Recent Posts
The Importance of Spring Weather Preparation | SERVPRO® of Pewaukee & Sussex
3/10/2023 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Pewaukee & Sussex team is always here for you, if you experience any storm damage call us right away.
As spring weather is just within our grasp, it is important to start making the changes and preparations needed in order to keep your home dry and free of storm damage when the first spring thunderstorms come rolling in.
Storm damage can cause widespread issues really quickly throughout your home, so now is the time to address any issues that appeared over the winter season and get your home ready for the rain!
Keep It FlowingOver the course of the winter season, any thaws we had may have felt nice, but they could have been contributing to ice buildup along your roof line and in your gutters. If your gutters can’t flow, water will back up onto your roof. Remove debris and clear the ice when you are able so your gutters can work properly for you.
If you haven’t been checking on your vents continually this winter, do it now! The vents leading outside from your furnace, dryer and even in your attic can become blocked or glazed over with ice or snow. Make sure you clear any blockages so the vents can do their job and simultaneously keep your family safe from danger.
It is also really important to do a thorough check of your outdoor water lines and faucets. Any exposed piping has the potential to freeze and expand if water was caught inside. If the expansion becomes too much, the pipe can burst and can be a massive water issue when the temperatures warm up.
Quickly Fix the IssuesIf you do find any sort of damage around your home, now is the time to fix the problem! The longer you wait, the higher the risk of suffering severe damage. This includes inspecting your roof and doing any necessary repairs right away.
Look for missing shingles, broken gutters or visible damage due to a fallen tree or debris. It doesn’t take much for water to get into your attic and cause havoc throughout your house.
Get Ready for Impending WeatherWith spring showers comes more rain, right? However the saying goes, we all know that springtime can be wet and rainy. If you have a sump pump in your home, make sure it is ready to work ahead of the first spring rainstorm. This can help keep your basement dry throughout the entire season and beyond.
In addition to preparing your home, make sure your family is prepared as well. Go over your storm safety plan and discuss where your safe shelter location is. If any boxes or storage items were put in this location for the winter, find a new home for them during this season. Finally, update and edit your emergency kit to reflect any changes to your family’s needs.
Remember, we are always here for you no matter what season it is! Just call SERVPRO of Pewaukee & Sussex if you experience water or storm damage, and we will work hard to return your home to its preloss state as fast and efficiently as we can.
Got water damage? We are here to help 24⁄7 and can restore your home quickly.
Common Causes of Water Damage in Commercial Buildings | SERVPRO® of Pewaukee & Sussex
2/28/2023 (Permalink)
Experienced water damage in your commercial building? SERVPRO of Pewaukee & Sussex can help you get dried out quickly.
Water is often the culprit when it comes to building damage. Since water is all around us and we use it every day, it is a constant threat to our businesses.
When you are a business owner or have a commercial property, it is important to catch any sort of leak or minor problem right away to avoid a large-scale disaster. The more proactive you can be when it comes to water issues, the better off your entire business will be.
Common Places for Water IssuesYou never want to have your business shut down for any reason! It can affect your daily revenue and it can cost you thousands of dollars when it comes to the needed repairs.
It is important that you are proactive in checking these locations around your business or have your maintenance team do this from time to time to stop minor issues from causing widespread damage:
1. The roof. Roof leaks can occur at any point, but they are most common after a major storm. Rain and snow can get under your shingles and can leak down your walls. It is important to keep your gutters clear and try to keep snow off your roof to prevent ice issues from forming.
2. Bathrooms. Our bathrooms are one of the most used parts of our buildings! It is important to check the toilets and sink pipes often, as even a hole the size of a pinhead can account for nearly 15% of water loss in commercial buildings. Designate someone on your staff to check the pipe systems once a month or more to catch these issues.
3. Water heaters/HVAC/boilers. Water lines leading to and from any of your appliances are also locations for water troubles to begin. Water puddles are a good indication that something needs to be investigated, and any change in water pressure should have you figuring out the reason why.
Take Preventive StepsThe good news is that besides a natural disaster or major storm, most water damage can be prevented. Just take the preventive steps now to avoid the extensive damages later.
Coming up with a maintenance plan is a great first step. Having a plan in place to keep up with the required maintenance can stop an issue from even occurring in the first place. Our team can also help you create an Emergency Ready Plan for your commercial space so that if you do suffer a water disaster, you have a thorough plan for how to react to the damages.
In addition to being prepared, check on the spaces that use water throughout your building and make sure several other managers or staff members in charge understand how to turn off the water valves in your space. Remember that the faster you call us after discovering water damage, the quicker our SERVPRO of Pewaukee & Sussex team can help you recover.
Experienced water damage in your commercial building? Contact us to get dried out quickly.
Trust in SERVPRO to Handle Your Fire Disaster | SERVPRO® of Pewaukee & Sussex
2/9/2023 (Permalink)
For quick repairs following a fire, get in touch with our team at SERVPRO of Pewaukee & Sussex.
Home disasters can happen during any season and at any point in time. While any type of home damage can be frustrating to deal with, house fires are particularly troublesome. Once a fire starts, it can spread quickly and get out of hand in minutes.
Recovering after a house fire can feel overwhelming for everyone in your household, but you can rest assured knowing that your SERVPRO of Pewaukee & Sussex team is ready to handle your recovery process from start to finish.
Check out our latest blog post below about our thorough response to house fire damage!
Making ContactKeeping yourself and your family safe from danger should always be your first priority! When everyone is safe and accounted for, your first phone call should be to our team. We are ready and waiting 24⁄7 to respond to your call for help.
In our initial conversation, we will ask many questions to ensure we understand your unique situation as thoroughly as possible. This allows us to pack up our trucks with the equipment and tools necessary to help you fully recover!
Once we arrive in your driveway, we perform a full inspection of your home and the area that the fire affected to assess the severity and make sure the area is safe to be in.
Starting the ProcessWe work rapidly to make sure the damage doesn’t get any worse while we are working on your home. This can include boarding up windows, patching walls or laying tarps over exposed areas to keep out the elements and prevent more damage.
Our cutting-edge equipment helps us remove all the smoke and soot from every affected area, and we clean out any fire-damaged debris at this time as well. Once the surface area has been cleaned, we can get to work on removing odors and we can sanitize your entire space.
Don’t Forget the RestorationNow it’s time for your home to return to its former glory! After your home is cleaned and sanitized, we can rebuild the parts that were damaged by the fire. We can replace drywall, paint walls and lay new carpet or flooring.
We can also rebuild entire sections of your house if your project requires it. Whatever you need in order to make the fire a distant memory, our SERVPRO of Pewaukee & Sussex can handle it.
For rapid repairs following a fire, get in touch with our team at SERVPRO of Pewaukee & Sussex! We will work as quickly as possible to return you to a safe and fully restored property.
Avoid House Fires While Heating Your Home | SERVPRO® of Pewaukee & Sussex
1/25/2023 (Permalink)
Call SERVPRO of Pewaukee & Sussex if you experience any smoke, soot or fire damage.
There is no doubt about it! Winter is here.
Now that our furnaces have been working for a while and our fireplaces are becoming a staple in the evenings, it is important to be responsible with any source of heat in your home to prevent house fires. If you haven’t already done so, now is the perfect time to address any issues with your furnace or other methods of heat. Since we have already experienced a variety of winter storm watches and warnings this season, having a reliable source of heat is crucial.
If you ignore any issues or don’t maintain your equipment, you could be vulnerable to a house fire! No one wants to deal with that in the dead of winter, so check out our tips below and make these adjustments in your home.
Maintain Your FurnaceMost homes in the Midwest are equipped with a furnace and HVAC system that moves heat throughout the house. This major appliance needs to be maintained regularly.
It is important that you inspect your furnace seasonally to detect any issues or potential malfunctions, and you should give it a good cleaning to avoid excess dust or debris buildup.
You should also make it a priority to replace the air filter in your HVAC system at this time. Most homes can benefit from a new air filter every 90 days, and even more often if you have a large family or pets. Try to get into the habit of changing the filter at the beginning of every new season.
If you haven’t changed your air filter in a while, you may be shocked at how dirty it is! Your air filter works hard every day to keep dust, debris and allergens out of the air you breathe.
Keep Your Fireplace CleanBoth wood-burning and artificial fireplaces are a staple for many Wisconsin homeowners. They can provide an efficient way to heat your home while creating a cozy home environment.
However, fireplaces are a common cause of house fires! They need to be cleaned and maintained often to prevent a fire from occurring.
If your fireplace is wood-burning, clear out excess ash and regularly inspect your chimney to make sure it is free of blockages. It is also important to wipe off any soot and smoke stains on the bricks. If your fireplace is artificial, you need to get behind the glass and provide the logs and surrounding space a good cleaning to remove dust buildup.
The Convenience of Space HeatersSpace heaters are a great way to heat your home or small space quickly. However, they can heat up really quickly and can be fire hazards as well.
If you utilize a space heater in your home, make sure it is three feet away from any flammable materials in your home and always unplug it before going to bed. It is also important to note that space heaters need to be on a level surface when in use and should never be plugged into an extension cord.
Lastly, if you have small children or pets in your home, discuss the dangers of fire and always be present in the room with them if there is a fire or heat source in use.
If you experience fire damage this season, give us a call at SERVPRO of Pewaukee & Sussex for immediate assistance. We’re here 24⁄7 when you need us!
Protect Your Home From Water Damage in the New Year | SERVPRO® of Pewaukee & Sussex
1/10/2023 (Permalink)
Have water damage in your home? Contact SERVPRO of Pewaukee & Sussex for quick and professional restoration.
A new year means a whole new season of possibilities! It is the perfect time to plan for new projects and new goals. This year, we want to make sure you are prepared to prevent water damage to save you money and certainly a headache.
Water is one of the most common culprits for home damage. Since we use water in our everyday lives, the threat is almost constant.
<h3does-water-damage-start">Where Does Water Damage Start?
In order to fully understand how to prevent water damage, you have to know what could cause it. Outside the home, blocked gutters and a damaged roof can cause water issues, while large appliances like your dishwasher could cause water damage inside.
Old or rusty pipes or deteriorating caulking can also cause issues over time. It is important to address these troubles quickly to avoid leaks, mold growth or rotten walls.
As soon as you catch an emerging issue, take care of it right away! The longer you leave it unaddressed, the worse your problem could become.
<h3prevention-steps">Easy Prevention Steps
A lot of water damage is preventable, as long as you investigate issues early and take care of the problem thoroughly.
It just takes a little more in-depth work while you are going about your day! Get used to checking your bathrooms and kitchen for water stains or signs of mold. Give your air a sniff from time to time to check for the classic musty odor accompanying a mold problem.
You also need to set aside time to investigate around the exterior of your home and on your roof. Roof damage is an easy way for water to get into your home and leak down your attic and walls.
In the winter, our homes are vulnerable to the effects of snow and ice. Keep the air circulating through your home, keep snow and ice buildup off of your roof, and close up any drafty areas or gaps around your windows and doors.
Once the snow thaws, consider grading your yard! Moving the soil around your property can help slope your yard away from your foundation and can help you avoid a flooded basement. These simple steps can help you keep a dry home all year.
Have water damage in your home? Contact us for fast, professional restoration back to preloss condition.
Addressing Odor Problems in Your Home | SERVPRO® of Pewaukee & Sussex
1/3/2023 (Permalink)
If you experience an odor or any other damage inside your home, call SERVPRO of Pewaukee & Sussex day or night.
No job is too big for our highly trained restoration technicians, and that includes tackling any odor problems that you have in your home. Recovering from damages after a disaster can be frustrating enough without having to worry about any lingering issues like odor. That’s where we come in!
Every kind of home damage has the ability to cause lingering odors, from water damage to soot left behind from a fire.
Thankfully, we know how to successfully remove any odor from any surface! Check out our odor removal process below to learn more.
Odor Removal MethodsEach odor is different and comes with different cleanup challenges, so we follow our step-by-step procedure to ensure that we fully understand your specific situation. We can tackle airborne chemicals, gasses or tiny particles in the air.
Some of our removal agents are:
Masking agents. This is a method we can use to help make your home more pleasant to live in while we work on preparing a more in-depth method. Masking agents can be a good first step!
Filtration agents. Our absorption agents work on pulling the odor out of the carpet, floors and furniture. They can also suck the odor right out of the tiny particles in the air.
Disinfectants and sanitizers. A simple cleaning won’t always be effective, so we make sure to completely sanitize the area to prevent any fungus or bacteria from growing back.
Our Four Step Removal ProcessWhen you call us to remove an odor in your home, here’s how it will go:
1. Remove the source. We jump into action to remove the source of the smell. If the cause is unknown, we work hard to identify it right away and remove it, along with anything else that was compromised near it.
2. Clean residue from surfaces. A thorough cleaning comes next! This ensures that every odor particle has been removed and every surface has been sanitized.
3. Recreate the odor-causing conditions. This is a special step that gives us the reassurance that we got everything out. A deodorizer is employed to recreate the environment where the odor originally occurred. For example, if smoke was your issue, we will use “deodorizing smoke.”
4. Seal exposed surfaces. If the odor is proving to be troublesome or isn’t responding to our initial efforts, we can seal off the affected area while we reassess and work on implementing other odor removal methods.
No matter what is causing your odor, we can get rid of it! Your SERVPRO of Pewaukee & Sussex team is here for you and your family day or night.
If you experience an odor or other damage inside your home or business, call us at any time, 24⁄7. We have the training and equipment to quickly get your property back in operation.
The Facts on Water Damage in Your Home | SERVPRO® of Pewaukee & Sussex
12/9/2022 (Permalink)
If you experience any water damage inside your home or business, reach out to SERVPRO of Pewaukee & Sussex.
Water is essential in our homes and in our lives, but we want it to stay off of our floors and out of our basements. Water damage is a constant threat and can happen in an obvious manner or it can slowly creep up on us without much forewarning.
The key to controlling water leaks in your home is to be proactive. Spotting a water leak early can save you time and money when it comes to necessary repairs.
Keeping Your Bathroom DryWe use water in our bathrooms perhaps the most out of any other room in our home. Sinks, bathtubs, toilets and showers all utilize water daily in order to function. That also means that the threat of water issues are present every day, too.
Check the seals around these fixtures and inspect their water supply lines every time you clean your bathroom. This can help you catch any cracks or leaks right away.
The Threat of Your AppliancesWe are grateful for the inventions of the water heater, dishwasher and washing machine. They can make our lives much easier and more comfortable, but only when they work how they are supposed to.
Faulty appliances are one of the common reasons we get calls about water damage. Routinely cleaning them and checking for water damage can help stop a small problem from becoming a large and costly issue. If you notice any staining, peeling paint or mold behind these appliances, call us immediately so we can investigate.
Water Damage and the WeatherWe are constantly battling different weather here in eastern Wisconsin. If we aren’t experiencing heavy rain from summer thunderstorms, we are hunkering down during a strong winter storm.
Even just this fall, we experienced record rainfall from that single storm that came through, leading to roads flooding and overflowing rivers. All it takes is one strong storm for us to wake up to standing water in our homes.
At each change of the season, check your windows and doors to make sure they are waterproof. Controlling moisture in your home prevents water damage as well as potential mold growth.
It is also important to focus on keeping your yard and roof ready for the change in season! Clean out your gutters, clear off your roof and set up your downspouts so that you are ready for anything the winter brings our way.
If you experience water damage inside your home or business, call us 24⁄7. We have the experience and equipment to get your property back in working order fast.
Winter is coming | SERVPRO of Pewaukee & Sussex
11/22/2022 (Permalink)
If you experience damage due to a winter storm, call SERVPRO of Pewaukee & Sussex. We have the experience and equipment for any issue.
Even though it seems like we just emerged from last year’s cold temperatures, the winter season is upon us once more. That means the arrival of snow, ice and brutal wind.
We are fully accustomed to winter weather here in eastern Wisconsin, and we all know that the weather can range from gently falling snow to major blizzards and dangerous conditions. When those dangerous conditions are present, that also means the risk of home damage is present as well.
Is your home well-prepared to weather through the first winter storm?
Winter All Around UsWe can expect a classic Wisconsin winter with lots of snow and frigid temperatures this year, while other parts of the United States experience a milder season.
However, the winter season takes shape here in eastern Wisconsin, we can all prepare our homes to tackle whatever Mother Nature throws at us!
Winter Around Pewaukee and SussexWe all know how tough Midwesterners are. We can handle icy cold wind, heavy snowstorms, blizzards and whiteout conditions any time from October to April.
Even just last year, we had our first brush with winter in the middle of October. Knowing that we could experience winter weather so early in the season, it is important to prepare your home as soon as you are able to.
Protecting Your Home From DamageOne of the interesting things about winter is that there are so many different ways that weather can affect us. While some situations call for being cautious on the roads while driving, others can create hazardous conditions and make travel impossible.
In those instances, it is crucial to make sure you have a reliable way to receive weather alerts and have an emergency kit stocked and ready to use at any time. It can also be helpful to keep a pantry stocked with some canned foods in case travel is not advised for a while.
Is your house drafty? That may mean that your windows and doors are not weatherproof. This can leave your home vulnerable to cold temperatures and unwanted moisture.
Outside your home, take the time to clean out your gutters and turn off the water access to your outdoor water spigots. If you leave your spigots on or attempt to run them in the winter, water can get into the pipes, freeze and then burst. That can create a costly and really extensive problem in the springtime.
We can handle the winter weather, fellow Wisconsinites! If you do find yourself suffering some type of home damage or water damage this winter, we are here. Your SERVPRO of Pewaukee & Sussex team will step in to ensure you are back into your newly restored home in no time.
If you experience damage in a winter storm, call us. We have the experience and equipment to get your home back to normal.
Avoid a House Fire This Holiday Season | SERVPRO® of Pewaukee & Susse
11/7/2022 (Permalink)
Should a fire issue pop-up during this holiday season, SERVPRO of Pewaukee & Sussex will be on call ready to assist.
Believe it or not, the holiday season is here again already! It is time to start planning out your family traditions, pulling out your cookie cutters and surrounding yourself with twinkly lights.
While this time of year may be one of your favorites, it is also the time that you need to be extra cautious to avoid a house fire.
Protecting Your DecorationsDecorating your home can be a great way to celebrate the season! It also just so happens that many holiday decorations are flammable. In fact, about 790 structural fires happen every year due to decorations catching fire.
If you love to hang stockings over the fireplace or mantel, don’t hang them too low or in the path of any fire or heat source. Even just a single spark could send your precious memories up in flames.
If real trees are a must in your family, the tree you choose needs to be freshly cut! It is also important to inspect it to ensure there aren’t too many dead needles falling off of it, which could indicate that it is dehydrated. Once it is all decorated, only keep it plugged in when you are home and awake.
Other Holiday Fire HazardsCandles are a cozy way to celebrate the season with some ambiance and delicious smells. But they are also a fire hazard!
During this time of year, candles are responsible for 20 new home fires every day in the United States. If you do light candles, it is important that you only keep them lit when you are near them and never leave them within the reach of children or pets.
Decorating the exterior of your home with lights can make your home seem so welcoming. Just be sure that the lights you choose to hang are rated for outdoor use, and never pierce the wiring with staples or nails in order to hang them up.
You deserve to relax and enjoy all that there is to do in the area this holiday season! Make sure you check out the light display at the Ingleside Hotel. With over 30,000 lights inside the trail and other fun seasonal activities, it is one of the best ways to celebrate.
Our staff at SERVPRO of Pewaukee & Sussex is always here and ready to jump into action for you. Our goal is to restore your home as quickly as we can so you can go back to enjoying the holiday season.
Have smoke or fire damage in your house? Contact us today to get cleaned up fast.
Responding to a Water Disaster at Your Business | SERVPRO® of Pewaukee & Sussex
10/21/2022 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Pewaukee & Sussex are your local commercial restoration company. We will always be here to help and get you back in business.
Whenever water is involved in a disaster, it can be costly and extensive to repair. That is especially true if the disaster happens at your business!
In addition to the sheer cost of a commercial restoration, you also would have to take into account any closures while the repairs are taking place. This alone should make every business owner start to prep ahead of time.
Water damage can come in the form of burst pipes, sprinkler system issues and of course, Mother Nature. We experience all kinds of water-related weather events here, from thunderstorms to ice storms. Even just recently we were affected by flooding and road closures on I-94. Whenever water is involved, there is a risk for damages.
Understand Your Utility RoomIf your business is in a storefront or building, chances are that it has some type of utility space where all of your valves are. Fully understand what all of your water shutoff valves do and what they are responsible for.
Once you understand it, communicate this to your management team or whoever you entrust your business to while you are not there. Someone should always be able and ready to respond to an emergency situation!
Different Water TypesWater is constantly flowing around us providing many different daily services, so it’s no wonder that there are different levels of water safety.
White water: This kind of water is the water within your pipes. It is typically considered safe to handle in small amounts.
Gray water: Gray water is all of the water that flows into your sink, shower and kitchen drains. While it is considered contaminated, handling it carefully is considered OK.
Black water: Black water should always warrant a professional cleanup. This water can contain sewage or runoff from a storm drain and is considered toxic.
Taking Appropriate ActionOnce you discover the problem, turn off the appropriate shutoff valve immediately. Then start to address your situation.
If you have the ability to open windows and start circulating the air, do so now and turn on some fans. Then make sure you close off the area to customers, bystanders and your staff to keep everyone safe.
After all that is done, start documenting any damages with pictures. Insurance agents will want clear pictures of what happened, so the sooner you can get them, the better.
We Can Handle the JobWhile drying out your space is the first priority, checking for any hidden water damage should happen next. Your wall studs, beams and floorboards may still be soaked and if they are not dried quickly, mold could set in.
Call us to do the job right! Our team at SERVPRO of Pewaukee & Sussex is here for you no matter what kind of water damage problem you face. We have the proper equipment to get the job done thoroughly, and we will work our hardest to repair your business for you.
When disaster strikes your commercial property, we’ll be there to help clean up and get you back in business quickly. Reach out 24⁄7 to get started!
24/7 Emergency Service