Archived General Blog Posts
Essential Family Emergency Preparedness Tips for Wisconsin Residents | SERVPRO of Barron, Dunn & Rusk Counties
10/2/2024 (Permalink)
Use these helpful tips from SERVPRO of Barron, Dunn & Rusk Counties to assemble an emergency kit to keep your family safe when disaster strikes.
Living in Wisconsin offers its own unique set of challenges when it comes to emergency preparedness. From severe winter storms and flooding to tornadoes and power outages, understanding how to prepare for these specific threats is crucial for keeping your family safe.
At SERVPRO of Barron, Dunn & Rusk Counties, we recognize the importance of being well-prepared and are here to share essential tips to help you navigate potential emergencies effectively.
Prepare for Severe Winter WeatherWisconsin’s winter weather can be particularly harsh, with heavy snowfalls, blizzards, and frigid temperatures posing significant risks. To ensure your family’s safety, start by creating a winter emergency kit that includes essentials like warm blankets, extra clothing layers, and non-perishable food. It’s also important to have a battery-powered radio to receive weather updates in case of power outages.
Make sure your vehicle is equipped for winter conditions with a snow shovel, ice scraper, and an emergency roadside kit. Additionally, protect your home by insulating pipes to prevent freezing and ensuring that your heating system is functioning properly. Regularly monitor weather forecasts during winter months and have a plan in place for staying warm and safe if you become stranded or if power goes out.
Plan for Flooding and Severe StormsWisconsin is susceptible to heavy rains and flooding, especially in the spring and summer months. To prepare for potential flooding, know if you live in a flood-prone area and familiarize yourself with local flood alerts and evacuation routes. Elevate your essential utilities, such as electrical panels and heating systems, above potential flood levels. Additionally, consider installing sump pumps and backflow valves to help manage water intrusion.
In case of severe storms, which can bring high winds and tornadoes, ensure your family has a designated safe area in your home, such as a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor. Have an emergency kit ready that includes flashlights, batteries, and a first aid kit, and practice storm safety drills with your family to ensure everyone knows how to respond in a crisis.
Address Power Outages and Other EmergenciesPower outages can occur year-round due to storms, high winds, or other unforeseen events. To prepare for extended outages, store a supply of candles, matches, and a battery-operated lantern. Maintain a stock of non-perishable food and water, as well as a manual can opener for emergency meals. Consider investing in a generator if you live in an area prone to frequent outages.
Ensure that you have important contact numbers saved in your phone and a backup method for charging devices if the power goes out. It’s also wise to have a plan for communicating with family members if you’re separated during an outage or other emergency. Regularly review and practice your emergency preparedness plan to keep everyone informed and ready.
By taking these steps to prepare for the specific threats faced in Wisconsin, you can enhance your family’s readiness for various emergencies. At SERVPRO of Barron, Dunn & Rusk Counties, we are dedicated to helping our community stay safe and resilient.
For more information on how to prepare for emergencies or to discuss how our services can assist you, contact us today. Your safety and peace of mind are our top priorities.
Odor Can Be a Thing of the Past | SERVPRO® of Barron, Dunn & Rusk Counties
1/3/2023 (Permalink)
If you experience an odor or any other damage inside your home, call SERVPRO of Barron, Dunn & Rusk Counties day or night.
Our 24⁄7 emergency services ensure everyone who needs help can receive it at any time of day. In addition to our professional cleaning and restoration services, we also provide area homes and businesses with our high-quality odor removal services.
Water, storm, fire and mold damage can all create lasting odor problems in your home. The longer you wait to address the issues, the deeper the odors can set into your furniture, walls and carpets.
If this happens to you, we can help! Check out our latest blog all about our odor removal services below.
Addressing Your Odor ProblemSince many different things can cause lingering smells, it is important to call us right away so that we can investigate. Our step-by-step approach ensures we get rid of the problem every time.
We can help tackle your problem with:
Masking agents. This method is a great way to make your home more comfortable while we prepare our more in-depth odor removal methods. It can create a much more pleasant atmosphere!
Filtration agents. Filtering the air can help trap odor particles that are lingering, and our filtration agents can actually pull the odors directly from your furniture, carpets and walls.
Disinfectants and sanitizers. In order to make sure that the odor cannot come back, sanitizing the space is an important step. This kills any bacteria or fungus so that it cannot grow back and start to smell again.
How Our Process Works1. Remove the source. The first step is to fully understand what is causing the smell in the first place! Once we have determined what it is, we will remove the source and anything else that has been compromised by it.
2. Clean residue from surfaces. Next, we do a thorough cleaning to make sure the entire area is free of odor.
3. Recreate the odor-causing conditions. We have to be confident that we got the entire odor, so this step recreates the environment that will show us whether there are any lingering odor particles.
4. Seal exposed surfaces. If your problem is more extensive or harder to treat, we can seal off the affected area to stop the odor from traveling while we reassess our next steps.
In any case, we will get it figured out for you! Your home is in good hands with us.
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.
For Immediate Service in the Barron, Dunn, and Rusk Counties, Call SERVPRO
10/26/2017 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Barron, Dunn, and Rusk Counties provide 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster in Barron, Dunn, or Rusk County. We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.
- 24-Hour Emergency Service
- Faster to Any-Sized Disaster
- Highly Trained Restoration Technicians
- A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
- Locally Owned and Operated
- Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment
Have Questions? Call Us 24/7 -(715)643-7171
Residential Services
Whether your Barron, Dunn or Rusk County home needs emergency flood damage or your upholstery cleaned, you can depend on us. Our technicians have extensive cleaning and restoration training and can make your property look its best. Learn more about our residential services:
- Water Damage Restoration
- Fire Damage Restoration
- Mold Remediation
- Storm Damage Restoration
- Cleaning Services
- Building/Reconstruction Services
Commercial Services
There's never a convenient time for fire or Water damage to strike your Barron, Dunn, or Rusk County commercial property. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services we have the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business. Learn more about our commercial services: http://www.SERVPRObarrondunnruskcounties.com/commercial-restoration-cleaning
- Commercial Water Damage Restoration
- Commercial Fire Damage Restoration
Simple Maintenance Tips for Fall
10/19/2017 (Permalink)
Fall can be a beautiful time of year, but can also lead to a lot of work for homeowners. The simple picking up of leaves can be a daunting task when they never stop falling. Here are a few tips to get your home and property ready for the upcoming cool air and soon to be winter weather. If an emergency does arise SERVPRO of Barron, Dunn, and Rusk Counties is here to help.
Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – (715)643-7171
- Clean gutters and downspouts. Once most of the leaves have fallen, clean out gutters and downspouts (hire a helper if you are not comfortable on a ladder). Clogged gutters during rainstorms can cause water to pool and damage your roof or siding.
- Make exterior repairs. Take a walk around your property, looking for signs of damage to the roof, siding and foundation. If you spot anything that needs repair, schedule it before winter weather hits.
- Seal gaps where critters could enter. Mice need only a tiny gap to be able to sneak into your house and raid your pantry — and with colder weather coming, all of the little critters out there will be looking for warm places to make a home. Fill small holes and cover any larger gaps securely with heavy-duty hardware cloth to keep the wildlife outdoors.
By doing these simple maintenance tips you can possibly prevent water damage, or fire to your home. SERVPRO of Barron, Dunn, and Rusk Counties specialize 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.
Meet our crew
Look for the IICRC Logo
1/23/2017 (Permalink)
IICRC Certified Firms have earned the right to display the IICRC logo as a symbol of quality. In order to achieve IICRC-certified status, firms must meet a rigorous list of standards in business ethics and expertise. All IICRC Certified Firms must:
- Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.
- Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.
- Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.
- Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.
- Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.
The IICRC actively has relationships with fiber producers, carpet and fabric mills, furnishing manufacturers and retailers, and others affiliated with the industry. The use of IICRC service professionals is specified in leading manufacturers’ maintenance brochures and warranties.
IICRC Certified Firm
10/3/2016 (Permalink)
We are an IICRC Certified Firm
SERVPRO of Barron, Dunn & Rusk Counties is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.
IICRC Certified Firms must
• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.
• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.
• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.
• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.
• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.
The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry
The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.
Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.
Are Your Ducts In Order?
3/25/2016 (Permalink)
Did you know, your ventilation system is often the biggest culprit in poor indoor air quality? Inspecting the ductwork in your facility or home should be a high priority. In most cases, the HVAC system has been operating for some time without much attention. Dirty ducts can circulate odors, contaminants such as mold, and irritating dust throughout your building or home.
A routine part of SERVPRO of Barron, Dunn & Rusk Counties service is inspecting the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit (HVAC). Keeping the HVAC and ductwork clean can potentially extend the life span of the equipment by allowing it to operate at peak condition, which may help save you money. Duct cleaning may not always be necessary. SERVPRO of Barron, Dunn & Rusk Counties will inspect your HVAC system and ductwork and make recommendations about the best way to address any indoor air quality concerns. This inspection can help save you money and provide peace of mind on the health of your HVAC system and ductwork.
In some circumstances, such as after fire, smoke or suspected mold growth, duct cleaning becomes an essential part of the cleanup process. In these cases, your SERVPRO of Barron, Dunn & Rusk Counties Professionals can often restore the HVAC system and ductwork to pre-damage condition.
If you have a fuel burning furnace, stove or fireplace, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends they be inspected for proper functioning, and be serviced before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning.
The SERVPRO Duct Cleaning System is proven and cost efficient. Unlike the majority of duct cleaning services, your SERVPRO of Barron, Dunn & Rusk Counties Professionals use a portable ventilation and air duct cleaning system to examine ductwork and make a clean sweep, removing years of dust and grime.
- The process begins by using patented equipment including a roto-scraper, which automatically adapts to the duct's shape and diameter while traveling through the duct, removing debris and filth before vacuuming begins.
- Next, a powerful push-pull air delivery and collection system transfers the debris from the ducting to a 16-gallon container.
- Air is filtered through a HEPA filtration system, removing 99.97 percent of the particles in the airstream. HEPA filters capture debris and keep the indoor environment clean.
- As an optional process, a sealant or coating product may be sprayed to address odor or microbial concerns.
- Filters will either by cleaned or replaced to remove odor and dirt.
For more information on duct cleaning, or to schedule an appointment, contact SERVPRO of Barron, Dunn & Rusk Counties today.
Help At Your Fingertips
2/12/2016 (Permalink)
For a property owner, a disaster scenario involving fire or water damage can seem unthinkable and then suddenly become a reality. In the aftermath of a disaster, quick response time can help minimize property damage as well as inventory or contents loss.
The SERVPRO Ready Plan mobile application provides home and business owners with a quick and convenient way to call in your SERVPRO of Barron, Dunn & Rusk Counties Professionals when disaster strikes.
The Ready Plan app is a free emergency preparedness tool offered by SERVRO and can be downloaded on your Android, iPhone, or Blackberry.
The application allows both residential and commercial property owners and managers to create an Emergency READY Profile containing critical facility information that can help speed up response time after fire or water damage occurs. In addition to property details, the application tracks prior loss history, utility shut off locations, and key contacts; stores photos of the damage; and integrates local weather forecasts and more, including the address and contact information for the user's local SERVPRO of Barron, Dunn & Rusk Counties Professionals.
Through the application, the user can quickly call their local SERVPRO of Barron, Dunn & Rusk Counties Professionals or submit an electronic "First Notice of Loss" to the SERVPRO National Call Center setting the wheels of recovery in motion. Rapid response from a disaster cleanup and restoration specialist can help the property owner evaluate options, start the insurance process and take the right steps from the beginning to bring their property back to normal, "Like it never even happened."
The SERVPRO Ready Plan mobile app places a convenient preparedness tool right at your fingertips. Disasters are unpredictable and frequently strike without warning. That is why SERVPRO's Ready Plan mobile app is so valuable. In the confusion and panic that often surround a disaster, a property owner or manager can reach out for expert help right from the scene, using their cell phones.
For more information on the SERVPRO Ready Plan mobile app and how it can help you be more prepared, contact your local SERVPRO of Barron, Dunn & Rusk Counties Professionals.
SERVPRO Addition
2/15/2015 (Permalink)
The foundation starting...
Our SERVPRO building expansion is complete. We are extremely excited to have the space complete and all set up. Later in the spring we are planning to have an open house and will be annoucing the date in March.
24/7 Emergency Service