Why Inspecting Your Roof Prior to a Storm Event Is Important

11/2/2022 (Permalink)

Loose shingles may never be seen to the naked eye. It may be time for an inspection.

As we saw with Hurricane Ian recently, and other lesser storms, these events come on in a hurry with very little warning. While it is an impossible ask to expect homeowners to efficiently prepare on spot when a storm is headed your way, there are several preventative measures you can take to minimize the damage to your home, which ultimately saves you from situations of being above your policy limits. 

Three basic ways to ensure you are taking the proper steps before a storm hits your hometown:

• Remove Any Dead Wood: If you have an extendable, electric/gas saw, you will want to begin by trimming any limbs away from the structure of your home. Hire a professional to take care of the larger limbs and trees. This of course reduces the risk of trees and heavy limbs from damaging your home from the heavy winds of a storm.
• Secure All Outdoor Items: it is always a good measure to remove all free-standing, moveable objects from your home, such as chairs, picnic tables, umbrellas, and other related items and secure these items away from the conditions of the storm. Taking this step helps reduce the risk of objects being blown into the windows of your homes causing water damage from the heavy rain and winds.
• Inspect Your Roof Periodically: A brand new roof should be able to withstand the threats of most weather events; however, in the likely event that you do not have a brand-new roof, it is important to know that a roof with a minimum age of 5+ years needs to be inspected every so often. Your trusted professionals will check for loose shingles, nails, and of course the sheathing of your roof. It is better to go ahead and address these types of items before the storm blows through to ensure the structure, and specifically your roof, is in its strongest state. 

An Emergency Ready Profile: Don't wait!

10/5/2022 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Decatur today to schedule a short consultation to have your Emergency Ready Plan on its way to you!

Owning a business comes with a bevy of responsibilities, one of which being the most obvious— keeping the doors open. Did you know that as many as 50% of businesses close following a disaster? The best way to reduce business interruption following a disaster is to plan for it now!

Emergency Readiness Plan. Having a plan in place for your commercial property serves as an “insurance policy” for your peace of mind, at worst, which allows the opportunity to develop trust with your clients. At best, this plan will save you from an even greater problem that can occur if the situation is not met with urgency.

Emergency Response. Recently, a commercial property experienced a water loss from the supply line to a refrigerator overnight in its building. To his surprise, one of the building’s maintenance workers reported to work to discover what had taken place throughout the night. Once he notified the property manager, she referred to her Emergency Readiness Plan that was already in place, thankfully. Within a few minutes, she was able to make a phone call, and our team at SERVPRO of Decatur was there, with boots on the ground, in less than 45 minutes from the call.

Implementing the Plan. As you can see—having a plan in place is a crucial part to the process. It is the difference between confusion and chaos vs. clarity and peace of mind. Equally as important as having an Emergency Readiness Plan in place is having a company who is reliable and ready to respond 24/7. Once SERVPRO of Decatur’s Dispatcher notified our Priority Response Manager of the situation, he was able to immediately contact the property manager while in route to the location to ensure the water had been turned off at the proper shut-off valve. Thankfully, the plan was already in place and this property manager was able to proactively prevent a much larger situation from happening, such as multiple floors experiencing water intrusion from the loss’s origin.

Relying on Your Partner with the Plan. Getting your business back up and running is crucial, and as your Emergency Response partner at SERVPRO of Decatur, it is of utmost importance to us that your “returning to business as usual” happens as quickly and efficiently as possible. Because of the readiness plan in place coupled with SERVPRO’s unmatched response time, the entire floor that was affected from the water loss in this example was able to be fully dried in 3 days. Call SERVPRO of Decatur today to schedule a cost-free visit to put a plan in place, specific to your place of business, so that you can confidently deal with these type of unexpected events— (404) 378-9998.

Here to Help Regardless of the Nature of the Fire Damage

10/5/2022 (Permalink)

When a fire disaster strikes, call SERVPRO of Decatur!

There is nothing easy about operating a business, even on an uneventful day. It can often feel as though there is not enough time in the day to proactively stay on top of the various items on your list that continue to mount as the days go on. This is a familiar feeling, right? Now, imagine for a minute that on top of attempting to meet the daily demands competing for your time and attention, your business is interrupted by a sudden water or fire damage from a natural disaster. SERVPRO is here to help, 24/7.

SERVPRO is the industry leader in commercial disaster cleaning, recovery, and restoration. As a business operator, it is paramount to have a trusted partner in the disaster restoration business in whom you can rely on to get you back on your feet. Our goal is to “steady the ship” by responding with our unmatched “Faster to Any Disaster” response time, to the situation so that you can continue to do what is necessary to keep the day-to-day to your business going forward.

No matter the cause of the damage, we can handle it. While it is important to determine the cause of loss in order to sufficiently mitigate the issue, it is just as important to have a clean-up and restoration company in whom you can depend on for responding to emergencies. Recently, a commercial property had a rented box truck full of company contents parked near the building that experienced fire damage from an adjacently parked vehicle that caught on fire. At the time the loss occurred, the business owner did not have all the answers, but his insurance agent knew he needed the Pros in Green at SERVPRO of Decatur to step in and help. While the building itself experienced little to no damage, the rented box truck had to be cleared of the debris left from the fire damage inside the truck so that it could be returned. Within a day and a half, the truck was professionally cleaned and able to be returned while the business itself was able to continue operating at its normal pace.

Regardless of the nature of the disaster. SERVPRO is here to help you continue to function operationally as a business without you having to sacrifice more of your valuable time by providing timely, actionable solutions to your emergency needs. Whether disaster strikes within the confines of your property or is limited to a company vehicle parked nearby, we are here to help you get back to business as quickly as possible.

It's Halloween season! Decorate Safely... and Enjoy!

10/5/2022 (Permalink)

Decorate safely for Halloween!

It’s that time of the year again! Halloween! That time of year where anything goes. Being professionals in the fire and water restoration business, Halloween mishaps are far too familiar for us. Did you know that an estimated of nearly 10,000 fires were reported to fire departments in the United States over a 3-day period for each year from 2017-2019? With interior and exterior decorations involving lights, music, projectors—the list goes on and on--- it is important that we take measured safety precautions to keep from being part of the growing statistic.

Avoid extension cords for your interior Halloween decorations. It is always a good practice to inspect your extension cords prior to decorating for the holidays. Just like anything else, it is quite natural that your equipment, decorations, and extension cords deteriorate over time. It is best if you avoid extension cords inside your home when decorating for Halloween altogether. Rather, as a safety precaution, stage your décor so that your electrical decorations are within reach to the electrical outlet. Extension cords running through the house, especially in high traffic areas of the home are a sure-fire (no pun intended) way to have a fiery, Halloween mishap!

Don’t be Clark Griswold for Halloween. Well, if you can find a “Clark Griswold” costume, that would be killer. Just avoid decorating like him! You may think stringing lights on the exterior parts of your home is a “Christmas thing.” Not entirely. Every neighborhood has the one Griswold-type who wants to outdo the others when it comes to their exterior décor! If you insist that you must have your house strung with lights, it is wise to avoid nailing (or stapling) electrical cables to your home, as the clips are literally electrical conductors. Each of these cables are insulated with jackets designed by manufacturing engineers to protect consumers against electric shocks and electrical fires. Driving a nail through the cord should be avoided at all costs.

There’s a safe way to light your jack-o’-lantern. An open flame candle inside of a hollow pumpkin, unattended on your front porch is not it! A simple wag of a dog’s tail in anticipation of being let back in the front door is enough to knock your jack-o’-lantern into the beautiful, freshly laid pine straw nestled around your front shrubbery. Or even more common—what would normally be an unnoticed whisk of wind can be just enough to cause a disaster, especially with it being next to that dried cornstalk your wife picked up from the department store. Instead, opt for battery-operated LED lights or even a glow-stick would suffice.

Protect those Pipes this Fall Season!

10/5/2022 (Permalink)

Protect your pipes from experiencing a freeze resulting in water damage

It was not too long ago when the State of Georgia experienced a historic freeze event that left people stranded in their commute home from work. Remember when Chipper Jones took to his faithful four-wheeler to rescue then-Atlanta slugger, Freddie Freeman?  It was certainly one of those memorable, heart-warming stories in the national news. Little did we know at the time, the catastrophe of being unprepared as a state to navigate snow and ice-laden roadways would be just the beginning. . . . It was merely the prequel to what would be an historic frozen pipe event that caught us all sleeping on being prepared!

According to the Farmers’ Almanac, this coming (2022-2023) Winter in Georgia will be “shivery, wet, and slushy.” It is expected to be colder in the Southeast, in general, this Winter, including the Peach State! If you are unfamiliar with how the Farmers’ Almanac works, join the crowd! However, the formulas utilize various factors, such as the moon, tidal action, sunspot activity, and even planetary movement. Elon, you there? The almanac winter forecast for Georgia calls for a solid mix of precipitation, with icy sleet and snow, to be expected.

If you are betting with the farmers of Georgia to have more of a grasp on the coming winter weather than your neighbor, there is never a better time to earn those brownie points from the wife by protecting your pipes! 3 simple steps for members of your household, or facility management team, to proactively decrease the risk of pipes bursting due to freezing temperatures. Insulate your pipes. Pipes in and around your home or commercial building that are exposed are most susceptible to freezing. If you are the DIY type and feel like you could tackle this at your home, here’s a solid guide to knocking out this project this Fall so that you’re prepared for the cold winter. Let ‘em drip. Maintaining a very light, but consistent drip from your faucets really does go a long way in preventing frozen pipes. Turn up the heat. Don’t ignore the weatherman. When a cold snap comes, cranking up your thermostat protects your pipes. For the projected coldest nights, leaving your thermostat up overnight, or if you know you will be away from your home during a cold snap, set the timer to come on for a couple hours in the morning and in the evening to keep things warm.

At the end of the day, it is important to learn from our recent history by taking proactive steps to limiting the risk of another freeze destroying your home. While insulating your pipes, letting your faucets drip lightly through the night, and maintaining a consistent, warmer temperature in your home are great ways to decrease the risk of frozen pipes (and worse—the burst!). There are several more ways in which you can proactively get out ahead of the coming freezing temperatures, all the while enjoying the Fall weather! We recommend speaking to a local professional on more ways you can go about protecting your pipes.  

Call SERVPRO of Decatur and ask us about storm damage

7/20/2022 (Permalink)

Summertime has the perfect conditions for strong storms to cause major damage in our area. The aftermath of a severe thunderstorm can cause wind damage, roof damage, flooded basements, and rainwater damage throughout the home or business.  

It is important for homeowners and business owners alike to act quickly since water damage requires immediate attention to prevent further damage like mold from spreading.  

When it comes to dealing with storm damage, SERVPRO of Decatur is a local business with the ability to pull resources from the other 2000 SERVPROs around the country. Our technicians undergo extensive training and are certified to deal with any type of water damage, no matter how big or small.

We are able to handle any sized disaster and make it “Like it Never Even Happened.” Call us at 404-378-9998.

Rainwater and flooding in Decatur

7/20/2022 (Permalink)

We have been dealing with a lot of storms and rain in Decatur these past few weeks. Due to the amount of rainwater, some homeowners have noticed new damage around their homes. Roof leaks can damage the attic, causing wet insulation to mold without you even noticing it until it is too late and there is major mold damage throughout the attic. Another common occurrence is sump pump failure, causing overflows and damage to basements, crawlspaces, etc.  

At SERVPRO of Decatur, we understand how stressful this situation can be for a homeowner, especially one that has never dealt with water damage before. When we talk to someone that does not know where to turn, we reassure them that our experts know how to handle these types of disasters, because they undergo extensive training and certifications. With more than 20 years in the business, we have the necessary equipment, crews, and experience to handle any size disaster. 

Call SERVPRO of Decatur at 404-378-9998. We will fix your property to its preloss condition.

Home Fire Escape Plan

7/19/2022 (Permalink)

You can find a guide on how to do a Home Fire Escape Plan provided by the National Fire Protection Association. 

This is a great thing to do together with the whole family so that everyone can contribute and participate.

Some tips

• Walk through the home and evaluate all possible escape routes.
• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom
• Choose an outside meeting place
• Don’t forget about pets and who would be in charge of them
• If the smoke alarm goes off, get out of the house immediately
• If you are out, STAY OUT!

If you are dealing with a fire, our team of highly trained fire technicians can help you clean your home to its preloss condition. We have more than 20 years of experience, the right equipment and training. Give us a call at 404-378-9998.

Water Damage can Turn into A Mold Nightmare in No Time

7/19/2022 (Permalink)

We cannot tell you how many calls we get about homeowners coming back from vacation to find a mess due to HVAC system malfunction, busted pipes, flooded basements due to heavy rains, etc.

If left untreated, water damage can turn into a mold problem in 24 to 36 hours, especially during hot and humid days. Mold will not go away on its own, and it will keep expanding unless it is removed. You need a professional company to handle these types of disasters since mold can be dangerous for your health and produce allergens and irritants.

At SERVPRO of Decatur, we have our own Mold Division that can help you get your home to its preloss condition. Our highly trained technicians will have a plan of action to remediate the damage and minimize the effects on your family’s health.

If you need our help, call SERVPRO of Decatur at 404-378-9998

SERVPRO of Decatur is a Large Loss Franchise

7/7/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO’s of Decatur is certified as a SERVPRO, Inc. Large Loss Provider! As the top choice in the cleanup and restoration industry, our trusted managers and technicians can help homeowners and business owners every step of the way during a fire or water emergency, and make the process as smooth as possible.

The Disaster Recovery Team can provide help whether you're dealing with a tornado, hurricane, blizzard, or flood. The SERVPRO System has a network of strategically positioned storm teams on standby should a disaster strike in your area. Our crews are available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year and are prepared for the unpredictable. With the ability to mobilize local command centers, along with the resources of more than 2,000 Franchises nationwide, no disaster is too big. We are ready for your phone call! 

At SERVPRO of Decatur, the difference is our ability to dispatch trained production professionals and cut costs through strategic placement. Get help from the professionals; call SERVPRO of Decatur at 404-378-9998!