5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Professional Cleaning Service

11/12/2024 (Permalink)

While a cleaning service sounds very appealing to homeowners who are tired of spending all their time tidying up the house, the process can be quite intimidating as well. A majority of homeowners are unsure of what they are looking for in a professional cleaning service, and why hiring this company would be beneficial for them.

If you are planning to hire a cleaning service but are unsure of whether they are competent enough for the job, you can choose to ask them a few important questions before signing the hiring a contract. Here are 5 questions to ask before hiring the cleaning service for your home:

1. What cleaning tasks will be included?

Since you are paying a significant amount of money to the professional cleaning service, it is important to know all the services that will be provided. You can ask the company to provide you with a schedule that details all the daily tasks included in their typical cleaning routine and whether they are willing to add certain additional tasks such as garage cleaning or window cleaning.

2. What products do you use?

Disinfectants and other cleaning products contain a large amount of chemicals. When you hire a professional cleaning service, it is important to know the products that they will be using around your house and the ingredients that the products contain. This is particularly important if you have toddlers in your home or elderly people who may be sensitive to certain chemicals. It is also important to clarify whether the cleaning service will bring their own products or if you have to purchase them for your home.

3. How and when will you access the house?

Most professional cleaning services prefer to clean houses early in the morning – and you may be at work during those hours. Before you hire the service, it is important to consider how they will access your house and whether it is safe to let them clean the house in your absence. If you are not comfortable with this scenario, you can ask them to adjust their cleaning schedule accordingly to ensure that you are present at home. If you are comfortable with giving them access in your absence, you should discuss how they will access the house – with a key, through the garage door, or with a passcode at the gate.

4. How much experience do you have in cleaning?

It is important to only hire a cleaning service that has experienced staff. This provides less room for any accidents around your house or errors in cleaning methods. In terms of experience, you can ask the company how their staff is hired and whether they provide any special training to the cleaners once they are hired.

5. Is the company insured?

Lastly, you should always inquire whether the professional cleaning company has liability insurance in order to protect the cleaners. This is necessary to keep everything in your home safe from theft and protects you in case a cleaner gets injured on your property. Having insurance papers will help you have complete peace of mind as the professional cleaners clean your entire house thoroughly and properly.

Checklist To Prepare Your Home For Winter

11/12/2024 (Permalink)

The autumn is ending and the winter is approaching. This is why it becomes crucial to winterize your home during this cruel weather. When there are so many things that you need to do, it is quite normal to forget some of them. So, to make sure that you do not forget any of the things that you need to do to prepare your home for winter, you must create a checklist. You can always go back to the list and tally the things that need to be done.

While there are a lot of things that a checklist can cover, we are going to tell you the five most basic things that you need to add to your checklist. Want to know what those things are? Stay tuned then.

1. Check Your Heating System

A heating system is the most important component of preparing your house for the winter season. So, before the winter actually arrives, make sure that you give a test run to the heating system at your place. It is recommended that you change the filters too as the old filters will have dust in them. If you notice anything suspicious, the best thing to do is to have your heating system checked by an expert team.

2. Check The Fireplace And The Chimney

Even though the fireplace and chimneys are mostly ignored during the warm weather, they can play a crucial role in the water. This is why you need to check the fireplace and the chimney at your place checked. There might be a possibility that is some major air leak in there. This air leak can take away all the warm air out and bring the cold air inside.

3. Check Your Patio Furniture

Your patio furniture needs your care and consideration during the winter too or else you will not be able to use it during the next spring and summer. So, make sure that you shift all your patio furniture inside or in the garage when the winter approaches. Not doing so will only damage your precious furniture. You certainly do not want this to happen, do you?

4. Check Your Drain And Gutters

Many drains and gutters get blocked during the winter season due to the snow. This is why you need to check the drains and gutters in your house and get them cleaned before the arrival of the winter. If you are not an expert in it, you can even get the services of a professional cleaner.

5. Check Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors

The last one on our list is the carbon monoxide detector. Since winter is the time of the year where the houses will be closed up tight, the probability of carbon monoxide at the house increases as well. So, to ensure your safety and the safety of your family members, you need to test the carbon monoxide detectors present at your home.

Preparing your home for winter is crucial for the safety of everyone living in the house. Want to know more about how you can prepare your house for winter? Contact SERVPRO and we will be happy to assist you in any way that we can.

How To Get Rid Of The Toxic Mold?

11/12/2024 (Permalink)

Are you concerned about the mold growing on your property? The growth of mold is an extremely serious issue for all the property owners. Apart from destroying the property, it can put your health at risk too. The mold thrives in a humid area and is extremely toxic. This is why you need to take immediate steps to get rid of it. There are many ways through which you can deal with the mold. Want to know how? Stay tuned then.

Figure Out The Problem

Before you start the mold removal process, you need to figure out how big the problem is. It will help you decide whether you should try to get rid of it yourself or hire some professionals for the job. If the problem seems manageable enough, then you can do it yourself. But, if the infected area is too large for you to handle, then it is advisable that you take the assistance of a professional service provider.

Dry Out The Area

Mold grows in a wet and humid area. Therefore it is extremely important that you dry out the area if you want to have it removed. Clean and dry all the mold-infested areas and materials before you start the removal process. To reduce the spread of mold spores, you can remove the unsalvageable items from the infected area and store them in plastic bags. This will ensure that your precious items stay safe and secure from the mold.

Wear Proper Clothes

If the affected area is small and you decide to get rid of the mold yourself, then you need to dress properly to do the job. Do not head out to get rid of the mold if you are not properly dressed. Wearing proper clothing and using the right equipment is extremely important to remove the mold. It will keep you safe and also reduce your exposure to mold spores. You will be prevented from inhaling the mold spores as well. you should also wear a respirator to avoid breathing into mold spores.

Use The Right Cleaning Solution

You can decide upon which type of cleaning solution to use for cleaning of mold by looking at the surface that you are going to clean. Although hard surfaces can be cleaned using soap and water, you will require stringent chemicals if you want to clean the mold properly. If the material has become too moldy, then you might need to throw it off as well.

Get The Help Of Professionals

If the mold affected area is too large for you to handle then you will not be able to get rid of the mold yourself. This is why you should get the help of professionals to deal with the situation. They will take care of everything professionally while you sit back and relax.

If your property is infested by mold, you should get rid of it as soon as possible. Dealing with the problem is extremely important for your property and your health as well. Looking for the best service providing company in town? Contact SERVPRO to benefit from the expert services.

How to Handle a Storm in the Winter

11/12/2024 (Permalink)

Winter storms are common in the US. They have intense winds and even heavy snowfall at times. During such times of crisis, staying safe can become a huge challenge especially for families who live in low-lying coastal areas. Since winter storms bring extreme temperatures and roads full of ice with them, it is necessary to prepare yourself accordingly in case a winter storm is expected to hit your area. Apart from extreme cold, winter storms can also cause power outrages – resulting in cold homes and no source of heat for you or your loved ones. A time of crisis like this requires a clear disaster plan to ensure the safety of your family.

Below are a few steps that you can take to prepare for a winter storm:

1. Weatherproofing the House

Since cold weather is extremely dangerous when there is a power failure, it is necessary to weatherproof your home to ensure that the heat remains inside the house and the cold winds from the outside do not enter through the windows. You can weatherproof your home by installing caulk or strips to the edges of doors and windows to prevent any air or snow from coming inside your home. Another great way to keep the house warm is to insulate all of your walls and especially the attic. It is also beneficial to insulate your water pipes to ensure that your water supply remains warm even during the storm. Since storms are dangerous, you should repair any roof leakages before the winter season arrives.

2. Chimney Inspections

Most houses in the US have a fireplace that they plan to use in case of an emergency. To ensure that your fireplace is safe to use, it is necessary to have it inspected each year by a professional fireplace company. This lessens the risk of a fire in your home in case the chimney had been blocked.

3. Install Smoke Detectors

Lighting up a fire in the fireplace in your home can lead to collection of carbon monoxide in the air. To avoid gas poisoning during extreme temperatures caused by a winter storm, it is necessary to have a smoke detector or a carbon monoxide detector inside the house, near the fireplace. Other precautionary measures relating to a fire emergency include having a working fire extinguisher available at home and keeping all burning equipment such as coal or oil outside the house.

4. Have an Emergency Kit

In case you need to evacuate your house during a heavy winter storm, it is necessary for you to have a pre-prepared emergency kit that you can keep in the car. This kit should include a spare cell phone that is charged, a portable charger, and a battery-powered radio to keep you up to date on the news. Equipment to stay warm such as coats, blankets, and gloves must also be kept in the kit. Since you may have to evacuate your home for quite some time, it is beneficial to have dry snacks inside the kit such as chips or biscuits that do not turn bad. Since your car GPS or phone may shut down during a heavy storm, it is important to include a detailed road map in the kit in order to guide you accordingly. You can also keep a shovel and a windshield scraper in order to cope with the heavy snowfall.

Home Insurance 101 For New Homeowners

11/12/2024 (Permalink)

As a homeowner, having home insurance is not a luxury but a necessity. That is because it protects your possessions and your home against theft and damage. However, many people find the experience of getting home insurance overwhelming.

If you are one of them, don’t worry. Here is a complete guide to home insurance if you are a first time home buyer.

Various Policy Options

When it comes to home insurance, there are various policy options for you to choose from. Here are some of them:

#1. Actual Cash Value

It covers the cost of your house as well as the value of your possessions after depreciation has been deducted. Depreciation refers to the amount the possessions are worth currently, not how much you paid for them before.

#2. Guaranteed/Extended Replacement Cost/Value

It is one of the most comprehensive home insurance policies out there. It buffers inflation as the policy pays everything it costs to rebuild or repair your home, even if it is higher than your policy limit.

However, there is a limit to this ceiling as many insurers will offer 20 to 25% higher than your policy limit.

#3. Replacement Cost

These types of policies cover the actual cash value without depreciation. That way, you will be able to rebuild or repair your home back to the initial value.

Many experts suggest that first-time homeowners should go for the guaranteed replacement value policy as it covers everything. This policy will absorb the high replacement costs and provide you with a cushion if the rebuilding and repairing prices increase.

What Is Not Covered In Home Insurance?

Not everything is covered under home insurance. These things are called exclusions, including natural disasters or acts of God, such as floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, etc. That is why you must read the policy you are buying and understand the exclusions.

If you live in an area prone to natural disasters and insurers have this exclusion, you will need to go for additional coverage. These are known as riders. They cost more, but if your home is at risk for such disasters, it is worth buying.

Tips To Cut Down On Your Insurance Premium

The cheapest policy is not the best policy. However, there are many ways you can reduce your premium. These include:

• Maintaining a security system
• Being on the lookout for multiple policy discounts
• Raising your deductible
• Planning for renovation or rebuilding
• Paying off mortgage
• Making policy comparisons and reviewing them regularly

These ways will help you cut down on your premium as you will be paying less. Home insurance can be expensive, so don't forget to utilize these ways to cut your cost.

Final Words

That was your complete guide to home insurance as a first time home buyer. Don’t forget to find the best insurance company as they will make the entire process much better. If you are looking to buy home insurance, feel free to get in touch with us now. We will be happy to assist you.

5 Immediate Steps to Handle a Water Damage Emergency

10/5/2023 (Permalink)

Water damage can be infuriating. It is classified as one of the most serious emergencies that your property could suffer from – one that could possibly have long-term implications as well.

There are many ways that your property could get damaged by water, such as a heavy storm, flash floods, extreme rainfall, damaged pipes, overflowing water appliances, or even a leaking roof. Regardless of where your water damage stems from, it is mandatory to address the problem immediately to prevent further damage and to allow for repair strategies to be helpful.

When you face a water damage emergency at home, you should already have a plan in place that tells you exactly how to handle the situation. Here are a few steps that should ideally be part of your contingency plan:

1. Protecting Yourself

The reason why water damage is considered extremely serious is because not only will there be floating water around your home, but the water can also further create more emergencies around the house. If the water is contaminated, there can be serious health implications if you come into contact with it. If you let the water reach electrical appliances, there can be a short circuit in the house or lead to electrocuted water.

To protect yourself, the first step in a water damage emergency should be shut off all electricity in your home. In case the water damage is caused by flooding, it is important to evacuate the home and reach a safe destination ASAP. Remember to wear protective clothing such as gloves and boots when you come in contact with the water to avoid the risk of contaminated or electrocuted water. You should also protect important possessions first – including important documents and electronic devices.

2. Stop the Damage

In order to prevent further damage to your property, it is important to identify the source of the water damage and stop it immediately. If you have a burst pipe, you can shut off the water supply. If there is a flood in the area, you can use sandbags to lessen the impact. If you are suffering a ceiling leak, you should identify the exact point of leakage and reach out to a roofing expert.

3. Call the Insurance Company

Since most houses in the US are insured, it is important to call the insurance company as soon as you identify water damage on your property. They are likely to guide you regarding what to do next, including getting a claims adjuster and taking photographs of the property damaged. This step is important to save money on damage repair in the future since your insurance company is likely to have it covered.

4. Dry Everything

If it is possible, you should begin drying your wet furniture and flooring as soon as possible. Leave your rugs out in the sun to dry and turn on the fans to help dry out the entire house. This step is essential to eliminate the possibility of mold growth on your property due to still water and moisture in the home.

5 Things To Do After A House Fire

10/5/2023 (Permalink)

A fire occurring in your house can be both surprising, overwhelming, and confusing. One can easily feel confused about what it is that they should do after going through such an experience. However, reading up and learning about what it is that you can do after a house fire can make you better equipped with dealing with such a situation. So, in order to help you protect yourself and your property, here are 5 things that you can do after a house fire.

Call An Emergency Helpline

Of course, the first step in any emergency situation is to call an emergency helpline. However, you must first ensure that everyone within your house is outside first. The first responders will arrive at your home and will focus their attention on the safety of you and others who live in your house. After all of the house occupants' are out of danger, they will then focus their energy on saving the structural integrity of your house. 

Take Some Time 

While the first respondents are working on dousing the flames, make sure to take time for yourself so that you are able to process the situation. Try to remind yourself and those who surround you that everything will be okay as spiraling will only make you feel more stressed and won't help the process go any faster. Be sure to take everything one step at a time so that you do not overwhelm yourself. 

Contact Your Insurance Agency 

After you have collected your thoughts, contact your insurance agency and ask for their timeline on securing your property, which includes the removal of any standing water as well as covering the doors and windows of your house. The entire process depends on the amount of damage your house has taken, both from the fire and the dousing. Your insurance will help in starting this process for you and will then authorize their company for restoration to secure your property.

Find A Safe Place

As your house, despite the ventilation holes, will now be filled with chemicals, which lowers the air quality drastically, to prevent any health issues, you must then find a safe place to stay for the time being. In fact, the restoration and recovery process can take several months to finish, which is why most people end up residing in a relative's house rather than a hotel. So, be sure to be monetarily prepared. 

Secure Your House 

If you are in a situation where the fire department tells you that your house is safe to live in, you will still have to take certain precautions, such as boarding up your house. This will prevent any outside impurities from entering your house. 

All in all, knowing the steps that you have to take after a house fire will not only help you but will also make you feel more at peace. So, if you ever do go through something like this, we hope that you do not, you will not feel confused rather you will, by default, go into autopilot and start taking the required steps. 

How To Prepare For A Storm

10/2/2023 (Permalink)

It is better to be safe than sorry. Preventative measures are key to saving yourself and your home from the damage that comes with a storm. Storms bring heavy rain, winds, and lighting.

They can cause flooding, power outage, and a lot of destruction. This is why you must have a plan to deal with all these problems that may come with a storm.

However, if there is still damage caused to your property because of the storm then hire a professional storm cleanup service for your home restoration.

Here are the many safety tips you can follow to prepare yourself for a storm.

Ensure That The Exterior Of Your House Is Safe

You must take care of the outdoors to reduce safety hazards. For example, you need to trim down large trees and shrubs so that they don’t fall on something else or get tangled with wires.

Apart from that any plants, furniture, or other objects that are placed outside need to be brought indoors so they can be saved be from damage.

Keep Everything Powered Up

Make sure that the gas tank of your car is full. Charge any appliances that need charging such as your cell phone, laptop, etc. Apart from that, you need to test your generator beforehand so that it works properly in case of a power outage during the storm.

Also, keep extra fuel for the generator in case of extensive power outages. This way you will always have backup power.

Make An Emergency Plan

Nature is unpredictable and you never know how bad a storm is going to be. This is why you must have a contingency plan in case of extreme circumstances.

Come up with a plan of how you are going to get in touch with all the family members and where you will meet up to stay safe. This is because storms can happen anytime and not everyone will be home.

Clean Gutters

The main reason why urban flooding takes place because of a storm is due to the overflowing of gutters. With too much water coming in the water overflows and causes the area to flood.

This is why it is important to routinely get your gutters cleaned once in a while. This will allow the water to flow freely and prevent any blockages. It will also prevent the flooding of your basement and roof damage.

Create An Emergency Kit

This is only for a worst-case scenario. If you have to leave home because of some damage or in case of a power outage you will need an emergency kit.

Be sure to have essential medicines, first aid, batteries, important documents, non-perishable food, water, clothing, cash, and all other essential items that you may require.

Final Words

It is always good to be prepared for an unprecedented situation that may arise due to a storm. Follow these tips to prepare before a storm and you will be good to go.

However, if there is any damage to your home due to the storm then give us a call!

How a Water Softener Can Prevent Water Damage

8/29/2023 (Permalink)

Having hard water in your home can be a problem that becomes costly over time. Hard water is mainly groundwater that contains dissolved minerals. When this water is combined with heat as it flows through the piping system of your home, it can leave behind residue and buildup which can damage the pipes in the long run.

Hard water is simply water that has collected calcium and magnesium from the surface of the earth before it flows through your pipes. While it is not exactly harmful to your skin or health, it can be a contributing factor towards water damage in your home.

What is a Water Softener?

To find a solution to your hard water problems, it is recommended to invest in a water softener. This simple device processes the hard water and removes the void of minerals present in the water through an ion-exchange process. The ion-exchange process replaces the mineral ions in the water with sodium and potassium ions – thus converting the hard water into soft water.

A water softener can be especially useful for homeowners who have prominent water damage in their homes that is caused by hard water.

Signs That You Have Hard Water

Since a majority of the US has hard water flowing through the pipes, it is difficult to determine whether or not your home actually needs a water softener. Below are the few signs of water damage caused by hard water:

• Water marks on faucets despite cleaning them
• Lime and chalk buildup in the sinks and shower heads
• Smelly water
• Low water pressure caused by damaged pipes
• Damaged water appliances and fixtures

Benefits of a Home Water Softener System

1. Saving Money

The biggest benefit of installing a water softener in your home is that it can prevent you from spending hundreds of dollars on water damage repair. Soft water will not allow for any mineral buildup in your pipes, resulting in a smooth flow of water with regular pump pressure. By replacing hard water with soft water, you can prevent havoc on your appliances such as dishwashers or laundry machines and save costs on frequent repairs or replacement.

2. Less Cleaning Required

If you have hard water running through your home, you may constantly find yourself cleaning the sinks and showers because there is mineral buildup visible around the edges. The dishes and the laundry may never appear fully clean because of all the mineral ions present in the water. Installing a water softener system at home will allow you to prevent all of this problems since soft water will not allow for any mineral or soap buildup around your faucets and sinks. This means that you will spend less time cleaning and have a cleaner house as well.

3. Preventing Water Damage

Water damage can be a huge problem in your house if the pipes start leaking internally or externally. Since the repair cost and time of water damage can be extensive, it is important to avoid the instance of any water-related damage in your home. By opting for a water softener system in your home, you can keep your pipes and fixtures working effectively without incurring a risk of water damage.

Things That Should Be Present In an Emergency Kit

8/27/2023 (Permalink)

A situation in which human health and security are in jeopardy is typically known as an emergency. In such events, the authorities of the state fail to cope up with the chaos, and the only option left is to evacuate people from their house. Hence an emergency can either be a natural calamity, for instance, tsunami, and earthquake or can be due to the turbulent condition of the state. So, whatever the reason is behind an unanticipated eviction, you should have an emergency kit prepared in your house. 

 The survival kit should be kept at somewhere noticeable, to refrain from getting all worked up. Here are a few things that should be present in an emergency kit:

A Compact Flashlight:

In case of a natural casualty, for example, urban flooding, the very first outcome of such circumstances is the complete power outage. Therefore, it is mandatory to keep a durable and a handy torch or lantern along with other survival equipment.

 It is safe and convenient to use LED lights since they operate without any batteries and give out bright light. These portable devices usually hang at the front or side pockets of the bag to be more accessible.

A First Aid Box:

When travelling overseas or within the domestic region, packing a first aid kit is considered a necessity along with other essentials. Generally, people do keep band-aids in their pants pocket or purses, hence stowing something similar for an emergency shouldn't seem strange.

 Any multipurpose pouch would be suitable to fill in as a handy medical kit. It should contain lots of bandages, medical tapes, alcohol swabs, and medications like anti-inflammatory, antibiotic or antiviral. 

Adequate Quantity of Non-perishables:

To accomplish tasks as basic as walking or writing requires energy. This energy comes only from food that has to be delivered to our body. An emergency kit lacking food supplies is nothing but futile.

 There have been situations where people have starved to death due to no food availability. So, to avoid such dreadful situation, one should always keep non-perishables in adequate amount. The non-perishables supplies include dry fruits, parched and canned foodstuff. They are safe to consume even after 30 years due to their extended shelf life.

Potable Water Supply:

An individual may survive for months without consuming any solid foodstuff, but it is very difficult to spend a day without water. Deficiency of water content in the body causes dehydration followed by fatigue and finally death. Therefore, packing drinkable water should not be forgotten during emergency preparation. Since water usually doesn't last for a prolonged time thus, it is wise, packing a handy water filter device in your emergency kit.

Backup Thermal Coverlets:

These thermal blankets are manufactured exclusively for uncertain predicaments. Since it is not known what kind of emergency one will be facing, therefore, these are made highly durable. Most of these thermal blankets can also be transformed into emergency tents.

When preparing an emergency kit, you need to be precise and think of only those items that will help you survive. Matchboxes, masks, power batteries and a multipurpose knife are some other survival articles that should not be left behind.