Recent Posts

Not so bad to serious

6/3/2022 (Permalink)

When you believe you may a water leak in your home it is extremely important to locate the source of the leak and take care of it right away. With water comes mold and that’s when things can go from “not so bad” to “serious” in a matter of days.

If you suspect you may have a water leak, here are a list of things you should do after a major water leak at your home. If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster, give SERVPRO

  1. Turn off your water. As soon as you notice the leak, turn off the main water valve. ...
  2. Turn off utilities. ...
  3. Mop up excess water quickly. ...
  4. Move and clean clothes and rugs. ...
  5. File your insurance claim as quickly as possible. ...
  6. Document all items that have been damaged.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster, give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We have highly trained professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your disaster restoration needs.

House fires

6/3/2022 (Permalink)

Because a house fire is usually unexpected, most homeowners aren’t sure of the steps they should take after the disaster. House fires can happen anytime and anywhere so everyone should have an emergency plan in case a fire occurs. According to the NFPA, these are some escape plans tips you can follow.

Escape planning tips

  • Pull together everyone in your household and make a plan. Walk through your home and inspect all possible exits and escape routes.  Households with children should consider drawing a floor plan of your home, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors. Also, mark the location of each smoke alarm.
  • A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code® requires interconnected smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
  • When you walk through your plan, check to make sure the escape routes are clear and doors and windows can be opened easily.
  • Choose an outside meeting place (i.e. neighbor's house, a light post, mailbox, or stop sign) a safe distance in front of your home where everyone can meet after they've escaped. Make sure to mark the location of the meeting place on your escape plan.
  • Go outside to see if your street number is clearly visible from the road. If not, paint it on the curb or install house numbers to ensure that responding emergency personnel can find your home.
  • Have everyone memorize the emergency phone number of the fire department. That way any member of the household can call from a neighbor's home or a cellular phone once safely outside.
  • If there are infants, older adults, or family members with mobility limitations, make sure that someone is assigned to assist them in the fire drill and in the event of an emergency. Assign a backup person too, in case the designee is not home during the emergency
  • If windows or doors in your home have security bars, make sure that the bars have emergency release devices inside so that they can be opened immediately in an emergency. Emergency release devices won't compromise your security - but they will increase your chances of safely escaping a home fire.
  • Tell guests or visitors to your home about your family's fire escape plan. When staying overnight at other people's homes, ask about their escape plan. If they don't have a plan in place, offer to help them make one. This is especially important when children are permitted to attend "sleepovers" at friends' homes.
  • Be fully prepared for a real fire: when a smoke alarm sounds, get out immediately. Residents of high-rise and apartment buildings(PDF) may be safer "defending in place."
  • Once you're out, stay out! Under no circumstances should you ever go back into a burning building. If someone is missing, inform the fire department dispatcher when you call. Firefighters have the skills and equipment to perform rescues.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster, give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We have highly trained professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your disaster restoration needs.

Fire Suppression System

2/28/2022 (Permalink)

Winters in Idaho are always unpredictable but the one thing you can count on is below freezing temperatures. Over the weekend we were called to a huge loss at an apartment building because their fire suppression system broke due to frozen pipes. This caused a category 2 loss that affected four stories and over 8 apartments. SERVPRO got right to work setting up our machines to get these units dried out as fast and efficiently as possible.

To avoid this kind of disaster from happening there are steps you can take. For example, you can make sure that all your pipes are fully insulated. You can seal or caulk any cracks you find, winterize your home or business and start a small drip on your kitchen and bathroom faucets.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today! We have highly trained professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Bursting Pipes

2/25/2022 (Permalink)

When the temperatures drop to below freezing there is always a chance of a pipe burst. This week alone we have had two emergency calls that came in through the night that were because of broken pipes. The pipes froze and flooded two different apartment units. Per state farm, these are tips to help prevent pipes from freezing.

  • Insulate pipes. Pipe insulation in your home's crawl spaces and attic helps even if you live in a climate where freezing is uncommon. Exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing. Remember, the more insulation you use, the better protected your pipes will be.
  • Use heat tape or heat cables. Heat tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables can be used to wrap pipes. Be sure to use products approved by an independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc., and only for the use intended (exterior or interior). Closely follow all manufacturer's installation and operation instructions.
  • Seal leaks. Locate and thoroughly seal leaks that allow cold air inside. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes, and use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out.
  • Secure outdoor hoses, valves and faucets. Before winter hits, disconnect garden hoses and, if possible, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of pipe just inside the house.
  • Let water drip. A trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing. Let warm water drip overnight when temperatures are cold, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall.
  • Adjust the thermostat. Keeping your thermostat set at the same temperature during both day and night also reduces the risk of frozen pipes. During extreme cold, this also helps reduce the strain on the furnace.
  • Open cabinet doors. This allows heat to get to un-insulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.

If you have any fire, water or mold disasters give SERVPRO a call today! We have trained professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Cold weather wreaking havoc

2/25/2022 (Permalink)

With the cold weather wreaking havoc all over Southeastern Idaho, we are warning people to be careful about the potential of pipes freezing. Pipes can begin to freeze when weather reaches around 20 degrees. But weather your pipes will freeze or not is also dependent on what geographical location you live in. If you are live somewhere where it has cold winters the pipes that are used in your business may be better insulated so you will not have to worry as much about them. There are tips however to help with not letting your pipes freeze.

  • Keep garage doors closed
  • Open cabinets under sinks to allow warmer air to cycle through
  • Let cold water drip from a faucet
  • Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature during the days and nights
  • Leave your heat on at no lower than 55 degrees all winter
  • Add insulation to areas in your home including attics, basements, and crawl spaces

If you have any fire, water or mold disasters give SERVPRO a call today! We have trained professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Fires in your home

2/25/2022 (Permalink)

There are many reasons why a house fire can happen. Some of the main reasons may include cooking, candles, heating, smoking and electrical problems. According to the NFPA there are more than 350,000 home fires each year in the US, leading to more than 2,600 deaths. There are helpful tips you can follow to try to help avoid a house fire. The Red cross recommends these tips below.

  1. All heaters need space. Keep children, pets and things that can burn (paper, matches, bedding, furniture, clothing, carpets, and rugs) at least three feet away from heating equipment.
  2. If you must use a space heater, place it on a level, hard and nonflammable surface (such as ceramic tile floor), not on rugs, carpets or near bedding or drapes. Plug power cords directly into outlets - never into an extension cord.
  3. Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended, and use a glass or metal fire screen to keep fire and embers in the fireplace.
  4. Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.
  5. Turn off portable space heaters every time you leave the room or go to sleep.

IF THE POWER GOES OUT

If electrical power lines are down, don’t touch them. Keep your family and pets away. Report downed lines to your utility company.

  1. Use flash lights in the dark, not candles.
  2. Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car. Traffic lights will be out and roads will be congested.
  3. If you are using a generator be sure you understand the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning and how to use generators safely.
  4. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. An unopened refrigerator will keep foods cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed. First use perishable food from the refrigerator. Perishables should have a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius) or below to be safe to eat. Then use food from the freezer.
  5. Use your non-perishable foods and staples after using food from the refrigerator and freezer.
  6. If it looks like the power outage will continue beyond a day, prepare a cooler with ice for your freezer items.
  7. Keep food in a dry, cool spot and keep it covered at all times.
  8. Turn off and unplug all unnecessary electrical equipment, including sensitive electronics.
  9. Turn off or disconnect any appliances (like stoves), equipment or electronics you were using when the power went out. When power comes back on, surges or spikes can damage equipment.
  10. Leave one light turned on so you’ll know when the power comes back on.

If you have any fire, water or mold disasters give SERVPRO a call today! We have trained professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Duct Cleaning

2/23/2022 (Permalink)

  1. Just like residential properties, commercial properties also suffer from disaster related losses. Recently we were called out to a high school because their duct system needed to be cleaned. SERVPRO has trained professionals who offer duct cleaning to both residential and commercial properties. There are many benefits to get your ducts cleaned. Some of the major benefits include:
  • Creates a Cleaner Living Environment. ...
  • Reduces Allergens and Irritants. ...
  • Helps Everyone Breathe Easier. ...
  • Removes Unpleasant Smells and Odors. ...
  • Improves Air Flow Efficiency.

And please remember to always call in a professional. Cleaning your ducts is not a DIY job, it is something that should be handled by trained professionals. If you think you may need your ducts cleaned call SERVPRO today at (208) 523-5365.We have highly trained professionals ready to help!

Bursting Pipes

2/2/2022 (Permalink)

Whether you are a commercial business or residential home, there is always a chance of a flood happening. Recently we were called out to an emergency flood at commercial property which had occurred because of a broken sprinkler pipe. This can happen because of many different reasons. One reason can be because they water in the pipes freeze and then expands causing them to burst. There are way that can help avoid this disaster all together.

  • Make sure your pipes are insulated
  • Use heat tape or heat cables
  • Seal any visible leaks
  • Secure outdoor hoses, valves and faucets
  • Let water drip
  • Open cabinet doors

If you do happen to have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster, give SERVPRO a call today! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs!

Our amazing drywaller

1/31/2022 (Permalink)

Martin is our drywall rebuild guy and he has been with the company for over 6+ years. He has over 20+ years of experience and is simply amazing at what he does. He has mastered the art of drywall and all of the different types of textures. He can also do carpet, flooring, tile, vinyl etc. He is one of the hardest workers we have and our customers have the most amazing things to say about him after he leaves a job.

SERVPRO has trained professionals with over 20 years’ experience in the mitigation field along with the rebuild departments. If you have a water, fire, mold or asbestos disaster or have a reconstruction project you need assistance with, give SERVPRO a call today. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs.

Water Disasters in the home

1/28/2022 (Permalink)

Water disasters are never an easy thing to deal with especially when you don’t have a plan in place. Water disasters can happen because of many different reasons. Some reasons include weather related, broken pipes or even appliance malfunction. For example, a water hose attached to a fridge can break, crack or disconnect and cause a water leak in your kitchen. Now think if one of these disaster occur when you are out of town or even at work for 8 hours. That can be a large amount of water damage happening in an 8 hour window. With that amount of time the water will flow and then sit and saturate cabinets, flooring or personal belongings. That will give the water ample time to cause water damage and even give mold the opportunity to grow. Mold only needs 24-48 hours to start its growth process.

If you have a water, fire, mold or asbestos disaster, give SERVPRO a call today. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs.