Biohazard Cleanup

11/30/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is the Leader in Specialty Cleaning

Biohazard cleanups are especially dangerous to both you and our cleanup crew. Without proper training and techniques the affected area could become even more hazardous. SERVPRO of Burlington is recognized as an industry expert on specialty cleaning. Whether it be a sewer backup, a crime scene cleanup or dealing with infectious pathogens, SERVPRO can safety restore the property.

Our certified technicians are trained in the handling and disposal of the biohazard materials. They are trained in wearing the appropriate personnel protective equipment (PPE) and take special pre-caution to avoid cross contamination. We have the specialized equipment and disinfecting agents to ensure both cleanliness and odor removal.

Should you find the unfortunate need for an outside cleanup and disinfecting company, call the industry leader for your piece of mind that the job will get done correctly; SERVPRO of Burlington (319)-754-8050. 

Why SERVPRO?

11/30/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO OF Burlington is the Leading Restoration Company in Southeast Iowa

Why SERVPRO?

It is important that you trust the cleaning and restoration of your home or business and your contents to a company that has technicians who are highly trained and certified in all areas of remediation. Our technicians here at SERVPRO Burlington are IICRC certified and undergo extensive educational instruction in the restoration sciences. They learn the latest techniques used in tandem with technologically advanced equipment for the best outcome on every job they do.

Availability is another crucial issue in choosing a mitigation company. The longer the damage in your home sits, the greater the loss to your property and belongings. SERVPRO technicians have a commitment to 24-hour a day/7 days a week service- no matter when the loss happens; they arrive quickly to prevent further damage.

SERVPRO of Burlington stands ready to assist with the cleanup and restoration from any fire, storm, water, or mold damage. Call us (319)-754-8050 for your emergency! 

Protect Your Pets

11/14/2022 (Permalink)

Protecting your Pets

Your pets are a part of your family, and you surely would do whatever you can to keep them safe and out of harm’s way. To help keep all of your family safe from the dangers of a home fire, here are some important steps you should take to prepare for the possibility of a fire emergency in your home.

Fire Prevention

Your pets are not always aware of their surroundings and that their actions can result in a fire. Here are a few pet safety tips for preventing a fire:

• Don’t leave pets unattended near space heaters or an open flame
• Secure electrical cords that your dog might chew on
• Remove stove knobs or use safety covers. Never leave food on the stove unattended
• Consider flameless candles or other candle alternatives

Pet Fire Preparedness

Once you have set up your home to help your pets from starting a fire emergency, you then need to start on your pet evacuation plan. When developing an evacuation plan with your family, identify which member of the family will be responsible for helping your pets get to safety, and make sure your pet comes when called by that family member.

Place a pet alert window cling to a front window with information on all of your pets so firefighters can quickly find them.

While the saving your pets is important, make sure to you don’t delay your escape if saving your pet isn’t possible. Once out of the house, do not reenter, inform the firefighters of your pets and let the professional take the lead on finding your pets. Wait until the fire damage assessment team says your home is safe to enter before reentering the house.

Hoarding

11/1/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Burlington has been to a number of jobs that could be considered hoarding houses. A special type of care is needed to keep our team safe when we do any type of work there. There are many risks that come with hoarding compulsion and hoarding houses such as:

• Increased risk of falls
• Injury or being trapped by shifting or falling items
• Family conflicts
• Loneliness and social isolation
• Unsanitary conditions that pose a risk to health
• Pest infestation
• A fire hazard
• Bio hazard
• Poor work performance
• Legal issues, such as eviction

That is one of the reasons we are here. Our team is highly trained and more than willing to take on tough jobs such as hoarding and the risks that are involved with them. Equipped with the necessary safety apparatus, training and cleaning products, our teams are prepared to help transform unhealthy environments back into clean, safe homes. It’s just one of the many ways we are here to help

For information on how we can help, you can call us at:

SERVPRO of Burlington

319-754-8050

Fire Pit Safety

10/3/2022 (Permalink)

Having family and friends around an outdoor fire pit is a great pastime as the temperatures begin to drop. Please ensure they are the good times by following these safety tips.

Check the weather.  If winds greater than 15 MPH are in the forecast, do not ignite the fire pit at your gathering. Some fire pits are made to handle 20 to 25 MPH wind. Check with the manufacturer.

With weather permitting, start your fire pit and clear all brush from the area.  No structures within 25 feet of the fire pit should be present.

The safest way to start a fire is with small kindling.  If you must use charcoal lighter fluid, make sure to seal the container and keep it far away from the fire.  Never use lighter fluid once the fire has started.

The size of a recreational fire should be no more than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet high.

Keep a bucket of water or garden hose at the ready.

Never use an accelerant other than a lighter fluid.

Keep a safe distance from the fire, and don’t horse around.

Make sure to put the fire out completely.  Stir the ashes and douse thoroughly with water.

Most cities do not allow open burning of garbage, but do permit fire pits. Check your local regulations. 

Call SERVPRO of Burlington for all you Fire and Water Restoration needs at 319-754-8050!

Unsuspecting Water Leaks

9/13/2022 (Permalink)

When we think of water damage natural disasters come to mind. Heavy rain storms and hurricanes are certainly an expensive form of water damage, but they are definitely not the most common. Some of the most unexpected water losses come from unsuspecting water leaks. So what are some signs that may indicate you may have water leaks in your home. 

Increased Water Bill 

Typically your water bill will be around the same range from month to month with a couple of exceptions. Start by tracking your water bill to learn the patterns of your household. Remember to note when there are changes in your home - new roommate, filling the pool during the summer, etc. If you see anything suspicious for more than two months you may have a water leak. 

Foundation

Cracks in concrete in spaces like the basement or garage can indicate underground water typically this occurs over time, heavy rain makes matters worse and should be taken care of by a water remediation specialist. Warped or caving in ceilings may indicate roof damage in a home, and should be fixed immediately as this can be a hazard to safety.

Discoloration

Discoloration can come from water stains, mold, and unusual build up around pipes. Water stains along with mold are most common on ceilings and walls.

Should you run into any of these issues give our office a call at 319-754-8050!

Overflowing Toilet

9/8/2022 (Permalink)

Toilets overflowing is a common cause of water damage in homes. Depending on the location of the toilet and type of overflow, SERVPRO of Burlington professionals will approach the situation differently. 

When sewage is involved, you want the expert help of SERVPRO professionals. Not only can we help clean up the water and dry your home back out, but we also need to attack the smells the mess left behind. 

A first step in removing odors is to get rid of what is causing it – in this case, the sewage. Odor problems from water damage occur because wet materials are not dry. Once the moisture level returns to normal, a lot of the odor problems go away as well.

In most situations with deodorization, odors are coming from multiple sources. To find all of them and figure out the specific methods to fight each of them requires technical equipment and much knowledge. Our SERVPRO technicians use various methods to eliminate the smells.

A single kind of deodorization agent will not work on every odor, so we use more than one type to treat the various odors we encounter in these situations. Plus, we ensure that you as our customer likes the smell of the professional product we choose to apply.

When it comes down to it, SERVPRO of Burlington are the ones to trust with any water disaster. Not only can we clean everything up, but we ensure that your home is back to itself again.

Call us at 319-754-8050!

1-4-8

8/31/2022 (Permalink)

Lost time equals money in an emergency

24 Hours can make a difference between restoring versus replacing your property and personal belongings. SERVPRO’s 1-4-8 service response guidelines can prevent long term problems.

SERVPRO of Burlington professionals arrive quickly and are trained and equipped to help you regain control of your life when you have an emergency such as a water loss or smoke damage. Mitigation requires quick action. The faster SERVPRO can be on-site to start the cleanup for water or smoke, the better the results. This could also keep the cost of the claim down.

   Emergency Response 1-4-8

     Service Response Guidelines

1. Within one hour from notice of loss a SERVPRO Professional will contact you to arrange for service.
2. Within four hours of loss notification, a SERVPRO Professional will be on-site to start mitigation services.
3. Within eight business hours of on-site arrival, a verbal briefing of the scope will be communicated to the appropriate person. 

If you need service, don't wait. Call SERVPRO of Burlington, and we will be there to make it "Like it never even happened." Call 319-754-8050

Do You Know How to Shut Off the Water?

7/18/2022 (Permalink)

Many workplaces always call on the boss or the maintenance man when something goes wrong. But what if they were out of town, or in a meeting and you need to locate the water shut off? Where do you start?  

SERVPRO of Burlington can help commercial property managers in planning for water, fire, and storm damage. How? With a free Emergency Ready Plan created by the SERVPRO Marketing Department!  

By having a plan of action and including it in your regular training at your office, you can minimize the cost of an unplanned event. Such things could be a busted pipe, a fire, or any other type of disaster man-made or natural disaster.   

Is your business ready for a disaster? Even a simple pipe burst can cause a lot of damage and headaches. A SERVPRO Emergency Ready Plan can have the critical information to minimize damages, provide resources for the employees of the company, and provide property details and information. This is a FREE service that we provide to commercial properties. Make an appointment today to get started!  

If the unthinkable happens, call SERVPRO of Burlington! We are available seven days a week 24/7 to help you avoid the cost and hassle of secondary damages. We will help make it "Like it never even happened." 

Storm Damage

7/8/2022 (Permalink)

Storms have been rolling across Iowa the past few weeks. Damages from wind and rain to your house or business can be extensive. SERVPRO of Burlington can assess the damage and begin to restore your property

Service work begins with a thorough extraction of water. This helps prevent the spread of water in the structure and reduces drying time. Typically, hundreds or thousands of gallons of water are removed using powerful pumps and extraction units during the water removal process.

Some materials cannot be successfully restored. These materials are typically removed as soon as possible to expedite the drying of all restorable materials.

Water damage can create cleaning, sanitizing, or deodorization needs for floors, furniture, and other personal belongings. SERVPRO professionals use a variety of specially formulated products, industry-leading equipment, and proven techniques to accomplish this important aspect of restoration.

After water you can see has been removed, our specialists use industry-leading drying equipment to remove the water you can’t see. This will remove water within materials to bring these materials back to their normal moisture level. The type and amount of equipment is based on your unique situation and industry standards.

During the drying process, our specialists will want to visit your property daily to help ensure materials are drying properly, check drying equipment performance, and make changes as needed. This monitoring process is critical to effective and efficient drying of your property.

After these steps, your home may need construction work to get your property back to its pre loss condition. The repair step can be minor repairs or rebuilding entire areas of your home. We can simplify the restoration process by handling both the initial damage mitigation and rebuilding the affected areas. Having one qualified company for the entire process can save time and keeps costs low. Call SERVPRO of Burlington 319-754-8050!