Content Cleaning

4/19/2022 (Permalink)

When it comes to large jobs, most companies only focus on the big items (walls, flooring, trim, etc.). While these areas are our main reason for being called in, there is more to a home than just walls and floors. A home is filled with some of your most cherished items (photographs, letters, collectibles, heirlooms, etc.) that make your home truly yours. In situations such as floods and fires, almost everything is affected. SERVPRO not only offers mitigation work for your structure, but we also offer content cleaning. Content cleaning is a service SERVPRO provides that cleans items affected by a loss that can be restored such as clothes, toys, documents, etc. to help make your home that much closer to being back to normal. If you are facing a loss and require content cleaning, don’t hesitate to contact SERVPRO of Jackson & Ross, Athens & Gallia Counties today at (740) 286-2550!

Commercial Board Up

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

When it comes to your property, we understand that keeping it secure is a top priority. SERVPRO of Jackson & Ross, Athens & Gallia Counties offers board up for locations both big and small to keep your property safe. Whether you are facing damages from a fire, storm, or vandalism the professionals at SERVPRO are always here to help! If windows and doors are left unboarded after damages, opportunities are created for unwanted visitors on the property which cloud lead to more damage, theft, or someone getting injured. 

We board up properties in a way that does not damage the casings of the windows and doors in situations where they will be reused/repaired. Instead of attaching plywood directly to the frames of doors and windows, we attach braces behind the plywood that stretches across the casings to securely clamp the two pieces together. This allows for the property to be tightly secured without causing unnecessary damage to the structure. 

If you are facing damages to your property, don’t hesitate to call SERVPRO, we are always happy to help! Call us today at (740) 286-2550.

Common Toilet Leaks

4/8/2022 (Permalink)

Toilets are common locations for leaks, which can raise your water usage and potentially cause damage to your bathroom. There are multiple locations where a toilet leak can develop. However, the majority of these leaks can easily be repaired with inexpensive parts and common hand tools. Another fact to consider is that the cost of any of these repairs would be more than paid for by the savings on your water bill over time. Some of the most common leaks are listed below:

• Flapper valve, flush valve, tank-to-bowl gasket, and bolt gaskets
• These valves and gaskets have a track record of warping and deteriorating over time. Over the years, these will degrade to the point where they will no longer make a proper seal, causing a leak. 
• Fill Valve
• Occasionally, the tube that runs to the bowl can get below the water line causing it to siphon the water from the tank, causing a loop. 
• Trip Lever
• The chain that connects the lever to the flapper valve can get too tight to the point where the flapper valve is unable to seal properly. 
• Wax Seal
• When a toilet is improperly mounted, the toilet is able to rock back and forth, causing the wax seal to prematurely break. 
• Water Supply Connector
• Plastic connectors can crack and break either with age or by unnecessary force.
• Cracked Porcelain 
• Though it's less common, a cracked tank or bowl is a real possibility, cracks can occur on either the tank or the bowl and should be patched as soon as possible. 

If you are facing water damage from a toilet leak, don’t hesitate to call us today! SERVPRO of Jackson & Ross, Athens & Gallia Counties is available 24/7 and can be contacted at (740) 286-2550!

Roof Tarping

3/22/2022 (Permalink)

When a storm blows in, one area of your home that is hit the hardest is your roof. Your roof is your defense from the outside elements, and if that defense is breached, it can lead to a multitude of problems. If your roof becomes compromised from a storm, it is important to add protection as soon as possible. If a roof is left without protection, secondary water damage, like mold, can begin in a short amount of time. 

SERVPRO of Jackson & Ross, Athens & Gallia Counties offers roof tarping to prevent secondary water damage from happening. Our trained staff will be able to serve you quickly and professionally. If you are facing roof damage as a result of a storm, don't hesitate to call us today at (740) 286-2550!

Find a Leak Week 2022

3/18/2022 (Permalink)

When it comes to a simple leak, most would initially overlook the issue thinking “its just a little water”. In actuality, U.S. households will waste nearly 1 trillion gallons of water as a result of “small leaks” this year. As an effort to combat that statistic, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created Fix a Leak Week to help create awareness and to educate homeowners on how to identify and repair leaks in their homes. Surprisingly, the simplest of leaks are normally the cause of a lot of waste.

Some of the most common leaks found in the home are easy fixes that often only require common hand tools and inexpensive parts. The official EPA website (https://www.epa.gov/watersense/fix-leak-week) also offers a collection of educational material to show how to do these repairs yourself. Leaks such as toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and leaking valves can be repaired cheaply and the repair costs would be paid many times over in your savings on your water bill. 

Hopefully, this information helps to motivate you to check your home this week for potential leaks, and if you fix a few, don’t forget to share your work by using the hashtag #fixaleakweek!

Sprinkler System Maintenance

3/4/2022 (Permalink)

Your sprinkler system plays a vital role in protecting your business from disaster. This system deals with many specifications that need to be monitored and inspected on a routine basis. Over the years, these systems can face expected wear such as leaks, blockages, and seal failure. A full inspection of your fire system should be performed at least once a year, including simple visual checks throughout the year. Keeping this system routinely maintained is key to keeping it functioning properly along with extending its life. Make sure to find a certified technician to inspect your fire sprinkler system if you have not already. And if you have faced a fire loss in your home or business, don’t hesitate to call SERVPRO of Jackson & Ross, Athens & Gallia Counties!

Xactimate Estimations

2/9/2022 (Permalink)

Xactimate is the industry's #1 estimating solution for insurance repair.

In this industry, it is easy to wonder how your service provider came to the price that they did. Did they carefully check the fluctuation in material prices? Did they accurately calculate the amount of work they did? These questions are common thoughts and worries of a homeowner/insurance agent after being handed a bill. Thankfully with SERVPRO, our jobs are run through the industry's #1 estimating solution for insurance repair, Xactimate. Xactimate provides the tools and resources that allow SERVPRO to form accurate and up-to-date estimates for a vast array of jobs. 

With their sketching software, we are able to create a 3D model of the affected area which allows us to precisely calculate how much material is being removed and will need to be replaced. Xactware also offers pricing for materials and services based on your geographic location that is updated regularly. These features create transparency that allows adjusters and agents to clearly understand the work that is being done. 

SERVPRO of Jackson & Ross, Athens & Gallia Counties strives to provide professional results in all aspects of our work, with this being one of many. If you are in need of any of the services that we provide, don’t hesitate to call us today at (740)-286-2550!

Chimney Fires

2/2/2022 (Permalink)

Confined fires, those fires confined to chimneys, flues, or flue burners, accounted for 87 percent of residential building heating fires. (USFA)

During the bitterly cold weather of the winter season, many Southern Ohio homeowners use alternative forms of heat to keep warm. Probably the most popular would be wood-burning stoves & chimneys. Though this is a great way to heat your home, there are also precautions that need to be addressed in order for this to be a safe practice. 

With the help of the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), we hope to keep homeowners informed so that chimney fires are a thing of the past. In order to better prevent chimney fires, we must first understand what are the main causes. One of the most common causes is the build-up of soot and creosote. These two are the byproducts of burning wood. Every time you burn, these byproducts condensate on the walls of your flue pipe, slowly building up. Creosote specifically, is corrosive to your flue pipe as well as highly flammable.

Another large cause of chimney fires is damaged/missing caps on your chimney. During the cold weather, an uncapped chimney pipe is an open invitation for animals to enter and build nests. Materials that these animals bring in are easily flammable could start chimney fires. 

Now that we understand what are some of the main causes of these fires, here are some ways to prevent your home from becoming at risk. The CSIA recommends the following:

1. Schedule annual inspections & periodical cleanings of your chimney/stove and flue pipe.
2. Burn dry wood only, DO NOT try to burn wet material!
3. Inspect your liner. A good liner can help reduce the build-up of creosote. 
4. Install a quality chimney cap.
5. Make sure your chimney receives adequate air and is free of blockages. 

Hopefully, with these tips, your home will never have to experience the damage of a chimney fire. However, if you are facing a fire loss as a result of a chimney fire, know that there’s a pro for that! SERVPRO of Jackson & Ross, Athens & Gallia Counties is available 24/7 at (740) 286-2550 and is dedicated to making it "Like it never even happened."

Source: 
“The Facts about Chimney Fires - US.” Chimney Safety Institute of America, 29 Jan. 2022, https://www.csia.org/homeowner-resources/the-facts-about-chimney-fires-your-questions-answered/.

Frozen Pipes

12/20/2021 (Permalink)

More than 250,000 families and homes experience frozen and/or burst pipes each year in the U.S

During the winter season, the average person typically thinks of Christmas presents, family dinners, etc. but frozen pipes bursting and flooding your home probably isn’t on that list. Though it is easy to overlook, Southeastern Ohio can reach temperatures that can freeze the water residing in your lines causing the pipe itself to expand and potentially burst. Here are a few preventative measures to keep this from happening to your home this winter:

• Make sure exposed pipes are properly insulated
• Invest in a cover for your outdoor faucets
• Open the cabinet doors underneath your fixtures to allow more air to flow to your pipes
• If you plan on leaving your home for an extended period of time, set your thermostat to keep your home from getting too cold.
• Where pipes are most likely to freeze, run a small trickle of water to keep the pipes flowing. 

Hopefully, some of these tips can help prevent your home from being subject to frozen pipes this year. If you do end up facing a water loss from a busted pipe, there’s a pro for that. SERVPRO of Jackson & Ross, Athens & Gallia Counties is available 24/7 and is here to provide quality service with experienced restoration professionals. Contact us anytime at (740) 286-2550!

Christmas Fire Safety

12/10/2021 (Permalink)

The top three days of the year for home candle fires are Christmas, New Year’s Day, and New Year's Eve.

With the Christmas season finally here, people are starting to get into the holiday spirit and putting up decorations. With the help of the U.S. Fire Administration, let’s be mindful of potential fire hazards. Here are some tips to put a freeze on holiday house fires:

• Only use decorations that are flame-retardant or not flammable.
• Check holiday lights each year for frayed wires or excessive wear. If any damage is found, please dispose of it and replace it with a new set.
• Don’t link more than three strands of holiday lights. 
• Never leave a burning candle unattended. Consider using battery-operated flameless candles.
• Keep your live Christmas tree away from heat sources and room exits. Live Christmas trees will dry over time, mixed with being close to a heat source can create a fire hazard. 
• Water your live Christmas tree daily to keep it from becoming dry.
• Once the holiday has passed, dispose of your live tree when possible. 

Hopefully, with these tips, we can help make your home a little bit safer this holiday season. If you are in the Southern Ohio area and facing the aftermath of a house fire, there’s a pro for that. SERVPRO of Jackson & Ross, Athens & Gallia Counties is available 24/7 to help get your home feeling like home again.