SERVPRO of Eau Claire proudly supports “Sock-tober."

11/2/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Eau Claire donating 225 pairs towards "Sock-tober."

SERVPRO of Eau Claire proudly supported its’ community by donating 225 pairs of socks to the less fortunate for “Sock-Tober” sponsored by “Scorch & The Morning X.”

Initially this idea was something that our marketing representative caught wind of as “Scorch” had mentioned he wanted to start doing this event annually for our Eau Claire community. James was the first to call Scorch and let him know that SERVPRO was ready to do what it could to support the cause. James went out to some of the local businesses to find the best deals on a variety of brand new socks for women, men and children.

The event quickly became popular as Scorch continued to advertise it on his radio show and soon other businesses from the area joined in. Scorch was able to round up 4,000 pairs of socks for people in need this season!

SERVPRO of Eau Claire loves supporting our community, we recognize that our greatest asset that we have is each other.

Cost of Water Restoration and Other Frequently Asked Questions

10/27/2021 (Permalink)

Have you recently experienced a water loss? These "FAQ" may be helpful to you!

Water Loss Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  How much does water damage restoration cost?
A:  We are asked this question all the time.  Unfortunately, we cannot give you an estimate on water damage restoration over the phone due to the complexity of the situation.  We can, however, provide you with a professional estimate after inspecting your home.  

Some of the factors that affect the restoration estimate are the type of water (clean, gray, black, etc.), length of time that the restoration will take, the equipment needed to clean and dry the structure, the labor hours required, any personal protective equipment or containment that might be needed, and whether any demolition or removal of wet materials are required.

While we can't give you an exact number without seeing your property, we can share that the average water loss in the United States is approximately $3000.  Your water loss may be a few hundred dollars or tens of thousands, depending on the level of damage.  Every home and situation is so different that we must be on-site before we can have an idea as to the actual cost.

Q:  How soon can you get here?
A:  On average, our teams can be equipped and ready to begin the mitigation process to your home within 2 hours of your call. During a large water event, such as a major storm, we handle calls in the order they are received. 

Q:  How quickly does mold begin to grow after water damage?
A:  Under the right conditions, mold can start to grow in as little as 48 hours, so it is essential to get the water damage restoration process started as soon as possible.

Q:  What products might you be spraying in my home?
A:  When needed, we may use SERVPRO's proprietary decontamination products on the affected areas reducing the likelihood of microbial growth.  The most common product that we use is SERVPROXIDE™; an EPA registered disinfectant and sanitizer that will help destroy and prevent microbial growth, such as  mold. Our customers appreciate that this product is safe for use on all surfaces and is not harmful to people or their pets as it carries the EPA's lowest toxicity rating for a disinfectant and is also NSF rated for food contact surfaces.

Q:  Can I remain at home during the drying process?
A:  The majority of our customers can stay in the home during restoration. There are cases where the house is deemed hazardous due to toxic conditions, a lack of heat, or structural damage. In these cases, your insurance company might pay for you to be temporarily relocated.  Additional Living Expenses (ALE) or Loss of Use coverage is a form of coverage often included in insurance policies that allows you to live elsewhere while your home is being repaired or rebuilt.

We do like to let customers know in advance that drying equipment can be noisy, especially in small spaces.  While many people enjoy the "white noise" of fans running, we like to let folks know about the sound so they aren't surprised.  Just remember to keep the equipment running so we can dry everything as fast as possible.  

Q:  Will my claim be covered under my insurance policy?
A:  Although we see hundreds of claims a year and might have a good idea of whether or not your water damage will be covered, only your insurance company can truly answer that question.  Our team is highly experienced in interacting with insurance adjusters and will work directly with your provider, including submitting the necessary documentation to assist in this process.

Do you have any other questions about the water damage restoration process?  Call our SERVPRO of Eau Claire team at 715-834-3473 and let us know how we can help.

Smoke Detectors Can Save Lives

10/18/2021 (Permalink)

When was the last time you checked your smoke alarm?

Smoke Alarms Can Save Lives:  When Was the Last Time You Checked Yours?

When installed and adequately maintained, smoke alarms can dramatically reduce the risk of injuries and even death caused by fires. According to data by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):

• Smoke alarms were present in three-quarters (74%) of reported home fires in 2014–2018.
• Almost 3 out of 5 home fire deaths were caused by fires in properties with no smoke alarms (41%) or smoke alarms that failed to operate (16%).
• When smoke alarms were present in reported fires considered large enough to activate them, they operated in eighty-nine percent of the fires, seventy-three percent of the deaths, and eighty-two percent of the injuries.
• The risk of dying in reported home structure fires is fifty-five percent lower in homes with working smoke alarms than in homes with no alarms or none that worked.
• When present, hardwired smoke alarms operated in ninety-four percent of the fires considered large enough to trigger a smoke alarm. Battery-powered alarms functioned eighty-two percent of the time. Power source issues were the most common factors when smoke alarms failed to operate.

If you'd like to read more on the report, you can do so here.  The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) also recommends the following:

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and in every bedroom. Do not install the smoke alarm where it could be blocked or damaged.
• Smoke alarms should be installed away from the kitchen and shower to prevent false alarms and should be at least around ten feet from a cooking appliance.
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month using a test button.
• Replace batteries in all smoke alarms at least once a year, though twice would be best. Daylight savings time can be good dates to set for this task.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are ten years old.  Don't forget to write the date on the alarm when it was installed.
• Newer alarms on the market also offer carbon monoxide detection and voice alarms, which have shown to be more effective in waking children up.

Should fire damage happen in your home, our team of certified experts at SERVPRO of Eau Claire stands ready to help make it "Like it never even happened."®  Let us know how we can help at 715-834-3473.

Halloween Fire Safety Tips

10/9/2021 (Permalink)

Halloween is scary enough without fire hazards and these few, easy precautions can help keep your home and family safe.

Given that orange is our logo color, it's no surprise that we like Halloween!  Apart from one of our favorite colors getting some much-deserved attention, Halloween is a fun time of year.  Festive decorations, children dressed in costumes, excitedly going from house-to-house to trick-or-treat - what could be better than that!

To help our friends and neighbors stay safe, SERVPRO of Eau Claire wants to share a few fire safety tips for your Halloween season:

1) Use battery-operated candles or glow sticks in your pumpkins and other decor items

2) Avoid costumes with long, trailing fabric

3) Teach the kiddos to stay away from open flames and be careful if they see real candles in jack-o-lanterns

4) Keep exits clear of decorations

5) Check all smoke detectors

6) Hay bales, dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper can easily catch fire; keep decorations away from open flames (such as bonfire rings), and other heat sources like light bulbs and heaters

Halloween is scary enough without fire hazards and these few, easy precautions can help keep your home and family safe.

Faster to your Eau Claire Water Damage

10/8/2021 (Permalink)

Uploaded photo of water damage in a home

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Eau Claire provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays.

Faster To Any Size Disaster

Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more.  SERVPRO of Eau Claire arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – 715-834-3473

Water Damage Timeline

Within Minutes

• Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
• Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
• Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
• Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.

Hours 1 - 24:

• Drywall begins to swell and break down.
• Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
• Furniture begins to swell and crack.
• Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
• A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

• Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
• Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
• Metal begins to rust and corrode.
• Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
• Paint begins to blister.
• Wood flooring swells and warps.
• Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 Week:

• Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
• Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.

About SERVPRO of Eau Claire

SERVPRO of Eau Claire specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and reconstruction. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

National Preparedness - Keeping Your Business Going

9/30/2021 (Permalink)

Is your business prepared in the event of an emergency or disaster?

To wrap up our month of Preparedness blogs, we are turning to the experts at FEMA to help you keep your business going during an emergency.  The following is an excerpt from their preparedness website; you can find the full article here.

"When a business is disrupted, it can cost money. Lost revenues, plus extra expenses means reduced profits. Insurance does not cover all costs and cannot replace customers...A business continuity plan to continue business is essential. Development of a business continuity plan includes four steps:

• Conduct a business impact analysis to identify time-sensitive or critical business functions and processes and the resources that support them.
• Identify, document, and implement to recover critical business functions and processes.
• Organize a business continuity team and compile a business continuity plan to manage a business disruption.
• Conduct training for the business continuity team and testing and exercises to evaluate recovery strategies and the plan."

As many of us have learned over the past year and half, businesses can be forced to shut down with little notice and so few small businesses have a contingency plan in place. Ready.gov has a tremendous wealth of resources that may be helpful to your business and commercial property. 

We want your business to be prepared and ready in the event of an emergency or disaster.  If you ever need us for commercial water, fire, or storm restoration, call us at 715-834-3473; we are always Here to Help.  

National Preparedness Month - Build a Kit

9/23/2021 (Permalink)

What's in your emergency kit?

In our ongoing blog series highlighting National Preparedness Month, this week's focus will be on building an emergency kit.  While your exact needs may be different based on the actual situation, the following is a basic list of supplies that everyone could benefit from having on-hand:

• Water - Have at least one gallon per person for a minimum of 3-days
• Food - Keep at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable food with a manual can opener
• Battery-Powered or Crank Radio - If the power goes out, you'll want to know what is happening around you; FEMA also recommends a NOAA Weather Alert Radio with tone alert
• Flashlight(s) - Don't forget extra batteries!
• First Aid Kit
• Whistle - Use this to signal for help
• Dust Mask - To filter contaminated air
• Plastic Sheeting & Duct Tape - Can be used for a number of tasks, most importantly to shelter-in-place
• Candles & Matches - Be sure to store matches in a waterproof container
• Moist Wipes, Garbage Bags & Ties - For personal sanitation
• Toilet Paper & 5-Gallon Bucket with Lid - For a makeshift toilet (don't forget the lid!)
• Basic Tools - Include a wrench, pliers and hammer (these may be needed to turn off utilities)
• Medications - Don't forget prescription medication, as well as general over-the-counter products like ibuprofen, antacids or anti-diarrhea medication; remember an extra pair of glasses or contacts with solution

These items make up the core products that should be in every emergency kit.  Other helpful items that are recommended are:

• Sleeping bags/blankets
• Important documents (such as insurance policies, passports, bank records)
• Infant formula, diapers, bottles, rash cream, etc. (if applicable)
• Pet food and extra water (if applicable)
• Cash or traveler's checks
• Extra clothing and shoes
• Fire extinguisher
• Feminine hygiene supplies (if applicable)
• Dishware/mess kits (cups, bowls, plates, silverware)
• Paper, writing utensils, books, games, etc.

Once you've assembled your kit, consider making a "mini-kit" for work, school, and/or car.  Be sure to store your home kit in an easily accessible location that everyone is aware of. 

It may seem like a lot of items but any one of these could make all the difference in keeping you and your family safe.  

For more information on National Preparedness and building an emergency kit, go to FEMA's prep website at Ready.gov.  If you experience a fire, water or storm emergency, call the experts at SERVPRO of Eau Claire at 715-834-3473; we are always Here to Help and available 24/7, 365 days a year. 

National Preparedness Month - Cybersecurity

9/17/2021 (Permalink)

September is National Preparedness Month: Is your personal information protected? Is your business safe from cyber attacks?

At SERVPRO of Eau Claire, our primary focus is on residential and commercial restoration and safety.  For National Preparedness Month, we are taking extra steps to protect our small business from a different kind of disaster - cyber attacks.

According to Security Magazine, there is a cyber attack every 39 seconds - more than 2,000 per day.  Cyber attacks can leave you or your business in financial ruin, delete vital information from your databases and servers, or even put people in physical danger with the information retrieved.  

We are NOT cyber security experts, but we rely on those who are to help keep our business and team safe from cyber threats.  We recommend the following steps as a starting point to protect against cyber attacks:

1) Limit the amount of personal information you put online

2) Update to the latest versions of software and operating systems

3) Make sure your passwords are strong, change them often, and use two-factor authentication whenever possible

4) Use anti-virus software, firewalls and ad-blocking services

5) Do not visit websites that do not have valid security certificates - check your browser settings to ensure you have the best security protection options selected

6) Never open an attachment or click links in emails that are not from a trusted source

For more information on how you can prepare for potential cyber attacks or other disasters and emergencies, go to ready.gov and get started protecting your home or business today.

Are You Prepared for an Emergency? SERVPRO Ready App Can Help!

9/12/2021 (Permalink)

Prepare your home and business today by downloading the SERVPRO Ready app

No matter where you live or work, emergencies caused by weather, fire, wind, water, and other natural or manmade disasters can strike at any time and are largely unpredictable.  The property restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Eau Claire, an industry-leading provider of fire and water cleanup and restoration services, reminds home and business owners that preparing in advance is the best thing you can do to help minimize a disaster’s impact on your loved ones and your property. 

Each year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designates September as National Preparedness Month – a time to create, or update, your plan for when disaster strikes.

“In the same way that people make ‘resolutions’ at the New Year, National Preparedness Month is a great time to resolve to create a plan, or review your existing plan, each and every year,” said Rick Isaacson, CEO of SERVPRO Industries, LLC. “Everyone needs a comprehensive emergency plan. Business owners also need to plan for business interruption and continuation. But equally importantly, families and businesses alike need immediate access to data like emergency and insurance contacts, shut-off valves, electrical panel locations, and the line of command to authorize work so emergency responders can react quickly and appropriately during the emergency. This month’s focus on preparedness is a great incentive for both families and businesses to put a plan in place and review it regularly.”

Creating an emergency plan is straightforward, according to Isaacson. No matter what type of threats exist where you live or work – wildfires, flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, or other natural or manmade disasters – tools are available from FEMA with guidelines for preparing emergency food, water, and medical supplies; planning for special needs; and creating communication and evacuation plans. These tools and others, like the SERVPRO READY app, also help you store essential contact and property information electronically where it can be accessed with a mobile device in seconds if disaster strikes. Both home and business owners can download the free app at https://ready.SERVPRO.com/home/mobileapp.

Business owners can take an additional preparedness step by designating their local SERVPRO franchise as their disaster mitigation and restoration provider. SERVPRO professionals will conduct a no-cost assessment of the facility and assist the owner in completing a comprehensive Emergency READY Profile^® (ERP) to be stored in the READY app.

National Preparedness Month - Make a Plan

9/6/2021 (Permalink)

Prepare your home or business for an emergency. For more information, go to ready.gov or contact SERVPRO of Eau Claire at (715) 834-3473

In recognition of National Preparedness Month (NPM), SERVPRO of Eau Claire to would like to encourage Americans to work together to take concrete actions toward emergency preparedness. A disaster like a flood, fire or blizzard can be such a stressful situation to homeowners and business owners. When our SERVPRO professionals service people who have taken steps to prepare for such a catastrophe, their chances for staying safe and recovering quickly certainly increase.

Residents can begin to prepare for a natural or man-made disaster by taking the following steps to lessen the impact on their families and their communities if disaster strikes.