Be Prepared for Storms with Water Purification

9/28/2022 (Permalink)

If you experience storm damage to your residential or commercial space, contact SERVPRO.

When powerful storms leave behind chaos, you should always check your property for damage once it is safe. SERVPRO of East Independence/Blue Springs can be here to help. Even if your property isn’t directly affected, you might have to deal with some consequences of such extreme weather.

An important thing to plan for is having drinkable water. A storm does not wait for those in its path to be prepared, so don't hesitate to create a plan and storm preparation kit to keep in your home. A storm kit should include water bottles, blankets, nonperishable food, a flashlight and first aid kit, portable chargers, and necessary personal care items. A list of other storm preparation items can be found here.  

If you come into a situation where you do not have drinkable water, here are ways to purify and store contaminated water. 

Finding the Perfect Container is the first thing you will want to do is find containers that have a narrow neck which would make it easier to pour. You should never use a container that has been used for cleaning supplies or other toxic chemicals. 

Ways to Purify Water

1. Boiling the water is one of the safest ways to kill germs, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites. You will want to continue boiling for one minute for elevations 6,500ft or less and for three minutes for higher elevations. After that, you will want to let the water sit and cool before transferring it to a storage container. 
2. Using Water Purification Tablets

The other option we will discuss is using water purification tablets to help purify the water when you cannot bring it to a boil. The active ingredient is usually chlorine, chlorine dioxide, or Iodine, which deactivate harmful pathogens by rendering them harmless. We suggest purchasing a bundle and storing them in your storm preparation kit with a 3-year shelter life; these will be handy during storms and hiking trips; click here.

SERVPRO Services and Consistent Communication

9/23/2022 (Permalink)

If you need our services, SERVPRO of East Independence/Blue Springs is here to help.

Our SERVPRO crews are ready for whatever happens! Our Emergency Services are available 24/7 and we specialize in the following cleaning and restoration services:
- Fire, Smoke and Soot Damage Restoration
- Water Removal and Dehumidification
- Mold Mitigation and Remediation
- Air Ducts and HVAC
- Deodorization
- Ceilings, Walls and Hard Floors
- Carpet and Upholstery

SERVPRO of East Independence/Blue Springs knows that when your residential or commercial property is threatened with damage, it can be a very stressful and unknown time. This is why we make it a priority to communicate with our clients every step of the way. From the initial phone call, to a Project Manager scoping the loss and providing an estimate, to our Technicians cleaning and restoring the property, and to the payment process with our office staff, our customers will never be left in the dark. We want to make our customers as informed as possible, as we know teams working on your private property can come with questions and concerns.

Household Appliance Fires

9/19/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Independence/Blue Springs has the expertise to restore properties following fire damage.

Household appliances can often malfunction and lead to home or apartment fires. Appliances such as a washer and dryer, stove, dishwasher, refrigerator, or other cooking appliances, are used routinely for our convenience. However, using these items can have detrimental effects if used carelessly, left unattended or malfunctioned. SERVPRO of East Independence/Blue Springs can be there to restore a commercial or residential property following fire and smoke damage and is always Here to help. To prevent a possible fire due to a household appliance and protect your property, here are three things you can do.   

1. Never leave heated cookware on overnight such as crockpots. Use of these appliances should be supervised in case of a heating element or wiring malfunction. 
2. Never leave an appliance running while away. Coming home to clean dishes from the dishwasher may sound nice after being away, but electrical issues may stem from heating elements which can cause fire.  
3. Do not overload your washer or dryer, and always make sure to clean out the lint trap.  

Wet Carpet Restoration

9/19/2022 (Permalink)

When a building has water damage following a storm or other disaster such as a pipe break or appliance malfunction, it can affect carpeting throughout the space. Sitting, wet carpet may lead to concerns such as microbial growth, which is why hiring a team of SERVPRO professionals is the right decision. They’ll get the job done right while staying prompt and professional. Using fans, desiccants and dehumidifiers, SERVPRO of East Independence/Blue Springs teams will dry out the water from carpet and carefully examine atmospheric readings to determine moisture levels. Our reconstruction team can also aid in necessary construction services. To make water damage to your property seem “Like it never even happened,” do not hesitate to hire the team with the most expertise and efficiency, SERVPRO. 

Graffitied Property? SERVPRO can help.

9/19/2022 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO of East Independence/Blue Springs to restore your property after vandalism.

Having your commercial property vandalized can take a toll on your business and can be a stressful experience. Whether a window gets busted, or graffiti ends up on your property, SERVPRO® of East Independence/Blue Springs can be there to clean and restore your commercial space. With our strive to be faster to any size disaster, and our 24/7 Emergency Services, you can count on SERVPRO to get your property back to its preloss condition. Cleaning up vandalism should be left to the professionals, so make sure to call SERVPRO if you experience it. Our SERVPRO team uses the following three common methods to remove graffiti from driveways, walkways, walls, stonework and more: 

• Scrubbing, using solvents and a wire brush 
• Pressure washing the affected area 
• Media blasting with sand or dry ice 

Faster to any size disaster

9/19/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Independence/ Blue Springs is always Here to help.

With 2,000+ franchise locations spread across North America, our SERVPRO branded cars can be found anywhere and everywhere. We are locally owned and operated with the support of our Headquarter location and the support of the other SERVPRO locations. 

Our Family of Franchises is a Member of SERVPRO’s Disaster Recovery Team®, which means we will send crews to assist other locations for large loss jobs in the affected areas. This is important because a significant loss, such as a natural disaster, can mean long hours a need for extra labor. By dispatching our crew, we can provide a helping hand during a time of need. 

Another way that our SERVPRO Family of Franchises helps other locations is by providing assistance to newer and growing locations. Our HQ location does an excellent job at providing material to help develop our team’s workflow.  Our team will work to train departments that might need help with learning the roles. 

Types of Soot

9/16/2022 (Permalink)

There are various types of soot, and our SERVPRO of East Independence/Blue Springs team can handle cleaning them all.

Did you know there are various types of soot that are created differently? Our team of SERVPRO professionals knows what to look for in soot damage to be able to restore a client’s contents or property accurately. 

Wet Soot 

You can find wet smoke residue in fires smoldering at low temperatures with little oxygen. If you don’t look at soot damage on regular bases, soot damage might look similar to you. Our team of professionals has the tools and expertise needed to figure out what type of soot we are working with. Wet smoke residue is sticky and smeary, accompanied by a pungent, acrid odor. 

Dry Soot 

On the opposite end of the spectrum, you have dry soot damage from an oxygen-rich fire. These types of fire are fast burning, which produces lighter soot particles but causes more damage to surfaces. A fire that produces dry soot contains a less intense scent than the wet smoke residue.  

Protein Soot 

We have all done it, we will be cooking, and something pulls you away from the stove. Next thing you know, the smoke alarm is going off, and you are rushing to deescalate the situation. Protein soot is created by fires that start from overcooked meat. If the burnt roast leaves you stumped, another indicator of this damage is the pungent odor that will stick around and linger. Our SERVPRO team knows that this type of soot requires extensive cleaning to remove any trace of residue to achieve deodorization.  

Often when our clients return to their property after a fire, they feel overwhelmed. Soot damage to them might come across as a complete loss, but our team here at SERVPRO of East Independence/Blue Springs isn’t as easily convinced. Our team understands the steps needed to restore the contents and property back to the preloss condition.   

It's National Preparedness Month!

9/16/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is Here to help after a natural disaster takes a toll on your property.

Ready.gov describes National Preparedness Month as "an observance each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time." 

Now, SERVPRO of East Independence/Blue Springs knows a thing or two about disasters as a premier cleaning and restoration company. We restore storm damage to your property such as roofing and water damage.

To be better prepared for possible natural disasters, follow these tips.

• In the event of hurricane weather, take refuge in the highest level of a building but not a closed attic.
• If a wildfire is near, remove weeds, brush and debris from property, and trim back grass and branches. 
• To be prepared in the event of a tornado, create a safety plan for your home that identifies safe areas, utility switch offs, and what to do in an emergency. 

Keep your Property Running Smooth

9/13/2022 (Permalink)

Use SERVPRO's quick tips to do an exterior check on your property.

SERVPRO of East Independence/Blue Springs has what it takes to restore a residential or commercial space after fire, water, mold, or smoke damage. Although we tend to focus on the interior of a space, we also know it is very important to pay attention to the exterior of your property.  

With the colder seasons approaching and the possibility of snow, faulty areas in your home may allow for water to enter, leading to damage. Here are some things around the exterior of your home that should be checked regularly to keep your space running at its highest potential:  

• Clean out your gutters so rain can easily flow through them and drain away from the roof. Gutters filled with leaves, sticks and other debris can become damaged or not work as well.  
• Check that your gutter’s downspouts are properly attached to allow water to drain away from the home. A detached or broken spout can lead to water flooding outside.  
• Make sure the sump pumps in your home are operational and have a working battery. An unexpected, failed sump pump may lead to a slew of future problems.  
• Check that garden hoses are properly attached to prevent water from draining into piping.  
• See if the caulking on your windows needs repair. A ripped seal in the window may allow water to enter the home.  

Wood Flooring Water Damage

9/9/2022 (Permalink)

Call our SERVPRO team if you notice damage to your property.

Here at SERVPRO of East Independence/Blue Springs, our team of professionals is always making sure to inspect spaces carefully for water damage. While some signs of water damage can go unseen, one indicator of damage is cupping or warping on a wood floor.

Cuppinglooks like the floor boards creating a concave shape with higher sides than the center. Cupping can occur when the underside of the boards gain moisture. Warpingtends to be more severe than cupping because it involves the floor buckling or popping off of the subfloor. Water vapors can cause this to happen.

A problem that can stem from neglecting to fix floors with moisture is the possibility of microbial growth. If this continues without restoration, it can permanently damage your floor.

If you see cupping or warping going on in your property, do not hesitate to contact SERVPRO of East Independence/Blue Springs to extract the moisture and remediate the damage.