Safeguard Your Home Before Winds Blow Through Milwaukee | SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis

6/5/2023 (Permalink)

If you've suffered from storm-related damage to your home or business, make SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis your first call.

On a sweltering day, a gentle gust of wind can feel like a refreshing present from Mother Nature. Though we cannot see the wind, it is a constant presence that we can always rely on—even when it may not be to our liking.

However, when the wind picks up and turns into a strong gale, it can wreak havoc and leave behind a trail of devastation, reducing homes to rubble. While high winds are often associated with violent storms, they can occur even on sunny days.

Educate yourself about the impact of powerful winds and how they can harm your property, and take necessary precautions to safeguard your loved ones and your dwelling.

<h3different-kinds-of-wind">The Different Kinds of Wind

Over half of all destructive wind events are attributed to thunderstorms, making them a threat that should not be taken lightly. In fact, thunderstorm winds are responsible for more damage than tornadoes.

Thunderstorms can produce winds that reach speeds of up to 60 miles per hour, which can easily scatter debris across yards and cause significant damage to structures.

One type of thunderstorm wind is known as straight-line wind, which can be incredibly powerful, reaching speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. Unlike tornadoes, straight-line winds are not associated with rotation and can cause damage even in areas without any rainfall.

Tornadoes, on the other hand, are known for their destructive capabilities due to the combination of different types of winds they produce. Tornadoes aren’t as prevalent in Milwaukee, but they can certainly do damage on the rare occasions when they do strike. High winds can occur anywhere, thus it doesn’t require a tornado to cause terrible damage in our area!

<h3damage-and-prevention">Wind Damage and Prevention

Strong winds can cause extensive damage to properties, including downed trees, debris scattered around and disrupted power lines. Even a mobile home that is anchored down can experience severe damage when winds exceed 80 miles per hour.

Understanding weather alerts and securing loose outdoor objects are two vital ways to prepare for high winds and minimize potential damage to your property and safety.

Prune your trees regularly, and if you have tall trees on your property, hire a professional to maintain them every five to 10 years. Keep your yard free of loose branches and other items that could be picked up by the wind and cause damage.

Search around your property after the wind has calmed down to assess any damage that might have occurred. Be sure to examine your roof for any damages, such as misplaced shingles, and replace them immediately to prevent water seepage. Call SERVPRO to repair your wind damage, and we’ll restore your home in no time.

Has your home been damaged by wind? Call us and get things cleaned up fast.

Keep an Eye Out for Sneaky Water Damage | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

5/9/2023 (Permalink)

Think you may have water damage in your home? Here are some tips from SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis to find the source.

Water damage possesses many reckless qualities, like its ability to quickly worsen and create widespread problems. Besides these troublesome traits, water damage also has a knack of staying hidden until it reveals itself in the form of mold, leaks and major damage.

Knowing where water damage is most likely to keep well-hidden will allow you to catch issues like these before they get out of hand. There are plenty of areas in your home that you can watch out for to ensure water damage doesn’t progress before you can jump in and prevent chaos.

As you work to prevent sneaky water damage, be wary of these spots in your Milwaukee home:

Your roof. Water damage that occurs on your roof can be hard to spot for a few reasons, the first being that you probably don’t like to climb up there very often!

Water damage can also progress very slowly over time on your roof, so you might catch something like a small leak and think nothing of it, only for it to turn into a major issue as the hidden leak goes untreated.

Water damage that starts on the roof can also drip down into your attic, causing another concealed concern. Hidden leaks and excess moisture combined with a dark and humid environment make your roof and attic the perfect breeding grounds for mold growth.

In your bathroom. The bathroom is unsurprisingly a common spot that water damage likes to hide. With so many appliances using so much water in the bathroom, it’s easy for water issues like leaks to go undetected.

Check under your sink for puddled water and your faucet for any dripping water. Your bathtub and toilet could give off similar signs, like water building at the base, an increase in bathroom moisture and a slow drain.

These bathroom issues might seem obvious, but they can be hard to find without regular inspection! Be sure to inspect your plumbing on the regular so you can prevent water damage before it worsens.

Other appliances. Just like your bathroom fixtures, there are many other appliances around your Milwaukee home that can conceal water damage. These areas can be particularly hard to catch since water can sneak under the base or along the wall behind your appliances.

It can be hard to check for water damage around your appliances without moving them completely out of the way first.

It can also be helpful to do a quick check for hidden damage after any time you use your appliances. Be sure to replace your dated appliances as often as possible, too, since this can help you prevent issues in the first place.

Dealing with a water emergency? Our SERVPRO specialists can be on the scene of the disaster ASAP to restore your water-damaged home!

You Can Count on Our Milwaukee Restoration Team | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

5/4/2023 (Permalink)

Is your home or business in need of restoration? SERVPRO of Cidahy/St. Francis is ready to help you recover.around the clock.

Every change you make inside your Milwaukee home has a significant impact on how safe you feel living there. Some decisions can be as simple as a new paint job, but others are crucial, like the team you choose to repair your how after a fire emergency.

When it comes to home restoration, you don’t want to assign this important job to an unqualified, inexperienced team; instead, you should put your trust in a team with years of training and expertise!

If you turn to SERVPRO, you’re working with the absolute best! We’ve had years of restoration- and remediation-based training, and we have the certifications to prove we carry out every job with safety in mind.

We Adhere to Industry Trainings

Our SERVPRO specialists adhere to the IICRC standards, and our technicians comply with the restoration and cleanup instruction and standards. These are a few of the courses we undergo throughout our training:

• water damage restoration

• fire damage restoration

• mold remediation

• carpet and upholstery and cleaning

We also provide Employee Certification Training to our employees to guarantee they are equipped with the methods necessary to get the job done right. Our crew is allowed to go at their own pace during this training, ensuring they fully comprehend the given material.

We Never Stop Learning

Once our employees are done with their initial training, we provide them with continuing education courses and e-learning classes to guarantee their expertise is always up-to-date.

When a home emergency situation occurs in Milwaukee, our experts work hard to be there with the tools you need to recover—and our training is an integral part of that.

Keeping up with the most recent information enables us to modify and alter our methods as necessary to conform to the latest standards. We want to make certain that we have the resources, knowledge and tools to assist you in fully recovering from household destruction, no matter the cause.

Why This Matters for You

Choosing a team that has a ton of experience and training under their belt can be a huge advantage! We work diligently to ensure your home repair is handled with the utmost professionalism, and no job is done until you are fully-confident in the finished results.

Selecting an unqualified team for your restoration work could leave you with a disaster worse than what you started with! Teaming up with SERVPRO will guarantee a stress-free and reliable experience from start to finish.

When you need help recovering from a disaster, SERVPRO is here for you. Get in touch 24/7 to start your disaster recovery.

The Types & Causes of Flooding | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

4/9/2022 (Permalink)

Regardless of the cause of the flooding, SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis has the team to help you recover from any disastrous event.

The most common natural disaster in the United States is floods, causing more deaths each year than hurricanes, tornadoes or lightning. Flooding can cause damage to anyone, from small areas to enormous spans of whole neighborhoods and cities.

Flooding happens in all 50 states and all U.S. territories, although there are similarities in its variations and causes. There are three unique kinds of floods, which occur due to four primary reasons.

Depend on SERVPRO to Help | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

3/19/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis are your local commercial restoration experts. Contact us today should you experience any damage.

As a business owner or operator, you are well aware that keeping things moving smoothly involves the utilization of every available hand. Significant downtime or losses may be devastating to your company.

It does not matter what sort of company or facility you are operating, you should know that you already have a built-in business partner to aid with cleaning and disaster recovery, and it’s right here in your backyard. SERVPRO can handle a wide variety of needs for your business. It’s as if you have a committed ally looking after a vital component of your company’s success strategy.

Large loss recovery. Fires, storms and floods are some of the most common causes of financial loss for businesses in the U.S., and may cause catastrophic damage if there is any delay in getting it cleaned up and treated. When you contact SERVPRO, you’ll be chatting with a highly trained crew that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to deliver proven emergency services, minimize your downtime and speed up your recovery time.

Emergency Ready Plan. Did you know recovery from a disaster can begin even before the crisis arises? We can help you develop an Emergency Ready Plan that you can put into action precisely when you need it. After a crisis, you might need an emergency chain of command, other meeting or work sites to perform business, and maybe even temporary suppliers. We’ll get you set up so that all of this can get started with a simple click of a button.

All-purpose cleaning. We specialize in everything from highly specialized services like trauma site cleanup and safe biohazard removal to typical necessities like carpet cleaning and upholstery restoration in high-traffic areas. We truly can provide cleaning solutions for any circumstance. We’ve been doing this for a long time and have seen and cleaned everything there is to see and clean.

Restoration services. You can never predict if the next storm will cause flash floods, if the interns might set fire to the kitchen or if a pipe might freeze and explode in the winter. All of these incidents necessitate SERVPRO’s repair and cleaning services. You can depend on us to restore the shine of your organization after a destructive emergency, from water removal all the way through to restoration.

Industry specialization. We can aid a broad variety of industries, and we’ve spent decades understanding the ins and outs of each. We can assist you with whatever specialized or unique cleaning or restoration requirements your organization has. In many circumstances, we’ll even enclose the work area to avoid interfering with other parts of your company’s everyday activities.

Whatever your recovery need may be, and whatever your commercial property may require, trust SERVPRO to get the job done. Contact us today to get started on an Emergency Ready Plan or find out how we can serve your business.

Do You Have an Emergency Ready Plan? | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

3/12/2022 (Permalink)

If the day comes where your business is hit with disaster or emergency, you can rest assured SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis will be there to help.

Both starting a business and running it is hard work. From staffing to marketing, we understand you’ve got a lot on your plate.

Keeping your doors open in the wake of a disaster is even harder work if you don’t plan for it. You’ve labored overtime to get where you are, and we have a way to help make sure unpredictable interruptions to your business don’t last long.

Because businesses are oftentimes so busy, planning for what to do after a disaster can easily slip the mind. But it’s important. According to FEMA, 40% of small business, have to close their doors for good after a disaster, and 25% of those that reopen shut their doors again within a year.

So how do you give yourself the best chance of reopening after a disaster? How do you beat the odds?

The answer is simple: Create a strong emergency plan. Three-quarters of small businesses in the United States don’t have any plan in place, and as the pandemic has shown us, that can have disastrous effects.

We want to do everything we can to give your business the best chance of surviving, should a disaster strike.

SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis helps businesses prepare by creating a custom Emergency Ready Plan just for you and your business. We can assess your priorities and concerns in regard to your specific location and industry.

We cover everything from fire disaster to data recovery, so that if the worst case-scenario happens to your business, you already have a plan of action. You don’t have to wonder what to do or who will do it.

The key to a good plan is having someone in charge of it. Don’t make recovery from disaster any tougher than it already is. Let SERVPRO help you build your Emergency Ready Plan. It could be the difference between your business, that you worked so hard to build, surviving or shutting down.

When your business is ready to prioritize planning and safety to prevent extended downtime, contact SERVPRO to get the Emergency Ready Plan underway from the folks who know all there is to know about disaster and recovery.

Spring Brings Weather Hazards to Wisconsin | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

3/12/2022 (Permalink)

Extreme temperature changes can lead to the possibility of severe weather. SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis is a click away if you experience any damage.

The United States is one of the world’s largest nations, second only to Russia and Canada in terms of total land area (though China is also larger if outlying US territories are excluded).

With such a large region under one umbrella, seasonal weather is not one-size-fits-all. Different parts of the nation endure unique weather patterns and variable degrees of weather threats.

As spring approaches and warm and cold air meet throughout the country, let’s take a look at the unique weather events that may be anticipated in a few broad areas, and more particularly what we need to consider here in Wisconsin.

Up in the Pacific Northwest, spring months are prone to severe rain, which may result in floods and water damage for region inhabitants. Higher altitudes will continue to have snow, and the melting and runoff from that will create issues of its own.

The Upper Midwest, including here in Wisconsin, and the Northeast regions have the longest duration of cold winter weather. Chilly weather will persist for the entirety of the winter season. As spring arrives, severe thunderstorms are a threat here in Wisconsin, continuing throughout the summer months. Residents from Maine to the Dakotas may anticipate very cold weather winters and the threat of snowstorms and blizzards even until late spring or possibly early summer.

On the other hand, the southern West Coast will have to watch out for excessive heat waves that could threaten lives and property, while the South Pacific, including Hawaii, will be on the lookout for potential tsunamis caused by tectonic activity.

The central United States, from Iowa to Texas, will need to be vigilant for windstorms, derechos and the threat of wildfires, which may readily spread during dry seasons and strong winds. A large portion of this territory is also Tornado Alley, an area with a high frequency of tornadoes.

Finally, the Southeast may be subjected to a variety of extreme weather events, ranging from tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in landlocked states to hazardous rip currents along the coastal areas with early-season hurricanes later in the spring.

Regardless of where you reside in the United States, the possibility of severe weather exists. Yours may differ from that of a friend a few states away, but it never hurts to be aware of the times and be prepared.

If extreme weather leaves you with damage from water, fire or other elements, help is a click away. Contact SERVPRO for fast, expert recovery.

What Does SERVPRO Do? | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

2/5/2022 (Permalink)

When you need cleanup and recovery of any kind, you can trust SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis to get the job done.

You might know what it means when our big green truck drives by. Perhaps you know someone down the road had a house fire and our team is on its way to restore the damage.

Generally speaking, most people understand that SERVPRO is a restoration company of some kind. While that’s not a complete misunderstanding, let’s clear up what we really are.

We are a full-service, stem-to-stern cleaning, restoration and reconstruction giant—and here is a deep dive into the services we provide:

Water damage recovery. Whether it’s a leaky roof or a flooded basement, we are here to help dry it up.

Fire damage recovery. Every 23 seconds, a fire occurs in the United States. Fires are incredibly damaging, and we’ve got incredible restorative services to match.

Mold removal. It doesn’t take long after leaks or other water damage for mold to start growing, and it can even cause enough damage to threaten the structure of your home. In order to avoid spreading mold or endangering yourself, trust our experts in green to do it for you.

Storm recovery. We are equipped and prepared to restore whatever damage any natural disaster causes.

Commercial needs. Have a business of any kind? We offer you all the same services we offer to homeowners, plus more. This includes specialized cleaning and care to ensure your business shines for you and your customers.

General cleaning. Not only do we offer disaster restoration, but we also offer general cleaning services to residential and commercial spaces alike. Carpets, upholstery and other fabrics need specialized care from time to time. We can give your residence or business the clean you need, and keep you focused on what you really want to be doing.

Specialty cleaning. We also offer many highly specialized cleaning services, like document restoration and duct cleaning! We even offer COVID-19 services and biohazard cleanup. With no exaggeration, if it can get dirty, we can make it shine like new.

Construction. In a worst case scenario when your home or business can’t be restored, you can rely on SERVPRO to rebuild and restore your home to its original condition.

Add 24-hour service and an easy insurance process to all this, and the picture becomes clear—when you need cleanup and recovery of any kind, you can trust SERVPRO to get the job done.

The Shape that Depicts Every Fire | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

1/30/2022 (Permalink)

If your home or business has any damage, SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis is ready around the clock to help you recover.

Fires take many forms, but each one has a shape—a representative shape, anyway.

Every fire can be described with something called the fire tetrahedron—a four-sided triangle, each side of which represents a specific element possessed by every fire.

In fact, all fires require all sides of the tetrahedron working together. This is how a fire lives, and it also becomes our methodology for making sure a fire dies.

Our In-Depth Water Damage Restoration Process | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

1/22/2022 (Permalink)

When water damage strikes, make the call to SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis for A-to-Z cleanup and restoration.

Each day, an unbelievable 14,000 Americans are hit with a water damage incident. If you happen to be one of today’s soggy lot, or you become one in the future, know that SERVPRO has your back when it comes to water removal, cleanup and restoration.

Here’s the in-depth process that happens when you call SERVPRO with a water disaster.

Emergency Contact. First contact will include some questions from our team, to give us a clear picture of your emergency. Then we’ll quickly set up and appointment to get someone on site to survey the damage in person.

Inspection and Water Damage Assessment. If water is still flowing, the first order of business will be to get that stopped. Then we can properly assess the damage, and warn you of any potential hazards it may have created. Once that’s done, we’ll come up with a plan for restoration, and determine what needs replacement.

Water Removal. No matter how much water is on site, we’ve got the tools to get rid of it. ?You’ll be amazed at the hundreds, maybe thousands, of gallons of water that will be removed by our industrial vacuums and pumps. We’ll do whatever it takes to get your home dry.

Damaged Material Removal. Some items may not be salvageable, and this will be the time for us to quickly remove those, to rid your home of hazards and aid in the drying process of the remaining items that are to be restored.

Cleaning, Sanitizing and Deodorization. Water damage can leave a real mess, and we’ll quickly get to work on cleanup duty. We’ve spent more than 50 years adopting and developing techniques to restore your home to its preloss state, and we’ll use as many as necessary.

Drying. Water removal is only the start. There’s a thorough drying coming to your carpets and other surfaces to remove all the excess moisture and prevent the growth of mold.

Monitoring. We’ll be watching over every step, to ensure maximum effectiveness and efficiency, and make any needed changes to equipment or methodology for your specific situation.

Repairs and Construction. Once everything is completely dry, we can go about the work of repairing damaged surfaces, walls, floors and more, and we can rebuild any areas that have been damaged to the point of replacement. From drywall to complete rebuilds, we’ve got you covered in every soggy situation.

Whatever the cause, and however deep the damage, SERVPRO is here to get you back in the dry after a water incident.

When water damage strikes, make the call to SERVPRO for A-to-Z cleanup and restoration. We’ll make your damaged property look “Like it never even happened."

Be Ready for Winter Storms and Extreme Weather | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

1/14/2022 (Permalink)

It’s about to be that time again. The season of family gatherings, religious and cultural holidays and that oh-so-hopeful countdown to a new year. It’s a wonderful time for many, but don’t let it distract you from the important need to prepare for potentially hazardous weather.

Living in the Milwaukee area provides a virtual guarantee that you’ll be encountering some kind of heavy winter weather this year. So as fall fades and winter waits, let’s look at the list of things for which you should be preparing.

Home Fires and Their Causes | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

1/9/2022 (Permalink)

Regardless of the cause, SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis are here for you if your home is affected by fire.

You would imagine homeowners would go to any lengths to protect their home from a potentially devastating fire. With all that’s invested in one’s home, it only makes sense.

Yet despite decades of awareness campaigns and advancements in technology aimed at fire prevention, a quarter of all reported fires still start at home.

How are these fires continuing to happen, and what should we be doing to make them less likely? Let’s look at the most common causes to shed some light on where we may still be lacking in fire safety at home.

Cooking. The kitchen is far and away the most common area for fires to begin in the house, and the leading reason? Unattended cooking. Yep, the top cause of all fires at home is people walking away from the stove or grill, leaving oils or food items to overheat and spark a fire. The single greatest thing you can do to prevent a fire at home is to pay attention while you’re playing chef.

Heating equipment. Heaters, especially portable space heaters, are known for causing fires, and they start 14% of home blazes. They tip over, overheat or cause short circuits, or they simply cause nearby objects or materials to combust.

Electrical fires. How old is your home? The age of your home is directly proportional to your risk of electrical fire. As wiring ages it’s more likely to develop problems or encounter shorts or overloads, and older homes are not as well-equipped to handle the sheer amount of electricity used by modern devices and families.

Intentional fires. An unthinkable 28,000 intentional home fires are lit each year in the United States. Whatever the reasons may be, these fires are responsible for 8% of all home fires and 14% of all home fire casualties.

Smoking materials. Cigarettes, cigars and even vape pens can cause combustion at home, especially if someone is smoking in bed as he or she falls asleep. Sadly, though this is the least common cause of home fires, it is the most likely cause of casualties from home fires.

Regardless of the cause, SERVPRO is here for you if your home is affected by fire. Contact your local team today to see how we can help.

Ready When You Need Us | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

12/22/2021 (Permalink)

If a fire issue pops up during the holidays, remember the trusted leader in the recovery industry, SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis.

Do you remember when pay phones only cost a dime? Wait, do you remember pay phones at all? If you do, then you probably also remember an era when if you wanted certain things, you had to wait for them.

Before the age of front-door delivery for everything and instant gratification from cell phones and music streaming services, sometimes you had to wait, and not only for things you wanted, but for things you needed.

The age of waiting for products and services is largely over, and we here at SERVPRO are in favor of that. When it comes to our lines of service in particular, you shouldn’t be forced to let damage sit and soak while you wait for an office to open—which is precisely why we’re available 24 hours a day for emergency service.

After a fire. If you have a damaging fire at home, some of the effects are immediate and easy to see. But sneaky offenders like soot, which embeds itself in your carpet and uses its micron-sized particles to start eating away at your home materials, begin to take hold right away as well.

Soot sets in in mere minutes, and in only a few hours soot and smoke are permanently damaging your home, and leaving stains and smells that won’t go away without total drywall replacement.

After water damage. Similarly you’ll notice some immediate damage from water, but there are hidden dangers. As if set by a timer, mold growth begins 48 hours or less after water’s initial contact with your surfaces, and if left to fester, it can create respiratory and other health issues. Unchecked mold growth can even erode your home’s framework and impact your home’s structural integrity.

Your home or business can also be damaged by storms, natural disasters or weather events, all of which can create an acute need for service and recovery. Why should you have to wait for service if these things happen in the middle of the night? If you didn’t send this damage an invitation, you shouldn’t have to wait for cleanup.

At SERVPRO, we don’t only say we’re Faster to Any Size Disaster, we prove it by being at the ready on nights, weekends and holidays. Every hour of every day, rest assured knowing you can click or call for immediate help when your home or business encounters damage.

When you need help after a home or business disaster, fast service is a priority, and there’s nobody faster or more prepared than SERVPRO. Call us anytime to take advantage of our 24-hour emergency service.

3 Questions to Ask of Your Restoration Company | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

11/9/2021 (Permalink)

You can rest easy knowing you’ve got the trusted leader in the restoration industry on the other end of the line, SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis.

Whether it’s caused by a fire, a burst pipe or a natural disaster, the chances are fair that at some point you’ll have a need for cleanup, recovery or restoration. Finding yourself in sudden distress means you’ll have to execute some quick decision-making to decide who to trust with your home or business.

Before you make that call, there are a few questions to which you need good answers.

Are They Legit?

A bit of helpful information you may not yet realize: Not all who offer help have your best interests in mind. Cruelly, scammers often appear in areas recently hit by natural disasters, running slick cons designed to prey off those who are in distress.

SERVPRO is a trusted industry leader, having proven ourselves reliable to millions of customers over a half-century-plus of delivering on our word.

To further illustrate the point, national brands like the PGA Tour count on SERVPRO to deliver results for facilities that need to stay in pristine condition.

Will They Be There When I Need Help?

You don’t have time to wait when a burst pipe is flooding your basement or soaking your carpet and subfloor. You need to know you can get in touch with excellent help quickly.

We’re ready to handle emergencies 24 hours a day, so you can rest easy knowing that whatever surprises may be in store for your home, we can be on-hand right away to help.

Where’s a Fleet When You Need One?

SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis is locally owned and operated, with a fully equipped and trained team right here in your backyard. But when a major disaster takes place, causing a greater need for cleanup activity in the region, we call for backup.

SERVPRO’s national network comes to the aid of local teams as needed, which means your recovery doesn’t get ignored or pushed to the side if something else presents itself. You can trust the strongest infrastructure in the industry to have your back when it counts.

When you call SERVPRO, you can rest easy knowing you’ve got the trusted leader in the restoration industry on the other end of the line. When disaster hits home, contact us to get our local experts and nationwide network on your side.

Copyright © 2021 SERVPRO of Cudahy/St Francis-11046

Fall Fire Precautions | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

10/11/2021 (Permalink)

Be mindful about fall fire safety. Always remember that SERVPRO of West Milwaukee is the trusted leader in the restoration industry.

Do you feel that? The air is brisk, the humidity is low, and you may even be breaking out your favorite light jacket or hoodie.

That’s right: Fall is here again. The season full of comfortable, cool days, full of hiking and camping plans, and of course falling leaves and pumpkin decor galore.

It’s always important to remind ourselves of seasonal fire safety needs, so grab something with pumpkin spice in it and let’s hit a few essentials.

Campfire Safety

Choosing where and how to build a fire is as important as knowing how to snuff it out.

Use a lighter or match to start your fire from kindling, then add tinder such as small, dry sticks, with larger pieces of wood coming last.

Never use kerosene or lighter fluid, as they can easily cause high flames and make your fire grow too quickly. And always build your fire at least 25 feet from buildings or tents.

It’s not safe to break camp until your fire is completely out, right down to the embers. Douse it with water until you’re sure nothing is smoldering.

Leaf Burning

Those beautiful fall colors are giving way to falling leaves, and many homeowners choose to dispose of them by burning. Make sure to get a permit first.

Only put leaves or sticks in your burn pile, and use a barrel if you can. Adding trash or inorganic material can release toxic fumes.

Space Heaters

Portable space heaters may come out for use during fall evenings, but they’re a frequent cause of home fires.

Don’t plug them into extension cords. Make sure they’re on a level area, away from kids and play space, and at least three feet from anything that may catch fire. Never leave a space heater on when you go to bed, or when you’re not in the room.

Halloween

We’ll get into detail later, but be mindful that decorations, candles and even costumes present a certain level of risk, and you should always celebrate carefully.

If a fire hazard should turn from potential to reality in your home, remember the trusted leader in the recovery industry and contact SERVPRO to get your property fully restored right down to the smell of smoke.

Copyright © 2021 SERVPRO of Cudahy/St Francis

Common Culprits of Home Water Damage | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

9/7/2021 (Permalink)

A water leak can turn into a big problem. Contact the SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis team if you are dealing with any water damage.

We’re willing to bet you didn’t wake up this morning, fingers crossed, hoping to deal with a big water leak somewhere at home. Of course you didn’t. No one does.

But perhaps you woke up with wet carpet or a damp ceiling anyway, and we’re sorry about that.

Water is always in exploration mode, looking for new places to conquer, so it’s helpful to know some of the usual places you may want to look to find the source of a leak.

Toilets. Toilets are used constantly, especially in family homes, and everything from a worn flapper to condensation on the bowl can cause water to end up where it’s not supposed to be.

Appliances. Any appliance that uses water is a suspect for leaks, given the time and opportunity. Refrigerators leak from supply lines, washing machines leak from drain pipes, and oh yeah, sometimes water heaters literally explode.

Clogged gutters. Cleaning the gutters is a wearisome but essential task for homeowners to do a couple times a year. Otherwise, fallen leaves, debris and dirt get compacted over time, building a dam that sends water up in your roof and into your walls instead of down the spout.

Roof damage. After any major storm, you should inspect your roof for damage. You may be able to tell certain kinds of damage from the ground. You should always keep the age and condition of your roof in mind, as shingles are prone to breaking and bowing over time.

Pipes. Rusted or disjointed pipes are heavily suspect, and outdoors you may even have to contend with tree roots growing into a crack in outdoor lines, any of which can cause a big, wet mess at home.

Blocked garbage disposals or other pipes. Coffee grounds, paint or even onion skins can gunk up your garbage disposal and cause blockages or backups. And the plunging you may have to do to unstop the blockage could very well cause your p-trap to burst, spilling water and bits of food everywhere (it’s best not to even think about it).

All our modern conveniences have lifespans, even the best-made ones. But a little care and periodic inspection can make all the difference when it comes to stopping leaks before they get a chance to start.

If a water leak erupts into a big problem at home, you’ve got the best team in the business on your side. Contact SERVPRO today so we can get started.

Preparing for Summer Storms | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

8/25/2021 (Permalink)

If storms cause damage to your home or business, SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis is on the line, ready to make things right.

Summer is in full swing, and many of us are enjoying the things we love most about the warmest time of the year. Vacations are taken, days on Lake Michigan are enjoyed, and the days are long and beautifully sunny—aren’t they?

It might actually seem as if thunderstorms happen more often during summer months, and that would be true. Warm air and moisture clash in summer months to increase the likelihood of thunderstorms—and while August isn’t typically the month in the Milwaukee area with the most rainy days, it is the month with the most precipitation.

Be Storm-Alert

Thunderstorms may be a given part of summer, but they should never be ignored just because they’re common. Always give ear to weather alerts, and consider the possibility that outdoor events may need to be moved or postponed.

Prepare by acquiring an NOAA Weather radio that can continue to feed you information even in a power outage.

It’s difficult to totally predict flooding, but if the forecast says it’s possible, you should plan to stay home and forego potentially dangerous travel. Heavy storms and high winds can overturn objects in the yard and cause tree branches to break. Keep trees trimmed and move items like outdoor furniture to safe, covered locations if possible.

Never take storm preparation and safety for granted—storm incidents kill dozens of people every year.

Be Storm-Safe

During a thunderstorm, stay inside to avoid the risk of lightning injury. When you haven’t heard thunder for 30 minutes, the storm has moved out of the danger radius and you can safely return to the outdoors.

Tubs and showers easily conduct electricity, so you shouldn’t bathe or shower while a storm is active. Avoid windows as well.

In cases of extreme thunderstorms that may result in prolonged power loss, make sure you’ve stocked an emergency kit and reviewed local evacuation routes.

If the area is flooding, stay off the roads and avoid coming in contact with potentially toxic flood water. If you come to flooded sections of road while driving, find an alternate route. Rushing water can lift your car off the roadway or destroy entire sections of streets.

There are any number of dangers that can come into play in a thunderstorm, and it’s always best to be cautious and put things on hold until storms safely pass. If storms cause damage to your home or business, SERVPRO is on the line, ready to make things right again.

Why Milwaukee County Residents Believe in SERVPRO | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

8/25/2021 (Permalink)

When you are dealing with any damage, immediate action is crucial. SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis is your local restoration expert.

If you own a home or business, you wear a lot of hats—you have time and resources to manage (and maybe people, too), finances to address and goals to achieve.

When disaster strikes, those hats all go flying into the air, and instantly you’re somehow supposed to wear the hat of a disaster recovery expert. A new role for which you have no training is suddenly thrust upon you, and the pressure to fix the situation can mount quickly.

That pressure isn’t meant for you, but at SERVPRO we live for it, because we are trained and waiting for those moments.

Here’s why you can count on SERVPRO when emergencies occur.

We’re Always Ready and Faster to Any Size Disaster

As quickly as the disaster appeared, we can be ready to start work to repair it. After all, who’s got time to wait around when mold is growing or the roof is leaking? We’re ready all day every day so we can get the jump on the recovery process, and that means we’ll be there fast so no moment is wasted.

Every minute before restoration begins allows more mold growth, stronger smoke smell or more destroyed personal belongings. A fast response is critical, and with our local franchise right here in Cudahy/St. Francis, you reap the benefit of having a local, personal business backed by a national network of resources and technology.

We’re Trained to Handle Residential and Commercial Services

Homes and businesses alike take damage in storms and other emergencies. That’s why we have custom solutions for situations of all shapes and sizes, be they residential or commercial.

We’ll Make It "Like it never even happened."

When your family comes back over for Thanksgiving, they won’t even notice. That’s how committed we are to completing the task of restoring and recovering your property.

We Offer the Services You Need in a Changing World

In a time in which disease prevention is a major sticking point, we offer pristine cleaning services that are hospital-grade to put your mind at ease.

You get a hyper-clean space, and your people get peace of mind.

Disasters happen. Storms, fire, and floods all come knocking. And when they do, we’re standing on the other side of the door, ready to take action.

Regardless of why you need cleanup or disaster recovery, SERVPRO has the tools, the technicians and the training to get your situation under control. When you’re ready to get help from the best, get in touch with SERVPRO.

The Cost of Extreme Storms | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

8/5/2021 (Permalink)

When storms do damage, we go to work to make things right. Contact SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis to start the restoration process.

2020 was an all-time bad year on many levels both measurable and immeasurable. And as if to add insult to injury, it was a record-setting year for extreme weather as well. Of all the years in history for which we have data, 2020 was the most financially destructive.

There were 22 official weather disasters (which are defined as events that cause at least a billion dollars in damages) in 2020, to say nothing of the number of other storms that didn’t reach that mark. So numerous were the year’s hurricanes and tropical storms that the NWS had to make use of the Greek alphabet for just the second time in history to be able to give them all names.

Not Only Hurricanes

It’s easy to understand why hurricanes would cause widespread, costly damage and losses, but they’re not doing it all. In fact the most expensive disasters of 2020 in the contiguous United States were thunderstorms and tornadoes. 

Fourteen of the year’s official weather disasters were severe thunderstorms, some of which cranked out tornadoes as well. Thunderstorms happen in every area and season, and there’s no way to avoid them. They happen in both coastal and landlocked states, Great Lakes to Gulf of Mexico, and everywhere in between.

Just one example of how powerful a single storm can be: In August 2020, what started as a typical line of storms in eastern Nebraska morphed into a derecho (picture a tornado composed of straight winds instead of swirling ones, plus a heavy thunderstorm) which affected over 10 million acres of corn fields, almost half the state’s crop—that’s more than 11% of the entire country’s corn fields.

That same month, we saw flooding in our own area when a heavy storm system dumped up to six inches of water on Milwaukee County, washing away roadways and swamping vehicles.

Not Only 2020

Unfortunately, 2020 seems to be more in line with a new-era average than an outstanding occasion. It was the 10th straight year with at least eight billion-dollar disasters. 2018 and 2019 saw a total of $136 billion in damages, and 2017 alone took in damages over $300 billion, the highest total ever recorded.

The bottom line is that we can’t stop storms from happening, and they seem to be happening more intensely and more often. As a home or business owner, you should take every precaution to keep yourself and your home safe.

And should those precautions fail or be inadequate to prevent damage, we’re here to restore your property "Like it never even happened."

When storms do damage, we go to work to make things right. Contact SERVPRO today to see how we can help.

Give Your Home a Fair Shot Against Wildfire | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

7/29/2021 (Permalink)

If your home is damaged by fire or any other reason, SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis is ready and able to repair any damage.

One of any home or business owner’s greatest fears is seeing their property engulfed in flames, and wildfires are a more frequent cause of property loss than you might realize. Wildfires are ravenous, and with so much of our world made of material that’s combustible, it’s quite a feat that we can even manage to contain them.

But there are some ways we can be proactive in protecting our homes from wildfire, aside from the simplest and most impactful, which would be simply being more careful.

Let’s talk about “defensible space.”

Take Your Business Cleaning to the Next Level | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

7/11/2021 (Permalink)

If you’re business has sanitation and cleaning needs, get in touch with the SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis team.

With recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic unfolding everywhere from rural and suburban areas to major metro areas like Milwaukee, hopes across the country are growing that “normal” life patterns will soon be returning, and business owners are holding onto that hope as well.

But potential customers (not to mention employees returning to on-site work) are more aware than ever of the need for businesses to be sanitized and cleaned thoroughly. And that means combatting more than just the coronavirus.

Get Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned

The Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program provides a higher degree of clean, addressing potential toxins and pathogens of all kinds and providing the peace of mind your potential customers are looking for as they return to brick and mortar shopping.

Your building will be cleaner than it’s ever been, your customers will know it right away, and they’ll be encouraged to enter and spend time in your business. Why? The answer lies in the three C’s of a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program:

Consult. Your business has needs that are unique, and they stand apart from other businesses. We’ll consult with you to determine what those needs are, and how they should be addressed. It helps that SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis is locally owned and operated, so we are already acquainted with many of the ins and outs of the Milwaukee area.

Clean. Once we’ve figured out how to meet your specific needs, we’ll begin doing it! We’ll sanitize your building with proprietary, ultra-high-grade cleaning solutions and techniques no one else can offer. Your building will receive the utmost care and cleaning, and everything we do meets or exceeds strict CDC standards. And this is bigger than just COVID-19: Our methods and solutions will kill germs and reduce the risk of illnesses of all kinds, both for your customers and faithful employees.

Certify. On your front window or door, you can now display the exclusive Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned badge, which tells your patrons and teams that before they even step through the door, they can rest easy knowing you’ve gone to extra lengths to keep their safety at the forefront of your priorities. Along with other digital and physical resources, you’ll be displaying a beacon of cleanliness and courtesy to shoppers, and a valued promise of care to your team.

If you’re ready to get serious about sanitation and have your business Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, get in touch today to get the best team in cleanup and restoration on your side.

The Fire Safety Tips You Need for Warmer Weather | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

6/25/2021 (Permalink)

Restoring fire and smoke damage is one of our specialties. Contact SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis to learn more.

Springtime is full of life and hope—flowers are blooming and nature beckons us to come and play. We have left behind the bitter winter, temperatures and milder again, and there’s certainly no lack of things to do.

We often find ourselves at outdoor gatherings, family reunions and cookouts, graduation parties, and gender reveals, but honestly it’s all just an excuse to break out the grill, right?

The increase in grilling and outdoor springtime activity unfortunately also means there’s an increase in fire activity across the country. In fact, spring sees more daily fires on average than any other time of year.

But there are simple enough steps you can take to be sure your activities are done safely.

The grill. Grills create lots of opportunities for accidental fires, and it’s pretty simple math to understand why—high heats, grease, electricity, the list goes on. For safety, make sure the grill is in proper working order with no leaks, parked away from anything flammable (like leaves, decking or siding), and are sure to clean your grill thoroughly and regularly. Almost 20% of grill fires are due to poor cleaning.

The fire pit. Safety must be a priority around the backyard fire pit. Don’t ever leave it unattended or allow children to play around it. Don’t add leaves, paper or pine needles to the fire, because they can create flying embers. And keep a bucket of water on hand to douse the fire.

Chimneys and dryer vents. While you’re on safety duty, clean out your chimney so you don’t set fire to an accrual of soot and ash in the fall, and clean out the vent hose on your dryer to make sure there’s not a dangerous, flammable buildup of lint ready to catch fire.

Your local SERVPRO technicians are on hand ²⁴⁄₇ for emergencies. If you encounter fire damage at your home or business, no matter the cause, we will be there faster and have it cleaned up sooner. Call or click today and experience the SERVPRO difference.

The Top Signs of Water Damage in a Basement | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

5/28/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis is a restoration company. Our restoration experts are on call and ready to help you determine the best course of action.

A home’s basement is a great asset to the overall square footage and value of the space. An unfinished basement is a fantastic spot for storage, and a finished basement can even provide you with extra living spaces as well. Additionally, basements are a great storm shelter in the event of inclement weather.

All of these things are great, but unfortunately, there can be a downside to basements, too—namely, their predisposition for water damage. While many basements never have water damage over their lifetime, many basements will.

If you have a basement, it is vital to know the signs of water damage so you know what to look out for. If you ever suspect water damage in your basement, you can always get in touch with us right away.

Indicators That a Basement Has Water Damage

Unpleasant, musky odors. The water that gets into the basement could very well be clean water, but after it marinates and then evaporates, the scent can turn pungent and unpleasant. Many people have the misconception that all basements smell musty, but this really should not be the case. This smell will only arise when mold and mildew are present in the environment, and while these are often hard to see, they are easy to smell.

Flaking paint on masonry or walls. There is a common misconception that painting a water-damaged area will help “seal the water in,” but unfortunately, this is not the case. While paint can mask water damage for a time, it does little more than cover up the issue. Eventually, paint will begin to flake, bubble, crack or peel as evidence of the water damage that is actively occurring underneath.

Foundational cracks. It is normal for homes to shift and settle over the years, but serious cracks in the foundation can be a sign that there is water damage. Floors, ceiling and walls are all susceptible to cracking due to water damage. Hairline cracks are often nothing to be concerned with, but if cracks become any larger, you should look into the cause right away.

If you notice any of these signs in your basement, let us take a look. Our expert water restoration technicians can help you determine what is causing these issues and how to treat it properly. Contact us today to learn more.

We're Here When Milwaukee County Residents Need Help With Fire Damage | SERVPRO® Cudahy/St/ Francis

12/19/2020 (Permalink)

If you have fire damage due to a heating malfunction or other issue, count on SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis to fully restore your home.

We're Here When Milwaukee County Residents Need Help With Fire Damage | SERVPRO® Cudahy/St. Francis

Milwaukee residents know that when they need us most we’re here to help remediate and repair fire damage.

No one likes to think about fire damage, but it’s a common problem in the United States—something millions of Americans will deal with over the next year. That could include some families and neighbors in our community.

Want to know why so many families trust us in the community? Here’s what makes us different:

We believe in restoration. Our team helps families recover from a fire in a way that’s both logical and economical. Experts are there at every step. We’ll help you save money on repairs and insurance premiums.

We can do the entire process for you. House fires can damage upholstery, walls and more. Issues resulting from water and smoke are common problems, too. We have the tools and resources to remediate these issues. We’ll make the damage like it never happened.

We are a locally owned business. SERVPRO locations are everywhere—all across the United States. This location is locally owned. It’s staffed by team members who live in Milwaukee County and the surrounding communities. But since we are a SERVPRO location, we can use the resources, equipment and training you would find at a leading-edge company. Our team brings the advantages of that partnership to the jobs we do for our neighbors here.

We’re here ²⁴⁄₇. Beginning the restoration process quickly is an important step in getting your home back to its original state. When it’s an emergency, we’re available ²⁴⁄₇. We make sure our team is here when it matters most.

<h2fire-damage-during-winter">Increased Fire Damage During Winter

Fires aren’t a seasonal hazard, but more of them happen during the winter months. The season’s unique conditions create additional fire hazards homeowners should know about.

Space heaters without automatic shutoff functions can topple over. Candles left burning can fall over when someone bumps a table.

Kitchen fires happen more often, as many people are cooking and baking for the holidays. Christmas tree accidents are a leading cause of fires.

Other threats have little to do with holiday parties and more to do with the home malfunctioning items. Broken furnaces and issues with appliances happen sometimes.

If you have fire damage in your home due to a kitchen, heating or other fire, you can count on us for restoration assistance. Our team is always ready to meet your needs and help you restore your home. Contact us at any time to learn more about our restoration services.

We Focus on Restoration, Not Replacement | SERVPRO® of Cudahy / St. Francis

11/5/2020 (Permalink)

Have you sustained property damage and feeling overwhelmed? We are here to help, contact SERVPRO of Cudahy / St. Francis

We Focus on Restoration, Not Replacement | SERVPRO® of North Kenosha County

When an emergency or disaster strikes, the safety of your family is the top concern—but the safety of your home is a close second. Enduring a disaster such as a fire can be difficult to recover from, and working toward recovery can be a long-term process for you and your family members.

When you are ready to begin the recovery process, calling us for restoration can make it much easier. We are committed to a restoration-first mindset, meaning we will save all of your items we are able to instead of recommending costly and impractical replacements. Our main goal is to save you time and money while restoring your home to its pre-damaged condition so you can begin to heal.

We Are Committed to a Restoration-First Mindset

We can help you save money on your insurance. Depending on your insurance policy, many types of household losses can be claimed after a disaster—but they can often be quite expensive, which can result in higher premiums. By focusing on restoration of your home and belongings, we can reduce the overall cost of restoration, thus reducing the amount you have to file with insurance.

We can protect your sentimental items. When you have to quickly leave the home to preserve your family’s safety, there are many irreplaceable items that must be left behind in the process. Photographs, heirlooms and other sentimental objects could never be bought in a store, and while you may assume these items may be totally lost, our high-tech restoration equipment allows us to save many objects that have become damaged.

We make sure your home feels like home again. Returning home after restoration can be an emotional and nerve-wracking time, but when you trust us with your restoration, you can be certain you will be walking back into your home. We focus on restoring everything we can, from the paint color to the floorboards, to make sure you feel at home as soon as you walk in the door.

If you have damages and are feeling overwhelmed, we are here to help. You can call us as soon as you need to in order to begin the restoration process.

Broken pipes – Causes and ways to prevent them

11/12/2019 (Permalink)

If you have a burst pipe in your home or business, call SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis. We are Here to help.

While we’re pretty sure it’s only November, the temperatures outside say otherwise. As our wind chills dip below zero, what comes to mind is how to protect our homes and businesses from those frigid temperatures.

When you have pipes in your home or business that are exposed to the cold temperatures, the water in them can freeze. When water freezes it expands, which causes wear and tear to your pipes over time. When the water thaws and full pressure is applied, that is what causes the pipe to burst. Water damage from a burst pipe can cause significant damage to your home or business. There are some things we can do as homeowners and business owners to protect our pipes that are most vulnerable to cold temperatures.

1. Keep your heat on
   1. While this may seem pretty obvious, make sure your heat is set to at least 50 degrees. A lot of homes suffer this type of water damage when they are away for a long period of time. Also, it’s a good idea to have a friend or family member check on your home periodically while you are away.
2. Allow your faucet to drip
   1. If temperatures have plummeted and you are concerned about a pipe freezing, let the faucet drip slightly as that will relieve pressure from the pipe.
3. Keep interior doors open
   1. -If you have concerns that the pipes under your sink could be exposed to the cold temperatures, open your cabinet doors to allow the heat in your home to get to them easier and keep them warm.
4. Seal up cracks and holes
   1. If you have any gaps or holes around pipes where they run through walls or floors, seal those gaps with caulk or spray foam insulation.
5. Add insulation if needed, especially in basements or attics.

If you have a pipe burst in your home, know where your water shutoff is and turn it off as soon as possible to prevent additional damage. Give SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis right away so we can get out to your home or business sooner than later so we can get the water cleaned up. Also, give your insurance agent a call and notify them of the damage and find out whether your policy covers the damage. We work with several insurance companies, agents and adjusters so we can help communicate between all parties involved. We will get your home or business back up and running “Like it never even happened.”

Tips to prevent a fire in your home

11/8/2019 (Permalink)

Fires can happen any time of year, but the chances go up significantly in the winter. Cooking, smoking, heating equipment, electrical problems and candles are some of the top causes for home fires. Below are some safety measures that you can take as a homeowner to help prevent fires and keep you and your family safe.

                COOKING

                                Cooking is the #1 cause of home fires and is responsible for almost half of home fires in the U.S. These rates can more than double on Thanksgiving. Never leave food unattended while it’s cooking and if you have to leave the room, turn off the burner. Keep all flammable materials away from cooking areas and keep a metal lid hand to smother grease fires. Putting water on a grease fire will cause it to explode. Keep a fire extinguisher handy and if a fire does occur, get out of the house as fast as possible and call 911.

                SMOKING

                                Smoking is the #1 cause of fire deaths, most commonly occurring in a bedroom or living room. If you have to smoke, do it outside, use deep wide ash trays and pour water over them to fully extinguish. Never leave a burning cigarette unattended.

                HEATING EQUIPMENT

                                Heating equipment, such as a space heater, cause 2 of every 5 fires and another 1/3 are caused by fireplaces/chimneys. If you choose to use a space heater, keep it at least 3 feet away from anything flammable and 3 feet away from children. Turn off when you leave a room or when you go to sleep. If you have a fireplace, make sure to use a screen in front of it. You should also have your fireplace/chimney professionally cleaned once a year.

                ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS

                                In 2014, over 500 people were killed by electrical fires caused by faulty wiring, outdated appliances or malfunctioning lighting equipment. Make sure you don’t overload an outlet. If you are using a heat producing appliance such as a space heater or toaster, plug it directly into an outlet by itself. You should never use an extension cord or power strip. If you have any electrical work that needs to be done, hire a professional. Also, all of your outdoor, bathroom, kitchen, garage and basement outlets should be protected with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) which will cut off electrical circuits when they become shock hazards. If you notice frequent blown fuses, discolored, warm or sparking outlets or burning smells coming from any appliances, call an electrician right away.

                CANDLES

                                Between 2009-2013, 9,300 homes fires occurred due to candles. This resulted in $374 million in property damage. 1/3 of these fires happened in a bedroom. Never leave a candle unattended. Blow them out if you leave a room or go to sleep. Never leave kids alone with a candle and keep it at least a foot away from anything flammable. Alternatively, you can use flameless, battery operated candles or flashlights if you lose power.

There are so many things we can do to help prevent fires, but sometimes they can still happen. SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis can help you with the next steps. Even if you are looking for a shoulder to lean on or advice, we can help point you in the right direction. We know how devastating and emotional a fire in your home can be and we are always here to help.  

Check those smoke detectors

11/7/2019 (Permalink)

Every home should have smoke detectors installed. According to the Residential Fire Safety Institute, over 92% of dwellings in the U.S. have at least one smoke detector, however one third of these alarms no longer work.

While smoke detectors are fairly low maintenance, there are a few things that we need to remind ourselves to do.

1. Check the batteries in your smoke detectors one a year or even every 6 months.
2. Vacuum alarms at least once a year to remove dust, a big contributor to faulty alarms.
3. Make sure to replace them once every 10 years as the sensors can go bad over time.

The locations of smoke alarms are also important. You want to make sure that you hear the alarm and can respond quickly.

1. Outside each bedroom area
2. In each bedroom
3. On every level in your home

It would also be advantageous to keep a fire extinguisher in your home which could prevent something small from becoming a much bigger issue. You can always count on SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis to provide you with the tips you need to keep you and your family safe.

Staying safe during a thunderstorm

11/6/2019 (Permalink)

We love hearing hear that thunder rolling in ahead of a big thunderstorm. I’m sure we’re all guilty of going out on our porches to watch the clouds, thunder and lighting roll in. Unfortunately, this can be one of several dangerous things to do as exciting as it may be. Here are some things you should never do in a thunderstorm.

1. Don’t stand out in the open (golf courses, porches)
2. Taking a shower during a thunderstorm can be dangerous. If the house gets hit by lightning, the bolt can travel through water pipes and electrify you.
3. Don’t touch a concrete structure. Often times concrete and buildings tend to have metal wires or bars through them.
4. Don’t stand under wooden object such as a tree. Lighting can jump from tree to tree because humans conduct electricity more than trees can.
5. You also shouldn’t lie down. You would think this might be safe as standing under a tree for example can be dangerous. Even from 100 feet away, the electric current from lighting that runs on the top of the ground can be deadly. You should crouch down in a ball and tuck your head cover your ears with your hands.
6. Never leave your pet outside. It is just as dangerous for them to be outside as a human. A doghouse is no safer. Bring pets inside.
7. Never touch anything wet as water conducts electricity.
8. If someone near you has been hit by lightning, don’t be afraid to help them. You can’t be electrocuted if you touch someone who has been, humans cannot store electricity.
9. Don’t stand near a window as windows and doors may contain metal parts that can conduct electricity.
10. Finally, never go outside directly after a storm. You should wait at least 30 minutes.

These are some helpful things to remember to keep you, friends and family safe during a thunderstorm.