Prevent Water Damage From Destroying Your Home With These 3 Tips

8/23/2023 (Permalink)

If you’ve experienced water damage in your Oneta, OK, home, you can call SERVPRO for your help.

With These Three Tips, You Can Keep Water From Destroying Your Home.

If your home recently sustained water damage because of flooding, a burst pipe or sewage backup, you may be feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. After all, you know how devastating water in the home can be. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to minimize water damage and cut down on the costs of restoration:

1. Shut off the water supply line
2. Call your insurance company
3. Contact your local Oneta, OK, water restoration team

Stop the Flow of Water

The first thing you need to do is restrict the flow of water through your home’s pipes. This is as simple as shutting off your home’s supply lines. Once you’ve restricted the flow of water, contact a plumber, who can diagnose the issue and make necessary repairs.

Contact Your Insurance Agency

You need to let your insurance agency know that flooding has occurred and how it happened. This is a crucial next step, as your policy may or may not cover the damage, something that you want to know before you contact a restoration team. While you should not skimp on restoration efforts, knowledge of your policy coverage can help you plan accordingly.

Call Your Water Restoration Team

Once you’ve spoken with your insurance agent, contact your local flood remediation company. The team discharged to your home will assume control from this point forward. Some steps the team may take to get your home back into pre-flood condition include:

• Remove any excess or sitting water
• Wipe down wood, tile and décor
• Remove furniture from the environment
• Place fans around the room or turn on the AC unit to speed up drying (if weather permits)
• Remove wet carpeting or rugs
• Remove other loose items
• Place a dehumidifier in the impacted room

Each of these steps will help remove moisture and minimize damage to your home. If your home was recently the victim of flooding, call your Oneta, OK, water restoration team to help today.

A Closer Look at What Happens During a Home Fire

8/8/2023 (Permalink)

Allow SERVPRO of Greater Broken Arrow to help you through your fire damage process

A home fire is a terrifying and devastating event that can shatter lives and leave a lasting impact on individuals and families. Understanding what happens during a home fire can shed light on the importance of fire safety measures, preparedness, and the critical role of emergency responders.

Ignition and Rapid Spread

A home fire in Broken Arrow, OK, usually starts with an ignition source, such as faulty wiring, unattended candles, cooking accidents, or electrical appliance malfunctions. Once a fire ignites, it can spread quickly depending on various factors, including the materials present, ventilation, and combustibility. The initial stages are often marked by rapid flame growth and the release of thick, acrid smoke.

Smoke and Toxic Gases

As the fire grows, it generates significant amounts of smoke and toxic gases. Smoke not only reduces visibility but also contains harmful chemicals and particles that can lead to respiratory issues and other health problems. The combination of heat, smoke, and toxic gases can make it challenging to navigate and escape from the affected area.

Structural Damage

The intense heat of a home fire can cause structural elements, such as walls, ceilings, and floors, to weaken and collapse. This escalation of damage adds another layer of danger for both occupants and emergency responders. Weak structures can impede rescue efforts and further complicate the situation.

Spreading Flames

If the fire isn't contained early, it can continue to spread throughout the home. Flames can move rapidly through hallways, rooms, and even between walls and ceilings. The fire's path may be unpredictable, making it difficult for both occupants and firefighters to anticipate its movement.

Emergency Response

Emergency responders play a crucial role in mitigating the impact of a home fire. Firefighters arrive on the scene equipped with specialized gear and tools to combat the flames, perform search and rescue operations, and provide medical assistance to those affected. Their training and expertise are vital in containing the fire and preventing further damage.

Smoke Damage

Even areas not directly touched by flames can suffer from smoke damage. Smoke can infiltrate porous materials like upholstery, curtains, and carpets, leaving behind unpleasant odors and discoloration. Cleaning up smoke damage can be a complex process that requires specialized techniques and equipment.

Aftermath and Recovery

Once the fire is under control, the aftermath can be emotionally overwhelming for homeowners. Assessing the extent of damage, dealing with insurance claims, and beginning the restoration process all contribute to the challenges faced during the recovery phase. But with SERVPRO of Greater Broken Arrow by your side, you're not alone in the journey to recovery. Our commitment to professionalism, empathy, and excellence shines through in every step we take. Through our expertise and dedication, SERVPRO helps you turn the page on this chapter of adversity and embark on the path toward renewal and restoration.

3 Steps to Take in Case of a Leak in a Multifamily Home

8/7/2023 (Permalink)

When a leak occurs in a multifamily home, the business owner is not the only person who suffers.

Steps To Take In Case Of A Leak In A Multifamily Home 

When a leak occurs in a multifamily home, the business owner is not the only person who suffers. Multifamily homes can accommodate two or more families in a collection of apartments. Damage from water in home apartments can cause residents to experience days of inconvenient repairs, especially in severe cases. Business owners in Broken Arrow, OK, can be prepared by:

• Having a list of contacts in case of an emergency
• Creating a plan for repairs
• Having tools on hand for water cleanup

1. Find the Leak
Look for the source before taking action so that you can create a plan of action. If the leak is not severe, you may be able to fix it yourself. In extreme cases, such as a burst pipe or toxic water, residents may need to relocate while an apartment is being fixed. Communicate effectively with them to avoid frustrated residents. Pipe cleanup and property restoration should take place before they are able to move back into the apartment.

2. Contact Your Insurance Company
Insurance companies can save you money by covering cleanup and restoration. Most companies cover a broken pipe and water in-home repairs. Contact your insurance company immediately to make a claim and out-of-pocket costs.

3. Contact a Professional Cleanup and Restoration Service
After contracting a plumber to fix the leak, a company that specializes in water damage restoration can quickly clean and restore your property so that residents can return to normalcy. SERVPRO is a company that specializes in restoring and dehumidifying water-damaged materials to prevent microbial growth in the future. Hire professionals that make it seem “Like it never even happened.”
Having a plan for water damage in multifamily homes can help keep your residents happy. If you have experienced a water in home emergency, hire contractors to help fix your property.

A Suggested Order for Dealing With Storm Damage

7/21/2023 (Permalink)

Storm damage in Oneta, OK

When your home faces severe storm damage, there are many things you need to do. While knowing what to do is important, it is also crucial to do things in the proper order to get the best results. While no two storms are exactly alike, a preferred order of dealing with issues has many benefits. As with all emergencies, safety is paramount. It is crucial that all family members are accounted for and brought to a safe haven. An early step in dealing with flood insurance. At your earliest convenience, you should contact your agent and let him or her know what is happening to your home in Oneta, OK.

Calling for Restoration Services

If your property has flood damage, calling a qualified storm mitigation franchise comes near the top of the list. There are several important reasons why this call deserves a high priority:

• A professional response increases the safety of everyone in your home
• A fast response can minimize property damage and reduce costs
• An experienced company can help coordinate a flood insurance claim
• A qualified crew of technicians will restore your home in an efficient manner
  
  

The restoration process should begin as soon as possible. There is no need to wait for an insurance adjuster to be on the premises before cleanup work begins. In fact, in large-scale weather events where damage is spread out over many homes and businesses, the adjuster is likely to be very busy.
Monitoring the Restoration Process
Once things settle down a bit, you can begin to pay attention to the finer details. This includes making sure the restoration company is finding all instances of hidden damage and is looking out for secondary damage to your home such as the potential for mold damage. This is also the time to pay attention to your flood insurance claim. You can coordinate with the restoration company to document all damages to your home and the costs for the cleanup. An organized and complete claim helps you get paid quickly and completely.

Whatever It Takes

7/13/2023 (Permalink)

Standing water in Broken Arrow, OK? No problem!

The SERVPRO of Greater Broken Arrow team is wrapping up a project at a public building in an area town. The staff at this popular location was not expecting to arrive to work and find standing water throughout the facility. They already knew of the quality reputation displayed by the team at SERVPRO of Greater Broken Arrow and called us right away.

Of course our team quickly mobilized and had many hands on deck to assess the damage, begin water removal and the mitigation and drying process.

Building manager, Jeremy noted that in the 15 years he has been there, with the many projects he has overseen, and the problems that arose, he is very impressed with how well things are going. They will soon be up and running.

Call on SERVPRO we are faster to any size disaster!

The Time When Rain Greets You At Work

7/7/2023 (Permalink)

Soggy carpets, walls and ceilings are not pleasant.

It only takes a small opening, combined with rain, gravity and maybe some healthy Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, wind, to allow water to find a path to your workspace. Unless your work area happens to regularly be under water, you should deal with the situation promptly.

If your office has allowed SERVPRO of Greater Broken arrow to conduct a free Emergency Readiness Plan, you already know who to call and what to do in an unexpected emergency. In any case, you can call the SERVPRO of Greater Broken Arrow team to come quickly, assess the situation, mitigate the water and begin the drying process. The sooner mitigation begins, the less risk of collateral damage for you and your business, and the sooner you can get back to business as usual. Give us a call. We are always happy to help!

4 Ways to Prepare for a Fire

6/22/2023 (Permalink)

Prepare For A Fire In 4 Easy Steps

No one expects a fire to envelop their commercial property in Oneta, OK. However, having a fire preparation plan in place can help you and your employees react smartly if a fire does happen. Here are four things you may want to do to prepare for a fiery disaster.

1. Create an Evacuation Plan: Everyone who spends time in a building should know how to get out in case of a fire. You may want to hold regular trainings to ensure everyone knows the best exit routes. You can also designate an area for people to evacuate to. This allows you to take a head count and make sure everyone made it out.

2. Have Inspections: If your building is up to code, you may be able to reduce the fire damage that takes place. You can have a professional come out and inspect your building. They can look at the sprinkler system and smoke alarms to ensure your safety devices are working.

3. Know Where to Turn: Part of fire preparation is knowing what you would do in the event of a fire. Flames can do serious damage to your building, so you need to know who you would call to fix up fire damage. Finding a reputable fire restoration team before a disaster is a great idea.

4. Prohibit Dangerous Activities: Some businesses may have a higher risk of fires, so disaster preparation is even more important. If employees smoke on the property, there is the potential of an improperly discarded cigarette starting a fire. As the building owner, you should ban dangerous activities that increase the chances of a fire.

Having a fire preparation plan can get you and your tenants ready for a disaster, but there still may be some challenges if a fire does ever break out. Remember, people react differently under stressful situations, so it's a good idea to make sure everyone knows what to do in the case of an emergency.

4 Ways to Prepare for a Fire

6/22/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is always ready to help you with any fire damage on your commercial property.

Prepare For A Fire In 4 Easy Steps

No one expects a fire to envelop their commercial property in Oneta, OK. However, having a fire preparation plan in place can help you and your employees react smartly if a fire does happen. Here are four things you may want to do to prepare for a fiery disaster.

1. Create an Evacuation Plan: Everyone who spends time in a building should know how to get out in case of a fire. You may want to hold regular trainings to ensure everyone knows the best exit routes. You can also designate an area for people to evacuate to. This allows you to take a head count and make sure everyone made it out.

2. Have Inspections: If your building is up to code, you may be able to reduce the fire damage that takes place. You can have a professional come out and inspect your building. They can look at the sprinkler system and smoke alarms to ensure your safety devices are working.

3. Know Where to Turn: Part of fire preparation is knowing what you would do in the event of a fire. Flames can do serious damage to your building, so you need to know who you would call to fix up fire damage. Finding a reputable fire restoration team before a disaster is a great idea.

4. Prohibit Dangerous Activities: Some businesses may have a higher risk of fires, so disaster preparation is even more important. If employees smoke on the property, there is the potential of an improperly discarded cigarette starting a fire. As the building owner, you should ban dangerous activities that increase the chances of a fire.

Having a fire preparation plan can get you and your tenants ready for a disaster, but there still may be some challenges if a fire does ever break out. Remember, people react differently under stressful situations, so it's a good idea to make sure everyone knows what to do in the case of an emergency.

Why Mold Keeps Coming Back

6/22/2023 (Permalink)

Mold damage in Broken Arrow, OK

Here Are Some Reasons Why This Might Be Happening

You've tried bleach, mold remover and every other method you could find, but the mold growth keeps coming back. At this point, you might be thinking that your business is doomed to have mold. Why does it keep coming back? This frustrating situation is all too common. There are several reasons why this might be happening.

You Didn't Correct the Cause
There are some pretty clear cut causes of mold. These are:

• Leaky pipes
• High humidity
• Flooding
• Improper cleaning

Once mold starts to grow in a spot, it can be nearly impossible to get rid of it. In most cases, you will need a commercial mold remediation company in Broken Arrow, OK. When you notice that your business has a mold problem that is not going away, you need to call in professionals.

The Mold Is Eating Your Cleaner
There are common methods that people use to treat mold that actually feed the mold. Mold spores are microscopic. They are also almost everywhere. Mold will grow on almost anything. Some molds will even feed off the bleach you tried to clean it with.
It is extremely resilient. Once a substance threatens it, it can adapt and regrow. This is part of the reason why it is so difficult to get rid of mold growth once it takes hold.

You Have Water Damage in Your Walls
It is vital to remember that mold can grow inside walls, under floors and in other places you cannot see that you have water damage. In some cases, you might not be able to see it, but you can smell it. Some molds have a very distinctive, earthy smell, while others don't smell at all. These types of mold are extremely difficult to detect without a mold inspection.
When mold continues to grow back, it can be extremely frustrating, and some molds are toxic. This is why you need to correct the mold growth problem as quickly as possible.

Poetry in Motion

3/13/2023 (Permalink)

A happy carpet is one cared for by SERVPRO

Recently, SERVPRO of Greater Broken Arrow franchise owner, Ben Drost, was called upon to give a presentation of the benefits of using SERVPRO as your choice for carpet cleaning service. Here is a poem Ben and AI created:

Bonnet Cleaning: A Gentle Approach to Carpet Care

Bonnet cleaning, gentle and light,

A method for carpets, not so bright,

Using minimal moisture, a small amount,

To lift the dirt, and clean it out.

The bonnet pad, absorbent and soft,

Is attached to a roto, not so oft,

Sprayed with Bonnet Brite, to make it damp,

And then it's ready, to start its camp.

In a U-shaped pattern, the roto moves,

Overlapping each pass, it surely proves,

To be effective, in cleaning the pile,

And leaving the carpet, with a shining smile.

Circular motions, the roto makes,

Preventing streaks, for goodness sake,

Agitating all sides, of the carpet fibers,

Making sure, the dirt is not a survivor.

Small sections, four feet at a time,

Saving energy, and making it prime,

To clean traffic lanes, or heavily soiled parts,

With patience and care, it's a work of art.

But corners and edges, need attention too,

With Carpet Spotting Pad, and Bonnet Brite, anew,

The Spotting Pad Holder, attached with ease,

Cleaning the edges, while standing at ease.

Bonnet cleaning, a gentle approach,

With minimal moisture, and a soft roto coach,

Leaves carpets clean, and dry in a flash,

A method that's worth, a positive splash.

Hot Water Extraction: A Cleaning Process

Hot water extraction, the method of the pros

With emulsifiers and extractors, the dirt it foes

Liquid or powder, pH levels just right

For carpets clean and bright, day or night

The vacuum system is key, lift and airflow

For a job well done, these are a must-know

The V stroke technique, to cover every spot

Overlap by 50 percent, don't miss a spot

Chop strokes for stains, agitation supreme

Don't press down hard, let the wand gleam

Sway back and forth, in a smooth motion

For a large area, this is the perfect notion

RX-20 rotary tool, a switch lever for each hand

Sprays solution through five jets, across the land

Thorough extraction, the most important part

Cleaning wastes collected, a cleaner work of art

Hot water extraction, effective for soil levels light to moderate

With the right tools and techniques, cleaning carpets is great

So if you want your carpets to shine like new

Hot water extraction is the way to do!