SERVPRO Can Answer These Important Questions | SERVPRO® of West Kirkwood/Sunset Hills

11/20/2021 (Permalink)

You can rest easy knowing you've got the trusted leader in the restoration industry on the other end of the line. SERVPRO of West Kirkwood/Sunset Hill

Life is full of surprises, and home ownership definitely follows suit. Pipes burst, water heaters explode; it’s all very unpredictable sometimes, especially when you factor in things like tornadoes and major storms.

When something comes up that requires cleanup and restoration, you’ve got some quick choices to make—who’s going to handle it, and can you trust them to get your home set right again?

Whether you wait until there’s an active need before you think through your options, or you want to get ahead and predetermine, there are some questions you’ll need to ask to put yourself in good hands.

Are They Legit?

There’s a lot going on after a major storm or disaster event, and it leaves doors open for scammers and unscrupulous types, who feed on crisis situations and finding people in distress. If any contractor or company doesn’t have a local reputation for solid work, you should be very wary.

SERVPRO is the industry leader in recovery and restoration because we’ve built and managed a reputation that’s allowed us to grow—no gimmicks or shady tactics, just trustworthy teams and excellent care for homes and businesses. It’s allowed us to partner with prestigious organizations like the PGA Tour, who certainly have an interest in maintaining the highest standards for both facility care and integrity.

Will They Be There When I Need Help?

When a fire breaks out at home or heavy winds damage your roof, you don’t have time to sit around and wait for convenient office hours before you can talk to someone. We’re aware of this, which is why we’re ready all day, every day to get to work on your emergency.

There’s no time you can call us when we won’t be ready to answer—that’s one of the reasons we’re “Faster to Any Size Disaster.”

Where’s a Fleet When You Need One?

SERVPRO of West Kirkwood/Sunset Hills is a locally owned and operated franchise, so you get real expertise from people who actually live here and know what local homeowners need.

But when large-scale events occur or sudden surges in service activity call for some extra hands, we call on the massive SERVPRO network for backup, and scads of teams and resources become available to us.

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.

St. Louis County’s Trusted Commercial Cleaning Service | SERVPRO® of West Kirkwood/Sunset Hills

11/15/2021 (Permalink)

Are you ready to have the cleanest business in town? Contact SERVPRO of West Kirkwood/Sunset Hills for all your cleaning needs.

When destruction and damage result from fires, floods, mold and natural disasters, Kirkwood homeowners trust SERVPRO to see them through the delicate but crucial process of restoration and recovery—and the same goes for business owners who have been unfortunate enough to experience these same disruptions.

But it doesn’t take a crisis for businesses to benefit from the exceptional service of SERVPRO—no, indeed there’s a custom solution available anytime for businesses who want to set themselves apart and provide ultra-grade cleaning for employees and patrons alike.

Commercial Services for Businesses of Any Size

In the contagion-aware era in which we find ourselves, it’s more important than ever that business maintain a healthy environment. And we can make it happen for businesses of every shape and size, including:

Retailers and grocery stores. Wherever goods and services are being exchanged, we can improve the quality of sanitation and cleaning.

Schools and athletic venues. Regular cleaning in classrooms has been shown to be effective in killing only half the bacteria on student areas, and we can provide a safer, more thoroughly hygienic solution.

Health and patient care facilities. From the OR to the ER and everywhere in between, we can truly sanitize environments in which protecting patients, seniors and immunocompromised individuals is priority No. 1.

Convention centers, resorts and hotels. Areas with a lot of foot traffic and interaction require special care, and nobody provides it better than SERVPRO.

Food preparation, distribution and service. Every step of the foodservice process requires an acute attention to hygiene and cleanliness, and that crucial element of disinfection is one of our specialties.

Commercial complexes, high-rises, and managed properties. We’re a landlord’s best friend. Your tenants will appreciate the effort you put into protecting them and providing a thoroughly clean environment. You don’t have to tell them the actual effort was all ours.

Sickness costs commercial enterprises a quarter of a trillion dollars each year in losses and lost productivity. Let us help you fix that by giving your teams and consumers an environment that helps ensure safety and well-being.

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

Practice Fire Safety This Fall | SERVPRO® of West Kirkwood/Sunset Hills

11/15/2021 (Permalink)

Be mindful about the fall fire safety. Always remember that SERVPRO of West Kirkwood/Sunset Hills is the trusted leader in the restoration industry.

The sweltering sizzle of summer is subsiding, and the relief of fall that many of us have hotly anticipated is finally here. Football and pumpkin spice are everywhere, the trails are calling and spooky season is around the bend, so it’s time to make the most of the cooler weather.

Every season, however, presents its own fire safety challenges, so let’s make sure we go over a few of the most important ones.

Campfire Safety

Camping is darn-near perfect this time of year, so get out and enjoy it, but make sure you know the proper and safe way to build and extinguish your campfire.

Fires need a wide berth—give at least 25 feet between your fire and the nearest structure, including your tent. Keep it out from under any low branches as well.

Stick to the old-fashioned method of a handheld lighter or matches and simple kindling; never light or accelerate your fire with kerosene or lighter fluid, which can create a fire problem you’re not ready to deal with.

You’re not finished at your campsite until you’ve fully put out your fire, either. Any leftover embers create a potential spark for wildfire, so make sure you use buckets of water to completely soak the fire, and continue to smother it until no glowing embers remain and the ash is cool to the touch.

Leaf Burning

Although fire pits and bonfires are allowed in Kirkwood with the proper permits and attendance, burning leaves and yard waste is actually illegal. Certain unincorporated areas of St. Louis County allow leaf burning, however, so it might be worth checking.

Any open burning should be kept 50 feet away from any structure, and all precautions should be taken. Burning of garbage or household waste is always prohibited (and dangerous.)

Halloween

Fall decor may include hanging lights and decorations, and of course all the pumpkin-scented candles. Be careful, though, as these can all present fire hazards.

Hanging lights should always be unplugged when not in use, and candles should be kept three feet away from anything flammable—especially hanging decorations like nylon or cotton spider webs.

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

What's Causing Home Fires?

11/12/2021 (Permalink)

Regardless of the cause, SERVPRO of West Kirkwood/Sunset Hills are here for you if your home is affected by fire.

Fires at home are still a problem, despite years, nay decades, of constant education, advances in technology and regular ad campaigns to try and help us put them to an end. You’d think with so much invested in our homes, and their centrality in our daily lives, we’d be doing more to protect them.

Yet somehow a quarter of all reported fires, and more than 75% of all civilian fire fatalities happen in the home.

How can it be that one out of every four fires starts at home? Let’s look at what’s causing these fires, and the specific things making them spark.

Cooking. This is by far the leading cause of home fires and injuries (but interestingly, not fatalities). Some 49% of all home fires start in the kitchen, and the No. 1 reason is unattended cooking. That’s right, the single best thing you can do to avoid a fire at home? Pay attention while you cook.

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

Electrical fires. Modern homes use a lot of electricity, and some older homes don’t have wiring systems equipped to handle it. This leads to short circuits and overloads. Other causes include excess use of extension cords, over-powering lighting elements, faulty wiring, loose outlets and more.

Intentional fires. It’s hard to imagine, but there are some 28,000 intentional home fires each year in the United States. These are fires that began with the intention of burning something, not simply fires set for some other reason that got out of hand.

Smoking materials. Anytime you’re dealing with hot ash or combustible materials indoors, you run the risk of fire. Cigarettes and smoking paraphernalia are often left burning as individuals fall asleep, leading to 5% of home fires, and sadly, almost a quarter of all civilian home fire casualties.

Regardless of the cause, SERVPRO is here for you if your home is affected by fire. Contact SERVPRO of West Kirkwood/Sunset Hills - 314-858-1688 to see how we can help

Why Kirkwood Home and Business Owners Trust Us | SERVPRO® of West Kirkwood/Sunset Hills

11/12/2021 (Permalink)

When you are dealing with any damage, immediate action is crucial. SERVPRO of West Kirkwood/Sunset Hills is your local restoration expert.

Being a home or business owner means holding a delicate ecosystem in balance. Everything has to be tightly managed, because if something goes off kilter, it throws everything off.

But sometimes an unforeseen event occurs that flips that balance on its side—natural disasters, fires or burst pipes are a few pertinent examples—and you’ve got something on your hands you’re not equipped to deal with.

That’s when you contact us.

We're Always Ready and Faster to Any Size Disaster

When the balance is broken, we’re ready to leap into action. We’ll be onsite faster than anyone else in the industry, because every second counts when it comes to recovery.

Wasted time means more dangerous black mold, more waterlogged carpet or a smoke smell that won’t go away. A rapid response makes all the difference, and having a SERVPRO team right here in West Kirkwood/Sunset Hills means you get the advantage of an agile local team of experts combined with the muscle and resources of the nationwide SERVPRO network.

We're Trained to Handle Residential and Commercial Services

One size doesn’t fit all, and your situation will call for specific solutions.

We’ve spent the last 50-plus years learning and crafting plans to meet the needs of millions of customers, and you can rest assured that we’ll give you exactly what you need and burden you with nothing you don’t.

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

While our methods are numerous, our promise is one: We’re determined to leave your home or business better than we found it, with all traces of incident removed, restored and recovered.

We Offer the Services You Need in a Changing World

In the new age of global virus consciousness, part of any business plan is customer safety. Fortunately, we’ve developed the Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program so you can safeguard employees and customers alike, and they can walk into your business with confidence, knowing you’ve put their health above all else.

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.

Where to Find Common Sources of Water Damage | SERVPRO of West Kirkwood/Sunset Hills

11/12/2021 (Permalink)

A water leak can turn into a big problem. Contact the SERVPRO of West Kirkwood/Sunset Hills team if you are dealing with any water damage.

Chances are good you didn’t wake up this morning with your fingers crossed, hoping you’d get to deal with a burst pipe or water running down your wall. Let’s be real—nobody wants to deal with water leaks, but as homeowners, sometimes we get no choice.

If you’re vigilant, however, you may be able to spot warning signs, or make necessary updates before aging pipes wear down. Here are a few places to keep your eyes on.

Toilets. Your toilet always has water running in and through various seals and tubes, and over time, it’s prone to develop leaks, particularly in the flapper or the valve seal, which are inexpensive and simple to replace.

Appliances. You likely have several appliances that use water hoses—dishwashers and refrigerators often develop leaky water supply lines—and traditional tank-style water heaters have been know to explode when they get over about 10 years old.

Clogged gutters. Shimmying up the ladder is inconvenient at best, but it’s a surefire way to prevent clogged gutters. Otherwise, dirt particles, leaves and other debris settle and compact themselves into an impassable dam, which means water finds its way up into and under your roof and trickling down your interior walls.

Roof damage. Your roof takes a beating. It’s the main line of defense against harsh sunshine, rain and hail, but all those things over time cause shingles to break, bow up or otherwise dissipate.

Pipes. Heavy water pressure or any oxidization can cause pipes to crack or fail, sending water spewing everywhere. And it’s not only an indoor threat—you may not even know that tree roots can find their way into the tiniest cracks in a sewer line or outdoor pipe and end up causing a complete blockage.

Blocked garbage disposals or other pipes. Eggshells, coffee grounds, and even rice or pasta can glob up in garbage disposals or soak up enough water to clog your sink drains. And what’s more, if your p-trap joints aren’t secure, the plunging you may have to do to unclog those drains can cause your pipes to separate and release all that water and gunk into your cabinetry or floor.

You can’t foresee every leak, but with an eagle’s eye, you can see some of them coming. Replacing hoses and keeping an eye on these common leak areas can prevent a number of water damage scenarios.

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 of West Kirkwood/Sunset Hills - 314-858-1688 so we can get started.

Building & Material Properties Affect the Drying Process

7/19/2021 (Permalink)

Building & Material properties will have a direct effect on successfully drying out a structure following a water damage.

Building and material science is an ever-developing field. Our industry understands more about various materials and how to dry those materials than ever before, but there is certainly more for our industry to learn. As a restorer, our understanding of how buildings are put together (residential and commercial) will determine the effectiveness of our moisture inspections, material and assembly identification, and creation of a detailed demo and drying plan. The more understanding about buildings and materials, the more issues we can anticipate (and the more surprises you can limit).

A solid grasp of building and material science separates the “novice” who simply places drying equipment and the “professional” who establishes a drying plan based on project needs and challenges.

The building’s envelope can have a profound impact on the effectiveness of the drying plan. This is more concerning when outside weather conditions are not favorable for drying (high humidity).

The building envelope separates the interior of a building from the outside environment. The building envelope can include roofs, ceilings, exterior walls, doors, windows, finished floors, and foundations. The building envelope has several purposes such as keeping out wind, rain, and ground water, as well as controlling the transfer of energy between the inside and the outside. Some people refer to this energy control as the energy efficiency of the building. Ideally, the building envelope helps maintain a comfortable temperature and humidity for occupants, while providing adequate ventilation inside. When done properly, the building envelope can help avoid problems such as mold, poor indoor air quality, and water intrusion. Because of the potential impact of energy, air, and moisture movement, even small changes to the envelope can have a dramatic effect on the entire structure.

Structures are not airtight, meaning they are going to leak air. The IICRC S500 identifies three types of building envelopes: tight, moderate, and loose. These are based on the envelopes “ability to keep the outside conditions from adversely influencing the drying environment”. The S500 somewhat defines each of these.

Tight envelope – “drying conditions can be     controlled without significant influence by the outdoors”.

Moderate envelope – “drying conditions will be influenced somewhat by the outdoors”.

Loose envelope – “drying conditions will be significantly influenced by the outdoors”.

There are several factors that help our project managers determine whether the building envelope is tight, moderate, or loose. This includes how often doors or windows are opened; as well as damage to the envelope such as roof, window, or weather strip damage. Our project managers and SERVPRO of West Kirkwood/Sunset Hills must also consider the building construction such as vapor barriers or insulation. Even the age of the structure is an indicator. Older homes (built prior to 1990) typically have a loose envelope due to the lack of focus on energy efficiency when they were constructed.

Be Prepared: Locate Your Water Shut Off Valve

2/4/2021 (Permalink)

Be Prepared BEFORE a Disaster Strikes!!

Water gushing uncontrollably through your house or business is hazardous, unsafe, and will quickly cause major flood damage. If that water is coming from your home's own water supply, and not from outside sources, you can and should shut it down very fast. NOW is the time to locate your Water Shut Off Valve. Once found, make this known to all family members as they may be home alone when disaster strikes! Our office offers FREE Shut Off Tags that you can place as a reminder to all. The quicker the water supply is shut off the less damage to your home or business.

Three Ways to Quickly Locate the Water Shut Off Valve

Find the Water Shut Off Valve on the Inside Perimeter

The first step is to physically search for your house's main water shut off valve on the inside of the home. Typically, it will be located on the perimeter of the house since that is where the water first enters your house. Also, stay on the side of the house that is facing the street. Your water main begins at the street and heads in a straight line to your home. When you find the valve, turn the handle or knife-style valve.

Find the Shut Off Valve on Your Property Inspection Report

If you still cannot find the cut off valve after physically searching for it, one alternative is to check the property inspection report that was completed for you when you were in the final phases of purchasing your home. Look in the plumbing section of the report. This section should locate the shut-off valve for you and have a photo of the valve. Even if the water system was not defective at the time of the property inspection report, the report should still note the locate the shut-off valve as a matter of course.

Find the StreetSide Shut Off Valve

If the previous methods fail, there is another valve located at the beginning of your water main, at the boundary line of your property and the street or sidewalk. Find the ground-level metal or plastic utility box trap door located at ground level. Call the water company's 24-hour emergency contact line. Staff may direct you to shut off the valve by yourself or to wait for an emergency dispatch team. 

Call our office at 314-858-1688 or email us at office@sevprokirkwood.com to request your FREE Shut Off Tag!!! #SERVPROKIRKWOODSUNSETHILLS

Frozen Pipes

2/3/2021 (Permalink)

Be prepared!! As much as a couple hundred gallons of water can spill into your home or business with a couple hours , leading to extensive damage.

Bursting water pipes are a major concern when winter temperatures drop below freezing. But why do frozen pipes burst?

Perhaps surprisingly, freezing pipes do not burst because of ice expanding in place. Instead, it has to do with pressure inside the pipes.

When water freezes, its molecules crystalize into an open hexagonal form, which takes up more space than when the molecules are in their liquid form — that is, the water molecules expand as they freeze.

As the ice expands, it pushes water toward the closed faucet. This causes an immense amount of water pressure to build between the ice blockage and the faucet — eventually, the pipe ruptures under the pressure, usually at a spot where there is little or no ice.

The pipe areas upstream of the ice clog are not typically in danger of bursting because the pressure is not great enough. In this case, the water is not blocked, and can always retreat to its source.

Pipes that are the most at risk of bursting are those located outside of building insulation, or those in unheated interior areas, including basements, attics, and crawl spaces.

Heating or insulating these vulnerable pipes with fiberglass or foam sleeves can help prevent them from bursting. Additionally, keeping the facet open and letting the water run, even at just a trickle, will help prevent the water pressure from building to dangerous levels.

Prepare your home or business before the bitterly cold temperatures arrive!!

Team of Nationwide Franchises

9/29/2020 (Permalink)

Commercial Water Damage at West County Shopping Center

Size is not always an indicator of strength; but when you are a restoration company with the resources of over 1,700 franchises- size matters.

At SERVPRO of West Kirkwood/Sunset Hills we are equipped to handle a loss of any size. But the question always comes into play, what happens when there are multiple losses.

Typically, we see this scenario play out during natural disasters or major storms. The benefit that we have at SERVPRO of West Kirkwood/Sunset Hills is not only do we have the capacity to produce any size loss; but we can combine our strength with a large network of other SERVPROs nationwide that can provide assistance and extra equipment.

At SERVPRO of West Kirkwood/Sunset Hills not only do you get the local franchise, but you also get the strength of one of the nation’s largest restoration company. In the last few years, we have been fortunate to have the network of SERVPRO’s to provide us more equipment and PPE during nationwide shortages.

If you have experienced fire or water damage, we are always here to help! Call us 314-858-1688 so we can address your damages quickly.