Preventing Wind Damage in Wichita KS

8/20/2022 (Permalink)

Spring and summer storms in Kansas, bring the potential for severe thunderstorms, strong winds, and even tornadoes. Specifically, strong winds can cause trees to break and damaged shingles, which can compromise the safety of your home. According to FEMA, strong winds most commonly impact roofs, doors, windows, and garages. If you’ve lived here through the seasons in Kansas, you know that weather here can happen quick and without warning, there are several steps that you can take in order to protect your home from serious wind damage. 

Maintain Landscape and Trees 

Trees that surround your home can pose a big threat in a windstorm, the wind can cause tree branches to break off or the entire tree to fall, thus risking damage to your home if trees are located close enough. Being aware of how close trees and tree limbs are to your home and being sure to trim them if necessary is so important. One thing a lot of people don’t think about is over-watering trees, over-watering often results in shallow, weak root systems, facilitating the possibility of trees falling during gusty winds.  

Inspect the Roof 

Having your roof surveyed at least twice per year is ideal. We often don’t think about our roof condition until it’s too late. Watch for loose or missing shingles and water damage in the attic, as both can be signs of damage. Hiring a roofing professional to inspect your roof may also help in spotting underlying issues that can save your roof from further destruction during strong wind.  

Reinforce Windows and Doors 

Utilizing storm shutters on windows and doors can help protect them from flying debris caused by strong winds. There are many types of reinforcement such as storm shutters, plywood, and laminated security glass. If particularly strong wind is expected, garage door bracing kits can be purchased, which will help keep the garage door in place during the storm. 

If your home or business is affected by a storm, whether it's water damage, or reconstruction that is needed, give SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita a call day or night 316-684-6700. We will make it “Like it never even happened.” 

What Our New Employee Jamie Can Tell Us About Insurance

7/19/2022 (Permalink)

Home and business insurance can be a confusing and daunting process to understand. SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita recently added an amazing asset to their team, our new Marketing Rep Jamie Sigars. Jamie has worked in the insurance industry for many years. We asked her some of the top questions home and business owners have or should be thinking about insurance 

How often should you revisit your policy and coverages? 

The best rule of thumb is annually.  30 days prior to the next renewal.  There are multiple reasons.   

1. Each year your policy coverage increases due to the cost of labor and materials and claims history. As those costs fluctuate from year to year, your policy may have increased more or less than what you truly need.  

1. If you carry a deductible that is based on a percentage of your coverage, then that should be discussed annually. 

1. Any improvements should be discussed at the annual review.   

What should home and business owners know about roof coverage? 

First and foremost, never file a roof claim until a roofer has determined the cause of loss. If the damage is weather related; it should fall under a named peril in the policy. If the cause of loss is due to age, neglect, or product failure, it would not be covered by insurance.  Any claim, including a $0 paid out claim on record will increase your premium.   

Upgrades on your policy, how often should people upgrade, an estimated price to upgrade? 

Anytime there is a life change, increase in assets or improvements made to the home.   

I mention life change because the liability coverage on a homeowner’s policy follows the insured off of the property.  In today’s climate of easy lawsuits, protecting one’s assets is as easy as increasing the liability coverage on a homeowner’s policy for minimal cost.  Next best thing would be to purchase a Liability Umbrella policy.  

Sump-pump coverage, do we need it? Is it already a part of our standard policy?  

Sump-pump coverage (or also known as back-up of sewer & drain) is not a common standard coverage on all policies.  It is in most cases an elected endorsement.  Most homeowners choose to add it to a policy.  Sump-pump endorsement usually has its own limits and deductibles from the standard named peril. 

Are mold damage repairs covered by our insurance? 

Mold is rarely covered by a policy.  If a company should offer an endorsement for mold, I highly recommend adding it to the policy.   

Fine print of your policy, what do people usually miss? 

Truth..... It is all fine print....  

The best way to understand the policy is by conducting an annual review.  

Most insures never read the policy and don’t see these parts  

*Misuse and abuse  

*Can’t be liable to yourself 

*Named perils 

*Losses not covered 

*Neglect 

Here at SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita our employees are our best asset. Jamie has added such value to our team. We hope you take this information and look at your own insurance policy. We have seen so many circumstances where things were missed and now the homeowner is responsible for far more than they should be. Give SERVPRO a call at (316) 684-6700 if you experience a loss and need help with the next steps.   

Is My Water Loss Covered by Insurance?

7/7/2022 (Permalink)

Finding bursting pipes or a flood of water in your Wichita, KS home or business is a stressful experience, from having to get the mess cleaned, to trying to salvage your belongings, there are so many overwhelming things. Adding the worry about whether your insurance will cover water emergency restoration services is something that you should not have to do. Here are some tips for filing a successful insurance claim. 

Types of Water Damage Covered by Insurance 

Not all water damage is covered by your insurance. Typically, there will be at least some coverage for the following incidents: 

• Sump Pump Failure 
   

• Overflow 
   
• Storm damage 
   
• Sewer backup 
   
• Sudden discharge of water 
   
   

Gradual Damage 

Unfortunately, most insurance policies usually do not include coverage for gradual damage. Gradual damage includes harm caused by: 

• Damaged wires 
   
• Leaking pipes 
   
• Improper repairs 
   
• Basement or roof cracks  

There can be some exceptions to this rule. For instance, your policy may not cover the cost to fix broken pipe issues that leaked over time, but insurance may pay to repair or replace items in your home that were damaged by water from this pipe. There are so many factors that can play into what is and is not covered by insurance but take comfort in knowing that SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita will work closely with your insurance company. 

There are several things we recommend doing to reduce your chances of an insurance claim being denied in the future. Start by doing regular maintenance of your home, checking in crawl spaces, under cabinets, and being aware of any drastic changes to your water bill can really help you catch those small issues from causing gradual damage that insurance will not cover. Keeping detailed records of any repairs you do or any professionals you hire to work on the home will help you with insurance claims and who will be responsible. In addition, you should review your insurance policy and decide if you need to purchase any endorsements for additional coverage. Homeowners' insurance can cover a variety of water-related disasters, from bursting pipes to a toilet overflow. Give SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita a call if your home or business is affected by water damage (316) 684-6700.  

Do Your Baseboards Have A Purpose?

7/7/2022 (Permalink)

Working in the water damage industry, our technicians see everything. They also are the ones that remove everything when it gets affected by water. Taking off baseboards is always a tedious task if we are trying to save them, but depending on the material it is made from, salvaging it may not be possible. Baseboards are usually thought to be installed purely for aesthetic purposes, but you may be surprised to find out that they actually serve many purposes; 

• Baseboards help prevent the walls from getting damaged by moisture. Leaks, spills, and wouldn’t you know it, even mopping can cause the drywall to get wet if it isn’t properly protected. Dry wall is extremely porous and soaks up moisture quickly. Which adds to the drying time if you are affected by a water loss.  

• Baseboards also protect against physical damage, being a much stronger material than your dry wall.  

• With the correct installation, your walls should have slight spacing in some areas to allow for contraction during the changing temperature and moisture content. Baseboards help hide those gaps.  

You see baseboards everywhere and know you know what their purpose is! If your home or business experiences a water loss give SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita a call. We want to be your trusted, local, and always there company when you need us (316) 684-6700. 

The Kansas Wind And Power Lines

6/22/2022 (Permalink)

Kansas is known for its windy and ever-changing weather. Lately around Wichita we have been experiencing many windy days, with wind gusts up to 50 mph. With high winds on flat land, it can cause a lot of damage, including power lines getting downed. If you experience a power outage, here’s how to respond safely:  

• Find out whether the power outage is only within your home or if it's affecting others in your local neighborhood so you can make the most effective plan of action. You can go online on your phone to report it, so your electric company isn't overwhelmed with calls.  
• If the power outage was the result of a storm or other natural disaster, check your property for damage. Report any fallen power lines. Don’t touch or go near any fallen lines. This is extremely dangerous and can cause injury or worse. 
• Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as long as possible so your food stays cold. 
• Candles pose a fire hazard. So we recommend using battery-powered lights instead. 

The restoration technicians at SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita have helped homeowners recover from storm damage for over 20 years. Call 316-684-6700 if you experience storm damage to your home or business.  

Types of Damage Covered By Insurance

6/17/2022 (Permalink)

Finding bursting pipes or a flood of water in your Wichita, KS home is a stressful experience, from having to get the mess cleaned, to trying to salvage your belongings, there are so many overwhelming things. Adding the worry about whether your insurance will cover water emergency restoration services is something that you should not have to do. Here are some tips for filing a successful insurance claim. 

Types of Water Damage Covered by Insurance 

Not all water damage is covered by your insurance. Typically, there will be at least some coverage for the following incidents: 

• Sump Pump Failure 
   

• Overflow 
   
• Storm damage 
   
• Sewer backup 
   
• Sudden discharge of water 
   
   

Gradual Damage 

 
Unfortunately, most insurance policies usually do not include coverage for gradual damage. Gradual damage includes harm caused by: 

• Damaged wires 
   
• Leaking pipes 
   
• Improper repairs 
   
• Basement or roof cracks 
   
   

There can be some exceptions to this rule. For instance, your policy may not cover the cost to fix broken pipe issues that leaked over time, but insurance may pay to repair or replace items in your home that were damaged by water from this pipe. There are so many factors that can play into what is and is not covered by insurance but take comfort in knowing that SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita will work closely with your insurance company. 
 

There are several things we recommend doing to reduce your chances of an insurance claim being denied in the future. Start by doing regular maintenance of your home, checking in crawl spaces, under cabinets, and being aware of any drastic changes to your water bill can really help you catch those small issues from causing gradual damage that insurance will not cover. Keeping detailed records of any repairs you do or any professionals you hire to work on the home will help you with insurance claims and who will be responsible. In addition, you should review your insurance policy and decide if you need to purchase any endorsements for additional coverage. Homeowners' insurance can cover a variety of water-related disasters, from bursting pipes to a toilet overflow. Give SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita a call if your home or business is affected by water damage (316) 684-6700.  

Getting Kyle Back on his Foot

6/7/2022 (Permalink)

This is Kyle Roberston, Rodeana's Son.

If you have had the pleasure of working with our Marketer Rodeana, you know how truly selfless and compassionate she is. Rodeana treats her customers like family and is always ready to jump in on the job when she is needed. Now, Rodeana needs us, Rodeana’s son, Kyle Robertson, was involved in a nonfatal car-on-motorcycle accident on May 20th, 2022. Kyle was headed home from a night with some of his closest friends when he was hit from behind by a car not far from his house. 

After being rushed to the hospital, his injuries were so severe that he was immediately taken into surgery, where they had to amputate his right leg. Kyle is currently in recovery after two surgeries to help him adjust to a prosthetic. Taking on the medical bills and rehabilitation will be hard for Kyle and his family as they have a long road ahead of them with his recovery.  

The amount of people who are rallying together to support Kyle and his family is truly a testimony to the kind of people that they are. There are many ways that you can support them if you wish: 

• GoFund Me 
• Tattoo Flash Benefit @ Green Panther Tattoo in Derby on June 26th at 11:00 AM 

• Peg Leg Poker Run and Benefit 
   

Tornado Damage in Andover KS

6/7/2022 (Permalink)

Back in April a powerful tornado tore through the Wichita, Kansas, area Friday night, leveling dozens of structures in the city of Andover. Tornadoes can do severe damage to property in its path. This tornado was rated an EF-3 based on a preliminary damage survey from the National Weather Service in Wichita. SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita is here to help when disaster strikes, there are so many ways a tornado can affect your business or home, here are some of the most common tornado damages.  

Damaged Roofs: 

Tornadoes are sometimes powerful enough to lift the roof right off your home or business. This happens due to low pressure that builds up on the inside. When the combined interior low pressure and exterior high pressure surpasses the force exerted downward by the roof, it lifts and is swept away in the wind. Now not only do you have a roof that needs to be replaced but the interior of your home is susceptible to the elements.  

Shattered Windows and Glass Doors: 

The pressure difference between the inside and outside of a home in a tornado can also cause the windows and patio doors to shatter. The glass isn't able to hold up to the force being exerted on it. This type of tornado damage can occur miles away from the tornado itself. Flying debris can also cause broken windows and doors. 

Damaged Siding: 

Intense winds, flying debris and hail can cause damage to your siding. Paint can chip or discolor, vinyl siding can crack or dent, and trim can suffer considerable damage. In extreme cases, tornadoes can hurl large objects right through the walls of your home. 

 As always saving you and your family members’ lives is more important than preserving your home. If a tornado warning is issued for your area, you should take cover in the basement, cellar, or tornado shelter as quickly as possible. Give SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita a call for a trusted restoration company (316) 684-6700. 

Who to Call When A Fire Strikes

6/7/2022 (Permalink)

House fires are extremely tough to go through. Many belongings are destroyed, lives can lose a sense of normalcy, and the whole process is just overwhelming. SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita has been around taking care of fire restoration in Wichita and surrounding areas for over 20 years. Every fire is different and requires a unique approach to the clean-up process. Luckily, your local disaster restoration company should know the next steps for you and your home or business. When the fire is out, what is next? 

Know Who To Call 

1. Call Your Local Disaster Restoration Company. When the fire is out, the cleanup process should begin as soon as possible. Not only can SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita board up your home or business, extract any water that might have affected your property from pipe bursts or the fire department putting out the fire, but we can also clean and pack out your contents. We truly are a one stop shop, you can call our office day or night, and we will dispatch a team to walk you through the cleanup process we use to get you back to your preloss conditions. 
2. Call Your Insurance Company. Having insurance on your property is so important. We all think that it can’t happen to us, and then it does. SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita will work closely with your insurance company to ensure a seamless process. 

Your Local Cleanup and Restoration Company 

Dealing with the aftermath of a fire can be hard to navigate, your insurance company and your local restoration company should be at the top of the list of people to call. Call SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita at (316) 684-6700 if you want a company you can trust.  

Going Above and Beyond in Wichita KS

5/3/2022 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita customer service is at the core of ethos and work ethic. Our technicians exhibit excellent customer service because they deeply appreciate the stress and worry that comes with the emergencies we work to restore. Every disaster is an opportunity for us to go above and beyond what the customer expects. When one of our customers is experiencing a water or fire damage emergency, we want them to feel like they are calling a company they can trust.  

You can see this dedication in our online reviews. One example of this comes from a Google review written by a customer in Wichita, KS who was dealing with water damage in his home. Mark T. writes: 

 
"Big thank you to the folks at SERVPRO. Like most people I’ve never had to deal with a big flood at my house and had no idea what to do. The SERVPRO people took care of everything, sucked out the water, moved my stuff and set their equipment. They explained everything to me, and the customer service was just great, making me feel at ease. They took care of everything and connected me with a guy to help put back my pad and relay the carpet. 5/5 experience I would recommend them to everyone.” 

When you are experiencing a loss, know that SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita will be there as the company that you can call on, and that so many others in Wichita have trusted. Check out our reviews on Google to read it firsthand from our customers and call our 24/7 emergency line at 316-684-6700 if you need our help today.  

Natural Disaster Preparedness for your Business

3/30/2022 (Permalink)

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) states that around 40 percent of small businesses fail to reopen after being hit by a natural disaster. In Kansas, our weather is unpredictable and since we experience all four seasons there are even more opportunities for natural disasters of all kinds to affect our homes and businesses. While reopening a business after enduring a natural disaster is challenging and serious, there are precautions business owners can take to help keep their businesses up and running. 

Using a cloud-based storage system: 

When a flood, tornado, or fire hits, paper copies of insurance policies, invoices, contracts, and even tax documents can get lost or destroyed. Having those critical documents backed up can give you one less thing to worry about during the stress of a natural disaster.  

Create plans for your employees, vendors, and customers: 

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita offers your business an emergency ready plan, this plan highlights some of the biggest security and safety concerns in your business and allows you to take steps to avoid them altogether. These plans show where the water, sprinkler or gas shut offs are so anyone at your business can have access to that information.  

Run Multiple Drills: 

Practicing an emergency response could save a business thousands of dollars and be the determining factor between a successful recovery and failure to reopen.  

An emergency caused by a natural disaster can be hard to prep for, much less manage. Having steps in place to follow can help eliminate the unknown. SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita can handle any size disaster and has over 1,700 franchises we can call on for back up. Give us a call before disaster strikes and we will create your emergency ready plan as a free service to you and your business. 

Review your Insurance Coverage 

It is good practice to meet with your insurance agent to look into what your current coverage is and what gaps there might be. For example, having business disruption insurance can be invaluable if a disaster is so severe it interferes with your business's ability to operate. Or being underinsured may mean that valuable capital that your business needs to operate might not be able to be restored or replaced in the event of a disaster.

An emergency caused by a natural disaster can be hard to prep for, much less manage. Having steps in place to follow can help eliminate the unknown. SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita can handle any size disaster and has over 1,700 franchises we can call on for back up. Give us a call before disaster strikes and we will create your emergency ready plan as a free service to you and your business. 

Tips To Prevent Water Damage This Spring

3/25/2022 (Permalink)

The Kansas weather is always unpredictable. The last few months have been a rollercoaster, I think we have experienced all four seasons in the last couple of months. With Spring approaching, SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita has a few tips to help you prevent water damage in your home or business. 

1. Planning your Planting.

Plants and trees have their own agenda under the ground. They can cause trouble later if they are not placed in the correct areas of your yard.  The roots can grow right into your sprinkler system, drainage areas, pipes, and septic tanks. Always call “811 Dig Safe” to have them mark your underground utilities. 

2. Cleaning Out Your Roof Gutters.

Your gutters provide drainage for your home and help move water off the roof to prevent damage to your home or business. We recommend doing a thorough gutter cleaning 1-2 times per year. Keeping up with routine maintenance is extremely important because clogged gutters could create water damage, and potentially foundation damage from excessive buildup of water around the foundation of your home.  

3. Use a Drain Snake Instead of Unclogging Chemicals.

During your spring cleaning, cleaning your drains out might be on your to-do list. A lot of people will jump to using chemicals to clean out their drains, but that can be damaging to your pipes. Chemicals can corrode your pipes and cause leaks, which can lead to water damage and mold growth. A drain snake can physically removed obstructions with much less wear and tear on your plumbing. 

4. Never Pour Grease Down Your Sink.

After you cook pouring the grease down your sink can seem like no harm done, but whether you flush it down with hot or cold water, grease can still cling to your pipes and could even cause some severe damage and blockage. One tip is to save glass jars once they are empty and pour the grease into them until the jar is full.  

Water and flooding emergencies can happen any time, so SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita is ready 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – including holidays. Give us a call at (316) 684-6700.  

SERVPRO Named #8 Overall Franchise Opportunity

2/27/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has been recognized as one of the best overall franchise opportunities by Entrepreneur magazine. They base this decision on categories such as growth, brand power, and financial strength. SERVPRO was named the #8 overall franchise system, and #1 in the cleaning and restoration industry for the 19th consecutive year.  

Pat Butler, the owner of SERVPRO of Southwest, and Northeast Wichita began his franchise journey in 2001 and has since expanded. The opportunities and support that the SERVPRO brand has, has shown Pat and so many others the success that is possible.  

The past few years have been tough for many companies, through the strain that Covid-19 has put on everyone. SERVPRO, being a restoration company, was aligned with the help that has been needed in the world, such as storm clean-up and Covid-19 cleanings. But SERVPRO has also faced the labor shortage issues and have had our own difficulties hiring. We owe it to our team and the support from corporate to thank them for keeping the SERVPRO brand at the top.  

SERVPRO will continue to improve, innovate, and support. You can be sure you are working with the TOP company in the industry.  

Snow Storms In Wichita

2/9/2022 (Permalink)

Snow is no stranger to Wichitans, one of the great things about living in Kansas is getting to experience all four seasons. Winter can often be cold and bitter but when we get to see some snow with it, it makes the cold a little more bearable.

With cold weather comes frozen pipes, and potential wood stove home fires. These create jobs for SERVPRO to come in and help homeowners and businesses get back to their preloss conditions. While we love our job, we also love helping you by giving you tips to prepare your property so these damages can be prevented. These snowstorms can often pop up and we Midwesterners love to play the game of trust the weatherman or hope for the best? Our winters have been pretty mild in terms of freezes and snow accumulation the past few years. But as I am writing this blog on February 2nd, 2022, we have about 5-6 inches on the ground.

The snowfall extremes below were measured at Eisenhower National Airport, the most snow to land in one day at Wichita is 12.0 inches on January 18, 1962.

• 2.1 inches February 12, 2020
• 2.7 inches March 03, 2019
• 2.0 inches November 12, 2018
• 3.5 inches March 27, 2016
• 3.9 inches January 03, 2015
• 8.7 inches February 04, 2014
• 8.0 inches February 21, 2013
• 1.5 inches December 31, 2012
• 6.8 inches February 08, 2011
• 2.1 inches February 08, 2010

As always, be safe on the roads and take precautions in your home as bad weather comes through the ICT. We have many blogs with tips and tricks for you to check out and we will link a few below. Give SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita a call if you need our emergency services due to inclement weather (316) 684-6700.

• Frozen Pipe Prevention
• SERVPROs Act Together During a Storm Event in Wichita, KS       
• Handling Ice Dams After a Winter Storm

The Differences Between Commercial and Residential Restoration?

1/26/2022 (Permalink)

One of the greatest things about the SERVPRO franchise is our ability to be versatile in the industry. We offer both commercial and residential services and have the capabilities to handle any size of disaster. At SERVPRO we focus on training to make sure we can perform at the highest standard in both the residential and commercial setting. There are many different certifications in the restoration industry and some are even commercial or residential specific. 

There are many differences between commercial and residential restoration, including SERVPRO’s approach to the damage, and the customers priorities.  

With a lot of our commercial clients the main priority is getting their business back up and running. The cost may not be as big a factor as speed and efficiency. SERVPRO’s around the United States also lend each other help and equipment so even the largest losses can quickly be taken under control. No commercial job is too big for SERVPRO. We have commercial storm teams who have worked in the pentagon after 9/11, who have mobilized thousands of people to help on a single job.   

Residential restoration can have different priorities, residential customers are often looking to see how we can save them both money and time. We try and keep as many items and materials in your home as possible when restoring your property to help save costs and preserve your keepsakes. When a storm event happens and we have many residential customers that need to be serviced, we are able to call in many other franchises who can help take care of entire communities 

Whether you need our services for your home or business SERVPRO is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. From start to finish we will make it “Like it never even happened.”   

The Layers of Flooring

1/24/2022 (Permalink)

The different layers of flooring in your home or business can play an important factor in the drying process.

If your house is affected by a water loss, if the damage is substantial, it might require your flooring to be removed. When we start removing flooring , we will want to remove everything down to the subfloor to speed up drying. In some older homes we find that there is more then one layer to get down to the subfloor because new flooring had been installed over the old one instead of having the old flooring removed, in one instance we removed 5 layers of flooring. This can be problematic for several reasons: 

• One common issue is squeaks. Any movement in any layer can cause this issue, and the more layers, the more potential for this to happen.  
• Another common issue is floor height. When additional layers are added, this can cause doors not to close and trim to look short. Maybe a fridge that will no longer slide under that cabinet, or a stove that you can no longer make flush with the countertop. 

• When you nail or glue a new floor over the existing one it makes your new floor only as strong as the old one. If your old flooring fails, the new flooring will also be quick to follow.  
• Lastly if a water loss happens the restoration process can be lengtheir and more expensive.  

If your home or business experiences a water loss the best thing to do is act fast, the quicker you can get someone out to start the extraction and drying process the less severe the damage. The water damage process starts immediately and can quickly turn into a bigger problem, give SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita a call as we are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (316) 684-6700.  

Categories of Water Contamination and What That Means for Your Carpet

1/24/2022 (Permalink)

Contamination can also be reliant on time, call SERVPRO for fast, reliable service.

When a water loss strikes many elements affect what type of remediation can take place. The water that is needing removed and dried will have a level of contamination that comes into play on what we can save and what must be removed to keep your home or business sanitary. In this scenario we will be discussing how depending on that level of contamination if it is possible to save your carpet.

When it comes to the cleanliness of the water there are three levels that we here at SERVPRO follow for our protocol:

• Category 1: Clean and Sanitary. Typically comes from a sanitary source such as faucet, toilet tanks, drinking fountains, or water heaters.
• Category 2: Grey Water which can cause illness or discomfort if ingested. Typical sources are dish washers, washing machine overflows, flush from sink drains, or toilet overflows with urine (no feces)
• Category 3: Black Water is grossly unsanitary which could cause health effects if ingested. This includes sewer backups, flooding from rivers or streams, toilet overflow with feces, and stagnant liquid which has supported microbial growth.

These categories are also reliant on time, so a flood caused by a drinking fountain (Category 1 clean water) will become contaminated category 2 water after 48 hours. Another 24 hours after that it becomes a category 3 loss. The escalating level of these categories will largely affect what steps we take to ensure the job is done correctly.

With a category 1 loss, we are usually able to dry and save the carpet and pad unless there is a vapor barrier. The vapor barrier if not removed could cause mold and mildew.

With a category 2 loss we pull the pad and save the carpet. Once we dry the carpet, we spray our EPA registered disinfectant.

Finally with a category 3 loss we completely remove and dispose of the carpet and pad. In some instances, we must cut out the bottom portion of the walls if they got wet/contaminated.

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita will always be on site as quick as possible to avoid any further contamination caused by the water loss. Give us a call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at (316) 684-6700.

Staying Prepared: Storm Events in Wichita KS

1/3/2022 (Permalink)

Making a disaster supplies kit to keep in your home in case of a storm event is a great way to stay prepared.

Kansas weather, need I say more? Unpredictable is an understatement. Being prepared for storms is so important, when weather does strike having the items you need on hand will give you a peace of mind. We recommend creating a “disaster supplies kit” to keep stored for in your household in the event of an emergency.  

You will want to keep your kit stored in airtight plastic bags or containers. Here are a few items we suggest, that could help keep you safe: 

• First aid kit 
• Extra batteries 

• Water?(one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation) 
• Food?(at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food) 
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio  
• Flashlight 
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation) 

• Wrench or pliers (to?turn off utilities) 
• Manual can opener (for food) 
• Local maps 
• Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery 
• Whistle (to signal for help) 

Keeping these items on hand will keep you prepared for anything. If you have a basement or a bathroom that you go in case of a storm, storing these items there for easy access is recommended. As always, if your home or business is affected by a storm event give SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita a call (316) 684-6700. 

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita 20 Year Anniversary

12/27/2021 (Permalink)

Happy 20 Year Anniversary to SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita!

The 20-year anniversary of SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita marks an important milestone for the company, and for the franchise owner, Patrick Butler. Patrick moved to America from Ireland in 1989 and spent 11 years working in aircraft before starting his SERVPRO career. When SERVPRO started it was completely operated out of Patrick’s basement, since then they have grown into an 11,000 square foot office, warehouse, and workshop. 20 years ago, Patrick and his neighbor at the time, Craig McIlvain, had the drive and passion to get into business together, and bought a restoration franchise in the Wichita area. Craig partnered with Patrick for about 10 years, from 2001-2011 before selling his half to Patrick. 

 In 2015 Michael Butler followed in his father’s footsteps in joining the business after going to UNL and obtaining his degree in Political Science & Economics and then working in Lincoln for two years. In 2018 Michael took over as the Marketing Manager and has now stepped in as the General Manager. 

 2019 was a year that SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita really focused on growth and had their best year ever. In 2020 while a lot of businesses slowed down due to the pandemic the restoration industry really stayed steady and SERVPRO was able to add a new service line to their vast array of services, Covid-19 Cleanings. This service line took off and one SERVPRO franchise was able to get a contract with the Federal Government and worked with them during the pandemic to develop a protocol for all Covid-19 Cleanings. With this new service line SERVPRO started an all-new defensive pathogen cleaning program “Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.”  

In May of 2021 SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita expanded and bought the Southwest territory in Wichita. In obtaining more territories their goal is to increase sales and become the go-to restoration company in the Wichita area. Their building is located off of Oliver right next to Spirit Aerosystems, they needed this type of square footage to store their equipment as well as being able to store customers contents from fires that need to be in a secure location while they restore their home or business.  

SERVPRO franchises are in the business of helping people, this includes helping people that are affected by disasters, and helping other franchises. There is a network of over 1,700 franchises that are willing and able to travel to assist one another, so no job is too big. Recently SERVPRO has added construction into their extensive list of services to provide a more streamlined process for the customer. From start to finish we will make it “Like it never even happened.”  

Frozen Pipe Prevention

12/16/2021 (Permalink)

Keep these tips in mind during the colder weather to prevent frozen pipes.

Even though we have had a pretty warm winter for Kansas so far, when the temperatures do end up dropping, the risk of your pipes freezing and bursting increases. I used to hold off on turning on our heater for as long as possible in the winter, but now that I know burst pipes are one of the most common causes of property damage during frigid weather and can cause thousands in water damage, no thank you.  

The pipes most likely to freeze are usually those in unheated interior spaces such as basements, attics, and garages. But even pipes running through cabinets or exterior walls can freeze. The good news is there are some simple things you can do to keep your water running and your house dry. 

• Open your kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing especially at night.  

• Let water drip from the faucet, running water through the pipe, even at a trickle helps prevent freezing.  
• Turn the heat on in your home if you plan to be away during cold weather.  
• Keep your garage doors closed. 
• Add insulation around pipes to areas that are unheated especially within in the first 2 feet that pipes go from inside to outside.  

If the temperature outside drops below freezing, your pipes might be at risk of bursting. SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita is available if disaster strikes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please give us a call (316) 684-6700.  

Christmas Tree Fire Safety

12/8/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita is available on Holidays too! (316) 684-6700

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Time for Christmas lights, holiday baking, and a good ole Douglas Fir. Real Christmas trees can pose a fire threat to your home when not properly set up or cared for. According to the NFPA while Christmas tree fires may not be very common, when they do occur, they are more likely to be serious due to the rate of which it can catch flame and spread. Below are some great tips on where to place your tree in your home and tips on lighting safety.  

Where Should I Place My Tree?   

• At least three feet away from any heat source, such as fireplaces, candles, heat vents, or lights.  

• Make sure your tree doesn’t block an exit or entrance to a room. 
• Be sure to add water daily 

Lighting Safety! 

• Be sure to shut off lights before leaving your house or going to sleep.  
• Use the correct voltage of lights, some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use.  

• Never use lit candles to decorate on or around your tree.  
• Always replace worn or broken cords and bulbs as soon as possible.  

Almost one third of every home Christmas tree fire is caused due to an electrical problem. Follow these tips to hopefully stay in the clear this Holiday season. Remember that SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita is available 24/7/365 including Holidays. Give us a call at (316) 684-6700. 

We’re Hiring for a Production Technician/Crew Chief!

11/26/2021 (Permalink)

Apply now at https://www.SERVPROofnortheastwichita.com/careers

Does helping people get through tough situations appeal to you?  

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita is looking for people who can help get emergency situations under control. We are a disaster restoration company which works with people every day to bring their home or building back under control after things go wrong. Every day is a new challenge so while you will learn the skills and techniques necessary to tackle emergencies. You will have to apply them in different ways.  

This is a job for someone who likes to work independently, who likes to problem solve and work with their hands. There is plenty of opportunities to make as much money as you want, and we have a clear path of development from technicians’ levels 1-4 into crew chief 1-4.  

We are a national franchise that is locally owned and operated so we have the leeway of a local company with all the resources, technology, and expertise of a national company. For example, with storms on the rise we often have opportunities to follow major storm events and help people out of state which is coordinated at the national level.  

Job Description:? 

Respond to service calls as needed. Perform services as assigned, following SERVPRO®?production guidelines. Communicate with the crew chief to make sure all customer needs are met. Support crew chief and other production personnel, as needed. Clean and maintain vehicles, equipment, warehouse, and office areas, as needed. 
 

Responsibilities:? 

• Inventory and load the work vehicle with equipment, products, and supplies needed for each project 
• Maintain a clean and organized vehicle and clean equipment appearance 
• Prepare rooms/areas for work activities 
• Set up staging area and equipment for each project 

• Leave job site with a clean and orderly appearance 
• Perform production processes following SERVPRO®?production guidelines per work order per crew chief directions 
• Ensure clear two-way communication with crew chief and other technicians (especially regarding customer needs and concerns) 
• Perform end-of-day/end-of-job cleanup and breakdown to leave job site with a clean and orderly appearance 
• Understand and follow safety and risk management guidelines on the job site, in the office, and while traveling 

Qualifications: 

• Effective oral communication 
• Experience in cleaning/restoration preferred 
• High school diploma/GED 
• IICRC certifications preferred 

• Ability to travel locally and out of state as necessary 
• Ability to successfully complete a background check subject to applicable law 
• Ability to work with technology 
• Valid Drivers License  

Physical and Work Environment Requirements: 

• Ability to regularly lift 50 pounds and ability to lift up to 100 pounds with assistance 
• Walking and standing for long periods of time, driving, sitting, climbing, 
• Ability to climb ladders and work at ceiling heights 
• Ability to work in tight spaces (e.g., crawls spaces under buildings) 

• Repetitive pushing/pulling/lifting/carrying objects 

Production Technician Pay Rate: $15 

Crew Chief Pay Rate: $16-20 

To apply please visit https://www.SERVPROofnortheastwichita.com/careers 

All employees of a SERVPRO® Franchise are hired by, employed by, and under the sole supervision and control of an independently owned and operated SERVPRO® Franchise. SERVPRO® Franchise employees are not employed by, jointly employed by, agents of, or under the supervision or control of SERVPRO Industries, Inc., the Franchisor, in any manner whatsoever. 

Wichita SERVPRO Sends A Firefighter to the First Responder Bowl

11/19/2021 (Permalink)

Shawn Hayes of the Wichita Fire Department was nominated by SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita and came in second place for the First Responder Bowl.

The SERVPRO First Responder Bowl is a national sponsorship that falls under our First Responder Program. Every year each SERVPRO franchise, which there are over 1,700 of in the U.S and Canada, are invited to nominate a First Responder that they believe has gone above and beyond in their line of duty. The First Responder that is chosen to win is flown out to Dallas, TX to watch the game and be honored at halftime.  

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita nominated Fire Fighter Shawn Hayes of the Wichita Fire Department. The award committee at the Wichita Fire Department sent in some of his truly exceptional dedications, we have included some excerpts below.  

“It is with great pleasure we nominate Firefighter Shawn Hayes for the F1rst Responder Bowl. Firefighter Hayes has clearly distinguished himself as an exceptional member of the Wichita fire Department; willing to go above and beyond the standard expected in his duties.? He has constantly, and without fail, demonstrated what it is to truly be a member of Wichita’s Bravest. He serves not only the community but also those he works alongside, with the highest esteem. Firefighter Hayes consistently has a positive and enthusiastic attitude which is contagious and often emulated by his peers. His commitment to bettering himself and representing the WFD in high regard is infectious and makes others also want to improve. 

Firefighter Hayes is a critical member of Rescue Company 1 where he has excelled and is highly relied upon and respected by his superiors. One admirable example would be his commitment to the Technical Rescue Team and his desire to improve himself and his fellow crew members on multiple levels. In 2020, the Special Operations Division began the extensive and strenuous task of revamping and improving certain areas and disciplines within the team. One of those areas was a complete overhaul of the dive program under the direction of Battalion Chief Winton. Due to the extremely dangerous nature of “black water diving,” it was necessary to bring the Rescue Company up to speed on the latest techniques and equipment. Firefighter Hayes volunteered for this daunting task without hesitation. In 2021, he began training to be a dive master and quickly obtained his Dive Master certification through PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructor).? He then quickly began studying to obtain his Dive Instructor Certification through Dive Rescue International for Public Safety. This is an extremely high-intensity program that includes hundreds of hours of pre-work before attending the classes. In addition, he trains new dive team members to obtain their First Responder Dive Certifications per NFPA standards, maintains dive equipment, and helps with training including working on new standard operating procedures all Rescue dive members adhere to. Firefighter Hayes provides continuing education hours to current dive team members and commands dive operations at alarm scenes.  

Firefighter Hayes is no stranger to rescues both in water and on land.? Firefighter Hayes was involved in a swift-water rescue where it was reported there was a person inside a submerged vehicle in the middle of the river.? Firefighter Hayes geared up in full swift-water gear with his equipment and proceeded out to the vehicle in frigid water, where he found an occupant in the driver’s seat. He proceeded to remove the occupant from the car then drag and swam the patient to the river bank where emergency crew members were staged.? The patient, who was on leave from the military, was transported to the hospital in critical condition. With the quick actions from Firefighter Hayes, the patient was able to make a full recovery, returning to active duty within days of being submerged in ice-cold water.  

Firefighter Hayes’ career is definitely not limited to the water though, his career has involved multiple civilian rescues from fires as well.? Some of his rescues include an intentionally set mobile home fire in which the citizen was suffering a mental health crisis and was attempting suicide.? Upon entry, Firefighter Hayes encountered heavy smoke conditions but managed to find the patient who was coherent but screaming at and fighting the crew.? Firefighter Hayes and his Lieutenant were able to rescue the patient from the structure. The citizen survived despite her injuries. 

 ?Firefighter Hayes’ most intense rescue occurred in 2020.? As a member of Rescue 1, Hayes responded first due to a house fire with a report of people trapped.? On arrival Engine 4 reported heavy fire showing from the home and an aggressive search of the structure was immediately performed.? On entry, Hayes described conditions as “thick dirty smoke, zero visibility with high heat conditions.”? Firefighter Hayes made contact with a victim approximately 10 feet inside the bedroom door.? He reported he had a victim, then began to drag her to the exit as Engine 4 was keeping the fire in check to protect the search crew and victim.? Once the victim was outside the house, Firefighter Hayes and the members of Rescue 1 began life-saving measures until the patient could be transferred by EMS.? Following the transfer of the patient to EMS, he and the members of Rescue 1 reentered the structure to finish their primary search for additional victims. ?The efforts resulted in the patient surviving her injuries.?  

In February 2021, Firefighter Hayes was again involved in the rescue of a citizen from a house fire.? An occupant reported there was someone inside but would not give specific information as to where in the structure the victim was located.? Firefighter Hayes and the crew of Rescue 1 assumed search and began working to locate the victim.? The home was an excessive storage house with thick smoke throughout.? Since the fire was located in the front room, Firefighter Hayes along with members of Rescue 1, had to overcome extreme conditions to begin their search of the bedrooms.? Hayes found the victim inside a bedroom and was able to drag her to safety.? Unfortunately, the victim passed away from her injuries despite the all-out effort given by Rescue 1 crew.? Firefighter Hayes was directly involved in the success of a wind-driven fire March 29, 2021, during off-duty hours, when a fire broke out in a duplex near his home. Hayes responded to the alarm and assisted E16 by pulling a 5” supply line and stretching it over 200’ to a hydrant. He utilized his leadership skills by encouraging several civilians to assist him in this task. Firefighter Hayes then assisted the on-scene Battalion Chief in the command vehicle by keeping track of assigned units during the fire.? 

Firefighter Hayes is also involved in multiple fire schools including Wichita Hands-on Training and Labette County Fire School. His non-wavering commitment to serving others and selflessness, doing so with integrity and honor, sets him apart. ?Firefighter Hayes’ distinguished and exemplary actions are why he is being nominated for the F1rst Responder Bowl. 

Firefighter Hayes came in second place, and we are so proud! SERVPRO Corporate is awarding him a trophy and providing tickets and a hotel room for him to attend the bowl game and enjoy himself. SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita will be partnering with the Wichita Fire Department to put on a celebration to acknowledge this amazing award. Here at SERVPRO being involved with our local First Responders is extremely important to us and we are so excited to have a local Firefighter represent Wichita at the bowl game.  

SERVPRO Stove and Oven Safety

11/1/2021 (Permalink)

Fires in your oven can create a smoky smell in your home, call SERVPRO for odor removal services (316) 684-6700.

As the Holidays approach, yes, I said Holidays, can you believe it?! More and more people are cooking on their stoves for their families and the office potluck. Here at SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita we have seen our fair share of stove fires and thought what a better way to be there for you now, then to give you some tips on oven safety, so you don’t have to call us later.

Before each use, do an oven safety check.

1. Be sure you do not smell gas leaking from a gas stove. If you do, open a window, and leave the room.
2. Make sure there is nothing in the oven. An oven should never be used for storage.
3. Make sure that there are no food particles or grease residue on the stove top.
4. Position your oven racks before pre-heating to prevent scalding.

Be sure to follow safety guidelines when using stove top burners.

1. Use the back burners as much as possible
2. Make sure the pot fits on the burner properly and isn’t too large or too small.
3. If you take the pot off the burner, be sure to shut it off and not leave it on.
4. If the burner is hot make sure the pot is not empty.
5. Make sure the handle of the pots are not in a position that they can be easily hit.

These are just a few tips in the oven safety world, of course be careful and never leave your stove unattended. If you do experience a fire in your home, please give SERVPRO a call, we will work hard to restore your items before recommending replacement. We also offer odor removal and deodorization due to smoke from fires in your home or business.  We are 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so you can call us when you need us (316) 684-6700.

Woofstock 2021

10/25/2021 (Permalink)

Cash and Zoey love tagging along to our events!

Here at SERVPRO our dogs are like family, and we all have a special place in our hearts for the dogs that might not have their special home yet. That is why we love supporting the Kansas Humane Society and their amazing event, Woofstock.

Woofstock is the Kansas Humane Societies largest individual fundraiser that helps them provide care for over 16,000 animals every year. This event is family-friendly and dog-friendly, and they always have wonderful live music, food trucks, vendors, freebies, and games. My favorite event each year is the costume contest, there is just something about seeing a dog dressed as a taco that brings me joy.  This year was the 25^th anniversary and they went all out. It’s amazing to see the time and thought that goes into these events.

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita is happy to have been a sponsor and we can’t wait for next year!

Add Us On Social Media!!

10/7/2021 (Permalink)

Follow us on Facebook for daily tips!

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita is on a variety of social media sites. We post to educate the local Wichita area about fire, water, mold, and general cleaning. Following us is easy, free, and might help save you in the future. We often share educational tips daily to help your home or business.

The great thing about following us is if you don’t have time to call you can send us a message on these platforms and ask questions about any water, fire, or mold issues you might have. We also post our crew members so you can see the team behind the green and get to know our staff. If you like to have a laugh, we post funny videos and photos and never shy away from a good joke or two.

We want to be your friend, family, and emergency contact.

You can find us on:

Facebook: @SERVPROofnortheastwichita

Instagram: @SERVPRO_of_wichita

Twitter: @SPNEWichita

Linked In: @SERVPRO-of-northeast-wichita

Tik Tok: @SERVPRO_of_wichita8798

How Does It Look To Recover From Storm Damage?

9/30/2021 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita a call when a storm cause a water loss and we will be there to help and get you back to preloss conditions.

For 20 years SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita has been working on homes during large storm events helping people recover from water damage in their homes and businesses. Doing remediation and mitigation for so long gives us a huge well of experience to work from but many people who have not had this issue have no idea what goes into recovering from water damage caused by an intense storm.

So we have decided to break down how the water mitigation process looks from our side to maybe give you some insight on what it takes to make it “Like it never even happened.” We are going to walk through a fictional water loss where a sump pump failed causing the basement to flood.

First Notice of Loss

The first step of a water loss for us is getting the phone call from the customer and this is where we take down all the necessary information from the customer. You can imagine that information like the customer’s name, address, contact information is taken down but some more specific questions are:

•         Is this a finished basement?
•         How many rooms are affected?
•         Has the sump pump been replaced or repaired? (has the source been stopped)
•         How much content is in the basement?
•         What kind of flooring is in the basement?
•         Are you planning on filing an insurance claim?

Once we collect that information, we try to schedule a time for work to begin as soon as possible our goal is to be on-site within 4 hours although we normally are there within 1. Typically, either an estimator goes out to give the customer the scope of work and an estimate of cost or we send out a crew to get started immediately. In this example, the customer has filed an insurance claim and wants us to start immediately.

Arriving at the Customers Home

Our crew, normally 2-3 people, arrives at the customer’s house in one of our beautiful green work trucks with everything we need to get to work! Our crew chief will walk the loss with the customer using our tools of the trade to help us evaluate what has been affected. Oftentimes people don’t realize how much carpet has been affected or even that water can soak up into drywall from the floor.

Once our crew chief has the entire loss scoped out, they explain the process to the customer and get documents signed so the work can begin. The work normally follows this process:

•         Bring down our portable water extractor to begin extracting
•         As one technician extracts the other technicians move and block furniture to protect the carpet and furniture from damage
•         Even after all the flooring has been extracted the floor will still be wet
•         In basements with carpet, we will pull back the carpet and remove the pad since this scenario is a Category 2 loss
•         Before laying the carpet back down we will spray the backside of the carpet and the concrete with an antimicrobial that kills bacteria, helps prevent mold, and stops odor.
•         We also spray the top side of the carpet
•         Normally this process requires us to move all the furniture to one side of the room and then the other side to get all the pad if the whole room is affected.
•         At this point, our crew chief has entered the dimensions and affected rates of each room into our program DryBook which calculates exactly how many air movers and dehumidifiers we need to most efficiently dry the customer’s home.
•         We set equipment as needed to dry down the floors and walls

 At this point, the work is down for the day. Sometimes baseboards, doors need to be detached or drywall needs to be demo’d but that is a case by case basis. The job is not complete yet though because the drying equipment needs time which is normally around 3 days.

After Day 1

So now the first day of work has been completed, excess water has been extracted, antimicrobial has sanitized the flooring, and drying equipment has been running steadily. Our crew chief will talk to the customer before leaving and setting up a time to come back tomorrow to check on the drying. On average it takes about three days to dry out a customers home which looks like:

•         Day 1 Monday-Tuesday
•         Day 2 Tuesday – Wednesday
•         Day 3 Wednesday -Thursday

So we will come back Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday to take readings of your atmosphere, the moisture content of the walls and floors, and to make sure the equipment is operating efficiently. Often when our employee is checking a job they will move equipment around to focus on the wettest areas and even remove equipment as more materials dry.

Every day they are recording their readings into DryBook for both the home’s moisture content and atmospheric readings. As those become better and better the home is drying until we have reached the point where everything in the home is within dry standard and all the equipment has been removed.

Once Everything is Dry

Now that everything is dry the big question is what is next? Well throughout this process we have thoroughly documented the loss and the process of drying the customer’s home down. We have before pictures, mitigation pictures, and post-mitigation pictures as well as all the readings our technicians took and the measurements of everything we removed in DryBook.

 We create an estimate based on all that information and share that with the customer and the insurance company. With most insurance companies we have agreements on pricing and procedure in place so the customer does not need to worry about anything about our process and insurance paying.

 In this scenario, the only thing we removed was the carpet pad so now the pad needs to be replaced and the carpet needs to be re-stretched onto the tack strip. We have contractors who can do that for the customer or if the customer has their own preference (say for example they buy their own pad and the store offers free installation). Once the carpet is put back we often come back to do a carpet cleaning to put a ribbon on the whole process.

 At this point, the process has been completed. Insurance has covered our bill, the customer has paid their deductible, and has been made whole. Normally we have multiple projects like these going on at a time as well as fire, mold, biohazard, and duct cleaning.

If you experience flooding in your basement from a storm, broken pipe, or anything else the best thing to do is to give us a call first. We can come out, evaluate what needs to happen, give you a price and help you and your insurance company figure out whether filing a claim is the right move for you. Our 24/7 emergency line is (316) 684-6700 and is always answered by one of our knowledgeable managers.

SERVPRO at Picklepalooza 2021

9/24/2021 (Permalink)

Pat the Lucky Leprechaun loves to come by the events SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita gets involved in!

Senior Services is a private nonprofit which helps people aged 55 and older continue to be independent and living in their own homes with the proper support and services. Senior Services provides many programs in the Wichita area including, senior employment opportunities, meals on wheels, roving pantry, and in-home support services. SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita has been involved in the Meals on Wheels program for the last year. Michael and Rodeana deliver meals to the seniors on their route every Monday.

The Meals on Wheels program provides a delivered, hot, nutritious meal to homebound people aged 60+ each weekday. More than just a meal, the program provides a friendly, familiar face at the doors of homebound people every day, Michael and Rodeana have built lasting relationships and look forward to seeing their seniors each week.

This year Senior Services put on an amazing event, Picklepalooza. This event was one of the largest fundraisers for Senior Services, as it supports all their major programs in Wichita, like Meals on Wheels, Roving Pantry, Senior Employment program and more. Picklepalooza is a community festival celebrating the love for all things pickleball, this sport has been a part of Senior Services for many years as they were one of the first places to play pickleball in Wichita. SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita got involved and we were a court sponsor as well as had a team play for this incredible event.

Senior Services of Wichita is currently seeking volunteers to deliver meals.  At the peak of the pandemic, they were so happy to have numerous people step up.  This year because of many events and just life being rescheduled from the pandemic they have lost a lot of volunteers.   Most days they have 10 - 20 open routes with staff members taking up to 3 at a time.  If you are interested in getting involved, please put in your application using this link!

How SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita Can Help Your School

9/10/2021 (Permalink)

Give SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita a call and we will come inspect the ducts at your school to determine the best plan of action (316) 684-6700.

School looked very different for most people last year. Kids were taking classes online, switching to homeschooling, and doing a hybrid of in-person and over zoom. This year most schools are back to a semi-normal routine, and we are all taking the precautions needed to keep the kids and faculty as safe as possible. SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita offers a variety of services to help with this.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned

SERVPRO can perform the necessary bioremediation to clean, disinfect and sanitize Wichita and surrounding area schools from the Delta Variant of Covid-19. SERVPRO uses EPA approved products and follows the CDC guidelines for cleanup practices.

Duct Cleaning

Ventilation systems are often the biggest culprit in poor indoor air quality. We often don’t think about having the ducts cleaned in our home or business until things have gotten bad. If the HVAC has been operating for some time without attention, it could be circulating harmful contaminant and micro-organisms. In a school where there are hundreds and sometimes thousands of people a day coming in and out having the air ducts cleaned could help immensely. When you have your air ducts professionally cleaned it has many benefits:

1. Creates a Cleaner Environment
2. Reduces Allergens and Irritants
3. Removes Unpleasant Smells and Odors
4. Improves Air Flow Efficiency

Give us a call today and we can talk more about the options we offer to help protect your students and faculty (316) 684-6700.

Get to know the people of SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita- OWNER EDITION

8/24/2021 (Permalink)

Patrick Butler, the owner of SERVPRO of Northeast and Southwest Wichita.

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita has been locally owned and operating for over 20 years.  The owner, Patrick Butler sat down with me to answer some questions regarding being a franchise business owner and the restoration business.

1. What’s the biggest factor that has helped you be successful?

In three words “The SERVPRO System”

To expand on that, what I mean is everything from the corporate trainer’s, encouragement, asking the right questions, and how other SERVPRO owners bounce ideas off each other. The community.

2. What was the craziest/most memorable job SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita has ever done?

Koch Industries, it was a 9-story building duct cleaning. Every day, 26 people, 23 nights, and no breaks. We started work at 6pm and finished at 7 am every morning.  There were 19 HVAC handlers. We covered everything with plastic to protect the items. We partnered with the corporation of SERVPRO of Boulder Co, Eric Olson.  

3. What is your favorite part of being in the restoration business?

The randomness of it, the unpredictability. You never know when the phone is going to ring, and you have a huge job in front of you. The Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon calls and someone’s basement flooded, this job allows you to help and take care of people that need it and make their day a lot better.

4. If you could start all over again, what would you do differently?

Get out of production much faster as an owner, and nurture the employees in the positions, be more patient, and have a bigger team of knowledgeable people who have been in the business

Top Causes of House Fires

8/18/2021 (Permalink)

Always be sure to keep candle flames at least a foot away from flammable materials.

When owing or renting your home there is always a potential for unforeseen circumstances, known as “Named Perils” in the insurance world.  Accidental fires are at the top of that list, while the correct insurance can help with coverage if a fire were to happen, the best circumstance would be to prevent the fire in the first place. If your home or business is affected by a fire, SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita handles cleanup and content storage. We are here to help 24/7/365.  Below are the top 5 reasons for house fires provided by the NFPA and how to help prevent them.

#5 Candles

Candles are common in most homes and can be dangerous if left unattended. Lit candles can be knocked over by animals, kids, or even adults by accident. You will want to keep candle flames at least a foot or more away from any materials that might ignite.

#4 Smoking

Smoking in your home can cause the potential for igniting fires from cigarette butts dropped on carpeting, furniture, or other flammable materials. Fires from cigarettes and smoking materials cause nearly 1,000 deaths and 3,000 injuries each year in the U.S., according to the National Fire Protection Association. All it takes is a single ash to ignite something on fire. If you must smoke try to do it outside whenever possible or over a sink while using an ashtray.

#3 Electrical Fires

Electrical faults in home wiring cause many fires in homes each year. Older wiring systems can be prone to short circuits and overloading. Most current and properly installed electrical systems are very safe and usually have built-in protective features.

#2 Heating Appliances

Kansas winters can get extremely cold, most homes and offices will get space heaters to help keep things warm. If fabrics or other combustibles are left too close to the appliances this can easily cause a fire. Never leave your house with a heater running, and make sure flammables are kept away from the heaters.

#1 Cooking Related Fires

Cooking fires are among the most common types of house fires. Most kitchen fires happen because food is left cooking unsupervised. Around 49% of all residential fires are caused by cooking incidents. Never leave the kitchen unattended when cooking in oil or when cooking a food that produces grease. Make sure when storing portable appliances, they are cool to the touch.

If your home in Wichita is affected by smoke or fire damage give us a call so we can start making it “Like it never even happened.” at (316) 684-6700.

Cleaning Your Wichita, KS Home After a Fire-Dry Sponges

8/16/2021 (Permalink)

We are Here to Help. Call us for your fire damage needs (316) 684-6700!

The aftermath of a fire can be tempting to start the cleanup on immediately, our first recommendation is to start with calling a professional in to provide expert knowledge and advice. SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita has been in the fire restoration business for over 20 years and has the expertise and experience to provide you with the tools you need to restore your home or business back to preloss conditions as quickly as possible.

 The type of surface you are cleaning will determine the method used and the tools needed. One of the tools we use on a fire job is our Dry-Cleaning Sponge sometimes these types of sponges are called “chem sponges” but this isn’t accurate as they don’t have any chemicals infused in them dry or wet. The Dry-Cleaning Sponge is used to clean smoke residues from surfaces. The sponge is for non-greasy residues and clean better on flat nonglossy surfaces, with firm pressure, friction, and absorption the sponge cleans with no chemical products. Like in the picture, we have extendable poles which allow us to easily sponge every surface in a property, it’s pretty thorough work. Dry-cleaning is the best option when wet cleaning may not be possible. Cleaning soot with water, or with over the counter cleaning agents can set the soot stain, but our products (not chemicals) are specifically made to remove soot. Unfortunately, not every kind of soot and smoke damage can have the stain removed. In that case we still clean do what is called “prep to paint” where we clean the walls to prepare them to be painted. This is done because if you didn’t clean the soot off the wall before painting it, the soot would eventually bleed through the new paint and the odor of the fire would linger.

Call SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita for your fire damage (316) 684-6700. We are available 24/7/365.

Weather Alerts and What They Mean

8/13/2021 (Permalink)

We are available 24/7/365 for your storm damage emergencies. Call us at (316) 684-6700.

Kansas weather…. Nuff said, right? Kansas weather is extremely unpredictable and often when the weather channel gives us an alert, we can be unaware of what it means and what precautions we should be taking. The National Weather Service uses the words “advisory”, “watch”, and “warning” to alert us when possible bad weather is on the way.

Advisory

Advisories are for less serious conditions than warnings. An advisory is issued when hazardous weather event is occurring, or probable. 

Watch

“Watch” mean’s watch out for that the weather “could” do and be prepared for if something does take place. It essentially means that the weather event is not an immediate threat but to be aware and look for signs. A watch is more serious than an advisory but less serious than a warning.

Warning

A “warning” means that the weather event is occurring, and you need to take shelter as soon as possible. A warning is the most serious alert.

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita can help you after a major storm event. If your home or business experiences a water or fire loss after a storm event, contact us at (316) 684-6700. We are available 24/7/365.

How To Protect Your Wichita KS Business from Mold

8/10/2021 (Permalink)

No job is too big! Call us today 316-684-6700.

When running a business there are so many things to be aware of, and mold is one that should not be ignored. Mold not only can damage your building, but it could also pose possible health effects for your employees and your customers or cause odors and poor perceptions of the cleanliness of your business. There are many factors that could cause mold, but mold usually results from excessive water moisture that isn’t remediated properly. Mold flourishes in warm, humid areas especial with low air flow.

Some types of molds can grow very fast, sometimes within a matter of a few days. If mold is not dealt with, it could possibly cause many health effects in employees and customers. The CDC also provides a lot of helpful information on this topic.

Mold comes in many different colors, some of the most common colors of mold are:

• Green Mold
• Black Mold
• Puple Mold
• White Mold
• Blue Mold
• Yellow Mold

Here are a few tips to help keep mold out of your Wichita KS business:

• Clean up leaks right away
• Install proper ventilation
• Monitor your humidity levels
• Avoid bleach

If mold is present in your business give us call, with access to other franchises around the country no job is too big. (316) 684-6700.

Water Spigot Tips for your Wichita Home

7/26/2021 (Permalink)

The portion of the pipe that will freeze and bust open is the portion that is not visible from the outside of your home.

If you own a home, it is more than likely that you have at least one outdoor faucet. With outdoor faucets, it’s important to remember to remove your garden hoses at the end of the season, close the inside shut-off valve(s) and drain the faucet fixture before it freezes. Spigots are installed at an angle so that the water drains out after your shut it off. If the spigot was installed incorrectly then you might end up having a big problem on your hands when winter rolls around.

Water expands when it freezes, in fact ice takes up nearly 10% more space than the same amount of liquid water does. In the case of a water pipe, the pipe is already full when water is in a liquid state, so there is no room for expansion if the temperature drops low enough for the water to freeze. Once the water in the pipe freezes the ice must go somewhere and when it does it causes the pipe to burst, usually without your knowledge. The pipe portion of the water spigot is located within the siding and the walls of your home and when the pipe bursts it is not visible from the outside. So, the next time you turn your water spigot on the water pressure might be a little lower and you think nothing of it, when in reality water is pouring from the burst in the pipe and going into your home.

An outdoor water faucet is particularly vulnerable to the cold, so it is extremely important to prep your water faucets for the winter. The heat from your home that is transmitted through the pipes most likely will not be enough to protect your outdoor faucet. Here are some tips to help prevent a watery disaster from striking in the middle of winter.

• Close the shut-off valve for the faucet.

From the inside of your home or building, close the shut-off valve that controls the flow of water to the outdoor faucet(s).

• Disconnect your hoses.

Leaving a frozen, water-filled hose attached to the outdoor faucet is asking for trouble! Disconnect your garden hoses, drain them and hang them up for the winter.

• Drain the faucet.

Open the faucet and let any residual water drain out of the pipe. Draining the outside faucet is critical, because standing water between the inside shut-off valve and the outdoor faucet can freeze and break both the fixture and shut-off valve.

If you are experiencing water damage yourself give us a call at 316-684-6700

Fire Loss and Your Wichita Business

7/14/2021 (Permalink)

Fire losses can be devastating to your home or business, let SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita help you get back to normal.

Fire damage to your Wichita, KS business can be devastating, while the major effects of a large-loss fire may seem obvious, there are many losses that can be overlooked. Every fire is a little bit different, and the types of losses can range from a complete loss to smaller fire that are contained to a certain area of your building. There are many impacts the fire may possibly have on your building, such as:

• Smoke damage
• Heat damage
• Odors
• Water damage
• Mold growth
• Soot damage

When a fire only damages a portion of your business there are usually other hidden damages that result from the fire. Many times, there will be smoke and ash damage, water damage, air quality issues and mold concerns. Smoke and ash can travel through the air ducts and affect other areas of your business. If the air ducts are not cleaned after a fire loss this can have an effect on your air quality in the future. If the water pipes were affected or the water used to suppress the fire is not removed correctly and within a short period of time this can create the perfect environment for future mold growth.

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita will inspect your property after a fire and advise on the best course of action to get you back to your preloss conditions. We will look at all aspects of the building from structural integrity to electrical systems and make sure nothing is missed. We will then work to restore the building to its original condition, cleaning the building and contents with our SERVPRO products. No matter what type of fire loss your company experiences, the work of professionals is the best way to recover from a difficult event and SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita is here to help.

If your business needs fire, smoke, or soot damage cleanup call today – (316) 684-6700.

How to Protect Your Home While On Vacation

7/14/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita is a trusted leader in fire and water cleanup and restoration.

There is so much planning that goes into the perfect vacation, some people will start packing a month in advance and some will wait till the morning of. Whichever is your preferred plan of attack with packing don’t forget to prepare your property for vacation too. Many losses, whether fire or water happen while you are away from your house.

Fire Damage

If you go on vacation during the summer, no heaters running, and no one at home cooking or grilling, a fire breaking out while you are on vacation may be lower on your concern list. However, an empty home doesn’t eliminate the risk of an accidental fire starting. In fact, electrical fires are one of the most common types of home structure fire. Before departing on your trip, taking few basic safety measures at home can help you further reduce your risk of a fire.

• Test your smoke detectors.
• Unplug unused electronics and appliances.

Water Damage

Water damage is perhaps the most likely type of damage your property could sustain when you are away. It is also the second-most frequent loss that homeowners file claims for. With the unexpected Kansas summer storms and the always-unpredictable plumbing or appliance leak, help protect your home from water damage while you’re on vacation by making sure rainwater has a place to go and limiting the water supply for potential leaks.

• Clear any debris out of your gutters.

Clogged gutters and blocked downspouts can cause water to seep into the roofline or foundation, potentially causing extensive damage and mold.

• Turn off water at the source.

Shutting off the main water supply before you leave protects your property from substantial water damage in case something leaks while you are away. If you can’t turn off the main water supply, be sure to turn off the supply valves to key appliances and plumbing, especially washing machines, dishwashers, and ice makers.

Remember that our emergency line 316-684-6700 is always answered by one of the restoration professionals here at SERVPRO so we can give you advice specific to your situation. We are always Here to Help.

SERVPRO Provides Skunk Deodorization to Wichita Business

7/13/2021 (Permalink)

Although skunks have very poor eyesight, they have excellent senses of smell and hearing.

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita does more than just water, fire, and mold remediation. We also do different types of cleaning such as carpet, upholstery, biohazard, graffiti removal, and odor removal and deodorization. No job is too large with our access to the over  1,700 franchises located in the US we can call on them for help for your commercial restoration needs.

This job gets some very interesting calls, SERVPRO received a call last Tuesday that a skunk had made its way into a building and had started spraying all over! Skunks can accurately spray at a distance of up to 15 feet. While skunk spray does not lead to permanent damage, it sure is not a pleasant smell and can cause significant eye irritation and even temporary blindness. The skunk spray odor can linger for days or even months, depending on the amount released. In the restoration business a quick response is key, that is why we are Faster to Any Size Disaster! We immediately loaded up and headed to the business and got started on the job.  Our technicians are trained to identify and eliminate offensive odors, and with access to several odor removal products our goal is to make it "Like it never even happened."

We handle many kinds of jobs and would love to be your go-to restoration company. Save our number in your phone so you have our emergency contact number on file and never have to worry (316)684-6700.

Virtual Mold Inspections

6/30/2021 (Permalink)

We can do our virtual mold inspections over Facetime, Facebook, Zoom, and many other avenues.

Since 2020 and the start of the Coronavirus, many businesses, schools, friends, and family’s communication has taken a big step towards going virtual. Many have moved to Zoom, Facetime, and Google Hangout, just to name a few. In the restoration business being a fast and first responder is imperative. What if we told you we could call you virtually and look at your possible mold problem and let you know within minutes what needs to happen next. You no longer have to move plans around, you no longer have to stress and worry until we arrive, heck you no longer have to put pants on! We can give you peace of mind by immediately seeing the problem area and answering any questions you might have right from your phone. 

Although we offer many services, virtual inspections are best done for mold concerns, since they are visible. If an additional inspection is required or you would like to move forward with the remediation process, we can schedule that over the call. No job is too big we offer this service for both your residential and commercial property.  Call us at (316) 684-6700 to schedule your virtual mold inspection.

Freezing Temperatures in Wichita KS and Your Pipes

6/23/2021 (Permalink)

A map of the maximum temperatures in the United States on February 15th, 2021.

In February of 2021, a significant cold outbreak spread throughout the mid United States on February 6th and lasted through February 18th. A cold outbreak of this severity has not affected the region since the 1980s! During this stretch, there were days where the high temperature did not make it out of the single digits. The average temperatures in Wichita during February are around 51 degrees for the high and 24 degrees for the low. In 2021 there were:

• 12 consecutive days of temps below 32 in Wichita (ended 02/18). This was the longest stretch since 1983(18 days). Longest on record is 24 days in 1895.
• 9 consecutive days of temps below 20 in Wichita (ended 02/16). This was the longest stretch since 1983(9 days). Longest on record is 11 days in 1899.
• 3 consecutive days for Wichita with temps below zero (ended 02/16). This was the longest stretch since 1996. Longest stretch on record for Wichita is 8, back in 1983.

Weather like this can affect the pipes in your home if the correct precautions are not taken. The pipes that freeze most frequently according to the Red Cross are pipes that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, and water sprinkler lines. Water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets. As well as pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation. When pipes that contain water end up freezing the water expands and puts pressure on the pipe causing it to break.

During and after the February cold outbreak SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita saw a huge increase broken pipes caused by freezing.  A lot of times when a pipe breaks you have no idea so when the water thaws and you use your pipe again you now have a water/flood damage situation. That is where we come in.

There are many steps you can take to prevent frozen pipes, such as:

• Putting insulation around your pipes.
• Opening your kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing.
• When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold-water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.
• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night.
• If you will be traveling during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.

With the crazy and unpredictable weather that we Wichitans have grown accustomed to, storm damage can happen at any time, SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita is always available 24/7/365. Give us a call (316) 684-6700.

SERVPRO’S Professional Cleaning Products

6/9/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPROXIDE is designed to kill harmful bacteria, viruses, and mold on hard surfaces.

One of the ways SERVPRO leads the restoration industry is by having our own in-house Chemists who create the SERVPRO products we use. We also consult them on which products to use in unfamiliar circumstances, they have the technical education and the experience they have gained working with the 1,700 other franchises. SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita is part of a much bigger SERVPRO family, and that gives us the ability to reach out to our wonderful restoration scientists. Our SERVPRO chemists have tested and put together recipes to handle just about every stain or smell you can think of!

Some of SERVPRO’s Most Often Used Cleaning Products:

• SERVPROXIDE®
  • Designed to kill harmful bacteria, viruses, and mold on hard surfaces. It is an effective sanitizer for soft surfaces, and it cleans away allergens and odors.
• SERVPRO® Orange Plus
  • SERVPRO® Orange Plus is a boosted formula of our SERVPRO® Orange. It has a stronger orange aroma than the regular version, cuts through soot, dirt, and grease much easier without foaming and streaking. This boosted formula features both non-ionic and anionic surfactants which emulsifies difficult grease and protein-based soils, allowing for easy cleanup that saves time and labor costs.
• Wall and All Plus
  • Wall and All Plus is a detergent cleaner that was formulated for the use of general cleaning to smoke damage restoration on any painted and washable surface. This formula utilizes a surfactant boosting system that does not raise the pH, provides less foam, streaking and residue for a superior clean.
• Industrial Cleaner
  • Industrial Cleaner is an excellent heavy-duty cleaner formulated for removal of heavy grease and soils on various surface types.
• Lemon Fresh Deodorizer
  • Lemon Fresh Deodorizer is a water-based concentrated odor counteractant. It is used to eliminate various offensive odors including smoke odor caused by
• Vanquish
  • Vanquish is a one-step concentrated cleaner, broad-spectrum disinfectant, virucide, sanitizer, mildewstat, and deodorizer that has multiple uses on virtually any hard, non-porous surface. It cleans without abrasives and deodorizes by killing the microorganisms that cause offensive odors.
• StainZap
  • StainZap is an oxygen-based product designed to effectively remove water-based organic stains and deodorize. It contains the same basic stain removing ingredients and cleaners that are found in other oxygen-based products, but at a higher level. It breaks up and effectively eliminates any odor causing molecules.

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita has a wonderful team of professionals and technicians who have made the restoration process a SCIENCE!  

Prevent Fire Odors from Traveling Through Your Home

6/8/2021 (Permalink)

This is the before and after of a fire cleanup job we did on this beautiful hand crafted furniture for one of our customers.

There are several actions we recommend a homeowner take immediately after a fire in their home or business. There is potential for airborne soot particles to travel throughout the home via foot traffic, air currents and the ductwork, this will create an odor throughout the house in places that maybe were not affected. When a loss like this happens the most important thing is your safety, once the property is safe to enter you can do the following to be proactive until SERVPRO can get on site to start the mitigation process: 

• Turn off the HVAC
• Turn off the electricity
• Remove valuables and important papers
• Close the doors to the fire loss area

What is the Best Way to Remove Fire Damage?

One thing you can do immediately after a loss is to bring in a professional restoration services company. SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita is 24 hours, 7 days a week. A small amount of fire loss can quickly become a large amount if the soot gets the opportunity to spread around the home. SERVPRO technicians will be out to give you an estimate and get started on restoring your property and belongings.  

It is not unusual to find different types of smoke residues in a single room requiring different removal applications. The wrong clean up approach can result in great damage, for example, if wet cleaning solutions get used on dry smoke, that can stain or embed it further into surfaces. When the mitigation efforts complete, the techs can inspect the ductwork to ensure there are no issues with smoke odors remaining. 

Call SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita for your fire damage (316) 684-6700. We are available 24/7/365.

Cleaning up your business after flood damage and how SERVPRO can help.

6/3/2021 (Permalink)

This flooded business called on SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita to help.

Running a business is not easy and having to worry about the “what if” just makes it harder. SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita can take the worry out of that question. If your business floods, call us to start restoration work as soon as possible. The sooner we can get out to your property the higher the chance that we will be able to restore and save more elements of the damage.  That is why we are 24 hour 7 days a week business, including holidays.

In the process of drying your property our trained technicians use many tools to inspect, dry and restore flood damage. In the inspection process we utilize tools such as:

• Moisture meter: this can detect moisture in carpet which is useful because often the water goes further than you expect. By utilizing this tool we can find the borders of the water and plan our work accordingly and predict what furniture should be moved and where. 
• Protimeter: we check your structure for moisture such as walls, cabinets, built ins or anything else which could be affected by water coming into. Often water can travel up materials and the walls will be wet above the height of the water.
• Thermal Hygrometer: This instrument allows us to take readings on the temperature, humidity and Grains per Pound in your home. Using these measurements we can evaluate what needs to be done to get your home into optimum drying atmosphere.
• Thermal camera: This is a great tool which can show us where water is using the temperature differential we observe in the camera. It is helpful when we need to locate water which might have gone in places you do not expect. 

We will respond immediately to the storm or flood event affecting your commercial property, regardless of the size or scope of the damage. We are part of a national network of over 1,700 Franchises that can help us get the job done. One tool to protect your property is the Emergency Readiness Plan which we set-up with local businesses for free. Having one of these in place to protect your property has saved our customers thousands of dollars in the event of a loss. Learn more here!

Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today (316) 684-6700

How To Protect Your Home From Potential Fire Damage

5/26/2021 (Permalink)

Helpful tips for fire safety near your home.

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita is here to help in the event of almost any kind of loss you might have at your residential or commercial property, including a fire loss. However, it is very important to us here at SERVPRO that we provide you with the information to help prevent all kinds of losses from fire to water to mold. In this blog post we are giving you the best tips and tricks for fire prevention and safety when it comes to accidental outdoor fires. Learn before you burn this summer on camping trips, or in your backyard and when grilling outdoors near your home. Below are some tips to help you remain safe. For more fire tips visit the FEMA guide.

• Make sure your fire pit is, at minimum, 10 feet away from any structure or neighboring yard—25 feet is preferable.
• Do not position a fire pit under a covered porch or low hanging tree branches.
• Always place a fire pit on a non-flammable surface, such as patio blocks or concrete.
• Do not put a fire pit on a wooden deck or directly on grass.
• Remove combustible litter on roofs and gutters.
• Trim tree branches that overhang the roof and chimney.
• Eliminate all combustible materials within 30 feet of your home.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today (316) 684-6700

SERVPRO provides Trauma and Biohazard Cleanup for Wichita, KS

5/19/2021 (Permalink)

One of out technicians in their personal protective equipment or PPE that they need to get the job done safely and correctly.

When a home or business requires decontamination due to trauma, sewage backups, chemical spills, hoarding or other biohazards, choosing the correct cleanup company to resolve these circumstances is key. SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita is trained to safely remove biohazards and dispose of them properly in accordance with OSHA and health regulations. One of the tools we utilize for this is SERVPROXIDE which is our own disinfecting agent used to disinfected after exposure to COVID-19 and pathogens.

 The most common biohazard scenarios include sewage backups, bloodborne pathogens, and illegal drug manufacturing labs/meth labs. Sewage backups are not just unpleasant on the nose, they can bring harmful microorganisms into a structure. We remove the sewage, contaminants, and moisture, and help ensure the structure is properly cleaned, disinfected, and deodorized. Bloodborne pathogens, which include bodily fluids, tissues, and other potentially pathogenic substances must be removed by a properly trained technician per federal law. We are equipped to handle and dispose of these biological materials.

Some of the many cleanup and recovery services we provide are:

• Sewage backups
• Crime scene residues
• Suicide/death accidents
• Homicide cleanups
• Blood cleanup
• Accident cleanup
• Hoarding scenes
• Animal waste/remains
• Chemical spills
• Tear gas cleanup
• Meth lab cleanup

 These situations are almost always never expected that is why our SERVPRO technicians are available 24 hours a day. We have the qualified trained professionals who are ready to respond to these incidents. We will always treat your property and the people involved with the greatest empathy and respect in the face of trying circumstances.

 If you ever need any of our services, feel free to call our 24/7 emergency line at 316-684-6700.

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita Uses Industry Leading Tools to Help our Customers

5/6/2021 (Permalink)

In this photo we see a thermal camera, protimeter, thermal hygrometer, dry sponge and borescope.

Often times water damages from broken pipes or flooding and fire damages are a lot more extensive then they initially look. We have 20 years of experience helping homes and businesses in Wichita with their restoration needs and the tools we utilize during our inspections give us so much more information than the naked eye. Utilizing these tools we create a restoration plan at the beginning of the process which is critical to making sure the entire restoration and rebuilding process is comprehensive and effective. 

Different types of damages require different kinds of tools lets take a look at the tools we utilize for two major types of damage we handle here at SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita which are water damage and fire damage.

• Water Damage
  • Thermal Camera: This is a great tool used in many industries. We use a variety of models but they all help us identify wet materials and possible sources of water intrusion. Water and wet materials will show up as darker on the camera which is especially useful when water damage starts on an upper level and leaks into lower ones.
  • Protimeter: This tool is how we physically measure the moisture in materials. This tells us the actual level of moisture content as a percentage. This is useful because we come and check the drying process everyday so when we see the moisture content drop between checks we know our drying plan is working.
  • Thermal Hygrometer: This device takes temperature, humidity and other atmospheric readings and we use it everyday in water damage work. It is important to know the atmospheric conditions because they determine whether or not we are achieving optimum drying conditions.
  • Hydrosensor: This tool is basically a pole with two spikes in the bottom which trigger a beeping noise and light when they are pressed into a wet material such as carpet or pad. This tool is great for identifying the boundaries of water in flooring materials.
  • Borescope: This device allows us to see behind walls! It is essentially a camera on an adjustable pole which transmits images to a display we can look at. We simply drill a hole and run the camera into the wall to see what is going on behind it.
• Fire Damage
  • Dry Sponge: It is easy to spot the areas that are heavily affected with soot after a fire. What is more difficult is identifying areas which have light to even medium levels of soot. That is why we use dry sponging to spot check and identify the extent of soot and smoke damage. This is important because those light to medium soot levels may not look bad but they will cause odor down the road.
  • Custom made cleaning products: SERVPRO uses cleaning products made specifically for SERVPRO franchises across the US and the work we do. We utilize these products to test clean during the inspection process to make sure we have a process which will work for the entire project.
  • HEPA Quality Air filtration machines help trap hazardous particulates and reduce bad odors.
  • Many of the same tools used in water damage restoration are used in fire damage since often there is water damage from putting the fire out.

One tool we use in almost all our work is the human nose. Odor can tell us a lot from how long a water damage may have been sitting or suggesting the possible presence of microbial growth due to a musty odor. If you have a fire or water related odors causing you a problem, give us a call for an inspection at (316) 684 – 6700.

The Higher Level of Service from SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita

4/14/2021 (Permalink)

Here a SERVPRO inspector is using a dry sponge in order to evaluate the level of soot in a customers home after a fire.

When you need restoration work done in your home or business you must be able to trust the professionals that you invite into that space to do quality work. In an emergency restoration scenario, you are already dealing with so many factors, whether you can trust your restoration company should not be one of them. SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita is the best choice you can make because we work to have the best people, products, and processes. 

We run background checks on all our staff, both our technicians in the field and office staff, once a year. We do this because we know it is important that our customers can trust the people we send into their homes and handle their information. We have our own in house technician certification program and many of our technicians are certified with the IICRC the restoration industry governing body. This ensures are staff is both trustworthy and highly competent. 

The products we use are industry leading, safe, and efficient. For example, as we have grown and worked here in Wichita since 2001 we have constantly updated our stock of air movers used to dry homes. Where once our equipment might have used 4 amps per air mover our current equipment uses 1.9 amps per air mover while drying much more effectively. This is just one example of how we are always looking to bring the best technology to our customers. All our air filtration equipment is HEPA quality for mold remediation and duct cleaning which is able to capture mold particles out of the air. 

The processes we use to complete our restoration work is guided by the knowledge we received from our IICRC certifications, our training from our corporate and the wealth of experience shared from our nationwide network of SERVPRO locations. That is why we can guarantee and warranty our work. You can have peace of mind to know that background checked, certified technicians with the leading equipment are taking care of your property and they are backed by our firm which is insured up to $2,000,000. 

Give us a call today and find out how different a professional experience can be – (316) 684-6700.

SERVPRO Works With Wichita Churches to Dry Water Damage

3/31/2021 (Permalink)

In this photo we are drying the carpet in a sanctuary which had water damage.

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita works with all kinds of commercial buildings when disaster strikes including churches of all faiths. We have helped churches come back from large devastating losses and smaller losses outside of critical areas. No matter what the situation we bring a level of professionalism, expertise and respect to the process which makes organizations very happy they chose to work with us. 

Every service we offer can be done for residential or commercial settings. We understand that when it comes to churches often service or other events still needs to happen so we have a lot of experience in creating and executing a drying plan which can accommodate what needs to happen. 

For example, a water loss happened on Friday in the worship area at one church and they had services on Sunday. We came in later Saturday, removed the equipment from the worship area and set it back up Sunday afternoon so that the equipment would not disturb services. 

Our water mitigations services include:

• Water extraction
• Sanitization
• Drying equipment such as dehumidifiers, air movers, infrared plates, hardwood drying mat system and other specialty equipment
• Any necessary demolition

When we do our work we always make a drying plan with our customers to make sure it suits their needs and expectations. When we get a call, we can either send a team to start working immediately or we can send an inspector out to look at the situation, give you and your staff an idea of what needs to happen and how much that might cost. Our estimates and inspections are free so if you have a water issue that you are concerned about give us a call today at 316-684-6700.

Spring Cleaning and Waterproofing Your Basement and Belongings

3/25/2021 (Permalink)

Here are water proof bins that protected their contents after a flood.

Spring cleaning is officially upon us now that milder temperatures roll into Wichita. We have been in our homes much more than usual for winter and there maybe a bit more to do to freshen up this season.

We are mostly known for our disaster restoration services but we also offer a wide range of services, many of which pair up great with spring cleaning. A great service to get done is a duct cleaning which is great for cleaning out the accumulated dust and particulates in your home. We put your HVAC system under negative pressure with our HEPA filtered suction system and then go down each individual vent with air pressure and a spinning brush. This method can greatly improve your air quality.

Another great service we offer is carpet cleaning which can remove stains, odors and leave your carpet fresh and ready to play on! In addition to removing odors we offer many deodorization services from fogging your home with a deodorant, to physically cleaning all walls, floors and surfaces. This can be especially effective for removing odors such as nicotine or extreme pet odor.

Now that you are all clean and ready for spring is your basement ready? We have a great list of steps you can take to protect your basement from flooding and measures you can take to protect your sentimental belongings even if some flooding occurs. Let’s start with preventing the flooding:

• Clean and Evaluate your gutters
  • Add extensions to your gutters where possible
  • Use your hose to run water and see if there are any leaks
  • Make sure to check your basement the first time you use your hose after spring and make sure it has not burst
• French drains can push water further away from your home, consider installing them if you notice excessive build up of water around your home during smaller showers
• Check the seals on your windows
• Check for any damaged shingles on your roof
• Check your sump pump by triggering the pump or even pouring a bucket of water in there to make sure it runs
  • A good idea is to have a second sump pump ready to go in case your current one breaks. Often when a large weather even occurs sometimes people cannot find a replacement pump very quickly
  • Make sure you have a back-up, there are both water based, and battery based back-ups and in our experience typically the water based are more reliable but more expensive.

Here are some tips for keeping your items safe in case a flood happens anyway:

• Keep your contents off the floor, even if the shelving is just a couple of inches above the floor this can protect it from most flood issues we see.
• Put your contents in a plastic waterproof bin
• Put important documents and photographs in Ziplock sealed bags, and put those in in a waterproof bin
• When organizing your containers prioritize putting the waterproof bins on the ground and putting any cardboard or water vulnerable containers on the shelving or even on top of the bins.

Give us a call if we can help you with spring cleaning or water damage at (316) 684-6700

Low Temperatures in Wichita Can Cause Water Damage

2/15/2021 (Permalink)

This is the discharge pipe for a sump pump which froze and caused a water damage in the homeowners basement.

This is the coldest streak of days we have had in Wichita in years and we are seeing the effects of this cold snap in a huge increase in water damages. As with any storm situation SERVPRO is “Ready for whatever happens” and is already helping people in Wichita and the surrounding area recover from water damage caused by low temperatures. 

How to protect your home?

Frozen pipes are one of the largest sources of property damage during low temperature spells and can easily result in over $5,000 in damages. In the last ten years insurance companies estimated that 4 billion dollars has been spent on fixing broken pipes and the damage they cause. According to a study from the University of Illinois once the temperature gets down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit is when this type of damage see a large uptick. What can you do to prevent this? 

• Allow faucet to drip this keeps the water pressure down and prevents pipes from freezing
• Open cabinet doors where there is plumbing to allow warm air to circulate around those pipes
• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature day and night
  • Do not allow the heat to go lower than 55° F
• Keep your garage door closed especially if there are water supply lines in the garage
• If you can, insulate pipes especially in unheated spaces like attics, crawlspaces, garages or pipes that lead outside.
  • Pipe insulation is as low as 50 cents a linear foot
• Pay attention to your sump pump discharge line because that can freeze as well
  • Insulate the discharge line
  • Dripping faucets help keep them from freezing as well 

If you are concerned that you have leaking due to a frozen or burst pipe in your home or business do not hesitate to call our expert technicians here at SERVPRO. Our 24/7 emergency response line is 316-684-6700.

Dealing with Mold in your Crawlspace

2/2/2021 (Permalink)

This crawlspace had a hot water leak for an unknown amount of time causing mold to grow throughout the crawlspace and necessitating drying.

Many homes in Wichita have crawlspaces instead of basements and sometimes in addition to basements. Crawlspaces can be a source of moisture and mold problems and since most people do not crawl around them regularly those problems are often out of control once they are discovered.

We recently did a moisture inspection for a homeowner who was concerned about moisture and mold because the humidity in their home had been bad for 4 months. After some inspecting, we found that a hot water line was leaking and had turned their crawlspace into a sauna. It was the perfect environment for mold which was covering the joists and subfloor.

Fortunately, not only do we inspect crawlspaces we also remediate the mold inside them and dry them down when needed. What is important is for you to identify the signs of mold or water in your crawlspace and act quickly to stop it from damaging your property.

Signs of Mold

1. Musty odor. A musty smell in your crawlspace or home will can indicate moisture or growth.
2. Pay attention to water pressure and bills. If you suddenly see a large drop in water pressure from something like your faucet or shower it might be a sign of leak. Additionally, if your water bill shoots up without you using more water than usual that is also a strong sign of a leak.
3. Pay attention to your floor. If you notice laminate or similar flooring starting to warp, or if the sub-floor sags or feels weak that is a sign of some serious water damage or wood rot.
4. Air in the crawlspace typically will move up from the crawlspace into your home due to a process called the stack effect. The air movement between a crawlspace with mold into your home moves the mold from the crawlspace into your home. Pay attention to your body and notice if you are seeing any possible symptoms of mold exposure.

What should you do if you suspect mold in your crawlspace?

If you see any of these signs of mold or moisture in your crawlspace there are a few actions you can take. If you have a HVAC unit in the crawlspace shutting off your unit can help stop your HVAC system from blowing spores around your home. Try to figure out where the moisture is coming from and stop more moisture from coming in if possible. Finally give us a call and schedule an inspection with us and we can help you make it "Like it never even happened."

Our number is 316-684-6700. Call Today!

Get your Commercial Ducts Professionally Cleaned by SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita

1/28/2021 (Permalink)

Here is a picture of dirty duct work we took before we cleaned it. Check out our before and after page to see how it looked after!

Air quality at home and at peoples place of work has become increasingly important in the last few years. One of the biggest and easiest actions you can take to increase the air quality inside is to get the ductwork cleaned. SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita has been cleaning residential and commercial ductwork in Wichita for over 16 years now. We have the experience, equipment, and expertise to clean your ductwork to the highest standard of clean. 

Why should you get your ducts cleaned?

• Improve air quality: having a lot of dust and particulates in the air reduces the air quality in your building and can cause health issues for employees or customers with sinus or respiratory issues.
• Increase the efficiency of your HVAC Units: dirty or clogged ductwork puts an increased strain on your HVAC system causing it to work harder and use more energy in order to heat and cool your building. Dust build up can even destroy a HVAC system and become very expensive if you need to replace the system.
• Reduce Odors: Mold has a musty smell and can sometimes be found on ductwork. Even decomposing dust can have a strong and unpleasant odor.
• Reduce the duct build up around your building: Dirty ductwork blows dust around causing dust to build up on surfaces quicker and making more frequent cleaning necessary. 

Why SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita should be your duct cleaning choice.

• Experience: We have worked on commercial duct work in single buildings, strip malls, high rises and manufacturing.
• We use equipment with HEPA filters to put your duct work under negative pressure when we clean it. The negative pressure is what is recommended by NADCA for duct cleaning and the HEPA equipment ensures an even greater level of filtration for particulates, even mold!
• No matter how big your project is we can handle it. Even if we need to call in additional people or equipment from other SERVPRO’s like we do in storm situations. we can get the job done.

How do you know if you need a duct cleaning?

• Musty odors or unpleasant smells with seemingly no source.
• Large dust build up on supply or return vents.
• After reconstruction or remodeling there is often elevated levels of harsh dust.
• If you see an excessive amount of dust building up between cleanings that means there is a lot of dust circulating and a lot of dust and particulates that we can take out of the duct work.
• NADCA recommends that duct work be cleaned every 3-5 years. 

We can come inspect your building and give you an estimate for what it would take to clean your system today - (316) 684-6700

Top 3 Water Damage Tips for Wichita Homeowners

1/18/2021 (Permalink)

Here water from above soaked into the drywall ceiling in the room below and caused the drywall to collapse.

Frozen pipes, intense storming, backed up drains there are so many ways water damage can occur and we have personal experience with that after serving the Wichita community for nearly 20 years. No matter what the cause of a water damage our highly trained restoration technicians know what needs to be done to make it “Like it never even happened.” If you have a serious water damage you should call us right away. While you wait for us to arrive it is a good idea to be as proactive as you can to minimize the damage to your home. If you are concerned about the health issues of the water check here to learn about water categories. Here are the top 3 things you should do while you wait for help to arrive.

1. Move your furniture off wet flooring.

This is something we do when we arrive but until we get there your furniture is sitting in the water getting damaged. Some furniture can swell up and never return to its original size. If metal or wood is touching carpet rust or varnish stains can easily damage your carpet. Move that furniture off your carpet, dry the areas which sat in the water and set it elsewhere in an unaffected area. Preferably on a surface which will not be damaged if your furniture is still damp. Do not forget to remove rugs!

2. Remove as much water as you can.

The longer that water is there the more damage you are going to have. Get ahead of the water damage by setting towels down to slow down the flow of water into unaffected areas of your home. If there is a drain which works try to mop/sweep/squeegee the water into it. Some home owners even use their shop-vacs to suck up water which can be slow going but might be worth doing.

3. Move your belongings out of the affected areas.

Once we arrive one thing which can really slow down the drying process on the first day is moving contents out of affected areas. Bookshelves with a lot of books, cabinets with fine china or collectables, or dressers full of clothes might need to be moved in order to reach all the affected areas. Even if you cannot move big items by yourself emptying them out before we arrive will speed up the process and get the drying started sooner. This is also a good idea if you have, valuables, guns or sentimental items you would prefer us not to handle.

Even if you are confused or unsure about a water damage situation give us a call. We will come and do a moisture inspection for free for Wichita homeowners. We can help you identify the source of a loss and give you an estimate for what it will take to dry out your home. Our 24/7 emergency line is 316-684-6700.

How to clean up flood damage after Wichita storms?

1/8/2021 (Permalink)

Most water restoration projects utilize air movers like seen in this picture.

Taking care of flood damage from storms requires water extraction, disinfectant application, moisture readings, and drying equipment.  

If you live in Wichita you are no stranger to powerful season storms. Oftentimes those storms cause flooding in basements around town and if that happens to you we have your back.  

Water that comes from the outside into your home is considered Category 2 water which is a rating of waters cleanliness; if you want to know more check out our blog here. With category 2 water we need to take certain measures, for example category 2 water is often more odorous than clean water and we handle that by applying a disinfectant which kills odor causing microbes which may have come in with the water. Additionally, in basements with carpets we typically will remove the carpet pad for sanitary reasons. After you call us for help here are some tips for you take until help arrives. 

Water Damage Restoration Tools

In the process of drying your property our trained technicians use many tools to inspect, dry and restore flood damage. In the inspection process we utilize tools such as:

• Moisture meter: this can detect moisture in carpet which is useful because often the water goes further than you expect. By utilizing this tool we can find the borders of the water and plan our work accordingly and predict what furniture should be moved and where. 
• Protimeter: we check your structure for moisture such as walls, cabinets, built ins or anything else which could be affected by water coming into. Often times water can travel up materials and the walls will be wet above the height of the water.
• Thermal Hygrometer: This instrument allows us to take readings on the temperature, humidity and Grains per Pound in your home. Using these number we can evaluate what needs to be done to get your home into a atmosphere that will dry it.
• Thermal camera: This is a great tool which can show us where water is using the temperature differential we observe in the camera. It is helpful when we need to locate water which might have gone in places you don’t expect. 

In order to dry out the damage we find we use:

• Large Grain Refrigerant Dehumidifiers: these dehumidifiers can pump up to 110 pints per day out of the air in your home! They are a major element of nearly every water damage restoration project.
• Desiccants: These are similar to dehumidifiers in that that remove humidity from the air but they do it with a different process and are utilized in environments where the temperature is lower.
• Air Movers: Another common tool for almost every project air movers are basically very powerful fans which aid in drying down structures.
• Specialty: We have a many types of specialty equipment that we can utilize depending on the situation. Whether it be drying our wood floors, ceramic tile, or materials that need over 160 degrees to dry we have got it.

If you ever need any of our services feel free to call our 24/7 emergency line at 316-684-6700.

How Do I Restore my Wichita Home After a Fire?

12/24/2020 (Permalink)

This Wichita home fire burned the siding off leaving the upstairs bedroom completely unsecured. We boarded it up the day we were called out.

How to Handle the Soot Covering Everything? 

Cleaning soot off your contents and structure is a major challenge in every fire restoration project. Soot is the source of odor; it can be physically corrosive to your property and can be dangerous to breath. Besides that, based on what type of fire you had and what burned the soot will be different and will require different cleaning and restoration techniques based on the damage! Fortunately, our trained technicians know how to identify the type of soot and what processes we need to employ to properly clean it. 

How do we start this process?

Sometimes we are called in to help secure a property with our board up services. Sometimes windows, doors or new holes are made unsecure from a fire or from the process of putting a fire out. We come out and board up the unsecure areas when you call. The cleaning process begins in the area which was the source of the fire. That area is where the soil is the strongest and typically where the most work needs to occur.

We begin with out least invasive process (dry cleaning with a dry sponge or HEPA Vacuum) before moving onto more invasive processes (wet cleaning with cleaning agents).  We clean every surface such as walls, ceilings, floors, countertops, outlets etc.. We go room by room until all the affected areas have been cleaned and even clean and deodorize the contents of your home.

Call today to schedule restoration work on your home whether it is severely or lightly affected by soot or smoke damage. Our 24/7 line is – 316-684-6700.

When Can Carpet Be Saved After a Water Damage or Flood?

12/24/2020 (Permalink)

In this case the pad needed to be removed and we floated the carpet in order to dry it faster with our air movers.

Many Wichita homes have finished basements; they are a great place to escape the heat of summer and watch a movie. These finished basements often have carpet and pad which is very cozy but can be an issue if your basement floods. Many of our customers are surprised to learn that most of the time we can save your carpet after water damage and it most often is the cheaper solution compared to tearing it out and replacing your carpet and pad. What are the situations where carpet can and cannot be saved?

Water Cleanliness and Carpet

In other blogs we have discussed how and why different types of water are categorized. Check that our here for more information. To summarize, water is classified as being category 1, 2 or 3. Water from a drinkable source like the supply line to your sink or ice maker is category 1, category 2 water can be clean water which has sat stagnant for 48 hours or came from outside or your drain. Category 3 water is grossly unsanitary and often is raw sewage or water stagnant for a long period of time.

Typically, when it comes to saving carpet category 1 or 2 water is easy enough to clean and the carpet can be saved. Pad is the big difference because with category 1 water if the pad does not have a vapor barrier, we can save it and dry everything in place. If it has a vapor barrier or category 2 water, we need to remove the pad but can still dry and save the carpet. We typically recommend a carpet cleaning at the end of the process especially for category 2 water. Category 3 water however always means carpet and pad needs to be removed because the water is grossly unsanitary.

Extenuating Circumstances

Sometimes carpet can be removed even in category 1 or 2 water circumstances. If the affected carpet has been significantly damaged by the water loss it may justify removing the carpet. The back of the carpet could be delaminated which means the backing is peeling off the back of the carpet. Sometimes the age of your carpet would justify removing it especially if the water damaged your carpet. Of course, this is your home and property and if you would prefer we will remove the carpet.

Whenever we remove anything such as pad, carpet or even drywall we always haul it away for our customers. Most of the time when we save carpet and pad it is much cheaper than removing and replacing so before you file a claim or start cutting up your carpet and give us a call for a free inspection and estimate! Our 24/7 emergency line is – 316-684-6700.

The Spirit of Service at SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita

10/16/2020 (Permalink)

Was it expensive to hire two real leprechauns from Ireland to come to the parade? Yes. Worth it? You betcha.

Floods, fires, mold remediation, biohazardous clean-up, and cleaning are all work we do which while grueling and tough at times is fulfilling because we are helping people in our community. It’s not uncommon for people to call us in a complete panic because their basement is flooded or a fire has covered their belongings in soot. Often people calm down when they hear us say “we are one our way and we know what to do”. These same values of helping and service influence our company and team to contribute to even more. Here are some of the ways SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita and our employees serve the Wichita community.

Woofstock

This has got to be one of the most famous fund raising events in Wichita. We love our pets in Wichita and here at SERVPRO so getting involved and sponsoring Woodstock was an easy decision. We set-up a booth, gave out food scoops and a bunch other fun items and even set-up some corn hole toss for fun. Woofstock is great day of fun and in the end raised over $240,000 for our the Kansas Humane Society. 

Blarney Breakfast/Delano St. Patrick’s Day Parade

We have been involved in the Blarney Breakfast and St. Patricks Day Parade off and on since we opened our doors. Our owner Patrick Butler moved to Wichita from Ireland, SERVPRO’s colors of green, orange and white are the same as the Irish flag and Patrick first worked in America with people with developmental disabilities so these events tie into each other on multiple levels. If you have ever seen the leprechauns marching down the road in the parade it was probably us! 

Habitat for Humanity

Our staff has participated in several builds over years. It is a great fit for us to put our building skills together with our goal of service in the community. If you ever have done a Habitat build you know how rewarding and fun it can be. 

The Lords Diner

Our wonderful Rodeana Garon has been volunteering at The Lords Diner long before she came to work with us. Her spirit of service is big reason she fits in with us so well! In addition to her work with The Lords Diner she has started Meals on Wheels with herself and Michael Butler which fits in really well with the amount of driving they already do around town! 

Besides that we love to take part in all kinds of events from the Starkey, Inc.’s Ice Cream Social or Alzheimer’s Associations Walk to End Alzheimers event. We are always looking for ways we can get involved in the community whether it be through sponsoring events to actively volunteering. Don’t be afraid to reach out! (316) 684-6700

What is the Biggest Cause of Storm Flooding for Wichita Basements?

10/14/2020 (Permalink)

Sometimes having an extra fresh sump pump ready to switch out in case the current one breaks is a good idea if you are handy!

The easy answer to this question is water, which is true, but fails to be of any use. There are many reasons Wichitian’s basements flood. Sometimes flooding occurs in someone’s basement from storms because a change has been made in landscaping (your property or even your neighbors) which has changed the flow of water on the property. In our 20 years of experience serving the Wichita and surrounding areas in water damage the number 1 source of basement flooding during storms is sump pump failure.

Sump pump failure can come in many forms. Sump pumps can burn out from working too hard or being too old. Sometimes they simply can’t keep up with a torrential downpour or the power can go out on a perfectly functioning sump pump and flood your basement. We have a wealth of experience and expertise in helping you come back dry and clean from a flood and in case you are dealing with a flooded basement right now here are some tips for what to do until help arrives.

We also have picked lots of information for how to prevent your basement from flooding. Here are our top 3 ways to prevent your basement from flooding during a rain event in Wichita, KS.

Number 1: Once a year perform Sump Pump Maintenance:

• Make sure it is plugged into GFCI
• Make sure the cord is not damaged
• Make sure the pump is secured in an upright and level position or it will not work
• Make sure to unplug the pump before performing the following:
  • Inspect the intake, discharge pipe and ventilation hole for any blockages
• Test your sump pump by taking a 5 gallon bucket of water and pouring it slowly into your sump pit slowly until the float triggers the pump to begin its work.
  • The pump should pump the water out until the water reaches the floats shutoff level

Number 2: Have a back-up pump installed.

There are typically 2 options for back-up sump pumps. battery powered and water powered which both have their advantages and disadvantages. We typically would suggest you go with a water powered back-up because battery powered back-ups often run out of power and will not prevent a flood if the power is out for too long or if the pump itself breaks down. Your home may call for a different solution though so check out this comparison between the two systems to see which is right for you.

Number 3: Preemptively manage your homes drainage.

Make sure your gutters are cleaned once a year and add gutter extensions where it makes sense. Install french drains to supplement how much water you are moving away from your home. Get a landscaping company to regrade your yard which will minimize the load on your sump pump and reduce the risk it getting overwhelmed or burnt out from large volumes of water.

Our final piece of advice is to give us a call if you do have any flooding issues for a free estimate at 316-684-6700.

Why is SERVPRO the Premier Option for Restoration in Wichita, KS?

10/8/2020 (Permalink)

This is our building located here in Wichita, KS. We have been in this building since 2009.

Even though our branch, SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita, opened its doors here in Wichita, KS back in 2001 SERVPRO has been around since 1967. It started as a paint company but through leadership, innovation, and growth it has become one of the leading companies in the world for restoration and cleaning. That innovation still plays an integral role at SERVPRO. 

For example this year in response to the world wide pandemic SERVPRO looked at our expertise in cleaning and sanitization and saw that we were uniquely positioned to help people and businesses across the US stay safe with the Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program. This initiative cleans businesses with an EPA registered disinfectant which meets the CDC guidelines for cleaning in response to an exposure to COVID-19. 

SERVPRO also has put in place training guidelines and methods which ensure our technicians and staff are experts you can trust on any restoration project. All our technicians go through SERVPRO’s in house Employee Certification Training Program (ECTP). Many members of our staff also have industry IICRC certifications which is the governing body for restoration work. In fact at SERVPRO headquarters they have even built a house which they regularly flood and set fire to in order to train SERVPRO’s from around the country how to make it “Like it never even happened.” 

All SERVPRO’s are held to high standards in certification and insurance. Additionally, we perform background checks on all our employees annually. When you contact SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita our background checked, certified experts with perform warranty and insured work with the best restoration technology and technique available. 

If you experience a flood, fire, smoke or mold in your home you can trust that SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita will provide you the caring, quality and expert service you expect from a premier restoration company. Call us today for a free estimate – 316-684-6700.

SERVPRO Provides Disaster Recovery for Wichita Businesses

9/14/2020 (Permalink)

Fires and water damages often come in pairs. In this commercial building all the hanging tiles collapsed and what was left was a soggy sooty mess.

Benjamin Franklin is quoted as saying “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” which is especially true when it comes to maintaining your building. It is estimated that 50% of businesses that close due to a disaster never reopen their doors again. The majority of businesses that do reopen their doors have a plan in place. Here at SERVPRO we can help prepare you and your business so that your downtime is minimized, the scope of the loss is reduced and a plan that gets things moving smoothly is ready to go.  

Preparing for Disaster

There are a lot of resources from the Department of Homeland Securities website that are organized by disaster which are great to review so that you can target the threats specific to your business here in Wichita. For example there is a Tornado Toolkit available which is certainly pertinent around here. 

Some good general advice is at minimum you should:

• Make an Evacuation plan and exercise it
• Have a communication plan with your employees in the case of an emergency
• Create a business continuity plan to become operational again quickly
• Create redundancies for important documents and data

 Emergency Ready Profile

One thing SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita helps with is creating an Emergency Ready Profile or ERP. We do this by walking your building to identify, photograph, and log every water, sprinkler, electric, and gas shut-off as well as anything else that would be pertinent. We take down all the relevant contact info of people in your organization as well as any other companies that you wish to be contacted (such as security, plumbers, HVAC etc.).

We then take that information and create an emergency binder for your organization as well as an app which can be consulted in the event of an emergency. 

This ERP make sure that everyone in your organization has access to an information source on how the building works. This means that if a pipe breaks or the sprinklers go off and the person who knows the building is not around steps can still be taken to stop the damage and minimize the scope of your loss. Here in Wichita ERPs have saved organizations and businesses 10s of thousands of dollars.

Preauthorization and Emergency Service Limits 

Additionally we can set-up preauthorization and emergency service limits for our mitigation and restoration work. Normally when we arrive onsite we need paperwork signed and if an authorized signer is not around that can really slow things down. Additionally there can be some concern about cost and payment which also slows down our work.

When we create a preauthorization agreement with an emergency service limit we have preauthorization to start working on the building and limit on how much that work will cost. Doing this means work starts and finishes faster and you can be confident that the emergency service costs will be within the limit you set. 

While no one can be 100% safe from what life throws at us being prepared means getting back to normal faster which can mean the difference between staying open or not. Everything SERVPRO does as far is ERPs and preauthorizations go they are completely free so call us today and let's start preparing! 316-684-6700

Call SERVPRO to Board-up your Home or Business After a Fire

8/21/2020 (Permalink)

This garage was left unsecured after a fire destroyed the integrity of the garage door and needed boarded up.

Fires often create new openings in buildings from damage to the roof, siding or windows breaking. Windows often break because of the fire itself, people needing an exit or get broken by the fire department in the course of putting the fire out. When the fire has been extinguished and the firefighters have left, you have to put the pieces back together and that is where we come in. We have been helping people come back from fires and others disasters in Wichita since 2001. We can help guide you through the process including the first step: Boarding up your home. 

Why should you board up?

After a fire if you have any windows broken, siding destroyed, holes in your roof or any other unsecured openings in your home they need to be secured. This is because:

• Prevents additional damage to your home and belongings from weather
• Protect your property and home from damage or burglary
• Stopping animals from getting into you home causing more damage
• Contributes to your insurance coverage by showing you are taking proactive steps to prevent more damage and address the damage

Once the board up is complete we can begin the rest or the restoration process to help you make it "Like it never even happened." Call our 24/7 emergency line at 316-684-6700 if you need an emergency board-up.

SERVPROs Act Together During a Storm Event in Wichita, KS

8/17/2020 (Permalink)

A parade of SERVPRO Vehicles during a storm event.

Kansans know them all too well. Boisterous storms putting on large shows of crackling light and bass laden thunder which often bring with them deluges of water and flooding. These storms can create so much damage from wind, tree limbs, power outages and flooding. That is when SERVPRO steps up to restore and clean entire communities. 

If you have lived here in Wichita for a few years you already know what it is like when a huge storm happens rolls through. Even if you have not had your basement flood you probably noticed that Wichita was painted green with all the SERVPRO vehicles suddenly driving around the streets. That is because when we get inundated with calls here at SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita we can call for help and bring in SERVPRO’s from around the area. We have had help from SERVPRO’s from Lawrence, Topeka, Tulsa, Boulder, Lincoln and other areas. So when everywhere else in town has a waiting list, we are able to continue servicing our community.

In the past we have called for help and the next day other SERVPRO’s showed up with their technicians and equipment ready to help homes and businesses here in Wichita. You do not need to be worried if you get serviced by a SERVPRO from out of town after they leave because  your local SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita will continue to service you and address any issues, questions or concerns. That is not just because we are nice, it is built into the agreement of storm work so you can be assured that our service is commitment we have made between each other and you. 

Our team here loves to travel and help communities ourselves. It is very fulfilling to go where you are needed and just get to work applying our expertise and training. We have worked after Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and after the Joplin Tornado in 2011 as well as after large storms in KC, Springfield, and St. Joseph and others. 

So when the next storm comes rumbling through Wichita make sure you keep SERVPRO at the top of your list of trusted flood and water restoration experts. If you would like to learn more or have concerns about past storm or water damage give us a call today at (316) 684-6700.

SERVPRO Cleans Smoked Damaged Homes in Wichita, KS

8/14/2020 (Permalink)

Here is an example where the concentrated soot around the exhaust fan is visible whereas the less concentrated but still present soot cannot be seen.

Not every fire does an immense amount of damage to homes. In fact many fires don’t require a large amount of demolition and rebuild; especially ones caused by cooking accidents. Grease fires, protein fires, contained fires or outdoor fires can all do a small amount of damage to homes but they can produce a lot more smoke and residue than people realize.

That smoke, soot, and residue will go throughout your home covering all kinds of surfaces like walls, counter-tops, cabinets, contents, and clothes. The smoke damage leaves behind sticky residue, stains surfaces, odors, and can be toxic to breath long term especially for people with respiratory issues. The residue is not always visible either so the testing process is very important.

A home does not need to be severely damaged after a fire for you to call one of our experts for a free inspection of your home. The size and scope of damage after a small fire can be very surprising to many people when we do our inspection and show how far reaching smoke damage can be and what all is affected. In our inspection we use various cleaning tools and chemicals (made by our chemists at SERVPRO) to determine the best way to restore your home to its before fire condition. 

What goes into a Fire Cleaning and Restoration Project?

Projects vary based on a variety of factors such as:

• Size and scope of the damage
• Source of the fire
• Odor level
• Type of materials affected 

To get a good idea of what is necessary for your particular situation it is best to give us a call and schedule a free inspection and estimate to determine what processes are best suited to restore your home. Typically many of our fire restoration projects include:

• Board Up
• Dry cleaning with a sponge or HEPA vacuum
• Wet cleaning with solutions or enzymes
• Ozone treatment for odor
• Thermal for odor
• Content pack-out for off site cleaning (more severe fire damage situation)
• Duct cleaning

We deal with fires all year around and we are ready to help you take back your home after fire. Make sure you review these fire damage tips and give us a call today for an inspection today at (316) 684-6700

Wichita Businesses Can Use Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned to Protect Their Customers.

7/28/2020 (Permalink)

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is the professional response needed to protect your customers trust.

Biohazardous and chemical contaminants are serious matters to address because they can pose significant risks to health and safety to anyone who may be exposed to them. Since we opened in Wichita in 2001 SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita has been a trusted and reliable source for sewage, crime scene, accident, chemical, or biohazardous cleanup. People know and trust SERVPRO to make it “Like it never even happened,” because we have the experience, training and equipment to restore contaminated structures back to a clean and sanitary state businesses and homeowners can be confident in.

SERVPRO is in the position of being able to help contribute to keeping America safe and healthy because of this know how, experience and technology. Even though we are locally owned and operated here in Wichita the knowledge and experience from other SERVPRO’s across the US is shared, we have our own chemists who advise us on usage, SERVPRO’s come together during storm events to help cities and towns rebuild and now we have developed a system to disinfect and sanitize buildings after pathogenic exposure.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned 

In a recent poll 89% of people surveyed said they were uneasy about going back to physical locations. SERVPRO wanted to take the confidence and trust that our name has from 50 years of decontamination clean up and restoration and lend it to Wichita’s local businesses with our new defensive pathogen cleaning program Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned. This program is meant to enhance, not replace, the cleaning work that your staff already does and to inspire greater confidence in your customers and staff in the level of precaution and safety measures you are taking. 

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned does this with 3 easy steps:

1. Consult: We meet with your team and walk your building in order to determine what your particular needs are for the facility.
2. Clean: Based on our meeting we enact our cleaning protocol which typically includes fogging and wiping down surfaces with our EPA registered disinfectant SERVPROxide which adheres to the CDC standards for cleaning and decontamination.
3. Certify: Customers and staff will know a business is Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned because of the shield posted on their window as well as digital emblems and engagement. 

At the end of the process your business will be sanitized and we leave behind an emblem marking your store as cleaned to the Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned Standard along with the date it was serviced. 

If you currently have a biohazardous emergency call our office at 316-684-6700 now and consult our Biohazard Emergency Tips – Until Help Arrives Guide.  

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita Are Experts at Attic and Crawlspace Mold Remediation

7/14/2020 (Permalink)

In this Wichita crawlspace mold was seen growing throughout the floor joists and the sub-floor.

When there is a problem in your bedroom or living room it gets noticed immediately and action is taken to fix it. People typically do not hang out in their attics or crawlspaces so when a pinhole leak, structural leak, or anything else goes wrong it often goes on for a long time before being discovered. That is why in our experience it is crawlspaces and attics where we find some of the worst mold growth and other restoration losses during our inspections in Wichita, KS. 

Crawlspaces and attics are not pleasant to be in even when they are clean. Most of the time when we get called to inspect those areas they are not in their best condition. Whether there are concerns about mold growth, flooding, or even bad odors our inspections are always free to homeowners in Wichita and the surrounding areas. When we inspect attics and crawlspaces we use our equipment and expertise to determine what the source of a loss is, what the scope of the loss is, what needs to be done to fix it and how much that all costs. 

Our highly trained technicians and inspectors know what it takes to handle restoration and remediation projects in your family room and in your attics or crawlspaces. So when you call SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita you can be confident that we know how to take care of your home and family. 

All the work we do is guided by the industry standard S-520 from the IICRC which is the organization which sets the standards and certifications for the inspection, cleaning, restoration and installation industries. Not only that but we have been working with Wichita homeowners to remediate and clean mold in their crawlspaces and attics for 19 years. We opened in 2001 and have been an IICRC certified firm from the very beginning. 

So if you are concerned about microbial growth up in attic or mold growth in the crawlspace or anything else please give us a call for a free inspection today at 316-684-6700.

Fire Safety and the Fourth of July

6/30/2020 (Permalink)

Burns account for 44% of firework injuries around the Fourth of July.

This years Fourth of July celebrations are looking to be more robust than usual. It is outside where we can socially distance while still enjoying the holiday and the pleasure of lighting fireworks.  In 2018 fireworks started an estimated 19,500 fires including 1,900 structure fires causing 5 deaths and $105 million in property damage. In the past we have posted about fire safety for home and even pet fire safety. Here we want to provide you with some information and preventive measures you can take to stay safe while blowing up some fireworks! 

The danger for some fire works, such as mortars or Saturn missiles are much more apparent than others. For example a sparkler burns at 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit which is 300 degrees hotter than what glass melts at! Due to the highly combustible fuel and oxidizer used in sparklers they can be a fire and burn hazard. Sparklers should be held at arms length away from your body to prevent burns or clothing fires. In case of a clothing fire use fire blankets or the stop, drop, and roll technique. 

Fireworks are a lot of fun and can be a great way to mark an occasion. Here is a list of general firework safety tips to keep in mind this Fourth of July:

• Older children (never young children) should use fireworks only under the close supervision of an adult
• Only ignite fireworks outside and make sure you use them were you buy them to ensure they are legal
• Keep a bucket of water nearby to use in case of fire or on any malfunctioning fireworks
• Soak all fireworks in water, preferably overnight before discarding
• Light fireworks 1 at a time on a stable and flat platform and keep a safe distance from any lit fireworks
• Wear protective eye wear while setting off fireworks
• Do not hold lit fireworks in your hand or point them at other people
• Do not ignite fireworks in a container
• Store any remaining fireworks in a cool dry place
• Follow the instructions on the fireworks packaging. Fireworks produced outside of the US must adhere to US Safety standards to sell their products here and the testing is rigorous.
• Punks or long BBQ lighters are the safest way to light fireworks

From everyone here at SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita we hope you have a fun and safe Fourth of July. Feel free to call our office with any questions or concerns about fire or smoke damage – (316) 684-7600.

Flood Damage Safety during Wichita Restoration

6/19/2020 (Permalink)

In this storm damage there were concerns for the health of our customer so we set an air filtration device seen in the front part of the photo.

If your Wichita property floods you need to call SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita to start restoration work as soon as possible. The quicker we get out to your property the higher the chance that we will be able to restore and save more elements of the damage. Of course, when things go wrong safety needs to be everyone’s top concern and our highly trained restoration technicians are no different. 

If electrical sockets were submerged, they need to be replaced. Even if they were only submerged for a short time this will need to be done. If the electrical sockets have stayed submerged it is unsafe to get into the water even if your power is out. It is generally recommended not to go into the water until the electrical meter has been removed from its socket. This ensures that the home is disconnected from the grid. 

Another safety issue with storm floods is the presence of various contaminants. Bacteria, viruses, mold, even feces can hitch a free ride onto the water coming into your home. That level of soil is why it is designated as category 2 water by our industry. Between our process of extraction and the application of an EPA registered disinfectant our technicians minimize the risk of pathogens during the restoration process. Since the air movers we set can aerosolize any remaining contaminants when there are particular health concerns, or a customer requests it we also can place a HEPA grade air filtration device to further protect our customers. 

If you experience any storm flooding or are concerned about it give us a call today at (316) 655-6094 and we would be happy to help.

Wichita's Cleaning Experts

5/13/2020 (Permalink)

We treat cleaning seriously and provide all our employees the protection they need.

SERVPRO is Here to Help during these unprecedented times.

To our customers during this difficult time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards. That hasn't changed.

Specialized Training

We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:

• Kitchen/Food Areas
• Bathrooms
• Schools/Classrooms
• Offices
• Retail Spaces
• Water Fountains
• Shelving/Racks
• Sales Counters
• Carpets and Rugs
• Stair Handrails
• Elevator Cars
• Playground Equipment
• Fitness Equipment

Specialized Products

The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.

Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning

If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today – SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita, 316-681-6700. 

SERVPRO uses SERVPROXIDE to disinfect and sanitize buildings!

4/14/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPROXIDE is a hospital-grade disinfectant.

SERVPRO produces many of the cleaning products, deodorizing compounds and disinfectants that we use everyday during our work. Our chemists are even able to advise us in unorthodox situations to utilize our suite of cleaning products to clean and deodorizing even the strongest and strangest combination of smells and soils.

One of our products SERVPROXIDE^TM is our proprietary hospital-grade disinfectant registered with the EPA. It is a stabilized chlorine dioxide based antimicrobial which carries the EPA’s lowest toxicity rating. The product itself doesn’t carry any fragrances other than a mild cleaning odor which dissipates quickly making it a great product for people with chemical or odor sensitivities.

There are many different applications for SERVPROXIDE^TM. It can eliminate odors through disinfecting and oxidation rather than just covering them up. That can be done by applying the product directly with towels or through misting or spraying which is often used when we clean HVAC systems. It has even been utilized in electrostatic spraying for an even application on surfaces inside buildings.

In fact SERVPROXIDE^TM is the disinfectant we have used when we have been asked to clean and disinfect COVID-19 in homes and businesses here in Wichita. The CDC recommends the usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar types of organism to COVID-19 and SERVPROXIDE has EPA-approved claims against things like Feline coronavirus, Canine coronavirus, staphylococcus, E.coli, Salmonella, Rotavirus, and Swine flu.

If you are concerned about your home or business and want it clean, sanitized and disinfected give us a call today - 316-684-6700.

Preparing Your Basement Against Water Damage.

3/24/2020 (Permalink)

This basement in Wichita, KS had a sump pump die in the middle of an intense rainstorm and had no back up pump. SERVPRO was there to help.

As winter recedes and the warmer wetter part of the year begins a good thing to think about including in you spring cleaning is preparing your home for rains. The transition between seasons can cause problems your home never had before and is also a great opportunity to make changes that have been put off.

Drainage is very important to keeping water out and away from your home. Here are some things you should do or consider when it comes to the exterior of your home.

• Clean and evaluate your gutters
• Add gutter extensions where possible
• Check for leaking areas in your gutter with your hose
  • While running your hose check your basement and make sure the spigot or pipe leading up to it didn’t freeze and crack over the winter
• Has any large landscaping work been done by you or your neighbors since the last major rainfall? This could change the way water moves on your property creating a new drainage problem.
• Adding French Drains to your property
• Inspect your roof for missing or damaged shingles.
• Check windows caulking and seals

When it comes to the inside of your house there are many precautions you can take as well. Of course if you already have a water issue going on that should be dealt with and we can help with that. We do free mold and moisture inspections and can help identify the source of moisture. Make sure you locate the main water shut-off valve in your home. This is imperative to turn off as soon as possible if a pipe or water supply line breaks. Here are some things you can do to help the interior of your home:

• Check all appliance and faucet water supply and drains for leaks or damage/degradation
• Check your sump pumps, pour some water in there and make sure it runs fine
• Get a water powered back up sump pump
• Take as many items off the floor and put onto shelving
• Protect your belongings in plastic waterproof bins.
• A duct cleaning removes particulate build up in your HVAC system

If you have any moisture issues going on in your home give us a call for a free inspection. Call today at (316) 684-6700.

St. Patrick's Day Parade!

3/9/2020 (Permalink)

These Leprechaun's won't give you gold but they will give you excellent restoration services which is worth it's weight in gold.

In 1871 Thomas Butler, an Irish priest, wrote a pamphlet encouraging Irish people to move to Kansas. This pamphlet described life on the prairie, the benefits of Kansas’s climate and the well-established Irish communities in Kansas (especially Leavenworth). At the time Britain and by extension Ireland were going through a depression which may have increased the allure of the sunflower state to potential immigrants. Whatever the reason might be Kansas and Wichita are absolutely brimming with Irish folk and St. Patrick’s Day is a bit of a celebration. 

Our owner Patrick Butler was born in Ireland and moved to Wichita, KS in 1989. Later on he started Wichita’s first SERVPRO in 2001 and not just because SERVPRO’s famous green, white and orange color scheme was similar to the Irish flag. The Delano St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been going on for 14 years and once again SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita is participating in the parade and bringing the leprechauns. We’ve done it several times and always had a blast seeing Wichita come out a celebrate the St. Patrick’s Day and what is typically the beginning of spring weather.   

The parade is this Saturday. March 14, 20202, starting at 12:00 but you may want to get there a bit earlier since most of the time the streets are packed! The parade route is Douglas & McLean to Douglas & Walnut. Come on out enjoy a great day and great atmosphere in Delano. Take a look at last years parade here!

SERVPRO works with Wichita Hotels to Fight Flood Damage.

1/31/2020 (Permalink)

Sometimes water damages happen in main areas which guests will certainly see. We try handle these areas as quickly as possible.

Managing guests when everything goes well is hard enough without a broken pipe or sprinkler head. Water damage in hotels creates inconvenience and a safety hazard for your guests. This means that getting quality professionals like ours to respond quickly is the best thing a hotel can do when disaster strikes. Our technicians respond quickly to extract water, lay down floor protection and start our inspection process in order to determine the full scope of what was affected.

We know that the water damage and even our work to dry down and mitigate the loss is an inconvenience to your guests. We make a conscious effort to minimize how intrusive we are whether that means creating containment, managing odor from the flood, cordoning off the affected area, and moving our vehicles or other materials to areas out of sight from your guests. We also focus on areas which our customers deem most important in order to ensure the water restoration process for your hotel goes as smooth as possible.

We have loads of experience working on large water losses in Wichita hotels but we have also worked in Andover, Derby, Haysville and even go as far as Pratt and other surrounding areas. One of the advantages of working with SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita is that no matter what size your commercial water loss is we can handle it because SERVPRO’s from around the country have a network in place allowing us to call for back-up from other SERVPRO’s in the form of equipment, manpower and expertise. 

Give us a call 24/7 even if you are just worried about the possibly of damage and we will inspect your premises for water intrusion. Or you can utilize some of the preemptive work we do with Emergency Ready Profiles which can help minimize future losses. Give us a call today at - 316-684-6700

Wichita Homeowners are covered 24/7 from water damage by SERVPRO

1/24/2020 (Permalink)

In this basement the home owner had standing water and thought we just needed to suck the water out but didn't know that the walls were wet 1 foot up.

When water damage occurs, many homeowners make the mistake of assuming only what they see and feel is what has been affected by the water intrusion. Do it yourself methods such as using a shop-vac to suck up water in a basement carpet or mopping up the water on top of the laminate fall short because there is typically much more water being absorbed beyond what you can detect with sight or feel.

The pad under the carpet is still soaked, the laminate has water underneath the underlayment which won’t dry, and your walls may also be much wetter than you expect. Without proper drying and remediation, you are looking at wet materials in a warm environment which is the prime ingredients for microbial growth such as mold.

Fortunately, SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita provides water restoration services 24 hours a day 7 days a week to Wichita, Andover, Derby, and all surrounding areas. We survey the damage and find the edges of the water intrusion in a 360-degree sphere. We extract that water, evaluate wet materials and set drying equipment.

Our expertise ensures that we can minimize the amount of tear out and demo getting done while also safely drying down your home. This saves you a lot of money since it is much cheaper to save items than it is to throw out and replace them. Restoring is takes much less time than tear out and rebuilding everything.

One of the most important part of the process is our investigation. We take extra care to consider where the water went. For example if a top floor leaks we will follow the trail to the basement if necessary. We investigate what materials are wet and to what extent. This tells us whether we can dry and save a material or if it should be torn out. 

In that process we also record the atmospheric temperatures of your home such has humidity and temperature. We take those everyday because if we are drying everything correctly that should be reflected in those “psychrometrics.”

We come back everyday to take those readings and remove equipment as needed until your home is completely dry. We are so confident in our process that with each of our jobs homeowners receive a 2 year warranty on our work. We also offer free inspections and free estimates so if you are worried at all about new or ongoing water issues in your home give us a call today – 316-684-6700.

Don't Stand for Standing Water

1/16/2020 (Permalink)

A still taken from our video of standing water with some ink in it. It would look good if it wasn't such a mess!

The only thing worse than stepping into your basement and hearing the squish of soggy carpet is hearing the splash of standing water. While any water damage is a tough situation standing water presents some unique challenges and hazards. Let's take a look at what SERVPRO does to stand up to standing water. 

First off if the standing water has submerged electrical outlets or active components be aware that electrocution is a serious concern. In order to get that standing water out we often need drop a sump pump into the standing water in order to pump out the remaining water. Check out our video where we explain that process in more detail.  

Once the water has drained out of your basement we have to evaluate what the extent of the damage in order to determine the next steps. Depending on the materials affected, category of water (meaning contamination level), length of time the water sat, and many other criteria we create a drying plan and explain it to our customers before starting work. Sometimes that can mean cutting the walls and throwing away a lot of building materials and sometimes we are able to save walls and really anything else which hasn’t sustained a large amount of damage.  

If you are experiencing water damage yourself give us a call at 316-684-6700

Handling Ice Dams After a Winter Storm

12/18/2019 (Permalink)

This is an infographic illustration of an ice damn to help illustrate what one looks like in a cross sectional view.

Since Wichita has just had it first big snow of the year we thought it would be prudent to share some information about a somewhat common cause of water damage for buildings during this time of the year: Ice Dams! In this post we will discuss what they are, how they form, how they can do damage to your home or business and what you should do to stop them. To answer the most pressing question in this matter no, ice dams are not caused by ice beavers.

Ice dams occur on slopped roofs when snow melts from the heated structure it is sitting on and flows down toward the eaves of the roof which do not have that heated structure beneath it. The newly thawed water hits still frozen snow or ice and refreezes. This process continues and accumulates in size until you have standing water on your roof that is being pushed up between and under you shingles and into your attic or exterior walls. Suddenly you have a water intrusion in your home.

In order to identify an ice dam on your roof keep an eye out for several things. The first thing is snow on your roof. Gotta have snow for it to melt of course. Next you want to look closely at the exterior of your home and at the icicles forming there. Make sure those icicles are just at your gutters or the eaves of your roof and do not go further up. Remember ice dams are the accumulation of water and ice so when examining your roof look for where that could happen and ice that looks like it is on its way to forming that way. Look at the valleys in your roof as it is common for them to form there. Openings in the roof for pipes and vents or really any irregular areas in your roof are good spots to look for possible ice damns.

Knocking down problematic looking icicles is a good first step as that will can stop an ice dam from forming. Many sources caution against using a roof rake because unless you remove all the snow on your roof it could just lead to an ice dam forming higher up on your roof so keep that in mind. The most common solution we have seen from experts is to fill a sock or stocking up with ice melt product like calcium chloride (not rock salt or sodium chloride) and place that stocking vertically over the ice dam so that a path for the water to flow through opens up.

As always be careful in icy conditions and make sure not to slip and fall. If you are worried that any excess moisture got into your home from an ice dam or something else give us a call at 316-684-6700.

Is it Efflorescence or Mold?

12/12/2019 (Permalink)

The left picture is an example of mold whereas the right picture is efflorescence

Sometimes when we complete drying in a home or business some concerns arise at a white residue that is left behind on concrete, stone or brick materials. The concern is that the residue is some kind mold or fungus which makes homeowners wary.

Fortunately almost every time (especially when a water damage has been dried down professionally by SERVPRO Technicians) it is what is called efflorescence which is a migration of salt to the surface of a porous material. 

Efflorescence is typically harmless to people’s health and is not a structural concern in buildings. The problem arises because mold comes in all kinds of colors including white and sometimes can look very similar to efflorescence. After a water damage that has been properly treated it is almost certainly not mold but what if you find it outside of the context of a water damage? 

One way to know if you are dealing with mold or efflorescence is that if that white stuff is on a material other than porous masonry or concrete it is probably mold. This is because mold will do its best to grow on any surface whereas efflorescence will only show up on masonry. Typically mold will continue to grow where as efflorescence doesn’t although continuing water migration through concrete can cause the efflorescence to accumulate. You can also spray some of it with a little water and try to wipe it. If that works you probably are not dealing with mold. 

The best way to know which one you are dealing with is to call the professionals here at SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita. We offer free mold inspections in the Wichita, Derby, Andover and close surrounding areas. Let our professionals give you piece of mind and know that if it is mold or some other water damage we can take care of it the correct way.

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita is Here to Help with your Fire Damage

11/27/2019 (Permalink)

Whether your fire is as intense as this photo or if there is a light layer of soot and odor in a just a few rooms we can help make it clean.

Often when fire or smoke damage occurs in a house if it isn’t extensive many homeowner choose to clean it themselves and some are more successful than others. Many issues we have seen when we come in after the fact to help deodorize are: using the wrong types of cleaning materials for the soot/odor type, lingering odors, or even a larger scope than expected.

Here are a few tips for cleaning a smoke or fire loss yourself. Of course it is always a good idea to give us a call for a fire cleaning inspection to give you idea of what should be done and what that would cost. 

Deodorization

Foul odors are probably the most common issue with fires and it is difficult to know where odor is coming from and what should be done to stop it. Unfortunately there is no way to measure odor or any machine which can detect it besides the human nose. Besides meticulously cleaning every affected source things like carpet cleaning, duct cleaning, ozone or thermal fog can help deodorize after a fire. Sometimes sealing affected materials is necessary to stop odor.

Cleaning Agents

Depending on what was burned in a fire using the wrong kind of chemical to clean can make the issue worse! Some soot types will get set into the material they are on when cleaned with a water based cleaning agent. Oils from human skin can also set soot into the material it has attached upon. Fires that started from protein based sources often need a enzyme based cleaner and other fires need oil based. That is why we test clean before starting a project to figure out the best approach.

Thermal Fogging

If a fire is very hot the pours of materials all over the house can open up and soot and other odor causing particles go into those pours and then the pours shrink as the materials cool trapping those pesky odor causing chemicals into the materials. That is why we often employ thermal fogging at the end of a cleaning which opens those pours up with the heat of the fog, destroys those particles and can leave a nice scent or a neutral one depending on your preference.

Whether the fire just happened or if the smell of an old fire lingers give SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita a call at 316-684-6700 and our certified technicians can help bring your home back to the way it was before the fire.

There is No Such Thing as Good Mold in your Home

10/8/2019 (Permalink)

One question we often come across from our customers worried about mold growing in their homes is what kind of mold they have or whether they should get the mold tested before having their home or business remediated. There has been a lot of coverage in the media about black mold or stachybotrys chartarum causing many people are worried about that type of mold they may have in their home or business here in Wichita.

In cases where third party testing isn’t necessary knowing the exact strain of mold growing does not matter because it simply needs to be removed. The type of mold does not change what needs to be done to properly clean and remediate the affected areas. Even if it isn’t Stachybotrys chartarum it can still be harmful. According to the CDC’s information page on mold not only are the mycotoxins produced by some mold toxic but even strains that are not toxic can still provoke an immune system or allergic responses from people who are sensitive to mold. Specifically in regards to the necessity of testing the CDC says:

"Current evidence indicates that allergies are the type of diseases most often associated with molds. Since the reaction of individuals can vary greatly either because of the person’s susceptibility or type and amount of mold present, sampling and culturing are not reliable in determining your health risk. If you are susceptible to mold and mold is seen or smelled, there is a potential health risk; therefore, no matter what type of mold is present, you should arrange for its removal."

If you want to prevent mold in your Home or Business the CDC recommends keeping indoor humidity below 50% which you can do with consistent air conditioner or dehumidifiers. Ensuring you have adequate ventilation in bathrooms and kitchens (we would also recommend good ventilation in crawlspaces and attics). Using antimicrobial paints, clean bathrooms with mold killing products. DO NOT carpet bathrooms and remove/replace flooded carpets.

Of course with flooded carpets you don’t need to replace them when you call a professional remediator such as SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita to handle your water damage.  We can also help you investigate

National Preparedness Month Part 2

9/20/2019 (Permalink)

Tornado's are Kansas's most famous hazard but fires, flooding and even earthquakes are things we need to look out for..

With National Preparedness Month ending soon it is time to look at the second half of the month’s preparedness strategies and what precautions we should take. If you haven’t it would be a good idea to look at our first post about National Preparedness Month where we cover the suggestions for the first two weeks of the month. A quick summary of the main two points are focusing on making sure you have a financial/insurance plan for disaster and the second point were about making a plan and sharing it with your family or business. 

Week 3 of National Preparedness Month focuses on Youth Preparedness. Things such as teaching kids what to do in the event of an emergency at or away from home, how to communicate during an emergency, and making sure records with schools, hospitals and other places your child spends time with are up to date. There are resources available for kids to learn about preparedness with Wrigley the safety pup or about the National Weather Service with Owlie Skywarn. Sesame Street even offers a Fire Safety Program for preschool kids to teach them about fire safety with songs, stories and coloring. On top of all that there is a resource page of all disasters that you can use to educate your family on relevant threats to you. 

Week 4 of National Preparedness Month invites you to get involved in your Community’s Preparedness. Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) train anyone in our community in essential disaster preparedness such as basic medical ops for disasters, light search and rescue, fire safety and other relevant skills. Anyone 18 years old who lives or works in the county is eligible for the training. Derby and Wichita CERT training information can both be found at the Sedgwick County website and if you live in Andover, KS or anywhere else in Butler County check their website for CERT training information. Additionally adding skills such as CPR, AED, and First Aid can help your family and community. 

While there is no way to be 100% safe from all impending disasters there are many things you can do to make yourself as prepared as possible.

What you need to Know about National Preparedness Month

9/18/2019 (Permalink)

The first bubble mentions wearing boots gloves and googles during cleanup. It may also be a good idea to were a mask such as a N95.

Since 2004 the United States has observed September as National Preparedness Month in order to encourage Americans to take steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, schools, businesses and their general community.

The four weeks of September are broken up into 4 different themes for you to focus on. We will give an overview of the first 2 weeks here so you can easily digest what resources are available to help you prepare. 

Week 1 focuses on financial preparation. It is important to have savings set aside for a disaster even if you have insurance coverage for your most likely disasters because you may need to spend money out of pocket and be reimbursed later. Review your insurance policy and consult FEMA’s Document and Insure Property Guide more than likely you do not have coverage for a flood where water comes from the outside. Check Floodsmart.gov for more information about flooding and flood insurance.

Week 2 focuses making emergency plans; we suggest referring to our blog post about planning for a fire and how you can include your pets in your safety planning. The Department of Homeland Security has provided this resource to make a plan for your family or business. It is important to have a source to receive communication from the Emergency Alert System. This system has three alert categories: imminent threat, AMBER and presidential and while all alerts come to phones or through other broadcasting avenues it is a good idea to have a back-up battery powered radio. Additionally, you may download the FEMA APP in order to get valuable information including where shelters are in your area during a disaster and where evacuation points are if necessary.

Don’t forget that we are ready to help Wichita homeowners and businesses with any kind of disaster recovery. We additionally offer Emergency Ready Profiles to business to help them identify possible sources of disaster and reduce the chances of those happen.

SERVPRO's Technicians Know how to Handle a Flood.

9/2/2019 (Permalink)

Sometimes when a flood happens damage can be cause by a sump pump failure. Get that fixed as soon as possible and have a back-up in place.

When flooding occurs in buildings it needs to be dealt with as soon as possible in order to combat and prevent the litany issues that come with a water damage. Flooding brings with it structural degradation, outside contaminants and bacteria, odor, warping, and possibly mold growth.  All of which threaten both your home or business and the health of the people who reside within. 

In order to take care of your flood damage in your Wichita home make sure you hire professionals who know how to prevent mold and deal with water, toxins and odor. Our technicians here at SERVPRO are specialized in handling the challenges posed by flood damage and know what needs to be done to ensure the highest standards in restoration service. 

Going through any kind of damage to your home is stressful experience which can put any home owner on the edge. This is why we train our technicians to treat every job they go on whether it is a big or small damage with compassion and respect. We find that walking our customers through our process puts them at ease and lets them know they are in competent and responsible hands who will take care of their issue. 

When flooding strikes your home, our technicians have the expertise to make it “Like it never even happened”. Contact SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita – (316) 684-6700 for clean-up, deodorization and drying services. If you are worried about a musty smell in your basement, flood clean-up or mold removal we are the team that you can count on.

How an ERP can help your business.

8/21/2019 (Permalink)

An Emergency Ready Profile provides the locations of important parts of the building such as water shut-off valves!

Following a disaster as many as 50% of the businesses that are forced to close their doors are never open them again. When looking at the businesses that survive the overwhelming majority had an emergency plan in place. Having a plan gives your staff the information they need, contributes to your organizational security and can give you peace of mind. 

Many times, the process of creating an emergency plan highlights some of the biggest security and safety concerns in your business and allows you to take steps to avoid them altogether. In some businesses only certain key people know the critical information about the building such as where the water, sprinkler or gas shut off’s are and if those people who know that information are not available quickly enough then your small disaster can quickly balloon out of control into a huge disaster. 

Once here in Wichita our SERVPRO team was called out to a water damage in a church. When we arrived onsite the water was still coming out of the pipe and the churches staff had no idea where the water shut off was and after time was wasted searching they called the fire department to turn the water off. Lack of preparedness turned a flooding issue which only would have affected a few rooms into a disaster which affected the whole church. The reason no one could find the water shut-off? Well after hiring some architects to review the blueprints it turns out the water shut-off got drywalled over.

Examples like this is why we started developing Emergency Ready Profiles with local businesses, non-profits and churches in Wichita, Andover, Derby, Haysville and everywhere else around our metro area. One of our SERVPRO representatives comes out, documents and assesses your facility then provides a concise profile for your organization and employees to use if an emergency occurs. Once the proper steps for the safety of your employees and facilities have been taken the profile also provides information about the chain of command in place for an emergency meaning the process of recovery also begins much faster. This can also be accessed and edited via an app that we provide to your organization. This whole process we provide is completely free of charge.

If your organization doesn’t have an emergency plan give us a call and we can show you the benefits of working with SERVPRO as your disaster preparedness partner - (316) 655-6094

What is the SERVPRO Advantage?

8/20/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has a wide variety of tools, vehicles and processes available to us. Some jobs require all of them!

Since its founding in 1967 SERVPRO has expanded to over 1,700 locations across the United States and Canada. Since then SERVPRO has also greatly expanded the array of services we offer. Since those services range from carpet cleaning and deodorization to large scale disaster recovery and with SERVPRO’s 1,700+ locations our collective knowledge and experience is one of the greatest assets SERVPRO has and we know how to use it. 

SERVPRO locations provide all kind of support to each other ranging from equipment to people-power and technical advice. Sometimes we might run into an issue that we have not encountered before or possibly elements to a job which prevent our normal methods for jobs. This is when we have been able to rely on the knowledge base which our corporate office and other SERVPRO’s have accumulated. 

There was one deodorization job where a skunk got into a Wichita church’s HVAC system and sprayed in it. The odor was strong throughout the building and the HVAC systems vents were inaccessible due to the construction of the building. Being unable to do much else the church wanted us to come up with a completely chemical based deodorization method for the HVAC systems vents. 

Since most of the EPA registered chemicals we use are invented and manufactured by our chemists at SERVPRO we can reach out to them for help. The advice they provided in both chemical combinations to use and equipment to pair with it proved effective. The skunk odor in the church had an immediate and significant reduction with almost total elimination of the odor coming by the end of the week. 

We are known for taking care of the big problems and disasters, but we also are adept at helping people with the strange problems. If you have a problem which makes you think “I don’t even know who does this” if it’s not us we probably know who, try giving us a call. (316) 684-6700.

Why Should you get your Ducts Cleaned?

8/14/2019 (Permalink)

This Wichita schools ductwork had never been been cleaned and the results of our technicians work is a much cleaner learning environment.

The public’s awareness of the importance of air quality in their home or business has dramatically increased in the last decade. These concerns are not just limited to mold; there is also concern about the general number of particulates in the air especially where asthma, COPD or other respiratory issues are of concern. One of the best things you can do to improve the air quality of your Wichita home or business is to get a duct cleaning. Besides improving the quality of air, it also improves the efficiency of your HVAC system and can help lengthen your systems lifespan.

Your HVAC systems ductwork can accumulate all kind of soil and that affects the number of particulates in the air as it comes out of your supply registers and eventually breath. Of course, dust and dirt are the most common accumulations of soil but other common sources are pet hair, smoke/soot from cooking or smoking, dust from home renovation projects and of course in some cases mold can be found growing on the accumulated soil. Other items can also accumulate in your ductwork that you might not expect such as scented candles, cleaning products and other off gassing volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Duct Cleaning removes these contaminants from ductwork which stops them from cycling through your air and HVAC system but cleaning your ducts takes more than just wiping the registers. Here at SERVPRO we always strive to employ the most effective processes.

All our duct cleaning is done using HEPA quality duct cleaning system. We agitate the contaminants with air and brushes from the vent side and hook up using negative pressure down by your HVAC unit. Negative pressure is very important since without it you might be simply loosening the contaminants in your HVAC system and end up with worse air quality! Duct cleanings can also help with any mysterious odors in some cases.

So give us a call today and we can help bring your indoor air quality to the next level - (316) 684-6700.

How to Protect your Pets in Case of a Home Fire.

8/8/2019 (Permalink)

Here we see a dog outfitted with a top of the line backpack ready to carry her share in the event of an emergency.

We love pets here at SERVPRO and have worked several times with our local Kansas Humane Society here in Wichita because helping lil’ pups and kitters find their forever home just makes sense to us. For many of the homes we visit the animals are a part of the family but many people do not have a fire safety plan for themselves much less their critters. For general fire safety check our blog post to set up a plan for you family and use this post to add emergency pet procedures to your plan. 

Planning on how to handle your pets in the event of an emergency is more than just being a good caretaker, it can also prevent a member of your family or an emergency worker from going back into an unsafe situation. If evacuating your home during a fire here are some steps that you can take before and during to be as safe as possible:

• Stay calm and do not panic, your pet will hopefully take your lead.
• Be sure to call for your pet
• Have a leash or cat carrier easily accessible
• Assign evacuation pet buddies like you would people buddies.
• Make sure your designated meet up area will accommodate your pet.
• Rescue alert stickers tell emergency workers how many and what kind of animals are in your house and typically also have a space for the name and number of your veterinarian.
• Know your pets hideaway spot, if they are scared they will go there. Mark those places on your fire escape plan map
• If you must leave before you evacuate leave a door open or some other kind of outdoor access available. Call your pets name when you get out and with luck they may head for your voice. 

Some general pet related safety tips are: 

• Keep all records of shots and vaccinations in a firebox
• Have an emergency bag handy with emergency veterinarian contact, pets food, snacks, water, medications and toys for comfort.
• Talk to your veterinarian about what your pet might need for a first aid kit. Most kits include cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape and scissors; antibiotic ointment; flea and tick prevention; latex gloves, isopropyl alcohol and saline solution. A pet first aid reference book is also a good idea.
• Keep lit candles away from areas a pet can access and start a fire
• Be aware and take measures for any stove-top or oven control knobs pets could possibly turn
• Microchipping your pet is a more permanent form of identification in case you lose track of them

While there is no 100% way to stay safe taking fire prevention and being prepared greatly improves your chances of avoiding giving us a call to help clean up.

The Different Kinds of Soot SERVPRO Cleans.

8/6/2019 (Permalink)

This Wichita home looks pretty destroyed and while many materials did need to be discarded many more were able to be saved thanks to our technicians.

SERVPRO works to restore homes and businesses which have experienced fire damage all the time and in the course of this work we have encountered a plethora of causes to those fires. Gas cans in a garage going off, cigarettes on porches, leaving a fish on the stove or even a treadmill spontaneously combusting. Ultimately it doesn’t matter what the cause of the fire is, what matters is getting your Wichita home or business back in order. Please refer to our Fire Safety page and make sure you have done what you can to keep your family and home safe.

As IICRC certified fire restoration specialists reigning in the chaos and damage from a fire is our job. Typically, we utilize the cause of your fire to initialize the most effective cleaning process possible. Since SERVPRO has chemists that develop almost all of the cleaning supplies we use they are able to make very precise recommendations when needed as long as we provide the proper information.

One of the most important elements to cleaning soot left behind after a fire is identifying the type of soot we are dealing with. There are three general types of soot residues produced in a fire:

1. Protein Residues: These residues typically occur due to overcooked or burned meat, fish or beans. The residue color range falls somewhere between yellow and brown with the texture being greasy sticking very easily to almost any surface. This can be one of the most difficult residues to clean often requiring strong water based cleaning solutions to effectively remove.
2. Natural Substance Residue: These residues are caused by the combustion of natural substances such as paper or wood. The residue is grey to black with a dry dusty texture. Techniques such as vacuuming followed by wet cleaning are effective at cleaning and deodorizing this type of residue.
3. Synthetic Residue: These residues are created by the burning of oil based products such as carpet, furniture, upholstery, toys or rubber. These residues are often quite thick and heavy being very black in color and smear very easily. As long as they are not touched with bare flesh they can be removed relatively easily.

Some other elements about the fire also contribute to the level of soil it produces such as:

1. Higher temperature fires burn the fuel more efficiently. Since soot is mostly the product of incomplete combustion higher temperature fire will produce less soot.
   
   
2. Higher temperature fires can also bake residues onto some surfaces making them very difficult to clean.
   
   
3. High heat opens up the pores of many materials which soot gets into and those pores close as the materials cool making deodorizing very difficult.
   
   
4. Metallic surfaces become magnetized when heated and soot particles are attracted to those surfaces since they also have an electrical charge.

If you are experiencing any kind of soil caused by a fire refer to our Fire Damage Emergency Tips and give us a call for an inspection (316) 684 -6700

SERVPRO Cleans Up and Remediates Mold Growth in the Wichita Area.

8/5/2019 (Permalink)

This Wichita home had mold growth on the outside of its drywall. Upon removing the drywall much more was growing on the inside and on the framing.

SERVPRO Technicians are trained to find mold damage in your home.

There are dark spaces in many homes and businesses with poor air circulation and high humidity which can become home to microbial growth. When these areas give a foothold to mold growth it can become a launch pad for the microbes into the rest of your home. We can help if you suspect or know this is occurring and protect your property from deterioration caused by microbial growth.

Our technicians employ several techniques and knowledge to investigate possible mold growth in buildings. Searching for elevated moisture content of the materials is an effective way to locate mold in closed off areas since mold needs moisture to grow.

This can also help pinpoint where a moisture intrusion is occurring which is important in order to prevent future damage and mold growth. Another technology we employ is thermal cameras in order to evaluate large areas of structures quickly for moisture intrusion.

Once we identify mold our focus in our remediation process is physically removing the mold and cleaning the remaining materials. We do this using HEPA equipment and EPA registered cleaning materials to ensure the highest quality process we can possibly provide.

If you are concerned about mold in your home schedule an inspection by calling us today (316) 684-6700.

How to Keep your Basement Dry during Storms.

7/31/2019 (Permalink)

Almost every basement in Wichita has a sump pump.

If you live in Kansas you know how intense the weather gets here. Shorts one day, snow the next the day and sometimes the storms rage for days at a time. In fact, we just finished that time of year and many people saw a lot of flood damage in their basement. For some people this was their first time and for others it unfortunately wasn’t but if you are reading this we hope to help you make it the last time.

We’ve been around a while and have seen flooded basements in Wichita, Derby, Andover and all over Kansas. We have helped so many people get their homes and businesses back in order after storms rampage across the sunflower state and accumulated a lot of experience doing so. Sometimes water damages are unavoidable but most of the time taking precautionary measures could greatly mitigate if not prevent flooding due to storms. Here is a list of our most commonly handed out advice we give to customers after they flood.

1. Install a water powered sump pump
   
   
   • Having a plan b for pumping water is a great idea and many people have them. The best back up pump to install is a water powered sump pump so if even if your power is lost the pumping won’t stop.
     
     
2. Submersible Pump
   
   
   • Since we are talking about pumps changing your pump from a pedestal style pump to a submersible pump is a good idea. Less can go wrong with a submersible pump and they typically have a 5 year warranty vs a 1 year warranty typical of pedestal style pumps.
     
     
3. Install French Drains
   
   
   • What is better than pumping water out and away from your home? Keeping it away from your home in the first place. Most landscaping companies can install them for you and they are very effective in moving water away from your home. Even a working pump can be overwhelmed.
     
     
4. Gutter Extenders
   
   
   • Speaking of keeping water away from your home gutter extenders are probably the easiest and cheapest thing you can do to move water away from your home. Make those gutters you have even more effective.
     
     
5. Get the slope of your yard inspected
   
   
   • Many landscapers can provide slope inspections and solutions if your yard slopes toward your home. This will direct water towards your home rather than away from it. Getting the slope of your yard inspected is an especially good idea if your neighbors or neighborhood has done any large landscaping work recently. We have worked in many homes that have never had flooding problems before but experience issues after changes in the surrounding areas landscaping.
     
     
6. Keep basement patio drains clear
   
   
   • This is a simple thing that we see all too often. Covered and clogged drains prevent sump pumps from being as effective as they could be.

These are all great preventive measures you can take to prevent flooding in your home or business due to storms. Make sure that during storms you go and check on your basement. Some flooding issues if caught while they are happening can be prevented such as a sump pumps float getting stuck, a basement window being open, and walk around in your bare feet to find moisture. Water can come up from all parts of your basement not just the sump pump.

If you are experiencing any flooding or are worried about moisture intrusion be sure to give us a call and schedule an inspection from one of our highly trained technicians. Our emergency line is 24/7 and answered by a real in town SERVPRO representative – 316-684-6700.

How SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita Helps your Business through Fire Damage Restoration.

7/26/2019 (Permalink)

This Derby trucking business experienced a fire which shut down their business for 3 weeks!

Fires are one of the most dangerous and damaging things that can happen to your business here in Wichita. Besides the fire destroying what you have worked to build there are additional safety, odor and structural issues after the blaze is gone which must be handled. That is why it is important that you keep your employees and business safe by taking the proper precautionary measures.

The first step to take is to make sure your basics are covered. This means fire alarm systems if not installed need to be and a regular inspection schedule should be implemented. Make sure alarm sensors are calibrated per manufacturer specifications. Checking battery corrosion and expiration date is another great thing to add to any inspection schedule.

Systems as old as 15 years old can still be effective measures against fires but they require more maintenance to avoid system failure. As they get to 20 years of age it is possible they have reached their technological life expectancy especially if it has not been maintained. Consult with a trained specialist if your system is still in good shape.

Get in contact with a sprinkler service even if you already have a sprinkler system. Making sure the system is functioning and having the knowledge available to you about how it works can be the difference between a small fire or a large conflagration. Additionally, the occasional sprinkler malfunction or accident can happen and cleaning up the water after a sprinkler malfunctioned is no small endeavor which businesses call us for frequently.

Having your building assessed by the fire marshal for fire hazards can help point out where the vulnerabilities are. An Emergency Ready Plan from SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita can drastically help reduce the size of an emergency if one were to happen. This service we provide for businesses is a documented resource tool for your employees which they can refer to in an emergency. It contains instructions from how and where to turn off the sprinklers to who to call first in the event of a fire.

It is just one of many things you can do to protect yourself. Give us a call today and ask about getting a free emergency plan put together for your business by us – (316) 684-6700.

Why should you use a Remediator for your Mold Project?

7/16/2019 (Permalink)

Here we see an Andover home which had a water damage which wasn't addressed. While the mold was throughout the basement this was the thickest area.

Any home is susceptible to mold growth especially in areas of the home where water is commonly used such as kitchens, bathrooms, or laundry rooms. Sometimes you can see the mold growing and sometimes there is just a musty odor or symptoms commonly experienced by people sensitive to mold. When should you call a mold remediation professional?

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita is the restoration and remediation leader in Wichita, Andover and Derby for nearly 20 years and we have gathered a lot of experience working with mold in that time. Sometimes when the mold you have is less than 10 square feet it is ok to do it yourself if you use the proper safety equipment and tools.

Even then if you don’t know why the mold grew in the first place you could see it back again in a few weeks stronger than before. The risk with improper remediation is putting the spores into the air by simply wiping mold or removing drywall. Even using bleach or other chemical cleaners is not good enough because even dead mold can be toxic.

Calling a professional remediator like SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita a call offers several advantages:

• Identify the source of growth: since we are also a water restoration company we are already trained and equipped with what we need to identify where water is coming from, what materials are wet and what needs to be done to correct the water intrusion.
• Proper Containment: when necessary we set up an airtight containment which will prevent mold from migrating from the area we are performing work to the rest of your home
• Air Scrubbers: sometimes employed to create negative pressure to prevent mold migration keep the air clean by sucking in and filtering mold particles. It also keeps our technicians safe and continue to run for 48 hours after remediation is complete.
• Experience: With nearly 20 years working for Wichita under our belt we can offer many solutions to the problems you are experiencing.
• Licensed and Insured: We are certified and licensed for mold work and our work comes with a 2 year warranty which transfers between owners. So if you are selling your home and have a buyer nervous about mold this is an excellent solution.

Give SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita a call today at 316-684-6700 and we can get started on an inspection and estimate today!

How SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita handles a Fire Restoration Project

7/3/2019 (Permalink)

In this Wichita home a fire start was started by an electrical malfunction and as the fire grew it broke a water pipe which put the fire out.

Smoke and flames from something burning in your Wichita home can lead to an extensive list of issues with the items in your home and even the structural materials themselves. The fire does not even need to be large or particularly damaging for there to be a layer of soot covering every wall and item suffusing your home with a terrible and unwanted odor. If you are struggling with any of these issues it is a good idea to call a professional restoration company like SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita.

We provide in-depth inspections on your home in order to determine the extent of damage and what it will take to clean and deodorize your home. Some of the things we do in an inspection can include:

• Inspecting rooms and areas for the presence of soot
  • Severely and moderately materials soiled by soot are typically obviously visible. Lower levels of soil can be invisible but contribute greatly to odor
• Testing cleaning techniques
  • Dry cleaning methods
  • Spot testing chemicals unique interaction with your home’s materials
• Evaluate what can be restored and what must be torn out
  • We always try to restore everything we can to keep cost and time as low as possible
• Determine whether a pack out is necessary
  • Pack-outs typically occur because the structure is excessively affected
  • We use a pack-out software which links the pictures of your items to the box and barcode they have been assigned
• Give a general road map to you about how this process will go
• Come up with a preliminary estimate on the cost of remediation

While this is the general outline of how a fire restoration project starts there are many factors which can change how a first inspection can go. Since we provide emergency board up services sometimes we will be boarding up windows, doors or any other area which needs to be secures. Additionally since we also provide emergency water services there is typically some water damage associated with a fire that has been put out and we can get right on to drying that.

Whether you are dealing with a large fire or simply an odor that won’t go away after burning dinner we can help get you back to clean. Give our office a call today at 316-684-6700.

How Odor can help you Protect your Home.

3/19/2019 (Permalink)

We are here to help!

When it rains it pours and when it pours basements start filing up with water. Most of the time it is pretty obvious when this happens, you go downstairs and the squish of the carpet tells you everything you need to know.

Sometimes when water makes an intrusion it is not as obvious. Maybe the sump pump didn’t break but couldn’t keep up with the deluge. Water may have seeped into just the edges of rooms where you don’t walk or in closets filled with storage containers. While the carpet may not be noticeably wet the drywall where the water came in or the pad underneath maybe quiet saturated.

You can fight this by keeping your nose alert to any new odors that suddenly spring up especially if they are musty. Water which has been able to go undetectable has a large chance of doing damage to your home via discoloration, rot, and even mold growth. If you do smell a new and unwelcome odor in your basement after a large rain try to follow the scent and try to find some kind of visible indication of what the cause could be.

Here are some quick facts about odor which can help:

• Odor can become more less intense based on temperature and humidity
  • An increase in temperature or humidity will increase the strength of an odor
• A musty odor can be indicative of an old water damage or even mold growth
• A poor odor can also be indicative of poor air quality which a duct cleaning can help with
• The ability of a material to hold odor is based on how porous that material is, the more porous the more is can hold odor

Here at SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita we do free inspections for mold and water intrusion and while it is better to bring us in if you have an idea of where water may have made an intrusion we bring thermal cameras, water meters and a wealth of experience which can help even if you haven’t been able to find a source of a new odor. So give us a call at: 316-684-6700.

How long will your Water Damage take to Cleanup?

1/21/2019 (Permalink)

As the water soaks into the carpet it also soaks into the wall which can further lengthen dry times.

Nobody plans to suddenly have 3 inches of standing water in their home so regardless of whether a water damage started from a broken pipe or excessive rain it needs to be taken care of as quickly as possible. In this situation the longer water sits the more bacteria grows, odors become stronger, water soaks into more materials and the change of microbial (mold) growth increase.

That is why calling restoration experts as soon as possible like the ones here at SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita is imperative.

The drying process after a water intrusion typically takes experts between three days to a week and a half to complete. Most home owners in Wichita, KS can expect a cleanup to last 3 days but the length will depend on: 

• The percentage of the home affected
• The depth of moisture penetration into the structures materials
• The water’s level of contamination
• Length of time the leak or standing water was able to sit 

As a homeowner your first step should always to address the source of water intrusion. Even simply turning the water off until the professionals arrive can greatly decreasing drying time since it will help reduce the scope of your water damage.

If you are experiencing a water damage call us on our 24/7 emergency line: 316-684-6700. 

Our Highly Trained Restoration Specialists can Restore your Wichita Home!

8/14/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita is an IICRC Certified Firm

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita is certified with the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) which is non-profit organization which sets standards and certifications for the inspection, cleaning, and restoration industries. The IICRC in addition does research for the those standards of restoration which we follow and releases those into handbooks such as the S500 which has the guidelines for handling water damage.

Firms that are IICRC Certified:

• Conduct business with honesty and integrity by presenting consumers with accurate information.
• All jobs have a formally trained technician who has passed all required tests.
• Keeping up to date with the latest changes in the industry through continuing education classes
• 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

Industry standards for mold remediation, carpet cleaning and water damage restoration didn’t just appear, they were driving by the IICRC which has established these industry standards and created reference guides. These IICRC standards are developed by the coordination of experts in multiple fields and take many years. Those experts include:

• Manufacturers
• industry organizations
• insurance professionals
• training schools
• contractors
• 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 Northeast Wichita

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita 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.

The Phenomenon of Soot Webs

8/8/2018 (Permalink)

This is an example how soot tags look. You can see how easy it is to assume they are spider webs covered in soot.

Being fire restoration specialists we have seen a lot of fire damaged homes and businesses in Wichita, KS over the years. Sometimes the extent of the damage is very evident especially when the damage is on the walls and ceilings of homes. Other times the most extensive part of the damage is in the attics, or trapped between walls where it is unseen until we dig in with our inspection. 

One of the most common visible instances of fire damage are the black spider webs that seem to spring out of nowhere after a fire. These spider webs are actually called “Soot Tags” and actually don’t have anything to do with spider webs. So you can put your worries to rest because there is no such thing as “fire spiders” as one of our customers put it. 

Soot Tags form in areas of low circulation when petroleum/synthetic based sources burn. In a fire the heat of the fire moves into colder areas since the air seeks to create equilibrium. Since that soot is riding the air with that heat soot particles follow the air into those colder areas with low circulation and are able to concentrate. Since that soot is a product of combustion the particles themselves are charged which makes it quite easy for them to create long chains of soot or soot tags. So while it looks like a lot of soot got stuck on pre-existing spider webs it is actually a whole new structure. 

If your home of business in Wichita is affected by smoke or fire damage give us a call so we can start making it “Like it never even happened.” at (316) 684 – 6700.

Guide to Fire Extinguishers for Homeowners

8/8/2018 (Permalink)

An example of a fire extinguisher, note do not hold fire extinguishers close to sources of heat.

Owning a home in Wichita, KS means there are many different dimensions of home ownership you must have knowledge about and today we are here to help you with one of those areas. In the past we have written about fire safety and steps that you can take to minimize the risk of fires. We still are giving out smoke detectors and emergency plans so contact us for those today! In this post we will go over what is the best fire extinguisher type for your home.

Fire extinguishers come in many classes and some are better suited for residential properties while others for commercial. Different classes are also better for combatting various types of fires. The ideal fire extinguisher combines these three classes:

• Class A: These extinguishers excel at putting out, textile, plastic, wood, trash and paper based fires. These extinguishers use the chemical monoammonium phosphate.
• Class B: These extinguishers excel at putting out oil, paint, grease, gasoline and kerosene based fires. These extinguishers also use monoammonium phosphate as well as sodium bicarbonate.
• Class C: These extinguishers excel at putting out electrical fires and utilize monoammonium phosphate and sodium bicarbonate. Class C extinguishers do not conduct electricity.

When choosing a fire extinguisher also consider that the class rating refers to effectiveness and area covered by the canister. The larger the number the larger the area it covers. Buy the largest canister that you can operate yourself. Typically people use a 5 pound canister for kitchens or laundry rooms while many choose to have at least a 10 pound canister for their garages.

Remember that fire extinguishers are only to be used when a fire is contained and found early. Once the fire has spread the safest thing to do is exit the building and call 911. When a fire occurs in your home or business contact a fire restoration specialist and your homeowners insurance agent as soon as possible to begin the restoration process. For more information check out our fire page here.

Is Mold A Problem For Your Wichita Home?

8/1/2018 (Permalink)

Mold can spread through a home in Wichita in as little as 48 hours.

Mold exists as microscopic spores that occur naturally both indoors and outdoors across the whole country. This means that it is not possible for a home or business to complete rid itself of all mold spores which is why restoration experts understand that mold remediation reduces the count of mold spores down to its baseline level. There are restoration companies that  say their “mold removal” guarantees to remove all mold from your home or business but that simply is not possible especially when you consider that:

• Mold naturally occurs indoors and outdoors nearly everywhere.
• Microscopic mold spores drift through the air and can enter homes and business through AC/Heating systems, doors, windows, or even by landing on people or pets going.
• Mold is able to robustly grow when exposed to moisture and that growth can turn into colonies that may produce irritants and allergies.
• When treating mold step one is to insure that the initial source of moisture which allowed a colony of mold to grow has been stopped so that the mold will not return.
• Often times you may be tipped off to the presence of mold by the musty odor that it often produces.
• Even having high humidity in your home or business can lead to mold growth. Keep it in check by maintaining indoor humidity below 45 percent.

If you suspect that your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation. We do free inspections and estimates in the Wichita, Andover, Derby and surrounding areas.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – (316) 684 – 6700.

When Storms or Floods hit Wichita, KS SERVPRO is ready!

7/24/2018 (Permalink)

A photo of one of our crews loading up during a storm event in Wichita, KS!

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita specializes in storm and flood damage restoration and have weathered several storm events in Wichita, KS.  Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment such as thermal cameras to restore your property "Like it never even happened".

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost. 

Resources to Handle Large Events

If it is a large storm event it may mean that many people in Wichita, Derby, Andover and the surrounding areas need emergency restoration services. This could mean many other companies here in Wichita will have waiting lists. When that happens SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita is able to call in reinforcements from other SERVPRO's from Lawrence, Tulsa, and other surrounding areas and make sure that you get the help you need as quickly as possible. We have done it before to great effect!

We can also call for help when huge damage hits Wichita. We can call for help from all 1,600+ SERVPRO's to run a coordinated effort to help people recover from whatever may occur. SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita has gone to other cities such as Houston after a Tornado or Kansas City after historic flooding and been apart of such efforts. For more information about storm damage check our storm damage page.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today 316-684-6700!

How to Prepare for a Power Outage in Wichita, KS

7/10/2018 (Permalink)

This is an example of a disaster kit which might help you visualize putting together your own.

Wichita, Derby and Andover have all had their share of power outages and water damages caused by power outages. Aside from outages due to historic ice storms most power outages in our area haven’t lasted very long so many people have not taken steps to ensure they are protected in case of an extended power outage. Depending on the severity of a disaster it could take days for emergency workers to reach you which means you should have sufficient water, food, and supplies to last 72 hours. 

Sometimes services such as cellular service, power, water, gas on top of emergency services may be unavailable for hours or longer. Any emergency kit should be able to help you go without until these services have been restored or you are able to leave your home. When putting together your emergency kit these are some good items to make sure you include: 

• Nonperishable food (canned, freeze dried, or dehydrated)
• Baby supplies if you have an infant
• Bottled water
• Flashlights for the family
• Extra batteries
• Battery operated clock radio
• Can opener (not electric)
• List of important Phone numbers
• First-aid kit
• Dust Mask
• Deck of cards
• Duct Tape

Once you have put together your emergency kit make sure everyone knows where it is stored preferably in a central location in your home which you would go to in case of a Tornado or some other disaster. Also you will need to check the batteries and state of the food and water so that you can change out any item which needs it. Of course there are many other measures you can take to be prepared and consulting the Red Cross is a great way to continue to prepare yourself so you can be “Ready for whatever happens”.

Furthermore consult you can consult our blog post about fire safety and our efforts with the red cross to make sure you have your home protected from possible fires. 

Don’t End up Smelling like a Flood.

6/11/2018 (Permalink)

This Wichita Hotel experienced a sewer back up so in addition to making sure everything was disinfected making sure the odor was gone was imperative.

Many Wichita businesses who experience a water damage often do not consider the odor that can linger in a building after a flood. The foul odor often smells like sewage and can indicate that mold growth may have occurred or that the water damage has not been adequately dried. No matter why it smells a foul odor is unacceptable for your business because it can drive away your customers. That is where we come in.

1. Quick Mitigation Response:
   
   The best way to remove odors from a structure is to prevent them from happening in the first place. In many cases foul odors are caused when water damage is allowed to sit and fester for several days. Even clean water that you could drink will smell like sewage after being allowed to fester for several days. When we arrive on site we are taking as much water out of your structure as possible through extraction. This speeds up the drying process because it removes as much “loose” water in the structure as possible which leaves the remaining “bound” water. That bound water is water that has soaked into the carpet, drywall and other porous materials. That is why we use equipment such as Airmovers and Large Grain Refrigerant Dehumidifiers to get the remaining moisture out as fast as possible.
   
   
2. Porous Materials Hold Odor Well
   
   If a strong odor is already present regrettably it means that some of the structure and inventory must be thrown away. Items such as carpet pad, carpet, fabrics, furniture and even structural items such as drywall could possibly hold odors and need to be discarded in order to remove odor from a structure. Removing items that can be removed during the initial damage can stop them from ever developing an odor.
   
   
3. Using Disinfectants can Prevent Odors
   
   What you smell when you smell a water damage is the metabolic process of various bacteria that either came in with the water or developed as the water stagnated. That is why using a disinfectant on the affected area can drastically reduce or stop the development of odor after a water damage.

In the event of a water damage at your business give us a call at (316) 684-6700 and we can come evaluate what needs to be done to stop a sticky situation from becoming stinky.

Visit http://www.SERVPROofnortheastwichita.com/ for more information on commercial water damage

Got Mold in Wichita?

5/16/2018 (Permalink)

The mold growth seen in this Wichita, KS home was not due to any intrusion of water. It was simply left empty with nothing to bring down the humidity.

We excel at mold remediation here at SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita especially when it comes to mold in crawlspaces. We have the training and experience to quarantine the infestation, filter the potentially harmful spores out of the air, remove the contaminated materials, and help prevent future microbial growth all with a transferable warranty on our work for 2 years.

Mold in your workplace or home?

Imagine you were getting something out of a utility closet at work, and you found mold growing on the back wall. Maybe a pinhole leak from a pipe created an ideal situation for mold to grow in this closet. With the HVAC system in such close proximity it risks taking the mold spores in the air and spreading them throughout the office. We can help you identify the leak if necessary and once the leak has been stopped we can begin our remediation work to ensure healthy air for your employees and customers to breathe.

Quarantining and Filtering the Mold

When our SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita professionals begin a mold remediation project step one is to block off the rest of the building from the mold. The visible mold is gross to look at but because mold releases microscopic spores into the air it can negatively affect people’s health when they breathe those spores.

Each job is different but in most cases our SERVPRO mold mitigation team will set up containment and create negative pressure with our air scrubber. This simply means that the mold spore infested air in the work area doesn’t migrate out of the contained area because air is being sucked into the affected area rather than being blown out.

Removing Materials Contaminated with Mold

Drywall, carpeting, ceiling tiles, and other organic materials are ideal footholds for mold when they are wet. Typically they must be removed in the mold remediation process especially when the mold has started to deteriorate them. This is why it is best to contact us immediately when a water damage occurs because it is much safer and cheaper to take care of a water problem than a mold problem. Removing these materials will cause the spores to be put in the air which is why we use containment, negative pressure, air scrubbers and pre-treatment methods before removing contaminated materials.

Stopping Mold from Reoccurring

Even though we have been remediating mold here in Wichita for nearly 20 years we cannot say for certain mold will never take hold again. Mold exists in non-significant amounts everywhere and if those spores find the right temperature, moisture and nutrient source there is always a chance mold may start growing again. Since we methodically follow industry guidelines on mold remediation we reduce the chances of that happening to as close to 0 as humanly possible.

Call SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita for Mold Today!

If you see mold in your business or home make us your first call at 316-684-6700. We offer free inspections, free estimates and free advice on how to handle your situation. Our free estimates even apply to getting into crawlspaces and attics!

Tips for Handling Water Damage

5/10/2018 (Permalink)

This flooded basement in Wichita, KS was caused by excessive rains overloading the sump pump.

Tips for Handling Water Damage

• Don’t treat flood water (regardless of source) in unwanted places lightly.
• Water that comes in from the outside of your home can bring in harmful bacteria from outside into your home.
• Even if your basement only has an inch of water in it or is even damp it is the perfect breeding ground for mold.

Did You Know…

Even if your damage seems like it just affected your carpet water can wick-up onto your walls and get them wet risking the growth of mold if not treated properly. If your walls are made of drywall water can wick-up as much as 30 inches!

Here are tips to minimize damage to your basement:

1) Call your insurance company and report your        loss right away.

• Have them assign a water mitigation company to your claim or call SERVPRO as soon as possible to take care of your mitigation needs and let your adjuster/agent know you have already called someone out.

2) Disconnect the power, unplug any electronics and remove electronics, furniture, and moveable items to areas that are dry.

• Remember, the faster you get items out water’s way the more likely you’ll be able to save them.

3) Get rid of the water.

• If your sump pump is the issue, have a plumber out right away to fix the sump pump and/or replace it and this will take care of any standing water.
  • Note: You will still need a mitigation company to extract the water from your carpet.
• If you have a broken pipe, spigot, or a toilet overflow, shut off the water immediately. Have a plumber out right away to fix the issue.
• If you have a wet/dry vac you can use this to suck up the standing water. Be sure to plug it into outlets far away from water and do not use an extension cord as the connection could short out and give you a nasty shock.
• If you have several inches of water you may want to consider renting or purchasing a submersible pump to remove the water while you are waiting for the mitigation company to arrive.
• Pull wet carpet away from walls to prevent wicking up the drywall. This will minimize the damage to your walls

The faster that you can react and follow these tips as well as get a mitigation company out to your home the better chances you have of saving your flooring, drywall, and personal items, keepsakes, and the less time your home will be in disarray.

SERVPRO at Woofstock 2017!

11/14/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO heroes rocking the booth at Woofstock in Sedgwick County Park! Great pups, great people and a great event! Come on down next year!

Almost everyone who works here at SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita has a dog and everyone here loves them. For the third year in a row we had the opportunity to take part in one of our favorite events in Wichita: Woofstock 2017! It was a great time where we met a ton of great people and great puppers. The overwhelming community support for the animals was truly moving and the fact that everyone had fun while raising over $250,000 dollars speaks to both how great an event Woofstock is and how much compassion is in Wichita residents.

The money we raise will help the more than 16,000 dogs, cats, and little critters that come through the Kansas Humane Society’s doors. The Kansas Humane Society does not receive any kind of federal, state or local government funding and relies entirely on private donations and fees for services they provide.

We have been doing restoration in the Wichita, Derby, and Andover area for 16 years and in that time we have been in many homes and businesses and met many companions and pets. We see first hand how they provide so much comfort and love for people and us them. We just wanted to say thank you to Kansas for caring about these little critters as much as we do!

What Kind of Water Damage is your Water Damage?

8/8/2017 (Permalink)

There are three categories of water contamination. Don't let a clean water damage turn into a fetid germ utopia.

When you have a water intrusion in your home or business there are many factors at play which will affect what needs to be done in order to make it "Like it never even happened." One of the first determinations we make on the site of a residential or commercial water damage is the waters level of contamination. The level of contamination, along with the specific circumstances of the job, will dictate what actions need to be taken during the remediation process. Essentially the cleaner the water, the more we can save instead of throwing away and replacing building materials; which means a cheaper, less invasive, and shorter job altogether.

In the restoration industry the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (or IICRC) is the organization which sets the restoration industries standards and practices. It is the IICRC’s standards that we follow to ensure every water mitigation and remediation job we tackle is done correctly. When it comes to the sanitary level of water there are three levels: 

• Category 1: Clean and Sanitary. Typically comes from a sanitary source such as faucet, toilet tanks, drinking fountains, or water heaters.
• Category 2: Grey Water which can cause illness or discomfort if ingested. Typical sources are dish washers, washing machine overflows, flush from sink drains, or toilet overflows with urine (no feces)
• Category 3: Black Water is grossly unsanitary which could cause severe illness or death if ingested. This includes sewer backups, flooding from rivers or streams, toilet overflow with feces, and stagnant liquid which has supported microbial growth.

These categories are also time dependent so a flood caused by a drinking fountain (Category 1 clean water) will become contaminated category 2 water after 48 hours. Another 24 hours after that it becomes a category 3 loss. This change in category means a tremendous difference in the scope of work, cost of remediation, and time of job. 

Take Michael as an example; a clean water pipe broke in his basement while he was at work and now he has wet carpets and wet drywall. At the moment it is a category 1 loss and as long as the carpet pad does not have a vapor barrier we do not even need to pull the carpet back, the carpet, carpet pad and drywall can all be dried in place with minimal disturbance to his day to day.  

If Michael waits 48 hours to give us a call now the water is a category 2 loss meaning we have to pull back all the affected carpet, remove and dispose of the affected carpet pad and apply an antimicrobial to the carpet and subfloor. As far as the walls and other materials go they may need to be cut out and removed based on the unique circumstances of the loss or how saturated the materials have become. 

If Michael waits another 24 hours to give us a call now we are dealing with a category 3 loss so both the affected carpet pad and the carpet must be cut out and removed. The affected walls will most likely be severely saturated and contaminated and will most likely need to be removed. All furniture and items left in that water will need to be cleaned and sanitized with the possibility that many items will not be able to be saved. 

Waiting to take care of water damage is a bad idea that can cost you money, time and cause a lot of hassle. That is why we serve Wichita 24 hours a day 7 days a week so that as soon as disaster strikes we can be there for you. Give us a call, we are here to help.

Insuring You're Ready (Part Two): Leaky Insurance Claims

8/8/2017 (Permalink)

Leaky pipes can turn into a devastating financial burden.

My name is Patrick Thorpe, and I have recently begun my career with SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita.  Before coming on board with this wonderful company and team, I spent the better part of a decade helping folks just like you with their insurance coverage.  The one aspect of that job I enjoyed the most was being knowledgeable, educating my clients, and, pun intended, insuring that they had the right coverage so that I could be their personal Superhero when an emergency arose.  Now that I’m on the other side of the table, working with SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita, it’s important that I impart with what I learned in the insurance industry to make sure when our services are needed, you have the proper coverage to help with that financial burden. 

Folks, it truly is a burden.  None of us wake up in the morning and think that this will be the day my kitchen catches fire, or the pipe behind my refrigerator leaks and ruins the hardwood floors.  The vast majority of people I have helped with claims were so thankful they had the proper coverage, because they were not financially prepared to pay for $15,000 or $100,000 worth of repairs. 

Understanding Water Losses:

There are many different types of water claims an insurance company will cover, and quite a few they will not (without the right type of policy).  Water claims come in many forms whether that’s a pipe freezing during the winter, a leaky line running to the refrigerator, or water rushing in from a basement window.  It is important as a homeowner or business owner to know what your policy covers, what it doesn’t, and how to prevent a pesky leak from becoming a painful aggravation. 

As always, I strongly recommend speaking with your agent about any concerns and coverage you have you on your policy.  It is just as important to develop a trusting relationship with your agent. 

What is USUALLY covered:

I need to emphasize that insurance policies typically are a one-size fits all deal, but there are exceptions to the rule.  In Kansas and surrounding states, there are quite a few different homeowner’s policies offered.  Some will list out exactly what’s covered (usually 16 “named perils”); others will list what’s excluded (called a broad peril policy).  Each one has its advantages and disadvantages, but they do share a few things in common.

Most policies, whether home or business, has coverage for things like a sudden pipe burst.  This typically happens during the winter, but is also common with older pipes from general wear and tear.  The pipe itself, most of the time, is not that big of a cost. It’s the water that comes from it that makes the most damage.  Exposed pipes, that is pipes that are not buried underground and not in a controlled environment where there is a heat source (for example, in a crawlspace or attic) or most prone for these types of losses.  However, a pipe burst can happen ANYWHERE of ANY PARTICULAR REASON.  Pesky pipes…

Two things to consider and watch out for:  1) Pipes that are not in an area with a constant heat source should always be well insulated and especially during freezes, have a running water source, like a faucet turned partially on, and 2) Making sure your policy covers part of your location below ground level.  Yes, there are some policies out there that exclude water damage in parts of the location that is below ground.  It is more common with “named peril” policies and definitely deserves questioning your agent (and get their answer in writing on a letterhead).  You could also ask for an endorsement covering those parts of the location. 

More often than not, pipe bursts like the ones described above will have coverage under your policy.  Its up to you, though, to be vigilant and act when a loss occurs.  Call SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita (316-684-6700) if there is an issue and we can send a team to you right away. 

Leaking lines are almost always covered under the policy.  Its crucial though that if you detect a leaking line to notify a professional company like SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita to take have it handled otherwise it might fall under…

Things that are NOT covered:

The most common way for water losses to not be covered is due to NEGLECT!  Leaky lines is a good example of the neglect exclusion.  Let’s say you have a toilet that has been leaking for a few months.  Nothing seems major; you have just wiped up any excess water on the vinyl floors and called it good.  All of a sudden one day when using the facility you notice a soft spot.  You call your agent and the adjustor comes out and it turns out the wood underneath has rot and mold.  Most insurance companies will call that neglect and deny the claim!

Important Note:  Some companies offer mold and fungi coverage which gives an exception to the neglect rule.  This is why it’s worth repeating to understand your policy, ask your agent questions and get their responses in writing on letterhead.

Another common leaky line issue is the fridge.  As we all know, in order for the ice machine to make ice or pour water from the door, it draws water from the water line.  Ice machine lines can freeze up.  Seals that hold the refrigerator’s water line can go bad.  What happens next is water will slide down the backside of the fridge (occasionally the front) and pool on the ground.  Water is a funny thing; it’ll take the path of least resistance.  Sometimes it’ll find its way through the molding on the floor, or in some cases, soak right into the tile.  If you start to see your floors warp or mysterious water appears on the floor, TAKE ACTION!  If you wait and wood starts to rot of develop mold, an insurance company might deny parts or the entire claim. 

The last type of water loss that might not be covered is flood waters, or water that comes from the ground.  This doesn’t include sewer back up (which is contained in tanks and pipes), but rather water from rain that enters a basement window, or water from the water table that seeps in through a concrete basement.  These types of losses are covered under FEMA and are maintained by agents here in town.  If you have any concerns about flood and ground water coming into your location, contact your agent and ask about flood insurance.  Prices can vary depending how much coverage is needed, and where you live. 

Conclusion:

Most water losses inside the home are going to have some coverage. The two take-aways you should get from this blog is to ASK YOUR AGENT what your policy covers and TAKE ACTION!  Do not wait for water to damage your subfloor and make a slight annoyance turn into a financial burden.  TAKE ACTION and call SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita who can quickly assess and offer a solution.  We also work with great plumbers and would be happy to give a referral if you just need an adjustment, like to a leaking toilet or sink.  If you own a commercial building, let us build you an Emergency Ready Plan so your tenants and employees know exactly what to do and who to call if there is water damaging your property.  Utilize SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita and you will reap the benefits.  316-684-6700

Insuring You're Ready (Part One): The ACV vs. RC Dilemma

8/1/2017 (Permalink)

Knowing your coverage makes claims less daunting.

Navigating between a restoration company and your insurance carrier sounds like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be.  Being proactive and knowledgeable in what your insurance policy carries, and what your financial burden will be, is a great step to take in surfing through the choppy waves on an insurance claim.

Insurance Companies and a Restoration Company, like SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita, might seem like they do not have much in common.  One thing they do share, and I’m sure we all agree, is they both offer service that no one wants to use.  Using your insurance or SERVPRO means that something aggravating or devastating has happened to your home or business.  Nothing agitates that more than assuming you had the right coverage for the loss, and finding out you are going to take on all the financial cost.

Through the upcoming weeks, SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita will be posting a series of blogs tailored towards your insurance coverage and how that pertains to a restoration claim like a fire, or water loss.  The intent of these blogs is to give broad advice and guidance pertaining to insurance and understanding what that would mean for you in the event of an unexpected loss.  As I’ll mention throughout this blog, you should always contact your insurance agent and carrier and ask important questions regarding your coverage and always ask for their responses in writing on a letterhead.

Who am I?

My name is Patrick Thorpe, and I have recently begun my career with SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita.  Before coming on board with this wonderful company and team, I spent the better part of a decade helping folks just like you with their insurance coverage.  The one aspect of that job I enjoyed the most was being knowledgeable, educating my clients, and, pun intended, insuring that they had the right coverage so that I could be their personal Superhero when an emergency arose.  Now that I’m on the other side of the table, working with SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita, it’s important that I impart with what I learned in the insurance industry to make sure when our services are needed, you have the proper coverage to help with that financial burden. 

Folks, it truly is a burden.  None of us wake up in the morning and think that this will be the day my kitchen catches fire, or the pipe behind my refrigerator leaks and ruins the hardwood floors.  The vast majority of people I have helped with claims were so thankful they had the proper coverage, because they were not financially prepared to pay for $15,000 or $100,000 worth of repairs. 

Now that my short introduction is through, let’s get to work, shall we?

Losses:

Losses come in many forms, whether that’s a roof leak from a bad hail/thunderstorm, a leaky pipe, fire in the kitchen, complication with the sewer systems or rainwater entering in from a basement window.  Each of those losses are unique and require a different “ground game”, both as the owner of a house or building, but also for a company like SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita.  However, all of those losses have something in common and is your first step in mitigating a hefty financial loss.  I’ll refer to this commonality as the Actual Cash Value (ACV) vs. Replacement Cost (RC) dilemma.

ACV vs. RC

The simplest way to describe the Actual Cash Value (ACV) is to think about your vehicle.  We can all agree that as your car ages and miles accumulate the value of your car decreases.  The only way to add value back to your vehicle is to repair and replace worn mechanical and cosmetic features of your car, like the engine or interior.  Even with those updates, very rarely do you bring back the entire value of your car when first purchased. 

If you have ever had a total loss (like in a hail loss or a t-bone accident) you should be familiar with ACV.  More often than not, you’re only offered the value of your car in the market, and not what you had actually paid for the car.  Now, let’s transition that to your house.  Let’s say you have a 10 year old house. Regardless of the price you paid for the house the cost to replace drywall is the same.  Picture in your mind a brand new piece of drywall side-by-side with a piece of drywall that is ten years old.  The new piece of drywall with new paint compared to the old drywall that remains will be much different due to normal wear and tear of living in a house (handprints, scratches, smudges).  Ask yourself this question:  Would you pay the same amount for the old piece of drywall versus the new piece of drywall?  The answer should be unanimous:  NO!  You would pay less, right?  This is how ACV works inside your home or business. 

ACV might apply to the structure (i.e. roof, walls, cabinets), to personal property (i.e. laptops, beds, tools) or both.  If you’d like to research yourself, look at your declarations page (usually the first page of a renewal showing your coverage) and scan for anything that states Actual Cash Value.  If you find anything on that declarations page that states Actual Cash Value, more likely than not, some if not all of your structure and personal property would fall under ACV.  Next, flip that page and look under “Forms and Endorsements” for the same.  If you find anything stating Actual Cash Value, than more likely than not SOMETHING under your policy is paid by ACV (the most common would be your fence).  The most effective way of finding out if you have ACV on your policy is to call your insurance agent and ask him that exact question.  Whatever the answer, always request their response in writing on letterhead. 

Replacement Cost (RC) is a bit easier to describe and in discovery.  The name states what it does; it entitles you to the full replacement cost of what is damaged.  As we all know when it comes to insurance, there are always subtle nuisances.  RC is no different.  RC can be paid out in different forms, whether it’s paid by with similar construction cost (how your property was before the incident), common construction cost (how properties are built commonly in your area), stated (what you have said is the value of your property), or in other forms not as common as the ones described.  Regardless of what kind of RC you have, you can rest easy knowing that after your deductible, your insurance carrier should pay the remaining balance of the repair or replacement.  The discovery process of finding out if you have RC follows the same pattern as ACV.  Your declarations page will have verbiage such as “Replacement Cost” or “Limited Replacement Cost” (no worries, Limited only refers to the TOTAL AMOUNT you have insured your structure and personal property, as well as certain cost limits like for Jewelry and Firearms).  As recommended before, if you’re unsure, call your agent and ask if you have Replacement Cost and whatever answers are given, request it be in writing on their letterhead. 

Why is this Important

Whether you have ACV vs. RC coverage isn’t as important as knowing your pocket book will be able to weather the financial cost storm.  Having ACV coverage does not indicate you have a “bad” insurance policy.  Having RC does not mean you have a “good” insurance policy.  Both of these types of policies fill a need.  What you should ask is “how much financial risk can I take on if the unexpected happened”, like a sudden pipe burst or electrical fire.  RC implies that after your deductible, you should not have any other financial burden.  Whether the deductible is $1000, or $5000, that is your portion of the financial cost.  ACV means you have decided that you can bore the cost of an unexpected loss, whether the additional burden after the deductible is $5000, $10,000 or more, and in return you receive a lower premium. 

What matters is KNOWING the coverage you have, planning for an unexpected loss and being able to react to sudden losses to reduce the total amount of damage utilizing an Emergency Ready Plan.  If you are a commercial business, SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita will help you set up your Emergency Ready Plan (ERP) as a free service to our community. What you need to ask yourself is what part of your savings would you be willing to give up if the unexpected happened?  Am I living paycheck-to-paycheck?  What feeling do I get knowing I have a flat $1,000 deductible to pay versus and fluctuating out of pocket expense?

If you can only give up a fixed, small amount than I would recommend having a Replacement Cost policy.  If the answer is a larger, fluid amount, than perhaps an Actual Cash value policy is what’s best for you. 

Example:  You have a leaking pipe behind the wall in your bathroom.  A contractor hands you an estimate of $12,000 to fix the leaking pipe, replace warped floors and wood, replace damaged drywall, paint and clean up.  Your deductible is $1,000.

ACV policy:  Deprecates for the age of the pipe, floors, wood, drywall and paint ($6,000).  After your deductible of $1,000, the insurance policy pays you $5,000. 

Your out of pocket expense:  $7,000

RC policy:  Initially subtracts the deprecation ($6,000) and deductible, issuing a check for $5,000.  Once the work is completed, they cut an additional check for $6,000 (the depreciation) paid to SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita or the policy owner (whichever is preferred).

Your out of pocket expense:  $1,000

Regardless of your answer, you ought to talk to your insurance agent, find out what options are available, know what your policy will and won’t cover and let SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita help you with your ERP and to recover from the unexpected. 

ACV vs. RC does not have to be a dilemma.  Knowing your coverage fits your individual need is one of the most important factors in preventing an aggravation turning into a devastating financial burden for you, your family and your business.

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita sincerely hopes you will never need our services.  We also hope that you utilize our advice and implement an ERP for your business, provided by us as a free service to the community.  But if the unexpected incident should arise, keep SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita in mind and let us be your Superhero in your time of need and crisis. 

How SERVPRO is Helping Wichita’s Fire Safety.

7/26/2017 (Permalink)

We have smoke detectors that will last 10 years ready to be installed for free for anyone who needs them in the Wichita, Derby, and Andover areas!

After working in Wichita, Andover and Derby for 17 years we know that bad things can happen to good people. Flooded basements, electrical fires, health problems possibly caused by mold growth. As Ben Franklin said "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" which is why we want to help you be ready for whatever happens.

The American Red Cross has been a beacon of hope for those in need since 1881. That’s why SERVPRO is proud to be national partners with the American Red Cross and have dedicated our time and resources to the Disaster Responder partnership program which seeks to educate people on disaster preparedness, raise money for supplies to support those struck by disaster, and engage our Wichita community in hoping for the best but planning for the worst. This partnership is not only at the national level, but here at the local level as well! Here in Wichita we have installed many smoke detectors in the homes of people who need them and are looking for more homes to help in.

Here are some fire prevention and safety tips provided by the American Red Cross:

Cook safely:

• Always keep an eye on food that is frying, grilling, or broiling
• Keep flammable materials away from the stove
• Use a timer to remind you that food is cooking

Smoke Alarms:

• Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home
• Replace the batteries in your smoke alarm at least once a yearor if it starts chirping (which is a warning that the battery is low)
• Press the test button regularly to make sure your smoke alarm is functioning properly
• Talk with your children about smoke alarms, what they sound like and how to respond when they hear one

Escape Plan:

• Always have an escape plan ready between you and your family
• Know of two ways to escape every room in your home
• Make sure your family knows a meeting place outside of the home
• Practice your escape plan at least twice a year
• Teach your family about STOP, DROP, AND ROLL if their clothes were to catch fire

In the Event of a Fire:

• Get out, stay out, and call 911
• Always crawl low to the ground, under smoke
• If closed door handled are warm to the touch, do not open it,use your second way out of room
• If your exits are blocked in by smoke or fire, stay in the room with the door closed, placing a wet towel under the door and call 911. Open the window and wave a brightly colored colored cloth or flashlight to signal for help

If you know anyone who could use a new smoke detector as well as disaster preparedness materials and information give us a call. Whether it be an elderly person who can't physically monitor their smoke detectors or a young family who can't afford new smoke detectors or anyone else (seriously everyone qualifies) we would like to help them absolutely free. Even though we get paid to clean up after disasters we would rather not see them happen at all in the city we love so much. 

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita Mold Remediation News And Updates

Should you get your Ducts Cleaned?

7/5/2017 (Permalink)

This was a large duct cleaning at a local Wichita school which hadn't had its ducts cleaned in 10 years. The difference is astounding!

When it comes to taking care of your home the list of chores never stops. One thing many people overlook is cleaning their HVAC, furnace and ducts. Over time the air that circulates throughout the system deposits all kinds of dirt and particulates throughout the system which increase your heating/cooling costs, hurts respiratory health (especially in asthmatic people), increase allergies, cause odor, and creates a breeding ground for mold, fungi and bacteria.

Here at SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita we have cleaned ducts in and around the Wichita area in projects ranging from small trailers to 10 story commercial buildings. No matter how big or small your ducts are we are Here to Help. But when should you consider cleaning your Ductwork?

When to get your ducts cleaned

• It is recommended to clean your ducts every 3 to 5 years
• Dust begins appearing shortly after cleaning
• Musty or bad odors surface when your HVAC system comes on
• If there is a significant dust, dirt or other particulate build up on the inside of your ductwork
• TIP: take a camera or phone and take a picture of the insides of the duct work to get a better view
• If anyone living in the home has serious asthma or allergies
• After a home improvement project that created a lot of dust

Why Should You Call?

• Cleaning your ducts makes your heating and cooling systems work more efficiently saving you money by using less electricity
• Improved respiratory health of all homes occupants (especially asthma and allergy sufferers)
• To treat or prevent the buildup of mold, bacteria, fungus, and mildew in the air ducts
• Unpleasant odor due to HVAC turning on.

The services offered remove any mold or other contaminants providing a clean air circulation throughout your home.

Here at SERVPRO we use negative pressure to clean your HVAC system as recommended by the National association of duct cleaners. When looking at companies to clean your ducts make sure that they use negative pressure as part of their process. Otherwise it is likely that the process is simply agitating and dislodging particulate build up and possibly decreasing air quality and HVAC efficiency.

Call us today, (316) 684-6700 for more information and to schedule your air duct cleaning appointment!

What to do when your Basement Floods.

6/14/2017 (Permalink)

This Wichita basement flooded due to a combination of power failure and intense storms going on several days.

When a basement floods it is a stressful, confusing event which can take a lot of time, money and effort to bring your home back to where it was before the water damage. Whether the damage is caused by a broken water pipe, heavy rains, a failed sump pump or swelling of ground water complicate things further as they all require different approaches to make it like it never even happened.

Fortunately here at SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita we have been able to help families with flooded basements all around Wichita, Derby, Haysville and Andover and are ready to help you. In this blog we will seek to give you general advice for handling flooded basements but do remember our emergency line is open 24/7 and we are here to help you with specific advice for your flooded basement.

 Safety for you and your family should be your first concern when you find out your basement has flooded. There are two main safety concerns in every water intrusion situation Electrical and Tripping hazards are the most prevalent source of injury in our industry.

• Never go into a flood damaged basement with standing water which has submerged outlets or other active sources of electricity. Wait for the water to be pumped out by a professional, such as SERVPRO, if you can’t safety do that yourself.
• Most home electronic systems and devices can be damaged from being submerged or exposed to water. Don’t us devices or outlets that have been exposed to water even after the water has been pumped out.
• It is not just the water but also the particulates in the water which will stay behind even after the water has been removed that can damage electrical systems and equipment.
• Not everything breaks immediately it can take time after electrical system is exposed to water before it breaks or becomes unsafe.
• Pay attention to where you are walking, many restoration professionals have hurt themselves walking across different materials (such as carpet to tile) because they didn’t expect the different in friction when these materials are wet.
• If you are removing any materials from your basement remember that wet materials can be VERY heavy.
• Keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging

When you have accounted for safety you can move on to being proactive about your home and belongings before our restoration technicians get there. Every minute counts which is why we respond 24/7 to emergencies and why anything you do until we get there can help protect your home.

•  If possible find the source of water intrusion and stop the flow of water into your property. Check your sump pump to make sure it is working. They sometimes get unplugged or the arm gets stuck. If a pipe is broken shut off your water valve to your home.
• Remove as much water as you can. Using a shop vac, mopping or blotting possible. The less water which is allowed to soak into your furniture, walls and carpet the better off you will be.
• Move furniture off of wet carpet and wipe the legs or bottoms before placing in an unaffected area. Wet furniture, especially wood and metal, can stain carpet very quickly.
• If you cannot remove furniture from an affected area you can place foil or woodblocks between furniture legs and the carpet to prevent staining.
• Remove colored rugs from wet carpeting so their coloring doesn’t bleed onto the carpet.
• Turn on air conditioning for maximum drying in the summer.

Remember that our emergency line 316-684-6700 is always answered by one of the restoration professionals here at SERVPRO so we can give you advice specific to your situation. We are always Here to Help.

Restoring your Wichita Commercial Property After a Water Damage Event

5/24/2017 (Permalink)

Flood waters drenched this Wichita business but after our technicians extracted the water and set equipment they were back at work the next day.

Flooding and water damage events at Wichita commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

About SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. 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.

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita Company Profile

Does Your Wichita Home Have A Mold Problem?

5/8/2017 (Permalink)

In Wichita mold can spread through a home in as little as 48 hours.

Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere indoors and out. This makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Therefore, mold remediation reduces the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts:

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.


• Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.


• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.


• Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.


• Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.


• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

If your home or business has a mold problem, SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today –316-684-6700

Wichita Smoke and Soot Cleanup

4/20/2017 (Permalink)

Smoke and Soot Damage Can Cause a Pervasive Odor in Wichita Homes and Businesses.

Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.  

Smoke and soot facts:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions.  We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – 316-655-6094

Wichita 24 Hour Emergency Water Damage Service

3/13/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita provides 24 hour fire and water damage restoration service in Wichita for residential and commercial properties.

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita is ready to help 24 hours a day for your small and large water emergencies. When you are dealing with water damage immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help
Call Today - 316-684-6700

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling stressed, vulnerable and confused. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

About SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita

SERVPRO of Northeast Wichita 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. 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.