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 
   

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.  

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.  

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. 

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

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.

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!  

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.