Vacation Season - Home Planning

12/9/2024 (Permalink)

If an event is to occur while you are gone, SERVPRO of St. Cloud will be ready to help! We are available 24/7! Reach us at (320) 248-5400!

Essential Things To Do Before Leaving For Vacation

It is that time of the year when everyone wants to escape the cold, and head to warmer weather. You have booked the trip, found the must-see attractions, and charged the electronics! It is time to head to the airport.

However, before you leave one must make sure their house is ready for them to leave.

See below for tips to help ensure that your house is going to be the way you left it when you return.

Tips Checklist:

1. Turn off main water supply

One should turn this off to avoid water damage if a leak is to occur while on vacation.

2. Unplug electronics

Unplugging the electronics that will not be in use while you are gone will save you money on your electricity bill - will also help prevent an electrical fire.

3. Adjust thermostat

Cooler Climate: Turn it down between 50 - 60 degrees F

Warmer Climate: Turn it up 5 degrees F higher than normal

4. Pour baking soda down drains and toilets

By pouring this it will help with clear clogs and keep a fresh smell.

5. Check insurance

Knowing what your insurance policies are will save you the headache when you get home if something does occur.

Once your checklist is all checked off, head out and enjoy that warmer weather on vacation!

All of these are tips that can help prevent matters from occurring, but are not a guarantee.

If an event is to occur while you are gone, SERVPRO of St. Cloud will be ready to help! We are available 24/7! Reach us at (320) 248-5400!

Ice & Snow

11/21/2024 (Permalink)

Call (320) 248 - 5400!

When the winter weather gets more extreme, so do the consequences of not preparing for the worst. Small issues like an overhanging tree can turn into a tree in the living room after a cold-snap and strong winds. Pipes can burst in winter which could leave you without hot water or flood damages. Both which can be incredibly dangerous in cold weather. Regardless what kinds of damages you face, a disaster restoration plan is something that no homeowner should be without.

Below are some of the risks that you could encounter and ways to cope effectively.

Ice & Snow
Ice storms can lead to the formation of ice dams that tear roof shingles apart or make gutters fall. Also, they can have impact on the trees and power lines around your property. When these matters collapse, the aftermath may cause damages. 

In some cases, snow buildup can damage homes. This can be very concerning with older properties that may not be quite as structurally sound as they once were. Heavy snow that causes your roof to bend or warp can create weaknesses. That is why one should take needed precautions to help prevent damage. 

When it comes to the winter season, rapid emergency restoration needs to be one of your primary concerns.

If you experience any disasters or damages, contact SERVPRO of St. Cloud at (320) 248 - 5400!

We are always here to help!

Commercial Properties

4/8/2024 (Permalink)

Our crew is ready 24/7 to ensure that we are ready to help! Contact us at (320) 248 - 5400!

Call SERVPRO of St. Cloud

Commercial properties always have a lot of matters going on at one time. The last thing that they want to be thinking about is water, fire, or mold damage. That is why SERVPRO of St. Cloud is always prepared to begin the job in a timely manner.

The crew at SERVPRO of St. Cloud  understands that a closed business, means no business. Therefore, we will work closely with your commercial needs in regards to fire, water damage, or mold to get your business back in full operation as soon as possible. We have experience in working with small business owners as well as large retail malls and have even partnered with our large loss division through SERVPRO to expedite the restoration process. 

We hope your commercial building never goes through these damages, but if it does know that you have a friend in the restoration business. Contact SERVPRO of St. Cloud to assist you through this difficult time.

Our crew is ready 24/7 to ensure that we are ready to help! Contact us at (320) 248 - 5400!

Winter Weather

12/7/2023 (Permalink)

We are available 24/7/365, and here to help you! We can be reached at (320) 248-5400!

Damages

When the cold winter weather gets more extreme, so do the damages and disasters. That is why it is important for all homeowners to be prepared in the event of any damages or disasters. SERVPRO of St. Cloud is always here for you, and here to help.

We Are Here To Help You

In the cold winter weather, emergency restoration needs to be a priority to all homeowners. SERVPRO of St. Cloud is a local company that has been in the business for several years, as well as the construction business. All of these expertises will be shown through the quality of work that will be conducted in your home by SERVPRO of St. Cloud. Our crew is always ready to help you and our community in any time of need.

Contact SERVPRO of St. Cloud!

If you are to experience any damages or disasters from the cold winter weather, call your local restoration crew at SERVPRO of St. Cloud. We are available 24/7/365, and here to help you! We can be reached at (320) 248-5400!

How To Test Your Smoke Detector & Fire Alarm

12/7/2023 (Permalink)

If an event does occur, SERVPRO of St. Cloud will be ready to help! We are available 24/7! Reach us at (320) 248-5400!

Important To Keep Family Safe

Testing smoke detectors and fire alarms is one of the most important items to help keep your family safe. They are meant to be early warning devices to alert your family of a fire or dangerous smoke. To ensure proper function, these items need to be tested periodically.

Why Do it?

Electronic devices can have batteries that die and other parts that the wear out overtime. By testing them periodically and replacing the batteries, it will help to ensure that your family will have those warning devices in place.

How Often?

U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), suggest that smoke detectors be tested at least once a month and batteries should be replaced at least once or twice a year.

Two Types of Smoke Detectors-

Battery-powered: This type can be susceptible to worn-out or defective batteries.

Hardwired: This type is powered by your home’s electrical system, but typically has back up batteries.

Tip Time: Change your batteries when you change your clocks for daylight savings time – when you spring forward and fall back!

How Do You Test It?

Check the manufacturer’s instructions for the proper method of testing your smoke detector and fire alarm.

Step 1: Alert family members and friends that you will be testing the alarm.

Step 2: Press and hold the test button on the smoke detector. You should hear a loud siren noise, this may take a few seconds. If it is weak or nonexistent, you should replace the batteries. Also, make sure that the smoke detector is clean.

All information and steps above are to help prevent matters from occurring, not a guarantee.

If an event does occur, SERVPRO of St. Cloud will be ready to help! We are available 24/7! Reach us at (320) 248-5400!

Potential Causes of Damages in Commercial Buildings

11/6/2023 (Permalink)

Contact our crew 24/7 at (320) 248-5400!

Commercial Water Damage  

SERVPRO of St. Cloud specializes in water damage whether it be in a residential or commercial building. They specialize in both residential and commercial buildings because water damage can be experienced in both types of buildings. Our crew at SERVPRO of St. Cloud will work in a fast and efficient manner to make the process go as smooth as possible. We understand that time is an important fact when it comes to water damage. Whether it be standing water or a flood. 

Understanding the factors that can cause water damage can be helpful in certain instances when dealing with the damage. Here are some causing factors:

1. Frozen Pipes

Temperatures are known to fall in Minnesota for a handful of months. Throughout this time, there are chances for frozen pipes. When the pipes freeze it causes the water inside to expand as it turns into ice, which can cause the pipe to burst. 

2. Corroded Pipes

Most corroded pipes occur due to the high levels of oxygen that they are exposed to. This is a very common occurrence which is why it is known as the second largest leading cause of damaged pipes. These damaged pipes can then lead to water damage. 

3. Sewage Back - Up

There are three common causes of sewage back - up that can occur in one’s commercial building. The three common causes are blockage, clogs, and broken lines. All of these can cause water coming up or being pushed into your building. 

4. Leaking Roof 

Roofs can begin leaking due to a large amount of causes. Some of the causes that the leak can be from are hail damage, clogged gutters, broken/missing shingles, and soffit damage. These are some common causes, but there a number of different causes.

If your residential or commercial building is to experience any water, fire, or mold damage contact SERVPRO of St. Cloud at (320) 248-5400!

Contact our crew 24/7 at (320) 248-5400!

Winter is Near

11/6/2023 (Permalink)

If you suffer any damage from a frozen pipe, contact the crew at SERVPRO of St. Cloud! Reach us at (320) 248 - 5400!

Chilly Minnesota Weather

Winter has been making its return to Minnesota. With colder temperatures and the buckets of snow that the Minnesota winter season can bring, one needs to be prepared for what could happen. These types of conditions can lead to a chance of frozen pipes throughout the winter season. This occurs when the frozen water in pipes starts to build pressure between the ice blockage and the closed faucet at the end of a pipe. Due to this type of pressure, it can lead to pipes bursting near their weak points.

To keep water in the pipes from freezing try taking these following precautions:

• Fit exposed pipes with insulation sleeves or wrapping to slow the heat transfer
• Seal cracks and holes in outside walls and foundations near water pipe with caulking
• Keep cabinet doors open during cold spells to allow warm air to circulate around pipes
• Keep a slow trickle of water flowing through faucets connected to pipes that run through any unheated or unprotected space
• Drain the water system especially if your house will be unattended during cold periods
• Keep house heated even when gone for periods at a time

These precautions cannot guarantee that the pipes in the house will not freeze over, but taking these steps will help prevent it.

If you suffer any damage from a frozen pipe, contact the crew at SERVPRO of St. Cloud! We are available 24 hours a day at and are here to help. Reach us at (320) 248 - 5400!

5 Frequently Asked Questions

10/9/2023 (Permalink)

Experience water damage? Contact our crew at (320) 248 – 5400!

1. What causes water damage?

Water damage can occur from natural disasters, pipe bursts, appliance malfunctions, roof leaks, foundations leaks, septic tank overflows, poor drainage and the list continues.  Flash flooding, pipe bursts, and sewage backups are especially dangerous as they can produce several inches of water in less than a day. 

2. Why can water damage be dangerous?

Floodwater that comes from outside and from sewage backups can contain dangerous contaminants such as viruses and bacteria.  If the water is not drained within 24-48 hours, structural damage and mold growth can occur.

3. What should I do after a flood, sewage, or water leak?

Contacting a professionally trained company, SERVPRO of St. Cloud, is one of the first steps. Waiting to complete this step can cause irredeemable and mold damage to the wood, walls, and carpet.

4. How do the certified technicians handle water damage?

SERVPRO of St. Cloud wants to be sure to answer all questions in hopes to help put your mind more at ease. The crew will then determine which items can be restored. If items cannot be restored, they will be removed. The drying out and disinfecting of all areas will then begin.

5. Will my homeowner’s insurance cover water damage?

It is important to notify your insurance company to determine your insurance coverage. The crew at SERVPRO of St. Cloud will work with your insurance company to help meet your needs. 

Experience water damage? Contact our crew at (320) 248 – 5400!

Importance of Time

10/9/2023 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO of St. Cloud at (320) 248-5400.

Water Damage

Many home and business owners don’t realize the time factor when dealing with water damage. After the initial damage, water invades and creeps into the home structure as time progresses. With each minute that passes, the water may affect carpet padding, the walls, hardwood floors, and even grout lines in tiles. Unattended water damage in the ceiling is even more damaging because this can lead to the collapse of the ceiling.

Aside from structural damage, water damage can lead to serious problems like poor air quality, growth of mold and mildew, humid atmosphere, and an unpleasant smell that permeates walls, floors, and ceilings. These conditions result in health effects. More than that, when water sits for a long time, total reconstruction is often the only option left for homeowners and business owners.

In order to avoid further problems, it is important that you act quickly on a water damage problem and control the environment within the affected home or building.

Call in a Water Damage Expert

The first thing you need to do is to call in a water damage restoration expert to do assessment of the affected area. SERVPRO of St. Cloud can fully determine the extent of the damage. After the inspection and assessment, we can develop a comprehensive restoration plan. The plan shall include determining which items are worthy of restoration.

Control the Home or Building Indoor Environment

As water damage results in poor indoor environment, it is very important that you attend to this problem to avoid health effects. You can limit the bad effects of water damage through controlling temperature, airflow, and relative humidity. An effective way to control these conditions, high moisture environment in particular, is to use damage restoration drying equipment like air movers and dehumidifiers.

Drying the structure using drying equipment often eliminates the necessity of replacing walls, carpet, hardwood floor, and other affected area, which can be expensive. More importantly, you remove the bad odor and stain caused by mold and mildew. If drying the structure is not properly done, these problems will come back after few weeks.

Should your home or business suffer water damage as a result of a toilet leak, dishwasher leak, sump pump backup or from any other source, please contact SERVPRO of St. Cloud at (320) 248-5400. 

We are available 24/7 and always here to help!

Smoke Alarms

10/9/2023 (Permalink)

If you are ever to experience a fire, contact our crew at SERVPRO of St. Cloud. We are here to help you through every step of the process.

Fire damage? Contact SERVPRO of St. Cloud!

When a fire is occurring, the smoke begins to expand and travel rapidly throughout the area. The rapid travel of the smoke causes the smoke alarms to go off. The smoke alarms are an early warning sign to everyone near the fire that they need to evacuate the area. 

Important Safety Tips:

- Install smoke alarms in every room, outside all sleeping areas, and on all levels.

- Have the appropriate amount of smoke alarms for your size area.

- Interconnected smoke alarms are recommended.

- Test all alarms once a month. 

- Smoke alarms should be placed in a high area, it is recommended they go on the ceiling. 

- They have strobe lights or bed shaker alarms for one's that are hard of hearing or deaf. 

- Replace all alarms after ten years. 

Interesting Facts:

- Closed doors may slow the spread of heat, smoke, and fire. 

- Roughly 3 out of 5 fire deaths happen in homes that have no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. 

- Fire extinguishers are often used to control fires by discharging water, foams, carbon dioxide, dry chemicals or other substances.

All of the above are recommendations and cannot guarantee. 

If you are ever to experience a fire, contact our crew at SERVPRO of St. Cloud. We are here to help you through every step of the process.

Our crew can be reached at (320) 248-5400!

We are available 24/7!