Signs That You Need A Hot Water Heater Repair

8/26/2022 (Permalink)

Water heaters are essential elements of our home. We use them in daily activities such as taking a bath, using the dishwasher and using the washing machine. But because we use them frequently, it’s sometimes easy to take them for granted and forget that they need to be maintained. Failing to do so will result in malfunctions and problems and eventually, replacing your water heater. Taking notice of the first signs of a problem can help you repair your water heater before it becomes worse.

You don’t have to be an expert to spot the first signs of trouble. All you need to have is a keen sense of observation so that your water heater can be repaired.

1. Hot water has an off smell or off-color

The first instance that you notice your hot water has an off smell or has a rusty color, that’s something that you need to check out. The smell could be the result of a rusty anode rod in the water heater. There is no need to worry since the anode rod can be replaced which will then eliminate the bad odor. Bacteria growth also causes bad smells. This happens when the hot water has not been used or has been turned off for quite some time or when the thermostat is set at a very low level.

2. Corroded pipes can also cause an off-color in your water

This can be solved by installing a water softener or by replacing the plumbing. If you also see a lot of sediments in the water, it’s time to have the water heater repaired.

3. Water is not hot enough, too hot, not strong enough or there is none at all

When there is no water, check first that your water heater has power and is working fine. If it is, have it inspected by a plumber. If water is not enough, this could be due to an undersized water heater and is a common situation when a lot more people are using the water heater. This could also be caused by the presence of mineral deposits inside the water heater tank. When water is too hot or not hot enough, you may have to adjust the temperature dial of the water heater. If there is no change in temperature, have the water heater checked and repaired.

4. Strange noises and leaks

Leaks coming from your watre heater could lead to flooding. In the same way, strange noises like pops, bangs, gurgles, and the like are clear indicators that something is wrong with your water heater. This is usually caused by a buildup of sediments inside the tank. A boiling sound, however, could mean the water heater is overheating or that pressure is building up inside the tank. All these have to be addressed immediately to prevent further problems.

It’s important to have your water heater repaired as soon as you see these signs. This will help you save on costs, prevent further damage, and avoid an untimely replacement of your unit.

Fire and Water Damage In Your Building

8/24/2022 (Permalink)

A structural fire can cause serious damage, but unfortunately, the flames aren’t the only damaging element to wreak havoc on your building and its contents. In order to put out a raging inferno, firefighters have to use massive amounts of water and other chemicals, which means that whatever the fire didn’t ruin, the water surely did. In addition to having to deal with fire and smoke cleanup, you will also be forced to deal with water cleanup. So, where do you start? FEMA recommends doing the following immediately after a fire:

• Contact your insurance agency
• Turn off the utilities
• Create as much ventilation as possible
• Contact a cleanup crew
  
  

Reach Out to Your Insurance Provider

First things first: you need to report the fire to whichever agency will be compensating you for damages. The longer you wait to report the fire, the slimmer your chances will become of recovering the full cost of damages.

Turn Off the Utilities

This is important for a number of reasons. For one, you can save money by shutting off the utilities you won’t be using for the foreseeable future. Two, by leaving the gas or electrical running, you may unwittingly cause another fire or explosion. If you don’t know which utilities to turn off, the Lake Geneva water cleanup crew can help.

Create Airflow in Your Building

Part of fire cleanup efforts includes ridding buildings of smoke odors and the harmful contaminants caused by soot. You can aid the fire restoration team in their efforts by opening as many windows as possible and creating adequate airflow. However, only do this once you’ve been given the go ahead by the fire department.

Contact a Water Cleanup Crew

A professional fire cleanup crew can help you separate all salvageable items from the non-salvageable. They will have all the necessary water extraction equipment to effectively free your building of excess moisture and get it to the point where it can be recovered (if that’s an option). Finally, professional cleaners will remove all damaged materials, wash down all surfaces and advise you on what you need to do bring your building back to pre-fire condition.

How to use a Fire Extinguisher

8/24/2022 (Permalink)

If you’ve gone your whole life thus far without knowing how to use a fire extinguisher, there’s no need to be too embarrassed! In fact, a majority of Americans claim they don’t know how to use one. Although an extinguisher is rather simple to use, you don’t want to waste time while a fire is quickly spreading in your home.  Here are the basics of how an extinguisher works, so you can act swiftly!

When grabbing an extinguisher, think “PASS.”

• Pull the pinout of the handle
• Aim the tip of the nozzle at the bottom of the fire
• Squeeze the extinguisher’s trigger
• Sweep the hose from one side to the other side until the fire is out
  
  

Once all these steps are completed, assess the fire damage and called fire restoration services if necessary.

When You Should Use a Fire Extinguisher

You will need to quickly assess the situation and make the decision to either attempt to put out the fire or run. Extinguishers can be used for small fires that just started. For example, a kitchen fire that starts while you’re cooking can easily be put out before it spreads any further. However, a large fire requires you to evacuate the area and contact the fire department.

How To Know Your Extinguisher Is Fit for the Job

There are several different extinguishers designed for different types of fires. You will need to check the label of the fire extinguisher to see if it is a Class A, B, or C. This identifies whether it is designed to handle wood and paper product fires, liquid fires, or electrical fires. Some extinguishers are identified as A-B-C and can handle all three types of fires. Also, make sure it is pressurized and charged.

If a fire ever occurs, acting as fast as possible is key to minimizing fire damage top your home. Memorize the information in this guide for the best chance of putting a fire out before it’s too big for you to handle.

Home Fire Alarms

8/19/2022 (Permalink)

No home should be without at least one fire alarm to alert all occupants of a potential fire. In recent years, these essential tools have undergone advances in technology that make them more reliable than ever. In fact, the National Fire Protection Association states that homes without working fire alarms are twice as likely to suffer deaths in a fire than homes with working alarm systems. While the choice of installing an alarm in your home in Lake Geneva, WI is a simple one, it helps to know a little about your choices.

1. A Large Selection. You will find an assortment of fire alarms in stores, most of which will use the latest technology. All are designed to sound off in the case of an incipient fire, to save lives and to prevent fire damage. It is important to look at cost, area of coverage and ease of installation

2. Area of Coverage. A fire alarm system should be the right size for your home. Experts recommend coverage for each bedroom and each floor in the home. If you do not have an integrated alarm system, this means multiple alarms throughout the home. Most homes should have at least five fire alarms.

3. Ease of Operation. New smoke alarms are simpler to operate than in the past and require less maintenance. Most last in the range of 10 years, and there is no need to change batteries, making them effective in preventing smoke damage.

4. Ease of Installation. You should be able to install the units yourself in a matter of minutes. If you do opt for a more complicated system, it is best to hire a professional electrician.

A fire alarm provides essential protection for your home. In the case of property damage caused by fire, be sure to call a local fire restoration franchise to clean your home of the many effects of a home fire.

What to do After a Fire

8/19/2022 (Permalink)

Dealing with fire damage is devastating and costly. You want to save everything you can, but some items you should throw away immediately because they’re not worth the health risk. Be wary of:

• Food
• Cosmetics
• Medications
• Clothing/Bedding
  
  

For the least risk, it is recommended to discard all the above, but there are some things you can look for to see if any are salvageable.

Food and Beverages

All food and drink sitting out or in permeable containers should be discarded. Even if the items were not in direct contact with the fire or smoke, exposure to high heat and the hazardous chemicals that heat triggers can make anything exposed dangerous. Even food in sealed containers can be affected by the chemicals on those jars and cans reacting to the high heat. The only foods with a shot at being safe are the items in the refrigerator, but before trying to save them, make sure the following is true:

• The food is still cold, and food in the freezer still has ice crystals
• There is no smell of smoke inside
• No soot is visible anywhere inside
• The food has no visible damage or weird odors
  
  

Cosmetics and Medications

Since these are in direct contact with skin or are ingested, it is equally important to make sure they do not show any signs of damage. You should throw away any exposed cosmetics or medications immediately. Anything warped or covered in soot or fire extinguisher dust should be tossed as well.

Clothes and Bedding

Clothes and bedding are probably the most salvageable of all these items. Anything that is not burnt can often be saved after professional cleaning, but remember these come in direct contact with your skin and the skin of your loved ones. Take proper care to get them disinfected and be especially wary of any clothing or blankets for babies or young children.

Always make safety the priority. If you are ever in doubt about any items, it is better to throw away than test your luck. While they may be expensive to replace initially, preventing health concerns will save both heartache and money later.

What to Do If You Don't Have Flood Insurance After a Flood

8/19/2022 (Permalink)

Homeowners insurance policies typically exclude damage caused by flooding. Residents of flood-prone areas should obtain a separate flood insurance policy, otherwise they will have to pay for damage restoration out of pocket or obtain relief through a federal program. Here are four types of assistance that may be available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

1. Transitional Sheltering and Temporary Housing

After the president declares a federal disaster area, Transitional Sheltering Assistance can lower the cost of staying in a hotel during the days or weeks immediately following a disaster. Homeowners can also seek Temporary Housing Assistance for a period of one month up to 18 months.

2. Grants for Cleanup and Restoration

A homeowner may want to apply for a grant to fund the restoration of a residence located on a flood plane. Grants can be used for repairing structural damage or replacing other losses.

3. Repair and Replacement Assistance

If the location of your home is declared a federal disaster area, you may be eligible for a one-time payment for Repair and Replacement Assistance. This option will not cover the costs of flood damage, and is intended to supplement a flood insurance policy.

4. Low-Interest Loans

It may be possible to obtain loans that have low interest rates to finance residential flood damage repairs. These loans are usually capped at $200,000 for a primary residence and $40,000 for property including renters' losses. Annual interest rates may be as low as 1.75 percent for a 30-year period.

After a federal declaration of emergency, homeowners may benefit from these and other services administered by FEMA. If you obtain flood insurance, you should seek an estimate from storm and water damage restoration experts and make a claim. Professional cleanup and rebuilding services can reduce the likelihood that secondary damage will result from primary flood damage at a residence.

What Is a Flood Cut and Why Is It Necessary?

8/19/2022 (Permalink)

If you have experienced flooding in your commercial building, it may be necessary for the restoration company to perform a flood cut. This is probably an unfamiliar term for most business owners, so this guide will provide a brief explanation of what it is and why it is done.

What a Flood Cut Is

When a water restoration company like SERVPRO of Lake Geneva needs to cut the drywall in your building, this is called a flood cut. The reason this is called a flood cut is that the cut is made 12-18 inches above where the flood damage stops. It is done to facilitate drywall tear-out. A flood cut may be performed in a variety of situations:

• Wall has been touched by sewage water
• Damage is too severe to save the wall
• It isn't practical to dry out the wall without removing sections
  
  

When a Flood Cut Is Necessary

Flooding sometimes causes sewer lines to back up which can lead to your building being exposed to contamination. A wall that has been contaminated by sewage can not be salvaged because the materials may contain harmful bacteria or pathogens. Additionally, a flood cut needs to be performed on walls that contain insulation, because insulation can not be dried out and still function properly as insulation.

Situations That Do Not Require a Flood Cut

If the water that damaged the wall was from a clean source, such as a pipe leak, and there is no insulation, the restoration company may be able to salvage the wall by using an injection system to dry out the inside of the wall without cutting the drywall. Most restoration companies will make every effort to salvage as much property as possible.
When a building has been damaged by flooding, restoration services will work with you to attempt to salvage your property. However, in some instances, a flood cut will need to be made to properly restore the function of your building.

Commercial Restoration Cleaning

8/16/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial Restoration Cleaning, it is our specialty at SERVPRO of Lake Geneva.  If you have had a water damage or a fire event happen or even storm damage; your equipment might not be how it used to be and instead of throwing it away, we want to help you restore it!  It takes time and money for a new one, so instead of waiting to place the order and wait for the new equipment to come, we want to speed up the process where we are able to and save you time and money!  Even if it is something obscure that you are unsure about, we are always willing to come out to your commercial property and take a look.  Give us a call to schedule an appointment today. 262-248-7588

Dryer Fires

8/16/2022 (Permalink)

Clogged vents, ducts, and filters are the primary causes of dryer fires. Usually, this is a result of a buildup of lint, but can certainly be caused by an accumulation of dirt, grass, or anything else that remains after the washing process. 

In addition to the lint filter, the outside vent can also become clogged, which prevents airflow and potentially leads to hazardous conditions. Again, this could be a result of lint making its way through the duct and collecting on the screen. However, it can also become obstructed by pesky birds, insect nests, or rodent nests. 

How to prevent dryer fires:

1. Make sure it's properly installed

2. Clean lint screen after each use

3. Clean the vent and duct

4. Replace ducts

5. Have your dryer routinely inspected

6. Make sure you are using your dryer correctly

When Storms or Floods hit, SERVPRO of Lake Geneva is ready!

8/8/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Lake Geneva specializes in storm and flood damage restoration. Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

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

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

We can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 2,000 Franchises across North America and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the Country.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today 262-248-7588.