Plan and Protect Your House From Fire | SERVPRO of Geauga County

11/1/2024 (Permalink)

When the smoke clears from your home, call SERVPRO of Geauga County to help restore your family’s home faster!

Our homes are our sanctuaries and our safe places. We want to know that when we are home we can let our guards down and find complete rest. The last thing we want to think about is the homes we love going up in flames. 

House fires are very common, though, and when you are unprepared for the possibility of fire, it can end in a major tragedy. Thankfully, it doesn’t take a lot to get prepared. With a plan and some protective action, you can get back to relaxing in your little piece of heaven. 

Plan

Did you know that when a fire begins to spread through your home, you may have less than two minutes to get out before all routes become blocked? Fires move fast, which means every member of your family needs to know how to safely and quickly get out on their own, or with as little help as possible. 

Create a plan with your entire family, and practice it regularly. Your plan should include an evacuation route from every room of your home. 

Challenge your kids to find the safest and fastest way out of their bedrooms by setting a timer and letting them race it out. Choose a safe location for everyone to meet outside of your home. Play with the kids at this spot so that it becomes a comfortable and common place for them to go. 

Make sure you talk with the kids about alternate routes like windows if they can’t get out of a doorway. They need to know how to unlock and open them on their own if they are old enough, but they also need to understand the dangers involved so they don’t have an accident. Windows should be a last resort exit only. 

Practice your plan monthly. When you do, use your smoke detectors to start your evacuation plan. It is important for your family to know what they sound like to help lower the fear factor and ensure they can respond appropriately if a disaster strikes.  

Protect 

A plan is crucial for your families safety because fires can happen completely out of the blue and can move so quickly. When you know your family can get themselves to a safe place during a fire, it can bring you a lot of peace, but you shouldn’t stop there. Take steps to protect your home from fire, too. 

Put enough smoke detectors in your home to alert your family wherever they are. You should have one on every level of your home and outside of every sleeping area. Check them monthly, too—only working smoke alarms save life. 

A lot of protection comes from simply staying close to potential risks. That means staying in the kitchen when you cook, staying in the room when you use a space heater, and blowing candles out when you walk away from them or switching to flameless candles only. The more you can add fire safety to your thinking, the safer you can keep your home. 

Make a plan and add protection to your daily lives. You can rest easy knowing your sanctuary is safe. 

Do you have fire, smoke or soot damage in your home? Contact us to get things cleaned up fast.

Protection From All the Storms | SERVPRO of Geauga County

7/1/2024 (Permalink)

Has your home been hit by a recent summer storm? Call SERVPRO of Geauga County for your storm damage repair and restoration needs.

If you were going to choose a peaceful noise to help you fall asleep, would you go with the sound of a thunderstorm? When it comes to stormy weather, people tend to either love or hate it. No matter which camp you fall into, when storms get severe, we are all at risk for damage. 

Our weather can bring us anything from blizzards in the winter to tornadoes in the summer. With such volatile weather almost always a possibility, it is crucial to do everything we can to keep our homes and our families protected. 

With some simple action steps around your house, you can be protected from all the storms. 

Home Maintenance

Preparing your home for storms can be as simple as tackling some regular maintenance inside and outside. Just about every storm—including thunderstorms, rainstorms and tornadoes—will include potentially strong winds and drenching rain. That makes your yard and your roof the best places to start when it comes to protecting your house. 

Twice a year and after any strong wind event, spend time checking your roof.  Repair loose shingles, and make sure the flashing around your chimney is well-sealed. Check for soft spots that could be indicators of water damage. While you are investigating your roof, make sure your gutter system is in good shape. Keep them clear of debris and reattach anything that comes loose. 

Trim trees and shrubs regularly, and pick up sticks in your yard on a regular basis. If you have tall trees, consider having them professionally trimmed every five to 10 years to keep your home protected from the possibility of fallen limbs. A professional can also assess the health of a tree and advise on the need for a total removal. 

Home Upgrades 

While protecting your home doesn’t have to cost you anything but time, there are some upgrades you may want to consider to keep things as safe as possible. These range from some pretty simple and affordable upgrades to a few financial investments that will last the life of your property. 

Updating the seals on your windows and doors is a great way to not only keep moisture out, but to also keep your home strong when winds are high. Check the caulking and replace it when it shows signs of aging, and make sure there are no gaps or cracks. Weather stripping is an inexpensive way to keep things tightly sealed. 

If your windows are more than 10 years old, it may be in your best interest to replace them altogether. Consider going with windows that are rated for strong winds and adding storm shutters. This will offer your home the most security during a thunderstorm or tornado as you can quickly close shutters and move to a sheltered location. 

When you take the time to protect your home, you can rest a little easier when severe weather is predicted. Take steps to prepare ahead of a storm, and you could even find yourself switching to the “love storms” camp before you know it.

Do you have storm damage you need cleaned up? Contact us day or night.

Water Damage Prevention, Inside and Out | SERVPRO of Geauga County

3/25/2024 (Permalink)

When you find water damage in your home, call SERVPRO of Geauga County to help restore your space to preloss conditions!

Water damage is one of the top ways that homes are damaged across the nation. It can come into your home fast and furious from a flood, or drip silently into your walls and floors from a hole the size of a pinhead in one of your pipes. 

There is no doubt that we require a great deal of water to run our lives. We want water to be on demand, but when it tries to take over, it can be devastating to our homes and our lives. The good news is that we can take quite a few steps to keep our homes prepared for water Mother Nature or anything else brings. 

Prepared on the Outside

In order to stay safe from floods, heavy rains and other storms, we need to prepare the outside of our homes. Stopping water before it can ever do damage is the best way to prevent the need for costly repairs, and your yard can be a great first line of defense. 

Rain and floodwater need to be encouraged to move away from your house as quickly as possible, so make sure your yard has a slight slope. If you have a particular area of your yard that consistently stays wet, consider adding organic material that will help with water absorption. Gardens are another great way to ensure water stays out of your home. 

Along with your yard, your gutter system is another great line of defense against water damage. Your gutters do a lot for your home from the top down by preventing water damage to your roof and your basement. Help them out by keeping them clear of debris. 

Every fall and spring, spend time cleaning out leaves, sticks and anything else that could cause a blockage. During the winter, make sure ice dams don’t form by clearing excess snow and icicles off of your roof. 

Prepared on the Inside

Just like some simple maintenance on the outside of your home can go a long way in preventing water damage, taking some action inside your home is a great way to avoid needing costly repairs. 

Check window, door and basement sealing at least twice a year to ensure water can’t seep in through cracks. While some simple caulking can keep your windows and doors safe, you may need to have your basement professionally sealed if you start noticing visible cracks. Consider adding a sump pump to your basement as well. This will pull water out before you are left with a flood. 

Check under sinks and around tubs and toilets weekly to catch drips and potential leaks before damage sets in. This might seem excessive, but a single leak can drip several gallons of water in a day, leaving your walls and floors susceptible to structural damage and mold growth. Even splashes coming from a shower or tub can cause damage over time. 

Make sure your water lines are well-sealed and you have long enough shower curtains to keep water off of the floor. Check under your refrigerator, washing machine and dishwasher, too—leaks like to hide out long-term under these large appliances. Replace worn-out seals or water lines that are showing signs of wear and tear to prevent damage later. 

Preventing water damage should be part of your regular home maintenance, inside and out. Keep your home safe and dry with these simple steps. 

If you have water damage in your home, contact us for fast restoration, 24/7.

Bainbridge Is Seeing Green

2/26/2024 (Permalink)

Have you ever wondered about the green SERVPRO trucks you probably see driving through Bainbridge, OH? You may know the service teams clean up sewage and water, for both businesses and homeowners, but you probably didn’t know the teams also provide nationwide disaster recovery help.

No matter what type of storm strikes, or whether the disaster is citywide or covers part of an entire state, the SERVPRO disaster recovery teams can assist. Both the corporate personnel and franchise employees have proven time and again that they are ready to help at a moment’s notice; so, no matter where the flood, fire, or other disasters may strike, the team members are there to provide a quick storm response.

For more information on Water Damage visit http://www.SERVPROgeaugacounty.com/

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today 440-564-7266

Storm Respose in Geauga County

2/20/2024 (Permalink)

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Geauga County provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays.

Faster To Any Size Disaster

Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more.  SERVPRO of Geauga County arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – 440-564-7266

Water Damage Timeline

Within Minutes

• Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
• Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
• Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
• Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.

Hours 1 - 24:

• Drywall begins to swell and break down.
• Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
• Furniture begins to swell and crack.
• Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
• A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

• Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
• Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
• Metal begins to rust and corrode.
• Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
• Paint begins to blister.
• Wood flooring swells and warps.
• Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 Week:

• Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
• Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.

About SERVPRO of Geauga County

SERVPRO of Geauga County specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Rain, Snow, You Never Know in Geauga County

11/30/2023 (Permalink)

Here at SERVPRO of Geauga County, we specialize in storm and flood damage restoration.  Our crews are highly trained and utilize specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we can respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost. Plus, who does not want to have the #1 Restoration Company handling their loss?

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit Geauga County, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of approximately 1700 Franchises across the country. We also have a network of elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today 440-564-7266

Emergency Services in Geauga County

9/28/2023 (Permalink)

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Geauga County provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays.

Faster To Any Size Disaster

Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more.  SERVPRO of Geauga County arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – 440-564-7266

Water Damage Timeline

Within Minutes

• Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
• Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
• Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
• Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.

Hours 1 - 24:

• Drywall begins to swell and break down.
• Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
• Furniture begins to swell and crack.
• Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
• A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

• Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
• Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
• Metal begins to rust and corrode.
• Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
• Paint begins to blister.
• Wood flooring swells and warps.
• Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 Week:

• Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
• Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.

About SERVPRO of Geauga County

SERVPRO of Geauga County specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Flooding in Geauga County

9/13/2023 (Permalink)

The majority of flood damage in the United States is the product of simple failures, such as those from pipe breaks or supply line breaks. This means that many flood damage losses in the United States are completely preventable. The problem is that too many property owners do not recognize the severity of damages caused by water. Any time a property owner notices water in their home or water in their business, it is imperative to call in a professional restoration company to immediately begin taking measures towards the restoration of the flooded home or business and the mitigation of water damage. With timely restoration and mitigation efforts, almost all flood damage is completely reversible. But even after the first 24 hours after water in a business or water in a home appears, the chances of a successful restoration or mitigation of the water damage begin to drop. After one week without property intervention in the flooded home or business, the chances of the property incurring massive, permanent water damage is all but assured. In the worst cases, this often involves the total write-off of the property. But with timely action, the restoration company can almost ensure the water cleanup will be a success. It's important to remember that the single most important step in successfully saving and restoring a flooded home or business is for the property owner to call in a professional restoration company.

Once the call to the water cleanup company is made, the team should arrive on site within a few minutes. Once there, they will immediately begin surveying the extent and severity of the water in the business or water in the home. They will go to the source of the pipe break or supply line break, cutting off any active leaks and seeing the extent of possible seepage. Using sophisticated tools, such as hygrometers and infrared detectors, the team will carefully inspect the area around the original supply line break or pipe break, getting a feel for the extent to which water may have seeped into out-of-site places.

The next step will be to begin the removal of any standing water in the home or water in the business. This will be carried out using heavy-duty vacuum equipment that can remove thousands of gallons of standing water each hour. The water removal portion of the cleanup process generally only takes a few minutes to an hour.

Next, the team will begin drying the premises. They will take extra care to ensure that all moisture is removed from the area of the original supply line break or pipe break. The drying step may take the longest of any of them.
Afterwards, all furniture and surfaces will be scrubbed to ensure no mildew is allowed to form. Finally, they will clean, sanitize, and disinfect. Lastly, they will ensure drying goals have been met and remove any equipment.

For more information, please visit http://www.SERVPROgeaugacounty.com 

Commercial Flooding in Chardon, Ohio

8/22/2023 (Permalink)

After torrential floods rage through Chardon, OH, and your commercial property, you may be facing considerable repair costs. From draining away dirty water to content cleaning, expenses can mount quickly. However, a flood damage and cleanup service can perform a variety of jobs and offer you options that may save you money and allow you to reopen your business sooner than projected.

1. A Multitude of Services

Flooding can cause serious damage to a building, from ruining its roof to soaking carpeting. Hiring contractors and flooring experts separately can be costly and take weeks. However, a storm damage service may be able to perform a variety of tasks, from draining away black water to tearing out damaged drywall to providing mitigation for a damaged roof, saving you time and money.

2. Restoration vs. Replacement

The cost of replacing items after flooding can be considerable. However, a company that offers restoration services may be able to defray this expense by salvaging and cleaning your office furniture, important documents, and inventory. Dry, foam and abrasive content cleaning processes can be applied to different materials to ensure they are restored to a like-new condition. You may want to make a list of what you would like restored so your technicians can advise you about the cleaning of each item.

3. Swift Mitigation

Standing water and other damage caused by flooding can cause problems that have far-reaching effects on your commercial building. However, having a storm damage and cleanup company on hand can provide you with quick mitigation services that might reduce repair costs. These often include sealing off areas affected by flooding, isolating mold patches to prevent the spread of spores and using portable sump pumps to drain water away from areas that contain sensitive equipment.

Flooding can cause costly damage to your Chardon, OH, business. However, retaining a service to assist you with mitigation, repairs and content cleaning after a water emergency can save you money and make the process of restoration easier.

Fire Recovery for your Geauga County Business

8/15/2023 (Permalink)

Fire Damage and Loss Prevention 

In the devastating event of a fire in a business, there are many things that must be done for fire cleanup. Fire damage can leave extreme amounts of soot damage, air quality problems, and smoke damage. Commercial fire damage and fire loss can also be incredibly harmful to a business. Regardless of the amount of damage, it's of the utmost importance to have a professional assess the damage.

The fire damage can be damaging to one's health, especially if there is smoke damage. The air quality from the fire in the home will not only cause you harm, this but can be fatal to pets. Commercial fire damage can harm a business and its reputation if the fire cleanup isn't handled properly. It's not easy to explain to employees and customers that there's been a fire in the business.

The valuation of fire loss is typically handled by insurance adjusters. They will assess the estimate of fire damage and fire loss to determine an amount that will cover the fire cleanup and if your insurance policy will cover it. After the assessment is done, the insured should call a fire cleanup company to provide them with an estimate. The company will restore the property, so the air quality, smoke damage, and soot damage are handled properly.

Fire loss from a fire in a business is certainly something that nobody wants to deal with. Hiring a qualified professional to take care of the matter is paramount. Not only will the job be done safely, but the restoration process should yield results as if there was never a fire in the business. While these events are never a good thing, help is available to make the process of the fire loss a little more bearable. Visit http://www.SERVPROgeaugacounty.com for more information on fire damage.