Don’t let a frozen pipe burst your cozy bubble

12/21/2022 (Permalink)

Cold weather is on the way. Are your pipes at risk of freezing?  Let SERVPRO help you get prepared with our checklist of preventative measures. 

• Insulate pipes located in the attic and crawl space using pipe insulation, even if the climate where you live does not often have hard freeze conditions. You can also wrap pipes in heat tape or heat cables with thermostat control. The best pipe insulation for your situation will depend on your home.

• Drain water from the swimming pool and water sprinkler supply lines following manufacturer's or installer's directions. Do not put antifreeze in these lines unless directed. Antifreeze is environmentally harmful and is dangerous to humans, pets, wildlife, and landscaping.
• Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor faucets. Even frost-proof outdoor faucets can burst if a hose is connected.
• Keep garage doors closed, especially if there are water supply lines in the garage.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing, especially if your sinks are on an exterior wall. (If you have small children, be sure to remove any harmful cleaners and household chemicals.)

• Let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. When the weather is very cold outside, running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.

• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.

• Leave the heat on in your home.  If you will be going away during cold weather, set the thermostat to a temperature no lower than 55° F.

If your pipes do undergo damage this winter, we are open 24/7, 365 days a year!  Even though pipes bursting can be extremely inconvenient and devastating, SERVPRO of West Knoxville will be there to help you through it and to make it "Like it never even happened."

Why You Should Call a Water Cleanup Expert After a Loss

12/5/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage can occur anywhere in your home.

Should I Call a Water Cleanup Company After a Loss?

Have you ever wondered what to do after a water loss? Have you heard that it's better to hire a professional to handle the cleanup than do it yourself? You're not alone. The truth is, most people don't know what they should do when faced with water damage or flooding in their home. And while some may think that hiring a company to clean up after an accident or natural disaster isn't worth the money, there are actually several reasons why hiring professionals is always the right choice.

What is Water Damage?

Water damage is a broad term that encompasses many different types of water-related problems. Water damage can be caused by a number of different things, including plumbing leaks, flooding, and burst pipes. In addition to these common causes of water damage, there are other situations in which water damage may occur due to severe weather conditions such as hurricanes or tornadoes.

Water damage can occur anywhere in your home. Whether it comes from a burst pipe or a burst water heater, the issue will likely spread quickly and cause more damage than you'd expect. Water can ruin everything in its path, including flooring, drywall, and furniture; any of these items could be irreparably damaged if not dried out promptly after the initial incident occurs. If left too long without proper cleaning efforts, mold growth may also become an issue—and that's when things really start to get expensive!

Can I Handle Water Cleanup Myself?

When you're in the middle of a water loss and trying to figure out what steps to take next, it can be tempting to try and handle cleanup yourself. Water cleanup is a serious business, however, and requires special expertise that most people don't have.

Water cleanup experts usually have years of experience with this kind of work; they're able to deal with all sorts of situations, from floods caused by broken pipes or burst water heaters, to mudslides after heavy rainstorms or even sewage backup into homes after a sewer main break. They understand how dangerous mold can be—and they know how to prevent mold growth while they work on cleaning up your property. Most importantly: They use state-of-the-art equipment designed specifically for this purpose!

They know what works best in each scenario, which means they can restore your home more quickly than if you were to do it yourself. As an added bonus, this will also help prevent further damage from occurring (say goodbye to mold!). The cost of hiring a professional is often much less than trying to do it yourself and failing. If you have a homeowners insurance, your insurance company will usually pay for the cost of mitigation and repairs.

What Does Professional Water Cleanup involve?

Once you call SERVPRO of Oak Ridge, one of our trained technicians will be on-site to begin the water cleanup process. We will remove all standing water and then begin drying, dehumidifying and restoring all affected areas. In order to ensure that your home is restored to its preloss condition, we follow national standards for water damage restoration which include:

• Removing wet carpeting, pad and tack strips
• Drywall repair (if needed)
• Structural repairs (if needed)
• Contents repairs (if needed)

We hope this article has helped you understand the need for water cleanup services and what they involve. If you have experienced water damage in your Clinton, TN home or business, call our SERVPRO of Oak Ridge team now to get help with the cleanup process.

How Can You Protect Your Home from Water Damage

11/1/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage to ceiling in an Oak Ridge, TN home.

Prevent Water Damage Issues In Your Home

Water damage is one of the most destructive elements a home can face. From flooding to leaks, water damage can be devastating and expensive to repair. That's why it's so important to know how you can protect your home from water damage. In this article, we'll go over some simple steps that you can take in order to prevent water issues in your house. We'll also discuss what exactly causes water damage so that you know how best to prevent it from happening again in the future.

Watch out for signs of leaks in your plumbing

When you're looking for signs of water damage in your home, start with the plumbing. If you see discoloration or wet spots on the walls or ceilings, it's possible that a pipe has burst. There are other signs that may indicate a leak: water stains or greasy residue from standing water could mean you have a leaking dishwasher or washing machine.

If you suspect that leaks have occurred in your home, contact us right away so we can help you take action before the damage gets worse!

Do not ignore dripping sounds or leaking water in appliances.

Another way to protect your home from water damage is to pay attention to dripping sounds or leaking water in appliances. You may think that these are minor problems, but they can turn into significant issues if left unchecked for too long. For example, a small leaky faucet can lead to major structural issues if not addressed quickly and properly.

Look for water damage under sinks.

You should look for signs that the cabinets are wet and check to see if there's any mold on the wall where the cabinet meets it. If so, you'll need to have a plumber come out and fix the leak. If you see an obstruction in your drainpipe or water stains around it, then call a plumber right away!

Check the walls and baseboards.

Once you've inspected the ceiling and floor, it's time to examine the walls. Check for water stains on walls, especially near windows and doors. If a leak has occurred in any of these areas, there will likely be some damage to the surrounding drywall or baseboards that could be hiding behind them.

Look for water stains on ceilings.

Water stains on ceilings are a sure sign of a leak somewhere in your home. They can be caused by roof leaks, plumbing leaks or even foundation issues, so it's important to check for all three types of leaks if you notice any water damage on your ceiling.

If you've noticed water stains on your ceiling, first make sure that there aren't any obvious sources of water located above the area where the stain appears. If there isn't anything obviously leaking above where the stain is located (like an air conditioning unit), then you might have a problem with one of the following:

• Your roof has developed some damage and needs repair work done to fix it
• There are cracks or holes in pipes inside walls that lead to outside drainpipes which might be letting rain seep into them

Inspect your home after heavy rains or snowstorms.

After a heavy rain, it is important to check the gutters and downspouts for debris that might be blocking water flow. Look at exterior walls and windows for any signs of water damage or leaks, especially along flashing around doors and windows. Check roof for leaking shingles or tiles, which can cause water damage inside the house if left unattended. If you have a sump pump installed in your basement, make sure it is functioning properly to prevent flooding by taking note of any excess water buildup around it after heavy rains.

With proper maintenance and attention to the signs of water damage in your Oak Ridge, TN home, you can protect yourself from the destructive forces of water. It is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to protecting your home from water damage. If your home or business suffers from water damage, our SERVPRO of Oak Ridge team is here to help!

How To Properly Treat A Burn

10/10/2022 (Permalink)

Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage.

Basic Tips for Dealing With Burns

If you've ever had a bad burn, you know that it's more than just an inconvenience. If the skin is broken, it can become infected and lead to serious complications. Knowing how to treat burns quickly and correctly can mean the difference between minor irritation and major injury. So here are some basic tips for dealing with burns:

Cool down the burn.

Cool the burn. If you have a first-aid kit at home, it will probably have an ice pack or another method of cooling the burn. If you don't have one, cool water works fine. Use cool water on any burn; do not use ice or butter or grease—these can cause injury by freezing the skin or trapping heat in the area and can irritate your skin. Also avoid using lotion or ointment on a first-degree burn because these will trap heat and make your burn worse.

Remove jewelry and tight clothing

Remove jewelry and any tight clothing that might be near the burn. These things can easily cause irritation to the affected area and even increase the damage done on your skin. Remember to not apply any heat to the burn as it could increase damage to the tissue and delay healing.

Cover the burn

Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment around the burn. If you do not have antibiotic ointment, apply Vaseline instead. Do not use lotions or creams because they may trap heat inside the wound and cause more damage than good.

Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage. Sterile gauze can be found in any hospital or medical supply store.  Do not use fluffy cotton balls, as the cotton can easily get stuck and trapped in the wound.

Leave the dressing on until pain is gone. It is common to see blisters formed after a burn. Don't cover with a plastic bag! The bag will trap moisture from your skin underneath it, which will further damage your skin and increase the risk of infection.

Seek medical treatment

After suffering a major burn on your skin, it is important that you seek medical treatment as soon as possible so that any damage done by the burn can be treated properly. The main goal of treatment is to prevent further damage to your skin and help it heal more quickly so that scarring will not occur.

Burns can be scary, but with the right treatment, you can quickly get your burn healed and back on your feet. Skin burns are very common in everyday life and can occur due to a variety of reasons. They can be caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, or radiation. Burns can also be caused by exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet rays. Skin burns are usually minor and are not life-threatening, but they can cause serious injury if not treated properly. If you have suffered a minor burn on your skin, follow the steps above to aid the healing process. If you are ever involved in a fire or any other situation where you feel your skin has been exposed to extreme heat, please seek medical attention immediately.

3 Key Steps To Preventing Moisture Damage

8/30/2022 (Permalink)

Mold cleanup is important to understand.

Preventing Moisture Damage in Three Easy Steps

Dealing with the issues that arise from an abundance of moisture in a commercial building in Claxton, TN, can easily become overwhelming. The best way to avoid any moisture damage is of course to avoid moisture; however, that is not always possible. Black mold and other spore growth can cause immense amounts of structural harm. Should the situation arise where there is excessive moisture exposure, the following three steps can be instrumental in preventing structural damage.

1. Locate the Source of Damage

First and foremost, it is essential to determine where the damage is coming from. If black mold is noticeable, did it come from a one-time event or is it from a recurring issue? Was there a flood or major snowmelt? Is there a pipe leaking somewhere in the building? Is there a clogged or unmaintained sewage system that could be leading to the moisture problem?

It is also possible for mold spores to be transferred through airflow. Did the spores found originate there or were they transferred through an HVAC system? Knowing what is causing the mold to form is essential to moving on to an eventual resolution.

2. Fix the Problem

Once the source that is causing the moisture problem has been discovered, remediation specialists can help determine how to best prevent this issue from recurring. Whether it is better preparation for a natural disaster or an improvement to a ventilation system, specialists can come up with a solution to keep excessive mold from gathering in your space.

3. Remove the Mold

Mold cleanup is important to understand. Since mold spores are always present in the environment, they can never be completely removed from an area. Getting the space back to a natural level should be the focus of the professionals removing the mold. Remediation of excessive spore growth can return your building to a functioning environment.

After the source of the damage has been determined and the underlying problem has been fixed, removing the black mold is essential to avoid any major structural damage to your building in Claxton, TN.

Why Do Faucets Leak?

8/23/2022 (Permalink)

Fixing a leaking faucet is usually easy to do.

Have you ever been lying in bed trying to fall asleep, but your bathroom faucet won't stop making a loud, constant, dripping sound? Dealing with leaky faucets in Oliver Springs, TN, isn't just annoying; it can actually waste a lot of water. Before you try to fix it, you need to understand what causes a leaking faucet in the first place.

Type of Faucet

Different kinds of faucets can have different problems, and the procedures for fixing them vary. You'll need to know what type you have before you can address the issue. The most common types are:

• Compression faucets
• Ball faucets
• Cartridge faucets
• Ceramic-disk faucets
  
  

Water Pressure
If your water pressure is too high, it can cause small leaks, resulting in a dripping faucet. If left unchecked, you may have to call a water damage restoration service to repair the damage.

Worn-Out O Ring
An O ring is used to hold the handle in place. It can wear out with regular use and cause leaks. This part can be easily replaced to fix your leaking faucet.

Valve Seat Problems
A valve seat is the name of the part that connects the spout to the faucet. Over time, these may become rusty or corroded. This will result in a dripping faucet. All you have to do is get it cleaned, and you'll have a fixed leak.

Worn-Out Washer
The washer may wear out as it rubs against the valve seat. This hinders the washer's ability to remain water-tight, allowing drips. This part can be replaced to repair the problem.

Loose Parts
Sometimes, parts become loose over time. If this is the problem, tightening the nut in the stream screw should fix it.
Checking the water pressure, O ring, valve seat, washer and nut in the stream screw will help you diagnose the problem. After you know the cause, fixing a leaking faucet is usually easy to do.

SERVPRO of Oak Ridge Shares Tips for Fire Safety!

8/18/2022 (Permalink)

Ensuring your kid's safety in the event of a fire is a top priority.

Fire Safety

For a parent in an Clinton, TN home, ensuring your kid's safety in the event of a fire is a top priority. This is why it's essential to include them in your fire escape plans. While your plan may consist of essential things such as the location of a fire extinguisher or the number of a fire damage restoration company, you may also want to include fire safety lessons for your young ones. Here are three things you may want to teach them so that they know what to do during an emergency.

1. Where Are the Exits

During a home fire, it's essential to know where the exits are in case of a fire. Teach your children how to open an emergency window, or how to tell which door out is the safest. It might help to make a game out of learning possible escape routes.

2. How To Escape Safely

You may also want to teach your kids safety techniques for getting out of the home during an emergency. Teach them to crawl under the smoke, and also to test for heat from a door before opening it. Teach them to press the back of the hand to the door to feel for warmth, and if it's not hot, open slowly and check to make sure the way is clear.

3. Where To Meet Up

Another thing every member of your family should know is where to meet up after a fire. You will want to choose a location safely away from the home that every family member can easily find. This may be a mail box or a neighbor's yard. During your fire drills practice getting there as the end goal.

When ensuring your kid's safety in a fire escape plan, you may want to teach them these three things. How to get out of the home in the event of a fire, how to do so safely, and where to go afterward. Doing so can help ensure that every member of your family knows what to do during an emergency.

The ABCs of a Home Fire Extinguisher

7/27/2022 (Permalink)

Don't choose an extinguisher that is too heavy to lift.

Homeowners should own a number of critical devices for fire protection and preparedness. Fire alarms in every sleeping room and on every level are a must. It's also important to regularly check that they are functioning and that the batteries still work. A fire extinguisher in the home is also a necessary tool. Equally important is to know how to use the implement and to understand what type of fire it will work on. The extinguisher should be placed in an easy-to-reach place and in proximity to a potential fire zone, such as the kitchen or near a wood-burning stove. In the best of worlds, your home in Oak Ridge, TN, will be equipped with multiple extinguishers, including at least one on every floor.

What Type of Fire Extinguisher

Remember, a home extinguisher is primarily to put out fires quickly. It can prevent a small home fire from engulfing your entire home. When looking for the perfect model for your home, consider these factors:

• Is it the right size for the user?
• Is it rechargeable or disposable after one use?
• Will it put out all types of fires, including an electrical fire?
• How effective will it be?
  
  

Knowing the answers to these questions increases your fire preparedness. Don't choose an extinguisher that is too heavy to lift. Understand what the A, B and C labels refer to: A is for wood, paper and cloth fires; B is for flammable liquids such as cooking oil or gasoline; C is for a live electrical fire.

How To Operate
The acronym PASS is helpful when you have to suddenly operate a fire extinguisher. First, you Pull the pin, next you Aim the chemical at the source of the flames, then you Squeeze the trigger and finally, you Sweep the extinguisher at the flames until it runs dry. When the fire is out, be sure to call in a fire remediation team in Oak Ridge, TN, to begin a professional fire cleanup.

What to Do if Water Floods into the Furnace

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

Inspect your air ducts.

What to Do if Water Floods into the Furnace

Flooding in your office can present some serious problems. The costs to repair the damage can be steep. Plus, you may experience a business interruption. A furnace flood is common where there are water issues in the workplace. If this happens, the HVAC system can fail. It's important to quickly address this emergency so you can reduce the risk of additional damages. 

1. Don't Touch the Appliance 
When water comes into contact with an appliance, safety is your chief concern. There is risk of shock or even electrocution with a flooded furnace. Do not try to turn off or on the furnace. Let a professional assess the damage. In fact, it's wise to turn off the electricity to your facility. 

2. Call an HVAC Specialist
A professional heating and ventilation technician should inspect the appliance after a furnace flood. The technician will review the extent of the damage and diagnose how to repair it or whether to replace it. You will want to call an HVAC professional as soon as possible after the incident. Waiting too long will lead to more expensive repairs and possibly replacing the entire HVAC system. 

3. Do Air Duct Cleaning
If the furnace has flooded, you will also want to inspect the air ducts. Water in the furnace means there is also likely water in the ducts. Failure to clean them could cause mold to form. If this happens, the air quality in your office could become unhealthy. An HVAC specialist will clean the ducts and replace them if necessary. You will want a professional water damage restoration team to repair or replace the furnace and air ducts before using the air conditioning or heating systems in the building.
The safety and well-being of your employees are vital. If there is a furnace flood in your office, follow these steps. 

3 Questions You May Have About the SERVPRO 24 Hour Response

7/20/2022 (Permalink)

24/7 Emergency Services

SERVPRO 24 Hour Response

One of the most important SERVPRO features is the 24-hour response to any case. No matter the situation in your Marlow, TN, business, a response team is always open for you. Still, you may have questions about this approach, from the specific procedures to its importance in damage repair. Learn more about it from the following responses. 

1. What is the SERVPRO Response?
Commercial disasters can happen at any time, regardless of preparation. This reason is why SERVPRO is available on a 24/7 basis. Once you call, they can contact you back within the first hour. Due to the company's various locations throughout the country, you can expect a commercial restoration team within four hours from the call. Once the situation is assessed, you might receive a verbal briefing up to eight hours from your report. 

2. Why Is the Fast Response Important?
Commercial damage can affect your property at a fast rate. The 24-hour period alone can severely alter your building and your equipment. For example, an excess of water can spread throughout the area and be absorbed by the floors and walls within minutes. Furniture can bleed its finish while vulnerable paper items can warp and swell immediately. Within a single day, the drywall and furniture might expand and crack, while anything made of metal could start to tarnish. You might smell odors around this time. 

3. What Are the Consequences of Delayed Response? 
A late response that goes beyond a day can worsen the situation. Metal surfaces might start to corrode, while wooden items and surfaces can swell and warp. The extended time and humidity might also encourage the growth and spread of mold and mildew. After a week, the building can become dangerous for occupants and the expenses for repairs and replacements might significantly increase. 
While a 24-hour period may be a relatively brief amount of time, it is long enough for commercial damage to escalate. SERVPRO is always available 24/7 to promptly investigate and treat damage at any point.