Sump Pump Tips

12/2/2024 (Permalink)

How to Prevent the Sump Pump Line from Freezing

When the sump pump discharge hose freezes, your sump pump has to work harder. This can be the result of the heat and may fail completely as a consequence of overheating. The next time water builds up in your sump basin, this could be problematic for your home. Follow these precautions to avoid your sump pump line from freezing and flooding.

Sump Pump Maintenance Tips:

Outside of your house, make sure the sump pump discharge line is sunken in the ground or raised above grade at a downward angle.  To protect the pipe from freezing, bury it at least five inches below the frost line (the maximum depth of ground below which the soil doesn’t freeze).

Connect a freeze-resistant hose to the end of the discharge hose. Discharge water at least 20 feet from the foundation. Use a smooth, rigid hose to ensure there is no place for water to accumulate. Water in pipes that are too straightened is more prone to freeze-this is a detail many are not aware of.

To keep the discharge and intake sections of the sump pump from freezing, insulate them and the pipe connecting the two. Cover the outside pipe with anything that won’t block the pump but will block the weather. Don’t put any anti-freeze in the sump pump that's a bigger problem.

Check your sump basin and test the sump pump from time to time to ensure that it is in good working order.

If your sump pump pipe is frozen, use portable heaters to thaw it. Don’t use a blow torch to melt the line because you risk hurting yourself or damaging the property. If you can’t thaw the hose on your own, turn off the sump pump and call a professional plumber.

SERVPRO of Bloomington/Pontiac is here for your water needs. Our staff is trained on exactly how to fix water damage issues and get your home back to the space you need.

Call us today at 309-827-7500 or visit our website at www.SERVPRObloomingtonpontiac.com.

Frozen Pipe Tips

11/22/2024 (Permalink)

Follow the below tips in order to get you off in the right direction:

1. Shut off your water and, if necessary, electricity

Go to the home’s main water valve and shut it off immediately. (And don’t wait for a burst pipe to find out where the main water valve is located.) Electricity should also be cut off to the section of the home where the water damage has occurred, Thompson said. If you live in an apartment complex and don’t have control over the building’s water supply, he added, be sure to contact your building manager or landlord.

2. Call a plumber.

Not all plumbing companies have 24-hour service, so it’s a good idea to research and choose one in advance so you’re not scrambling after water floods your house. Plumbing costs vary depending on where the pipes are located and how bad the damage is, Thompson said. You may also need to contact a water damage professional, he said, particularly if carpeting, flooring, walls or ceilings are severely damaged.

3. Call SERVPRO of Bloomington for the clean up and restoration.

309-827-7500

 Prevention tips:

In very cold weather, let water drip from your faucet. This can help prevent freezing especially if you will be out of town for an extended period of time. 

If you suspect a frozen pipe, thaw it yourself using a hair dryer, heating pad, space heater or warm washcloth, or call a professional.

If your faucet is not running or toilet is not refilling, there is a good chance a pipe is frozen.

Grease Fire Do's and Dont's

11/22/2024 (Permalink)

Grease Fire Do's and Dont's

With the upcoming holiday season approaching and family and friends will be gathering there are many different ways a fire can break out, one of the most dangerous being a grease fire. If you lack experience putting out a grease fire, know that you do not treat it the same as you would a "standard" fire. There are certain things that you must do and things you absolutely must NOT do. Please consider the following:

Do

• Turn off the stove or heat source
• Smother the fire with the pot lid. Without oxygen, the fire cannot survive.
• Use baking soda to douse the flames. Flour and other items will not work
• Use a Class B dry chemical fire extinguisher
• call 911

Don't

• Try to put out the flames using water. It will splash the grease, causing the fire to spread
• Move the item. This could also cause splashing, spreading and could potentially burn you
• Try to use anything other than baking soda. It will not help

Should you need help give our office a call 309-827-7500

Mold is preventable in your carpet = YES

11/28/2023 (Permalink)

Can you save your carpet from a water damage

When your home has a water damage incident, the next steps are to prevent carpet mold. This is a high priority because it can develop quickly and can smell. Deep pile carpets often harbor mold spores that accumulate over time. These, along with other microscopic organic materials, serve as mold nourishment. Examples are skin cells, tiny food bites, hair, insect parts, and even dust. All that seems to be missing from this point is the moisture-que the water damage.

Carpet is commonly saturated during water damage and is rapidly converted into a highly efficient mold-breeding ecosystem. These can and will release toxic airborne reproductive spores. This will spread contamination throughout the home.

Do You Need To Prevent Mold?

The factor in the effort to prevent carpet mold after water damage is time. From the moment water seeps into a carpet, it becomes a race against the clock.

Within 24 hours, dormant spores begin converting into active mold growth - Once 48 to 72 hours have elapsed without professional intervention, a wet carpet and the padding beneath it must be considered presumptively contaminated by mold and should be removed.

That's it-it's quick.

Can Carpet Mold Be Prevented?

As we said-move quick

* Remove the excess water

* Remove saturated padding beneath the carpet

* Steam clean inject an anti-microbial solution to kill residual mold. 

* High-Grade dehumidifiers and high-volume air movers to speed drying 

In any such occurrence, know that SERVPRO of Bloomington/Pontiac will be your source and can help you with your water damage needs. 

Contact our team and/or read more in our blogs to know more about what we do and who we are!

Water Damage can go EVERYWHERE

11/22/2023 (Permalink)

Water Damage: It goes EVERYWHERE

Just like everything in life, there are situations where it is important to call a professional. Here are some of the best examples of situations where professional help should be sought out and advice taken:

Moisture has spread from one area/space to another area/space:

There are times when one area does not think water has gone into another space but the source should be addressed by a professional who will assess this and then come up with a strategy as to how to handle it. The professional will make appropriate recommendations based on type of water, how long it has been wet, if materials can be salvaged and more. This professional will advise on if further areas are affected and what they need to be done. 

Drain water backs up out of a toilet, sink or tub:

All drain water should be considered highly contaminated. Therefore, when it soaks into carpet or drywall it can have adverse health effects along with being a super fuel for other types of microbial growth. Most people assume that sewage is highly contaminated but any drain water is considered highly contaminated and just plain dangerous.

When you need help finding a leak/source of water:

Many times, people just think of plumbing when leaks occur yet when you are not sure where the water is coming from, a certified technician can help expose if something is coming from the roof, windows, siding or more. Additionally, they can help eliminate sources thus pinpointing the root cause. Next-the source has to be addressed before remediation and repair are completed. If this isn’t corrected-it’s possible to cause an issue all over again. 

To assess the extent of a complex water-related incident: Don’t overlook ANYTHING.

Complex water related incidents can include many scenarios. Some examples are a mystery leak that is finally resolved and then discovered to have affected many other areas that are along the water lines. It is always best to err on the side of caution with having inspections done regularly and addressing any issue when it is small before it becomes a bigger issue.

Contact SERVPRO of Bloomington/Pontiac for more information and to answer any Water Restoration questions in your home or business. 

Call us today at 309-827-7500 or visit our website at www.SERVPRObloomingtonpontiac.com.

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Mold in the winter months

11/22/2023 (Permalink)

Excessive indoor moisture can be caused by a number of issues; water damage, plumbing leaks, leaky roofs, high indoor humidity, and condensation are potential concerns.

Condensation on and around windows is normal and may seem harmless, but it is one of the biggest moisture culprits when it’s cold outside but warm inside—as is typically the case during the winter months.

Window condensation occurs when moisture in the warm air inside your home liquefies upon contact with glass or other surfaces that are drastically cooler due to freezing outdoor temperatures. High humidity contributes to this process because there is excess moisture in the air.

While minor condensation doesn’t usually lead to problems, it is important to dry window surfaces regularly to keep condensation from accumulating and being absorbed by the wood and drywall around the windows. Mold feeds on such organic materials and can develop in as little as 24 hours. 

How to Get Rid of Mold

There is no reason to treat winter mold any differently from mold that appears at any other point in the year. 

If you discover evidence of mold in your home call:

SERVPRO of Bloomington / Gibson City / S. McLean County  309-827-7500

Displacement Bags for fire customers

11/22/2023 (Permalink)

When a fire breaks out-

Priority 1) Get everyone out

Next 2) Call the fire department

But then what should I do next? 

Sometimes it’s a small fire-others are a total loss. We help keep you informed on how to prevent situations that could cause a fire and we let you know what we can do to get your life back to how it was. But what’s going on in the middle?

Many situations call for the individuals to be displaced for a short to long period. And in many of those situations, they are unable to have those bare essentials we take for granted-just to get through a couple of days.

SERVPRO of Bloomington/Pontiac started to partner up with local businesses to provide, what we call displacement bags. These bags go with our folks on the scene as well as several first responder units. They are of no obligation to use our services but they provide just a little to get through a day or so to ease some stress. 

Items include Personal Hygiene, notepad, Laundry supplies, donated discounted hotel rooms, the bag itself to carry items, and much more.

These bags are meant to get a household through a day or so-organizations like Red Cross and the Salvation Army provide further assistance as needed. These types of organizations do such a great service in getting those folks who need assistance during that time-we salute them!

For services after the fire contact us for your Fire Remediation needs.  

Large Loss Doesn't Have to be a Large Headache.

8/5/2022 (Permalink)

What can SERVPRO Large Loss do for you?

When your commercial property is suddenly hit with devastating damage due to a storm, a flood, a fire or any other disaster - WE ARE READY. 

Visit our website, talk with a Project Manager or Marketing rep - they can help answer questions and set up a plan to have prior to any instance. 

These disasters can leave you, your employees and customers in a total shock. 

It’s important to know that you have professional large-loss specialists who are able to handle the restoration process as quickly as possible so that you can get back to business. SERVPRO’s Disaster Recovery Team is an elite team of technicians. We’re strategically located around the country and prequalified to respond Faster to any size disaster. With the aid of local SERVPRO Franchises, the process will move quickly and efficiently for your building and your piece of mind. 

Contact SERVPRO of Bloomington/Pontiac for more information and to answer any restoration/remediation question.

Call us today 

at 309-827-7500 or visit our website at www.SERVPRObloomingtonpontiac.com.

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Devastation is Real

8/1/2022 (Permalink)

Doesn't Matter The Size of The Damage, We Can Help.

Doesn’t matter how big or small, a fire in your home takes a very heavy toll. Along with the loss of countless treasures and irreplaceable memories, you still have to put the pieces of your life back together. It is not easy to know who to call and what to do in those moments.

Our team is here for you every step of the way. We’ve helped countless families in the Central Illinois area recover from house fires. Here is our guide on the process of handling a house fire damage, starting with the very first steps.

What to Do After Your House Fire

Once you are safe, the first step is to call 911. Under no circumstances should you re-enter the home until firefighters have told you it is safe to do so. Even though a fire may appear to have gone out, it can restart without warning or cause damage to your home's structure making it unstable.

If you, your family, or your pets have any injuries, find transportation to the nearest hospital or vet immediately. Once they are taken care of, you should call your family and friends to let them know you are safe and find somewhere to stay. If you need assistance with this, the Salvation Army or Local Churches often will be able to assist. 

Upon receiving the all-clear from a fire professional, contact your insurance company and a fire restoration company like SERVPRO Of Bloomington/Pontiac to come and assess the damage. Once again, do not re-enter the home to retrieve any items or attempt to clean. We’ll need to document everything the way it is after the fire for insurance purposes.

Securing Your Property and It’s Belongings

After the initial assessment, your insurance company may require you to board up any windows and doors to prevent looting or further damage. This will ensure your safety and well-being in the next couple of days ahead.

If you lost any important documents in the fire, such as your license, passport, or credit cards, take the appropriate steps to cancel and replace them as soon as possible. Do not attempt to recover any fire-safe boxes you may have in your home yourself. Fire professionals can get them for you as long as you let them know right away.

SERVPRO can safely store and clean your belongings until repairs are made and you are ready for return delivery.

Property Clean Up

Cleaning up after a fire is the most intensive part of the process and where our team will provide the most support. Our experienced fire restoration experts will go over the following with you before taking any action:

• The effects of heat and smoke on your home as a whole
• Pros and cons of restoration vs. replacement of your home and where your insurance stands
• Steps to take with your insurance to get you back on your feet quickly

SERVPRO Of Bloomington/Pontiac makes the process as easy as possible. We understand that this is a tough time in your life. Our team will take care of the smoke damage and soot removal by cleaning and making repairs along the way by trusted and trained professionals.

The timing that the fire damage restoration process takes depends on the extent of the damage and what suppression methods firefighters used. We'll keep you updated throughout the entire process and provide any documentation your insurance company needs to cover temporary housing while we restore your home.

We Are the Top Fire Damage Restoration Company

Our crew specializes in fire restoration and complete-loss rebuilds. You can trust us to handle all your restoration needs, including working directly with your insurance company. We pride ourselves on the work we do to help our clients get back on their feet. Our caring and compassionate team will be with you every step of the way. If you’re dealing with fire damage or have lost your home due to a fire, give us a call to quickly get your life back on track.

Contact SERVPRO of Bloomington/Pontiac for more information and to answer any Fire Restoration questions. 

Call us today at 309-827-7500 or visit our website at www.SERVPRObloomingtonpontiac.com.

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Do you need to worry about Hail Damage?

8/1/2022 (Permalink)

Hail can be so pretty.....and so devastating

Signs of Hail Damage from the Ground and What that Means for YOUR Home.

Even if you can’t see your entire roof while standing on the ground, there are still some signs of hail damage that can be indicated without getting out a ladder. The presence of these signs is an indication that you might have more hail damage on your roof.

Dents and Dings on Your Siding or even Your Window Sills

Just by a quick walk around your property, you can easily check the siding and window sills for hail damage. If a hail storm caused significant dents and dings to these areas, it’s likely that your roof sustained heavy damage as well. Even just a faint ding to these surfaces could be cause for concern. External damage could lead to internal damage quite quickly.

Signs of Hail Damage From the Roof

Keep in mind that getting up on a roof and inspecting it can be very dangerous. You should take all possible safety precautions to protect yourself. When in doubt, leave the roof inspection to the professionals. If you are not sure who to call, contact SERVPRO of Bloomington/Pontiac. Even though we don’t do roof repair, we can help find someone to help to get you what you need. Once you get on the roof, there are several things you should be looking for to identify hail damage. Just like with the gutters, you’ll want to check for dents and damage to any of the surfaces on your roof including vents, skylights, and chimneys.

Large hail generally creates easy-to-see dents in the shingles and other roof surfaces while smaller hail creates damage that can be trickier to find. A helpful tip roofing company uses is to bring a stick of sidewalk chalk up with you to the roof. With surfaces like the chimney cover, you can rub the chalk sideways across the surface to help find any places where the hail caused a dent.

You should spend most of your time checking the shingles on the roof. Hail damage to shingles will have small or large dents and dings on them, as these are telltale signs of hail damage.

Never assume that there’s no damage to your home just because the hail looked small. Go through the steps of looking for roof damage any time you have a major hail storm in your area.

Do You Have to Fix Roof Damage Caused by Hail?

If you go through the whole process of looking for damage to your roof after a hail storm and find damage, what then? Do you have to fix that damage immediately?

Yes, you should repair your roof as soon as possible if you notice hail damage. If left unaddressed, the damage could severely compromise your roof and lead to water damage or other structural problems in your home. Luckily, most homeowners insurance policies will cover hail damage to your roof. Be sure to reach out to your insurance provider when you discover the damage to see if your roof repairs or replacement will be covered. Know ahead of time what kind of coverage you have. 

Don’t wait to address damage to your roof caused by hail. The sooner you deal with the problem, the less likely it is to cause additional issues down the line.

Once a storm has gone through and damaged a roof so far that it now is causing damage to the interior of your building-contact SERVPRO of Bloomington/Pontiac. We can help get the help you need for your roof and get the interior repaired to get life back to right. 

Contact SERVPRO of Bloomington/Pontiac for more information and to answer any Storm Restoration questions. 

Call us today at 309-827-7500 or visit our website at www.SERVPRObloomingtonpontiac.com.

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