How to prevent Sewage Backups

3/18/2021 (Permalink)

We can help clean up any mess.

What Causes Sewage Backups in Homes and How to Handle Them

When sewer lines become obstructed, whereby preventing wastewater from flowing through drainage pipes, blockage occurs. The thick, black water that forms as sewage is a potential hazard, as it contains contaminants and viruses that can present a risk of severe illness if exposed to humans or animals. If you have a sewage backup in your basement, you will need to fix it quickly. Knowing what causes sewer backups, however, can help you prevent a hazardous situation in your basement or home. Here’s how to prevent and handle sewage backups in your pipes:

Sewage Backup Causes 

• Clogs – Sewage can back up into your home when either your home’s drain pipes or main sewer line becomes clogged. For example, if one toilet creates a sewage backup, the drain connected to that toilet will likely be clogged. But if all toilets or bathtubs in your home create backflows, then there may be a clog in the main sewer line or the sump pump failed. Clogs can consist of hair, grease, or other solid materials that end up in the drains.
• Tree Roots – Trees can grow really long roots that intertwine with your sewer line. Roots can grow into a pipe and cause holes or crush the sewer line by growing around it. Even if the roots in your yard are not the problem, roots from nearby trees can reach your sewer line and damage it.
• Damaged Sewer Lines – In the past, pipes were made of cast iron and clay piping which don’t last very long. Aging sewage systems can break down and crack, causing sewage backups and flooded basements. Plastic sewer lines have now become the norm.
• Heavy Rainfall – Can heavy rain cause sewer backup?  Yes, large amounts of rain can overburden your city’s sewer lines. If the public sewer can’t handle excess rainfall, the water can make its way into connected sewer lines. This puts your home at risk of water backflows.

SERVPRO of Decatur/Forsyth can help with any backup cleanups. Give us a call (217) 428-2371

Technology is key in getting the job done right!

2/23/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO makes it "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO of Decatur/Forsyth uses advanced technology and techniques to provide the most efficient cleanup and restoration services to all of our residential and commercial business customers.

Specialized Water Detection, Extraction, and Drying Equipment

We use specialized equipment and apply scientific drying principles to help us detect moisture and measure moisture levels in areas hidden from sight by using infrared cameras to detect hidden moisture, and we use hygrometers to measure moisture in the air and other meters to measure the extent of moisture saturation.

Powerful water extraction equipment is used to rapidly extract water to speed up the drying process and high-speed air movers help water to evaporate more quickly while industrial grade dehumidifiers work to pull the water vapor from the air.

Specialized Techniques

We are trained in the science of odor removal and offer a range of odor removal products to neutralize any offensive odors, and use hospital-grade sanitizing agents, germicides, and anti-microbial treatments when needed.

Facts:

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.

Call Us Today! (217) 428-2371

IICRC Certified is necessary

2/19/2021 (Permalink)

We strive to be the best in the industry!

IICRC Certified is necessary when a restoration company claims they are certified technicians for fire damage cleanup.  That is why SERVPRO of Decatur/Forsyth takes all the required steps each year to showcase our professionalism and dedication to a higher standard of care.  Our technicians undergo the education to better understand the importance of industry standard protocols.  Each technician carries their own certificate better aligning themselves with our franchise and our commitment to clean.

There are many variables when defining "standards" in the restoration industry.  Our shop focuses on Professional Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration, as well as Water Damage Restoration.  These two typically go hand-in-hand given that when there is a fire, water is used to put it out - lots and lots of water.  SERVPRO of Decatur/Forsyth has been implementing these standards for over 15 years and we intend to continue operations to better serve our communities.  

This is why SERVPRO is trusted to get the job done right and make it "Like it never even happened."

We just LOVE to see 5 Stars across the board!

2/19/2021 (Permalink)

We strive for 5 stars!

More than ever before we are relying on the internet to provide feedback on specific service industries.  Today you can gather quick information on food, clothes, books, movies, music, commodities, and professional services.  With a simple click you can make informed decisions based on the public’s opinion and their experiences.  SERVPRO of Decatur/Forsyth also relies on such feedback for future client business.  Here are several reasons why review matter.  We hope this information will help provoke you to leave behind your story about the services that SERVPRO of Decatur/Forsyth provided for you during a time you needed help most!

1. Social Proof Drives Purchases. We are more likely to make a purchase if others say (or write) it’s a good idea.  If you experience a water damage or fire in your home or business, we understand that you want things to get back to the way things were before – quickly, safely and correctly. 
2. They Make You More Visible. We just LOVE to see 5 Stars across the board!
3. They Make You Look Trustworthy. Positive reviews build significant trust and brand credibility.  SERVPRO is a brand you should be able to trust, especially during times of crisis.  We value your trust and we stride not to ever let you down.
4. Conversation About You. Positive online presence promotes a good reputation.  The more good stuff people have to say, the more likely others will utilize your brand.  
5. They Are Increasingly Essential to Decision Making. Almost two-thirds of shoppers that that online reviews are an essential part of the decision process. This is Huge! Your opinion matters, even to complete strangers.
6. They Have a Clear Impact on Sales. From our perspective we agree with this point.  Doing a phenomenal job in the beginning will bring re-turning customers.  We are fortunate to have a solid client base of customers who call us repeatedly for their cleanups.  We take those gestures as the greatest compliment of all!
7. They Give You An Open Line to Consumers. Positive and negative reviews are an excellent opportunity to open a dialogue about how we operate.  The more stories (good or bad) we put out there the more able we are to educate on our processes and cleaning methods, so that every situation is analyzed and corrected to better serve our consumers.

Be careful when you use a space heater

2/19/2021 (Permalink)

You can prevent a fire from a space heater if you follow these steps.

As the temperatures drop lower and cold weather rolls in to stay for awhile, you’re probably breaking out the space heaters to warm up your home or business. While space heaters provide wonderful warmth during the colder months, they also can be safety hazards if they aren’t properly set up and monitored to ensure they don’t pose any risks to you or your home. A space heater fire is never on anyone’s agenda, so we recommend following these 5 space heater safety tips to avoid any unwanted fires from occurring:

1. Carefully place your space heater at least 3 feet away from flammable objects. If any objects come in contact with the space heater’s electric heating face or a hot surface, it poses a serious fire risk. As a general rule, never sit or drape anything over your space heater, don’t set it near rugs, furniture, bedding, clothing, window treatments, or other flammable materials. Also, make sure that it’s sitting on a level surface so that it doesn’t accidentally fall or tip over. 
2. Don’t use extension cords. Plug your space heater directly into an outlet. There’s a much higher chance of your space heater overheating or otherwise malfunctioning if it’s plugged into an extension cord or an outlet strip. Minimize these dangers by plugging your space heater directly into an outlet that has the power capacity necessary to fire it up and keep it running.
3. Unplug it when you’re not using it. This should go for almost all appliances, but it’s especially relevant for your space heater. When you’re not using your space heater, you should first turn it off and then you should unplug it. Having a space heater running while you don’t want it to be running poses a fire hazard as well as a waste of energy. 
4. Clean, inspect, and maintain your space heater. On a regular basis, you should clean your space heater and wipe it down to avoid dispersing dust and other allergens throughout your house. You should also carefully monitor your space heater to ensure that it’s working as it’s supposed to and nothing wonky is happening. If anything seems out of order, turn it off and unplug it right away until a professional can inspect it and you can safely run it again. Alternatively, you can just dispose of it and purchase a new space heater.
5. Don’t run your space heater in the bathroom or a basement. Space heaters should never be run in places that are humid or wet because space heaters are not meant to be wet. Don’t handle your space heater if your hands are wet or you just got out of the shower. The electricity from the space heater could run through the water and shock you. This is dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.

We can handle any COVID-19 cleanings

2/19/2021 (Permalink)

We get the job done RIGHT!

This is what we do

We do cleaning and disinfecting services for COVID-19, and we have been since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are ready, willing, and able to clean and disinfect your commercial property.

We are cleaning professionals

Here’s Why:

• High Standards of SERVPRO’s trusted brand in cleaning and sanitation, and the standards set by the CDC guidlines
• Experience- in dealing with biohazard decontamination
• Training and expertise- IICRC standards and certifications
• We use EPA-approved disinfectants!

Businesses that can benefit from our expertise:

• Retirement Communities
• Fitness Centers
• Airport/ General Aviation/FBO
• Hotels/Restaurants
• Schools
• Government Facilities
• Libraries
• Apartment complexes
• Grocery stores
• Brick and mortar stores
• Hair salons/ Barber shops
• Fire Stations /Police station
• City/County offices
• Post offices
• Country Clubs/Resorts
• Churches
• Day care centers
• Auto repair shops/Auto dealerships
• Visitor’s Center
• Theaters/venues

SERVPRO of Decatur/Forsyth is here to help anytime day or night 24/7 Give us a call (217) 428-2371

Don't let the cold weather ruin your house!

2/19/2021 (Permalink)

Prepare for cold weather!

What causes pipes to freeze and burst?

Frozen pipes can be a damaging and expensive issue. Extremely cold temperatures of the winter months create a substantial risk for burst or frozen pipes. Being prepared and informed may help minimize the risk of frozen pipes and prevent extensive damage and repairs. How exactly can you prevent pipes from freezing and subsequently bursting? The American Red Cross provides several preventative measures to help reduce the chances of freezing pipes:

• Drain water from swimming pools and sprinkler supply lines.
• Remove, drain, and store outdoor hoses of any kind.
• Insulate exposed water pipes
• Open cabinet doors to allow for warmer air to circulate around the pipes in your home and garage.
• Let cold water drip from the faucet that is served by the exposed pipes to make sure they’re empty.

Doing these actions can greatly reduce the chance of pipes freezing. Though not bulletproof, these steps can certainly help! Make them a part of your winterizing activities before cold weather hits.

What to do if you suspect you have frozen pipe

If you neglected to protect your pipes, or perhaps the weather was more biting than you anticipated, you may still get a frozen pipe, unfortunately, despite your best efforts. Once again, the American Red Cross has suggested steps if frozen pipes are suspected in your home or garage:

• Keep the affected faucet open. As the pipes begin to thaw, the running water will help melt the ice.
• Apply heat to the frozen area of the pipe using a hairdryer, heating pad, etc. until the full water pressure is restored.

Following these steps will help thaw the suspected water quickly without causing a mess or worse, damage that requires a water cleanup!

We are helping our local businesses stay safe from COVID.

2/4/2021 (Permalink)

Our employee cleaning a high touch surface at one of our local Casey's General Store.

Our team of professionals have been trained and experienced in dealing with biological contaminants. We are prepared to execute detailed cleaning and disinfection of your home or business to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The CDC has recommended the usage of labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogen claims, and we are strictly following all guidelines set by the CDC as well as local authorities. Here is a brief description of our COVID-19 cleanup processes dependent on the type of COVID-19 situation:

• Level 1- Sanitizing: Misting entire area with an antiviral.
• Level 2- High Touch Cleanup: Cleanup of high touch surfaces is required for a situation involving a person who is suspected to have COVID-19 or a Person Under Investigation; which is someone who is involved in a quarantine situation or has come in contact with someone testing positive. This includes cleaning and disinfecting of high touch nonporous surfaces and cleaning and sanitizing of high touch porous surfaces.
• Level 3- Enhanced Cleanup- Enhanced cleanup is required for an area in which a person who has been confirmed positive for COVID-19 has inhabited. This includes cleaning and disinfecting of all nonporous and porous surfaces. This enhanced cleaning includes up to 8 feet, but excludes ceilings.

We are professionals at cleaning up any kind of water damage.

2/4/2021 (Permalink)

We can make this "Like it never even happened"

Flooding and water damage events at commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to evaluate each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many situations, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Our professionals at SERVPRO of Decatur/Forsyth IICRC certified and are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

Three levels of damage:

Level I – Typically considered a limited issue, this level begins in the home and only affects a small area. An example may be a toilet overflow that is contained in the bathroom and doesn’t get absorbed into porous materials.
Level II – This also originates inside the home but affects a greater area of the home and both porous and nonporous materials.
Level III – When the water comes from outside the home, such as stormwater from a flood or main sewer line backing up, there could potentially all sorts of contaminants that require extra precautions during cleanup.

We are here and ready to help make it 

“Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of Decatur/Forsyth helping our local Fire Department

2/4/2021 (Permalink)

Owner Joel Robb is holding one of the new pieces of equipment he purchased for the Mt. Zion Fire Department.

SERVPRO of Decatur/Forsyth was able to help our local Mt Zion Fire Department today. SERVPRO along with several other local businesses put together emergency grab bags. These bags will be handed out to families that are displaced by fire. SERVPRO also presented the Mt Zion Fire Department with some new equipment. We purchased 3 new thermal Imaging cameras. This will help them locate downed firefighters, navigate with confidence and measure temperatures for safety. SERVPRO of Decatur/Forsyth is here to help families and businesses in our community. We take great pride in being a part of the Decatur/Forsyth community. We want to do our part to ensure the Decatur/Forsyth community thrives by helping those in need and keeping the area safe and making our community the best it can be. We are always here in the community to help residential and commercial businesses clean and safe.  We make it "Like it never even happened."