Spotting Water Damage is Not Always Easy | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

6/13/2023 (Permalink)

Seeing signs of water damage? Call SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties today to get the restoration process started.

Water damage at your business can be slow moving and hard to notice. Often, it’s easy to overlook the first signs of an issue. Before you realize, it’s become a significant problem and your business needs costly repairs and cleanup.

Water damage can happen to any business owner––even those who are diligent enough to do regularly scheduled maintenance. But there are signs you can spot early that will help you correct problems and protect your investment.

Curious about what you need to look for when you’re searching for water damage? Here are some tips that may help you spot the hidden signs of leaks and damage that might be lurking in your buildings.

Most of these tips are simple and don’t require a lot of time, money, or expertise.

Your water bill is rising - Has your water bill jumped over the past few months? That can be a sign there’s a leak somewhere in your pipes. Keep an eye on your water meter, if it is jumping higher and higher, your plumbing might be leaking water somewhere. Check your fixtures and underneath any cabinets with sinks. You might notice moisture, condensation, and damage if your plumbing system has failed.

Test your toilets - If you notice water seeping from the base of any toilets in the bathrooms, that’s a clear sign. You may also see issues with the flooring around the toilet – staining or another sign of damage.

Wood has started to show signs of warping and damage - Wood can be anything from valued antique furniture to hardwood floors to windowpanes and door frames. These items can be damaged within just a few days so if you see damage or swelling, get the restoration process started sooner rather than later.

If you notice any signs of a leak, seek professional help to repair it. It will save money on your water bill and help you minimize water damage while protecting your assets.

Visible microbial growth – Mold or mildew can be a sign of leak. Water follows gravity down so if you see growth anywhere, check the surrounding areas for leaky pipes, a leaky spot on the roof, or excess moisture present.

If you see any of these signs of water damage, contact SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties right away. We’ll come inspect the area, find the leak, and put a plan together to make your property whole again. We pride ourselves on making it seem “Like it never even happened.”

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.

Create a Disaster Plan for Your Business | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

2/18/2022 (Permalink)

If the day comes where your business is hit with an emergency, you can rest assured SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties will be there to help.

With all the small tasks it takes to run a business like staffing and payroll, economic and technological advancement, and marketing and social media, running a business is more than a full-time job. You’ve worked overtime to get your business up and running, and we want to do everything we can to make sure it stays that way.

Being so busy, many businesses are not prepared for what to do after disaster strikes. Often, just one disaster can push a business off the books for good. In fact, 40% of small businesses, according to FEMA, can’t reopen in the wake of a disaster that shuts down operations, and 25% of those that do reopen actually end up closing for good within a year.

So what do you do? How do you make sure that if disaster strikes, you’re able to reopen?

The answer is this: Have a plan. Three-quarters of small businesses in the US don’t have any plan in place. If that’s you, let us help you change that. We want to do everything we can to help you protect your business should the worst happen.

SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties helps businesses just like yours prepare by developing an Emergency Ready Plan with you. We help you by assessing your concerns and needs in regard to your location and industry.

We’ll go over everything from flood damage to data recovery, so that if the worst happens to your business, you will have a specific plan that will help minimize downtime and impact. You won’t have to wonder what to do or when to do it.

Don’t make recovery from disaster any tougher than it already is. Let SERVPRO set you up with an emergency plan. It could be the difference between your business surviving and shutting down for good.

When your business is ready to prioritize planning and safety to prevent extended downtime, contact SERVPRO to get the Emergency Ready Plan underway from the folks who know all there is to know about disaster and recovery.

The A to Z of SERVPRO Services | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

2/3/2022 (Permalink)

When you need cleanup and recovery of any kind, you can trust SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties to get the job done.

SERVPRO is the national leader in cleanup and recovery services, and you see our big green vans and trucks all over town, because we’re always helping somebody.

Over our 50+ years in the space, we’ve learned to specialize in broader and broader areas, giving us a service reach that’s unmatched. Whatever the need is, if it involves cleaning or restoration, we’ve got it covered.

Water damage recovery. When leaks happen, we can stop them and repair the damage caused. When floods do significant damage, no amount of water is too big for us to get rid of.

Fire damage recovery. Even with a decades-long downward trend in fire occurrence, U.S. homeowners still experience a new fire every 23 seconds. Should you become part of that unfortunate statistic, know that SERVPRO has everything it takes to restore your property, good as new.

Mold removal. Mold is a serious issue, and all it needs is moisture, temperature and time. Given enough of those ingredients, it can weaken your home’s structure and more. Let the pros handle the removal, because it’s not safe for you.

Storm recovery. When major weather events come through and do a number on your home, we can manage every step of the restoration process, no matter the cause. From roof leaks to basement issues, we have it covered.

Commercial needs. We help business owners all over the country recover from all these things and more, plus we can provide stellar cleaning and sanitation services to set your business apart in the community.

General cleaning. Maybe you don’t have an emergency or an urgent restoration need. Maybe you’re moving in or moving out, and you simply need the place spruced up. Whatever your reason for wanting that fresh, clean feeling in your space, we can provide it in spades.

Specialty cleaning. There’s no cleaning need too unique or difficult for us to manage. We tackle crime scene cleanup, hoarding situations and more with professional care and proper protocol.

Construction. When something big happens, we’ve got big solutions, too. Even in disastrous circumstances where whole sections of homes are lost, you can trust SERVPRO to be the one phone call that settles it all.

Add 24-hour service and an easy insurance process to all this, and the picture becomes clear—when you need cleanup and recovery of any kind, you can trust SERVPRO to get the job done.

The Shape of Every Fire | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

1/28/2022 (Permalink)

If your home or business has any damage, SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties is ready around the clock to help you recover.

When you think of fire, you probably think of flames dancing and devouring, morphing to outline the shape of whatever poor substance is engulfed. But it turns out every fire, regardless of its form, has the same shape—in a manner of speaking.

Meet the fire tetrahedron. This shape, effectively a pyramid made of four triangles, is used by scientists to portray the four elements which make up every fire.

These elements also teach us everything we need to know about how fires can be combatted. Let’s take a tour of the fire tetrahedron.

The 4 Things a Fire Needs to Live

Fuel. Every fire happens to something—in other words, fires don’t happen in a vacuum, neither literally nor figuratively. Each fire starts with a fuel source of either an organic or inorganic nature.

Heat. In order for a fire to break out, the fuel source in question has to reach a high enough heat to produce the combustion. This, of course, varies among different fuel source materials, but every material has its combustion level.

Oxygen. Fires use oxygen to further fuel their combustive exploits, and they leave behind messes of carbon dioxide to clean up and carbon monoxide to breathe.

Chemical Chain Reaction. The chain reaction is the most recent addition to the fire tetrahedron, after the scientific conclusion that all the preceding elements have to continuously happen together, over and over, for a fire to thrive. Now if you want a fire to stop, that’s another story, with the same actors.

The 4 Ways to Stop a Fire

Cool it. The sustained heat of the fuel source is crucial to a fire’s survival. Therefore the cooling of the fuel source and the restoration of a thermal balance will cause the fuel to cool faster than it can heat up, leading to the demise of the fire.

Smother it. Not to be crude, but anything that needs oxygen can be seriously hampered by a sustained period without oxygen—and fire is no different. Any covering that prevents a fire from breathing prevents it from living.

Starve it. When a fuel source becomes scarce or unavailable, there’s nothing left for a fire to burn. After all, the material has been charred or otherwise used up, and there’s nowhere else to spread, your fire is done.

Interrupt the chain reaction. As the chemical reaction is a crucial part of the fire, the disruption of the reaction causes the fire to stutter and fail. Certain gases and chemicals have been found to be rather adept at this, though some of them are not great for the environment.

If the fire tetrahedron makes a wreck of your home or business, we’re ready around the clock to help you recover. Contact SERVPRO anytime for fast, thorough cleanup and recovery after a fire.

How SERVPRO Takes Care of Your Water-Damaged Home | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

1/17/2022 (Permalink)

When water damage strikes, make the call to SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties for A-to-Z cleanup and restoration.

With most insurance-type disasters that befall homeowners, there’s one variable, and it’s outside factors, such as weather. Even with fire, most of the time there’s an immediate cause like a kitchen fire while cooking. But water damage can come either from without or within, and you almost never see it coming.

In fact, unpredictable water damage pains the lives of 14,000 unfortunate homeowners every day across the nation, and many of them reach out to SERVPRO when it happens. Should it ever happen to you, here’s the process you can expect.

Emergency Contact. As soon as you reach SERVPRO, you’re talking to an expert in recovery. We’ll ask some questions, and your answers will guide us to an understanding of the scope and nature of your water situation. Then we’ll settle on a time to come view it in person.

Inspection and Water Damage Assessment. We’ll arrive on site ready to get to work. The first task will be stopping any remaining water flow, then we’ll take a good look at the damage and determine our next steps. We’ll talk to you about any items we believe will need replacement, and any hazards in your home that may have resulted from the water damage.

Water Removal. We didn’t only bring warm bodies; we brought heavy machinery, too. Our powerful pumps will extract the water that’s causing you problems, no matter how many hundreds of gallons may be present.

Damaged Material Removal. Next we’ll dispose of those ruined items, to allow for ease of movement and faster drying of the remaining materials.

Cleaning, Sanitizing and Deodorization. We’ll scrub and clean all the surfaces and areas that have been doused, getting rid of the stains and odors water damage can leave behind. If your emergency is of certain types, there may be toxins or contaminants present, and we’ll take care of those too.

Drying. Next, we’ll go to work drying the place out to protect your surfaces from rot and mold, using high-powered HEPA vacuums to suck the excess moisture from every surface and dehumidify the atmosphere.

Monitoring. Every step of the way, you’ll have an expert on site, making sure each part of the job is done professionally and efficiently.

Repairs and Construction. Once everything is dried, cleaned and/or removed, we can perform the last part of the SERVPRO process, the restoration and reconstruction of affected areas. When you call SERVPRO, you’re getting a full-service solution—from flooded to finished.

When water damage strikes, make the call to SERVPRO for A-to-Z cleanup and restoration. We’ll make your damaged property look “Like it never even happened.”

The Importance of 24-Hour Service | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

12/29/2021 (Permalink)

If a fire issue pops up during the holidays, remember the trusted leader in the recovery industry, SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties.

If you remember the age before mobile phones, you probably also remember a time when waiting for things was normal. If someone was traveling to meet you at home, they’d call you when they left, and then you probably wouldn’t hear from them again until they arrived—and that was standard procedure!

These days we expect instant gratification in just about every area, and we definitely aren’t accustomed to waiting anymore. And there are also some things for which waiting shouldn’t even be an issue, like sudden damage to your home or business.

That’s why you never have to wait on SERVPRO when there’s an emergency—we know that waiting only leads to more issues, so we’re available any time, day or night.

After a fire. Your home will sustain immediate damage to its structure, walls and floors, but it will also be covered in microparticles of soot, which is both sticky and tiny, and which becomes entrenched in carpets in mere minutes and starts corroding other materials right away.

In a matter of hours, soot causes irreparable staining and ruination of walls, ceilings and furniture, and the longer you have to wait for service, the worse it gets. Not to mention the smoke smell that becomes embedded in your home, and water damage that occurs from fire department hoses and sprinkler systems.

After water damage. The clock is ticking: You have 48 hours, maybe less, before mold starts to grow in your soaked home. Mold is a threat to your health and breathing, and if untreated, it can even eat away your walls and weaken framing. This must be dealt with right away to avoid putting yourself and your home at risk.

And aside from these examples, you may experience emergencies related to weather or natural disaster, which can create immediate, massive needs in your home or business. Why should you have to wait to get help?

You can rest easy, knowing that if something arises you can call SERVPRO for 24-hour emergency help. We don’t simply say we’re Faster to Any Size Disaster, we prove it by being ready anytime you call.

When you need help after a home or business disaster, fast service is a priority, and there’s nobody faster or more prepared than SERVPRO. Call us anytime to take advantage of our 24-hour emergency service.

Water Damage Numbers That Can’t Be Ignored | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

12/10/2021 (Permalink)

If water damage catches you off-guard and leaves you all wet, you’ve got help on your side. Contact SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties.

Numbers and statistics have a way of really driving home an argument, by putting a fine point on it. We could tell you, for example, that Americans love to go to the movies, and that would give you some basic information.

But if we really wanted you to know how much Americans love the cinema, we’d tell you that the MPAA reported a 2018 movie attendance total of 1.3 billion Americans—more than twice the combined total of both theme parks and professional sporting events.

See how much more effective that is?

The point we’re driving home today is the importance of keeping your plumbing and drainage systems well-equipped and maintained, and of keeping your roof and gutters in good shape, and we plan to do it with some pretty staggering numbers as teaching aides.

24. This is the percentage of all U.S. home insurance claimsmade because of water damage in the home. Burst pipes, roof leaks and the like add up to one claim per year for every 50 homes in the country.

48. When a water heater explodes or a flood invades, you’ve got this many hours to get it taken care of before you also have a mold problem. Mold starts setting up shop right away when moisture becomes present.

98. Here’s one you won’t forget: Around 98% of all basements will flood or have a moisture issue during the life of the home. There’s almost no getting around it.

10,234. When you do have a water incident, this is the standard claim amount, on average. Water has a way of damaging quickly and thoroughly, and it seeps through every available crevice to really stick it to you.

14,000. Water events happen an average of 14,000 times per day in the U.S. That means that before you finish this paragraph, another one has occurred since you started it.

13,000,000,000. Whew, that’s a lot of zeroes. If you lost count, there are nine, which means this is 13 billion, and that’s the number of dollars spent on repairs and restoration after water damage events each year in the United States.

Do you feel more aware of the massive reality of water damage now? Hopefully you do, and hopefully you feel more driven to pay attention to the state of your pipes, your roof and your water-using appliances. You can’t stop everything, but if you fix leaks right away and keep your plumbing updated, you stand your best chance of keeping these numbers far, far away.

If water damage catches you off-guard and leaves you all wet, you’ve got help on your side. Contact SERVPRO to see how we can quickly and fully restore water damage to your home or business.

The Top Causes of House Fires | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

11/8/2021 (Permalink)

Regardless of the cause, SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties are here for you if your home is affected by fire.

The thought of a fire is truly terrifying for any homeowner—it’s unpredictable, quick to spread out of control and can create complete devastation. One would think homeowners would go to any lengths to avoid this nightmare, but yet, despite decades of awareness campaigns and increased technology, over a quarter of all reported fires still happen at home.

Let’s examine the common causes of these fires, and see if we can’t shed some light on fire safety deficiencies and point some homeowners toward more ways they can stay alert.

Cooking. This is the top cause of fire and fire injuries by a long shot (though not the leading cause of fire casualties). Almost 50% of all house fires begin in the kitchen, and the leading cause is unattended cooking. That’s right—the No. 1 thing you can do to avoid a raging fire at home is to be attentive in the kitchen and stay at the stove. It really is that simple.

Heating equipment. Some 14% of all house fires in the U.S. begin with heaters. Portable space heaters lead the way, aided by equipment malfunctions and fires that start because clothing or materials are too close to heating elements.

Electrical fires. There are a number of causes of electrical fires—everything from faulty wiring to using high-watt bulbs in low-watt sockets. Additionally, we don’t often take into consideration that older homes may not be equipped for the amount of electricity modern living requires.

Intentional fires. It’s a rather astonishing figure: 28,000 intentional home fires burn every year. These are fires begun with the intention of setting a structure ablaze, as opposed to being set for some other purpose and simply breaking containment.

Smoking materials. Many smoking accidents happen as people fall asleep, leaving ashes to burn or blow away, or causing cigarettes, cigars or even vapes to combust or fall to the ground. This results in a low amount of fires, but sadly turns into the leading cause of fire deaths.

Regardless of the cause, SERVPRO is here for you if your home is affected by fire. Contact your SERVPRO team today to see how we can help.

Commercial Cleaning Solutions for Every Business | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

10/28/2021 (Permalink)

Are you ready to have the cleanest business in town? Contact SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties for all your cleaning needs.

By now you’re probably aware of the services SERVPRO provides in the area of cleanup and restoration for homeowners—everything from fire to mold, since you brought it up—but did you know that we provide the same services and more for business owners?

It’s the truth! We provide cleanup and recovery services from fire, flood, and disasters, plus more services designed specifically for businesses.

For example: We know that the way your business looks and feels is integral to your communication to potential clients and customers, and we’ve made it our passion to keep your facilities in their best shape.

Commercial Services For Businesses of Any Size

Let your focus be creating a great product experience for your clients, and let ours be helping your business sparkle for them. We make quick work of professional, ultra-grade cleaning and sanitation for businesses of every stripe, including:

Retail facilities, chain stores, malls and local specialty shops. Whether your business is one-of-a-kind or one of many, we’ll give you a clean to beam about.

Educational facilities at all levels, including athletic arenas. Studies have found that even regular cleaning by teachers and students only gets rid of half the bacteria, and it’s even more grim for surfaces that aren’t regularly cleaned.

Healthcare facilities, hospitals and assisted living centers. In areas where disease and the spread of germs must be kept absolutely in check, we provide the highest level of disinfection and cleaning services to protect the most vulnerable among us.

Hotels, resorts and convention centers. Hospitality and entertainment venues can rest easy knowing they’ve been made to shine, and their clients and customers can enjoy a pristine environment in which to rest, play or mingle.

Foodservice facilities, including dining and distribution centers. Where food is involved, cleanliness is crucial, and we’ll be there to make sure you’re doing your part to keep everything safe and avoid any bacterially compromising situations.

Property management, from small office buildings to multi-level commercial complexes. Your tenants will love the feeling and peace of mind that comes with a sparkling clean, sanitized space.

Workplaces lose an unbelievable $260 billion per year because of lost productivity due to sick days and workplace illness. Let us help you fight the good fight against office germs and come out on top, for the good of your people and your bottom line.

When you’re ready to have the cleanest business in town, we’re ready to help. Contact SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties to get the pros working on the cleaning so you can work on the work.

How to Be Sure You Can Trust a Restoration Company | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

10/12/2021 (Permalink)

You can rest easy knowing you’ve got the trusted leader in the restoration industry on the line, SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties.

You may not want to think about it now, but eventually you’ll probably come to grips with the fact that at some point your home will undergo some kind of damage. Whether you’re dealing with a water leak or a severe storm, you’ll need to do some quick decision-making when you realize your home is in need of recovery.

But there are a few important questions you’re going to want good answers to before you make that call—consider these now so when the time comes you won’t need to.

Are They Legit?

Times of crisis can open up the door for scammers, who come through the area, making wild promises about cheap recovery, using unlicensed contractors, then disappearing when the work is subpar or even unfinished.

That’s something you’ll never have to worry about with SERVPRO—we’ve been around for more than a half century, earning our reputation as the industry leader by leaving multiplied millions of customers satisfied.

And if national brands like the PGA Tour can trust us to keep their facilities on track, that can further assure you that we’ll take care of you when you need it.

Will They Be There When I Need Help?

You don’t have time to wait around while your carpet soaks or smoke smell burns into your fire-damaged home.

When you have an emergency, so do we. We’re on call 24 hours a day so you don’t have to wonder how soon someone can be out to help with your emergency.

Where’s a Fleet When You Need One?

SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties is a locally owned and operated franchise based right here. But if we need backup or there’s a sudden regional disaster, we are fully backed up by the national network, who will show up with extra teams and tools.

Your work never gets lost in the shuffle or pushed off for something more profitable. When you call SERVPRO, you’re getting local expertise plus the support of a national powerhouse.

When you call SERVPRO, you can rest easy knowing you’ve got the trusted leader in the restoration industry on the other end of the line. When disaster hits home, contact us to get our local experts and nationwide network on your side.

Fall Fire Dangers | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

9/27/2021 (Permalink)

Be mindful about fall fire safety. Always remember that SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties is a trusted leader in the restoration industry.

Do you feel that? It’s Autumn in Oregon again, and that means temperatures are peaking in the 60s and you’re probably breaking out your favorite seasonal hoodie. It’s a favorite season for campers, nature lovers of all kinds and of course trick-or-treaters.

As always, however, each season brings about its own potential for fire hazards of which we need to be mindful. So grab your favorite warm beverage and let’s check out a few ways to stay safe this fall.

Campfire Safety

It’s important to know both how and where to build a campfire, as well as how to put it out. Build away from any flammable structures, and don’t set a fire under low-hanging branches.

Use only a match or lighter to start a fire from tinder and small sticks, adding larger pieces of wood as the fire grows. Never use accelerants like kerosene or lighter fluid.

It’s not safe to leave your camp until the fire is completely extinguished, as anything left behind (especially larger pieces of wood) can reignite with enough oxygen. Douse your fire slowly with a bucket of water and continue to soak it until no embers remain.

Leaf Burning

Many homeowners choose to burn leaves as a natural, simple solution, but always keep safety at the forefront.

Provided it’s legal in your part of the county, burn your leaves in a barrel or pile, safely away from structures or other piles. Never burn anything inorganic, as it can release fumes or introduce harmful chemicals into the soil.

Space Heaters

Portable space heaters are a top cause of household fires in colder months. Don’t put your heater near anything flammable.

Keep heaters away from kids or play areas, making sure they’re on level ground and that they’ll automatically shut off if they get tipped over. Don’t use them with extension cords as they can cause short circuits, and always turn them off when you leave or go to sleep.

Halloween

We’ll get to this in more detail later, but Halloween and fall decor can be flammable, as can costumes. Get your house ready for spooky season but do it with safety in mind.

If a fire hazard should turn from potential to reality in your home, remember a nationally trusted leader in the recovery industry and contact SERVPRO to get your property fully restored right down to the smell of smoke.

Common Sources of Water Damage at Home | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

9/8/2021 (Permalink)

A water leak can turn into a big problem. Contact the SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties team if you are dealing with any water damage.

Nobody wakes up and says, “Gee, I sure hope I get to panic over some water damage this morning.” Unfortunately, water damage doesn’t really give us advanced notice before it happens. Water is always looking new places to travel, and any fissure or gap will do.

It’s important to know the ways you might encounter water damage, so let’s examine a few of the usual suspects.

Toilets. Toilets get used a lot, and wear and tear on flappers and wax seals can give way to leak issues.

Appliances. Water heaters, washing machines and dishwashers are all prone to developing leaks. Hoses and connections corrode or dry out over time, creating pathways for fissures, spills, and in the case of traditional water heaters, full-blown explosions.

Clogged gutters. Dirt, debris and leaves can gather in your gutters and cause water issues inside. Gutter backup can flood like the banks of a river and introduce streams of water into your attic and home interior, flaking your paint, ruining drywall and weakening wood beams.

Roof damage. Roof damage is the partner in crime for clogged gutters, and they pack a serious one-two punch. Hail, fallen limbs and old age can cause damage to shingles and roofing elements, allowing water to find its way inside.

Pipes. Old or damaged pipes are a frequent source of damage—this can be because of corrosion, winter freezes or even tree roots finding a crack in outdoor lines.

Blocked garbage disposals or other pipes. Excess food (or putting things like coffee grounds in the sink) can clog disposals, and hair and grease can clog sink drains and p-traps. Hard plunging and loose fittings can high-five each other and tag-team you into a floor full of water.

All pipes, appliances and roofs have normal life expectancies, and it’s important to keep up with the maintenance needs around your house. If you can catch a leak before it occurs, you can save yourself a lot of trouble.

If a water leak erupts into a big problem at home, you’ve got the best team in the business on your side. Contact SERVPRO today so we can get started.

Summer Storm Preparedness | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

8/20/2021 (Permalink)

If storms cause damage to your home or business, SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties is on the line, ready to make things right.

Summer is in full bloom, and it brings with it all the things we love about the warmest season. Many of us finally get to take our anticipated vacations, higher temperatures practically beg us to head to the pool or the coast, and the days are longer and full of sunshine—most of the time, that is.

It may sometimes seem that summer months are more prone to thunderstorms, and that would be because it’s totally true. The presence of moisture and warm air mean that atmospheric conditions are more favorable for heavy storms in summer, especially in certain parts of the country.

The beginning of summer typically greets the Portland area with less rain than the earlier months of the year, but September begins to ramp back up toward double-digit rainy days per month.

Be Storm-Alert

Thunderstorms don’t often get a lot of attention, because we see so much rain in Oregon anyway, but they should never be ignored. You should always heed storm alerts, and when thunderstorms are predicted, you should consider postponing outdoor events as a safety precaution.

Keep an eye on local weather forecasts and buy yourself an NOAA Weather radio, which can continue to keep you updated if power is lost.

If flooding is forecast, stay inside and off the road. Heavy storms can sever tree branches and toss around backyard items and trash cans, so keep your trees trimmed and move garbage cans, trampolines or patio furniture to safety.

Dozens of people die every year in storm-related situations, so exercising caution is always your best bet. Never take storms for granted.

Be Storm-Safe

Stay inside during lightning storms. Lightning can strike up to 10 miles from where it’s raining, making it unsafe to resume outdoor activity until 30 minutes after you’ve heard the last clap of thunder.

It turns out your mom was correct—you shouldn’t bathe or shower during a thunderstorm, and you should stay away from windows.

In cases of flooding or extreme thunderstorms, prepare an emergency kit, and be familiar the evacuation route for your part of town. Stay on high ground and avoid touching flood waters. Flood waters can carry you or even your vehicle away, and they can also conceal roads that have been damaged or washed away, so turn around if you come to flooded roads.

There are any number of dangers that can come into play in a thunderstorm, and it’s always best to be cautious and put things on hold until storms safely pass. If storms cause damage to your home or business, SERVPRO is on the line, ready to make things right again.

Why Scappoose Residents Choose SERVPRO® | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

8/13/2021 (Permalink)

When you are dealing with any damage, immediate action is crucial. SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties is your local restoration expert.

As a home or a business owner, you have a responsibility to see that things operate and run smoothly, to manage resources and to monitor morale.

When disaster strikes, all these parts of your life get tossed in the air. All those roles get flung out the door, and a new assignment takes the reins. You take on a new role you haven’t trained for, and the pressure mounts—this crisis affects everyone, after all.

But we can relieve that pressure. Why? Because disaster recovery isn’t your responsibility. It’s ours.

Here’s why you can trust SERVPRO to step in when life gets upended.

We’re Always Ready

We’re standing every hour of every day so that we can be ready in a flash to get to your disaster. Who’s got time to wait when the kitchen is torched or the office is flooded?

When there’s a crisis, we don’t have to get ready; we stay ready.

We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster

We know as well as anyone that every moment counts in a disaster scenario.

Every day without action brings more mold growth, more smoke smell or more lost possessions. A fast response is essential, and with a local office right here in Clatsop and Columbia counties, you reap the benefit of having a powerful nationwide network combined with the speed and flexibility of a local service.

We’re Trained to Handle Residential and Commercial Services

Disasters strike without regard—houses and industrial settings alike fall victim to natural and inadvertent damage.

We have customized solutions for every situation, so you can get back to your regular role as a manager or homeowner.

We’ll Make It "Like it never even happened."

We pride ourselves on completing the job. We’re the experts in restoration and recovery because we make the extra effort to see to it that your restoration is meticulously handled right down to the end.

We Offer the Services You Need in a Changing World

We live in a time in which disease prevention is at a premium, and with that in mind, we offer cleaning solutions that reach further and get your space cleaner than traditional sanitation services.

We can give you a hyper-clean space and give everyone in the building peace of mind at the same time.

Disasters happen. Water heaters burst, fires blaze, storms come—it’s almost bound to happen. And when it does, your local SERVPRO will be ready to handle the cleanup and recovery, so you can get back to your regular responsibilities.

Regardless of why you need cleanup or disaster recovery, SERVPRO has the tools, the technicians and the training to get your situation under control. When you’re ready to get help from the best, get in touch with SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties.

Using Your Land to Protect Your Home From Fires | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

7/23/2021 (Permalink)

If your home is damaged by fire or any other reason, SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties is ready and able to repair any damage.

Every property owner fears seeing their property go up in flames, and wildfires cause home damage more often than you might realize. A wildfire can spread incredibly quickly, and with so much of our world made of flammable material, it’s a marvel that we can even contain them at all.

But there are a few things we can do preventively to give ourselves a fighting chance against wildfires, aside from the obvious help that would come by us simply becoming more careful.

Today we’re talking about one of those things: “defensible space.”

What Is Defensible Space?

Despite the galactic possibilities of the name, it has nothing to do with NASA missiles.

Defensible space is the bumper area you can create around your home by removing the fuel a wildfire needs to spread quickly (like dead leaves and branches), adding things like flame-retardant gravel and pavement in areas surrounding your home, and practicing responsible planting and pruning.

You can think of defensible space as a barrier of protection (aka defense), designed to safeguard your home from wildfire by retarding the spread of fire as it comes nearer. It also gives firefighters their best chance of stopping a wildfire before it reaches the walls of your home.

Defensible space is actually required by law in Oregon, so make yourself aware of the regulations and codes so you can be in compliance.

Why Defensible Space Matters

We know all too well that Oregon has experienced recent wildfires (we lost over a million acres of land in the 2,215 fires in 2020), but it’s not only the West Coast—there were 59,000 wildfires across the United States in 2020.

Even removing California and its devastating 10,000+ fires from the statistics, the average number of wildfires per state in 2020 was still almost 1,000. And the first half of 2021 has seen about 25% more fires than 2020 did in its first half.

We should do our part in whatever way we can to prevent wildfires, and defensible space is one more way we can be proactive.

If your home is damaged by fire of any sort, wild or not, SERVPRO is ready and able to repair the damage caused. Get in touch today to get the pros on your team.

The Rising Frequency and Cost of Severe Storms | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

7/12/2021 (Permalink)

When storms do damage, we go to work to make things right. Contact SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties to start the restoration process.

As if 2020 wasn’t dramatic enough with a global pandemic, it also brought the extra stress of being a record-setting year for natural disasters. 2020 saw more weather disasters than any year for which we have data.

There were 22 officially classified disasters in 2020 (which means there were 22 events that caused at least a billion dollars in damages), plus a number of other damaging storms that didn’t reach that financial level. The National Weather Service actually ran through its entire planned list of names and had to resort to naming storms using the Greek alphabet for only the second time in history.

Not Just Hurricanes

Hurricanes get the finger pointed at them first for causing destruction and financial damage, but in fact, the most expensive disasters of 2020 in the contiguous United States were thunderstorms and tornadoes. 

Fourteen of 2020’s official weather disasters were severe thunderstorms, some of which caused destructive tornadoes as well. Unlike hurricanes, thunderstorms happen year-round in the United States, and they happen coast to coast.

Just take this example of what a single storm can do: In August 2020, a seemingly normal line of storms in Nebraska gained steam and gave birth to a derecho (think of a tornado comprised of slashing straight-line winds instead of rotating air) which damaged more than 10 million acres of Nebraska’s corn fields. That’s almost half the state’s crop, and over 11% of the corn crop of the entire United States.

While Oregon suffered the devastation of wildfires in 2020, Oregonians also dealt with heavy rains, snow and even historic windstorms.

Not Just 2020

One would like to think 2020 was an outlier in this regard, but unfortunately, it seems as though it’s just part of the current pattern. It was the 10th year consecutively with at least 8 official disasters, following up 2018 and 2019, which saw a total of $136 billion in weather damages, and 2017, which saw a record total of over $300 billion by itself.

Storms are a potential problem for everyone, and as a home or business owner, it’s in your interest to take the necessary precautions to minimize property damage and keep everyone under the roof safe. But should those precautions prove insufficient or ineffective in an unexpected weather disaster, remember that you’ve got a friend in the restoration industry.

When storms do damage, we go to work to make things right. Contact SERVPRO today to see how we can help.

Providing a Higher Standard of Clean for Your Customers and Employees | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

6/21/2021 (Permalink)

If you’re business has sanitation and cleaning needs, get in touch with the SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties team.

With cities like Portland and other metropolitan areas that were once hotbeds of COVID-19 activity finally experiencing some reprieve, hopes are rising that what we once called “normal” is on the verge of returning, and business owners are part of that collective expectation.

But a now more contagion-conscious consumer is going to need your assurance as a business owner that their shopping experience will be as safe as it can be—and that doesn’t just stop with containing the coronavirus.

As your customers and employees return to physical locations to shop and to work, they need to know they’re entering a place where their safety is regarded as highly as the bottom line. They need to know your business is Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

Get Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned

The Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program gives customers and employees the peace of mind they need when returning back to brick-and-mortar businesses by providing the ultimate level of sanitation.

Imagine the sensation of the cleanest your business or office has ever been. Now multiply that feeling, add in a blend of state-of-the-art biohazard procedures and technologies that go beyond traditional cleaning and janitorial services—and you’re beginning to see the full picture.

What makes this program so special? Let’s look at the three C’s of a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned:

Consult. Your business is unlike any other, so we’ll work with you to find the solutions your individual business requires. It helps that SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties is locally owned and operated, so we are already aware of many intricacies of our northwest corner of Oregon.

Clean. Once we know the specific needs of your building, we get about the task of cleaning—and cleaning well. We’ll be on site with proprietary, ultra-high-grade cleaning solutions and techniques you won’t get from anyone else. Your building will receive the highest level of cleaning available, a level that always meets or exceeds current CDC standards. And this level of clean will not only quell fears about COVID-19, but it will reduce the risk of many other viral and infectious illnesses among your customers and employees as well.

Certify. You can let your patrons know they’re stepping into a business or office that truly cares about their well being by displaying the Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned badge in your front window or on your door. You’ll also have digital versions and other signifiers to make sure your customers know you’ve gone to the utmost care to show them you value their protection.

If you’re ready to get serious about sanitation and have your business Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, get in touch today to get the best team in cleanup and restoration on your side.

Grill and Fire Pit Safety | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

6/7/2021 (Permalink)

Restoring fire and smoke damage is one of our specialties. Contact SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties to learn more.

In the warmer months, we often feel a new lease on life. The harshness of winter melts away, leaves and plants blossom and bloom, and we get a sense of reinvigoration.

The outdoors calls, tempting us with fresh sights and scents, and we’ll use just about any excuse to take advantage of the pleasant weather.

The middle of the year also brings lots of social events, family gatherings and outdoor cookouts, which unfortunately means a rise in backyard fires. In fact, spring sees more daily fires on average than any other time of year. Let’s take a look at some of the fire challenges presented in these middle months.

The grill. The grill is the first guess for most backyard fires, and with good reason—the combination of flame, high temps and abundance of nearby accelerants are a perfect combination for accidental, unwanted blazes. You want to be sure you’re grilling safely, so first inspect the grill and verify everything is in proper working order with no damage or leaks, move it away from anything flammable (like dry leaves, brush or even siding), and clean it well. Almost 20% of grill fires are due to poor cleaning.

The fire pit. Conversations and marshmallows around the fire pit are great, but to be safe, you need a bucket of water within reach to douse any errant flames or embers. Use this to put out the fire when you’re finished as well (do it slowly and soak everything until it’s cool to the touch). Never add leaves or pine needles to the fire, and never leave it unattended or allow children near it unsupervised.

Chimneys and dryer vents. Alright, these don’t exactly scream spring, but it’s still a great time to take care of them. You’re done with your fireplace until fall, so clean out the ash and soot so you don’t start with a dangerous buildup next time you use it. And check your dryer’s vent pipe to make sure no flammable lint is waiting for a light inside.

Your local SERVPRO technicians are on hand ²⁴⁄₇ for emergencies. If you encounter fire damage at your home or business, no matter the cause, we will be there faster and have it cleaned up sooner. Call or click today and experience the SERVPRO difference.

Does My Basement Have Water Damage? | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

5/20/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties' restoration experts are ready to help you determine the best course of action.

Oregon sees its fair share of gray, wet and cold weather in the winter months, so a basement is a valuable addition to a home. It provides additional storage space, shelter from inclement weather and can be used as additional living space or workout area.

However, since basements are dug into the ground, they naturally are more prone to experiencing water damage over the course of the home’s lifetime. It’s not a guarantee that your basement will have water damage, but its likelihood is high and should be part of regular inspections, formal or informal.

Below, we’ll look at some ways that water damage can manifest itself in your basement and how our highly trained team can help in case you do discover water damage.

Three Major Signs of Water Damage

Musky, unpleasant odors. Water that gets into the basement, while it could be clean water, can cause major issues in the way of odor if it sits around before evaporating. The scent can be an overwhelming and pungent smell due to mold and mildew that become present in the environment over time. Many people believe that all basements have a smell, but this is really only the case when there has been water damage in this space.

Flaking paint on walls or masonry. Many homeowners and landlords will often apply waterproof paint on the inside of a home, especially in basements because they believe that they can proactively thwart any damage. Unfortunately, many times this paint will simply mask the issues and then lead to even bigger problems down the road. Water that seeps in will at some point or another work its way through the paint and will commonly lead to chipping, peeling or bubbling on the surface.

Cracks in the foundation. While most homes settle over time, finding cracks in foundation is not normal and can be a sign of water damage. These cracks can appear in the floor, ceiling or the walls because water could be putting pressure on the structure in a way that it can’t uphold. Hairline cracks aren’t a huge cause for alarm, but if they become any longer or wider, they should be treated by a professional immediately.

Noticing signs of water damage in your basement? Call us today to have our expert water restoration technicians help you determine how to treat these issues and get your property back to normal as quickly as possible.

Problems That a Thunderstorm Can Cause | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

5/7/2021 (Permalink)

Thunderstorms can pop up at any moment. Contact SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties if you experience any damage.

Even though we don't often see them along the coast and Columbia River - every single thunderstorm is dangerous due to lightning, high winds and heavy rains. Many occur and cause no issues but there is always the potential of danger present.

During a thunderstorm, there will always be thunder and lightning present, often accompanied by rainy and windy conditions. Thunderstorms are often to severe status in certain scenarios where there are high winds over 58 miles per hour and hail that is over an inch in diameter. Regardless of if the thunderstorm is regular or severe, it should always be taken extremely seriously.

Damages That Often Occur Due to Thunderstorms

Damage and injury from lightning strikes. When a storm contains thunder, it also contains lightning every single time. Lightning is a dangerous force and causes at least 300 bodily injuries annually. Lightning can also damage homes and buildings due to fire hazards or by felling trees or telephone poles nearby.

Property damage due to hail. Not every thunderstorm has hail, but when one does, it is important to acknowledge just how dangerous it can be. Hail falls extremely quickly and can cause injury to anyone who is not sheltered adequately when it occurs. Additionally, hail can dent cars and cause damage to the structural integrity of homes by damaging the roof or siding and letting water in.

Harm from flash flooding. While flooding is typically contained to areas near bodies of water, flash flooding can happen anywhere that heavy rain is occurring. It is often associated with underperforming storm drains or runoff areas, but as rain continues to fall, it can quickly become a major concern. Flash floods are highly dangerous even if they are just a few inches high and can happen suddenly.

Thunderstorms are dangerous and can cause significant damage to homes or commercial spaces. If you have damage due to a thunderstorm, you can count on us to help. Contact us ²⁴⁄₇ for more information about our storm restoration practices.

Our Restoration Technicians Set Us Apart | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

4/19/2021 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties today. We work with you and your insurance company to get things back to normal quickly.

Home damage never happens at a good time.

But even when you’re dealing with home damage, there’s a lot you can do to ensure your home can be restored after damage. Calling a home restoration company is a great first step.

Choosing the right one is key to ensuring the damage is handled professionally and that your home can be restored just the way you remember it.

It’s a Common Problem

While it’s not true, many homeowners naturally assume that home damage is rare. The statistics don’t support that belief.

The Insurance Information Institute estimates that fire damage impacts one every 350 homes every year. If you consider every possible cause of home damage (like storms and flooding), the numbers become closer to one out of every 20 homes each year.

Instead of being frightened by these statistics, use them as a motivation to have a plan in place. Knowing how to choose your restoration partner is key.

We want to be our area’s preferred restoration partner. That is exactly why we prioritize our technicians’ training when they join our team.

Our Technicians’ Training Makes the Difference

When you work with our team, you can be certain you will receive timely service from exceptional professionals. Our technicians go through our extensive training program and also has the ability to train through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC).

The IICRC sets the industry standards for restoration and offers extensive certifications for all of our technicians.

Our investment in training can translate into your confidence in what our team offers. We’re here to help you, and we hope you will trust us if you ever need restoration services!

If your home is damaged due to a fire or any other cause, you can always count on us for restoration assistance. We have teams who are available ²⁴⁄₇ in the event of an emergency. Contact us at any time to learn more about our restoration services and how we can help your family.

Take the Right Steps to Keep Your Home Safe From Rain Damage | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

4/7/2021 (Permalink)

If you need help dealing with any damage caused by water, contact SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties today.

Many homeowners associate water damage with severe floods and storms or problems in the home (like a burst pipe.)

It’s easy to think of rain as a minor hassle and something that likely won’t damage your home. But that isn’t quite the truth. Rain can actually cause significant damage to your home over time.

How Common Is Water Damage?

Either you or someone you know will file a home water damage claim this year. That statistic may be surprising, but it’s true!

How do we know? Our team did some simple math (and factored in how many people the average person knows). About one in every 50 Americans will need water damage restoration this year. That translates into millions of American families and homeowners.

If you have a big social circle, more than one person you know might find themselves facing a water damage restoration project this year.

Home Maintenance Suggestions for You

Here are some helpful projects that can make a difference and protect your home from damage!

Correct any yard drainage issues. Knowing how your yard drains is vital to protecting your home. If you notice that your yard is draining toward your home, then you might want to get in touch with a landscaping expert to look for ways to protect your yard.

Landscape your yard using native plants. If you do a little homework, the flowers and shrubs you use to help you landscape your home and add curb appeal can also become an added layer of protection. Native plants can help. Talk to a local expert about native plants or visit a native plant sale.

Consider sealing your roof. Experts estimate that almost 95% of damage is caused by water finding its way through gaps in your shingles, which can be prevented with this step.

If you need help dealing with damage caused by water, fire or any other issue, we’re here to help you restore your home. We have crews who are available ²⁴⁄₇ in the event of an emergency. Contact us at any time to learn more about us and how we can help you restore your home to its original state.

Astoria Business Owners Can Depend on Our Team | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

3/18/2021 (Permalink)

If you need cleaning assistance at your business, we’re here. Contact SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties to learn more.

How much work have you put into making your Astoria business successful over the past year? If you’re like most business owners, the answer is “a lot.”

Navigating pandemic changes is a challenge business owners across the country are facing this year. You’ve probably spent a good portion of your time recently working through new ways to connect with your customers and deliver services in new ways.

Help and Support for Businesses

We’re here to assist business owners in our community––including those in Astoria and the surrounding areas. We believe a local business is vital to our economy. After all, we’re local business owners too. SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties is locally owned and operated.

Many businesses have already opened their doors again. And most have found new ways to work remotely or offer products and services digitally.

Others are prepared to reopen in some capacity. That might include offering takeout and delivery dining options or using social media to sell items and supplement lower foot traffic in your store location.

There’s help available from other resources as well. Some of your options include business loans and tips, advice and more from solid, trustworthy sources.

Regardless of how you and your employees have decided to move forward, we’re here to help you when you need us.

We’re available ²⁴⁄₇ to help you get your business “Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.” That means a team of experts will use the latest technology to ensure your business is safe for everyone.

Here’s how we do it:

First, we’ll consult with you about your needs.

Then we’ll clean your space. And we mean really clean it. Our teams use proprietary EPA-Approved Hospital-Grade cleaning solutions. Plus, we use cleaning and decontamination standards directly from the CDC.

Finally, our teams certify your space.

If you need cleaning assistance at your business, we’re here. We have crews who are available ²⁴⁄₇ in the event of an emergency. Contact us at any time to learn more about our cleaning services and how we can help you.

Home Projects to Prepare Your Family for Spring Storms | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

3/4/2021 (Permalink)

If you experience any property damage from spring storms, contact SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties.

How has your family been doing during this cold, wet, pandemic winter?

If you’re ready for spring, you’re just one of the many families in our region that are. You’re in good company.

It’s already March, so people are beginning to think more about what they can do when the weather warms up enough to spend time outside. You can plan outdoor projects, like more landscaping or a new deck or gazebo.

While you’re doing these projects to make your house more attractive, consider adding some projects to make your home a safer place, too. You can do things now to protect your home from strong storms later. The good news is that most of these projects aren’t time-consuming or expensive. With a little help and a long, sunny weekend, you can get them done.

Is Your Home Ready for a Spring Storm?

Check out these projects and see if they merit a place on your home improvement priority list:

Declutter any debris you find in your gutter. When your gutters are in good shape, it allows water around your home to flow the right way. If gutters are full of debris, they can overflow and cause water damage. Our team recommends cleaning your gutters regularly. You may want to do this every season, so you’re always prepared for heavy rains.

If you have a sump pump, check it sooner rather than later. If your home needs one of these to keep water out of your basement, then it’s a good idea to be sure it’s working before you need it.

Prepare your roof for stormy weather. Make it your priority to look for missing shingles and signs of leaks. If you repair your roof early on, you don’t have to face finding out about leaks and damage during a storm. You’ll save yourself time, money and other issues surrounding water damage.

If a fire, flood or any other cause damage to your home, you can always count on us for restoration assistance. We are available ²⁴⁄₇ in the event of an emergency. Contact us at any time to learn more about our restoration services and how we can help you.

Your Astoria Business Can Bounce Back After a Natural Disaster | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

2/24/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties knows the commercial restoration process inside and out.

Over the past year, business owners (and most everyone else) have seen firsthand how an unexpected disaster or event can impact their daily routines. Many members of our business community have risen to the occasion during the pandemic by looking for new solutions to problems and ways to continue providing services.

It’s a good idea to plan for more common types of natural disasters businesses can face—like fires, floods and severe storms.

We want to serve our local business community as best we can, so our team has put together some of the best advice we can offer to help you be prepared for a disaster and the commercial restoration process.

Moving Past a Disaster and Restoring Your Business

These tips can help you thrive after a natural disaster:

Understand the importance of your disaster plan. Disaster plans are vital. So make one before you need it when you can think clearly about the next steps you would need to take to keep your business operating. For example, you may want to consider moving your business to a backup location, if that’s an option for you.

Ensure you’re documenting everything. You’ll need to take plenty of photographs for your insurance company. They’ll want to see the extent of the damage before your cleanup process begins. Additionally, it’s a good idea to make an inventory of all the lost and damaged items.

Keep the stakeholders you depend on in the loop. You’ll want to find ways to reach your suppliers, your employees, your customers and your wider community. This can be easier than you might think, thanks to social media and email marketing lists.

Be sure you’re taking care of yourself. A natural disaster that impacts your business can make your financial future feel uncertain. Be sure you’re caring for your physical and emotional needs by eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep and talking with people you trust.

Connect your employees with resources. Your employees will also be impacted if your business has to close or cut hours for restoration work. There are resources available to small business owners and their employees through organizations like the Small Business Administration (SBA).

If a fire, flood or any other cause damages your business, you can always count on us for restoration assistance. We have crews who are available ²⁴⁄₇ in the event of an emergency. Contact us at any time to learn more about our restoration services and how we can help you.

How to Know You’re Choosing the Right Restoration Company | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

2/17/2021 (Permalink)

When your business is damaged, it’s important to open the doors again as soon as possible. One of the biggest keys to opening your doors again fast is choosing the right company to work with you on restoring your property. Whether your business is damaged by fire, water, storms or some other cause, you can count on your local SERVPRO team to get the job done right.

Things You Should Consider

When you’re working with a commercial partner, you need to choose a company with excellent customer service and availability.

After all, your business is vital to your family, your employees, your customers and your community. You’ll want to have a good idea of how long the project will take––and be certain someone will answer if you have questions or need something explained to you.

Our teams are available 24/7 to help during emergencies. You can call at any time and know you’ll be talking with a local team member who can help you get the restoration process started quickly.

You’ll also want to know the team you’re working with is well-qualified to do your restoration work. We have technicians certified at the highest levels to deal with commercial restoration, fire damage, water damage, mold remediation and other types of restoration you might need.

SERVPRO’s technicians will be using the latest technology available on the market.

Because our location is affiliated with SERVPRO’s national brand, we have access to the types of technology and advances that are available to large, national companies.

When combined with our technicians’ knowledge and skill, our equipment gives us a powerful advantage when working on restoration projects.

We also think it’s important that we love this community. We live and work here, so we want to see our local business community thrive. Part of that is helping businesses we value to reopen their doors after their business is damaged.

Don’t wait. Call us at any time if you need our help when your business is damaged.

We’ll be there to assist you.

If your business needs restoration help and support, you can depend on us to provide the services you need. Contact us 24 hours a day to report damage and receive a quick response from our certified restoration technicians. Get in touch today.

We’re Ready to Help You Restore Your Home in a Timely Manner l SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

2/8/2021 (Permalink)

If your home is damaged due to a disaster, Contact SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties. From start to finish, we will be here to help.

Did you know that all the restoration jobs we work with have one thing in common? You might be surprised to learn that, no matter how different the circumstances are, all of our jobs have one thing in common.

It’s a simple thing, too. It’s the fact that moving quickly to start the restoration process is the best way to ensure any home or structure can be restored to its original state as quickly and seamlessly as possible.

Timing matters because once a home is damaged, the issues can spread and compromise more of the home. For example, water damage can begin to deteriorate wood within hours and warp it within days. The first signs of damage from mold can appear even before that.

Our Teams Are Here When You Need Us

Because we know how quickly mold and water damage can move through a home, our team is available to help you ²⁴⁄₇. You can call us at any time if you have a home restoration emergency. We’ll be ready to help you.

Our teams are ready to partner with you and bring the highest training and certifications to your job. When you work with us, you can be assured the team will bring the highest level of knowledge in the field to your home.

Our technicians also have access to the best restoration technology available today in addition to their skill levels. Because we’re part of SERVPRO, we have access to the same leading-edge technology that a national company has. And we bring it here to you.

Reasons Homeowners Need SERVPRO

We receive calls for a variety of issues, but there are a few of the most common ones include damage from severe weather and home accidents and appliance malfunctions.

If your home is damaged due to fire, water or any other cause, you can always count on us for restoration assistance. We have teams who are available ²⁴⁄₇ in the event of an emergency. Contact us at any time to learn more about our restoration services and how we can help your family.

Finding Water Damage in Your Home | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

2/1/2021 (Permalink)

Do you have any water damage to your walls or ceiling? Contact SERVPRO and we will help guide you through the restoration process.

If you had to file a water damage claim on your home last year, you’re not alone. In fact, you’re probably in good company because that most likely includes some friends and neighbors in your community.

How common are water damage claims? They’re the most common type of homeowners insurance claim that gets filed. And about 1 in 50 Americans files them each year. (That’s why we know there’s likely been more than one claim in your neighborhood or community.)

Water damage claims keep growing, even as fire damage claims are falling.

Can You Spot Home Water Damage?

Many homeowners don’t know when to take the next step and call professionals to help with the water damage process. The signs aren’t always easy to spot. But once you know what they are, they’re unmistakable. Here’s what you might see when you’re home has water damage:

You see signs of fading and staining on the fabric in your home. You might notice jewel-toned curtains looking less vibrant or the upholstery on your couch sporting water spots. If you see these signs, your home has too much moisture and should be evaluated.

Your home smells noticeably musty. This distinctive scent is one of the first things you’ll notice when you’re dealing with mold damage. It’s an early sign so if you smell it, you need to call immediately to keep the problem from getting worse.

The wood in your home has started to show signs of warping and damage. Wood can be anything from valued antique furniture to your hardwood floors to your window panes and door frames. These items can be damaged within just a few days so if you see damage, get the restoration process started sooner rather than later.

If you have water damage in your home due to a burst pipe or another cause, you can count on us for restoration assistance. We have teams who are available ²⁴⁄₇ in the event of an emergency. Contact us at any time to learn more about our restoration services.

What Do I Do After a House Fire? | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

1/25/2021 (Permalink)

If you have fire damage due to a heating malfunction or other issue, count on SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties to fully restore your home.

The unthinkable has happened - and you and your family have survived a fire. Maybe flames scorched your kitchen or perhaps your house burned completely.

However it happened, you may be feeling traumatized and at a loss for what to do next. Let’s talk about the steps to take after a fire to help you get back on your feet again.

1. Get to Safety

After a fire, do not re-enter your home until your local fire services have given permission. Instead, find a place to stay. If you don’t have friends or relatives who can take you in, your local Red Cross or Salvation Army may be able to assist you.

2. Make Contacts Promptly

After a fire, you have plenty of calls to make and emails to send. You’ll need to get the ball moving with insurance, as well as with restoration or rebuilding. Contacts to make include:

1. Your insurance agent
2. Your landlord or mortgager
3. Your local fire department (for a copy of the fire report)
4. Essential contractors, such as a cleaning and restoration professional
5. Any accounts or agencies you need documentation reissued for (bank, driver’s license etc.)

Of course, you may not have all these email addresses or phone numbers at hand—they might have been in the fire!

To make your life easier, plan ahead by creating a disaster contact list and placing it in an online location, such as a Google drive. That way, you can get to it from any location that has internet.

Perform other documentation, too, such as taking photos and saving all receipts related to the fire.

3. Keep Caring for Your People

Emotional and physical needs won’t disappear after a day or two. Fires can be traumatic for children and adults.

If needed, check with your doctor for any lingering problems—smoke inhalation can make some chronic illnesses worse, for instance. Have your veterinarian check your pet’s health, too. And take time to attend to your own mental health, such as by visiting a counselor or looking for online resources.

If you’re concerned about planning ahead for a fire or other disaster, consult with SERVPRO. We can help with disaster planning, as well as advise you about how best to file insurance claims.

From emergency cleaning and restoration to routine disinfection, we’re there for you. Contact us at any hour for a consultation or immediate assistance.

Help When Your Home Needs Mold Remediation | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

1/20/2021 (Permalink)

No one likes to think about dealing with mold damage at home—and the potential health hazards mold can pose. But millions of American families every year find themselves needing mold remediation services.

Signs of mold in your home can vary and may include damp spaces, a musty odor or discoloration on your ceiling, walls, or floors. You might also notice peeling paint, wood warping and even health effects, especially if you suffer from certain types of allergies or asthma.

If you notice any of these signs in your home, then it’s smart to consider reaching out to a trusted partner for an evaluation of your home. They can tell you more about mold remediation and restoration services.

How SERVPRO Is Different

When it comes to mold remediation, we’re a trusted local partner for many families. Here’s why so many residents trust us:

Our team is available 24/7. When it comes to home restoration, time is always of the essence. That means the sooner you can meet with a certified restoration technician and get a plan for remediation in place, the better your home will be able to recover. Getting started fast saves you both time and money.

We have highly trained mold remediation specialists. Calling our team connects you with home restoration technicians who have all the skills and knowledge needed to assess your situation and create a personalized plan for correcting it. They have the expertise and experience you’ll want in your corner.

We use the latest technology. By combining highly trained experts and leading-edge technology, we can use the latest strategies to help your home overcome a mold threat. We work to restore your home in a way that’s both logical and economical.

We are a local business. We are always here to help our friends and neighbors in Clatsop & Columbia counties and the surrounding communities restore their homes. But our services also come backed with the security and expertise of a national organization.

If you need help with mold remediation, you can depend on us to help. Contact us 24 hours a day to report damage and receive a quick response from our certified restoration technicians. Get in touch today.

Yikes! My Carpet Is Soaked. What Next? | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

1/14/2021 (Permalink)

If you have water damage in your home, contact us right away. SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties is available 24/7.

Maybe you’re taking a driving tour of some beautiful parklands. Maybe you’re away on business. Whatever happens, you return home to find there’s been a burst pipe or other water leak in your house…and your carpet is soaked.

Can a wet carpet be saved? And if so, can you dry it yourself? The answers depend on how long the carpet was wet and whether it was contaminated with sewage or other hazardous substances.

How Long Was the Carpet Wet?

As soon as water soaks into your carpet, it begins to change. Fibers absorb water and swell. Any mold lurking there begins to spread.

That means you have a limited time window when you can dry the carpet yourself, in place, without taking it up off the floor. Generally, if your carpet was only wet 48 hours or less with clean water, you can dry it in place.

How Do I Dry a Carpet?

First, you’ll want to thoroughly get as much water as you can up by hand. Press clean, dry towels into the carpet and wring them out.

Keep on until you can wring no more water out of them. In the meantime, use fans, open windows and/or dehumidifiers to keep removing moisture from the area.

Next, use a wet/dry vacuum and repeat the same steps as for the towels: vacuum and then empty the canister repeatedly, until you can’t get more water up.

Finally, sprinkle the carpet with baking powder or commercial carpet cleaning/disinfecting powder. Leave overnight, then vacuum up.

Was the Water Contaminated?

If the carpet was wet with contaminated water, or if it was wet more than a day or two, you’ll need to take it up, dry under it, and shampoo or steam-clean and disinfect it. This is a cumbersome process where a cleaning and restoration team such as SERVPRO can really come in handy.

If you want to assess whether a wet carpet can be salvaged or if you need help with drying and disinfecting your carpet, reach out to us right away.

From emergency cleaning and restoration to routine disinfection, we’re there for you. Contact us at any hour for a consultation or immediate assistance.

Why Choose SERVPRO? We Hit the Sweet Spot. | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

1/7/2021 (Permalink)

If you’re reading this, you may be a small or mid-size business looking for a cleaning and restoration partner. Since that’s not a choice you make very often, let us tell you a little about why SERVPRO makes great sense as a partner for your business.

A National Organization…

Unlike some cleaning and restoration firms, we’re more than just a mom-and-pop enterprise. Our national network ties us into the latest cleaning standards, new products and practices, and updates on any environmental or chemical threats that might be out there. Because we’re part of a wider network, we’re always prepared for when the latest national issue hits.

…Made Up of Local Neighbors

While we draw on national expertise, our local team knows and understands the Clatsop and Columbia county areas. We hire locally and we’re tight-knit, meaning that your disaster response team will likely be made up of your neighbors. You might even see a friendly face.

Local knowledge extends to more than manpower. Since we’re all in the same environment, we have the inside scoop on the kinds of issues our neighbor businesses may be dealing with. For instance, we tend to be pretty damp, especially in the winter. Flooding and mold can become problems. Since we’re right here with you experiencing the same trends, we know exactly what to expect. That makes it easy to be prepared.

…Dedicated to Serving YOU!

SERVPRO is dedicated to making any disaster scene “Like it never even happened,” and that goes for everything from your physical facility to your paperwork. On a job site, we take pains to identify and correct even hidden problems. And when it comes to filing insurance claims and getting payments, we take as much work as possible off your hands. That’s why SERVPRO is the logical choice for your cleaning and restoration partner.

From fire to storm to flood, disaster can strike a business at any time. To discuss a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile for your business, contact us at any hour for assistance.

We Have Resources to Help With Fire Restoration l SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

12/28/2020 (Permalink)

If you have fire damage due to a heating malfunction or other issue, count on SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties to fully restore your home.

Did you know that house fires are more common during the winter months?

It’s true. There are various causes of winter fires, ranging from problems with space heaters to toppled candles.

Accidents involving Christmas trees are one of the leading causes of holiday fires. But issues with home heating systems and mishaps in the kitchen can cause problems for homeowners, too.

The Help You Need Is Right Here

While no one likes to think about the aftermath of a house fire, it’s a reality for millions of American families each year. We want to help you restore your home to its original condition if damaged by a fire.

Here’s why we are Clatsop & Columbia counties’ trusted partner for fire damage remediation and restoration:

Our team believes in restoration first. We have a team of local experts who want to ensure you get the help you need. With our pool of resources, we can help you save your repairs and homeowners insurance premiums. Our team’s experts want to make your restoration process as painless as we can for your family. We’ll make it like it never happened.

We’ll help with the entire restoration process. Fire damage goes beyond problems caused by the fire. It can include smoke damage, water damage and issues with odors in furniture upholstery. Our team can work through restoration on all of these and more.

We are members of your community. SERVPRO is a national company. But the owner of our location is a resident. We have access to the leading-edge resources, equipment and techniques available to a large national company, and we bring those things to your restoration project.

We’re available ²⁴⁄₇. Fires don’t happen on a predictable schedule. And getting started with the restoration process as soon as possible is a vital step in restoring your home. We know that timing matters during an emergency, so our team is available at any time when you need help.

If you have fire damage in your home due to a kitchen, heating or other fire, you can count on us for restoration assistance. Our team is always ready to meet your needs and help you restore your home. Contact us at any time to learn more about our restoration services.

Why SERVPRO®? Let's Look at Our Advanced Technology | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

12/21/2020 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties, our cleaning and restoration services are powered by advanced technology. Contact us today to learn more.

What does advanced technology have to do with restoration and cleaning? Quite a lot, actually. When we at SERVPRO show up to a job, yes, we do apply a lot of old-fashioned elbow grease. But, equally important, we deploy advanced devices and products to create a safe, healthful environment for you.

Let’s look at some of the technology SERVPRO draws on when we’re cleaning and restoring your structures and contents.

Soggy Business

Water damage can be a real bear to deal with. First, there’s getting rid of standing water. Then, there’s locating hidden dampness and addressing it as well.

If anything’s missed, it can result in damage down the road. Luckily, SERVPRO has tools to help us find and conquer moisture of all kinds.

Moisture Meters. Water can lurk below floors, in carpets and drywall, even above ceilings. To locate hidden water, we use devices like a hygrometer to measure the humidity in a space. Another device for finding remaining dampness is an infrared meter. Yes, that’s the same meter that shows nifty heat maps. It works for finding water because wet spots tend to be cooler than dry ones.

Industrial Drying Equipment. After we find any hidden water, SERVPRO uses industrial-grade technology to get rid of it. For instance, we might use high-powered dehumidifiers and fans to draw water out of air and porous surfaces. A thorough drying can prevent mold growth in the future, as well as stopping material such as wood from warping and losing their shape.

The Chemistry of Clean

When we turn to cleaning and disinfecting, SERVPRO selects devices and disinfecting products that can effectively purify air and surfaces. After fires, floods or other disasters, we use industrial scrubbers to remove mold, smoke and other odor-causing contaminants from the air.

For surfaces, we select from OSHA-approved cleaners and disinfectants to destroy bacteria, fungi, molds and other contaminants. We’re always looking to stay at the cutting edge of disinfection science. For instance, in 2020 we addressed the new threat of the COVID-19 pandemic by deploying EPA-certified disinfecting products.

From emergency cleaning and restoration to routine disinfection, we’re there for you. Contact us at any hour for a consultation or immediate assistance.

3 Reasons to Make SERVPRO Your Commercial Cleaning Partner | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

12/16/2020 (Permalink)

The best time to plan is ahead of time. Or, as the motto goes, “Be prepared.” You’ll be prepared for both expected and unexpected cleaning and restoration needs with SERVPRO on your team.

If you’re like most business owners, you retain a dedicated accountant for your business, rather than hunting for one whenever the need arises. In the same way, it’s a great idea to form an ongoing relationship with a cleaning and restoration service. This partnership will keep you prepared for almost any disaster.

Let’s look at three reasons to choose SERVPRO as your commercial cleaning and restoration partner:

1. We Offer Routine Cleaning and Disinfection

SERVPRO can be a force multiplier for your daily cleaning service. We perform routine-but-messy tasks such as fryer hood cleaning, deep carpet cleaning and more.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve added a special disinfection service to our lineup. Known as Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, this program shows your customers that your business is regularly disinfected to CDC standards. We can talk with your business about the kinds of work you need and the job frequency, then tailor a special program to meet your needs.

2. We’re Scalable

For the big challenges, SERVPRO is there. If your facility is large or complex, we have you covered. Our experience includes health care, manufacturing and large residential complexes.

Plus, we rely on our national structure for hazard response. If you encounter a challenging problem, such as a chemical spill, we can draw on elite teams known as large-loss specialists to make your cleanup happen as swiftly as possible.

3. We Do the Paperwork

SERVPRO also knows how to take the headache out of disaster recovery. We can help you file insurance claims and point you toward recovery resources. We can also assist your business with before-disaster planning, so that you have a set of contacts and resources on hand when an unexpected event strikes.

From fire to storm to flood, disaster can strike a business at any time. To discuss a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile for your business, contact us at any hour for assistance.

They’re Depending on You: Protect Your Pets in a Storm | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

12/14/2020 (Permalink)

Lightning crashes and Fido is nowhere to be found. You search and search only to discover your pup in the basement, hiding between the water heater and the rat poison. Yikes!

When animals panic, such as during a storm or even a fireworks display, they can get hurt. Let’s talk about keeping your pet safe during a storm. In this blog, we’ll focus on indoor pets.

If You’re Staying in Place

Be aware that pets may run and hide—bringing them into contact with parts of the house where they don’t usually hang out. Know their hiding places so you can easily find them when a storm strikes.

Depending on the storm you’re threatened with, you may go into a sheltered location, such as in the basement or under the stairs. A pet that’s already frightened can resist the move or set up a ruckus once there. Be sure to get your pet used to your shelter room when the horizon’s clear.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty for Animals (ASPCA) suggests removing any hazardous materials, such as rat bait, from your family’s storm shelter. It might be a good idea to pet-proof your animals’ favorite hiding place, too.

If You Need to Evacuate

Again, your first step is to know your pet’s hidey-holes—this time, so you can quickly grab them in case of a flood or another situation where you need to evacuate quickly.

Like humans, pets need a “go bag” with basic supplies to carry in case of an evacuation. This can include medicine, a leash, medical paperwork, shot records and even a pet first-aid kit. The ASPCA even has a handy video tutorial to help you assemble your own pet first-aid kit.

From fire to storm to flood, disaster can strike at any time. If you’ve experienced storm damage, contact us at any hour for assistance.

A Silent Invader—Water Beneath Your House | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

12/9/2020 (Permalink)

If you have water damage in your home, contact us right away. SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties is your local water restoration expert.

Have you ever been awakened by water dripping on your nose? Or been frustrated by a burst pipe? People often experience these flooding mishaps—they’re hard to miss, and the solutions are obvious.

However, water underneath your home or business also creates problems, perhaps worse ones. Water can do plenty of damage if it’s neglected, both to people and property. Let’s discuss water in your foundation and/or basement—and how you can dry it out before it becomes a problem.

Sources of Low-Lying Water

Maybe you sometimes see water standing in your basement, or find that your basement walls are damp to the touch. Rainwater draining under your house is one common cause. Faulty construction, such as crevices at joints or openings around where pipes enter, may also let water in.

Why Worry About Hidden Wetness?

Though it isn’t instantly annoying, dampness in your foundation, crawlspace or basement can harm health and structures. Encouraged by damp conditions, mold can grow, making people sick. Water seepage may also crack concrete walls and rot joists, leading to potentially severe structural issues.

Protection Via Landscaping

Your first step to halting low-lying water is to keep it away from your home or business. Your structure should lie slightly uphill of the ground around it. Try creating a gentle grade of about an inch per foot, for at least six feet all around your home to encourage rain water to drain elsewhere.

Protection Via Construction

Anything underground will come into contact with some dampness, of course. But it’s important for that dampness to stay outside…not in. Drain tile systems and drainage pipes known as French drains can help steer away unwanted water, as can a sump pump.

Though it may take some investment of time and money to protect your basement or foundation from water damage, it’s better than finding mold or, worse, structural problems. If you ever do end up needing restoration due to low-lying water damage, give SERVPRO a call!

If water damages your home, we’re there for you. Contact us at any hour for a consultation or immediate assistance.

Does Your Business Have a Fire Extinguisher? | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

11/27/2020 (Permalink)

A few facts about fires: they’re decreasing in the U.S., but the dollar value of the damage they cause is going up. The most common fires, both in residential and business settings, are cooking-related.

Carelessness comes next as a cause (think about an employee carelessly scuffing out a cigarette and tossing it into a trashcan when the boss looks into the bathroom).

Fire Extinguisher Requirements

To put out small fires in a hurry, keep a fire extinguisher on site at your business. In fact, the National Fire Prevention Association code mandates having one. Fire extinguishers are required to be visible and accessible to the people who might need to use them.

Visible. Your fire extinguisher has to be in plain view. If it isn’t—for instance, if you keep it under the break room sink—you must place clear signs indicating where it is.

Accessible. Your fire extinguisher can’t be too near the floor or ceiling. Also, if you have a larger space, your extinguisher(s) must be within 75 feet “travel distance” from any spot in the building. This distance can be as little as 30 feet from specific hazards, such as gasoline.

Kinds of Fire Extinguisher

For most shops and offices, a Class A fire extinguisher is exactly right. If you have additional hazards, though, you may want a more robust fire extinguisher.

Class B can put out flammable liquids, such as gasoline. Class C also resists electrical conduction, meaning it is used in places where there’s a potential for electrical fires. Class D can put out flammable metals.

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

Sure, you’ve done it (haven’t you)? It’s never a bad time to take just two or three minutes for a fire extinguisher refresher.

1. Pull the pin to break the seal.
2. Point the nozzle (tube) at the base of the fire.
3. Pull the handle.
4. Swing back and forth until the fire is out.

It’s also a great idea to place a “how to use” diagram near your business fire extinguisher, just in case.

From fire to storm to flood, disaster can strike a business at any time. To discuss a SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile for your business, contact us at any hour for assistance.

Fire Safety: Electrical Focus | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

11/19/2020 (Permalink)

The holiday season is coming fast, and with it the temptation to string as many colored lights as possible inside and out. Before you start plugging everything in, do a quick review of your home’s electrical safety situation.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, “electrical distribution or lighting equipment” accounts for about 34,000 home fires every year. These hazards include cords, lighting, plugs and wiring.

From the point at which electricity enters your home to endpoint devices, we’ll look at the most common sources of danger:

Human Error

From using devices in an unsafe manner to allowing curtains to droop against heating elements, human carelessness contributes to many home electrical fires. The best remedy is caution. Always read appliance directions and follow them.

Never leave devices such as space heaters unattended. Make sure electrical devices and appliances have plenty of space around them. Treat electrical devices with a healthy respect in every situation.

Electrical Failure or Malfunction

After human error, electrical “failure or malfunction” makes the second leading cause of deaths from house fires. Many fires involve arcing, where a spark jumps from one conductor to another. Damaged wires and loose connections—in your house wiring or in appliances—can lead to arcing. So can faults in junction and control boxes.

Professional Advice. If your house has older wiring, it might be time for a visit from an electrician. He or she can look for any wiring that needs to be updated. Your electrician can also install arc-fault circuit interrupters to cut off power when dangerous arcing conditions occur.

Sharp-Eyed Solutions. For your part, you can check devices and appliances from small holiday lights through washers and dryers. Look for any exposed wires, loose cords or frayed coverings of cords/wires. Discard damaged devices or have them professionally repaired.

Distribution

Distribution problems also contribute to house fires. Connecting more than one appliance to a socket spells trouble. Similarly, extension cords should only be used occasionally, not incorporated as part of your day-to-day wiring solution.

Too many appliances connected to one outlet or circuit can lead to fires. Make sure you place no more demand on any one circuit or outlet than it can support.

From fire to storm to flood, disaster can strike a business at any time. To discuss a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile for your business, contact us at any hour for assistance.

Recovering as a Business Owner After a Disaster

11/6/2020 (Permalink)

Plan ahead and check your insurance policy coverage.

Recovering as a Business Owner After a Disaster | SERVPRO® of Cedar Mill/Oak Hills

It is so rewarding to build a business and succeed, but if a disaster comes through and causes damage, that is a frustrating incident that is entirely out of your hands. This can devastate businesses that are not prepared, which is why knowing what you would do in this type of situation is so important for the longevity of your business after an emergency.

Safety during a disaster is the most important thing, so we highly recommend starting with a plan that encompasses your evacuation procedure, communicating with employees and keeping your office stocked with emergency supplies. Once you do this, you can move into phase two of the planning, which involves determining how you will be able to quickly recover.

Planning for Post-Disaster Recovery for Your Business

Check your insurance coverage and call your restoration company. No two commercial insurance policies are the same, so it is wise to get in touch with your provider to make sure you have all the information necessary to file a claim if you are able to. Next, contact your commercial restoration company to get that process started. In many cases, they will be able to talk with your insurance company directly to keep things simple for you.

Get in touch with your customers quickly. Your customers will want to hear from you after a disaster, so sending out messages quickly is a great way to keep them in the loop on your timeline and how they will be able to support you through this time. It might be worth considering doing a special promotion with gift cards or other long-lasting items that they can purchase and use at a later date to assist you throughout the rebuilding process.

Make sure you are aware of the assistance offerings. There are many disaster assistance programs available to business owners, such as the Small Business Administration’s loan program, which can be used for restoration, disaster-related costs and even income due to losses from the damage. These loans are typically designed to be easy to qualify for and to repay to help business owners rebuild.

If your business has been damaged due to a disaster, we’re here to help. Contact us at any hour to report your damage or to learn more about our commercial restoration services.

Plan ahead and check you insurance policy coverage.

Detecting Toilet Leaks | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

10/16/2020 (Permalink)

This is a toilet with a visible leak.

When you think about water damage to your home, you may picture something dramatic—a floor or burst pipe. But slow leaks can cause damage, too, as well as encourage black mold, which is dangerous to your health.

One common source of higher water bills, home damage and mold accumulation is a leaky toilet. Let’s look at why it’s important to identify toilet leaks, as well as how to detect them.

Breathe Safely
Leaking toilets can encourage the growth of mold—colonies of tiny, living organisms that thrive in moist, stagnant, dark environments. The darker molds pose the most danger. They can cause allergic reactions or asthma attacks—and even worsen chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.

As well as causing mold, leaking toilets can lead to damaged floors and walls. Wood or drywall may eventually need to be replaced. In any event, you need to detect leaks quickly.

Find the Leak

Common signs of a leak will vary depending on where it occurs.

External leaks may cause:

1. Water around the base of the toilet

2. Discoloration or loose tiles around the base of the toilet or behind the toilet

3. A “soft” feeling to the floor around the toilet

Interior leaks may cause:

1. Sounds of water running or “ghost flushes”

2. Having to hold or jiggle the handle to complete a flush and stop the toilet from running

You can confirm an interior toilet leak by dropping food coloring into the tank. If the color appears in the bowl without you having flushed the toilet, you have a leak between the tank and bowl.

Fixing the Leak

Depending on your skill and interest level, you may want to fix the leak yourself or defer to a plumber.

Exterior leaks, which are most often responsible for mold and home damage, may be harder to fix. For interior leaks, though, you can often attempt an easy fix by making sure the flapper seats tightly after every flush and checking that the chain is the right length to allow the flapper to open and close properly.

From fire to storm to flood, disaster can strike at any time. Contact us at any hour for assistance.

How Do I Get The Smoke Smell Out Of My Home?

9/28/2020 (Permalink)

Smoke belongs by the campfire not in your home!

As the rain clears the smoke and the fires are contained some people might still find the smell of smoke lingering in their homes.

This week on our SERVPRO blog feed we are going to provide you with some quick tips on how to get the smell of smoke out of your house. 

Things You'll Need

· Baking Soda

· Vinegar and Water Solution

· Heavy duty washing detergent

Instructions:

1. Throw open the windows and even a door or two. The less time the smoke sits around the greater chance of getting rid of it quickly. Even if it is in the middle of winter, airing your house right away will disperse the smoke and prevent any more absorption. If the weather is nice, you might want to keep the windows open for a few days, at least during the daylight hours.
2. Launder your drapes and table linens as soon as possible; they will absorb the smoke odor rapidly. Wash them in the hottest water that the fabric can endure and heavy duty washing detergent. If the fabrics cannot be washed at home, take them to a dry cleaner, which will have solutions that will make the fabric smoke-free.
3. Clean your cabinets, walls, and floors with a one-part vinegar, one part warm water solution. Be sure to test this first but most surfaces are fine with this solution. Vinegar naturally absorbs odors so the smell of vinegar and smoke should go away in a few hours after using it.
4. Place bowls of baking soda around your kitchen, and even put a few inside the cabinets, pantry, and any other room that has an odor.  This too will help to absorb the odor in a few days time. Sprinkle the rugs and carpeting with baking soda and vacuum. Sprinkle the baking soda again and this time let sit for a few days time before vacuuming.

If the house still smells of smoke or if you don’t want to do the work in the first place, just call us here at SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties and we’ll get it right out.

(503) 791-6714

SERVPRO is Here to Serve YOU!

9/22/2020 (Permalink)

Our van that you will see driving around town!

Hi there, 

We are SERVPRO of Clatsop Columbia Counties, 3C’s for short, and we are new to the area and very excited to meet and service all of you!

We are fully equipped to handle your emergencies whether they include fire, water, biohazard, mold or just general cleaning.  Is your crawl space flooded?  We can extract the water. Are your floors wet?  We can dry them out, even if they are hardwood.  Do you have mold in the bathroom or basement?  We can mitigate the problem and make it so it doesn’t come back. Did you have a fire?  We can take care of you, from cleaning your contents and getting rid of the smoke odors to the reconstruction of the damaged area.  Is there something icky or creepy that you just don't want to clean up?  Call us for any job, we are happy to help.

We also have a full construction team on deck that can handle your job from beginning to end. You won't have to worry about schedules being coordinated, the quality of the work being performed or any miscommunication between contractors. We keep it simple.

We know you will be pleased with the work we do and the customer service we provide because customer satisfaction is our driving force.

We look forward to serving the Clatsop Columbia Counties and being the first call you make for your cleaning, mitigation and restoration needs!

What Is Black Mold?

9/22/2020 (Permalink)

Keep an eye out for black spots on your walls, floors and ceilings.

Stachybotrys chartarum is the type of mold often called “black mold” or “toxic mold”. 

How Do I Tell If It’s Black Mold?

Since many types of mold can produce allergens and irritants, you should contact a qualified mold remediation company regardless of the color or type of mold. In many instances, multiple types of mold can exist in the same house or structure. If you suspect that you have a mold problem, contact a SERVPRO Franchise Professional immediately. Click here to find a SERVPRO Franchise.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today 24/7 at 503-791-6714!

Understanding Mold

When water makes its way onto your property, mold growth can start in as little as 48 hours. Consider the following mold facts:

•  Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
•  Mold spores are microscopic and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
•  Mold spores thrive on moisture. It can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce toxins that are harmful to humans and pets.
•  Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise the mold may return.
•  Mold often produces a pungent, sour and musty odor.
•  Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

How to Make Sure You Are As Prepared as Possible for a House Fire | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

9/4/2020 (Permalink)

An emergency can happen at anytime. Make sure you and your family have a plan.

When you think of a house fire, you are likely to think of news coverage you have seen or
families you have known that have experienced one, but have you considered what you would
do if one happened in your home?

Even small house fires can cause major damage, and because of how rapidly they spread,
making sure you are as prepared as possible before one starts is so important. By knowing
what to do when a fire starts and how to begin the recovery process, you can keep your family
much safer in the event that a house fire does occur.

Preparing Your Household for a House Fire

Designate 2 Exits From Every Room
If your house is multiple stories or has rooms with only one entrance, it is important that you do what you can to give every room two routes of escape in case of a fire. When a fire blocks one
exit, it is important that someone in the room is able to utilize the other. This can be done by
installing emergency ladders in upstairs rooms and making sure that windows open in every
room of the home so your family can get out safely.

Create and Execute an Escape Plan
It is important to not only plan for a fire evacuation, but also to be able to execute it in under two minutes to avoid dangerous smoke inhalation. Plan for everyone in your evacuation plan, including children, elderly family members and pets, to make sure no one is left behind. Once you have a plan drafted, be sure to run drills of it at least every few months so that everyone in the household knows exactly what to do should the smoke alarms sound.

Have a Plan in Place for the Aftermath
Once you escape the home, you should call 911 immediately to get the fire department on their
way to help extinguish the flames. Even if the flames are put out quickly, dangerous smoke and
soot buildup can be present, so it is important to have a plan for restoration as well. If your home has been damaged by a fire, you can count on us for all your restoration needs.

We are here 24/7 to come to your aid after a house fire. Call us anytime to report damage or
learn more.