How Does Water Damage Start? | SERVPRO of Cullman/Blount Counties

12/4/2023 (Permalink)

Don't let water damage linger in your home or business. Call SERVPRO of Cullman/Blount Counties today!

Water damage is always frustrating, but especially if the leak has been happening for some time and has traveled to multiple different areas of your home. As it leaks, it can compromise walls, floors and ceilings and the lingering moisture can start to impact your indoor air quality. 

Taking preventive steps toward reducing your risk of water damage can help your home stay cozy and dry year-round. 

Common Water Damage Reasons

Water is all around you all the time! It is constantly flowing through pipes behind your walls, out of faucets to wash your hands or is slowly freezing into those ice cubes that will eventually be chilling your evening drink. Because of that, the threat of water damage is always constant in your home. 

A busted dishwasher, loose water line connection or deteriorating seal can pose serious water troubles. Even appliances that rely on water to function can experience issues if water gets into electrical components and causes damage. 

Water damage isn’t just limited to home accidents either. Mother Nature can be brutal at times and introduce heavy rain and other precipitation that can sneak into our homes. A simple clogged gutter or tiny roof crack can invite water into your attic that leaks down your walls. 

Can I Stop Water Damage From Occurring?

While you can’t completely prevent water damage from occurring, you can take steps within your own home to reduce your risk significantly. Create a routine maintenance plan that includes checking your pipes, seals and water lines from time to time. 

Catching a seal that is about to pop or a connection that has loosened more than it should have can help you avoid water disasters, and the routine maintenance can help protect the longevity of the equipment in your home. 

Check for water spots or moisture behind and beneath your appliances from time to time and run your hands along your window panes after storms to catch any new or emerging leaks. 

If you start to smell a musty or earthy odor, follow your nose and don’t stop looking until you find the mold infestation. Chances are that there is also a water leak somewhere that needs to be addressed. 

An ounce of prevention is worth it when it comes to avoiding serious water damage situations, but we are here for you if you ever do suffer a water disaster. Our team will dry up your space, tackle repairs and ensure your property is restored to your satisfaction as fast as possible. 

You deserve a faster restoration after suffering water damage. Call SERVPRO of Cullman/Blount Counties today.

Kitchen Fire? You Should Know What to Do | SERVPRO of Cullman/Blount Counties

12/4/2023 (Permalink)

Fire damage can devastate your home. SERVPRO of Cullman/Blount Counties is here to help clean up the mess once the flames are out.

Are you a self-appointed chef or do you spend as little time in the kitchen as possible? No matter how advanced your cooking skills are, we all need to eat. The risk of suffering from a house fire is always present, but it does increase when you are actively using heat in the kitchen to make your food. 

A single kitchen mishap could lead to serious structural damage not only in your kitchen but throughout your entire house! Knowing what to do to reduce your risk of starting a kitchen fire is essential to your safety. 

Kitchen Tips

The first thing you should always do while you are cooking is stay close by your pan or in the kitchen while you are making your food. Even just stepping away for a moment to take a call or check on something is enough time for a grease bubble to pop or a kitchen towel to catch fire after it was placed too close to a burner.

If you don’t already have a fire extinguisher located in your kitchen, now is a good time to either purchase one or move yours into an accessible location in your kitchen. Everyone in your family should know where it is and how to use it. 

Stopping a Fire From Spreading
If a fire flares up while you are close by, you can take action immediately. Throw a lid on top of a burning pan or use your fire extinguisher to smother the flames. Remember, you should never use water on a grease fire, as it can make the situation much worse. 

If the fire starts in your oven, do not open the oven door. Simply turn off the oven and keep the door shut until the fire has consumed all of the available oxygen and burns out.

Taking control of small fires is one thing, but if the fire ever gets out of hand or grows to a size that you are not comfortable fighting, you are always encouraged to back away and get out of your home as quickly as possible. House fires can consume entire homes in minutes, so get out and stay out while you call 911. 

SERVPRO’s Fire Damage Restoration 

No matter how large or destructive the fire got, suffering a house fire is always an emotional and frustrating experience. Fires almost always cause some level of damage, and it can be overwhelming to think about where to start.

Call SERVPRO of Cullman/Blount Counties as soon as the fire has been put out. We will arrive quickly to remove damaged debris, address smoke odors and tackle repairs. We can even tear down damaged walls or sections of your home and rebuild them to your complete satisfaction. Let us help you recover faster and more thoroughly after a house fire.

Don’t delay. Call SERVPRO of Cullman/Blount Counties for immediate assistance after a house fire. 

Is Your Business Ready for Disaster? | SERVPRO of Cullman/Blount Counties

12/4/2023 (Permalink)

Our team at SERVPRO of Cullman/Blount Counties is ready to help you get an ERP ready for 2024, and beyond!

As business owners ourselves, we fully understand the importance of planning for disaster. After all, we are a trusted expert when it comes to overcoming disasters, so we uniquely understand how unexpected and frustrating they can be.

Having a plan in place for a variety of different scenarios can help you stay in control and help you avoid permanent closures. You love your business, and we do, too! This is why our commercial services team can help you develop an Emergency Ready Plan. 

Building an Emergency Ready Plan 

You may be able to plan for minor emergencies on your own, but serious situations like warehouse fires, large floods or storm emergencies can quickly create chaotic environments that become dangerous for everyone under your roof. Having a SERVPRO® Emergency Ready Plan for your business will ensure everyone understands what to do and how to act during various different situations.

Did you know that about a quarter of all businesses in the United States that suffer a disaster don’t reopen? That’s a lot of failed businesses, simply due to an insurmountable disaster situation. We don’t want that to happen to you! Having a plan for the unexpected will make sure you stay in control of your future no matter how destructive the disaster is.

What Does the Plan Entail? 

We first send one of our team members out to your property to do a no-cost assessment of your building. We will walk around the entire space to assess the different threats and emergency scenarios that your building could experience and we tailor our plans based on the kind of work you do, the materials you have onsite and the varying level of danger that is possible. For example, an emergency plan for a small storefront will be much different than for a large warehouse that deals with chemicals or fire.

Your plan will include things like emergency exit routes, fire extinguisher locations, a reliable communication strategy and even suggestions for things to do before the emergency even occurs.  We will identify secure places to store important documents, different ways to prepare go-bags for your employees to grab in an emergency, and we can even help you develop a plan to help navigate remote work while any repairs are taking place.  

Our Restoration Services
We will work hard to help develop a reliable and thorough Emergency Ready Plan, but that doesn’t mean that your business is immune to disaster. We all know that Mother Nature is unpredictable and the unexpected can happen at any time.

If your business does suffer from some sort of disaster, utilize your Emergency Ready Plan to stay on task and then get us on the phone so we can handle your entire recovery from start to finish. No disaster situation is too large or too destructive for us to handle, so call us for the most reliable and efficient restoration possible. 

SERVPRO of Cullman/Blount Counties can help you stay open for business. Learn more about our Emergency Ready Plan today.  

The Damaging Power of Southern Storms | SERVPRO of Cullman/Blount Counties

12/4/2023 (Permalink)

Don't let storm damage ruin your Alabama home or business, call SERVPRO of Cullman/Blount Counties to help restore your space.

We know all about severe weather here in the Cullman area. Hot and muggy summers can lead to serious storms in the afternoon and evening, and we even see our fair share of tornado watches and warnings.

Mother Nature is powerful, and while we can all do our best to stay safe and avoid home damage, wind, rain and hail can cause serious issues for your home. Knowing the different threats during a storm can help you control the situation and recover faster.

The Dangers of Wind 

A soft and gentle breeze on a warm summer’s day can feel amazing, but that can quickly turn south as the wind picks up and a storm rolls into town. Summer storms can range from mild situations to serious emergencies, and a lot of that has to do with the wind speeds that accompany each storm. 

Moderate wind speeds of around 30 to 40 miles per hour can certainly blow things around in your yard and toss about debris, but winds up to 70 miles per hour or more can cause serious damage to your property. Straight-line winds can topple trees, overturn cars and throw heavy objects into your house. 

The Dangers of Rain

Rain can fall fast and hard during a thunderstorm, and it can easily overwhelm our gutter systems if they are clogged or if they aren’t set up to move water away from your home. If water starts to pour over the side of your house or falls down around your foundation, you could easily wind up with standing water in your basement or with rain that is leaking down your walls.

Rain can also infiltrate your attic if there is a small gap or crack in your roof line. Once water has made its way inside, it can leak and seep into virtually every area of your home and can cause serious structural issues or even mold growth.

The Dangers of Hail
Hail can be incredibly destructive depending on how large it gets. The bigger the hail size, the higher the chance that you will suffer from broken windows, dented roof vents and shingle damage. Your car may even be dented so badly that it becomes totaled. If hail breaks windows or infiltrates your home, you could also wind up with water damage as the hail melts or rain comes pouring in. 

All of that can combine to create some serious storm damage in your home. SERVPRO of Cullman/Blount Counties is here to help. We can dry out your home, address repairs quickly and work alongside your insurance company to make sure your claim is processed accurately. 

We can help you overcome storm damage. Call SERVPRO of Cullman/Blount Counties 24/7.

Mold & Mildew: What's The Difference?

1/19/2023 (Permalink)

The thought of finding mold in your home or business can be quite frightening, especially when you’re unsure how to get rid of it. Mildew and molds are fungi - simple microscopic organisms that thrive anywhere there is a moist environment. This will make it difficult to be able to get rid of it on your own.

Mildew (which is mold in early stage) and molds grow on wood, ceiling tiles, cardboard, wallpaper, carpets, drywall, fabric, plants, foods, insulation, decaying leaves and other organic materials. Mold growths (also known as "colonies") can start growing on a damp surface within 24 to 48 hours. They reproduce by spores - tiny, lightweight “seeds”- that travel through the air.

 Mold can digest organic material, eventually destroying the material that they are growing on, and then spread to destroy adjacent organic material. In addition to the damage molds can cause in your home, they can also cause mild to severe health effects if left untreated.

If you or someone you know has discovered growth in their home or business, give us a call! We are always here to help. 

Uninvited Guest

7/22/2022 (Permalink)

Imagine going on a trip of a lifetime for a week only to come home to find your furniture
floating in water. When you left, everything was in its proper place and all areas were clean.
Three days into your trip, an unwanted guest shows up…a broken toilet supply line. The next
two days he feels the freedom to eat your snacks, drink your tea, sit on all the furniture, and
sleep on your beds. This is no way to end a vacation. SERVPRO has water mitigation experts
standing by 24/7/365, ready to evict this type of guest. We have the appropriate equipment to
extract all of that water and dry all your things so you can restore your home to the peaceful
place it was before you left. Our team is certified in water mitigation. The standards we use
are adopted industry-wide by all the major insurance companies. We know what's expected
and what is needed to get the job done. So, when an uninvited guest shows up at your
house, call SERVPRO of Cullman, the eviction team that's “Faster To Any Sized Disaster”.

Hope in Tragedy

7/22/2022 (Permalink)

As humans, we experience tragedy and loss on a daily basis. We watch as those around us
deal with some sort of catastrophe. As much as we are there for someone for their loss,
nothing ever quite prepares us for when WE are the ones experiencing it. A fire brings
warmth and comfort, but when not controlled it brings chaos, danger and even damage. One
minute you're sitting around the table with family and the next you're literally watching all the
memories you've cherished over the years be covered with smoke and soot. Thankfully, this
doesn't have to be how the story ends. At SERVPRO, while we deal with people during their
most trying times, we have a unique opportunity to step in when needed and bring what was
thought to be “dead”, back to life. Our company has unique ways of cleaning what would
typically be seen as impossible to clean. From the wide range of SERVPRO made products and
a skilled and trained staff, we are poised to help you in your time of need. We take pride in
salvaging what some would deem as impossible to clean or save. As the premiere fire
remediation company, we are ready to serve you, whatever the damage. Not all heroes wear
capes, ours just happen to wear green.

Time is of the Essence

7/22/2022 (Permalink)

In business, you always have to have a plan. You plan budgets, you plan schedules, you plan
responsibilities for your workers, and the list goes on and on. What happens, though, when
things don't go according to your plan? You receive a call at 6 am when the janitor shows up
and water is pouring in through the roof and flooding area after area of your business. We
know in business, time is of the essence and as the old saying goes, “time is money”. That's
why at SERVPRO of Cullman, we are “Ready for Whatever Happens”. While you may not have
planned for that roof leak, rest assured that we have a plan already in place that will help your
business get back up on its feet and you back to work. Our trained and dedicated staff are
standby 24/7/365 just in case you need us. So when that unexpected disaster strikes, call on
SERVPRO of Cullman to issue the counterstrike you need to be back in business.

Ready Plan

7/22/2022 (Permalink)

When it comes to disasters, I'm as guilty as the next when it comes to passing it off as
something that happens to everyone else. I go about my everyday life feeling as though I'm
bullet proof. And then BAM! The next thing I know life dealt me a blindsided left hook that I
wasn't expecting. In our lives, there are things we can do to build inner strength to help
minimize the damage such a left hook could leave. We turn to our foundations in our faith, we
turn to family, and we turn to those relationships we've cultivated for years to walk with us
through those times. Now, how does that template fit on your biggest asset, your business.
No one ever plans to wake up and find that their business is under water from a busted
supply line. No one goes to bed wondering, “is this the night a fire starts in my warehouse?”.
That's where SERVPRO of Cullman comes in. We can give you a foundational tool that can
specifically help in such a time as mentioned above. We have an Emergency Ready Plan
that is customizable to your specific needs in order to minimize the damage of that
unexpected catastrophe. All of your emergency shutoffs and contacts all at your fingertips
that can be accessed in seconds. It's inevitable that life is going deal unexpected blows, but
that doesn't mean you can't have a plan in place to counter it's devastating punch. Contact
your SERVPRO of Cullman rep today and find out how you can get this free resource delivered
to the palm of your hand.

Commercial ERP

6/29/2022 (Permalink)

Years ago, SERVPRO began to research the affects that a major fire or water loss can have on a
commercial business. The numbers found were staggering. It is estimated that over 50% of
businesses that sustain a major fire or flood lose so much revenue during shutdown that they
don't have the finances to reopen, and that's with loss of revenue insurance. What if I told
you that your local SERVPRO had a way to help you be ready PRIOR to such an event. Your
dedicated SERVPRO rep can build a profile of your business that helps identify and locate all
your major shutoff valves, whether that be an electric panel, a water main, or even a sprinkler
system. By knowing where to find these, when that even occurs, you can quickly shut down
the source and minimize the damage to your commercial business. The cherry on top to all of
this is that it's all in the palm of your hand in your phone whenever you need it on the SERVPRO
Ready App. This app will have all your basic property info, locations and pictures of all your
major shutoffs, as well as any significant contacts you may need in such a crisis. Now,
instead of relying on memory, you have all the key info right in your hip pocket. Contact your
local SERVPRO of Cullman rep today and let him have you disaster ready!