Winter Weather

4/26/2023 (Permalink)

The Des Moines area recently experienced the first significant snowfall of the year last weekend. Winter weather is here to stay, at least for the next couple of months in Iowa, whether we want to admit it or not. With winter comes freezing cold temperatures and precipitation that could potentially cause harm to your home or business.

We at SERVPRO of Des Moines NW are here to help you be prepared and stay ready for anything the coming winter months want to throw our way. We've compiled a list to aid you in preparing your home for the cold to come.

• Insulate any water lines that run along exterior walls so that your water supply will be less likely to freeze
• Caulk and weather strip doors and windows
• Insulate walls and attic
• Install storm or thermal-pane windows/cover windows with plastic from the inside
• Repair roof leaks and cut away tree branches that could fall on your home or other structures during a storm

Weatherproofing your home or business can potentially save you a lot of stress. This type of maintenance is incredibly important in Iowa and colder states to keep your home or business in good condition and keep you aware of issues that may need attention down the line. Never forget, SERVPRO of Des Moines is always here for your restoration needs. Give us a call today at 515-986-3711.

Storm Damage on your insurance coverage

3/18/2022 (Permalink)

Reviewing Homeowner’s Insurance Policy

Your insurance policy should be copied and properly stored in case of a major storm.  Additionally, it should be thoroughly reviewed until you have an understanding of what events are covered, the amount of coverage, and steps that are required to submit an insurance claim after storm damage.  Be aware that your homeowner’s insurance policy may exclude certain types of storm and water damage. 

Flood Damage

Standard homeowner’s insurance policies do not include coverage for flood damage.  It is important to note that flooding can occur almost anywhere, regardless of whether your home is in a high-risk flood zone.  The purchase of additional flood damage coverage is recommended.

Wind and Rain Damage

While most policies cover damage caused by wind, they do not typically coverage water damage resulting from rain (including wind-driven rain).

More Insurance Tips:

• Ensure that coverage is sufficient for your home’s structure, contents and extra living expenses, if needed.
• Take photos of your home before and after a storm. This documentation will be key when submitting an insurance claim based on storm damage.
• Be aware of scam repair companies. Following a major storm, as repair companies offer their services, companies that are not legitimate prey upon homeowners who neglect to do their research.

Be sure to report all claims and damage to your insurance company.  Your insurance agent will assist you in determining coverage and ways to mitigate storm damage, such as contacting a storm damage restoration company in Des Moines. 

Roof Damage Caused by Storms in Des Moines 

Bio Hazard Cleanup

3/18/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Des Moines NW offers fast, reliable biohazard and crime scene cleanup and restoration services for residential and commercial property owners.

Common biohazard losses include the following:

• Sewage Backups
• Blood cleanup
• Hoarding scenes
• Methamphetamine Labs
• Animal waste/remains
• Chemical spills

If not safely remove, hazardous substances can contribute to unhealthy and even dangerous environments.

SERVPRO of Des Moines NW professionals are trained to safely and effectively remove biohazardous substances and prepare waste for proper disposal according to OSHA, EPA and state and local health regulations.  Equipped with the necessary safety equipment and cleaning products, we help turn unsafe environments into clean, safe homes and businesses.

We are available 24 hours a day.  We have the qualified trained professionals who are ready to respond to these incidents.

If you or your business or residence is in need of a biohazard cleanup, give SERVPRO of Des Moines NW a call at (515) 986-3711.

SERVPRO of Des Moines NW for Water Mitigation

3/18/2022 (Permalink)

Best Equipment for Restoration-Drying

One of the many reasons we enjoy what we do is because we like to see the effective and immediate results of our service.

SERVPRO has a reputation of investing in the best restoration equipment available and providing our customers with confidence that we can restore your home or business to its "preloss" condition. 

Here is a brief explanation of the drying equipment we typically use on a job:

• Air movers. Our high-speed air movers evaporate moisture at a faster pace with powerful high velocity blowers. There are three different types of air movers that we fancy.
  • Axial: Axial blowers are specifically designed to force large amount of air across a wide space. These air movers only move horizontally, which makes them ideal for drying walls or top-down drying treatments on carpets.
  • Centrifugal: These are a compact style of fan. They draw air from multiple sources and direct it all into a particular spot. So, as you can imagine, these are designed for spot treatments. These can often be adjusted to provide airflow in different angles, too. Some good examples of where these are most used at are in places like closets, crawl spaces, and under cabinets- anywhere hard to reach!
  • Compact: These are the most compact fan of our bunch. These air movers are versatile enough to be used for an array of things- both large and small. They are smaller in size, light weight, and quieter than the centrifugal fans. While only having a ¼ horsepower motor, they still pack a punch and are able to quickly and effectively dry areas.
• Desiccant Dehumidifie Unlike refrigerant dehumidifiers that use condensation, our desiccant dehumidifiers use a silica gel wheel to pull moisture out of the air like a sponge. These machines can work in temperatures as low as 32-degree Fahrenheit! That’s a world of a difference compared to their 70-degree Fahrenheit counterpart.

SERVPRO of Des Moines NW is known for having the absolute best restoration equipment money can buy. Our equipment paired with years of experience and IICRC training are just a few of the many reasons why you should turn to SERVPRO of Des Moines NW for your future mitigation and remediation needs. We are here to help for any job big or small. Put us in your emergency contacts at 515-986-3711.

water damage

3/16/2022 (Permalink)

The amount of damage water can cause is amazing, and often underestimated by homeowners. Excess moisture is bad enough, but when a home is flooded or hit with a plumbing disaster (like a burst pipe), the situation can quickly get out of hand. There’s a reason why these incidents are among the most expensive problems a homeowner can face. Contaminated water not only creates immediate structural problems, it can leave serious biological threats behind after it has been removed.

Floods, sewage backflows, and other sources of contaminated fluid usually cause the worst damage. Dirty water is filled with all kinds of deadly substances, ranging from chemical residues to animal feces to parasites. Bacteria, viruses and fungi grow explosively in contaminated fluid, and severe health risks, like salmonella and hepatitis, are common in flood waters.

This problem is compounded by the composition of most homes, which are filled with organic materials. Drywall, wood and the matter that is trapped in carpet fibers are just a few examples, and they can give pathogens room to grow. Within 48 hours, mold may begin creeping behind the walls and releasing spores, and any organic materials that have been soaked through by contaminated fluid will usually have to be destroyed.

That’s why restoration firms, in addition to surveying the home for structural problems, will dry the home quickly and apply antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal agents to all surfaces that had contact with the water. This ensures the family can return to a safe home, and not one harboring a collection of deadly pathogen!

Hurricane Floods

3/16/2022 (Permalink)

The current date is 9/11/2017. Hurricane Irma is annihilating Florida residents homes one week after hurricane Harvey in Houston. 

Most people had no idea their first floor was going to be underwater. Such a disaster. 

Why is it so devastating? Well to start the carpet is destroyed and all walls have to be replaced completely. 

Mold could be creeping in the insulation within the walls. Has to be replaced.

Well if I replace the first floor completely its probably fine right? No its not.

Foundation is damaged and the house has become a safety hazard. 

Ultimately in most situations, the House owner has to demolish and rebuild. Most Banks will provide the loan out of empathy, unless, its a flood zone which could be the ultimatum of a lifetime.

Hail Damage

3/16/2022 (Permalink)

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), hailstones fall to earth from 30,000 feet, reaching up to 120 mph before they hit trees, vehicles and structures.  These storms cause $1 billion in damages to crops and property each year, the NWS says.

How large can hail get?  Thankfully...most hail is small - usually less than 2 inches in diameter.

The largest hailstone (nearly the size of a volleyball!) fell on July 23, 2010 in Vivian, South Dakota and had a diameter of  8.0 inches, a circumference of 18.62 inches, and weighed just under 2 lbs (1 lb and 15 ounces). This was after the resident that found the hailstone put it in the freezer but had a 6 hour power outage and some melting likely occurred.

Take Action After a Hail Storm

If you do find any hail damage to your residence, we recommend you take pictures before you make any temporary repairs such as boarding up any broken windows or covering a hole in a roof with a tarp.

Regardless of the level of damage, you’ll also want to promptly report it to your insurance company.  Should your home or business sustain hail damage keep these tips in mind:

• Be wary of contractors who solicit door-to-door. 
• Work only with licensed (if applicable), bonded and insured contractors and have them provide documentation. 
• Require references and check them out.  
• Don’t feel pressured into signing a contract and never sign a blank contract. 
• Avoid payment-in-full up front.

If your business or home has hail damages, call the trusted experts of SERVPRO of Des Moines NW 24/7 at (515) 986-3711.

Mold in the Workplace

3/7/2022 (Permalink)

No one wants to see mold, whether it is at home or work. If you detect this fungus in your Des Moines metro office building, do not wait to get rid of it. Mold removal is a critical process. That is why SERVPRO of Des Moines NW wants to give you some tips when dealing with it. The more you understand about what goes into this effort and how it will impact your day-to-day operations, the more prepared you will be.

If you see visible mold, do not disturb it. Widespread mold requires the expertise of a professional mold remediation company. You could inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home or business. Here is what to do:

• Stay out of affected areas
• Turn the HVAC system and any fans off
• Contact professional mold remediation services 

What not to do:

• Do not touch or disturb the mold
• Do not blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth
• Do not attempt to dry the area yourself

With diligent efforts, you can prevent mold growth in your building, too. This fungus can grow and spread rapidly once it gets into the ideal environment. These are some problems that you should monitor and acknowledge to prevent mold growth:

• Leaky or broken pipes
• Poor ventilation in basements, laundry facilities, and bathrooms
• Failure to promptly clean up water spills and damage

Our professional team has the experience, skill, and equipment to thoroughly & effectively get rid of mold and clean the affected area.

You should not have to take care of mold removal on your own. Enlist in the help of trained professionals who will make it “Like it never even happened.” Put SERVPRO of Des Moines NW on your emergency contact list today at 515-986-3711.

Proper Work Environment

3/7/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Des Moines NW understands how important it is for you and your staff to share an efficient work environment and we also know how devastating it can be to have your business close due damage from Iowa’s unexpected weather or from circumstances that feel out of your control.

Due to the ongoing covid-19 pandemic many business's are working remotely and will continue to do so well into the future. For those essential workers unable to work from home, we know the last thing they need is to deal with an issue that forces the company to close for repairs, lose out on revenue, or a loss of items directly damaged.

Undoubtedly, SERVPRO of Des Moines NW is here to help you and your staff get back to work “Like it never even happened,” but we also want you to be as prepared as possible for the harsh weather that Iowa’s seasons can bring. Preparedness will likely prevent some damage and hopefully decrease the amount of time you are out of commission.

• Frozen pipes can be disastrous, but they are often times very preventable! Make sure to do a sweep of your building and make sure all your pipes are insulated.

• Loss of power can cause an array of issues including frozen pipes, loss of production, and loss of product. We recommend having a backup generator handy.

• If you have large trees around your facility, its recommended to keep them trimmed and in good health. Tree limbs can easily be tossed around by high winds. It is a good idea to have them professionally trimmed away from rooftops, powerlines, and windows.

• Having your facility inspected annually will keep your facility up to date. Being attentive to your facility’s preservation and safety means having your furnace and AC checked, making sure the general maintenance is followed, the electric lines are in good condition, and that your roof & getters are all in working condition.

SERVPRO of Des Moines NW is here to help! Preparedness and maintenance is incredibly important to a smooth-running operation. SERVPRO of Des Moines NW wants you to exceed and we want to help your staff to be minimally affected, while still having a professional looking business. Keep us in your emergency contacts at 515-986-3711.

Prepare for Fire

3/7/2022 (Permalink)

Many Des Moines area businesses experience devastating fire damage every year. Your friends at SERVPRO of Des Moines NW want to help you prepare your employees for the possibility of a fire. Here’s how you can begin to create a fire evacuation procedure for your business.

Consult with your local fire officials

Reach out to the local fire department. Often times, getting in touch with fire officials is a great place to start. They are happy to consult with you on necessary safety measures that your business can take, including the most efficient evacuation routes for your facility.

Communicate

You want to involve your employees in the fire safety process. This makes everyone feel safe and prepares them for when you start scheduling routine drills. Once you have determined your evacuation route, mark them clearly with signs and communicate with your staff on what they mean.

Schedule fire drills frequently

Ideally, you should get to the point to where there is no question on what to do in the event of a fire. The best way to prepare staff is to hold regular fire drills, preferably at least once every quarter. A good example of the overall process is to create mandatory drills that require everyone to leave the premises following the established escape route and gather at a predesignated area for additional safety instructions. Staff should be trained to not leave the designated area until given the “all-clear” to return.

Run Different Scenarios

Fires can start anywhere at any time. It is important to prepare for all possibilities when you hold your drills. To prepare for unique situations, create scenarios where different exits are blocked off or have the fire “originate” at different parts of the facility each time. Doing this gives everyone the tools they need to escape to safety regardless of what type of fire is started.

These are just a few tips that your friends at SERVPRO of Des Moines NW want to extend out to you to make sure you and your staff stay safe in the case of a fire. Call us at 515-968-3711 for any of your commercial fire restoration questions or needs!