Recent General Posts
5 Things to Do to Prevent Further Damage During a Power Outage
1/6/2020 (Permalink)
Power outages are not only an inconvenience; they can also end up causing costly damages. At SERVPRO, we’ve seen first-hand the kind of property damage that can come as a result of a power outage. Even though it may seem counterintuitive to think that a power outage itself can cause damage, the truth is that it can start a chain of events that becomes gradually more destructive.
To help protect yourself against the compounding damage that can come in the wake of a power outage, take these five steps.
#1: Exercise extreme caution when using candles, stoves, and generators.
It’s not uncommon to have a stash of long-burning candles tucked away for just such an emergency as a power outage. The use of candles isn’t itself necessarily dangerous; however, unattended, lit candles can quickly start a structure fire, potentially causing thousands in damage.
A good rule-of-thumb to keep in mind during a power outage is never to use a gas stove to stay warm. As tempting as it may be, gas stove emissions contain carbon monoxide, which can accumulate in the air and cause serious personal harm—even death.
When it comes to the use of gas-powered generators, always be sure that they’re operated in a well-ventilated area, ideally near a window or exhaust fan. For the same reason using a gas stove to keep warm is a bad idea, generator emissions can also be very harmful.
Also, never use a charcoal grill as a means of producing warmth indoors. The smoke from burning charcoal can be incredibly dangerous to inhale.
#2: Defend against food spoilage by using ice coolers to preserve existing food.
If the power is going to be out for an extended period of time, then you’re going to need a strategy for preserving your refrigerated food.
While a typical freezer can be expected to stay cool for about 48 hours, the rest of the fridge is going to succumb to higher temperatures by about the 4-hour mark. For this reason, it might make sense to fill a cooler full of ice and preserve whatever refrigerated foods you can.
Also, try not to open freezer or refrigerator doors more than is absolutely necessary, to conserve the cool.
#3: Deactivate and unplug appliances.
This especially applies to older appliances that may not have modern surge protection built into them.
When the power comes back on after a power outage, it’s possible that the sudden surge of electricity could cause damage to whatever is plugged in. After a power outage has taken place, walk through each room and check to ensure that appliances are in the ‘off’ position and/or unplugged from the wall.
[Tip: If you live in an area where power outages are especially common, it might be worth investing in a 12-volt battery and inverter combination. Most auto parts stores carry power inverters that can turn 12-volt DC power into 120-volt AC power for supplemental use by critical appliances.]
#4: Stay tuned in to local news outlets or radio transmissions for updates.
During a prolonged power outage, staying current on developments is critical to mitigating damage. Keep yourself apprised of the power outage status by opting into SMS text alerts from your local utility provider.
While it is possible for power outages to affect cellular transmission towers, this is very rare, which means you’re likely to still have a cell phone connection during an outage. Use your phone to stay abreast of what’s going on around you.
#5: Get ahead of water damage.
One of the more common sources of water damage caused by a power outage is thawed ice in the freezer. If you have no use for the ice as a way to keep your perishable food cool during the outage, dispose of it in some other way, so that it doesn’t melt and seep into the floor and walls.
If the power outage is accompanied by below-freezing weather, don’t forget to allow your faucets to slowly drip until the power is restored.
What to Do after an Outage
When power is restored, take stock of the condition of the area. Have there been any water leaks? Are all the appliances functioning normally again? Are there any lit candles that need to be extinguished?
And remember, if there is any damage that results from a power outage, know that your Littleton/Sheridan SERVPRO is here to help with the restoration.
Contact us today for an on-site evaluation and a no-obligation quote.
SERVPRO History
4/6/2018 (Permalink)
SERVPRO
History of SERVPRO
From a small beginning as a painting business in Sacramento, CA, in 1967, SERVPRO has become one of the most recognizable names in the restoration industry. Within two years, owners Ted and Doris Isaacson used their expertise in the cleaning and restoration to expand their business offerings. Soon afterwards, they began to offer franchises and grew steadily so that by 1979, SERVPRO had 175 locations.
SERVPRO grew exponentially after relocating its headquarters in 1988 to Gallatin, TN, about 30 miles outside of Nashville. The Isaacsons moved the company there so that its headquarters could be located within 600 miles of half of the population of the United States. Since that time, SERVPRO has nearly tripled its size with over 1,700 locally owned and operated franchises across the United States.
SERVPRO remains a family-owned company, with the Isaacson’s eldest child, Susan Steen, as the company’s chief executive officer. Steen is joined by family members Randall Isaacson and Rick Isaacson as president and executive vice president, respectively.
Staff & Training
As a national company, SERVPRO has resources at its disposal that smaller, local companies may not have. These resources include a national staff that can help local franchisees with support in various aspects of running a business, that include human resources personnel, business analyst, customer service representatives, Quickbooks specialists, national accounts coordinators, marketing data analysts, property claims adjusters and vendor coordinators.
Franchisees receive support and special training from the moment they become part of the company. The first step is a 15-day training program at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility in Tennessee. The basic course covers fire and water restoration, mold mitigation and carpet and upholstery cleaning. Franchise employees can also take the 15-day training course but also have a separate self-paced program for certification in fire and water restoration, carpet and upholstery cleaning and crew training.
What’s more, SERVPRO provides its employees with plenty of ongoing training that includes web-based, self-paced e-learning modules that include video presentations and support materials. The company also offers credit and noncredit courses that cover the latest knowledge and techniques in emergency mitigation. Topics include water and fire damage restoration, restorative drying, mitigation awareness response and mold mitigation and restoration.
In addition, SERVPRO partners with the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) to provide year-round training classes that certifies employees to work in the restoration field. Courses for applied structural drying occur in the company’s purpose-built ASD training facility.
Has Your Rental Property Been Affected?
3/8/2018 (Permalink)
Affected Wall
What Landlords and Property Managers Should Know
The number of houses and commercial buildings that are used for growing marijuana is increasing. As medical and recreational marijuana becomes legal in more states it also becomes legal to grow at home for certain people. Grow rooms are becoming more common & cause great damage and microbial growth if improperly built or operated.
How Can a Grow Operation Affect Your Property?
- Mold growth from inadequate ventilation causing high levels of humidity
- Incorrect wiring or overloaded circuits can result in a fire.
- Poor quality electrical work may lower resale value.
Structural Damage
- Holes for ventilation and electrical access
- Damaged duct system from plant sap and high levels of humidity
Don’t Become The Victim
Should cannabis related issues arise after the lease has been signed and if there was no clause prohibiting it, you’ll need to rely on an anti-drug or crime policy that hopefully was included in the lease. A breach of the lease could be cause for eviction if the tenant doesn’t
comply after getting a written notice. If you did not include such a clause, it will be difficult to enforce your wishes during the term of the lease.
SERVPRO
Call us at 303-576-6868
We provide results while minimizing the disruption to your business or home.
Call SERVPRO for any size job you have
4/23/2015 (Permalink)
From residential to commercial no job is too large for our cleanup specialists!
Certified Electronics Restoration Contractor
12/17/2014 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of West Littleton/Sheridan has recently completed training through ElectroClean and is now a certified electronics restoration contractor!
What does that mean for our customers? We’re glad you asked! It means we are now even more trained and equipped to provide cleaning and restoration services for damage incurred from water, lightning strikes, electrical surges, etc!
This particular certification is focused on electronics restoration and data recovery including:
- Electronic Inventory Controls
- State-of-the-art Electronic Data Base Platform
- Standardized Cleaning and Testing Technologies
- Each Item Tested Three Times Prior to Packaging
- Standardized Data Back-Up in 48 Hours or Less
- Standardized Job Management, Forms and Procedures
- Standardized Packing and Automated Detailed Packing Labels
- Customer Service Requirements and Network Standards
- A 92.7% Success Rate in Electronic Restoration
- Average Cost for Restoration 20.3% of Replacement
- Both Residential and Commercial Services Available
- Onsite Cleaning Available if Required and Requested
- Onsite Electronic Evaluation Reports from Lightning Strikes, Water Leaks or Electrical Surges
When disaster strikes your home or business, who ya gonna call?? SERVPRO of West Littleton/Sheridan!!! Our heroes are standing by, ready to roll and make it, "Like it never even happened." 303-593-1374
Newer Larger Air Scrubbers
7/8/2013 (Permalink)
NIKRO PS2009 Air Scrubber
Our New NIKRO PS2009 Air Scrubber is used for cleaning and controlling air quality and creating negative pressure in a larger work area than our existing air scrubbers. Air enters the unit and passes through three-stage filtration capturing smoke, fumes, mold spores, dust and particulate. Clean air is returned to the environment. This allows us to clean the air and fully mitigate water, mold and fire damage to your property. SERVPRO of West Littleton/Sheridan will use all the newest and best equipment to "make it like it never even happened" in Engewood, Littleton, Denver, Sheridan and Columbine Valley, CO.
24/7 Emergency Service
