Recent Posts

Why Pipes Freeze

12/11/2023 (Permalink)

If your pipes are exposed to temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended duration, the risk of water freezing and causing significant damage to your home becomes a concern. Fortunately, there are preventive measures you can take.

The freezing of pipes typically occurs due to two main factors:

Pipes installed in unheated spaces without sufficient protection.

Inadequate heating in the area where the freezing occurs.

Various types of pipes, including domestic water piping, HVAC heating and cooling piping, and sprinkler piping, are susceptible to freezing if left in cold and unprotected conditions. Both plastic and metal pipes can rupture when frozen, and even a minor crack in a burst pipe has the potential to release substantial amounts of water, depending on the pipe's size.

But why do pipes burst during freezing temperatures? When water freezes, it expands, exerting pressure against the pipe wall and pressurizing the water trapped between the ice and a closed valve or fixture. As freezing and expansion continue inside the pipe, the trapped water's pressure increases, causing the pipe to burst, much like a can of soda bursts in the freezer.

Common areas prone to frozen pipes include outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, fire sprinkler lines, and water supply pipes in unheated interior spaces such as basements, crawlspaces, attics, garages, bathroom sink cabinets, and kitchen cabinets. Pipes located along exterior walls with inadequate insulation, gaps in the insulation, or improperly installed building wrap are particularly vulnerable to freezing. Addressing these potential issues promptly is advisable. For further information, you can consult the International Plumbing Code by clicking here.

SERVPRO®'s commitment goes beyond a mere slogan; it's embodied in the mantra "We're Faster To Any Size Disaster." Their dedication is evident with round-the-clock technicians ready to respond promptly. Residents facing home water damage are urged to reach out to SERVPRO without hesitation.

When a Fire Happens, SERVPRO® is Here For You 24/7/365

9/1/2023 (Permalink)

A fire in your residence can leave you unsure of how to save the contents of your home and preserve its structural integrity. Most homeowners can concede that restoring the damage to their home is simply too great a task to handle on their own and choose to seek out reputable and experienced restoration professionals instead.

Finding the right professionals to handle the fire damage in your residence boils down to which reputable company is willing to ensure that the job gets done safely, correctly, and above all else, efficiently. While there might be several options you can choose from, here are some considerations that might set our SERVPRO® team apart.

Rapid response times help to mitigate damages that your home experiences even after a fire have gotten extinguished. This pre-emptive effort helps to keep overall restoration costs down and limits the amount of time the process takes overall. One of our SERVPRO mottos is to be Faster To Any Size Disaster, which is more than just a catchphrase.

Another process that sets our restoration team apart from some of the other options that exist for you to choose is our commitment to the contents of your house. We work quickly to determine at-risk items and remove them from the affected areas of your home for faster and more concentrated restoration efforts, but also to keep further damages from occurring to the items themselves.

These items get cleaned and deodorized individually, along with closer inspection to determine their need for restoration. Once the project nears completion in your home, these cleaned and restored individual items removed from your house get returned to their original positions.

There are many companies that you can choose from when it comes to fire restoration in your home. Our crew works to provide the best quality service encompassing the work that we do in your home and our commitment to providing the best in customer consideration. If you experience a fire in your home, trust our SERVPRO team to help you get things back to pre-damage condition. Give SERVPRO a call!

Why SERVPRO? The 3 C's!

8/16/2023 (Permalink)

3 C’s – Consult, Clean, and Certify

When the stakes are this high, you want a partner who has developed an industry leading, proprietary training program, cleaning solutions, and remediation processes over decades. We’ve cleaned up some of the most challenging biohazards imaginable. Certified: SERVPRO® Cleaned reflects our unique experiences and capabilities. The program is grounded with our unique 3 C’s: Consult, Clean, and Certify.

  • Consult – Every business is different, which is why you’ll be assigned a Cleaning Protocol Consultant who understands your business and will create a cleaning program to meet your specific needs. This program will be developed based on your business type, size of space, amount of high-frequency touchpoints, foot traffic, and congestion points.
  • Clean – Based on your specific business needs, your location will undergo a thorough, deep clean, using exclusive cleaning products, according to protocols set forth by the CDC. Our employees have years of experience, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff performs. Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for the cleanup process, and disposal of hazardous materials.  In the event of a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 event, we will be there cleaning within 24 hours to ensure you get back to business as quickly as possible. 
  • Certify - Once your business location has been Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you will gain access to proprietary signage, digital emblems, and other collateral that communicates that you’ve selected a higher standard of clean available to help protect your employees and customers. And because we add the day, month, and year to that proprietary stamp of clean, your guests will know that not only did you choose Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, but that your location is being cleaned regularly at this standard.

So call the professionals that have perfected the process! Let us come in and help make things "Like it never even happened."

Disasters Strike Without Notice, But We Are Here 24/7/365

8/3/2023 (Permalink)

Disasters don't schedule an appointment. When water damage strikes, it does so typically without warning, and can be devastating! At SERVPRO of Columbus and Jackson and Jennings Counties, we are trained and ready to help you at a moment's notice. We are faster to any disaster and have the equipment, expertise, and experience to get you back to preloss conditions "Like it never even happened."

The time for severe storms and the water damage that comes with them is here! Thunderstorms, wind, and extreme rain can cause an amazing amount of damage to the inside of your home. We can help to dry you out and help with your reconstruction as well. Don't stress...just call SERVPRO in Columbus, Indiana, Jackson and Jennings Counties, and surrounding areas. 

Nobody wants to go in their crawlspace, but here is why you should!

7/3/2023 (Permalink)

In years past, record rainfall has created problems for homeowners in the Columbus, Indiana area.

We experienced flooding this past year, and can expect snow and melt-water runoff to head down the mountains and into the valley when this winter thaws.

  • Water has found its way into the crawlspaces of many area homes.  SERVPRO® technicians have responded to a large number of requests for services to dry out flooded crawlspaces.
  • Even if you have not experienced flooding in your crawlspace in the past, it is always a good idea to do periodic inspections, especially after heavy rains, to ensure the safety of your home.
  • Water intrusions in your crawlspace, left untreated, can cause structural damage and allow mold to grow in your home.   

SERVPRO technicians have the equipment and experience to take care of any water damage to your home, making it, “Like it never even happened.”

How to Fight Pollen in Your Home

7/3/2023 (Permalink)

Pollen strikes each spring, leaving you coughing, sneezing, and wheezing. As your car starts to get covered with the yellow stuff and your sinuses get backed up, it’s time to make a plan to keep your home pollen-free. These tips can help you minimize the risks.

Minimize Exposure of Your Car

When possible, park your car in the garage. This helps minimize the amount of pollen it’s exposed to during the day. If you can’t do this because you don’t have a garage, drive through the car wash as often as possible.

Keep the Shoes Outside

Anything with pollen on it should remain in the garage or outside of your home. You don’t want to bring it in on your shoes. Take off your coat or anything else with pollen on it in the doorway to avoid exposing the whole home.

Take a Shower

If you’ve spent enough time outdoors to attract a significant amount of pollen, assume it’s in your hair and on your skin. Take a shower, if possible, to get rid of as much of it as possible.

Avoid Getting It in Your Bedding

Pollen on your bed and pillows can be harmful to you because you’ll breathe it in for hours at a time. Wash your hair prior to going to bed, and take a shower if you have not done so previously.

Manage Your Pets, Too

Your pets are likely to bring in just as much pollen as you do. For that reason, you’ll want to keep them washed whenever they are spending time outdoors.

Minimize Interior Air Exposure

Keep the doors and windows closed, especially on high pollen days. You’ll want to minimize the amount of exposure to pollen.

Keep Surfaces Clean

Be sure to vacuum your home routinely. Empty the vacuum outside to minimize the spread of pollen again. You’ll also want to keep your porch areas clean to limit the amount of pollen brought into the home.

Avoid Bad Days

When the pollen count is high, stay inside. This is important if you are at a high risk for respiratory concerns.

Need Help Keeping Your Home Clean?

Pollen isn’t easy to clean, but we can help. SERVPRO can help you keep your home clean with our residential cleaning services. We ease the burden of the constant cleaning and maintenance of your home, so you have a safe, clean, and comfortable living environment. Contact us today to learn more about our services.

So Many Details With Storms: Is your storm damage tax deductible?

2/19/2023 (Permalink)

If your commercial property has been damaged by a storm, you may want to know whether the cost of the damage is tax-deductible. Unrecoverable losses caused by storms or natural disasters are usually deductible, as long as these damages are proven and will not be reimbursed by insurance. Here are three steps you can take to find out whether you can deduct the cost of storm damage from your tax bill.

3 Steps to Find Out if Storm Damage is Tax Deductible. 

  1. Determine how much damage your insurance covers. If your business is insured, you can only deduct damage that exceeds your coverage or was not covered for other reasons. Owners of uninsured commercial property can deduct the total cost of storm damage. Consult IRS Publication 547, Casualties, Disasters, and Thefts, to read the rules for claiming these deductions. 
  1. Check to see if a storm or disaster is a Presidential Declared Disaster. If you are dealing with storm damage in a region that has been federally recognized as a disaster area, special filing options may apply to your situation. Check the IRS's list of tax relief in disaster situations to see if your locality is listed and find out about any assistance that is available. 
  1. Distinguish between actual property loss and deductible property loss. Actual property loss is your total loss as the owner of a commercial property. Deductible property loss is based on the current value of your property and factors in all reductions. If you are unsure about reductions involved in a commercial property, you should contact an accountant. 

If you have unrecoverable storm damage at your commercial property, you should see if you can deduct any damage from your tax bill. Tax deductions cannot overlap with covered losses, but these deductions can help to offset the cost of professional damage restoration if your property is uninsured or underinsured.

When Sever Storms Bring Damages - Count On SERVPRO To Help!

7/1/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Tips: How To Avert Storm Damage To Your Business
Storm DamageApproved  

5/25/2021

How to Prevent Storm Damage to Your Business

When a storm affects a business, business owners may wonder what they could have done to prevent the damage. Performing exterior maintenance and inspecting your property prior to a storm, however, may make it easier to prevent storm damage.

1. Obvious Signs of Damage

When inspecting a building, there are certain issues that may be quite obvious. For example, mold growth on a building can be highly visible, and damaged siding can also be easy to spot. Visible signs of exterior damage may also be an indicator that your building has sustained interior damage, and it is sometimes useful to employ water and mold restoration professionals if you suspect your business has existing damage that could become worse if a storm occurs.

2. Loose, Cracked or Worn-Down Materials

Thoroughly examining building materials and areas that are prone to damage before a storm can also be helpful. If you know there are building materials, such as old roof shingles, that may be prone to damage, it can be helpful to check that the materials aren’t loose, dented or otherwise damaged before a storm. Perform frequent exterior maintenance in these areas can help to keep your building maintained.

3. Potential Sources of Damage

When inspecting the exterior of your business, it may be easy to forget to examine your environment. However, even you don’t see any visible indications of a problem and you don’t notice any worn-down materials, it can be important to look around your property for debris or other materials that could damage your business during a storm. You can also use landscaping to your advantage by planting shrubs, flowers or trees that are able to absorb excess water, which may be able to prevent floodwater from affecting your building.

By performing exterior maintenance before a storm can prevent your building from sustaining damage. In your building inspection, it can be helpful to look for obvious signs of damage, worn-down materials and potential sources that could cause damage to your property during a storm.

Give us a call if a storm does hit your business! We are faster to any disaster and are ready to put our expertise, equipment and experience to work for you! 

Are You Ready For Sever Storms?

6/30/2022 (Permalink)

 

Storms can bring severe damage from a variety of things. We are faster to all forms of disaster and are here to help you! 

  • Storms deposit a large amount of rain, which, if your home isn't prepared for, can cause serious flooding.
  • If your home does flood, or after the storm has passed begins to smell musty, mold may have grown because of the moisture.
  • Lightning can strike a home or yard and cause heat damage, or even start a fire. 
  • Winds can break off chunks of housing, roof-tiles, hurl debris around, and shatter windows.

SERVPRO specializes in remediating storm-battered and damaged properties. We know that while the storm is happening, it seems like all you can do is rely on the preparation you've done, and stay as safe as possible. Focus on those crucial things, and when it's all over, let SERVPRO help you put your property back "Like it never even happened." 

Keep Your Business Safe After A Fire With These Tips!

6/29/2022 (Permalink)

In the event of a business fire, fire damage is only one of several concerns you may have for protecting your business from further losses. Cleanup and restoration take time after a fire occurs. Keep your business safe during that process with the following three tips.

  1. Avoid a Repeat Fire

When you discover a fire in your business you should turn to the local fire department to help you put it out. While your efforts may be good in stopping the fire from spreading, a fire crew can help you find the cause of the fire. Determining the cause is the best way to prevent further fire damage from occurring or reoccurring. If a small fire occurs, you may need to look for the cause yourself. Start by doing the following:

  • Unplug or turn off any electrical devices in the area
  • Turn off surrounding heat sources
  • Shut off gas supply to prevent the fire from spreading
  1. Defend From the Elements

Once the fire has been completely put out and fire cleanup has begun, protecting your building from the outside elements is a critical step to avoiding further losses. In the fall and winter months, roof damage should be secured with a tarp to keep rain, hail and snow from permeating the structure. In warm months, tarping or boarding up openings can keep rodents and birds from nesting inside of the facility.

  1. Secure the Facility

After a commercial fire in your business may be left susceptible to looting. Looters are individuals who take advantage of emergency situations, such as commercial fires, and find weaknesses in the building's structure in order to get inside and steal valuable goods. If a business fire leaves your building with unsecured openings, you may need to hire a disaster response company to keep vandals and thieves from entering the premises.

As you face the fire damage restoration process, be sure to follow these tips to keep your business safe. Further damage and losses can be avoided if these basic procedures are observed.

So give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and are here to help get you back to "Like it never even happened."