Broken or leaking pipes can cause water damage to your home

2/13/2024 (Permalink)

Every home has numerous pipes that can burst or break that can cause water damage to your home.

Broken pipes are one of the leading causes of water damage in homes, and many homeowners may experience a pipe burst or leak at some point.

Broken or damaged pipes are not always immediately found.  Sometimes they may leak for days, weeks or even months before they are found.  Leaking pipes can cause tremendous damage to your home and contents.  If left unattended for a long period of time, the water damage can also lead to health problems once mold and mildew set in.

Signs that may indicate a pipe leak would include reduced water pressure, a rise in water bills or even noticeable damage to the structure of your home. 

You may notice lumps or bumps in your carpet or hardwood floors which could lead to wood rot.  You may also notice mold or mildew beginning to grow, which can lead to health problems for your family.  Also paint or wallpaper pealing from the wall is an indicator that there may be a leak that is penetrating through the wall.

Every home has numerous pipes that can burst or break that can cause water damage to your home.  If you experience water damage to your home from a broken or leaking pipe call SERVPRO of Medina County, Gateway, and Western Lake County at 800-933-7179.

Sprinkler systems can cause water damage to your commercial property in Cleveland, OH

2/9/2024 (Permalink)

Damage from a sprinkler system can include: wet carpeting and flooring, drywall, other building materials and contents.

Fire sprinkler systems can help prevent property losses from fires. A properly installed and functioning sprinkler system is designed to put out a fire with limited amount of water used, but unfortunately they can also leave a mess from the water.

Damage from the sprinkler system can include: wet carpeting and flooring, drywall, other building materials and contents. In addition, if the water is not properly addressed, there could be development of mold.

When hiring a water remediation company such as SERVPRO of Medina County/Gateway/Western Lake County, you can be sure that the damage to your commercial building will be assessed and addressed properly. 

Depending on the size of the commercial building and the extent of damage, removing the water is usually the first plan of action.  The team will extract the water from the carpets and floors as needed.  They may need to use water pumps if there is a large amount of standing water. 

Drying out the area with dehumidifiers and air movers thoroughly to prevent mold or mildew from forming is also an important step in the drying process.  Sometimes drywall, baseboards or the carpet may need to be removed to help accelerate the drying process.

If your business is suffering from damage caused by a sprinkler system, or any other type of water damage,  call SERVPRO of Medina County/Gateway/Western Lake County because we will make sure your business continues as soon as possible.

Call us at 800-933-7179 today!

SERVPRO of Medina County/Gateway/Western Lake County is an IICRC Certified Firm. What does that mean?

2/7/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Medina County/Gateway/Western Lake County is an IICRC Certified Firm.  What does that mean? 

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is a non-profit organization that helps ensure that your cleaning is being performed by trusted and properly trained professionals.

 The IICRC's mission is to promote high standards of professionalism, technical excellence, and ethics for those working in the industry.

You can be sure that seeing the IICRC-certification means that you, as the consumer, will be receiving a high level of cleaning and restoration work performed by our technicians.

To qualify for IICRC-Certified Firm, a business must have proof of insurance and provide ongoing education and training for all of the technicians.  Some of the many Certifications available include Mold Remediation, Water and Fire restoration, carpet cleaning and repair, odor and Health and Safety.

To become an IICRC-certified technician you must complete training courses and pass the exams in the various areas available for certification.  You must also continue your education every couple of years to maintain it.

When calling SERVPRO of Medina County/Gateway/Western Lake County you can be assured that you will be getting our highly trained and qualified technicians to help with your cleaning needs.

Call us at 800-933-7179

Storm damage is one of the several possible causes of water damage to a home or business

2/5/2024 (Permalink)

Storm damage can occur at any time and can be destructive to your home. Storm damage can create hazards such as window damage and collapsed walls.

Broken pipes, clogged toilets, broken water lines, leaking dishwashers, overflowing washing machines, leaky roofs, and foundation cracks are just some of the possible causes of water damage.  Floods, heavy snow, and heavy rain are other possible causes of this type of damage and can lead to having water in basements. Once a home or business sustains water damage, it is important to start the water damage cleanup immediately.

Storm damage can occur at any time and can be destructive to your home.  Storm damage can create hazards such as window damage and collapsed walls.  Heavy rains can cause flooding and powerful winds can cause roof damage which can also lead to water damage.   

Most homeowners dread having any type of water damage.  It can cause thousands of dollars of damage not only to the structure of your home, but also to your furniture, electronics, appliances and other contents.   It may also lead to mold growth which is another problem to remediate.

Hiring a water damage restoration company such as SERVPRO of Medina County/Gateway/Western Lake County can make the cleanup process much easier for the homeowner to handle.  We have experienced and trained technicians that will take care of your water damage from a storm.

Call us at 800-933-7179.

Electrical Fires Can Be Dangerous

2/2/2024 (Permalink)

An electrical fire can be scary and extremely dangerous, but there are some guidelines to help keep your home safe from electrical fires.

Preventing Electrical Fires

• Be sure not to plug in too many devices into one outlet. If the wiring gets overloaded it can spark a fire.
• Check your outlets regularly for excessive heat, burn marks, and buzzing or crackling sounds.
• Make sure you have at least one smoke detector on every floor of your home, and test them regularly to keep them in good working order.

Common Appliances that Could Start a Fire

• Dishwashers contain heating elements that dry your dishes. Old or faulty elements can start a fire. Never turn on a dishwasher before leaving your home or overnight.
• Dryers need to have the lint trap cleaned often. The lint buildup in a dryer can start a fire.  Never run your washing machine or dryer when leaving your home or overnight.
• Microwaves can be very dangerous. There have been complaints in the past about microwaves starting on their own and causing a fire.
• Refrigerators can have an overheated compressor or an electrical short which can cause a fire.
• Toasters can fail or not turn off or have crumbs stuck to the heating elements which may start a fire.

If you have an electrical fire in your home or business, call SERVPRO of Medina County, Gateway, Western Lake County for your fire cleaning services.  1-800-933-7179.

Extreme weather such as storms - can cause damage to your home or business

6/1/2023 (Permalink)

Storms can cause a lot of damage to your home or business. Water can come thru walls, ceilings and even doorways.

Whenever a storm passes through, take time to check your home or business for signs of damage.  After any kind of stormy weather, do a walk-through inside your structure.

1. Ceilings

If your roof is leaking, you’re very likely to see the evidence on your ceilings. You might see wet spots, dripping or discoloration.

2. Walls

Walls can also show signs of moisture damage.  There could be water stains or streaks of water.  Flaking or cracked drywall or even spots of mold or mildew.

3. Floors

Floors can also show signs of leaks with wet spots or puddles.  The floors may even become uneven or sloping.

We are Available 24 hours/7 days per week

We’re a Preferred Vendor to many National Insurance Companies

We Bill The Insurance Directly – One Less Thing For You To Worry About

Our Technicians are Highly-Trained in Water Restoration Techniques

We use s500 IICRC Restoration Standards

Advanced Inspection and Extraction Equipment

Storm Damage? Call SERVPRO of Medina County Today – We’re Ready To Help 330-722-4343

Flood damage to your Cleveland OH business left unaddressed can lead to more damage

4/28/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can make sure your building materials are dried thoroughly, cleaned and disinfected to prevent secondary damage.

Water from Floods can cause extensive damage to your building. They not only have the ability to saturate and destroy the building and its contents, but can also threaten it with secondary damages such as mold damage. Once the water is gone, you may assume that moping and drying on its own is good enough but depending on the extent of the damage, your business may need more than that.   Quickly addressing water damage greatly reduces secondary damage from occurring.

Water damage left unaddressed may cause mold damage which can occur within 48 to 72 hours after water infiltration. Drywall and flooring are particularly susceptible to water damage due to their porous materials.

A professional restoration company can make sure that all building materials are properly dried thoroughly, cleaned and disinfected efficiently to minimize any secondary damage.  They may also need to be removed due to the extent of the damage.

SERVPRO of Medina County, Gateway and Western Lake County is able to accurately assess the damage and perform the proper mitigation to complete the drying process to your building.

Call SERVPRO of Medina County, Gateway and Western Lake County at 1-800-933-7179 to address your flood damage.

How to prevent a dryer fire

4/28/2023 (Permalink)

Taking proper precautions and maintenance to your dryer may prevent a fire in the future.

You can do your part as a homeowner to prevent a dryer fire taking place in your home through proper installation, cleaning, and maintenance. Even if your dryer seems to be running fine right now, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Take these steps to prevent a dryer fire:

Read the manufacturers’ instructions and warnings upon installation and be sure that your dryer is installed by a knowledgeable professional and that the correct electrical plug and outlet are used

Clean the dryer lint filter before and after each load of laundry

Clean the filter with a nylon brush at least once every six (6) months or more often if it becomes clogged

Completely clean lint out of the vent pipe every three (3) months

Check occasionally through the venting system behind the dryer to ensure it isn’t damaged

Put a cover on outside wall dampers to keep out the elements

Ensure the outdoor vent cover opens when the dryer is on

Check your lint traps inside the dryer

Consider having a professional clean all your dryer venting just to be sure you and your family are safe

Call SERVPRO of Western Lake County if you experience a dryer fire in your home.  800-933-7179

SERVPRO of Medina County, Gateway, Western Lake County is an IICRC certified firm

4/28/2023 (Permalink)

Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm.

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

 IICRC Certified Firms must

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.

• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.

• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.

• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.

• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry

 The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

 Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

 About SERVPRO of Medina County, Gateway, Western Lake County

 SERVPRO of Medina County, Gateway, Western Lake County specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

A sudden storm can lead to flash flooding in Medina Ohio!

4/28/2023 (Permalink)

Large amounts of rain can lead to flooding conditions that can affect your home and basements. Flash flooding is always a concern.

Recent weather has produced many storms in the area. Flash floods occur when there is excessive rainfall as in a pop up storm or a sudden release of water.  

Heavy thunderstorms rolling over the same area for an extended amount of time can cause flooding. The ground cover can play an important role as parking lots and roads cannot absorb the rainfall.  Streets can become rivers of moving water.  Never try to drive or walk thru swift moving water.  Basements and homes can fill with water sometimes without much warning as sudden flooding is occurring.

Rivers can flood when spring rains melt snow and they fill quickly.  Ice jambs or debris blockage can also occur and stop the flow of water.  The backed up water can cause flooding upstream.  Once the jamb releases, it can cause sudden flooding downstream as well.  The river flooding can also fill homes and basements with water causing much damage.

SERVPRO of Medina County/Gateway/Western Lake County can address your flooded home or basement in Cleveland Ohio.  Call us at 1-800-933-7179 today.