REGULARLY INSPECT YOUR SPRINKLER SYSTEM

5/11/2018 (Permalink)

Water-based fire protection systems, or fire sprinklers, should always be kept in working condition and tested periodically to ensure maximum fire suppression capacity. Your sprinklers are your home or business’s first line of defense in the event of a fire, and it may be mandatory in Williamsburg, NY, to conduct routine tests and inspections.

1. Check the age of your sprinkler system. Modern standards require that sprinkler systems adhere to NFPA 25 requirements, but systems in buildings older than 60 years may be outdated and in need of a full replacement.

2. Check your sprinkler installation. Faulty or defective installation equipment and procedures can lead to sprinkler malfunctions in the event of a fire.

3. Always keep your fire sprinklers clean. Dirty fire sprinklers can lead to obstructions that block the water flow and prevent sprinklers from working correctly, or even from detecting and activating in the event of a fire. Many organizations and inspectors recommend an obstruction inspection every five years.

4. Periodically test your sprinkler functions. Sprinklers can be tested in a variety of ways, including simply testing that they work through routine checks. However, more complex testing such as corrosion testing and hydrostatic testing can uncover additional issues that may not be readily apparent on a simple functional test.

5. Immediately replace defective parts. Because sprinklers are so deeply interconnected, replacing a defective part may require replacing larger sections of the sprinkler system. However, this is highly advisable as a matter of safety to prevent any issues should the sprinklers fail to activate in the event of smoke or fire.

One benefit of fire sprinklers is that fire sprinkler cleanup is usually much less messy than cleanup after fire suppression using stronger means. Sprinklers can make a serious difference in prevention of property losses and safety issues, and should be maintained at all times.

Avoid Candle Fires - 5 TIPS

5/11/2018 (Permalink)

Many homeowners light candles to freshen up a room or to have lighting during a power outage. However, candles still have the potential to create a fire that spreads throughout the building. Avoid a candle fire at all costs, and follow these helpful tips to stay safe. 

1. Do Not Leave Candles Unattended

If you are leaving a room with a candle in it, first extinguish the flame. After all, you can always relight a candle if you desire. 

2. Keep the Area Around Candles Clean

The shelf or stand where you place the candle should not have anything flammable on it. Additionally, you should avoid placing a candle on a nightstand near your bed. The bedding may catch fire if you are not careful. 

3. Toss It Once It Is Less Than Two Inches Tall

You do not want to risk a candle fire by allowing the flame to get too close to the base of the candle. It is better to simply throw away a candle once it is less than two inches high. They are relatively inexpensive to replace.

4. Keep Candles Away From Pets and Children

Candles should be placed high enough that kids and animals cannot get them. It is dangerous for children to play with anything lit. If the candle is left on a coffee table, then a dog’s tail may accidentally hit it and cause it to fall onto the floor. 

5. Do Not Put Out a Candle With Water

It is preferable to put out a flame by blowing on it rather than pouring water. The reason is that water can cause the wax to spill all over the place. The hot wax may still catch fire, causing flames to spread throughout a home in Lawrenceville, Mt. Carmel or Olney Illinois.

Candles are meant to be enjoyed, so always follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions to avoid a nasty candle fire and the impending smoke cleanup. 

Residential Smoke and Soot Cleanup in South Central Illinois

5/11/2018 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.  

Smoke and soot facts:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Lawrenceville, Mt. Carmel, Olney will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions.  We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – (618) 783-8677

SERVPRO of Lawrenceville, Mt. Carmel, Olney are Flood Damage Experts

5/11/2018 (Permalink)

No place is immune from the threat of flooding, and Lawrenceville, Mt. Carmel and Olney Illinois neighborhoods are not an exception. Our area of South Central Illinois experiences waves of heavy rainstorms, the combined strength of which can result in flooding situations. If water fills the lower levels of your home due to extended periods of rain, a call to us can turn the tide toward recovery.

When a home in the Lawrenceville region suffers flood damage, the inhabitants do not have the luxury of waiting until the water recedes to make decisions. Large quantities of water inside your home’s foundation or basement risk significant harm to your building’s structure and contents. It is crucial that rapid removal of the water occurs, followed by complete drying of floors, walls, ceilings, and other building components. Our teams of flood damage specialists train for the opportunity to complete these tasks for you.

Flood damage is a water event that requires professional help. A bucket and mop or shop vacuum are not up to the challenge. The sheer amount of water quickly overwhelms any do it yourself attempt. The experienced technicians from SERVPRO employ powerful, industrial strength pumps and extractors to evacuate the water fast. Speed is critical because of the progressive nature of water damage.

Many structures, items, and surfaces can emerge nearly good as new if water does not have the chance to soak into and begin the process of disintegration. Although building materials like finished wood, concrete or cinder block may be able to shed water without much change, drywall, insulation, ceiling tiles, carpeting, and other porous components risk swelling, crumbling, and delamination if soaked for any period of time.

SERVPRO employees learn dozens of targeted strategies to quickly and successfully remove water from you place of business or home. Once the obvious water is gone, the crew uses high-efficiency fans and dehumidifiers to complete the job, drawing residual moisture out of contents and structure.

If severe weather threatens your property with flood damage, SERVPRO of Lawrenceville, Mt. Carmel, Olney is ready to help you recover from this catastrophe completely. One call to (618) 783-8677 sets a process in motion that returns your home to you “Like it never even happened.”

Save The Date - SERVPRO Golf Scramble

5/11/2018 (Permalink)

SAVE THIS DATE: May 25th, 2018!

SERVPRO of Lawrenceville, Mt. Carmel, Olney's Annual Business Appreciation Golf Scramble

Save The Date! May 25th, 2018 is SERVPRO of Lawrenceville, Mt. Carmel, Olney's Annual Golf Scramble and we anticipate an awesome. We will be holding it at Meadowview Golf Course in Mattoon, Illinois. Be sure and plan to come to this event so get your 4 member team together! There will be a flyer going out to all of our valued clients prior to the event which is just a couple of weeks away. We will provide refreshments throughout the day to keep our guests hydrated and will be serving a wonderful lunch prior to a shotgun start at 12:00pm noon.

Our marketing team is currently handing out in person our Invitation Flyer to all of our invitees.

Our Marketing team will be hand delivering an invitation for the SERVPRO Golf Scramble to all our wonderful clients prior to the event.  It will contain all of the day's events and a place to fill in your team's names.

Prepare for a Disaster w/ an Emergency Survival Kit

5/11/2018 (Permalink)

Have you ever wondered how to make your own 'Emergency Survival Kit"? Check out the following YouTube video from the American Red Cross featuring actress and volunteer Jaimie Lee Curtis:

American Red Cross: Let's Make a Survival Kit with Jamie Lee Curtis

 Along with the above video, featured below is information on the basics you should have to be prepared. 

For more information, please visit: http://www.ready.gov/basic-disaster-supplies-kit

BASIC DISASTER SUPPLIES KIT

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual can opener for food
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Thanks for visiting and call SERVPRO of Lawrenceville, Mt. Carmel, Olney at (618) 783-8677 for more tips or information on how to prepare you home or business with an Emergency Ready Plan.

SERVPRO is Ready For The Storms

5/11/2018 (Permalink)

We Specialize in Storm Damage Restoration!

SERVPRO of Lawrenceville, Mt. Carmel, Olney specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.  Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

SERVPRO of Lawrenceville, Mt. Carmel, Olney is the only certified Disaster Recovery Team in the South-Central & Southern Illinois Regions!  When storms hit South-Central & Southern Illinois, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster at a moments notice. 

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today (618) 783-8677

SOOT AND SMOKE DAMAGE INSULATION REMOVAL

5/11/2018 (Permalink)

We Know How To Remove Smoke Damaged Insulation

SERVPRO of Lawrenceville, Mt. Carmel, Olney thinks outside the box when it comes to creative ways to get the job done. Here, we engineered a way to continually extract all the insulation out of the attic with minimal manipulation and manpower of an assisted living center. 

Smoke and Soot Facts:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke:

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Lawrenceville, Mt. Carmel, Olney will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Call us at (618) 533-5400 for all your Cleanup and Restoration Needs.