How Can I Avoid an Electrical Fire?

3/1/2023 (Permalink)

fire in living room area

Electrical fires are one of the top causes of home fires in the United States. Our SERVPRO Team Lutz members are on standby 24-hours a day to respond to your call for help. We have been restoring fire damage for local residents for over thirty years! Here are some outdoor electrical safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association for outdoor electrical safety:

Outside Electrical Work

Have a qualified electrician do all electrical work
To prevent an electrical shock, make sure all your outside electrical receptacles are ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected
Have a professional tree-cutting service trim any branches that might fall into electric wiring
Equipment Safety

Use lighting and power tools that a qualified test laboratory lists, and make sure they are made for outdoor use
Store your electrical tools indoors
Keep electric tools away from children
Keep the area around your electric meter and other electrical equipment clean
Check lighting and extension cords for damage before using. Replace any damaged cords right away
Use extension cords listed by a qualified test laboratory and marked for outdoor use.
Extension cords are not meant for long-term use
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When you have a fire damage emergency in your home or commercial business, team is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 215-368-4110.

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Tips for Removing Smoke Odor from Your Home

11/2/2022 (Permalink)

A thermal fogger might be used to remove smoke odor from your home.

After a fire cleanup, home deodorization can be an important next step to making the area livable again. When setting up the cleanup process may professionals in the Buck County area, recommend these three steps for successful odor removal.

1. Identify the Source

Knowing the source of the smoke odor can help determine the best cleanup plan. Odor can come from cigarette smoke, a house fire, or even extended use of a fireplace. In the event of a house fire it may be important to know what type of materials were burned, how long the fire lasted, and how long it’s been since the fire occurred. The smoke odor from cigarettes may also be stronger the longer it has been allowed to settle.

2. Use the Right Tools

When it comes to home deodorization, masking the smoke odor is only a temporary fix. Things may seem fresh for a while but over time the odor will reemerge. This is why it’s important to use the correct tools and cleansers from the start. The method used may depend on the severity of the smoke damage, but in most cases, a ozone machine or thermal fogger may be the best tool for the job.

3. When in Doubt Call a Professional

Whether you’re dealing with cigarette smoke or fire cleanup, you may want to consider contacting a professional for your smoke removal needs. Many professional teams already have the tools needed to successfully remove the smoke odor from your home. They also have the knowledge they need to access the odor’s source and determine the best cleaning plan.

The process for home deodorization requires knowing the source of the odor, and which tools are best for the problem. Knowing these things can help you formulate a plan for smoke odor removal. In many cases, it may be best to contact a professional as they already have the tools and cleaning solutions needed for the job.

5 Ways to Use Landscaping To Protect Your Home

11/1/2022 (Permalink)

You can use mulch to protect your home during a rainstorm.

During a big storm in our area, you take precautions to protect your home. You board up windows and place sandbags to divert water flow. Did you know that you can use your landscaping to protect your yard from outside flooding? Here are five ways to do it.

1. Extend Rain Spouts

The downspouts on your home are supposed to help move water away from your foundation, but only when they're correctly installed. Many rain spouts are too short, so rainwater pools next to the foundation. Extend rain spouts further into the yard to prevent flooding.

2. Choose Heavy Mulch

You can choose many types of mulch based on appearance or price. You can use mulch to protect your home during a rainstorm. Heavy mulch such as shredded bark won't float away but will help the soil absorb excess water and keep it away from your home.

3. Plant a Rain Garden

A rain garden can be planted on a slope and helps to absorb excess water. You can divert rainspouts into a rain garden which protects your house and keeps your home beautiful.

4. Research Native Plants

The most effective way to plant a rain garden is to use native plants. Native plants thrive in your yard, develop deep roots, and help prevent soil erosion. If outside flooding has become a problem at your home, a storm restoration company can make helpful suggestions to prevent future flooding.

5. Level Your Yard for Rain Drainage

A more intense intervention is to correct the slope of your yard. If the ground slopes even slightly toward your foundation, you are more likely to have inside flooding during a storm. You can work with a professional landscaper to correct the slope and help water flow away from your home.
Outside flooding during a storm can cause inside damage. Use landscaping strategies to protect your yard and home from water damage.

Why Insurance Agents Should Work With Storm Restoration Services

11/1/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage affected conference room

Property damage after a storm can be catastrophic and costly. If a storm strikes your area, you will likely be flooded with calls from insurance clients looking for help. Working with reliable storm restoration professionals can help ease the process and ensure that all of your clients have their needs met.

1. Quick Response

A storm response needs to be quick in order to be as effective as possible. Returning a structure to a physically stable state, removing flood water, and cleaning the debris left behind should all happen quickly in order to establish safety and prevent mold growth from starting. If mold is prevented, this lessens additional damage and lowers the cost of cleanup. Restoration specialists like SERVPRO pride themselves on their quick response to every type of disaster.

2. Trained Professionals

Storm restoration specialists are trained in responding to every type of storm. Whether it's a hurricane, flood, snowstorm, or tornado, they know how to deal with the damage. After a storm, there is rarely just one type of damage to a structure. There might be wind damage to the siding and water damage from flooding in the basement. These damages require different types of cleaning and repairs. Restoration specialists know how to catalogue and deal with wind damage, flood damage, and more simultaneously. This eliminates the need for multiple specialists working on the same restoration.

3. A Network of Resources

Working with a restoration specialist with a corporate system in place like SERVPRO connects you and your clients with a large national network. Disaster response teams located throughout the country can mobilize and help where and when they are needed. With many clients in the same area needing assistance at the same time, having a large network to draw from after a storm can be highly beneficial.
Recovery from storm damage involves specialized cleaning, repairs, and often rebuilding. Undertaking these tasks in a timely manner is extremely important to help prevent further damage. A storm restoration specialist like SERVPRO can help speed up the claims process and help your clients recover every step of the way.

Top 6 Causes of Commercial Water Damage

10/20/2022 (Permalink)

Call us at 215.368.4110!

While many cases of water damage are experienced by homeowners in the US, commercial buildings are also not immune to water damage. In fact, a data from a survey conducted by the American Housing Survey of the U.S. Census showed that out of 100 representatives of US office buildings, 85% of these are past water damage, while 45% are experiencing current leaks.

It is already common knowledge how disastrous water damage can be. It will impact your business physically and financially. And the best way to minimize its damage on your business is to deal with it right away. Knowing what causes water damage is also crucial to be able to find the right solution to fix it.

Major Causes of Water Damage
Did you know that a leaking faucet can cost you more or less 250 gallons of water each month? There are 12 months in a year; do the math and you will get an idea of the amount of money you get to waste each year for a single unfixed leaking faucet. Below are the 6 most common causes of commercial water damage.

Damaged sprinkler system
The law requires all commercial entities to have a sprinkler system, along with a fire alarm, installed in the building for safety purposes in case of fire. The sprinkler system should only get activated when there is too much heat from fire. However, over time, the sprinkler can get broken and malfunction. When this happens, the sprinkler can get activated even without fire leading to serious flooding within the building.

Roof leaks
The roof should protect the occupants and everything within the building from the external elements such as the heat from the sun and rain. But a leaky roof does otherwise. As the roof gets older, it also becomes more vulnerable to heavy rains and snow, resulting in water damage in your building’s roof.

Broken HVAC system
Your business’ HVAC system is an essential part in maintaining the temperature of your building and to make its occupants comfortable. Studies have also shown that your HVAC system can also impact the productivity level of your employees. However, like any other part of your commercial building, your HVAC system can also experience issues such as clogging and leaking. An HVAC system that is not cleaned and maintained regularly can cause water damage from the excess water in the compression tanks.

Broken equipment and appliances
Sometimes, your building may have appliances such as a water heater, AC, washing machine, and others. Apart from that, there are also pipes within the building that can get damage anytime and cause water damage in the commercial space. Major problems happen if these equipment and appliances get broken and no one notices it or during off-hours as it can leak a significant amount of water.

Damaged windows
Another common cause of water damage in commercial buildings are the damaged windows. Rain water and moisture can seep through especially if the windows are not properly maintained and need re-caulking. While it may not cause immediate flooding, it can do great damage on the drywall and can encourage mold growth.

Natural disaster
Apart from the damage in your building’s foundation and roof, water damage in commercial buildings can also be caused by natural disasters like hurricanes, thunderstorms, and heavy rain resulting in flash floods. Clogged gutters can lead rainwater to flow towards the foundation of your building, making it more vulnerable to water damage.
Commercial water damage is a devastating problem that any business owner can experience. While there is no way to totally get rid of the threats of water damage on your building, knowing its most common causes will help you minimize the risk.

Staying Safe After a Flood

10/4/2022 (Permalink)

Call us 24/7 at 215.368.4110!

Flooding occurs when water overflows from a few inches deep to completely engulfing entire buildings. Flooding can happen when rivers and lakes can't handle too much rain or snowmelt or when rain can't be absorbed completely.

It's critical to know the difference between watching and a warning to know what to do to stay safe.

Flood Watch or Flash Flood Watch

Flooding or flash flooding in your area is possible. Pay attention to changing weather and flood conditions, and be prepared to move to higher ground.

Flood Warning

Flooding is occurring or is about to happen. Avoid low-lying areas and, if necessary, evacuate.

Flash Flood Warning 

If a flash flood is occurring or is about to happen, seek higher ground immediately.

Be prepared!

It is essential to be prepared for unpredictable weather. Here are a few to stay safe after a flood:

•  Return only when the authorities indicate it is safe to do so.
• Except in an emergency, avoid driving.
• When cleaning mold or other debris, wear thick work gloves, protective gear, and boots, and use suitable face coverings or masks.
• Be careful that there could be snakes or other animals in your home.
• Be cautious of the possibility of electrocution. If you are standing in water, if the equipment is wet, do not touch it. If it is safe, turn off the electrical to avoid a shock.
• Floodwater can be contaminated or charged with electricity from downed power lines, so avoid wading in it.
• Only use a generator or other gasoline-powered gear outside and away from windows.

SERVPRO of Lansdale, Warminster, Blue Bell, and Abington Jenkintown can respond immediately to storm and flooding conditions and is available 24 hours a day – Call us today at 215.368.4110.

When Unexpected Damage To Your Home Or Business Occurs Call SERVPRO

10/4/2022 (Permalink)

When disasters strike call SERVPRO to get you quickly back home!

Our trained and certified professionals at SERVPRO of Lansdale, Warminster, Blue Bell, and Abington Jenkintown are ready to help you with all your recovery and restoration needs.

When you are facing disasters such as a storm or fire or flooding, the first thing you need to do is call in qualified, professional help. When dealing with these kinds of damage the cleanup is just the beginning of getting you back into your home or business. Our team at SERVPRO can provide a wide range of repair, restoration, and building services to help you to get your property back to preloss condition.

No Matter What Repairs You Need SERVPRO Can Help

After a storm or fire damages your home or business, it’s important to rebuild areas that are damaged by working from the structural components out. Our team has experience restoring many different types of structures and is qualified to handle the entire process for you. That includes restoring the electrical as well as doing plumbing work. We are also qualified to ensure your HVAC system is working correctly. We can help with roof repair as well as get the damaged tile floor replaced, or deal with any moisture and mold. When you call SERVPRO, you get a team of trained professionals who can handle all of your property damage issues.

Call Our Pros At SERVPRO

You may be unsure about what type of work needs to be done to your home or business and that is quite normal when it comes to property damage. When you call SERVPRO we will help you to get back on track fast. Our trained professionals will perform a detailed assessment.  Call SERVPRO of Lansdale, Warminster, Blue Bell, and Abington Jenkintown for a consultation and quote for the work you need to be done at your home or business. We’re available for you 24/7 at  215.368.4110.

What To Do First When A Fire Occurs

10/4/2022 (Permalink)

Call us at 215.368.4110!

When a fire strikes your home it can be hard to know what to do first. Once the fire department allows you to get back into your home, what should you do? Damage can continue to happen to your home even after the fire is out so it is important to take steps. This means working with a professional repair and restoration team.

What Does Clean Up Look Like After A Fire?

Fires create many different types of damage. There is water damage that occurs when the fire is extinguished. If left untreated water damage can lead to rot and mold. There are also burned materials and smoke damage that needs to be handled carefully so that more damage does not occur. Anything that is damaged beyond repair needs to be safely removed. The team at SERVPRO of Lansdale, Warminster, Blue Bell, and Abington Jenkintown is ready to help you. They will assess the damage and create a plan for restoring your home. 

Our Team Can Handle Many Types Of Damage 

Often when a fire hits your home it will affect more than just the floors and drywall. You may also have plumbing or electrical repairs that need to be handled by a professional team. When looking for a repair and restoration team it's important to find one that can take care of all your restoration needs instead of having to hire out each part.  

There is a lot of work to do after a fire. That's why our team at SERVPRO of Lansdale, Warminster, Blue Bell, and Abington Jenkintown Is ready to provide you with the guidance and support you need. Call our team after a fire to get the help you need. 

Call us 24/7 at 215.368-4110.

24 Hour Service Even on Christmas!

10/3/2022 (Permalink)

Happy Holidays!

It's almost the best time of the year again, Christmas! We all love this time of the year whether you like putting up your Christmas tree, putting lights all around your home, or even baking cookies and having hot chocolate by the fireplace. Even with is being the jolliest holiday of the year accidents can still happen. It is important to keep safety at the top of your mind when getting your home ready for this holiday.

“According to the National Fire Protection Association, electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in 44% of home Christmas tree fires. Though Christmas tree fires may not be common, they can be devastating to more than the house itself. They can destroy irreplaceable photos, mementos, and family heirlooms and even cost lives,” says Isaacson. “To help keep your holidays bright and your home and family safe, use common sense with candles and tree placement, and follow these important home decorating guidelines.”

Common Toilet Issues and Solutions

10/3/2022 (Permalink)

Please call us at 215.368.4110!

Toilet overflow is a common cause of water damage in homes and commercial buildings. Toilet issues are just as common and can also lead to toilet overflow. Here are some tips to solve some toilet issues so that you can prevent toilet overflow.

1. “Phantom Flushes”
   Sometimes, you hear your toilet to refill randomly like someone had just flushed it. The cause of this is a slow leak from the tank of the bowl. The problem is most likely caused by a bad flap or flapper seat. The solution is to drain the tank and bowl and then inspect the flapper and clean the flapper seat. You should replace the flapper if it is worn out or damaged.
2. Trickling Water
   If you hear a prolonged hissing noise coming from your toilet, it might be water trickling from the supply line. To check this, inspect the refill tube and ballock or the inlet-valve assembly. The hissing sound is usually caused by water coming through the inlet valve. To solve this issue, check whether the float is sticking or needs adjusting then check the refill tube isn’t too far into the overflow tube. If neither of these solves the problem, you may need to replace the ballcock assembly.
3. Bowl Empties Slowly

This also known as a weak flush, which is a result of a clogged hole underneath the rim of the bowl. Use a curved piece of wire, such as a coat hanger wire, and gently poke into flush hole to clear out any debris. Be careful not to scratch the bowl.

4. Clogs
   These are the most common toilet problems that people have. A force-cup plunger is a very effective way to clear minor clogs. For serious clogs, use a closet auger. You would insert the end of the auger into the drain hole and then twist the handle and make sure to try to not scratch the bowl.

If you experience any toilet overflow that may have caused water damage in your property, please call SERVPRO of Lansdale, Warminster, Blue Bell, and Abington Jenkintown to give you a free estimate at 215.368.4110!