The Types & Causes of Flooding | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

4/9/2022 (Permalink)

Regardless of the cause of the flooding, SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis has the team to help you recover from any disastrous event.

The most common natural disaster in the United States is floods, causing more deaths each year than hurricanes, tornadoes or lightning. Flooding can cause damage to anyone, from small areas to enormous spans of whole neighborhoods and cities.

Flooding happens in all 50 states and all U.S. territories, although there are similarities in its variations and causes. There are three unique kinds of floods, which occur due to four primary reasons.

Depend on SERVPRO to Help | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

3/19/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis are your local commercial restoration experts. Contact us today should you experience any damage.

As a business owner or operator, you are well aware that keeping things moving smoothly involves the utilization of every available hand. Significant downtime or losses may be devastating to your company.

It does not matter what sort of company or facility you are operating, you should know that you already have a built-in business partner to aid with cleaning and disaster recovery, and it’s right here in your backyard. SERVPRO can handle a wide variety of needs for your business. It’s as if you have a committed ally looking after a vital component of your company’s success strategy.

Large loss recovery. Fires, storms and floods are some of the most common causes of financial loss for businesses in the U.S., and may cause catastrophic damage if there is any delay in getting it cleaned up and treated. When you contact SERVPRO, you’ll be chatting with a highly trained crew that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to deliver proven emergency services, minimize your downtime and speed up your recovery time.

Emergency Ready Plan. Did you know recovery from a disaster can begin even before the crisis arises? We can help you develop an Emergency Ready Plan that you can put into action precisely when you need it. After a crisis, you might need an emergency chain of command, other meeting or work sites to perform business, and maybe even temporary suppliers. We’ll get you set up so that all of this can get started with a simple click of a button.

All-purpose cleaning. We specialize in everything from highly specialized services like trauma site cleanup and safe biohazard removal to typical necessities like carpet cleaning and upholstery restoration in high-traffic areas. We truly can provide cleaning solutions for any circumstance. We’ve been doing this for a long time and have seen and cleaned everything there is to see and clean.

Restoration services. You can never predict if the next storm will cause flash floods, if the interns might set fire to the kitchen or if a pipe might freeze and explode in the winter. All of these incidents necessitate SERVPRO’s repair and cleaning services. You can depend on us to restore the shine of your organization after a destructive emergency, from water removal all the way through to restoration.

Industry specialization. We can aid a broad variety of industries, and we’ve spent decades understanding the ins and outs of each. We can assist you with whatever specialized or unique cleaning or restoration requirements your organization has. In many circumstances, we’ll even enclose the work area to avoid interfering with other parts of your company’s everyday activities.

Whatever your recovery need may be, and whatever your commercial property may require, trust SERVPRO to get the job done. Contact us today to get started on an Emergency Ready Plan or find out how we can serve your business.

Do You Have an Emergency Ready Plan? | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

3/12/2022 (Permalink)

If the day comes where your business is hit with disaster or emergency, you can rest assured SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis will be there to help.

Both starting a business and running it is hard work. From staffing to marketing, we understand you’ve got a lot on your plate.

Keeping your doors open in the wake of a disaster is even harder work if you don’t plan for it. You’ve labored overtime to get where you are, and we have a way to help make sure unpredictable interruptions to your business don’t last long.

Because businesses are oftentimes so busy, planning for what to do after a disaster can easily slip the mind. But it’s important. According to FEMA, 40% of small business, have to close their doors for good after a disaster, and 25% of those that reopen shut their doors again within a year.

So how do you give yourself the best chance of reopening after a disaster? How do you beat the odds?

The answer is simple: Create a strong emergency plan. Three-quarters of small businesses in the United States don’t have any plan in place, and as the pandemic has shown us, that can have disastrous effects.

We want to do everything we can to give your business the best chance of surviving, should a disaster strike.

SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis helps businesses prepare by creating a custom Emergency Ready Plan just for you and your business. We can assess your priorities and concerns in regard to your specific location and industry.

We cover everything from fire disaster to data recovery, so that if the worst case-scenario happens to your business, you already have a plan of action. You don’t have to wonder what to do or who will do it.

The key to a good plan is having someone in charge of it. Don’t make recovery from disaster any tougher than it already is. Let SERVPRO help you build your Emergency Ready Plan. It could be the difference between your business, that you worked so hard to build, surviving or shutting down.

When your business is ready to prioritize planning and safety to prevent extended downtime, contact SERVPRO to get the Emergency Ready Plan underway from the folks who know all there is to know about disaster and recovery.

Spring Brings Weather Hazards to Wisconsin | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

3/12/2022 (Permalink)

Extreme temperature changes can lead to the possibility of severe weather. SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis is a click away if you experience any damage.

The United States is one of the world’s largest nations, second only to Russia and Canada in terms of total land area (though China is also larger if outlying US territories are excluded).

With such a large region under one umbrella, seasonal weather is not one-size-fits-all. Different parts of the nation endure unique weather patterns and variable degrees of weather threats.

As spring approaches and warm and cold air meet throughout the country, let’s take a look at the unique weather events that may be anticipated in a few broad areas, and more particularly what we need to consider here in Wisconsin.

Up in the Pacific Northwest, spring months are prone to severe rain, which may result in floods and water damage for region inhabitants. Higher altitudes will continue to have snow, and the melting and runoff from that will create issues of its own.

The Upper Midwest, including here in Wisconsin, and the Northeast regions have the longest duration of cold winter weather. Chilly weather will persist for the entirety of the winter season. As spring arrives, severe thunderstorms are a threat here in Wisconsin, continuing throughout the summer months. Residents from Maine to the Dakotas may anticipate very cold weather winters and the threat of snowstorms and blizzards even until late spring or possibly early summer.

On the other hand, the southern West Coast will have to watch out for excessive heat waves that could threaten lives and property, while the South Pacific, including Hawaii, will be on the lookout for potential tsunamis caused by tectonic activity.

The central United States, from Iowa to Texas, will need to be vigilant for windstorms, derechos and the threat of wildfires, which may readily spread during dry seasons and strong winds. A large portion of this territory is also Tornado Alley, an area with a high frequency of tornadoes.

Finally, the Southeast may be subjected to a variety of extreme weather events, ranging from tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in landlocked states to hazardous rip currents along the coastal areas with early-season hurricanes later in the spring.

Regardless of where you reside in the United States, the possibility of severe weather exists. Yours may differ from that of a friend a few states away, but it never hurts to be aware of the times and be prepared.

If extreme weather leaves you with damage from water, fire or other elements, help is a click away. Contact SERVPRO for fast, expert recovery.

What Does SERVPRO Do? | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

2/5/2022 (Permalink)

When you need cleanup and recovery of any kind, you can trust SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis to get the job done.

You might know what it means when our big green truck drives by. Perhaps you know someone down the road had a house fire and our team is on its way to restore the damage.

Generally speaking, most people understand that SERVPRO is a restoration company of some kind. While that’s not a complete misunderstanding, let’s clear up what we really are.

We are a full-service, stem-to-stern cleaning, restoration and reconstruction giant—and here is a deep dive into the services we provide:

Water damage recovery. Whether it’s a leaky roof or a flooded basement, we are here to help dry it up.

Fire damage recovery. Every 23 seconds, a fire occurs in the United States. Fires are incredibly damaging, and we’ve got incredible restorative services to match.

Mold removal. It doesn’t take long after leaks or other water damage for mold to start growing, and it can even cause enough damage to threaten the structure of your home. In order to avoid spreading mold or endangering yourself, trust our experts in green to do it for you.

Storm recovery. We are equipped and prepared to restore whatever damage any natural disaster causes.

Commercial needs. Have a business of any kind? We offer you all the same services we offer to homeowners, plus more. This includes specialized cleaning and care to ensure your business shines for you and your customers.

General cleaning. Not only do we offer disaster restoration, but we also offer general cleaning services to residential and commercial spaces alike. Carpets, upholstery and other fabrics need specialized care from time to time. We can give your residence or business the clean you need, and keep you focused on what you really want to be doing.

Specialty cleaning. We also offer many highly specialized cleaning services, like document restoration and duct cleaning! We even offer COVID-19 services and biohazard cleanup. With no exaggeration, if it can get dirty, we can make it shine like new.

Construction. In a worst case scenario when your home or business can’t be restored, you can rely on SERVPRO to rebuild and restore your home to its original condition.

Add 24-hour service and an easy insurance process to all this, and the picture becomes clear—when you need cleanup and recovery of any kind, you can trust SERVPRO to get the job done.

The Shape that Depicts Every Fire | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

1/30/2022 (Permalink)

If your home or business has any damage, SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis is ready around the clock to help you recover.

Fires take many forms, but each one has a shape—a representative shape, anyway.

Every fire can be described with something called the fire tetrahedron—a four-sided triangle, each side of which represents a specific element possessed by every fire.

In fact, all fires require all sides of the tetrahedron working together. This is how a fire lives, and it also becomes our methodology for making sure a fire dies.

Our In-Depth Water Damage Restoration Process | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

1/22/2022 (Permalink)

When water damage strikes, make the call to SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis for A-to-Z cleanup and restoration.

Each day, an unbelievable 14,000 Americans are hit with a water damage incident. If you happen to be one of today’s soggy lot, or you become one in the future, know that SERVPRO has your back when it comes to water removal, cleanup and restoration.

Here’s the in-depth process that happens when you call SERVPRO with a water disaster.

Emergency Contact. First contact will include some questions from our team, to give us a clear picture of your emergency. Then we’ll quickly set up and appointment to get someone on site to survey the damage in person.

Inspection and Water Damage Assessment. If water is still flowing, the first order of business will be to get that stopped. Then we can properly assess the damage, and warn you of any potential hazards it may have created. Once that’s done, we’ll come up with a plan for restoration, and determine what needs replacement.

Water Removal. No matter how much water is on site, we’ve got the tools to get rid of it. ?You’ll be amazed at the hundreds, maybe thousands, of gallons of water that will be removed by our industrial vacuums and pumps. We’ll do whatever it takes to get your home dry.

Damaged Material Removal. Some items may not be salvageable, and this will be the time for us to quickly remove those, to rid your home of hazards and aid in the drying process of the remaining items that are to be restored.

Cleaning, Sanitizing and Deodorization. Water damage can leave a real mess, and we’ll quickly get to work on cleanup duty. We’ve spent more than 50 years adopting and developing techniques to restore your home to its preloss state, and we’ll use as many as necessary.

Drying. Water removal is only the start. There’s a thorough drying coming to your carpets and other surfaces to remove all the excess moisture and prevent the growth of mold.

Monitoring. We’ll be watching over every step, to ensure maximum effectiveness and efficiency, and make any needed changes to equipment or methodology for your specific situation.

Repairs and Construction. Once everything is completely dry, we can go about the work of repairing damaged surfaces, walls, floors and more, and we can rebuild any areas that have been damaged to the point of replacement. From drywall to complete rebuilds, we’ve got you covered in every soggy situation.

Whatever the cause, and however deep the damage, SERVPRO is here to get you back in the dry after a water incident.

When water damage strikes, make the call to SERVPRO for A-to-Z cleanup and restoration. We’ll make your damaged property look “Like it never even happened."

Be Ready for Winter Storms and Extreme Weather | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

1/14/2022 (Permalink)

It’s about to be that time again. The season of family gatherings, religious and cultural holidays and that oh-so-hopeful countdown to a new year. It’s a wonderful time for many, but don’t let it distract you from the important need to prepare for potentially hazardous weather.

Living in the Milwaukee area provides a virtual guarantee that you’ll be encountering some kind of heavy winter weather this year. So as fall fades and winter waits, let’s look at the list of things for which you should be preparing.

Home Fires and Their Causes | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

1/9/2022 (Permalink)

Regardless of the cause, SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis are here for you if your home is affected by fire.

You would imagine homeowners would go to any lengths to protect their home from a potentially devastating fire. With all that’s invested in one’s home, it only makes sense.

Yet despite decades of awareness campaigns and advancements in technology aimed at fire prevention, a quarter of all reported fires still start at home.

How are these fires continuing to happen, and what should we be doing to make them less likely? Let’s look at the most common causes to shed some light on where we may still be lacking in fire safety at home.

Cooking. The kitchen is far and away the most common area for fires to begin in the house, and the leading reason? Unattended cooking. Yep, the top cause of all fires at home is people walking away from the stove or grill, leaving oils or food items to overheat and spark a fire. The single greatest thing you can do to prevent a fire at home is to pay attention while you’re playing chef.

Heating equipment. Heaters, especially portable space heaters, are known for causing fires, and they start 14% of home blazes. They tip over, overheat or cause short circuits, or they simply cause nearby objects or materials to combust.

Electrical fires. How old is your home? The age of your home is directly proportional to your risk of electrical fire. As wiring ages it’s more likely to develop problems or encounter shorts or overloads, and older homes are not as well-equipped to handle the sheer amount of electricity used by modern devices and families.

Intentional fires. An unthinkable 28,000 intentional home fires are lit each year in the United States. Whatever the reasons may be, these fires are responsible for 8% of all home fires and 14% of all home fire casualties.

Smoking materials. Cigarettes, cigars and even vape pens can cause combustion at home, especially if someone is smoking in bed as he or she falls asleep. Sadly, though this is the least common cause of home fires, it is the most likely cause of casualties from home fires.

Regardless of the cause, SERVPRO is here for you if your home is affected by fire. Contact your local team today to see how we can help.

Ready When You Need Us | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

12/22/2021 (Permalink)

If a fire issue pops up during the holidays, remember the trusted leader in the recovery industry, SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis.

Do you remember when pay phones only cost a dime? Wait, do you remember pay phones at all? If you do, then you probably also remember an era when if you wanted certain things, you had to wait for them.

Before the age of front-door delivery for everything and instant gratification from cell phones and music streaming services, sometimes you had to wait, and not only for things you wanted, but for things you needed.

The age of waiting for products and services is largely over, and we here at SERVPRO are in favor of that. When it comes to our lines of service in particular, you shouldn’t be forced to let damage sit and soak while you wait for an office to open—which is precisely why we’re available 24 hours a day for emergency service.

After a fire. If you have a damaging fire at home, some of the effects are immediate and easy to see. But sneaky offenders like soot, which embeds itself in your carpet and uses its micron-sized particles to start eating away at your home materials, begin to take hold right away as well.

Soot sets in in mere minutes, and in only a few hours soot and smoke are permanently damaging your home, and leaving stains and smells that won’t go away without total drywall replacement.

After water damage. Similarly you’ll notice some immediate damage from water, but there are hidden dangers. As if set by a timer, mold growth begins 48 hours or less after water’s initial contact with your surfaces, and if left to fester, it can create respiratory and other health issues. Unchecked mold growth can even erode your home’s framework and impact your home’s structural integrity.

Your home or business can also be damaged by storms, natural disasters or weather events, all of which can create an acute need for service and recovery. Why should you have to wait for service if these things happen in the middle of the night? If you didn’t send this damage an invitation, you shouldn’t have to wait for cleanup.

At SERVPRO, we don’t only say we’re Faster to Any Size Disaster, we prove it by being at the ready on nights, weekends and holidays. Every hour of every day, rest assured knowing you can click or call for immediate help when your home or business encounters damage.

When you need help after a home or business disaster, fast service is a priority, and there’s nobody faster or more prepared than SERVPRO. Call us anytime to take advantage of our 24-hour emergency service.