Recent Posts
Springtime is Cleaning Time
4/1/2024 (Permalink)
Avoid fire hazards when you spring clean this season.
Now is the time that many of us embark on the annual tradition of spring cleaning. While clearing out clutter and tidying up our homes can bring a sense of renewal, it's essential to be mindful of potential fire hazards that may arise during this process.
Here are some tips to ensure your spring cleaning efforts don't inadvertently lead to a fire:
Inspect Electrical Outlets and Cords: Take the time to inspect all electrical outlets, cords, and appliances for signs of wear or damage. Frayed cords or overloaded outlets can increase the risk of electrical fires. Replace any damaged cords or outlets immediately, and avoid overloading circuits.
Clean Dryer Vents: Lint buildup in dryer vents is a common fire hazard. During your spring cleaning routine, don't forget to clean out the lint trap in your dryer and inspect the vent for any blockages. Regularly cleaning your dryer vents can prevent lint buildup and reduce the risk of a fire.
Dispose of Hazardous Materials Properly: When decluttering your home, be cautious when disposing of potentially hazardous materials such as old batteries, cleaning chemicals, or paint cans. Improper disposal of these items can lead to chemical reactions or combustion. Follow local guidelines for disposing of hazardous waste safely.
Check Smoke Detectors: Ensure that smoke detectors are installed on every level of your home and test them regularly to make sure they are functioning correctly. Replace batteries as needed, and consider upgrading to interconnected smoke detectors for added safety.
Store Flammable Materials Safely: When organizing storage areas, be mindful of how flammable materials are stored. Keep items such as gasoline, propane, and cleaning solvents in well-ventilated areas away from heat sources and flames.
Have a Fire Escape Plan: Finally, make sure your family has a fire escape plan in place and that everyone knows what to do in case of a fire. Practice fire drills regularly to ensure everyone can evacuate safely.
By incorporating these safety tips into your spring cleaning routine, you can reduce the risk of fire hazards in your home and enjoy a safer, cleaner living environment.
If you're ever affected by fire in your home or place of business - SERVPRO of Richardson is here to help. We have experts who can restore or remove damaged items - call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 972-808-6006.
Post-Rainstorm Checklist: What to Look for to Detect Leaks in Your Home
4/1/2024 (Permalink)
A checklist for finding water damage after a heavy rainfall.
After a heavy rainstorm, it's essential to inspect your home for any signs of water intrusion or leaks. Here's a checklist of what to look for when checking for leaks after a downpour:
Roof: Start by inspecting your roof for any visible signs of damage, such as missing or damaged shingles, cracked flashing, or sagging areas. Look for water stains on the ceiling or walls in the attic, as these may indicate a roof leak.
Gutters and Downspouts: Check your gutters and downspouts for clogs or debris that could impede water flow. Ensure that gutters are securely attached to the roofline and that downspouts direct water away from the foundation of your home.
Windows and Doors: Inspect the seals around windows and doors for any gaps or cracks where water could enter. Check for signs of water intrusion, such as water stains or swollen wood frames.
Walls and Ceilings: Look for water stains, bulging, or peeling paint on walls and ceilings, which may indicate hidden leaks. Pay special attention to areas near windows, doors, and plumbing fixtures.
Plumbing Fixtures: Check under sinks, around toilets, and behind appliances for any signs of water leaks, such as puddles or dampness. Inspect plumbing pipes for signs of corrosion, rust, or damage.
Attic: If accessible, inspect the attic for signs of water intrusion, such as water stains, mold growth, or damp insulation. Check around vents, chimneys, and skylights for signs of leaks.
Exterior Walls and Siding: Inspect the exterior walls and siding of your home for any cracks, gaps, or damage that could allow water to enter. Look for signs of water stains or rotting wood.
By conducting a thorough inspection of your home after a heavy rainstorm and addressing any potential leaks or water damage promptly, you can help protect your home from costly repairs and ensure a safe and dry living environment.
If you find signs of a leak - make sure to call SERVPRO of Richardson (972-808-6006.)
We know how to quickly assess and address water damages.
You Called Us - Now What?
4/1/2024 (Permalink)
Call SERVPRO of Richardson if your house floods.
Experiencing a flood in your home can be a stressful and overwhelming situation, but SERVPRO of Richardson has a team of experts that can assess and address water damage.
Call us right away - but you can also help minimize damage and expedite the recovery process. Here are essential steps to take before SERVPRO gets there:
Prioritize Safety: Safety should always come first. Before taking any action, ensure that it's safe to enter your home. Turn off the electricity and gas supply to prevent the risk of electrical shocks or gas leaks. Avoid walking through floodwaters, as they may contain harmful contaminants or hide hazards.
Assess the Damage: Take photographs or videos of the flooded areas for insurance purposes. Document any visible damage to furniture, appliances, walls, and flooring.
Protect Belongings: Salvage any items that haven't been damaged by the floodwaters. Move them to a dry, well-ventilated area to prevent further deterioration. SERVPRO will help dispose of carpet and furniture that cannot be repaired.
Remove Water: Start the process of water removal as soon as possible to prevent further damage and mold growth. Use a wet vacuum, buckets or even towels to remove standing water from the affected areas. If possible, block off affected areas to prevent water from spreading. Place aluminum foil or wood blocks under furniture legs to prevent them from absorbing moisture from the floor. Open doors and windows to improve ventilation and aid in the drying process.
Document Everything: Keep detailed records of all cleanup and mitigation efforts, including photographs, videos, and written notes. This documentation will be essential when filing insurance claims and working with restoration professionals.
Taking these proactive steps before professional help arrives can help mitigate damage, expedite the restoration process, and ensure the safety of you and your family.
While dealing with a house flood can be challenging, acting quickly and decisively can make a significant difference in the outcome.
Keeping the Kitchen Fire Free
3/15/2023 (Permalink)
Kitchen fires are the leading cause of residential damage. Practice safety when cooking with your oven and microwave.
According to the US Fire Administration, kitchen incidents caused most residential fires in 2019. We can’t stress enough how important it is that you practice fire safety in the kitchen — especially when it comes to your stovetop and microwave.
Unfortunately, we have seen it many times before; a fire started because someone became careless in the kitchen. In the end, they needed our SERVPRO of Richardson's help to make their kitchens look brand new again. The best way to avoid this is to prevent kitchen fires. Below are some helpful tips for keeping your kitchen fire free.
Stovetop Fire Safety Tips
Always Be Attentive
The most important thing you should do when handling your stovetop is to make sure you never step away from it when it’s in use. Walking away from a pot or pan while it's cooking increases fire risk.
Always stay in the kitchen whenever you’re cooking and always be attentive.
Be Careful with Cooking Oils
When you’re cooking your next meal with oil, make sure the temperature isn’t too high so the oil doesn’t spatter everywhere. And if you require high temperatures to cook your food, use high smoke point oils (e.g. grapeseed oil).
Microwave Fire Safety Tips
Don’t Cook Items for Too Long
One common mistake a lot of people make is cooking their food in the microwave for too long. When you microwave food items for extended periods of time, the overcooked foods can quickly become a fire hazard.
When microwaving, always read the instructions on the packaged foods you plan on heating up. If you’re microwaving other food items that don’t have instructions, look online for recommended cook times.
No Metals!
Make sure there are no metals whatsoever in your microwave before you cook food. Microwaving metals can cause them to burst and can severely injure people nearby.
Sometimes, people forget that they accidentally left their fork or spoon in the bowl before cooking. So, make sure your plate or bowl is free of metals before being placed in the microwave.
What if a Fire Started?
If a fire has started, try to extinguish it with a fire extinguisher. If you don’t have a fire extinguisher or the fire has gone out of control, quickly exit the premises along with other occupants and call for firefighters.
Once the fire is out, call for Richardson fire damage restoration services as soon as possible.
Let SERVPRO Help with the Aftermath
After the fire is out, look no further than SERVPRO Richardson for our fire damage restoration services.
For any inquiries, you can call us at (972) 690-1414 or visit our contact page.
When Work Stinks!
3/15/2023 (Permalink)
We've been helping Richardson businesses with odor removal for over 35 years. Call the experts when fire stinks.
Bad smells can deter your employees and your clients from wanting to enter your business.
Whether you need Richardson mold remediation services or just general odor removal, you need that stench gone. And believe us when we say that there’s no better business to call than SERVPRO.
With our expertise and professionalism, you can trust your building’s bad smell will be gone in no time. We will use the right methods and solutions to ensure total removal is accomplished.
Oftentimes, that bad smell in your building is the result of mold growth and development. Because most commercial properties have many water pipes that are constantly used, a leak is likely to occur due to overuse. And wherever there is water, mold will probably grow.
SERVPRO’s Richardson mold remediation services will make sure that such an issue is a thing of the past. When we’re done cleaning and restoring, you’ll be able to occupy a fresh-smelling building once again.
Mold is usually the #1 culprit when it comes to commercial property odors. Water can easily enter a building without you noticing, causing spores to develop and infect the air. But there are other possibilities as well.
Clogs from lunch food or grease from leftovers disposed of in the sink can cause sewage backups to take place. Before you notice the backup, you might smell the odor first, which can linger around for quite some time.
SERVPRO Can Remove That Odor for You. Call Us for Assistance ASAP.
If your commercial building is tainted with a horrid smell that you can’t get rid of, call the professionals at SERVPRO right away.
SERVPRO has been providing its expert services for 35+ years, making us one of the most experienced restoration and remediation businesses around. When you’re ready, you can call us at (972) 690-1414. Or fill out our online form.
Commercial Fire Hazards
3/15/2023 (Permalink)
Many things can cause commercial fires. Know the risks and who to call.
This article outlines the safety precautions you must take to ensure a safe working environment at your Richardson office. Below are the 5 most common risks to be aware of.
1. Cooking Equipment
The combination of high temperatures, oils and grease, and possible open flames make cooking equipment the most common cause of business fires in the US. For example, figures show that 61 percent of fires in restaurants are caused by cooking equipment. In healthcare facilities, fires cause over $50 billion in property damage a year.
2. Heating Equipment
From November through to March, most Richardson businesses need some form of heating. Without proper maintenance, boilers, furnaces, and radiators could overheat and cause a fire. Unfortunately, 14 percent of fires caused by heating equipment are in industrial or manufacturing properties, with 11 percent being in office properties.
3. Electrical Equipment
Office properties experience the most fires caused by electrical and lighting equipment. If your commercial space is older, then so are your circuits and wiring. These along with faulty fuses, imbalanced electrical loads could start a fire.
4. Smoking Materials
Despite bans on smoking indoors, this is still one of the most common causes of fires in the workplace. Cigars and cigarettes that are not put out properly can light other materials nearby. Again, offices experience more fires caused by smoking materials than any other business property type.
5. Intentional Fires
There is little a business owner can do about intentional fires such as arson, one of the top five fire hazards for businesses. Office properties, healthcare facilities, and restaurants make up 20 percent of intentional fires. But this still isn’t close to the 36 percent of intentional fires set in educational facilities.
Be sure to have your fire equipment regularly checked and keep compliant with Dallas safety codes.
If your commercial property in Richardson has been damaged in a fire, SERVPRO's Fire Damage Restoration Services can restore your property so that it seems as though it never happened. Call us at (972) 690-1414 24/7.
Here to Help in Richardson
3/15/2023 (Permalink)
We restore your home or office after fire, water, storm or mold damage.
SERVPRO offers a variety of services to help property owners cope with the aftermath of natural disasters. With a dedicated team of damage restoration experts, our priority is to fix and restore instead of replacing everything and leaving you with a hefty bill.
Our comprehensive restoration services include:
Mold remediation
Mold can be stubborn and, if ignored for too long, it has the potential to harm the very foundations of a home. With unique and state-of-the-art microbial remediation methods, SERVPRO restoration teams can remove mold from anywhere.
But mold remediation alone is not enough. Therefore, we combine our mold remediation services with crucial structural drying.
In addition, we also deploy advanced machinery and devices to detect the source of mold and isolate the area affected using negative air pressure.
Water damage restoration
Property damaged by floods and plumbing disasters pose unique challenges we're ready to tackle head-on. SERVPRO helps homeowners repair their houses and fix problems like overflowing toilets, leaking appliances, sinks, tubs, and other water-related damages with our water damage restoration services.
With sophisticated high-tech equipment, we can identify even the tiniest spot of unwanted water and moisture in the house. Then, we make sure it is completely dry before sanitizing and deodorizing the place for a clean and pleasant interior.
Storm damage restoration
Storms can be devastating for residential and commercial property owners. We are on alert 24/7 - so whether it's hurricanes, heavy winds, snowstorms, wildfires, or heavy rain damaging your property, we'll be there for you.
Fire damage restoration
Fire damage restoration is a daunting task and requires expertise to fix and repair. We begin with an inspection to assess the extent of the fire damage. If needed, we will install a roof tarp and remove any unsalvageable items. We have the solvents and equipment to remove any soot or smoke odor from carpet and furniture.
Contact us 24/7 for assistance
If you need any restoration services or believe your facility needs an inspection, visit our Richardson franchise or call (972) 690-1414. We'll be more than happy to help.
Call Us 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week
2/12/2023 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Richardson is available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
SERVPRO of Richardson is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. 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're Always Ready to Help
Call Today (972)690-1414
We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of Richardson 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 questions such as these:
- 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 Richardson
SERVPRO of Richardson 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.
Your Meter Can Detect a Leak
2/12/2023 (Permalink)
Your water meter can help uncover hidden leaks.
Did you know that your water meter can help identify hidden leaks at home?
While some plumbing leaks are obvious, others aren't and can cause extensive damage in your home. Most pipes are behind drywall, which is pleasing to the eye but not conducive to catching leaks.
These hidden issues within our pipes can be the result of many different problems, such as sediment buildup or acidic water, but are more commonly the result of wear and tear due to old age. If leaks go unnoticed for an extended period of time they can lead to an unstable structure, or worse, mold.
But you can use your meter to help find hidden leaks and avoid potential damage.
Follow These Steps
- Don't use any water for at least 20 minutes, and then check the leak indicator on your meter. If the indicator is moving - you possibly have a leak.
- Write down the numbers from the meter and then go an additional hour without using any water in your home. Check the meter again and if the numbers have changed then it is highly likely you have a leak.
- You can narrow down the location or your leak by shutting the water completely off and then rechecking the meter. If the indicator stopped moving once the water is off - that means the leak is happening inside your home. If it continues to move then the leak is outside.
- Call a plumber to help uncover the exact location and fix the leak.
- Then, call SERVPRO of Richardson to help clean up any damage - even if it's behind the walls.
Restore Damaged Textiles After a Fire
2/12/2023 (Permalink)
Don’t hesitate to call the professionals at SERVPRO of Richardson today. We’re open 24/7 and offer free quotes for all your damage restoration needs.
Your property, like any other, is valued by not only its structure and foundation but also by the items inside. Textiles in your home or business are designed to beautify your interiors - and it can be heartbreaking to see them damaged from soot, smoke and debris. SERVPRO of Richardson has the training and expertise to help clean and save fire damaged items. These include many kinds of textiles - including curtains, bed linens, clothing and furniture.
Call SERVPRO of Richardson for Textile Restoration
After the fire is out, you’re going to need help with restoring your textiles. So, don’t hesitate to call the professionals at SERVPRO of Richardson. We’re open 24/7 and offer free quotes for all your damage restoration needs.
Restoration is our number one priority and if it can be cleaned - we will clean it. We have the equipment and solvents to remove soot and smoke damage from many different textiles. In the event it is not salvageable, we can assist with insurance claims as well. We've got the experience and compassion needed to help our Richardson neighbors deal with the aftermath of fire damage - call us anytime.
24/7 Emergency Service