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.

Understanding Disaster

3/1/2022 (Permalink)

If you are here you most likely have had some form of property damage. While we hope no one ever has to go through a disaster or property loss, you are in good hands. SERVPRO Des Moines NW & Ames understands the unique challenges of property damage. When we say we will make it "like it never even happened." We truly mean it handling your loss and property and possessions with honor integrity and compassion. We know that this is not an ideal way to spend days and sometimes months getting you home and life back to normal. We here at SERVPRO of Des Moines NW strive to become the light in bad situation. 

The reality is that things happen and you can’t plan them and they happen at the worst possible time, at Christmas, during a Birthday Party or when you cant take much more. We here at SERVPRO understand that you need a reliable Contractor that is local but yet International as well.

When I say we understand this is what I mean. We will respect you, your property. We show up in a clean professional manner and will help you pick up the pieces in your time of need. So when Life and Property Damage happen call us at SERVPRO of Des Moines NW & Ames. 

What SERVPRO can do for you.

5/9/2019 (Permalink)

Fire, Smoke and Soot Cleanup and Restoration-    Clean both structure and contents in your home or business to the state it was in prior to the loss happening. Take and provide inventory of damaged personal items.  

Water Damage Mitigation- Identify where the water source is and where it has traveled.  Once determined a plan of action will be set up to fully mitigate the damages.  We will determine the proper amount of drying equipment to set to control the temperature and humidity in the affected areas.  Ultimately this will keep any further damage at a minimum.

Crime Scene, Bio hazard and Vandalism Cleanup- Our SERVPRO professionals are trained to safely and effectively clean bio hazardous substances and prepare waste for proper disposal according to OSHA, EPA and state and local health regulations. 

Mold Mitigation and Remediation-  Work to control and remove mold contaminates while protecting the health and safety of those living in the home or occupying the building. 

Carpet and Hard Floor Cleaning-  We will use the latest IICRC training as well as state-of-the-art equipment to remove entrapped soils from deep within your carpets pile and backings.  Cleaners used are safe to be used in any home or business.

Stain Removal- Inspecting and reviewing the best option for cleaning the area that has been soiled.

Odor Identification and Deodorization-  Find the source of the odor and determine the best way to neutralize and eliminate the odor from your home.  

Heavy Rain Fall

5/9/2019 (Permalink)

Heavy rain fall can infiltrate a home or business very quickly. Most of the time it is a problem in the lower level or basement of a home or in a crawl space. Water can seep in under garage doors, around improperly sealed windows or through cracks in the cement foundation or walls. Water will always travel the least path of resistance.

If you find water where you don't want it and you don't know how to remove it we are here to help. SERVPRO has several different forms of extraction equipment and are here to help. It is very important to remove the water as soon as possible to prevent further wicking into the structure materials of the building. It can be difficult to remove with out the right equipment. This is where we come in. We will extract the standing water and then set drying equipment to remove moisture from the structure. Always remember to call right away when you see a problem for help.  Water is something you want to clean up right away so further problems don't occur.

Spring Weather

4/30/2019 (Permalink)

Spring weather can be unpredictable. Reduce injury risk and plan ahead.

Spring is the time of year when many things change—including the weather. Temperatures can swing back and forth between balmy and frigid. Sunny days may be followed by a week of stormy weather. Sometimes extreme weather changes can occur even within the same day. Mark Twain once said, "In the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six kinds of weather inside of four and twenty hours."

Thunderstorms cause most of the severe spring weather. They can bring lightning, tornadoes, and flooding. Whenever warm, moist air collides with cool, dry air, thunderstorms can occur. For much of the world, this happens in spring and summer.

Because spring weather is so unpredictable, you may be unprepared when severe weather hits—particularly if you live in a region that does not often experience thunderstorms, tornadoes, or flooding. And when severe weather hits unexpectedly, the risk of injury and death increases. So planning ahead makes sense; prepare for storms, floods, and tornadoes as if you know in advance they are coming, because in the spring, they very likely will.

Advance planning for thunderstorms, lightning, tornadoes, and floods requires specific safety precautions.

Often by the time we are aware of an approaching storm, we have little if any time to prepare for it.

Advance planning for thunderstorms, lightning, tornadoes, and floods requires specific safety precautions. You can follow many of the smae steps that you would for all extreme weather events. Keep an emergency kit on hand. Some items to include are:

• A battery-operated flashlight, a battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio, and extra batteries for both
• An anemergency action plan, including a map of your home and, for every type of severe weather emergency, routes to safety from each room
• A list of important personal information, including:
  • telephone numbers of neighbors, family, and friends
  • insurance and property information
  • telephone numbers of utility companies
  • medical information
• According to the American Red Cross a first aid kit may include:
  • non-latex gloves
  • assortment of adhesive bandages
  • antibiotic ointment
  • sterile gauze pads in assorted sizes
  • absorbent compress dressings
  • tweezers
  • scissors
  • adhesive cloth tape
  • aspirin packets (81 mg each)
  • first aid instruction booklet
    (NOTE: Customise your first aid kit to meet your individual and family needs.)
• A 3–5 day supply of bottled water and nonperishable food
• Personal hygiene items
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• An emergency first aid kit in your car

Prepare your family members for the possibility of severe weather. Tell them where to seek apropriate shelter as soon as they are aware of an approaching storm. Practice your emergency plan for every type of severe weather. Show family members where the emergency supplies are stored, and make sure they know how to turn off the water, gas, and electricity in your home.

Often by the time we are aware of an approaching storm, we have little if any time to prepare for it. But we do know that when spring arrives, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and floods are real possibilities. So why not take the surprise factor out of severe weather and prepare yourself, your family, and your home? If thunderstorms, tornadoes, and floods do occur, you'll be ready for them.

Prepare for Spring Weather

4/1/2016 (Permalink)

Spring weather can be unpredictable. Reduce injury risk and plan ahead.

Spring is the time of year when many things change—including the weather. Temperatures can swing back and forth between balmy and frigid. Sunny days may be followed by a week of stormy weather. Sometimes extreme weather changes can occur even within the same day. Mark Twain once said, "In the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six kinds of weather inside of four and twenty hours."

Thunderstorms cause most of the severe spring weather. They can bring lightning, tornadoes, and flooding. Whenever warm, moist air collides with cool, dry air, thunderstorms can occur. For much of the world, this happens in spring and summer.

Because spring weather is so unpredictable, you may be unprepared when severe weather hits—particularly if you live in a region that does not often experience thunderstorms, tornadoes, or flooding. And when severe weather hits unexpectedly, the risk of injury and death increases. So planning ahead makes sense; prepare for storms, floods, and tornadoes as if you know in advance they are coming, because in the spring, they very likely will.

Advance planning for thunderstorms, lightning, tornadoes, and floods requires specific safety precautions.

Often by the time we are aware of an approaching storm, we have little if any time to prepare for it.

Advance planning for thunderstorms, lightning, tornadoes, and floods requires specific safety precautions. You can follow many of the smae steps that you would for all extreme weather events. Keep an emergency kit on hand. Some items to include are:

• A battery-operated flashlight, a battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio, and extra batteries for both
• An anemergency action plan, including a map of your home and, for every type of severe weather emergency, routes to safety from each room
• A list of important personal information, including:
  • telephone numbers of neighbors, family, and friends
  • insurance and property information
  • telephone numbers of utility companies
  • medical information
• According to the American Red Cross a first aid kit may include:
  • non-latex gloves
  • assortment of adhesive bandages
  • antibiotic ointment
  • sterile gauze pads in assorted sizes
  • absorbent compress dressings
  • tweezers
  • scissors
  • adhesive cloth tape
  • aspirin packets (81 mg each)
  • first aid instruction booklet
    (NOTE: Customise your first aid kit to meet your individual and family needs.)
• A 3–5 day supply of bottled water and nonperishable food
• Personal hygiene items
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• An emergency first aid kit in your car

Prepare your family members for the possibility of severe weather. Tell them where to seek apropriate shelter as soon as they are aware of an approaching storm. Practice your emergency plan for every type of severe weather. Show family members where the emergency supplies are stored, and make sure they know how to turn off the water, gas, and electricity in your home.

Often by the time we are aware of an approaching storm, we have little if any time to prepare for it. But we do know that when spring arrives, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and floods are real possibilities. So why not take the surprise factor out of severe weather and prepare yourself, your family, and your home? If thunderstorms, tornadoes, and floods do occur, you'll be ready for them.

Content Credit CDC 2016.

Understanding Disaster

1/29/2016 (Permalink)

Hello, 

If you are here you most likely have had some form of property damage. While we hope no one ever has to go through a disaster or property loss, you are in good hands. SERVPRO Des Moines NW & Ames understands the unique challenges of property damage. When we say we will make it "like it never even happened." We truly mean it handling your loss and property and possessions with honor integrity and compassion. We know that this is not an ideal way to spend days and sometimes months getting you home and life back to normal. We here at SERVPRO of Des Moines NW strive to become the light in bad situation. 

The reality is that things happen and you can’t plan them and they happen at the worst possible time, at Christmas, during a Birthday Party or when you cant take much more. We here at SERVPRO understand that you need a reliable Contractor that is local but yet International as well.

When I say we understand this is what I mean. We will respect you, your property. We show up in a clean professional manner and will help you pick up the pieces in your time of need. So when Life and Property Damage happen call us at SERVPRO of Des Moines NW & Ames. 

Thanks, 

SERVPRO Des Moines NW & Ames.