Why choose your local SERVPRO? | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

8/18/2022 (Permalink)

Call us 24/7/365 for any of your emergency restoration needs – SERVPRO is here to help.

Our “Restore First” mentality is best for our customers

If your business or home sustains damage for any reason, it can be a frustrating and fraught time for your entire staff or family. There are many emotions that people will cycle through after a fire or other disaster and having to go through the process of handling the damage can further complicate the recovery.

While there are always difficulties to consider throughout the recovery period, having a good restoration company on your side can truly make all the difference.

We will work with you and your insurance company to make the entire procedure as seamless as possible, and with our restoration-first mentality, we will do our best to preserve your belongings so you do not have to replace them.

We can help you save money on your insurance

Most homeowners and business insurance are designed to help you cover the cost of losses from many types of damage but filing a claim can also raise your premium tremendously. We can help lower the cost of your claim to your insurance by restoring items where possible instead of replacing them.

We can protect your essential and sentimental items

We have invested in some of the most advanced restoration equipment available, which is what enables us to save items that may seem like a lost cause. In the past, we have been able to restore irreplaceable objects such as family photos, documents and art, as well as valuables such as electronics. Some things can’t be replicated, which is why we do our best to keep these essential and sentimental objects intact.

We do our best to make it “Like it never even happened”

As we have helped many people in the community with losses and damage, we understand all the complex emotions involved. To help make the return to work or home easier, we focus primarily on restoring your property to its pre-damaged state and placing your belongings just how they were before the damage occurred. This will help your property feel like normal again so your staff or family can focus on healing and returning to a routine.

If you have damages and are feeling overwhelmed, we are here to help. You can call us anytime you need to begin the restoration process. Contact SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties today to learn more.

Storm and Water Damage Restoration - "Like it never even happened." SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

8/16/2022 (Permalink)

Big storm? Burst pipe? Slow leak? Whatever caused the damage, SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties will make it seem “Like it never even happened.”

Water damage restoration is the process of repairing a property after it has been damaged by water. The most common causes of water damage are flooding and plumbing leaks, but there are other causes such as burst pipes and overflowing tubs or toilets. The restoration process involves removing moisture and preventing mold growth to prevent further damage. To properly mitigate water damage, specialty drying equipment such as air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers are required. 

It is important to take proper precautions when working in a water-damaged building. To protect yourself against the dangers of potential mold, you should wear protective clothing: long-sleeved shirts and pants may be necessary to avoid skin contact with mold spores. You should also always wear eye protection and a mask when doing restoration work in a water-damaged home or business. Gloves are also helpful for protecting your hands from bacteria that might be present on surfaces or objects that you are handling. In addition, keep an eye out for electrical equipment such as power tools and extension cords; these could be damaged by flooding and pose safety hazards if they become energized while you're working on them.

We are proud of the work our employees do. They are some of the best in their fields, and they work hard to help our customers get back to normal as quickly as possible.

We know that you can't always be there when a flood or leak happens, but it's important to us that you're aware of what your friends at SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties can do for you when you need us most. We understand that water damage restoration is an emotional experience for many people, but we hope that this information will help take some of the stress out of getting back on track after an incident like this.

Now what happens when your home is dry but torn apart? Our SERVPRO is unique in the sense that we are one of the few water mitigation companies in the area that offers reconstruction services after mitigation! Truly making your disaster "Like it never even happened." 

You’ve heard about construction and remodeling but what is reconstruction? Reconstruction is simply repairing the areas that were once affected by water damage. Our highly skilled team has over 6 decades of combined experience in commercial and residential reconstruction. From commercial flooring and drywall installation to small residential patch and paint – we can do it all!

Now that we’ve covered reconstruction let’s talk about repairs and remodels. Being a full service SERVPRO means that our construction division can and will take on any job, big or small. Let’s say you are getting ready to sell your home and notice that the walls have faded and there are several areas where wall hangings were that now needs a paint touchup. Our highly trained team can fill holes, prime, and repaint those spaces. Maybe you’re not selling your home, but you want to remodel your kitchen or bathroom! This is where it gets exciting. We have a team dedicated to tile install, vanity and cabinetry removal and replacement, and plumbing fixture installation. 

No job is too big or too small for our team. We also work with highly trained subcontractors for large scale remodel projects where code upgrades are required. Lots of electrical or plumbing to repair? Our subcontractors are one call and work order away from completing a total renovation of your home. 

SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties - painting the world green one call at a time!

Common Causes of Commercial Damage | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

6/17/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties is your local commercial disaster team. Contact us to learn more about our commercial restoration services.

Businesses have been the lifeblood of this country from its inception. Every day, we Americans either work for or use one, if not more, of these companies.

Being a business owner comes with many responsibilities on a regular basis without the interference of an unwarranted disaster. When calamity does hit, it may be devastating to a company’s bottom line.

The National Center for Environmental Information estimates that weather- and climate-related damages have exceeded $2.195 trillion since 1980, showcasing just how much these damages can cost.

Locally in Oregon, it is not uncommon to encounter a major storm. Heavy rain and substantial flooding impacted the area this year, with floodwaters washing out a portion of Highway 47.

Because inclement weather like this can happen at any time, it can be helpful to know the types of weather damages that are most likely to impact your business.

Water Damage

Water or moisture in excess is a big danger to businesses around the country. Water damage can occur naturally or because of something as simple as an appliance malfunction, and both types of water damage can cause havoc on commercial property.

Flooding that starts on the outside, such as from flash floods or overflowing rivers, will often seep past the doors and into the ground, causing damage to your facility’s foundation. Consider using your landscaping to direct water away from your business if you have space around it, as this can be a vital precaution.

Leaks inside the building might also cause long-term water damage. It’s critical to look for indicators of leaks in your plumbing as well as warping or discoloration in your walls and floors. Regularly taking these measures will help you stay ahead of the damage and avoid pricey repairs.

Storm Damage

Storm-related commercial damage is common, and it can be catastrophic to a neighborhood of enterprises in a small community. Even mild storms can knock out power, uproot trees and scatter debris, all of which can cause serious harm to your business. Incredibly violent storms can easily rip off commercial roofing or building siding.

Severe winds can exceed 58 miles per hour if the current is strong enough. Storms this intense are capable of ripping trees from the ground, tumbling walls and knocking over large vehicles.

Installing storm-protective window covers and upgrading your business’s roof will often limit the extent of storm damage, but these preventive steps can be pricey.

On the bright side, taking cost-free preventive measures such as routinely assessing your building and checking the seals on your windows and doors can help you avoid costly repairs and further devastation. It’s also a good idea to remove your land from any potential risks that could uproot and harm others before a storm.

Know Who to Contact

Commercial damage can come in many different forms, the most prevalent of which are water and storm damage. Businesses are frequently forced to close for repairs or possibly to close permanently as a result of these tragic incidents.

Luckily, we here at SERVPRO are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and ready to respond quickly to any disaster you encounter. Our team of trained restoration specialists will be there to assist you in developing and implementing the best restoration strategy for your company.

If you have experienced damage to your business or want to learn more about our commercial damage restoration services, contact us today. We’re here to act fast, ²⁴⁄₇.

Easy Steps to Prevent Home Fires | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

6/6/2022 (Permalink)

If your home is damaged in a house fire, SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties is here to help. Contact us for any fire restoration needs.

Working smoke alarm systems were present in 74% of house fires between the years 2015 and 2019, depicting the expansive use of fire alarm home setups across the United States.

Despite the fact that smoke detectors remain the best strategy to avoid fire-related deaths and property damage, there are many other simple, preventive steps you can take to prevent damage:

Clear Your Junk

Clutter may easily find its way into our houses. But when it comes to fire prevention, unattended loose, flammable things in corridors and storage places, such as clothing, spare blankets and other fabrics, are particularly harmful.

You can cause fire easily if you leave clothes near gas tanks or water heaters. To avoid hazards coming in the way if you need to flee your home fast, it is preferable to leave clear, clean places. That way, if a fire does break loose, the clear path will allow the flames to travel more easily and encounter less flammable material in its path.

To avoid creating a fire hazard, leave enough space between wall outlets and carpets, lamps or furniture.

Barricade the Exterior of Your Home

There are various methods for making the exterior of your home more protected against fires. Using landscaping strategies with intention, you can make it easier for firemen to enter your property in the event of a fire and also make it more difficult for fire to spread to your house.

Ideally you would maintain at least 30 feet of defensible space on the exterior of your home at all times.

Consider replacing any flammable materials used outdoors with more fire-safe things such as brick, rock and gravel. Also, remove any trash or loose material that may disrupt the path of the fire squad.

Prepare an Emergency Water Source

If disaster strikes and the water source inside of your home is no longer usable, be prepared with a Plan B. Set up a garden hose or sprinkler system on the outside of your home and make sure that it can reach all the way around the building.

Following these steps can dramatically decrease your home’s fire risk and ensure that you and your family are ready in the case of a home fire.

Because we spend so much time in our homes and effort upkeeping them, it is essential that we take the time to clean and check for hazards that could increase your home’s susceptibility to fire. This way your home stays in tip-top shape- so that you and your loved ones can continue to make memories inside.

Watch Your Habits

Unattended cooking is one of the leading causes of home fires in Oregon. It is critical to pay attention during your cooking, look out for hazards and ALWAYS turn off the oven and any stove burners.

Neglected candles left burning are one other of the top causes of home fires. It is wise to always triple-check your home for any burning candles, incense or wax warmers before leaving.

If you have experienced fire damage or want to learn more about our fire damage restoration services, contact us today. We’re here to act fast, ²⁴⁄₇.

Do You Have a Storm Prep Plan in Place? | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

5/19/2022 (Permalink)

If you discover storm damage to your home or business, reach out to SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties right away.

As frightening as it sounds, severe weather is more common than you might think. To put it in perspective, there are around 100,000 thunderstorms per year in the United States.

In the Pacific Northwest especially, heavy rainfall is a common occurrence, which can lead to flooding. Sometimes there is even snow at higher elevations, causing its own problems.

Being prepared in situations like these is crucial to your safety. Knowing what to do and what to avoid is of utmost importance. That’s why we are providing you with tips about best practices.

Best Communication Methods During Severe Weather

One of the most important things during the severe weather is to stay connected by communicating. But before accessing your communication plan, make sure you know how to differentiate between watches and warnings to be able to act accordingly. During watches, you will have to stay alert, while during warnings, you will need to protect yourself.

The second thing to work on is to have a way to receive necessary information. This can include you getting connected to a NOAA weather radio, TV broadcasts or receiving text alerts from officials. All of these means of communication will help you understand the severity of the storm you are dealing with.

The third step is to generate an emergency communication plan for your entire household. You need to have a designated safety area, meaning that in the case of an emergency you and the rest of the people in your home can hide there until it’s safe to exit. This can be a bathroom, attic or a special room in your house.

Prepare a Storm Emergency Kit

An emergency kit can be a lifesaver in the case of severe weather. Put all your essentials in it, such as water, flashlights and medical supplies. You never know how long a storm can last and how long you will be away from your personal belongings.

Post-Severe Weather Checklist

Going through severe weather is not only about prep work, but also about what you do afterward. After the storm has passed and you can safely return to your home or the main area of your house, you will need to inspect the space for the possible damages.

Roofs and the seals around windows and doors are usually the most affected, so checking on those is a good place to start your inspection.

If you do find damages, knowing who to turn to for help is essential. SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties is your reliable restoration company that can take care of all your needs and remove any worries. And the best part is that we are open ²⁴⁄₇ to serve you!

It’s also a good idea to do an audit of your safety plan with your household members. You can discuss what worked well for you during the storm and what areas of your safety plan need improvement. That way you will know exactly how to act in the future similar situations.

If you discover storm damage to your home or business, you can count on SERVPRO to handle the restoration. We’re here ²⁴⁄₇ to spring into action—get in touch with us today.

Put Your Trust in the Pros in Green | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

5/6/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties is your local restoration expert. We are the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration.

Apart from offering a variety of reliable restoration services, SERVPRO eliminates your worries by being available ²⁴⁄₇ for all your needs.

No matter what your emergency might be, we are only one phone call away. Here’s what the pros in green can help you with today:

Water Damage

Flooding comes unannounced and can cause serious damage to your home or business, regardless of how severe. To be exact, floods cause more than $10 billion in damages nationwide every year.

At the beginning of the year, flood damage hit coastal Oregon highways heavily. Landslides, flooding and damaged roads were just some of the destructions caused by the extreme rain. A witness reported the asphalt cracking and the culvert undermining. Many homes and businesses throughout Clatsop County were impacted by the severe flooding.

Home and business flooding is more common than you might think, and it’s almost certain to occur at some point in life. However, that does not mean that you are helpless in dealing with it.

SERVPRO has the right tools to repair the damages. With our tools, we detect hidden moisture and extract standing water. Furthermore, we help you in developing a water damage restoration plan so that your home is clean, dry and restored to preloss condition.

Fire Damage

According to the NFPA, a fire department in the United States responds to a fire every 23 seconds, and there was approximately $8.1 billion in direct property damage and losses nationwide in 2020.

If your home or business has sustained fire damage, we’ll tackle it right away with our seven-step restoration process. The first step is to inspect and evaluate damage before proceeding with repairs and construction.

Storm Damage

Storms can cause all sorts of floods, tornadoes and wildfires. We focus on restoring all your damages in the least amount of time.

Storm and water damage can affect not only the structure of your home but your belongings as well. SERVPRO specializes in content restoration, with the mindset of restoring rather than replacing.

Besides damaging your property and your house or business structure, storms can destroy your belongings as well. SERVPRO has expertise in this area, too. With content restoration, we help you rescue your belongings without having to replace them.

We offer dry cleaning, wet cleaning, foam cleansing and abrasive cleaning, among other services. For deep-cleaning, we also offer move-out services, so we can bring your home back to preloss condition in record time.

What Sets SERVPRO Apart?

We are reliable, and we care. We eliminate all your worries and serve you all day, seven days a week. You can contact SERVPRO experts via our ²⁴⁄₇ Emergency Line and receive immediate assistance.

Our experts in green are part of the No. 1 cleanup and restoration team in the nation with more than 50 years experience. We’re your local restoration provider, but we also have a network of more than 1,900 locations around the United States. We’re here to make your house or business look “Like it never even happened.”

No matter the extent of the damage sustained, SERVPRO has the resources and personnel to help your home or business recover from its disastrous effects. Contact us anytime when you need a dependable team to help you rebuild your life.

Here’s How Water Can Damage Your Home | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

4/21/2022 (Permalink)

No matter the damage sustained, SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties has the tools and team to help your home return to a normal state quickly.

Water damage is no joke! What may seem like a small leak can quickly lead to big problems as hidden moisture eats away at the soft surfaces in your home.

A single leak can waste up to 10,000 gallons of water in a year, and that water may very well be seeping into your home.

Water damage’s effects progress quickly and damage everything from floors to walls to soft surfaces in your home. It’s important that you address the issue right away to reduce the damage. After significant water impacts your home, here’s what you can expect to happen over the next few days.

In 24 Hours

This is when you want to act. The first 24 to 48 hours after flooding or water damage are crucial.

This is because water damage progresses quickly, and some items will be ruined immediately. For example, photographs and books are too fragile to withstand the effects of excessive water exposure. Soft surfaces will soak through, and porous surfaces like wood can swell from the moisture. This is also the time period when mold will also begin to form.

As a homeowner in the Clatsop or Columbia county area, you know there is a chance your home may experience water damage from flooding one day. There is actually a one in four chance of a flood damaging it within a 30-year period in a high-risk area. It’s essential you know what to do next.

SERVPRO’s expertise and “restore vs. replace” mentality can help you save money while preserving precious keepsakes that can’t be replaced. We will remove any materials we can save as soon as possible to expedite the drying, and if there are any items in your home we cannot salvage, our experts will let you know.

It’s Been a Week

You need to be aware of how much damage water can do when it’s left to fester for up to a week. After the first 24 hours alone, water damage can do a number on your home’s structure. Not to mention, mold will spread like wildfire and contribute to the structural damage.

Porous surfaces, such as wood surfaces and walls, will become increasingly compromised, and metal surfaces will start corroding.

Longer Than One Week

At this point, the damage may be catastrophic or irreversible. As time goes on, the costs and efforts to restore the structure will increase significantly, and the risks associated with structural damage are greater.

SERVPRO Can Help You

You don’t need to think about worst case scenarios with SERVPRO by your side because our restoration process starts after the very first call. We will begin the process by thoroughly extracting any water in your home to prevent the water from spreading.

We will then move on to cleaning, sanitizing and deodorizing your furniture and belongings. After most of the water is removed from your home, our pros in green will dry up all of the water you can’t see using industry-leading drying equipment.

After these steps, we may need to move on to construction work in order to bring your home back to preloss condition. The extent of the repairs will depend on how much damage your home has sustained.

Make the process even smoother by trusting SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties to handle both the initial damage mitigation and rebuilding the affected areas. We will be sure to keep you up to date each step of the way and get you back in your home or business in no time!

Regardless of the type of water damage sustained, SERVPRO has the tools and teams to help your home or business recover. Contact us ²⁴⁄₇ when you need a dependable team to help you.

Various Flood Types and the Elements That Cause Them | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

4/7/2022 (Permalink)

Regardless of the cause of the flooding, SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties has the team to help you recover from any disastrous event.

Flooding is the most common natural disaster, and it claims more lives in the United States per year than hurricanes, tornadoes or lightning. It can affect everything from individual homes whose property collects excess water to wide swaths of communities and cities.

According to the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, the average annual repair costs for landslides in Oregon exceed $10 million.

Flooding affects all 50 states and every U.S territory, but there are similarities in types and causality among all them. There are three common types of flooding, and they happen for four typical reasons.

3 Types of Natural Flooding

Flash floods are common, and they happen when heavy rain passes or sits over an area and overwhelms the ability of the ground to contain the moisture. Excess water runs off and takes garbage cans, cars and more with it.

River floods are exactly what they sound like. When there’s too much water for a river’s banks to hold, the water spills over the sides and causes destruction.

Coastal floods happen in areas next to large bodies of water, when storm surges or cyclonic activity causes ocean or gulf levels to rise to flood levels.

The 4 Most Common Causes of Natural Flooding

Heavy rainfall. Storms with excessive rainfall, or storms that sit and rest over an area for an extended period can cause flash floods or river flooding. Urban areas are more at risk for rain floods, because the higher percentage of concrete and asphalt means there’s a lack of soil to soak up all that water.

Severe flooding happened as recently as January in Columbia County when heavy storms lead to landslides and caving roads. The damage made it difficult for local residents to travel even after the rain and flooding were long gone. One Portland man died after he was struck by a falling boulder on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge.

Oceanic activity. Storm surges, hurricanes and rising tides can cause water levels to rise in waves, which can invade coastal communities and wreak havoc.

Dams and levees failing. The most notable example of this in recent history would be the disastrous levee breaks during 2005’s Hurricane Katrina. Levees and dams fail when cracks occur or excess pressure overtakes the dam’s ability to contain the surge of water behind it.

Snowmelts and ice dams. In areas of the country where heavy snow and prolonged freezing temperatures are common, snow and ice can build up over a winter’s time, and when they start to melt, they cause rivers of water to flow through area communities. Ice dams or ice jams happen when rivers become blocked by built-up ice being carried downstream, causing the banks to overflow.

Regardless of the cause of the flooding, SERVPRO has the tools and teams to help your home or business recover from its disastrous effects. Contact us anytime when flooding or water damage makes a mess in your life.

You Can Depend on SERVPRO | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

3/17/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties are your local commercial restoration experts. Contact us today should you experience any damage.

As a business owner or manager, you are well aware that keeping things running smoothly necessitates the use of every available hand. Significant downtime or losses might be disastrous for your company.

It does not matter what type of business or facility you are running, you should know that you already have a built-in business partner to help with cleaning and disaster recovery, and it’s right here in your backyard. SERVPRO can manage a broad range of your business needs; it’s as if you have a dedicated ally looking after an important aspect of your company’s success plan.

Large loss recovery. Fires, storms and floods are some of the most frequent causes of financial loss for businesses in the U.S., and can cause catastrophic damage if they are not addressed quickly. When you call SERVPRO, you’ll be speaking with a highly trained team that is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide proven emergency services, reduce your downtime and speed up recovery time.

Emergency Ready Plan. Recovery from disaster can begin even before the crisis strikes. We can help you create an Emergency Ready Plan that you can put into action exactly when you need it. After a disaster, you’ll need an emergency chain of command, alternate meeting or work venues, and potentially even temporary suppliers. We’ll get you set up so that all of this can get started with a single push of a button.

All-purpose cleaning. From highly specialized services like trauma site cleanup and safe biohazard removal to common requirements like carpet cleaning and upholstery restoration in high-traffic areas, we offer cleaning solutions for any situation. We’ve been doing this for a long time and have seen and cleaned all there is to see and clean.

Restoration services. You never know when storms might cause flash floods, the interns might set fire to the kitchen or a pipe might freeze and burst in the winter. All of these occurrences need SERVPRO’s repair and cleaning services. You can count on us to restore the sparkle of your company after a messy disaster, from water removal all the way through to restoration.

Industry specialization. We can help a wide range of businesses, and we’ve spent decades learning the ins and outs of each. We can help you with whatever customized or unique cleaning or restoration needs your company has. In many cases, we’ll even enclose the workspace to prevent interfering with other elements of your company’s daily operations.

Whatever your recovery needs may be, and whatever your commercial property may require, trust SERVPRO to get the job done. Contact us today to get started on an Emergency Ready Plan or find out how we can serve your business.

Oregon’s Spring Weather Hazards | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

3/4/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties is a click away if you experience any damage from severe weather.

In terms of total land area, the United States only comes up short behind Russia and Canada as the one of the world’s largest countries (though China is larger if all outlying US territories are excluded).

Seasonal weather in a country with such a large and diverse territory under one umbrella isn’t one-size-fits-all. Different parts of the country experience different weather patterns, and thus face varying degrees of weather threats throughout the year.

As spring approaches, warm and cold air masses collide throughout the nation, causing extreme weather events. Let’s take a look at what to expect in some of the country’s major regions, as well as what we need to keep in mind here in Oregon.

In the Pacific Northwest, we are prone to extreme rain in the spring (as you’re probably well aware of), which may result in flooding and water damage to homes. At higher elevations, snow will continue to fall, and the resulting melting and runoff will cause problems of its own. Wildfires are also of concern for the state and have become more severe in recent years.

Winters in the Upper Midwest and Northeast are the longest, with cold weather persisting throughout the season. From Maine to the Dakotas, extreme cold and the possibility of snowstorms and blizzards can be anticipated until late spring or early summer, when temperatures begin to climb back up.

With that said, the southern West Coast will have the opposite problem and will have to be on the lookout for excessive heat waves, which could endanger lives and properties. The South Pacific, including Hawaii, will be on the lookout for possible tsunamis caused by tectonic activity.

Windstorms, derechos and the threat of wildfires will be a major concern for the center of the nation, from Iowa to Texas. When the winds are high and the weather is dry, wildfires may quickly spread. Tornado Alley, which has a high frequency of tornadoes, is also in this area.

Extreme weather is a possibility in the Southeast as well, with tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in landlocked areas, as well as dangerous rip currents on the coastal areas and hurricanes even late into spring.

Extreme weather is a significant risk in the United States, no matter where you reside. Yours may not be the same as your friend’s a few states away, but understanding how to prepare is always a smart idea.

If extreme weather leaves you with damage from water, fire or other elements, help is a click away. Contact SERVPRO for fast, expert recovery.