Recent Posts
It's the Water You Don't See in Ottawa, KS
8/5/2024 (Permalink)
Even small water damages have the potential to cause serious structural and indoor air quality issues over time. The key to avoiding costly future restoration is to handle every water problem as a real threat to your Lawrence property. SERVPRO of Lawrence/Ottawa have the equipment, training and experience to find and dry unseen water before secondary damages occur. The proper equipment makes a measurable difference in reducing the damage expense during a fire or water loss.
SERVPRO of Lawrence/Ottawa will answer your call with fast action and a full arsenal of drying equipment. Here are a few tools the technicians will use on your job.
Moisture Sensors are used to detect moisture in carpets, baseboards and walls.
Moisture Meters are used to determine the actual moisture content of various materials. The moisture tester provides accurate readings, allowing SERVPRO of Lawrence/Ottawa to monitor the drying process.
Thermo hygrometers measure temperature and relative humidity. When armed with this information, SERVPRO of Lawrence/Ottawa can calculate and create an environment most efficient for drying. When facing a contaminated water loss, it is not only important to dry the structure, but the structure must also be disinfected and often deodorized.
Foggers: SERVPRO of Lawrence/Ottawa uses a few different foggers. Foggers are used for deodorizing, injecting fungicides and disinfectants for structures, garments, automobiles and other places where cleaning cannot be reached.
Preparedness For Pets in Lawrence, KS
6/3/2024 (Permalink)
Pets are just as important as any family member to most people, so why would you not make them a part of your preparedness planning? There are several things you can do to make sure they stay safe as well during an emergency.
Pet Emergency Kit
Ready.gov/animals lists the below items as essential to building your pet emergency kit.
Food. At least a three day supply in an airtight, waterproof container.
Water. At least three days of water specifically for your pets.
Medicine and medical records.
Important Documents. Registration information, adoption papers and vaccination documents. Talk to your Lawrence veterinarian about microchipping and enrolling your pet in a recovery database.
First aid kit. Cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape and scissors; antibiotic ointment; flea and tick prevention; latex gloves, isopropyl alcohol and saline solution. Including a pet first aid reference book is a good idea too.
Collar or harness with ID tag, rabies tag and a leash.
Crate or pet carrier. Have a sturdy, safe crate or carrier in case you need to evacuate. The carrier should be large enough for your pet to stand, turn around and lie down.
Sanitation. Pet litter and litter box if appropriate, newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags and household chlorine bleach.
Picture of you and your pet together. If you become separated, a picture of you and your pet together will help you document ownership and allow others to assist you. Add species, breed, age, sex, color, and distinguishing characteristics.
Familiar items. Familiar items, such as treats, toys and bedding can help reduce stress for your pet.
Evacuations
While practicing fire escape or evacuation plans, be sure to include pets. If an evacuation happens, don’t leave pets behind as they can be lost or injured.
Identification
Microchipping pets is a great way to locate them. Most veterinary clinics and shelters have scanners that will read the microchip information to help find a pet’s owners.
Be sure to take four-legged friends into consideration when planning for emergencies. Visit ready.gov/animals for further tips and safety precautions to think about for you or your Lawrence insured’s families’ pets, or your tenants pets’ during a disaster.
50% of Eudora, KS Business Never Reopen after a Natural Disaster
3/4/2024 (Permalink)
According to a major insurance company, one out of two Lawrence businesses never returns to the marketplace following a major disaster. Of those that do, half go bankrupt within three years. The businesses that survive plan their response to a disaster before it strikes.
And the property losses from hurricanes, floods, fires, and other disasters are staggering. Insured losses due to natural disaster in the United States in the first half of 2015 totaled $12.6 billion. That's according to a July 2015 presentation by Munich Re and the Insurance Information Institute.
Pre-planning can serve as a type of "insurance policy" that provides your Lawrence commercial business with peace of mind. And knowing you are "ready for whatever happens" builds trust among your clients and employees that in the event your Lawrence business is affected by a disaster, they don't necessarily have to be.
Create a SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile
By developing a SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile for your commercial business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation.
An Emergency Ready Profile can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business. At no charge, here's what completing the profile provides for you:
A no cost assessment of your business facility- you pay nothing to have SERVPRO of Lawrence/Ottawa assess the storm-readiness of your commercial building.
A concise document with the critical information you need in an emergency- it takes less than 30 minutes to complete an Emergency Ready Profile. It won't take you away from current projects. But building your emergency plan will save a lot of time if a disaster strikes.
A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster- you cut costs because the profile can help reduce the time your Lawrence business will be inactive. Most business owners don't realize that the biggest cost businesses hit by a natural disaster is not the cost of the cleanup or renovations. By far, the biggest cost is having to close your Lawrence business down while the repairs are made. Many businesses lose tens of thousands of dollars for every day they are closed. We specialize in getting businesses back in business fast.
A firm relationship with SERVPRO of Lawrence/Ottawa as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider- you gain the assurance of having a local provider who is recognized as an industry leader, knows your needs, and will respond quickly in an emergency.
A faster path to mitigation by identifying your line of command for authorizing work to begin- you save valuable time when SERVPRO of Lawrence/Ottawa immediately knows we can begin work of mitigating the damage to your business. Your cleanup and restoration can happen in the most efficient and effective manner.
A detailed listing of critical facility information- you have in one place a reference for details like all shut-off valve locations, priority areas, and priority contact information. You gain a quick reference of what to do, how to do it, and who to call so you're "ready for whatever happens."
We're here to Help
The team at SERVPRO of Lawrence/Ottawa has specialized training and experience in virtually all aspects of cleaning up after damage caused by water, sewer, fire, smoke, wind, or other natural disasters. Create your own Emergency Ready Profile with us now. Preparation today could save you days of business interruption and help keep the cost of any damage from a disaster down.
Celebrate Safely this Holiday Season in Ottawa, KS
12/20/2023 (Permalink)
Pretty lights, candles, and decorations are just a few of the other items bringing charm and cheer to the holiday season- however, if they are not used carefully your holidays may go from festive to frightening.
The American Red Cross offers the following safety tips to help greatly reduce the fire risk in your home or business this holiday season.
- Place Christmas trees, candles, and other holiday decorations at least three feet away from heat sources like fireplaces, portable heaters, radiators, heat vents, and candles.
- Make sure light strings and other holiday decorations are in good condition. Do not use anything with frayed electrical cords and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Always unplug the tree and holiday lights before leaving the property or going to bed.
- Never use lit candles to decorate a tree. Always extinguish candles before leaving the room or before going to bed.
- Use only sturdy tree stands designed to not tip over. Keep curious pets and children away from Christmas trees.
- Keep anything that can catch on fire- like pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper, or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels or curtains- away from your stove top.
- Designate one person to walk around your property to ensure all candles and smoking materials are properly extinguished after guests leave.
Did you know the top three days for home candle fires are Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve? Follow these tips to help keep your property and family safe this holiday season and call SERVPRO of Lawrence/Ottawa if you are in need of water or fire remediation services.
Why is knowing Wind Chill in Wellsville, KS Important?
12/4/2023 (Permalink)
Since SERVPRO of Lawrence/Ottawa does 24 hour emergency water damage cleanup from frozen pipes we definitely understand wind chill. When temperatures drop into a deep freeze we can get quite busy. When Mother Nature decides to add heavy winds to the already low temperatures we know we'll get even busier! The combination of freezing temperatures coupled with the driving winds blast frigid air into areas of your Lawrence home and/or business and cause damage that would otherwise likely be okay.
Now, what does wind chill mean to you and how can it affect you when you're outside?
Wind chill describes the rate of heat loss from exposed skin due to the combined effect of wind and cold. As wind speed increases, heat is lost from the body at an accelerated rate lowering the body temperature. Dangerous wind chills begin at -19 F (-29 C). Winds of more than 45 mph (39 Kt; 20 m/s) add little to the chilling effect. Wind chill can also affect animals.
As a bonus, what is the heat index?
The heat index or the "Apparent Temperature" is a measure of how hot it feels due to the combined effects of air temperature and relative humidity (RH). Heat-induced danger begins at 105 F (41 C).
SERVPRO of Lawrence/Ottawa proudly serves those in need! We will be on site quickly and our staff will give you the personalized attention you deserve. We specialize in the cleanup of water damage, fire damage, smoke damage, mold removal, trauma cleanup, vandalism cleanup, carpet cleaning and duct cleaning. Let us help you make it "Like it never even happened." Visit our website for assistance, www.SERVPROlawrenceottawa.com. Call us to speak to a qualified team member, 785-690-7373.
SERVPRO of Lawrence/Ottawa is a Team you can Trust
11/6/2023 (Permalink)
Whether it’s your Lawrence home or office – we all need a little backup especially in an emergency! You never know what you’ll need. Lucky for you, we do! Floods, mold, fire damage or just regular cleaning; you have to have a company you can trust. And even more importantly – people you can count on 24/7. Look no further! You KNOW you can trust the professionals at SERVPRO of Lawrence/Ottawa!
Do you know why? Because the SERVPRO team is in the top ten franchises of 2016! Even better – according to Entrepreneur, SERVPRO is ranked #4 out of 500! WOW! And to top it all off we’re #1 in our industry – and we have been for the last ten years!
Want to know a little more about how we got our start? Believe it or not SERVPRO actually started in 1967 as a painting business. Two years later, the founders Ted and Doris Isaacson began franchising SERVPRO as a cleaning and restoration company. Then finally in 1988 they decided to make the move and left Sacramento, California to expand their business in Gallatin, Tennessee – all in order to be within 600 miles of 50% of the U.S. population.
Our team at SERVPRO of Lawrence/Ottawa specialize in disaster restoration, offering cleanup and repairs to both Lawrence commercial and Lawrence residential customers whose property has suffered fire or water damage. We also offer mold remediation, carpet and upholstery cleaning, air duct and HVAC cleaning and so much more!
We’ve been in the cleaning and restoration business for quite a while now– so we know what we’re doing. Let us be your backup– download our “Ready Plan” app and put our number on speed dial. In an emergency, you need a team you can trust– we’ve got your back!
6 Signs the your Lawrence, KS Property may have Undetected Water Damage
10/18/2023 (Permalink)
Unfortunately, water can flow to any area of your Lawrence home once a structural defect or natural disaster strikes your property. Water damage can be an expensive and upsetting result of this unwanted water. SERVPRO of Lawrence/Ottawa suggestions, that by reading the following tell-tale signs of water intrusion you may recognize and stymie the onslaught of extensive and expensive water damage to your home.
When hidden residual water or moisture accumulates on your property, it can initiate the growth of mold and mildew. This will produce an earthy, musty odor which functions as a red flag that unseen water damage is present on your property.
- Visual Signs of Mold Growth
Mold spores are microscopic, lying dormant in most homes, and will eventually produce mold colonies when provided with moisture. Food sources – cellulose materials and other organics are readily available. When the moisture comes in contact with dormant spores, the active mold growth process will begin. If you note any fuzzy discolorations in isolated corners or voids, and are not sure if mold is growing, you should have these spaces professionally inspected. SERVPRO of Lawrence/Ottawa will visit your property to offer complimentary advice.
- Stains on Walls and Ceilings
When water seeps into subflooring and the spaces between the levels of your structure, it will generate water stains as it starts to saturate the adjacent ceiling or wall board. This form of water damage can be a precursor to widening problems.
- Peeling Paint or Wallpaper
These can happen to your walls as water wicks and lifts the paint or loosens the paste securing the wallpaper. The water or moisture source should be discovered and repaired immediately.
- Sagging Walls and Ceilings
Saturated ceiling materials or drywall can appear to be displaced because of the added weight of water. Once this happens, the structures can start to buckle and deform. When walls and ceilings become soaked with water, they pose a safety hazard from falling. Don’t ignore any tell-tale signs of water absorption into porous drywall.
Water seeks its lowest level when allowed to flow. The flooring is the usual endpoint as water can collect beneath ceramic or vinyl tile (also damaging subfloor sheathing), carpets and padding. Newly manufactured laminate flooring is particularly susceptible to water damage. If your subfloor becomes completely soaked, restoring rather than replacing the materials becomes more remote. SERVPRO of Lawrence/Ottawa makes every effort to remove the water and dry out these flooring materials, but often they are non-salvageable and must be safely discarded.
24/7 Emergency Service