair County homes, different factors contribute to this excess water. When you know possible causes, you should take appropriate measures to ensure against a leak. You need to spot a problem when it arises and take control.  Early discovery of problems causes less work needed to restore your property. 

Leaking or bursting Pipes 

Pipes that leak or burst are common causes of water damage. Toilets and drains that get blocked and backed up may cause a high amount of pressure in the pipe, making it to leak or bust. Another problem that makes pipes to burst is garbage disposal not working correctly. Also, roots that grow into water or sewer lines may cause bursting of pipes. Rusty or old pipes are prone to leaking. You should get professional help from SERVPRO to clean things and restore your home as soon as possible. We use specialized test equipment to find hidden water in your property. 

Plumbing Problems 

Most plumbing problems occur within walls and are difficult to detect. They happen when pipe and hose joints are not appropriately attached. Routine inspections by SERVPRO team helps mitigate possible plumbing problems. 

HVACs 

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are common causes of water damage. Air conditioning systems need routine servicing, and if not maintained as required, they cause moisture buildup. Moisture cools and encourages secondary water damage. We use moisture detection devices to ensure that the areas have dried up.

Malfunctioning Appliances

Household appliances get older and start to crack and rust. Also, their hoses weaken. Dishwashers, water heaters, refrigerators, and washing machines are prone to deterioration. Hot water tanks and washing machines are two primary appliances in a home that cause water damage

Attic and Basement Concerns

Some areas of the home are susceptible to water damage. They include attics, basements, and crawl spaces. Moisture and water get to these areas from roof and pipe leaks. There is a need to inspect your home routinely in these areas.

Call the Experts

SERVPRO of St Clair County has specialized equipment and experienced staff that has undergone extensive training and certification to deal with water damage problems, professionally and safely. Call us at (205) 525-0332. We are available 24/7 and ready to help. 

Effects of Water Damage

7/7/2019 (Permalink)

Water damage is a dread that many property owners hope not to have to suffer.  However, it’s a valid concern here in Hampton Roads especially after a heavy downpour, or a storm surge. 

Water damage can cost thousands of dollars of damage to your furniture, electronics, upholstery, appliances, and even your plumbing.  Water damage can also increase the risk of mold growth and contamination which can involve a costly mold remediation. Hiring SERVPRO of St Clair County, your local water damage restoration company will help make the cleanup easier and quicker.  Our experienced and trained technicians know the best ways to repair or replace the water damaged items and to clean up the water damage.

Water damage restoration is very important as well as the procedures.  The right procedures can help to save your cherished belongings as well as help to keep your home from being condemned.  SERVPRO® of St Clair County knows how to mitigate the effects of water damage and have experts to assess the water damage and determine a water restoration and removal plan.  We use high tech equipment and well documented procedures to control water damage.  Water in a basement may only require a short cleanup process, but water in other areas of the property will require more extensive remediation.

If you suffer a water damage loss call your local SERVPRO® of St Clair County, available 24/7 every day.  We are “Always here to help.”

What to do when you experience water damage

6/17/2019 (Permalink)

A flooded home is a devastating event for any homeowner. It has the ability to ruin many of your possessions in addition to your property itself. Due to the fact that water damage can quickly become permanent if not addressed as soon as possible, if you do suffer flood damage to your home, it’s important that you call the professionals at SERVPRO of St Clair County to help restore the home. Here are some things you can do immediately after a flood to start the restoration process.  

Call Your Insurance Agent

Regardless of how bad a flood has hit your home, it has likely done some significant damage to some of your possessions and to the structure of your home. Soon after you recognize the damage, you should call your insurance agent.

Check Before Entering Home

Before you re-enter your home after flood damage, check for any structural damage that may have occurred. Severe flooding or water damage has the ability to compromise the integrity of the structure. If you enter the home without closely inspecting what you’re walking into, the building could potentially collapse, trapping you inside. Once you’ve entered the home, you should be very careful about where you’re walking, especially if you’re moving from carpeting onto a hard surface.  

Document Evidence

Once you have entered the home, document the evidence of that damage that has been done by taking photos of it. If there are any questions, particularly by your insurance company about the validity of your claim, you’ll have evidence to show them. While you document the damage, save any items that you can. Some items, such as porous materials, may have been damaged beyond repair. When the SERVPRO crew arrives to restore the home, they’ll save as many items as possible. But if there are items that have not been damaged, you can take them out to avoid any further potential damage.  

Take Inventory

While you’re examining the damage that has occurred in your home, make a list of the damage or lost items in the home. Make sure to include the date they were purchased and their value with any receipts you may have. Store that list with any inventory of your possessions that you may have taken before the flood. If any of your possessions must be disposed of, which some may, make sure you have photographs of the items.  

Turn Off Power

After the flood damage occurs, turn off all power, especially to the affected rooms. Also refrain from using any electrical appliances as you could electrocute yourself if you’re standing in water. Keep the power to the home off until an electrician can come and thoroughly inspect the system to ensure it’s safe to turn back on again.  

Prevent Mold

Mold thrives in environments where moisture is present which makes flooded parts of a house ideal for mold growth. The existence of mold in a home can be hazardous so it’s important to prevent the mold from growing if at all possible. Removing any wet contents from the home as soon as possible will help to prevent such mold growth around the home.  

Proper Protection

Regardless of how well you think you can clean up after a flood, you should call the professionals at SERVPRO of St Clair County to ensure that as much of your property is salvaged as possible. But if you do decide to start the cleanup process before they arrive, it’s important that you are properly attired. Wear long sleeves, pants, gloves, and boots when dealing with flood water to ensure your safety. 

Give us a call at (205)-525-0332

How Water Damages Hardwood Floors in St Clair County

6/12/2019 (Permalink)

Addressing Saturation of Hardwood Floors in St Clair County Homes

Hardwood flooring is an everyday staple of construction in many St Clair County homes, but caring for this material can often be a challenge. Moisture and saturation can distort the shape and weaken the integrity of these materials, which can ultimately cause homeowners to need to replace them. To avoid this costly repair and reinstallation of hardwood, seek the experience and industry-leading equipment of restoration professionals that can address this saturation effectively. 

Many homeowners mistakenly believe that addressing flooring damage in their home after a water loss incident in St Clair County is only involved as removing surface moisture and standing water. In truth, these situations can often move far beyond the surface and affect into subflooring material. The only way to know the full extent of the spread of water damage is to utilize the advanced detection equipment and thermal imagery cameras available to our SERVPRO team. 

We understand how vital it is to address water damaged flooring as quickly as possible because, within a few days, hardwood flooring and vinyl alternatives can begin to swell and distort. Bloating can cause the tongue and groove connections of the individual planks to disconnect, separating entire portions of flooring. Once this degradation begins, it is no longer possible for professionals to reverse this damage and controlled demolition techniques become necessary instead. 

Our SERVPRO team can work quickly to set up our Injecti-Dry System with drying mats to begin a slow and steady draw of moisture from these affected materials. By tenting over these mats, our team can better regulate the loss of moisture from the planks, helping to keep constant monitoring of moisture content to ensure that the flooring does not get overly dry which can be equally destructive. 

We understand how critical a fast response is to protecting hardwood flooring in your house, and so our SERVPRO of St Clair County professionals stay available 24/7 to help. You can trust our experienced and equipped professionals to make flooring damage “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call anytime that you need us at (205)-525-0332

Trust SERVPRO

5/22/2019 (Permalink)

We are... Faster To Any Size Disaster

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of St Clair County provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays. You can expect an immediate response time, day or night.

We are... Highly Trained Technicians

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

We have... Advanced Technology

The past few decades has seen a rapid advancement in the technology and techniques used in the restoration industry. These advancements allow our professionals to restore a property back to preloss condition quickly, reliably, and more effectively.

Call us with any of your water damage needs! We are always available at 205-525-0332

Why Choose SERVPRO for your water damage restoration?

5/17/2019 (Permalink)

We're Glad you Asked?

SERVPRO of St Clair County 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 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 St Clair County 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 Us

SERVPRO of St Clair County 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.

Did you suffer a Water Damage that effected your Carpeting?

5/17/2019 (Permalink)

The SERVPRO standard of carpet and upholstery cleaning will not only extract that water and grime stuck in your carpet, it’ll also remove any unwanted dust and dirt. A professionally dried and cleaned carpet will make all the difference in freshening up your home and improving indoor air quality. The major casualties of a flooded home is flooring, particularly carpets. Once it's soaked, both it and the underlying padding will potentially need replacing, which is an added expense that most homeowners would like to avoid. In the case of heavy flooding, whether it's from a natural disaster, broken appliance, burst pipe, or other water emergency, many people think that there's no chance their carpet can ever be saved – but you can rest assured SERVPRO of St Clair County will be there to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Tips For Keeping Your Water Bill Low

5/17/2019 (Permalink)

We’ve talked a lot about how to prevent and reduce the risk of water damage in your home, but what about reducing the cost of water in your home?

Here are a few tips from our team of experts here at SERVPRO of St Clair County that will help you keep your water bill lower while helping your home and the environment in the process:

1. First and foremost, it’s important to identify and then fix any water leaks you may have. Not only can leaks potentially drain thousands of gallons worth of water, they can lead to major water damage problems for your home. Check faucets, drains, and plumbing around the house to look and listen for any signs that could indicate a leak. If you find one, get it fixed right away!

2. Use your dishwasher! That’s right – running a full load of dishes in the dishwasher is actually a much more efficient use of water than washing dishes individually by hand. The key here though is running a full load, that’s how you’ll get the most out of your water usage.

3. Take shorter showers, or switch to a low-flow shower head. Reducing your shower time by even a couple of minutes makes big cuts in the amount of water you use from month to month. As an alternative, low-flow shower heads use 2.5 gallons per minute, which according to the US Department of Energy could end up reducing you water bill by 25-60 %, saving you a significant amount of money in utility bills.

4. Insulate your water pipes. One trip to the hardware store for some foam insulation cut in the shape of a pipe and your half-way there! Taping insulation to your water pipes will help them heat up water faster, which in turn means less time running water from your sink or shower waiting for it to warm up.

5. Limit your use of the garbage disposal in your kitchen sink. Instead, scrape whatever excess food that’s on your dishes into the trash, then place them in the dishwasher – remember? We want a full load! Disposals use a lot of water to flush things down the drain, so reducing its use will reduce the amount of water you’re using in your kitchen.

With these tips to get you started, you should start seeing a drop in your water utility bill in no time. By being mindful of your water usage and aware of the condition your pipes, faucets, and appliances are in, you can help prevent any costly water leaks or damaging water spills.

You Can Be Ruined, Or You Can Be Ready with the Help of Technology

7/2/2018 (Permalink)

Technology can now be a vital tool in preparing for water damages or other disasters, as well as during or after to stay informed of the situation and in communication with others. From common technology you already use on a day-to-day basis to taking a few extra steps to prepare, the following will help you be ready in the event of a water damage or other disaster. 

Store Information Online

There are many places to store important information securely online. Services like Google Drive and Dropbox offer free ways to store different types of files, from a word document to images of important documents. Ready.gov suggests saving an electronic version of insurance policies, identification documents, medical records, and information on your pets if necessary. 

Follow the News

Stay informed by following agencies such as FEMA. local news channels, and local government on Twitter for the most up-to-date information in a disaster situation. You can also alert first responders if a rescue is needed through Twitter.

Whenever there is a water damage make sure you are always ready and have ways to get in touch with people. If you have questions don't hesitate to call us @ 256-378-1319, where we are always "Here to Help!"

• You can also keep a condensed emergency kit in your vehicle as well.

When They Call You, You Call Us!

7/2/2018 (Permalink)

Water Damage and Your Policyholder or Property Owner!

When you have water damage, your policyholder or property owner looks to you to handle the situation. You collect information and provide reassurance everything will be returned to normal. SERVPRO of St Clair Co Franchise Professionals understand your priority is helping restore the property of the insured's or owner's peace of mind, while minimizing the loss on a claim. 

The first 24 hours following a water incident are the most important in preventing secondary or permanent damage. Within four hours of loss notification, a SERVPRO of St Clair Co Franchise Professional will be on-site to help ensure a water damage is handled properly by completing the following steps.

Inspection

SERVPRO of St Clair Co Franchise Professionals will inspect affected areas of the property to determine the extent of damage. They will also review the inspection with you, your insured, or property manager and answer any questions before beginning work.

Emergency Services

Next, SERVPRO of St Clair Co Franchise Professionals will take immediate steps to protect the home or property and personal belongings from further damage by extracting the excess water and preparing for drying. They will explain in detail the needed emergency services step-by-step.

Monitoring

To help ensure your insured's or owners home and personal belongings, or property are dried to appropriate industry standards, a SERVPRO of St Clair Co Franchise Professional will monitor the drying process. The results will be consistently communicated to you throughout the monitoring process.

Restoration Services

SERVPRO of St Clair Co Franchise Professionals will replace structural materials such as drywall and baseboards, reinstall carpets, and clean affected areas of the property and belongings. A final walk-through of the jobsite will be conducted with you, your insured, or owner to help ensure their property was returned to preloss condition when possible. 

Flooding

5/10/2018 (Permalink)

After any water damage situation, your primary focus should be safety:

• Is it safe to stay in the house?
• Electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns.
• Only do activities that are safe for you to perform.
• Wet materials can be VERY heavy. Be careful!

Have A Water Damage Emergency?
Call 256-378-1319!

With over 1,700 Franchises nationwide, there’s a SERVPRO of St Clair Co Professional nearby and ready to serve you.

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.

Water Damage!

5/10/2018 (Permalink)

When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. SERVPRO of St Clair Co Franchise Professionals respond immediately and use advanced equipment and techniques to remove the water quickly. They closely monitor and document the drying process to verify your property is dried properly and thoroughly.

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals

• Provide 24/7 Emergency Service
• Highly Trained Water Restoration Specialists
• Faster to Any Size Disaster
• A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry with over 1,700 Franchises
• Preferred Vendor for Many National and Local Insurance Companies

Have Questions? Call Today 256-378-1319!

Why Choose a SERVPRO Franchise Professional?

They’re Faster to Any Size Disaster

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals are dedicated to responding immediately to water emergencies. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces cost.

They're Highly Trained Water Damage Specialists

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals specialize in water damage restoration, the cornerstone of our business. They have extensive water damage restoration training with an emphasis on monitoring and documenting the drying process until completion.

• Water Damage Restoration Technician
• Applied Structural Drying Technicians

They Use Advanced Water Restoration Equipment and Techniques

Their advanced equipment helps to detect hidden moisture, extract the standing water quickly, and thoroughly clean and dry your home and belongings. They finish the job with professional deodorization and sanitizing agents for your comfort and safety.

Water Damage & Your Policyholder

4/16/2018 (Permalink)

When they have water damage, they look to you to handle the situation. You collect information and provide reassurance everything will be returned to normal. SERVPRO of St Clair Co professionals understand your priority is helping restore your insureds property and peace of mind, while minimizing the loss on a claim.

The first 24 hours following a water incident are the most important in preventing secondary or permanent damage. Within four hours of loss notification, SERVPRO of St Clair Co professionals will be on-site to help ensure a water damage is handled properly by completing the following steps.

INSPECTION

SERVPRO of St Clair Co professionals will inspect affected areas of your insured's home to determine the extent of damage. They will also review the inspection with your insured and answer their questions before beginning any work.

EMERGENCY SERVICES

Next, SERVPRO of St Clair Co professionals will take immediate steps to protect your insured's home and personal belongings from further damage by extracting the excess water and preparing their home for drying. They will explain the needed emergency services to you and your insured step-by-step. 

MONITORING

To ensure your insured;s home and personal belongings are dried to appropriate industry standards, a SERVPRO of St Clair Co professional will monitor the drying process. The results will be consistently communicated to you throughout the monitoring process. 

RESTORATION SERVICES

SERVPRO of St Clair Co professionals will replace structural materials such as drywall and baseboards, reinstall carpets, and clean affected ares of your insured property and belongings. A final walk-through of the jobsite will be conducted with your insured to ensure their property was returned to preloss condition when possible. 

Emergency Water Damage Process

4/3/2018 (Permalink)

ONE HOUR:

Within one hour from notice of loss, SERVPRO of St Clair Co. Professionals will contact you to arrange for service. You'll know help is on the way!

FOUR HOURS:

Within four hours of loss notification, SERVPRO of St Clair Co. Professionals will be on-site to start mitigation services. the key to reducing damage and saving money is responding quickly to your damage.

DETAILED EXPLANATION:

A trained, uniformed and equipped SERVPRO of St Clair Co. Professional will walk through the job process step-by-step, explaining what to expect and the anticipated outcome.

PRETESTING:

SERVPRO of St Clair Co. Professionals will begin pretesting for restorability, working from the source of the damage outward.

EIGHT HOURS:

Within eight hours of on-site arrival, a verbal briefing of the scope will be communicated to the appropriate person, normally your adjuster or property manager.

CLEANING & RESTORATION:

SERVPRO of St Clair Co. Professionals will work neatly and efficiently to help to regain control of your property when a damaging event has taken over. They will use state-of-the-art restoration techniques to ensure your property is taken care of right the first time.

FINAL WALK-THROUGH:

After the work has been completed, a final walk-through will be conducted with you to help ensure your satisfaction.

SERVPRO OF St Clair CO. IS HERE TO HELP!

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT WATER DAMAGE OR YOU THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE A WATER DAMAGE DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL US @ 256-378-1319!

Faster To Any Water Damage

6/22/2017 (Permalink)

There is never a good time for it to be raining inside a building. But when it's June in Alabama, AND the building is an elementary school, AND over half the building is saturated, AND a new school year is fast approaching we are really in a pickle!  An in-depth job scope and work plan are developed quickly to get the water out and dry the interior. Industrial water extractors, a desiccant dehumidifier the size of a tractor trailer, plenty of staff, and SERVPRO know-how to get the job started quickly and correctly. Working around the clock for days, our employees and hundreds of pieces of equipment work away to get the elementary school cleaned up and ready for the first day of school.  What a sense of satisfaction it is to see this school opening right on time due to the hard work of our SERVPRO employees along with the faculty and staff of the school and the community!! It just goes to show that no job is too big or to small for our SERVPRO team. With over 50 years in the industry, we know just what to do in the case of a water event that causes damage to a school, business or home! We make it "Like it ever even happened"!! 

Water Damage Restoration

6/22/2017 (Permalink)

When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals of St Clair County respond immediately and use advanced equipment and techniques to remove the water quickly. They closely monitor and document the drying process to verify your property is dried properly and thoroughly. If you need any help with a water damage no matter if it is big or small just give us a call and we will be there to help.

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals

• Provide 24/7 Emergency Service
• Highly Trained Water Restoration Specialists
• Faster to Any Size Disaster
• We are a Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry 
• Preferred Vendor for Many National and Local Insurance Companies

If you have any water, fire or mold damage call us at 256-378-1319 and we are here to help you in any way!

NO WATER DAMAGE IS TOO BIG OR SMALL

5/2/2017 (Permalink)

Whether a flood or leaky pipe, SERVPRO of St Clair Co. can help.

When damage affects your home or business, you want it to be restored as soon as possible. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals have restored property for over 45 years. SERVPRO is the trusted choice for hundreds of insurance companies nationwide, because they know SERVPRO Franchise Professionals have the experience to do the job right.

The first 24 hours following a water incident are the most important in preventing secondary or permanent damage. Within four hours of loss notification, a SERVPRO Franchise Professional will be on-site to help ensure a water damage is handled by completing the following steps.

Inspection

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals will inspect affected areas to determine the extent of water damage and will review the inspection with you to answer any questions before beginning any work.

Emergency Services

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals will take steps to help protect your home or business, as well as personal belongings and other contents, from further damage by extracting the excess water and prepare the area for drying. They will explain the needed emergency services to you step-by-step.

Monitoring

To help ensure your home or business and belongings are dried to appropriate industry standards, a SERVPRO Franchise Professional will monitor the drying process. The updates will be consistently communicated to you.

Restoration Services

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals will repair structural materials, reinstall carpets, and clean affected areas of your property and belongings. A final walk-through of the jobsite will be conducted with you to help ensure the property was returned to preloss condition.

Before any further water damage occurs to your home or business and belongings, contact us at 256-378-1319!

When They Call You, Call Us

5/2/2017 (Permalink)

Water Damage and Your Policyholder

When they have water damage, they look to you to handle the situation. You collect information and provide reassurance everything will be returned to normal. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals understand your priority is helping restore your insured's property and peace of mind, while minimizing the loss on a claim.

The first 24 hours following a water incident are the most important in preventing a secondary or permanent damage. Within four hours of loss notification, a SERVPRO Franchise Professional will be on-site to help ensure a water damage is handled properly by completing the following steps.

Inspection

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals will inspect affected areas of your insured's home to determine the extent of damage. They will also review the inspection with your insured and answer their questions before beginning any work.

Emergency Services

Next, SERVPRO Franchise Professionals will take immediate steps to protect your insured's home and personal belongings from further damage by extracting the excess water and preparing their home for drying. They will explain the needed emergency services to you and your insured step-by-step.

Monitoring

To ensure your insured's home and personal belongings are dried to appropriate industry standards, a SERVPRO Franchise Professional will monitor the drying process. The results will be consistently communicated to you throughout the monitoring process.

Restoration Services

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals will replace structural materials such as drywall and baseboards, reinstall carpets, and clean affected areas of your insured's property and belongings. A final walk-through of the jobsite will be conducted with your insured to ensure their property was returned to preloss condition when possible.

Before any further damage occurs to your insured's property and belongings, contact us at 256-378-1319!

Water Damage Cleanup & Restoration

4/7/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals can help provide a solution to your water damage needs. You will welcome our familiar face in your time of need.

• Uniformed Franchise Professionals will arrive on-site usually within four hours of notification to begin providing a resolution to the water damage situation.
• Technicians communicate their assessment with you in detail before beginning the cleanup and restoration process where appropriate. 
• Franchise Professionals utilize industry guidelines, knowledge, training and industrial equipment to examine the extent of the damage.
• Restoration services include moisture detection, water extraction, dehumidification contents inventory and drying validation.
• Technicians close the job in a timely manner through electronic claims reporting, consistent communication and professional restoration techniques.
• SERVPRO Franchise Professionals - available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

IF YOU HAVE A WATER DAMAGE CALL US: 256-378-1319

Water Types!!

3/30/2017 (Permalink)

UNDERSTANDING WATER TYPES

When your home or business suffers a water damage, understanding what type of water you are dealing with is critical to ensuring proper cleanup. There are three types of water. Clean water is water from a broken pipe, or other water source; rainwater is also considered clean. The term gray water is used to classify slightly contaminated water. Clean water becomes gray water when it is left untreated allowing bacteria and other contaminants to begin growing, making the water hazardous. Black water is highly contaminated and filled with fungi, bacteria chemicals and more. Black water is typically caused by sewage damage, flooding or any type of natural disaster. Black water should always be handled by trained professionals. Consider taking the following precautions to help minimize damage or prevent further damage while waiting for help to arrive.

Damage From Clean Water

• Shut off the water source if possible or contact a qualified professional to do so.
• Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the building if access to the power distribution panel is safe from potential electrical shock. Do not enter rooms with standing water, as electrical shock hazards may exist.
• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting.Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing lamps and tabletop items.
• Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions to allow more even drying.
• Move any paintings, art objects, computers, documents and other valuable items that may be sensitive to moisture to a safe place.
• Do not leave books, newspapers, magazines or other colored items on wet carpets or floors as they may cause staining.
• Do not use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water as there is potential for electrical shock or causing damage to the vacuum cleaner.
• Do not turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet; do not enter rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.

Damage from Contaminated Water

• Avoid all contact with sewage and items contaminated by sewage. Wash your hands thoroughly if you come in contact with contaminated items.
• Do not walk through contaminated areas, as you could spread damage to unaffected areas.
• Do not turn on the HVAC system if there is a possibility of spreading contaminated air. 
• Do not use household fans to dry the structure; air flow could spread contaminants.
• Discard any food and/or products for personal hygiene and cleanliness if exposed to the contaminated areas.

When you have a water damage, don't leave your property to chance. Call us at 256-378-1319 if you have any questions about a water damage.