Our Customers Always Come First

9/13/2022 (Permalink)

Thank you for your support!

Since 1967, SERVPRO has been dedicated to keeping our customers happy.  SERVPRO of Southeast Salem is proud to be able to carry on this tradition.  Our mission is to leave each job, large or small with our customers being 100% satisfied.

SERVPRO is invested in the local community and making sure our neighbors are taking care of quickly and efficiently and in constant contact every step of the way.  Using a customer centric approach in every customer interaction is how we ensure satisfaction.  We know there is not a one size fits all answer for any situation.  For this reason we help to find an individualized solution that meets the needs of your unique circumstances.   

We are proud to be a service you know and trust. 

Our Knowledge and Experience Benefits our Customers

9/13/2022 (Permalink)

Here at SERVPRO we have constant training to insure we are the best for any situation.

Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO's Corporate Training Facility to regular IICRC, (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification), industry certifications, and continuing education classes. This self-paced program includes; Crew Training, Fire Restoration, Water Restoration and Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning. Certification is awarded after successful completion of course materials and an examination.

When it comes to voluntary training the SERVPRO program is designed to be an ongoing, self-paced coaching series for a franchise's employees. E-learnings, such as video presentations and support materials are followed by a knowledge test at the end of each module. This keeps our technicians and office staff up to speed on industry standards and the professional quality you expect ensures each of our locations is trained through this 15-day hands-on course which is the foundation of the SERVPRO success. Rest assured, our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. 

Lastly, SERVPRO of Southeast Salem offers both credit and noncredit courses for insurance agents, insurance adjusters, real estate professionals and franchise staff. These programs are designed to improve knowledge of emergency mitigation

24/7 365 We Are There for You

9/13/2022 (Permalink)

Anytime, anywhere!

Flooding and water emergencies don't wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Southeast Portland provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays. You can expect an immediate response time, day or night.

In many cleaning and restoration situations, immediate action is needed. With over 1,700 U.S. and Canadian Franchise locations, SERVPRO is strategically positioned to be faster to any size emergency. An immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Water is particularly invasive, quickly spreading throughout your property and being absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, etc. SERVPRO of Southeast Portland arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. Here's a look at the water damage timeline; 

Within Minutes

• Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.

• Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.

• Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.

• Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.

Hours 1 - 24:

• Drywall begins to swell and break down.

• Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.

• Furniture begins to swell and crack.

• Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.

• A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

• Mold and mildew may grow and spread.

• Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.

• Metal begins to rust and corrode.

•Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.

•Paint begins to blister.

• Wood flooring swells and warps.

• Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 Week:

Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive. Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.

Furnace Cleaning

9/13/2022 (Permalink)

Don't wait tel its to late! Call us for a cleaning

Properly maintaining your furnace in your Portland home may be able to help you prevent a costly accident, and the need for fire cleaning afterward. Fortunately, there are some easy maintenance steps that can be taken with most furnaces.

Steps You Can Take..

If your furnace seems to be malfunctioning there are several things that could be wrong. Some of the most basic causes are things you can check for yourself.

• A fuse may be blown, or a circuit tripped causing the unit to lose power
• The thermostat may have been turned off
• The power switch may have been turned off
• On gas units, the pilot light may be out

When to Call a Professional..

Calling a professional can not only help ensure that the furnace is serviced by someone familiar with it’s unit type, but may help you prevent the necessity of a fire cleaning down the road. If you are unsure what the problem is, or find a fuse blown on several occasions, it is best to call a professional for repair. If you smell gas then quickly exit your home and call your gas company or fire department. Do not try to turn on any lights or turn the gas off yourself.

If You Do Experience Problems..

Unfortunately, sometimes fire or smoke damage can occur from a furnace. In events like these a fire damage and restoration professional may be able to help with any smoke cleaning and repairs your home may need. At that time, you may want to have your furnace repaired or replaced by a professional as well.

You can follow some basic steps to keep an eye on your furnace's maintenance needs. While some may be things you can do yourself, others should be done by a professional familiar with the furnace type. If the furnace does malfunction then a restoration and fire cleaning professional may be able to help with your home’s needs. 

Rain Storm Precautions

9/13/2022 (Permalink)

With Summer ending time to prepare!

When a flood is happening you can take the following measures:
- Disconnect all electrical and gas appliances. Shut off the water main to keep contaminated water from the water heater (a source of emergency water).
- Bring any valuable or sentimental outdoor possessions inside.
- Move valuables and essential items to upper floors of building.
- Sandbags should be stacked well away from the building to avoid damaging walls. If major flooding is expected, flood the basement with clean water to equalize the water pressure on the outside of the basement walls and floors. This is to help prevent structural damage.
- Round up pets.

The extent of the flooding will impact the amount of work required to get your home back to its former glory. Minimal flooding may require only the time it takes to remove the water and dry everything out. More extensive flooding can leave you needing a complete remodel. Be prepared for the potential construction site left in your home after a flood.

Fire Safety Tips... Two Minutes Might Be All You Have!

9/13/2022 (Permalink)

Call us if you need any support!

Did you know that if a fire starts in your home you may have as little as two minutes to escape? During a fire, early warning from a working smoke alarm plus a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly can save lives. Learn what else to do to keep your loved ones safe!

Top Tips for Fire Safety

1. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.

2. Test smoke alarms every month. If they’re not working, change the batteries.

3. Talk with all family members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.

4. If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL FOR HELP. Never go back inside for anything or anyone.

With Fire Damage, Comes Water Damage

9/13/2022 (Permalink)

If you suspect anything call us for an inspection!

Anyone who has been through a fire knows that where there’s smoke, there’s water—and lots of it after firefighters have finished battling a blaze. The key to salvaging your belongings from water damage and preventing mold is to act quickly to begin the process of removing the moisture from your carpets, furniture and walls. Professionals use mobile, state-of-the-art water extraction equipment and technology to get the job done as quickly as possible. Standing water is removed from flat surfaces by sponging and blotting. Saturated rugs and carpets are taken up when hardwood floors are at risk…these are just a few examples of the many steps involved in drying out a structure and restoring its contents. With proper precautions (and a dose of good luck), you may never experience the trauma of a fire or dealing with its messy aftermath.

Tips to Keep Your Christmas Tree From Catching Fire

9/13/2022 (Permalink)

Getting ready for the holiday season, call us with prevention tips!

This time of year, we all enjoy the decorations, music and festivities of the holiday season.  One of the most important elements of decor to many is the Christmas tree.  This iconic image makes its appearance once a year in downtown areas, stores and of course living rooms all across the country.  One concern for many who choose to put a beautiful tree in their home is if it is in fact a fire hazard.

According to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) between 2013-2017, U.S. fire departments responded to an average 160 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year.  Another staggering fact from the NFPA is that on average, one of every 52 reported home fires that began with a Christmas tree resulted in a death, compared to an average of one death per 135 total reported home fires.  Now we don’t want to dissuade anyone from enjoying a tree in their home, we simply hope that you take proper precautions to not become a statistic. 

Some of the best tips to protect your home or business from a Christmas tree fire are quite simple to do. 

This list should help to ensure a safe and happy holiday, without a devastating Christmas tree fire:

• Make sure string lights are in excellent condition and do not have loose connections, cracked lamps or frayed cords.
• Use only a single extension cord that can reach your home's outlet without being too long and being tangled.
• Use UL-approved lights and cords.
• Make sure lights are off when you go out and before you turn in for the night.
• Make sure all outdoor light connectors are away from metal rain gutters and off the ground.
• Never use candles to light or decorate a tree.
• Purchasing a freshly cut tree can lessen the chance of a fire hazard, and it smell better!
• Ensure your tree is at least three feet away from any heat source.
• Water the tree every day and remove it from your home after Christmas or once it becomes dry. 
• Avoid burning Christmas tree branches or wrapping paper in your fireplace.
• Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that could burn. 

This video from the National Fire Prevention Association shows that in less than a minute a Christmas tree fire can be extremely damaging. 

SERVPRO of Southeast Salem wishes all our friends and neighbors a safe and happy holiday season.  If you are unfortunate enough to experience a fire this season remember that we are always, “Here to help.” 

Insurance Claims Can Be Difficult, Having Photos Helps

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

Always remember to document everything even the small things!

Having picture documentation of your home and its contents can be helpful if you ever have to endure a fire.  These photos help to show the condition the structure was in prior to the fire.  They also provide an accurate depiction of the contents you have and their condition.  These photos could be quite valuable when working with the insurance company in filing a claim.

A recent incident I heard about showed the importance of having these photos.  In this case a home had recently caught fire from a malfunctioning dryer.  The home owner had went to the store for a moment and came back to the fire department battling a large fire at his home.  The homeowner had taken pictures of the home and its contents on his phone.  The problem with this is his phone was also consumed by the fire.  

This scenario could easily happen to anyone.  Many of us may not take our phone with us all the time.  On the bright side there are quite a few ways to store and backup photos with current technologies.  From the various cloud based storage options such as:  Icloud, Google Drive and Dropbox.  If the cloud isn't you thing printed copies could be kept in a fire-proof safe or even at a safety deposit box.  The key takeaway from this is to have photos of your property and contents as well as have them stored so they wouldn't be affected by a disaster. 

Hard Water Doesn't Have to be Hard to Remove

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

Give us a call for any tips on how to clean hard water spots!

It can be difficult to get rid of nasty hard water stains on windows, even for professional cleaning companies. Over 85% of United States residents and businesses reside in hard water areas. Large offices or warehouses with multiple windows are among some of the most difficult tasks to handle. The first step begins with understanding hard water and how it affects the buildings so our cleaning technicians choose the best solutions to get rid of it.

There are no minerals in the rainwater that falls to the Earth. When it passes through the ground it absorbs minerals such as calcium and magnesium. This is what transforms it from “soft water” into “hard water.” Hard water doesn't usually cause any problems with our health but it can be detrimental to plumbing, fixtures, appliances, glass, showers, or pretty much anywhere water is used.

The minerals are left behind once water is evaporated. These ugly deposits cause crusty scale, stains, film, and mineral rings. This build-up can become problematic or permanent if not dealt with quickly.

Hard Water Cleaning Solutions for Removing Those Ugly Stains:

Cleaning companies have many different methods for removing hard water stains. Acidic and non-acidic chemicals, abrasive, natural or manufactured tools, there is a multitude of cleaners that have the ability to remove mineral deposits and scale. To ensure you choose the right cleaning product for the job, surface or fixture you plan on cleaning check the manufacturer's label. You can also test the cleaner in a discreet place first if you are not sure what the outcome will be. The last thing you want to do is cause damage to your customers' building.

The more common method for removing mineral deposits such as calcium, magnesium, and iron is using an acidic product. Most hard water staining can be removed with a combination of the right cleaner, cleaning tool and a little hard work.

Cleaning tools such as white scrubbing pads, scrub brushes, and steel wool, are the usual products to get the job done. Just remember that none of these tools should be used alone, as they can permanently scratch the surface of the window. Only use these tools when the surface of the window is wet with water or cleaning chemical.

Starting your cleaning process with less harmful chemicals, tools, and methods are recommended. Then step it up to more aggressive methods should the issue persist. It may take several attempts to remove stubborn deposits.

Beware of strong acidic chemicals as they are very corrosive and damaging to certain surfaces such as stainless steel and chrome. These tools will “eat” through surfaces, so never attempt to use such chemicals without the proper training and testing.