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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived Blog Posts

Burst Pipes

11/15/2022 (Permalink)

Water disasters, such s broken pipes, can happen suddenly and without warning especially in the winter months. Some common signs of busted water pipes include:

  • Water puddle forming under your sink
  • Watch for a dramatic increase in your water bill
  • Watch to see if your water is fluctuating
  • Stinky or rust smelling water
  • Noisy pipes

If you happen to have a pipe burst you should immediately turn off your water, locate the burst pipe and call a professional. The quicker you do these three things, the better the outcome my be.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster and need help give SERVPRO a call today! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all your cleaning and restoration needs. We have highly trained professionals ready to help in your time of need.

Why choose SERVPRO

11/15/2022 (Permalink)

When someone asks me why I would choose SERVPRO over all of the other cleaning and restoration industries my answer is always the same… Customer service, community involvement and Veteran Owned Franchise. SERVPRO strives to have the absolute best customer service possible. From the moment we get our first call to the end of the job when we are signing paperwork, we always try to maintain great customer service.  The second value we pride ourselves on is community involvement. SERVPRO is an active member of the community and donates time and money to causes all of the world. Some of those causes include Toys for Tots, Veteran charities and our First Responders. We find it an important part of our franchise to be involved any and every way we can. The final thing we pride ourselves in is being a Veteran Owned Franchise. Our fearless leader and Owner Skylar Price served over 10 years over seas for our beautiful country. He knew when he got back that he wanted to make a difference within his community and that is why he decided to become a franchise owner of a SERVPRO.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster and need help give SERVPRO a call today! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all your cleaning and restoration needs. We have highly trained professionals ready to help in your time of need.

Smoke and Soot

11/14/2022 (Permalink)

What should you expect after you experience a fire in your home? What should you do after you have a fire in your home? These are questioning every homeowner dread thinking about but should be prepared for. Fires in the home can range from minor to severe due to many factors. How it was started, how long it lasted, where is started etc. Many people think that the fire itself is the worst part but that is just the beginning. After the fire is extinguished then comes the evaluations of belongings. You will want to really look over all your person belongings to see what is salvageable and what is a complete loss. Your insurance company will need to know this.

Smoke and soot after a fire can sometimes do the most damage. It will stick to anything and everything and cause quite the smelly mess. Thankfully that is where we come in! We have highly trained professionals who come in, help inventory your salvageable belongings and get to work restoring your most valued possessions. We have an entire space dedicated to restoring items affected by soot. We will work day and night to get your items back to the way they were.

If you have a fie disaster and need help, give us a call today! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs. We have highly trained professionals ready to help in your time of need.

Roughly 200 Christmas tree fires a year!

11/14/2022 (Permalink)

With the holidays upon us it is extremely important to take every precaution in order to keep your home safe. U.S. firefighters respond to roughly 200 Christmas tree fires per year, according to the National Fire Research Laboratory at NIST. There are many reasons why a Christmas tree can and will catch on fire. This includes faulty Christmas tree lights, not enough water causing the Christmas tree to die and candles too close to the tree to name a few. There are steps you can take to avoid these situations.

  1. Purchase a new artificial Christmas tree every 6 years to maintain the fire retardants.
  2. Don’t ever leave the lights plugged in overnight.
  3. Avoid using extension cords. Try and plug the lights directly into the wall
  4. Inspect pre lit Christmas trees every year for exposed or broken cords
  5. Check water level daily on your fresh trees

Give us a call today! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs. We have highly trained professionals ready to help in your time of need.

The importance of a tidy oven

11/14/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is known for their experience in fire, water mold and asbestos disasters, but did you know we also have highly trained and experienced crews to battle commercial cleaning jobs as well? Recently we went to a retirement home where the over had not been cleaned in quite some time. Now this might not seem like something that a large restoration company would do but having a clean and well working oven is extremely important.

There are many hidden dangers that can become real life if an over is neglected. Some of those dangers included are health risks due to food poisoning and possible grease fires from food dripping into the bottom of the oven and not being cleaned up. Less dangerous instances would include foul smells that could linger around your house for days. Cleaning your oven after every clean is extremely important and something everyone should get in the habit of doing.

Give us a call today! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs. We have highly trained professionals ready to help in your time of need.

Preparing for winter damage

11/13/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage to your home becomes a much higher possibility when winter weather hits. Rain and snow can do a number on your home if it is not prepared correctly. There are a few ways to get yourself prepared for when jack frost come nipping at your door. Here are few examples on how you can get ready for winter.

Clean your gutters and drains outside your home. Recaulk your windows and doors. Get your roof inspected for any cracks or leaks. Reverse your ceiling fans so the warm air moves down to the floor. Drain the fuel from your gas-powered lawn mowers and other engines. And finally cut back tree branches to avoid falling on your home.

We have highly trained professionals ready to help with all your fire, water mold and asbestos needs. We are ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Give us a call today!

Christmas tree danger

11/13/2022 (Permalink)

Every year there is estimated to be over 100 Christmas tree fires in homes in the US. As beautiful and festive as Christmas trees are, they can be a very scary hidden danger. There are a few things you can do to help prevent a disaster this Christmas season. Make sure to look for and pick a fresh-looking tree. Keep the tree hydrated by always watering it. Do not put the tree neat any heat, including heaters, candles, etc. Check the tree lights for any broken bulbs and turn off lights before bed. And finally, if the tree looks like it is dead, dispose of it.

Here are a few Christmas tree fire facts:

  • Between 2015-2019 , U.S. fire departments responded to an average 160 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year. These fires caused an average of two deaths, 12 injuries, and $10 million in direct property damage annually.
  • Electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in almost half of home Christmas tree fires. Nearly one in five Christmas tree fires were stared by decorative lights.
  • In nearly one-fifth of the Christmas tree fires, some type of heat source, such as a candle or equipment, was too close to the tree.
  • One in five Christmas tree fires were intentional. These fires were more common in January.
  • Roughly three-quarters of Christmas tree fires occurred in December or January.
  • Almost two of every five home Christmas tree fires started in the living room.

We have highly trained professionals ready to help with all your fire, water mold and asbestos needs. We are ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Give us a call today!

Prepare your business

11/13/2022 (Permalink)

When it comes to your business you can never be too careful in the winter months. Being prepared and planning can make a huge difference when a disaster hits. There are many things you should do to prepare your business for the winter months to come. Make sure to communicate with your employees your emergency plan that way they will already know what to do if a disaster hits. If you are preparing to close your business during normal business hours, then make sure to notify your customers about your dates that you will be closed. Salt the sidewalks in front of your storefront or business to make sure your customers remain safe. Possibly consider buying a generator in case of a power outage. And finally, check and re check fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

We have highly trained professionals ready to help with all your fire, water mold and asbestos needs. We are ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Give us a call today!

Mold in the window sills

6/3/2022 (Permalink)

Recently we received a call from a homeowner that was concerned about multiple mold sightings in window seals. When our estimator went out to the home he discovered that due to the lack of proper sealing in the window frame itself, it had allowed water to enter through the window causing mold spores to then grow and reproduce.

Windows have two sides – one on the inside and one that faces outside. Should windows be caulked on the outside? Yes, it's best to apply caulk to both the interior and exterior when installing new windows. This will seal any unwanted air leaks.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster, give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We have highly trained professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your disaster restoration needs. We are ready to help and make it "Like it never even happened."

Fire at your home or business

6/3/2022 (Permalink)

When a fire occurs at your home or business there are steps you should immediately take after the disaster. According to the Red Cross, these are the four steps to take immediately after a home fire.

  1. Call 9-1-1. Give first aid where needed; cool and cover burns to reduce the chance of further injury or infection.
  2. Let friends and family know you’re safe.
  3. People and animals that are seriously injured or burned should be transported to professional medical or veterinary help immediately.
  4. Stay out of fire-damaged homes until local fire authorities say it is safe to re-enter.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster, give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We have highly trained professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your disaster restoration needs. We are ready to help!

Commercial Water Loss

6/3/2022 (Permalink)

When a business owner has a commercial water loss there are a lot of steps ahead that need to be taken to get the problem fixed quickly and correctly. According the Hartford these are the four steps to take for a commercial water damage.

  1. Identify the source of water damage. Water leaks and intrusions can happen in many places. Some common areas to check are pipes or holes in your roof or walls. You can also work with a local plumber to help identify the source.
  2. If necessary, shut off the water main. If you have a leaking or burst pipe, shut off the water main to prevent more damage.
  3. Immediately contact your insurance company. Notify your insurance company about the water damage as soon as possible. It’s a good idea to also document the damage with photos.
  4. Find a restoration team. You can work with your insurer to find a company specializing in commercial water damage repair. If there’s extensive damage, there may be an emergency service for water extraction or mold remediation available for your business.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster, give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We have highly trained professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your disaster restoration needs. We are ready to help!

Water Disaster

5/26/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage in your home can be caused by a lot of different things. Weather, a leaky faucet, an outside source, etc. Figuring out where the water came from is the easy part, figuring out how to stop it and where to locate it is not as easy at times. Unfortunately, in most cases with water comes mold. So you need to act fact if you think your home can have a water issue. Here are some steps you should be taking in the event of a water disaster.

  • Call your insurance company
  • Call a restoration company
  • Take inventory of all of your belongings
  • If there is water damage, start the remediation process asap

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today! We have highly trained professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs.

Mold grows almost anywhere

2/25/2022 (Permalink)

Mold can happen nearly anywhere. According to the EPA website molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.

Mold tends to grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Mold can also grow on many different surfaces. For example, mold grows on surface like wood, tile, cardboard, paint, wallpaper, insulation, carpet and drywall just to name few.

Mold can be a very scary thing to deal with so please consult a professional if you suspect you may have mold. If you have any fire, water or mold disasters give SERVPRO a call today! We have trained professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Fire, soot and smoke damage

2/25/2022 (Permalink)

Recently SERVPRO was called to a fire job in Montana where a restaurant had caught on fire possible due to a dryer malfunctioning. Fires are never an easy thing do come back from simply because of the destruction that is can cause. Not only do you have to worry about your possessions that were ruined by the fire itself, soot and smoke due quite a bit of damage as well. We always suggest doing these things after you have suffered from a fire disaster in your home or business.

  • Call 911 immediately
  • Call your insurance company and start a claim
  • Call SERVPRO to start the cleaning and restoration process
  • If allowed start documenting all damaged items
  • If allowed retrieve items that are salvageable

If you have any fire, water or mold disasters give SERVPRO a call today! We have trained professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

4 story water disaster

2/25/2022 (Permalink)

This month we were called out to an apartment complex that had a huge 4 story disaster due to pipes bursting. Over 30,000 gallons of water flowed through four stories of apartments causing a huge amount of water damage. SERPVRO was on the scene in less than an hour with a huge team ready to go!

The apartment owner knew this process would be a lot of work and let us get right to work. Our guys started with extracting all of the water and setting up Dehumidifiers to dry up all the water. We did moisture readings everywhere to detect all water or moisture that was present. We then continued to monitor all moisture levels.

If you have any fire, water or mold disasters give SERVPRO a call today! We have trained professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Why I am a proud SERVPRO employee

1/31/2022 (Permalink)

When people ask me where I work I am proud to respond with SERVPRO. SERVPRO is a veteran owned business who is dedicated to helping our community with all things fire, water, mold asbestos and biohazard. SERVPRO is extremely family friendly and knows the importance of a work life balance. That is why they make sure that every employee has the training they need.

We have highly trained professionals who not only are book trained, but also inquire a lot of on the job training from our wonderful crew chiefs and production managers. We make sure our crews are certified in IICRC so they can have every bit of knowledge about the job at hand as possible.

If you have a water, fire, mold or asbestos disaster, give SERVPRO a call today. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs.

Here at SERVPRO

1/28/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby has trained professionals who are ready to help with mitigation of your home or business day or night. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of cleaning and restoration need. Our team is educated in all things fire, water, mold, asbestos and biohazard.

Here at SERVPRO we believe that all of our mitigation team needs to be trained in fire, water, mold, asbestos and biohazard. We have our team complete online training as well as outside training programs. We make sure that our team members also have on the job training so every aspect of the job is clear to them.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

1,900 locations

1/28/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is the leader in the cleaning and restoration industry. SERVPRO has been around for 55 years and we have over 1,900 locations nationwide in the United States and Canada. SERVPRO was founded in 1967. Our teams can help with all of your cleaning and restoration needs. We specialize in everything fire, water, mold and asbestos related. We also have a full rebuild team so that we can complete a job from start to finish.

We strive to be a one stop shop for our customers. We communicate with your insurance as well so that we can make sure the disaster process goes as seamless as possible. We have team members who specialize in fire, water, mold, asbestos, biohazard and COVID related disasters. We also have a full rebuild team who specializes in flooring, carpentry, cabinets, and all things rebuild.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give us a call today! We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Marketing Coordinator

1/27/2022 (Permalink)

Danielle has been with SERVPRO of coming up on four years and she absolutely loves working here. She is our Marketing coordinator / executive assistant to one of our owners. She has experience in customer service as well as social media so this was the perfect position for her. She loves staying organized and helping her marketing team stay on track. A few of the things she does at SERVPRO is creates all of our social media content, organizes events, creates schedules and assists customers with job estimates and scheduling.

Danielle and her husband have been married for 136 years and share two beautiful children together. They are originally from Southern California where all four were born and raised. One summer they decided to visit her family in Montana and by chance stopped in Idaho Falls on their way home for food. They absolutely fell in love with the area and 4 months later moved here! They love being able to be out in nature and enjoy all the fun experiences Idaho has to offer.

Our Painter

1/27/2022 (Permalink)

Philippe is our one and only painter currently and he does an absolutely phenomenal job. Philippe has been painting professionally for over 5 years and absolutely loves what he does. His favorite part of painting is watching how he can transform a space from drab to amazing with just a few simple strokes of a brush. He has painted everything from big industrial buildings to residential properties.

Philippe was raised in Arizona where he lived most of his life. He loved living there and loved all the beauty it provided. Cold winters and warm summers definitely prepared him for his life in Idaho. It was an easy transition because of all the similarities between the two states. They both have amazing mountain ranges, endless nature, and gorgeous lakes and rivers everywhere you look.

We are so happy to have Philippe and his painting skills a part of our SERVPRO family!

Veteran Owned Franchise

1/27/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is a Veteran owned company who loves to give back to our community. Every year we participate in various events including Shop with a Cop, Toys for Tots, as well as a huge lunch we put on for our first responders. Being a veteran owned company we know how important it is to show support our community so anytime there is something we can be a part of we jump at the chance to do so!

We love collaborating with local businesses as well so we try and join in on their events as well as ask for participation in ours. It is very important to us to show our community that we are really here to help. We know how terrifying it can be to have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster so anytime we get on a job we try our very best to make our customers feel as comfortable and well taken care of as possible.

We absolutely love what we do and hope that we can continue to be there for our community for years to come!

When water enters mysteriously

1/26/2022 (Permalink)

When water enters your home from an unknown area it is extremely important to contact a professional right away so they can:

  1. Identify the source of the problem
  2. Assist in stopping the water
  3. Assess the damage
  4. Test for mold
  5. Get a plan together to fix the problem that may have occurred

When water is present for an extended period of time there is a good chance that mold may be lurking close behind. Molds growth period is about 24-48 hours so it is extremely important to get any standing water cleaned up. Mold thrives in wet dark environments so water leaks are an ideal breeding grounds for mold.

If you suspect mold is in your home or business it is always a safe idea to call a professional. SERVPRO has highly trained employees who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Roof preparation when a storm is comming

1/26/2022 (Permalink)

Here in Eastern Idaho, storm season is a 2-3 month period every year that the residents must prepare for. Being unprepared can result in your home incurring large amount of damage. One very real issue you could have during a storm is water coming into your home through your roof and causing not only water damage but possible mold as well. If your roof has damage, missing shingles, etc. you should consider calling a professional to come asses any damage that you may have.

Here are a few things to do to prep your roof for an upcoming storm:

  1. Get an inspection
  2. Clean gutter and downspouts
  3. Remove debris
  4. Trim trees
  5. Check large trees for age and weakness
  6. Prevent ice dams
  7. Buy some tarps
  8. Secure or store loose items around your house
  9. Check your insurance policy
  10. Program a few important numbers in your home

If you suspect mold is in your home or business it is always a safe idea to call a professional. SERVPRO has highly trained employees who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Fires in Eastern Idaho

1/25/2022 (Permalink)

So far this year Eastern Idaho has had five structure fires since January 1, 2022. None of these fires have been nature related meaning something inside the home has been the cause.  According to firstalert.com the three most common reasons for structure fires are cooking, heating equipment and faulty wiring. Other culprits can be smoking materials like candles, Christmas tree fires and appliances.

Home fires are not always preventable but there are some ways to prepare for these terrible disasters. The first thing you can do is educate everyone in your home on fire safety. Help them to learn the fire exits and what to do in case a fire happens in your home. Second is to always make sure you have working fire alarms in your home and test them monthly to make sure the batteries are still working. And finally check all the wiring on your appliances. Make sure there are no cracks or bites in the wiring and that everything is plugged in correctly. And never overload the power strip.

If you have a fire, water, mold or biohazard disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. Our trained professionals are ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Mold at a commercial building

1/25/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial buildings are just as susceptible to mold as any residential property is. Depending on the business you run, mold can be a major danger. For example, if you own a restaurant and are constantly dealing with water and food mold can be lurking around many corners. Mold thrives in damp, humid and wet conditions. Mold requires water to grow and spread so a restaurant is an ideal breeding ground for mold if you are not careful.

There are however ways to prevent mold from growing and spreading in your business. Examples are:

  • Keep humidity levels in as low as possible
  • Be sure there is air flow
  • Fix any leaks you happen to see as quickly as possibly.
  • If you have a fire, water, mold or biohazard disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. Our trained professionals are ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

If you have a fire, water, mold or biohazard disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. Our trained professionals are ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Fire at a commercial property

1/24/2022 (Permalink)

When a commercial business has a fire there are many things to consider. How did the fire start? Could it have been prevented? Is there anything that is salvageable? How soon can my business by back up and running? What will the insurance cover? All of these questions will be answered soon enough by the investigators as well as the insurance company.

It can be a very scary time for business owners especially with all of the unknowns. There are steps however that will help you during this time.

  1. Take steps to prevent further damage if possible
  2. Notify your insurance company asap
  3. Try and take inventory (pictures) of damaged items and non-damaged items
  4. Let the fire department and investigation team finish their investigation before touching anything
  5. Call a restoration company to start getting your business back in working order.

If you have a fire, water, mold or biohazard disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. Our trained professionals are ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Commercial content cleaning

1/24/2022 (Permalink)

After a business has a fire and all of the investigations are finished there is still a lot to do! One of the major things SERVPRO does as a cleaning and restoration company is Contents Cleaning. After a fire, the soot and smoke tend to saturate your belongings making them almost unnoticeable anymore. SERVPRO has trained cleaning professionals who know just how to restore your more most valuable belongings.

What is content cleaning? Content cleaning is done by highly trained professionals who have experience in cleaning, sanitizing and deodorizing your belongings. There are many different reasons for you to need us to clean your contents. A few being items that were damaged as a result of mold, water, sewage, smoke etc.

If you have a fire, water, mold or biohazard disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. Our trained professionals are ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Mold at a warehouse

1/24/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial properties experience all of the same disasters a residential home does. That includes Water, Fire, Mold and Asbestos disasters! One disaster that we come across quite often and is sometimes completely unavoidable is mold! Especially in dark damp factory settings, mold always seems to find its way in and begin to spread. There are a few tips and tricks we would like to share that may help keep that pesky mold out!

  1. Clean up leaks right away when you see them
  2. Monitor your humidity levels
  3. Remove contaminiated items safely or call a professional
  4. If you see mold call a professional right away to take care of the problem

If you have a fire, water, mold or biohazard disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. Our trained professionals are ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Mold can be extremely tricky

1/21/2022 (Permalink)

The thing about mold is that it is extremely tricky. It likes to hide in dark spaces with little to no sunlight. Dark wet spaces is very beneficial to the growth process of mold. For example, some of molds top hiding places include air conditioners, washing machines, bathrooms, crawlspaces, and kitchens. Many of those spaces are places you wouldn't even think to look! There are also many different kinds of molds. Some of those include aspergillus, cladosporium and stachybotrys area. The colors and dangers differ from mold to mold.

One thing that doesn't differ is the need to get them checked out and tested by a professional asap. Our trained technicians complete online as well as in person training classes to learn everything they need to know about mold. Once they receive their certifications, they are able to go to our customers’ homes and businesses to help rid them of this nasty fungus.

If you suspect mold in your home or commercial business, please give SERVPRO a call today. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs.

Storm season is upon us!

1/21/2022 (Permalink)

Storm season is here so that means its time to get those sprinkler systems blown out. If you live in a state where the weather goes below what they consider “freezing” then blowing out your sprinklers is a must! The reasoning behind blowing out your sprinklers is to prevent damage and cracking to your pipes as well as the components. Blowing out your sprinklers is the absolute best way to ensure they are dry and ready for the fast-approaching winter months.

If you forget or decide not to blow out your sprinklers you can be in for a world of damage to not only your irrigation system but also your lawn. If the water ends up freezing inside your pipes, valves or sprinkler heads you run the risk of completely destroying the system because when the water freezes it will expand the pipes and eventually burst. That will cause a remarkable amount of damage in your sprinkler system.  Once the warm weather comes back it can then dethaw and flood your yard and possibly get into the cracks of the foundation of your home.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today. We have highly trained certified professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Winter preperations

1/21/2022 (Permalink)

The winter months are upon us and everyone is hurrying to get all of their preparations complete! These preparations can be the determining factor with house your home will survive during the frigid months. One of the best ways to get your house ready is to look into heat cables for your gutters. Its definitely in your best interest to avoid ice dams as much as possible.

Ice dams Are a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow from draining off the roof. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to the walls, ceilings, insulation and other areas. There are however tips and tricks to prevent this disastrous situation.

  1. Keep your gutters clean
  2. Cap the hatch
  3. Caulk any penetrations
  4. Insulation in the ceiling

If you suspect you may have an ice dams give SERVPRO a call today at (208)523-5365. We have trained professionals available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Snowflakes, Sweaters and Hot Cocoa

1/20/2022 (Permalink)

  • Snowflakes, sweaters, hot cocoa and fireplaces are all things that people may think of when thinking about winter time. But in states that receive many inches of snow every year there are far more hidden dangers to think about. Black ice is a very big reality and can become devastating very fact if you are not prepared for it. 

    What is black ice? Black ice, sometimes called clear ice, is a thin coating of glaze ice on a surface, especially on roads. The ice itself is not black, but visually transparent, allowing the black road below to be seen through it. 

    When driving try to: 
  1. Avoid driving over black ice 
  2. Know when to expect black ice 
  3. Learn to deal with a black ice encounter 

    It is also a good idea to keep a driving safety kit in your car during winter. These items can include a small Shovel, gloves and winter clothes, blankets, emergency flares, first aid kit, bottled waters and rock salt. 

Beautiful snow fall

1/20/2022 (Permalink)

Snow fall can be beautiful and extremely dangerous all at the same time. Wet and heavy snow can possibly cause a lot of damage to trees and their branches by weighing them down and causing them to bend or bream. And in some case make the entire tree uproot and tragically call on your home or business.

A tree falling on your home can cause a great extent of damage that could be devastating to recover from. Thankfully there are ways to ready your home for the upcoming winter months with these tips and tricks.

  1. Have a tree service company come assess your trees
  2. Get an idea of branch sizes and which ones may be dangerous
  3. Trim any limbs that may look dangerous
  4. If you’re planning on planting a new tree, make sure to be aware of the placement

If you do have a disaster in your home or business give SERVPRO a call today! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Lending a helping hand

1/20/2022 (Permalink)

This year our incredible employees were dispatched to Louisiana to help with the devastation that the hurricane had left behind. Hurricane Ida reared her ugly face in Louisiana in August of this year. Ida was a category 4 storm with winds reaching over 150 miles per hour. It was said to be one of the largest storms since hurricane Katrina.

At one point after the storm there were more than 1 million homes without power. They have also identified that over 90,000 homes and businesses had poor or severs roof conditions and ravaged through the inside of many homes and businesses. It is said to have cause $1 million in damage.

SERVPRO flew across the United States to lend a helping hand. We assessed the damage and got to work. It was absolutely devastating seeing all the families and business owners affected by Ida. But we are hoping that by us lending our help we brought a small glimmer of hope.

Home Fire

1/19/2022 (Permalink)

Home fires can be extremely scary and sometimes confusing. Fires aren’t planned but that doesn’t mean you can’t be! According to an online poll they estimate that 358,500 home fires occur in the United States every year. With those statistics it is definitely worth it to become prepared in case of an emergency. Here are a few tips and tricks you can do to get prepared.

According to the Red Cross you should:

  • Install smoke alarmson every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. 
  • Test smoke alarms every month. If they’re not working, change the batteries.
  • Talk with all family members about a fire escape planand practice the plan twice a year.
  • If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL FOR HELP. Never go back inside for anything or anyone.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today. We have highly trained certified professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Water damage from a home fire

1/19/2022 (Permalink)

  1. When people think of their homes catching on fire, they think of just that. Fire smoke and soot are not the only things to worry about after a home fire. There is also extensive water damage that can affect your belongings and the structure of your home. When you have a fire in your home the firefighters’ must use a forceful amount of water to get it out. In return this may affect your home’s structure and belongings.

With water damage no matter how big or small there is always potential for mold growth. If mold spores begin to grow, it can cause more problems for you. With everything can happen to your home after a fire it is extremely important to take proper actions.

  • Call your insurance company
  • Document the damage
  • Find a professional to help
  • Ask what to do next

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today. We have highly trained certified professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

How much damage can water do to a home?

1/19/2022 (Permalink)

How much damage can water do to a home? Well, more than you may think. Water can affect your home in many ways. Some of those ways may include mold damage, damage to your structure or wood, damage to your ceiling, caulk and drywall damage, electrical and carpet damage.

When water enters your home weather it be from a storm, a leak or any other way it gets to work right away causing a large amount of damage to almost anything it comes in contact with. Did you know that mold growth can start happening within 24 to 48 hours? Mold reproduces by spores that travel through the air. Mold will eventually damage the area they grow on and then continue to the next surface.

If you think you may have mold damage, please contact SERVPRO as soon as possible. We have highly trained professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs!

Turkey Fire

11/27/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO along with the Idaho Falls Fire Department, KIFI News and The Knowsy Neighbor displayed a demonstration on what not to do when deep frying a turkey this holiday season. We watched many how to videos and did the exactopposite with the help of the fire department. We overfilled the pot with oil, heated the oils past 500°, and placed a frozen turkey in the oil. Needless to say the flame was way over 20 feet high. Below are the correct instructions on how to have a safe and happy Holiday with your family and friends. 1. Stay Away from The House – Set up the turkey fryer more than 10 feet away from your home and keep children and pets away. Never leave it unattended. 2. Find Flat Ground – The oil must be even and steady at all times to ensure safety. Place the fryer on a flat, level surface and carefully gauge the amount of oil needed. 3. Use a Thawed and Dry Turkey – Make sure your Thanksgiving turkey is completely thawed and dry. Extra water will cause the oil to bubble furiously and spill over. If oil spills from the fryer onto the burner, it can cause a fire. 4. Monitor the Temp – Use caution when touching the turkey fryer. The lid and handle can become very hot and could cause burns. Also be sure to keep track of the oil’s temperature as many fryers do not have their own thermostats. 5. Be Prepared – Have a fire extinguisher (multipurpose, dry-powder) ready at all times in the event that the oil ignites. 

Veteran Owned

11/27/2021 (Permalink)

When people ask me why SERVPRO, my answer is always the same. I would choose SERVPRO because not only is SERVPRO a veteran owned franchise but it is a family owned company. SERVPRO prides themselves in treating every customer as if they were part of our family. Every job is done with 100% satisfactionGuaranteed and we work incredibly hard to make every customer feel satisfied that the job is done right the first time.  SERVPRO specializes in cleaning, restoration and construction. We want our customers to feel secure knowing that we will be able to be thereFrom start to finish during their disaster. We are certified in water, fire, mold, asbestos and biohazard disasters. We also have a full constructionTeam to help with the rebuild process as well. If you have a disaster and need SERVPRP give us a call today. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have certified professionals ready to help! 

Winter is here!

11/27/2021 (Permalink)

Winter is here and along with that comes all of the dangers it brings. One of the main worries you may have is the ones that affect your house which is ice damming.What is an ice dam? An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow (water) from draining off the roof. The water thatbacks up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation and other areas. Water leaking in your home is really never a great situation. Moisture entering the home from ice dams can lead to the growth of mold and mildew. To prevent an ice dam here are some tips and tricks to try. Ventilation under the roof deck, which keeps colder outside air circulating through the attic and prevents it from warming above the freezing point so it can melt snow on the roof.Insulation in the ceiling below the attic, which will prevent warm air from rising up into the attic space to melt snow on the roof.Blocking any heat sources that may be contributing to high temperatures in the attic. If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Hot and Humid

10/28/2021 (Permalink)

Recently we were called out to a loss for possible mold sitting in a large and very old warehouse building. In an environment that is constantly hot and humid paint and other products sometimes will start to fail making the protective barrier that the paint provided to the wall almost nonexistent. In this case the paint began to fail causing a possible microbial spotting underneath.

Knowing how quickly mold can spread and cause an even bigger problem we set up containment immediately and got to work. In our confined space we set up air scrubbers inside so that it would create negative air pressure and filter out anything that shouldn’t be present inside. We also do testing to always ensure that it is not dangerous to anyone around.

If you have a fire, water, mold, asbestos or biohazard disaster give SERVPRO a call today! We have highly trained professionals ready 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you with you cleaning and restoration needs. 

Local Hero's

10/28/2021 (Permalink)

We are so excited that for the third year in a row we were able to show our appreciation to our wonderful local first responders. Every year we provide a free lunch for all of our local hero’s. We set the time between 11-3 so they can come as they are able to do so.

This year we had a few amazing sponsors that participated and donated towards this amazing event. Our sponsors included Golds Gym of Ammon, Onek Property Management, Rich Broadcasting, The Wolf Radio Station, Firehose car wash, T-Mobile, Gandalfo’s and Duck Donuts.

We were able to not only have an amazing FREE lunch for our local hero’s but all of the business listed above brought freebies and amazing deals for them as well. We are so thankful to all of our first responders and hope to keep this tradition going for many more years to come.

Why are burn bans so important

8/9/2021 (Permalink)

What is a burn ban? Why are they so important? What would warrant a burn ban to be implemented? Lets start with the basics! A burn ban is a fire restriction that is implemented by the Land Management Agencies to help reduce the risk and prevention of wildfires during periods of high or extremely high fire dangers.

Fire restrictions are usually brought on quickly and sometimes without notice depending on how the quality of the air is, the wind speed and also the temperatures. 

Why are these burn bans so important? Well did you know that debris burning starts the most human-caused fires? When someone makes the decision to burn debris they need to be very aware of the wind speed as well as the temperatures. Fires can become out of control extremely quickly and can cause extreme amounts of damage including structure fires and wild fires just to name a few. Every county has a fire information website that can be checked for fire ban questions.

If you have a fire disaster please give SERVPRO a call today! We have highly trained professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Heavy rains, tornadoes, power outages and flooding!!!

8/9/2021 (Permalink)

It has definitely not been a great year for the residents of the Southeast Michigan area. They have experienced quite a few disasters that decided to make quite an entrance hand and hand. The disasters hit once after another and were not very quite with their arrivals. The are suffering from heavy rain, flooding, power outages and at least one tornado had been reported! 

What makes these storms so much worse than a "normal" thunderstorm is that they are dealing with a "tornadic" thunderstorm. That means that this specific thunderstorm that they endured was a rotating thunderstorm which is called a supercell which makes it more favorable for a tornado. 

SERVPRO's Storms team contacted SERVPRO's around the United States to join together in helping these wonderful families in getting their homes and businesses back up and running. If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We have trained professionals that are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! 

Ten plus floors affected

7/15/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO recently was called out to an apartment complex where they had experienced a terrible water loss that affected over ten plus units.  The culprit? A leaking/running toilet.

There are many reasons that a toilet would be leaky or runny. One of the most common reasons for this would be an old flapper. Flappers get old overtime causing them to not seal correctly anymore. Replacing the flapper is an easy fix that one can usually do on their own. If you do not feel comfortable, please call your local professional for help.

If this leaking is not caught in time it can result in a huge headache for home owners and property owners. Water is so incredibly sneaky and can really find every crevis, crack and cranny possible. If you find that you have standing water in your home or business it is extremely important to call your local professional. This standing water can result in mold which is not something you want in or around your home or business.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today. Our highly trained professionals are ready to help day or night. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs.

House fires can happen anywhere at anytime

7/15/2021 (Permalink)

House fires can happen at any time be it day or night. There are many dangers with house fires other than the actual fire itself. Smoke inhalation is a major safety hazard that needs to be handled with as much care as the fire itself.

Once a home catches fire and the fire department hopefully is able to put it out there are many things they have to investigate before the home owners can call a restoration company. Once they are finished with their investigation the home owner is then able to call a cleaning and restoration company to come out and help rebuild and clean their home.

Smoke damage is one of the most damaging outcomes from a fire. The SERVPRO Franchise Professionals use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces.

They will clean all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. They use a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to pre-fire condition. They’re also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

Restoration is the final step—getting your home or business to its pre-fire condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today. Our highly trained professionals are ready to help day or night. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs.

The importance of water extraction

7/15/2021 (Permalink)

Water extractions from homes and businesses are extremely important because with excess water there is a high potential for mold growth. Mold can not only ruin the walls, floors, and items inside your home, but it can cause health effects to you and your family.

Our process is very extensive and we take our water extraction process extremely serious. We make sure that we do it right the first time. The process includes:

  1. Finding the leak and stopping it at the source
  2. Removing as much of the sitting water as possible
  3. Drying the ground and walls
  4. And then using our dehumidifiers in the house or on any specific area we feel it is needed
  5. If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today. Our highly trained professionals are ready to help day or night. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs.

Mold in my shower

6/14/2021 (Permalink)

Water is a wonderful thing to have around! Its refreshing, clean and hydrating! But did you know that it also has a dirty and dangerous side? It does! Water and mold go together like two peas in a pod.

For example: Water from the shower can become a pretty messy situation if it gets out of the area it is supposed to be in. When that happens you try and try to clean up every speck of water possible because you know that mold LOVES water and dark spaces. And bathrooms are infamous for both of those things. 

What happens when water slips through the cracks and goes unnoticed? Mold happens! There are many different types of molds so don't freak out just yet. SERVPRO has trained professionals that will come out to your home and diagnose and preform mold tests. We want our customers to get the best and most accurate results possible so we make sure to send it out to the lab for testing. After the results come back, that's when we make our game plan.

If you suspect mold in your home or business give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your water, fire, mold and asbestos needs!

Spring has sprung and so has fire season!

5/5/2021 (Permalink)

Spring is upon us and so is that time of year when people in Southeastern Idaho start doing their controlled burns to rid the ditches of dead leaves, tree limbs and other debris. Although controlled burns are a normal and very common event, sometimes it can be a little bit on the uncontrollable side.

Many things can go wrong when you mix fire with wind. Recently in Idaho Falls firefighter were called out to a field west of Idaho Falls. About 1.5 acres of dry grass became inflamed after a controlled burn had gotten out of hand. With the strong winds in Idaho Falls controlled burns can quickly become dangerous when they are near homes, businesses, or dry fields. To help avoid a burn from becoming out of control you should always check your local fire department for burn ban bulletins as well as checking your local weather station to look out for wind advisories.

If you do have a fire disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

The toilet decided to overflow

5/5/2021 (Permalink)

Flooding can happen almost anywhere! One of the more common places that water damage happens is a residential property. That being the case because they have SO many different outlets for water to become a problem. Kitchens, bathrooms and sprinkler systems are some of the major areas of issues.

For example, a call came in today from an older woman who was in distress over the fact that her basement bathroom had flooded into the other rooms causing a large amount of water damage in her walls, flooring, and carpet. A toilets valve broke and the water started to overflow. SERVPRO knew that with this kind of loss we had to get started ASAP. We sent our guys out to her home within 30 minutes to start to evaluate the disaster.

We realized very quickly that the amount of rooms affected were way more than the customer had thought. We started extracting the water and setting up air movers right away. Thank fully with that being done we were able to get the loss under control quickly and efficiently. This disaster could have been a lot worse if we would not have been able to get the water out as quickly as we did.

If you do have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Customer service and trust

3/29/2021 (Permalink)

Customer service and trust has and always will be two of our main priorities. We believe that if we offer amazing customer service, our customers will be able to trust that we will make sure the job is done right.

We believe it is extremely important that our technicians are up to date certified on all things water, fire, mold and asbestos. They attend yearly classes to make sure they feel confident and ready to help our customers in their time of need.

More times than not when our crews are called out to an emergency disaster we need to act fast! With their ongoing education and training they have the ability to analyze a situation quickly and figure out a solution. 

If you have a water, fire, mold or asbestos disaster give us a call today! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Eddie

3/29/2021 (Permalink)

Eddie is the newest member of our team and we are beyond thrilled to have him! He is the production manager and has fully dove into his new scope of work. He is a team player and is excited to build working relationships with his new team.

Eddie has over 20 years of experience in construction. This experience includes painting, drywall, carpentry, flooring etc. He also has many years of experience managing and running large scopes of work. His quick thinking and ability to wrap his head quickly around any job makes him a valuable asset to our team. 

If you have a fire, water, mold, asbestos it remodel disaster please give us a call today. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your disaster and cleaning needs.

Why SERVPRO? Because we care!

3/26/2021 (Permalink)

Customer service has always been and will always be our first priority. Every employee who works at SERVPRO knows that we are not only restoring a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster, we are giving people back their homes and businesses. 

We understand the importance of getting families back into their homes as quickly as possible. We also know how extremely important it is for a business owners to get back to work. That is why we stay up to date on new techniques and products. We also make sure that our crew members are certified in water, fire, mold and asbestos so we are ready for any disaster.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give us a call today! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

When disaster hits we will be there

3/22/2021 (Permalink)

Why SERVPRO? Because SERVPRO has compassion. After the terrible winter storms that ravaged states across the US SERVPRO was there to lend a helping hand!

Our Franchise decides we needed to be out there helping all of the families suffering from their devastating loss. We initially went to Oklahoma City. We stayed there for almost 3 weeks working hard to help these families have their homes and businesses back. We worked on residential properties as well as commercial properties which included churches, hospitals, schools etc. We did it all!

We new we had to work fast because with water comes mold. We worked long hours and fought extremely hard to help get this city back up and going. We feel so lucky that we work for a company that regardless of where you are located, we are always ready to help you in your time of need.

If you have a fire, water, mold, asbestos or biohazard disaster call SERVPRO today! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs.

Winter storms bring water and mold

3/22/2021 (Permalink)

Recently winter storms have hit the lower south coast hard. Families and business owners were stranded with no place to go because of the severe damage they had faced.

Water damage from the storms had ravaged through these homes and businesses. If that wasn't enough water brought along a friend by the name of mold! With water comes mold and with mold comes a whole new set of problems. We had to work fast!

With as many homes and businesses that were affected by these winter storms, SERVPROs Storm Team had called in other franchises from out of town to help. We were lucky enough to be among those called.

We started in Oklahoma and ended in Texas. We were out there for over a month and worked day and night to help restore these wonderful peoples homes and businesses. The people in the communities were amazing even after having to go through what they did.

With our guys keeping a positive attitude we were able to get families and business owners back in their locations quickly and efficiently as possible. We are proud to say that we were able to help!

If you have a fire, water, mold, asbestos or biohazard disaster call SERVPRO today! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs.

I love where I work!

3/22/2021 (Permalink)

When people ask me where I work I am proud to respond SERVPRO. I am the Marketing Coordinator and have been with our wonderful franchise for over 3 years. I love working for a company that shows so much love, support and kindness to their employees and customers.

In our line of business there is never a dull moment. Being a disaster cleaning and restoration company you really never know what that next call is going to be that comes in.

We help deal with anything from bat guano to water damage to flooring replacement. We have technicians trained in biohazard cleanup, water damage, mold, smoke damage and asbestos removal. We also have a full reconstruction team that is ready to build, paint, texture and tape, lay new flooring and fix anything you might need!

We really are a one stop shop and our customers are the main priority. We work extremely hard in making sure they are satisfied with our work from start to finish. We understand that their homes and businesses are their personal spaces and we make sure to respect that as such. I am so happy to say that I am a SERVPRO employee and I am excited to see our company continue to grow.

If you have a fire, water, mold, asbestos or biohazard disaster call SERVPRO today! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs.

Oklahoma City

3/2/2021 (Permalink)

After the huge and unexpected storms hit Oklahoma City our SERVPRO team was asked to fly out and help assess and fix the damage. Oklahoma City was devastated by two major record breaking winter storms in February that caused a large amount of disasters for residential and commercial buildings. These storms caused hazardous driving conditions, rolling blackouts, water main breaks and a ton of other issues.

Our franchise owner Skylar along with a crew of guys flew and drove out there ASAP to see what we could do to help. The damage that the storms left behind was terrible. We have been working on everything from schools, to libraries, to hospitals. Water damage and water leaks were the two biggest issues we had dealt with. With water comes mold so extracting the water and controlling the leaks was extremely important. We had to work fast and efficient to get things under control.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today! We have trained professional ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Water damage in Oklahoma

3/2/2021 (Permalink)

Our teams flew out to Oklahoma City this weekend to help with the terrible disasters that they were experiencing. Oklahoma City was hit with two major storms which resulted in leaking and breaking pipes. SERVPRO was asked to fly down to Oklahoma to help aid in this disaster and that is exactly what we did!  

Water damage can cause a variety of different problems, but one of the biggest problems it can cause would be mold! Mold develops when surfaces become moist. It really thrives in dark places like under baseboards and in walls. Mold can start growing within 24-48 hours after a flood or water leak. The amount of mold growth also depends on the material or surface the water lands on as well as the moisture level and temperatures.

We have moisture readers that will tell us what areas have been affected by water as well as mold testing to determine what kind of mold is growing. All of this will play a factor in what we need to remove or dry out.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today. We have highly trained professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Back up and running

2/2/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO works with a lot of commercial properties all over Southeast Idaho. We handle water, fire, and mold disasters. It is all about timing when it comes to commercial properties. It is all about getting them back up and running so they can continue to make money. We have very strategic plans set into place so that we can always preform their jobs quickly and efficiently. With that being said, we know that having our crews always up to date on training is extremely important.

We are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  We have highly trained and certified professional ready to help! If you do have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO of Idaho Falls & Rexburg/Rigby a call today (208) 523-5365.

Fires happen in the winter

2/2/2021 (Permalink)

Fires happen any time during the year, even in winter! There are tons of different ways that a fire can start.

  • Cooking
    1. Never leave your stove or oven unattended
    2. Make sure to clean your oven often
    3. Keep all paper products away from your stove
  • Smoking
    1. Do not smoke in your home. Even if the weather is ridiculously cold outside.
    2. Make sure before you toss your cigarette butts out make sure they are completely out.
    3. Make sure to keep them up and away from children.
  • Candles
    1. Never leave candles unattended or fall asleep with a candle on
    2. Never leave candles near curtains or blinds

We are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  We have highly trained and certified professional ready to help! If you do have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO of Idaho Falls & Rexburg/Rigby a call today (208) 523-5365.

My business caught on fire. What's next?

1/7/2021 (Permalink)

Has your business's building burnt down in a fire? What do you do now? There are different things you should and shouldn’t do when you have experienced a fire within your businesses.

  1. Don’t touch anything
  2. Turn off all utilities
  3. Immediately contact your insurance company
  4. After you are instructed to you can remove your necessary items
  5. Make sure to let your local police department know so they can help prevent vandalism or break ins
  6. You or your insurance company will call a Cleaning and Restoration professional to help you get back up and going.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We have highly trained professionals who are ready to be there for your home and business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Christmas Trees gone bad

1/7/2021 (Permalink)

Today we did a demonstration on how quickly a Christmas Tree can start on fire. Did you know that between 2014-2018, U.S. fire departments responded to an average 160 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year. These fires caused an average of two deaths, 14 injuries, and $10 million in direct property damage annually.

Thank you to Ammon fire department for helping us with this demonstration. We wanted to help to educate the public on how quickly a happy holiday tradition can go wrong.

Be sure to keep your trees watered and away from any heat source such as candles, heaters, etc.

SERVPRO of Idaho Falls & Rexburg/Rigby is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your Fire, Water, Mold and Asbestos need! (208) 523-5365

Kitchen or indoor pool?

1/7/2021 (Permalink)

Water disasters can happen in almost any part of your home. One of the most common places for it to happen however is the kitchen. The kitchen has many different factors that can contribute to water issues. Fridge, dishwasher, water lines to fridge, sink, etc.  There are steps you can take however after a water disaster occurs in your home.

  1. Your going to want to turn off the water and power in your kitchen area. You want to try to stop anymore water from coming out.
  2. Next you will want to call your insurance company right away to see what is covered.
  3. And finally you will want to call a cleaning and restoration company to come out and asses the damage. They will let you know if this is something you can fix yourself or if a professional will need to assist you with.

SERVPRO of Idaho Falls & Rexburg/Rigby is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your Fire, Water, Mold and Asbestos need! (208) 523-5365

Bathrooms... Dark, damp and isolated spaces.

1/7/2021 (Permalink)

While working on a tile job we discovered a customer’s bathroom had been invaded by mold! Bathroom mold occurs primarily because mold loves damp, dark, wet and isolated spaces. Bathrooms are a breeding ground for mold because of the unlimited amount of water supplied in a small space. Sinks, toilets, bathtubs, showers and let’s not forget your littles bath time routines that involves shoveling the water from the bathtub to your bathroom floors.

According to houselogic.com a great way to help prevent a moldy bathroom mess would be:

  • Use your bathroom ventilation fan when you shower or bathe, and leave it on for 30 minutes following the end of your bath; if you don’t have an exhaust fan, install one.
  • Keep household humidity levels below 50%; an air conditioner or dehumidifier can help.
  • Use a mildew-resistant shower curtain, and wash or replace it frequently.
  • Don’t keep bottles of shampoo or shower gel, toys, or loofahs in the shower, as they provide places for mold to grow and hide.
  • Wash your bathroom rugs frequently.

If you still happen to have a mold disaster give SERVPRO a call today and we can come out ASAP. SERVPRO of Idaho Falls & Rexburg/Rigby is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your Fire, Water, Mold and Asbestos need! (208) 523-5365

Dangerous weather in Idaho

1/7/2021 (Permalink)

Even in the worst stormy weather SERVPRO will travel near and far to be there in your time of need! Our franchise travels all over Southeastern Idaho and the weather out here can get pretty treacherous at times. Last year alone we saw an average of 38.9 inches of snow. The US averages at 27.8. So needless to say, our winters are pretty chilly.

Road conditions are not always the best so we always urge our employees to take these steps while driving in stormy weather.

  1. Slow down. Even if you haveall-wheel drive, reduce your speed about 10 miles per hour below the speed limit
  2. Beware of black ice
  3. Avoid tailgating
  4. Don't brake duringa turn
  5. Turn into a skid

These tips can make a huge difference while driving in adverse weather conditions. If you do have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO of Idaho Falls & Rexburg/Rigby a call today (208) 523-5365.

Mold where you least expect it!

1/7/2021 (Permalink)

Commercial buildings have to deal with almost everything a home would have to including mold. Mold is a touchy subject because unless tested or viewed by a professional you can’t tell how dangerous it can really be. Mold occurs primarily because mold loves damp, dark, wet and isolated spaces. So really almost just about anywhere. Below are some tips on helping to prevent a mold disaster in your business.

  1. Always stay vigilant. Mold is very tricky and sneaky and can hid almost anywhere that is even the tiniest bit damp
  2. Make sure to always make the proper repairs to foundation cracks, leaky roofs, etc.
  3. Dehumidifiers are always a great idea to combat mold growth
  4. Clean clean clean! Try your best to keep your property clean!

If you do have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO of Idaho Falls & Rexburg/Rigby a call today (208) 523-5365.

Water damage in your building

1/7/2021 (Permalink)

Commercial buildings have to deal with almost everything a home would have to including water damage. While working on a commercial property this week we found that water had seeped into the cracks through the foundation. Idaho has been dealing with a lot of highs and lows this month which means cold snow followed by melting snow. This can only mean one thing... soppy messes!

When the foundation in your building has a crack or opening water can and will find its way in. Water inside your business should never be ignored. It should be cleaned up immediately and if you feel that it has caused more of a disaster than you can deal with make sure to call a professional to come help. Remember water sometimes leads to mold!

If you do have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO of Idaho Falls & Rexburg/Rigby a call today (208) 523-5365.

Steps to take after a storm

1/6/2021 (Permalink)

After a storm there are definitely steps to take to make sure your home is safe and secure and has not been affected negatively. Make sure you do the following after a major storm event:

  • Check your home and property for damage.
  • Keep clear of damaged buildings, powerlines and trees.
  • Be aware of road hazards such as floodwater, debris and damaged roads or bridges.
  • Do not drive through affected areas unless it is necessary.

Storms can happen almost any where at any time. Being prepared can give you a huge advantage if your city is hit by a dangerous event. Make sure that you and your family have a plan in place. Certain things like overnight bags, canned foods and non-perishable foods stored, escape plans, etc. can make things a lot simpler if something were to occur.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We have highly trained professionals who are ready to be there for your home and business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

How to secure your home before a storm

1/6/2021 (Permalink)

If a storm happens in your town there are definitely things you can do before and after to help get through it. Before any storm you should:

  • Check that loose items such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured.
  • If it is safe to do so, check gutters, downpipes and drains are not blocked.
  • Park your car undercover and away from trees.

 And after a storm you can:

  • Stay indoors and away from windows.
  • If outdoors, shelter away from drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
  • Be prepared for power outages.
  • Floodwater is dangerous – never drive, walk or ride through floodwater.
  • Floodwater is toxic – never play or swim in floodwater.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We have highly trained professionals who are ready to be there for your home and business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What to do if a storm affects your crawlspace

1/6/2021 (Permalink)

Storms can affect your property all different kinds of ways. One of the ways that it can affect your home is by letting water seep into the crawl space. Water leaking in your crawlspace can cause a lot of issues in your home. These issues include mold, flooding, rot, and could attract pests.

If water leaks into your home the first thing you should do is assess the damage right away. Then you should always call your insurance and see what kind of coverage you will be covered for. You or your insurance will likely cause a restoration company to come and clean up and dry up the water and assess and fix any further damage.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We have highly trained professionals who are ready to be there for your home and business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Preventing cracking pipes

1/2/2021 (Permalink)

With cold winter weather comes low temperates. Gnarly wind chills can result in freezing or bursting pipes. If water in pipes turn to ice it can grow and expand and cause your pipes to crack.

Winter weather causes a lot of obstacles for homes and businesses. There are ways however to prevent the cracking inside the pipes. These are a few examples.

1. Make Sure Pipes Are Insulated.

2. Let Your Faucet Drip.

3. Seal Up Cracks and Leaks.

4. Open Those Doors.

5. But Keep The Garage Door Closed.

6. Watch That Thermostat.

7. Disconnect/Shut Off The Water.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We have highly trained professionals who are ready to be there for your home and business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Sneaky mold growth

1/2/2021 (Permalink)

Mold is the just the worst! It can show up without any warning... or so you may think. Mold thrives in dark damp places and can start growing and become dangerous before you even know it! Bathrooms, basements and kitchens are ideal growing conditions for mold.

There are ways however to try and help prevent mold growth. They are ways however to help Stop Mold Growth in House.

Control moisture. Keep the humidity level under 60 percent.

Dry up wet materials quickly. ...

Clean, disinfect, and dry surfaces prone to mold growth. ...

Repair leaks. ...

Dry items thoroughly before storing them.

Improve airflow at home. ...

Monitor your basement's ventilation.


If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We have highly trained professionals who are ready to be there for your home and business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Water on the wood floors

12/21/2020 (Permalink)

Wood flooring kitchen Wood flooring damaged by water in kitchen.

Our crews went out to this home because they had a leaky fridge causing the wood floor to get extremely wet. When water penetrates the wood flooring it can lead to swell against each other, buckle or even warp. If left untreated it can also lead to mold underneath the wood flooring. 

Mold growth can become an issue if the water starts to seep down into the wood and then into the plywood. Mold tends to flourish in dark damp spaces so water + wood + dark space = an amazing breading ground for mold!

SERVPRO specializes in Mold damage and has a highly trained teem of individuals ready to help you 24 hours a day. 7 days a week!

If you need SERVPRO's assistance give us a call today!

We care about our community

12/21/2020 (Permalink)

Our owner and marketing rep with a sheriff Our owner and marketing rep with a sheriff donating money.

This year SERVPRO's marketing team got together to brainstorm on ways to help the community. Every year we come together and think about what we can possibly do to make a good impact on our local friends, family and neighbors. One of the things that we decided to go with was the Shop with a Sheriff foundation put together by Bonneville County Sheriffs Department. 

We know that due to COVID a lot of people have been impacted and unfortunately may not have enough money this year to give their children a good Christmas. So we got on the phone with the police department and had them over that next day with a check made out for $600. 

SERVPRO feels that looking out for your community is one of the most important things you can do!

We love our first responders

12/21/2020 (Permalink)

Our 1st responder lunch set up Our first responder lunch set up in our SERVPRO office.

SERVPRO is always looking for ways to give back to our first responders. Especially during things times of uncertainty. SERVPRO decided to give back to our local Hero's by serving them free lunch, drinks and desserts at our SERVPRO office in Idaho Falls. 

We served easily over 60 officers and office staff that day and were so thrilled to do so. We know that these men and women work so hard day in and day out to keep our community safe and we wanted to be able to show them our appreciation.

We had officers all over Southeastern Idaho show up! We got to feed them as well as chat with them about their work, family, etc. It was such an amazing day and we cannot wait to do it again next year!

Thank you Firefighters

11/23/2020 (Permalink)

Fire Department posing for a picture with SERVPRO employees Fire Department posing for a picture with SERVPRO employees in front of fire truck.

Thank you, Central Fire Department, Station #3 in Lewisville and our Marketing Rep Megan Olsen for helping SERVPRO put together this video to help spread awareness of the dangers that could come from cooking a turkey in the deep fryer. To avoid this happening make sure your turkey is thawed and dry before putting it in your hot oil.

Each year, fire departments respond to more than 1,000 fires related to deep fryers. Those fires cause serious burn injuries and more than $15 million in property damage. So please everyone be safe this Holiday Season! Here are some helpful tips from the Idaho State Fire Marshal.

  • Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
  • Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
  • Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away.
  • Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
  • Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
  • Keep knives out of the reach of children.
  • Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
  • Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
  • Never leave children alone in room with a lit candle.
  • Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

Really cool looking mold

11/23/2020 (Permalink)

mold growth on wood Mold growth on wood at a commercial building.

Some of these may look like really cool pieces of art but this is in fact the many faces of mold!

All of these styles of mold were in the same area in a commercial basement of a building we were working on. This one in particular caught our eye because it looks like a beautiful tree.

Mold can come in many different shaped, sizes and colors. Mold is found almost everywhere and can grow in any substance when moisture is present. Mold can reproduce by spores, which is carried by air, when spores land on a moist surface they begin grow. Mold is typically found indoors.

Our highly trained team of professionals are ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We strive to always be up to date on the newest training and techniques as well as CDC guidelines. If your business has a fire, water, mold, asbestos, biohazard or COVID disaster, give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365.

Helping our Heroes

8/20/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO was out again today volunteering our time fogging and disinfecting our first responders’ vehicles. Our main goals in this is to continue to do our part and help to keep those on the front lines and our community safe. We know how hard and long they work everyday to keep our community safe and this is our way to give back.

Right now, with COVID-19 being such a huge concern, the last thing we want our first responders to worry about is the safety and cleanliness of their vehicles. Therefore, we have dedicated many hours to our local emergency response companies so that we can help take one thing off their plates. Thank you again to Central Fire District, Mud Lake Ambulance, Robert Fire District and Idaho State Marshall for allowing SERVPRO to come out!

Our highly trained team of professionals are ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We strive to always be up to date on the newest training and techniques as well as CDC guidelines. If your business has a fire, water, mold, asbestos, biohazard or COVID disaster, give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365.

We are the cleaning specialists

8/20/2020 (Permalink)

Our Cleaning Specialist Candace and her crew are currently working on this fire job. They need to first dry sponge to remove the soot and then they will begin their cleaning process. SERVPRO uses a dry sponge cleaning process for removing soot because it avoids the smearing that occurs with damp cleaning. Chemical dry-cleaning sponges are specifically engineered to absorb particular matter right into their pores, like soot.

Smoke damage is very tricky and a long process but our SERVPRO cleaning specialists are highly trained and ready to get your home or business back to its original state.

Our highly trained team of professionals are ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We strive to always be up to date on the newest training and techniques as well as CDC guidelines. If your business has a fire, water, mold, asbestos, biohazard or COVID disaster, give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365.

The dangerous effects of Asbestos

7/16/2020 (Permalink)

Over the weekend our SERVPRO team removed Asbestos tiles from a local business. Asbestos is extremely dangerous and should be handled quickly and efficiently by trained professionals. Asbestos is a heat-resistant fibrous silicate mineral that can be woven into fabrics. And it is used in fire-resistant and insulating materials such as brake linings.

According to oregonstate.edu, the most common way for asbestos fibers to enter the body is through breathing. In fact, asbestos containing material is not generally considered to be harmful unless it is releasing dust or fibers into the air where they can be inhaled or ingested. Many of the fibers will become trapped in the mucous membranes of the nose and throat where they can then be removed, but some may pass deep into the lungs, or, if swallowed, into the digestive tract. Once they are trapped in the body, the fibers may cause health effects. 

If you suspect you have Asbestos in your home or business please give us a call and we can be there ASAP to keep you safe with our highly trained and certified crew! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Give us a call today at (208) 523-5365.

Helping out our local heroes!

7/16/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has been teaming up with our local Fire Departments to volunteer our time in helping prevent the spread of COVID-19. Per the CDC website Coronavirus (COVID-19) is an illness caused by a virus that can spread from person to person. • The virus that causes COVID-19 is a new coronavirus that has spread throughout the world. • COVID-19 symptoms can range from mild (or no symptoms) to severe illness.

We have been volunteering our time by going out to our local Fire Departments and cleaning all emergency vehicles. We fog and disinfect all vehicle free of charge. We hope that by doing this we can help to keep our first responders safe and able to continue to be there for our community.

If you have a fire, water, mold, asbestos, biohazard or COVID-19 related disaster, give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have highly trained professionals ready when you need us!

Rainfall is so pretty, and so damaging

7/16/2020 (Permalink)

It's that time of year again when the heavy rain creates even heavier runoffs. Make sure to call your insurance agent to see just what is covered under your policy for flood and ground water. It is always a great idea to be in the know so you can protect your home and business.

There are a lot of damaging affect that rain water can end up causing to your outdoor space. If rainwater collects in your yard, you can wind up with large pools that can damage the landscaping and flood your basement. If your yard has repeatedly flooded after rainstorms, you have a serious drainage problem that needs to be addressed to avoid costly damage.

If you have a fire, water, mold, asbestos, biohazard or COVID-19 related disaster, give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have highly trained professionals ready when you need us!

Removing some wet carpet

6/12/2020 (Permalink)

Carpet puller being loaded into a SERVPRO truck Carpet puller machine being loaded into a SERVPRO truck.

Removing some carpet today! SERVPRO went to a job where the homeowners carpet needed to be removed because of water damage. If carpet has been wet for longer than 72 hours it is a good time to consider replacing it. Mold takes no longer than 72 hours to form and spread making it difficult to clean thoroughly after that time. If mold begins to spread that you will be in for a lot of other issues.

However, there are steps you can take to hopefully avoid removing the carpet.

  1. Remove water as quickly as possible
  2. Use fans to speed up carpet drying process
  3. Use a dehumidifier to dry out the room
  4. Steam clean carpet and flooring

If you have a Fire, Water, Mold, Asbestos, or Biohazard disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365 We have highly trained professionals that are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your disaster needs.

Rain Rain Go Away

5/21/2020 (Permalink)

Heavy rain and winds can leave a lasting and very negative impact on your home. Rain along with hail, wind, and snow, is known to cause all sorts of damage when severe enough. There are many ways to prepare your home to help prevent the damaging affects that the elements can cause. According to www.property24.com they suggest that you consider these options when prepping for a storm.

1.Inspect your roof - Walk around your home’s exterior so you can inspect your roof. Do this at least twice a year to avoid costly problems that could escalate into a much greater expense.

  1. Inspect your gutters - Gutters are an essential part of your roofing system. The purpose of the gutter is to collect and funnel away any water that lands on the roof. These carry water away from the building’s foundations, protecting your exterior surfaces and stopping water from entering the home. 
  2. Inspect the inside of your home- Check all your windows and doors. Make sure that both close and seal properly, and make any repairs or improvements as necessary.Check out your ceilings to make sure that you are not experiencing signs of roof or other leakages. Be on the lookout for water rings, mould or dark spots and trails. Wall or ceiling discolouration could also be an indication that there is a problem. 
  3. Surrounding trees and foliage - It would be prudent to consider cutting back any trees and foliage that hang over the house and gutters as their branches and leaves will most likely cause blockages and guttering problems. Additionally, this will reduce the risk of them falling during a storm and damaging your home.

If you have a fire, water, mold, asbestos or biohazard disaster, give SERVPRO a call today. Our trained technicians are available

Bats in the attic

5/13/2020 (Permalink)

Our production managers Brittany and Justin were in Moran, Wyoming today putting together an estimate for some clean up needed at the Fire Station. There was bat guano in an upstairs basement.

According to www.daytonwildlife.com “Bat droppings are also called guano and are considered very harmful to human beings. The droppings look like droppings of mouse but these turned into powder form when touched. This powdery substance then becomes airborne. This substance is very dangerous if inhaled mistakenly and can cause a very terrible disease that harms the respiratory system and known as Histoplasmosis.”

The serious dangers guano can spread:

Most of the time people remain unaware of the affects or harm bat dropping can cause. But it is true that human can face serious hazards to health if the care is not taken while cleaning area infected with guano. There are numbers serious diseases that guano can spread and some of them can even be fatal. The animal droppings may be a danger simply by their weight as well. As the bats live in colonies so they can make wastage and guano beyond your expectation. The areas like attics can be of special attention for you as droppings and urine of bats can destroy the surface.

If you have a Water, Fire, Mold, Asbestos or Biohazard Disaster give SERVPRO a call today. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! We have trained professionals ready to help.

We have the most amazing Marketers

3/30/2020 (Permalink)

Our marketing team Megan and Melissa cleaning a kitchen in a home Our marketing team Megan and Melissa cleaning a kitchen in a home that had a fire disaster

Our marketers really are amazing! They are team players and always strive to be better at what they do. Along with that, they are helpful and always team players. With the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic affecting businesses everywhere our marketers have decided to schedule out a few days a week to help out crews out in the field.

So, they suited up in their SERVPRO uniform and went out to a fire job that we were currently in the process of cleaning. Their day entailed cleaning up after recon so the homeowners could move back into their home. They had to clean and wipe counters and cabinets, sweep and vacuum, moped flooring, cleaned inside and outside of closets, wiped down the very top of cabinets, cleaned up appliances, etc.

If you can think of the most thorough cleaning you have ever seen in your life, that’s what our team did. We are so blessed to have such amazing team players on our side.

If you have a Fire, Water, Mold or Asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We are available 24hours a day, 7 days a week.

Fogging and cleaning an airport

3/30/2020 (Permalink)

Our marketer Megan suiting up to start her shirt at SERVPRO Our marketer Megan suiting up to start her shift at SERVPRO fogging an airport.

Our marketing rep Megan decided to lend a hand in the fogging and cleaning of a local airport. We are currently cleaning and fogging homes and businesses to help stop the spread of Coronavirus. During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.
Specialized Training
We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.
The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:

Kitchen/Food Areas
Bathrooms
Schools/Classrooms
Offices
Retail Spaces
Water Fountains
Shelving/Racks
Sales Counters
Carpets and Rugs
Stair Handrails
Elevator Cars
Playground Equipment
Fitness Equipment

If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today – SERVPRO of Idaho Falls & Rexburg/Rigby today at (208)523-5365

Stay Home Please

3/27/2020 (Permalink)

Map of Idaho with a heart in the middle map image of Idaho with a heart in the middle.

Governor Brad Little has just issued a State Wide Stay-Home order for Idaho.

He has asked everyone to self-isolate. Meaning all residents of Idaho must self-isolate and stay and work from home as much as possible. You are able to leave to obtain or provide essential services.

He has also asked non-essential businesses to close down and services to stay open.  Limited public transit, traveling and gathering as well.

He has said that outdoor activities are ok meaning near your home. Do not go out and have a huge get together with all your friends and neighbors. He also requests that we practice good hygiene and continue to wash our hands often.

SERVPRO is considered an essential business and is here to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your Fire, Water, Mold and Asbestos Disasters.

We are also offering Fogging and Extensive Cleaning to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus. Give us a call today at (208) 523-5365.

The leaky fridge

3/27/2020 (Permalink)

Flooring in a kitchen that was affected by water damage Flooring in a kitchen that had been affected by water damage from a fridge.

With a lot of businesses having to temporarily shut down due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, we are blessed to still be able to offer an essential service to our community. Zach and his crew were at a water loss in Wyoming this week caused by a fridge supply line.

Though water damage can be visible sometimes and a punctured line my be easy to see, there are a lot of times when you may have no idea that there is a leak occurring. You’re in luck though! There are other indicators that can help you figure out if your line has broken.

  1. The fridge may be making a little bit too much noise.
  2. You may see water leaking under the fridge.
  3. The ice maker may not be working anymore

If you have a Fire, Water, Mold or Asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

SERVPRO is here to help!

3/27/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO employee suited up ready to clean a FedEx truck SERVPRO employee suited up about to clean a FedEx truck

SERVPRO is here to help!

As a responsible business and member of the community, we are asking the same question that you are: How can we keep our customers and community safe?

At SERVPRO we can help minimize the spread of germs with proactive cleaning and/or fogging. We are trained to adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitization standards, making us the #1 choice for cleanup and restoration.

In addition to Proactive Deep Cleaning, we also offer the following:

A fogging process delivered with a mechanical system that atomizes electro-statically charged droplets of SERVPROXIDE that can get it to the hard to reach cracks and crevices of the treated area. SERVPROXIDE is a proprietary hospital grade disinfectant that has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to the SARS-Coronavirus (COV-2).

  • SERVPROXIDE is NON-TOXIC and is not considered hazardous by OSHA. It is as safe or safer than many household cleaners.
  • SERVPROXIDE has a mild smell and areas treated can be inhabited as soon as 15-20 minutes after being treated.
  • SERVPROXIDE DOES NOT cause any respiratory or skin irritation.

From a business point of view, doesn’t it make sense to put yourself in a position to say you have taken all reasonable precautions to take care of your customers and staff?

Give us a call today to find out how we can help.SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby & Idaho Falls
208.523.5365

SERVPRO cares about your safety

3/26/2020 (Permalink)

Our crew members suited up in front of a FedEx truck Or crew suited up in hazmat suits in front of a FedEx truck cleaning.

SERVPRO is asking everyone to please be careful and educate yourselves in this critical time. We are seeing reports of multiple companies and individuals falsely reporting that they can clean and eliminate any trace of Coronavirus OR that they have products you can buy that will eliminate it. Please read the EPA registration for these products that are being offered either as a service or are for sale.

Also, if you are planning on hiring a professional to clean and fog make sure to hire someone who is well known, knowledgeable, and is familiar with these types of cleanings on a day to day basis.

Regardless Of The Disaster SERVPRO® Is Here To Help. 24/7 Emergency Service! 24 Hour Service. Advanced Technology. Faster to Any Disaster. Highly Trained Specialist. Services: Water Damage Restoration, Fire Damage Restoration, Storm Damage Restoration, and Bio Hazard.

Give SERVPRO a call today so we can give you a FREE quote over the phone to clean and fog your home and business (208) 523-5365. We can work with you on scheduling days and times that meet your needs.

Ice Dams can become a disaster fast

3/13/2020 (Permalink)

The effect from an ice damn causing damage to the wall The effect from an ice damn causing damage to the wall to this customers home.

Our Crew Chief Zach was in Wyoming over the weekend checking out an icedam that affected some of the interior walls of this home. We placed equipment and got right to work! Icedams can turn into a disaster faster than you know!

Nationwide.com gives these tips on How to prevent ice dams:

Properly winterizing your roof is for ice dam prevention. Consider these precautions.

  • Have your gutters cleaned before winter.
  • Keep your attic well ventilated, so it stays cold, and properly ventilate the roof and eaves.
  • Insulate the attic floor to reduce the amount of heat rising from within the house.
  • Rake or shovel snow off the roof before it freezes or hire a professional roofer to clear your roof.
  • Create an air barrier between the house and attic with a foil-faced cover over an uninsulated attic hatch or whole-house fan opening.
  • Install a water-repellent roof membrane.

Finally, before winter, check for any potentially dangerous heat sources, including uninsulated recessed ceiling can lights, uninsulated folding attic stair openings, heating ducts, furnace or water-heating equipment and inadequate bathroom vent fans. Make sure to remedy these issues before the weather turns cold.

Give SERVPRO a call today if you have a Water, Fire, Mold or Asbestos Disasters. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

(208) 523-5365

Stuck in the snow

3/3/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO vehicle helping a car stuck in the snow SERVPRO vehicle coming to the rescue to a vehicle that was stuck in the snow.

Last night on our way home from a new water loss in Rexburg our guys noticed 2 cars that slid off the road. Our guys were awesome enough to stop and see if everyone was okay and if there was anything they could do to help! We really do have the best SERVPRO Team!!!

With the weather being as stormy and unpredictable as it is it is always a good idea to be prepared for any disaster. That includes getting a vehicle stuck in the harsh winter weather conditions. Here are a few items to consider having in your car.

  • Ice scraper/Snow brush
  • Shovel
  • Gloves and other warm clothes
  • Blanket
  • Flashlight
  • Reflector or Flares
  • Rock salt, Sand, or Kitty Litter
  • First Aid Kit
  • Extra Windshield Washer Fluid
  • Chains or Ropes
  • Cell Phone Charger
  • Basic Tool Kits
  • Water and Non-Perishable Snacks
  • Jumper Cables

If you have a Fire, Water, Mold or Asbestos Disaster give SERVPRO a call today! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Fire in the home

2/14/2020 (Permalink)

Fire in a home A living room in a home that caught on fire.

This past weekend our production manager Justin responded to a fire loss in Egin, ID. Unfortunately, they were unsure how the fire had started. SERVPRO was there to help give them a little bit of direction until they heard back from their insurance company. According to www.safewise.com this is what you should do in the case of a fire.

Extinguish the Fire If Possible

If the fire has just sparked—for example, a pan catches fire on the stove—you may be able to contain it. Grab your fire extinguisher and remember to PASS: pull the pin, aim at the base of the flames, squeeze the extinguisher handle, and sweep from side to side until the fire is extinguished. Make sure that the fire is completely out and not still smoldering. Crawl Beneath the Flames to Escape

Check Doors and Doorknobs for Heat

If you must go through a door to get to an exit, check if the door is hot. If the door (or doorknob) is warm to the touch, there could be fire raging on the other side, so do not go through it. If you open a door and see fire or smoke, shut the door and go to a second exit.

Run to Safety

Once you make your way outside, run away from the fire to safety. Part of the house or apartment, like the roof or siding, may catch fire and fall around the perimeter of the building, so run across the street or down the block to safety.

Call for Help

Once you have made it away from the fire, call 911. If you don’t have a cellphone, go to a neighbor’s house and ask to borrow a phone. Tell the operator that there’s been a fire at your address, and then keep the line open to see if they need any other information.

If you have a Fire, Water, Mold or Asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today! We will help you through every step of the process. (208) 523-5365

Mold in the attic

2/3/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO found mold in the attic of this commercial building. Just because we found the primary source in the attic, we were not quick to assume that was the only place mold had been growing. We were very careful to check all over the business because we know that mold spores are able to make their way through the smallest openings, traveling from your attic down to your business. 

Whenever you feel that you may have a mold disaster in your home and business you should take the proper precautions asap to help identify and get rid of the problem. You can call a professional to come take a look in your attic or other parts of your home and they will do a thorough inspection. We have special equipment that will find the mold and the source and stop it dead in its tracks.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today. Our specialized technicians are available for all your disaster needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Fire in Jackson Hole, WY

1/17/2020 (Permalink)

Cleaning up after a fire job Cleaning up after a fire job in Jackson Hole, Wy

A Commercial property we worked on in Jackson, WY this year ended in a second business getting smoke damage from its neighbor’s fire. This is a common situation that happens quite often when businesses are close to each other and a fire breaks out.

Smoke damage can affect your home and businesses greatly. After a fire, your home needs to be properly and thoroughly ventilated, this will allow some smoke particles to leave your home or business and prevent them from settling onto other items. Immediately after a fire you should do these things right away.

  1. Call your insurance agent immediately
  2. Call your local SERVPRO so that we can clean up soot, board up the windows, and start any cleaning and restoration that needs to be done.

SERVPRO has specialized fire, water, mold and asbestos damage restoration training and experience to clean up and restore your home as soon as possible. We offer 24-hour emergency services for everyone. Give us a call at (208) 523-5365. We are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs.

Toilet leak

1/17/2020 (Permalink)

Water leak from the toilet. Water leaked from the toilet and caused mold.

We were recently called to an assisted living home where a toilet had leaked and caused water and mold damage. When water causes a leak that you are unaware of mold quickly and swiftly comes marching in to ruin the day.

A water leak in your home can be a cause for alarm, and for good reason. A leak generally means that one of your critical home systems has developed a problem. Paying for the large water bill is only the first expense.

Some leaks are obvious. You may be able to detect moisture on the floor or under a sink that reveals the source of the problem. However, at other times, a leak may develop in a pipe that’s deep within the wall, or it may come from a source somewhat further down the line. In these cases, you may require the help of SERVPRO to detect these hidden leaks.

If you need a fire, water, mold or asbestos professional call SERVPRO today at (208) 523-5365.

Check your roof

1/15/2020 (Permalink)

Tree fell on a house. Tree fell on house and damaged house.

There are many ways to properly secure your home for winter storms. Summer and early fall is the ideal times to get all of this complete before the terrible winter storms hit. The first thing to consider is making sure that all hazards are cleared away and you secure any and all openings so that water and any other elements don’t find there ways in.

  1. Check your roof for stability. With high winds comes look shingles. Examine your roof for any loose or visibly damaged shingles. Or have a contractor determine what needs to be fixed.
  2. Make sure that all of your drainage is aimed away from your house. If a storm should occur, the amount of water getting aimed at your home can become a water disaster very quickly.
  3. Remove any trees or debris that can cause unneeded damage to your home. Trees are responsible for the majority of damage to homes during winter storms.

If you have a Fire, Water, Mold or Asbestos disaster, give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365.

Hot water heater issues

1/14/2020 (Permalink)

Hot water heater leaked in basement Image of the basement that the hot water heater leaked in to.

Zach and Thomas are doing a job in Jackson where a hot water heater burst in the crawl space. They decided to remove the insulation and are treating the microbial growth for the customer before winter hits.

www.networx.com mentions that water heater tanks are made of steel, and water corrodes steel. If this sounds like planned obsolescence, it is; water heaters aren't designed to last forever. To stave off corrosion, standard tanks have a glass lining and a magnesium anode rod that attracts corrosive elements in the water, sort of like how a no-pest strip attracts flies (the rod should be checked periodically and replaced as needed). But the tank can rust eventually and possibly rupture like the hull of the Titanic. If you discover your water heater leaking from the tank itself, it's time for a new tank.

 If you have a water disaster give SERVPRO a call at (208) 523-5365.

Security is key

1/14/2020 (Permalink)

Our vehicle in front of a job Our SERVPRO truck in front of a fire job.

We were at a fire loss at a lodge in a Jackson, WY this last weekend. We had to get a generator set up so we could have power for the building. We then made sure to immediately board up the windows and doors to keep the building safe and secure.

When a fire disaster occurs, we always make sure that we secure the contents inside.  With this particular building there was an underground tunnel that connected the two buildings that we started to move out in the very next morning. Securing and keeping all of our customers contents safe is a number one priority. These are their special belongings that means a lot to them.  These items are part of their family and we make sure that we treat them as such.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster please give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365.

The water heater in the attic

1/14/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO truck in front of house Our SERVPRO house in front of one of our customers houses.

Zach and Thomas were at an island park home working on a water loss from a broken water heater line. The water heater is in the attic which caused a large number of walls and floors to become affected. Upon opening the walls, we found there to be a leak in the roof causing more damage to the exterior sheeting of the building.

Water pipes might corrode due to high mineral contents. This seems to happen the most during months of cold weather when temperatures drop at night to freezing cold. This could cause the pipes to crack and therefore water can seep out the cracks.

 If you suspect you have a water heater leak follow these steps.:

  • Stop the Water - Locate the cold water supply pipe
  • Shut Off the Power - The electric or gas heating element can pose a new hazard to your home if it continues to run. It can stay heated long after the water has leaked from the tank.
  • Make an Insurance Claim - Contact your insurance agent or company to make a claim.

 If you have a water disaster give SERPVRO a call today at (208) 523-5365.

Being a part of our community

1/9/2020 (Permalink)

Caliber Home Loans grand opening Caliber Homes Loans grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony.

Recently Melissa E. from our marketing department decided to become a part of the Chamber of Commerce in our local city. She gets to speak with other local commercial businesses locally and share exactly what SERVPRO does with and for our community. She participates in meetings as well as grand opening events for other local businesses ribbon cutting ceremonies. Recently she participated in the ribbon cutting for Hazel Webb – Caliber Home Loans, Inc.

Caliber Homes Loans is a home loan and mortgage company. Their website states “At Caliber Homes Loans, mortgages are our only business…. And out products and services are proof of this dedication. Our specialized approach to home financing enables us to deliver exceptional service during every stage of the process. We understand that you have unique, personal needs and expectations, so we work together to deliver exceptional service and help you close your loan to your complete satisfaction. With a variety of home loan programs, highly competitive pricing, in-house loan processing and our unique, state-of-the-art technology, Caliber Home Loans’ staff of professionals are ready to guide you through the home financing process.”

We find it very important to stay up to date with other local businesses in our community so we are able to build those professional relationships and help one another when we need it.

How to prepare your home for a winter storm

1/7/2020 (Permalink)

Preperations for a winter storm How to prepare your home for a winter storm

While Jack Frost is nipping at your nose you may forget that there are some key things you should be prepared for if a winter storm should hit your city.

According to www.homeadvisor.com this is how you should prepare your home for a winter storm:

“If you live in an area with severe winter weather, you home should be winterized sometime during the fall season. There are many things that can be done to prepare your home for winter including insulating attics, basements, and walls to help heat your home more efficiently, and putting plastic over windows. Heating systems should also be cleaned and serviced each year before they are used to ensure they are safe and working properly. Any drafty areas should be caulked, or otherwise repaired and the roof should be checked to ensure that there are no leaks and it will be able to bear the weight of the snow.

Before cold weather approaches, you should also spend some time cleaning gutters and trimming any tree branches that could fall on your home in the event of a bad storm. Pipes should also be insulated to prevent them from freezing which can result in burst pipes and flooding.”

If you do happen to have a water disaster, give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

When the storm has cleared

1/7/2020 (Permalink)

After the storm is over If it's safe you should always assess the damage after a storm.

After a storm it is always important to evaluate the damage, if any, that has occurred. With heavy rain and winds comes trees breaking and falling on roofs, windows or vehicles. A storm can also collapse a wall or crack the foundation allowing water to seep into your home in areas you may not be aware of.

Storms can really take a toll on our houses and it is best to keep a very detailed inventory and photographs of the damage that was caused. If it is safe to walk around your home and property it is extremely smart to make a detailed list of all the damage as well as pictures.

You should always contact your insurance company. They are there to help and will send out a professional right away to assess the damage so they can get started asap.

If you have a water, fire, mold or asbestos disaster, give SERVPRO a call today (208) 523-5365. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs.

When the storm has cleared

1/7/2020 (Permalink)

What damage has the storm caused If it is safe you should always asses the damage after a storm.

After a storm it is always important to evaluate the damage, if any, that has occurred. With heavy rain and winds comes trees breaking and falling on roofs, windows or vehicles. A storm can also collapse a wall or crack the foundation allowing water to seep into your home in areas you may not be aware of.

Storms can really take a toll on our houses and it is best to keep a very detailed inventory and photographs of the damage that was caused. If it is safe to walk around your home and property it is extremely smart to make a detailed list of all the damage as well as pictures.

You should always contact your insurance company. They are there to help and will send out a professional right away to assess the damage so they can get started asap.

If you have a water, fire, mold or asbestos disaster, give SERVPRO a call today (208) 523-5365. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs.

Mold can be a very sneaky thing

1/3/2020 (Permalink)

Bathroom that was affected by mold This bathroom had a leak which caused mold to grow.

Mold is a very serious issue and should be treated as such. Mold is found everywhere and can grow on almost any substance when moisture is present. They reproduce by spores, which are carried by air currents. When spores land on a moist surface suitable for life, they begin to grow.

According to www.Moldpedia.com

Smelling a Mold Odor

When you have mold growing hidden away in your house, often a moldy smell might be the only clue that it's there. Don't ignore mold odors if you can't see any mold.

Seeing Signs of Mold Growth

Visible mold growth might seem like an obvious sign of mold. However many people don't notice small amounts of mold growth or they think it's just soot or dirt.

Signs of Water Problems

If you have had any long term moisture problems in your house it's usually inevitable they will lead to mold beginning to grow.

Water Leaks

The above signs of water problems in homes are usually created by leaks. However if you already know that you have had a water leak (such as leaking pipes or a leaking ceiling) then just that knowledge by itself, even if you don't see signs of water damage, is a good sign that you might have mold growing in your house around the area where the leak was.

If you suspect mold growth in your home call SERVPRO today at (208) 523-5365

Beware of Ice Dams

1/3/2020 (Permalink)

Ice dam on a roof This image is of an ice dam forming on a roof of a house.

The storms are rolling into to Eastern Idaho and they are definitely coming with a vengeance. The weather is wet and cold and the roofs are beginning to get heavy. Ice Dams are a very serious issue that can cause a lot of different problems with your roof and home.

According to www.thespruce.com, the best way to prevent an ice damn is:

  1. Ventilation under the roof deck, which keeps colder outside air circulation through the attic and prevents it from warming above the freezing point.
  2. Insulation in the ceiling below the attic, which will prevent warm air from rising up into the attic space.
  3. Blocking any hear sources that may be contributing to high temperatures in the attic.

If you have a Fire, Water, Mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. Our highly trained professionals are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Board Up

11/2/2019 (Permalink)

Fire at a local business Board up needed for a local business

Over the weekend a local business caught fire affecting 2 other businesses with in the building. SERVPRO was able to respond and provide Emergency Board up for all 3 businesses.

We make sure to assess the area thoroughly so that we have a better idea of just what we are working with. We check for smoke, soot and fire damage as well as assess all of the items that may have been affected by this disaster. The reason we preform a thorough check of the building is so that the customer has a better grasp on the situation. What is salvageable or not.

The reason we offer board up service is because after a fire occurs it may leave your doors, windows, and walls exposed. This could in turn lead to vandalism, break ins and also possible further damage to the structure. We strive to be able to keep out all the elements to the area that has been compromised.

Workplace cleanliness

11/2/2019 (Permalink)

Ceiling tiles in a restaurants kitchen Getting ready to clean the ceiling tiles in this kitchen

Our crew members Justin, Zach & Austin went and cleaned the ceiling tiles in the kitchen at Olive Garden after hours. We made sure to work on this specific job after hours so that the restaurant could still function normal when open.

According to an online source there are many reasons restaurant kitchens need to stay clean.  The first and most important reasons deal with safety. Clean kitchens reduce the number of pathogens and other illness causing agents to infect the food that will be served to customers.  Having a well-kept kitchen also reduces the number of accidents that occur due to workplace hazards.  Slipping on a banana peel makes for great comedy but in a kitchen environment it will spell disaster and result in serious consequences.

In addition to safety, clean kitchen promotes workplace efficiency and productivity.  Working in a orderly kitchen will make easy for staff to find needed ingredients and complete tasks in a timely manner.  A clean kitchen is inviting.  It makes the employees want to prepare the amazing dishes that they know they can prepare.  It gives them confidence to work in such an environment.

They smell great... But beware!

8/26/2019 (Permalink)

Our crew was called out to a fire job this last week. The disaster happened because of a candle that caught a couch on fire!

According to the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments responded to about 9,300 home structure fires started by candles between 2009 and 2013. Those fires led to 86 deaths, 827 injuries, and $374 million in direct property damage.

  • On candles.org they give these safety warnings.
  • Always keep a burning candle within sight. Extinguish all candles when leaving a room or before going to sleep. Be sure the wick ember is no longer glowing.
  • Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire. Keep burning candles away from furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper, flammable decorations, etc.
  • Keep burning candles out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Trim candlewicks to ¼ inch each time before burning. Long or crooked wicks can cause uneven burning and dripping.
  • Always use a candle-holder specifically designed for candle use. The holder should be heat resistant, sturdy, and large enough to contain any drips or melted wax.
  • Be sure the candle-holder is placed on a stable, heat-resistant surface. This can help prevent heat damage to underlying surfaces and prevent glass containers from breaking.
  • Keep the wax pool free of wick trimmings, matches and debris at all times.
  • Always read and follow the manufacturer’s use and safety instructions carefully. Don’t burn a candle longer than the manufacturer recommends.
  • Keep burning candles away from drafts, vents, ceiling fans and air currents. This will help prevent rapid, uneven burning, and avoid flame flare-ups and sooting. Drafts can also blow nearby lightweight items into the flame where they could catch fire.
  • Always burn candles in a well-ventilated room. Don’t burn too many candles in a small room or in a “tight” home where air exchange is limited.

Bats are everywhere!

8/26/2019 (Permalink)

Zach, Jeremy and Justin started working on a house in Jackson, Wy last week. The house is in the process of being remodeled and the contractors found that bats had gotten into the ceiling and had made a mess. They set up containment and set an air scrubber with a charcoal filter to help with the smell. Then they removed all the affected materials and hepa vacuumed and treated with anti-microbial. They will then do a CL02 treatment to remove all smells.

On www.getbatsout.com they explain better why bats and their droppings can be so dangerous.

The Hidden Danger of Bat Guano

Ask nearly anyone, and you’ll hear that bats (although beneficial in insect control) can be dangerous because they carry rabies. But a lesser known danger, and one that is not as easy to avoid, is histoplasmosis. Histoplasmosis is a disease you can get from exposure to bat guano (bat droppings).

Below is a quick list of common questions we get about histoplasmosis.

What is Histoplasmosis?

It is an infectious disease caught by inhaling the spores of the histoplasma capsulatum fungus. While it is not contagious between two people, the disease can affect a wide variety of the population who may not even be aware they are at risk.

Breweries and crawlspaces

7/10/2019 (Permalink)

1. Keep Moisture Out 

Moisture control is one of the first steps towards having a safe and clean crawl space. As pointed out in The Washington Post, the ground beneath and around your home contains moisture, which ideally, should evaporate back into the atmosphere.

When this fails to happen, the moisture can collect into visible water droplets. But the real problem happens when this water accumulates near wood, causing mold and mildew to grow. If left alone, the mold can be bad enough to compromise the structural integrity of your home.

Good moisture control begins outside the building envelope. For example, gutters are a relatively small investment that can work wonders by directing water away from your home’s foundation. If gutters are impossible or impractical, you can also try landscaping the soil outside the house such that it slopes to direct water away from the building.

2. Inspect and Clean the Interior of Your Crawl Space

Once you’ve eliminated all external sources of moisture, you can then proceed to inspecting the crawl space itself. If you have exposed dirt floors, you should consider sealing it with a moisture retardant like polyethylene. In a guide for the National Post, writer Mike Holmes notes that crawl spaces with dirt floors can lead to problems caused by humidity. Dirt floors can also be infested with bugs.

Regular cleaning will also help keep the crawl space dry and moisture free. If the crawl space has already been “infected” with moisture-caused mold, a professional cleaning service may be necessary to fix the problem. This is especially true if you have a pool of stagnant water in the crawl space, which calls for a perimeter drain.

3. Block Out Rodents and Ventilate

After cleaning your crawl space, the next step is keeping it clean. You can start by making sure any potential entry points for rodents are blocked off. Watch out for small cracks and seams, which—while looking deceptively tiny—are large enough for mice and roaches.

At the same time, you want to make sure your crawl space still has enough ventilation to let it “breathe.” Ventilation in the form of laminated water vapor barriers are excellent solutions for allowing crawl spaces to vent, while still keeping pests out.

4. Insulate the Crawl Space

After installing your vents and water vapor barriers, you can then proceed to installing insulation. Fiberglass batts are by far the most common and popular insulating solution for crawl spaces, and can be install between floor joists. While effective, you might want to consider pairing fiberglass batts with spray foam insulation, although more expensive, spray foam insulation can create a super tight seal against heat transfer and air movement.

A thin layer of spray foam can be enough to fill in the nooks and crannies of your crawl space, which, when paired with the cheaper fiberglass, can keep warm air in and cold air out, and vice versa during the summer. Spray foam also works wonders against moisture damage and mold growth because it’s impermeable to moisture.

Proper insulation not only regulates the temperature of the crawl space, it also helps insulate the rest of the home. During summer and winter, uninsulated crawl spaces are one of the biggest culprits for burgeoning utility bills caused by HVAC systems working harder to fight warm or cold air from escaping from beneath the floor.

Rainy Season

7/10/2019 (Permalink)

With all these recent rain storms it is important to protect your home from water damage. On www.hometips.com they suggest these tricks and tips to help you keep your home safe and sound this rainy season.

The best way to deal with water damage is to stop it before it starts. Here are measures that you can take to prevent water from entering your home from outside.

Waterproof Your House Exterior

The exterior of your house is its first line of defense against water damage. Protect your home from the outside in by maintaining the exterior.

Maintain Your Roof

Properly handling the water that flows down your roof is essential.

Your roof’s primary purpose is to keep water out of your house. Neglecting it could lead to a whole host of problems, the worst of which includes extensive water damage that could compromise the structure of your home. Most roofs have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years, so it’s easy to think that if yours is still within its period of usability, it’s fine. But that’s not necessarily true.

Seal Windows and Doors

Windows and doors are common vulnerable sites for water leakage. Water can seep in through the space around window and door frames if they’re not properly sealed. Don’t wait for a leak. Ensure that the weatherstripping and seals around your windows and doors are in good shape.

Maintain Your Home’s Exterior Finish

Signs of water damage on your house’s interior walls that don’t seem to have a source, such as mold, peeling paint, or discoloration, could be due to water entering through holes in your exterior walls. If your siding and exterior paint aren’t well-maintained, water could be leaking through to the inside of your home.

Ensure Proper Drainage

You can take measures to keep water out of your home, but waterproofing alone isn’t enough to protect your home from water damage. If water isn’t properly diverted away from the base of your house, your foundation could be at risk. And even the best waterproofing measures are no match for standing water that collects on or around your house in areas of poor drainage. 

Clean Your Gutters

Depending on surrounding tree coverage, gutters need to be cleaned out two to six times a year to ensure proper flow of rainwater.

Making sure your gutters function properly is critical to protecting your home from water damage. If your gutters are full of leaves and pine needles, or not angled properly to funnel water to the downspout, then water will run down the side of your house and collect at the base, which could put your foundation at risk.

Check Your Downspouts

Downspouts should direct water at least three feet from the exterior walls of a home.

Functioning gutters send water out through the downspout, which should funnel the water away from your home. If necessary, repair gutters and downspouts.

Redirect Runoff

If your home sits on the bottom of a slope, water runoff from your yard should be channeled away from your home. If it isn’t, then you probably have problems with standing water near your foundation. Over time, this can cause the ground near your foundation to erode, making it vulnerable.

Lithium Battery problems

7/10/2019 (Permalink)

Steven and Hanna received a call from a water loss at an Apartment complex in Rexburg. Upon arrival they decided they needed help so they contacted Zach and Justin so they could help them move contents and place drying equipment to help stabilize and start the drying process. The loss was caused from a lithium battery being left on the charger. It had exploded and caused the sprinkler system to activate flooding 1 apartment and 2 hallways. On www.call2recycle.org they suggest these safety tips.

Don’t overdo it.

One of the most important things you can do to extend battery life is to avoid overcharging. Disconnect chargers and devices with rechargeable batteries after the battery reaches full charge. Overcharging occurs when the device or battery is plugged into a charger after full charge has been reached and may reduce battery life.

Be present.

Whenever possible, recharge your batteries while you are nearby. A battery fire could happen if a device with a defective battery is left unattended and it overheats. A working smoke detector and a fire extinguisher provide extra insurance if something happens.

Stay away from flammables.

Be sure to place the device or battery charger on a non-flammable surface during charging. That includes pillows, blankets, sheets, paper, clothing and fabric, such as curtains. When there is good air circulation around the device and minimal exposure to direct sunlight, the device won’t overheat and cause smoke or fire.

Don’t be extreme.

Rechargeable batteries are often exposed to unfavorable temperatures. Just think about when you’ve left your phone in your car on a really hot or cold day. Extreme temperatures can shorten expected battery life, so store your batteries and devices in a cool place whenever possible. The recommended storage temperature for most batteries is 15°C (59°F) according to Battery University. This temperature minimizes capacity loss while keeping the battery in operating condition and allowing self-discharge.

Pick the right method.

You should always charge rechargeable batteries in the device it’s used in, the charger it came with or a charger recommended by the manufacturer.

Recycle! Recycle! Recycle!

Don’t throw your used rechargeable batteries in the trash. They will go straight to the landfill. We recommend that you remove the rechargeable batteries before disposing of an electronic device; most electronics recyclers do not recycle batteries separately.

Be Safe.

Next time you are tempted to take a shortcut when storing, charging or recycling your electronic device, think twice. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has a long list of reported battery-related incidents that occurred while an electronic device was in use, being stored and during battery charging. By taking just a few precautions and using some common sense, you can protect yourself from potential hazards and extend the battery life of your portable devices.

If you have a Fire, Water, Mold or Asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! (208) 523-5365

Fixing a mistake

6/11/2019 (Permalink)

Our production manager Eric and tech Justin went to Alpine over the weekend to look at the crawl space in a home that’s still under construction. Because the floor joists were not sealed correctly when they were installed by a different company, mold had begun to grow and water was beginning to seep in through the foundation.

SERVPRO is dedicated to being available to our customers 24 hours a day 7 days a week. We make sure that when we start a project we complete it in a timely manner as correctly the first time. Customer service is our number one priority. And we know how bad people want to be back into their homes after a disaster may hit.

Mold can be very dangerous and usually requires a professional for removal so if you suspect you may have mold growth in your home or business please give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365

The phone had a mind of its own

6/10/2019 (Permalink)

Steven and Hanna received a call from a water loss at an Apartment complex in Rexburg, ID. Upon arrival they decided they needed help so they contacted Zach and Justin so they could help them move contents and place drying equipment to help stabilize and start the drying process. The loss was caused from a lithium battery being left on the charger. It had exploded and caused the sprinkler system to activate flooding 1 apartment and 2 hallways.

So what exactly causes a lithium battery to explode? According to www.consumerreport.com the chemicals inside the battery begin to heat up, which causes further degradation of the separator. The battery can eventually hit temperatures of more than 1,000° F. At that point the flammable electrolyte can ignite or even explode when exposed to the oxygen in the air

If you have a Fire, Water, Mold or Asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! 

Standing Water

5/16/2019 (Permalink)

Over this past weekend Zach, Justin, Brittany and Eric received a call that they were needed at a Water Disaster in Idaho Falls. A hose bib had broken causing water to flood in 5 different rooms.

Per www.happystartsathome.com the first thing to do is to dry the area. Cleaning up the water you see is important, but the most important thing is to dry up the water you can’t see – in the carpet pad, in the sheetrock, in the insulation in your walls… This means drying the room or rooms completely, possibly using a commercial air mover to force water off floors and out of carpets, walls and furniture.  Along with that, you’ll want to set up a dehumidifier. This machine will suck all of the excess moisture from the air, not only helping to dry the room quickly, but preventing mold from growing.

Thankfully SERVPRO is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help assist you with all of your Fire, Water, Mold, and Asbestos Disasters.

Be Prepared

5/9/2019 (Permalink)

Fires can happen at any time and almost any place. It is important to always be prepared for a disaster in case it happens to you. Here are some safety steps from www.prevention1st.com

Prevent Fire

  1. Don’t smoke in bed or when sleepy. Smoking materials are the cause of 24% of home fire fatalities.
  2. Turn off portable space heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep. Heating equipment is the source of an additional 24% of home fire fatalities.
  3. Turn off the stove if you have to answer the phone or leave the room. Cooking equipment is the source of 15% of home fire fatalities, and by far the leading cause of home fire injuries.
  4. Put away matches or lighters in a high cabinet or locked drawer, out of sight and reach of children. Children under age 5 are eight times more likely to die in a fire caused by playing with a heat source than are older children and adults.

Be Prepared If a Fire Occurs

  1. Install a smoke alarm. One working smoke alarm on each floor is better, and one working smoke alarm inside every sleeping area is best. The National Fire Protection Association and the International Association of Fire Chiefs recommend installing both ionization and photoelectric alarms, or dual alarms that incorporate both technologies. Ionization smoke alarms respond best to flaming fires, and photoelectric to smoldering fires.
  2. Press the test button on your smoke alarm to make sure it’s still working, even if it’s hard-wired or has long-life batteries;
  3. Plan and practice a home fire drill. Make sure everyone in your home knows what to do when the alarm sounds:
  • Get out right away.
  • Go directlyto your meeting place. Choose a meeting place in front of your home or where firefighters can see you.
  • Don’t go back inside for anything.
  • Call 9-1-1. Provide your address with the complete and precise street name (e.g. is it Sunset Street, Sunset Circle, Sunset Boulevard?) and the nearest cross street.

If you have a fire disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365.

We always care

3/27/2019 (Permalink)

When SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby receives a good review, we can’t help but think we must be doing something right! We value ourselves in having great customer service and always being able to make sure that this is just what the customer has received.

Before we go to a job we try and relay as much information as possible to our technicians. We do this so they can be prepared for anything that may come up on the job and be able to offer the best customer service. Not all of our jobs are fire, water, and mold. We also encounter biohazard and crime scene cleanup which takes extreme compassion and understanding on our part.

If you have a biohazard or crime scene cleanup and would like the most caring and understanding company to help, give SERVPRO a call at (208) 523-5365.

Veteran owned and operated

3/27/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby is a Veteran family owned franchise. Skylar Price spent 9 years serving our country before deciding to buy a SERVPRO franchise in Southeastern Idaho. Skylar was born and raised in Idaho and now raises his three children here along with his wife Tamara Price. Together they keep the small-town values alive in their business. Their main objective is and has always been customers first. They go above and beyond to make sure any job we take on is done to the best of our abilities. They are always looking for ways to volunteer our services in the community. This year in 2019 their marketing team has planned over 6 volunteer opportunities and cannot wait to be apart of them!

If you have a fire, water, mold, or asbestos disaster, give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365

We strive to be better

3/27/2019 (Permalink)

Reviews are everything to our franchise. We strive to always get positive reviews but also appreciate negative ones. With negative reviews we feel that this gives our company room to grow. If we are not doing something correctly than we are able to address these concerns and better ourselves in the long run. We have learned over the years that we aren’t always going to be perfect with everything we do. But this way we are at least able to see our faults and grown and learn from them.

I burnt potatoes and they were able to get the smoke smell out of my house.

-Stephanie C.

friendly staff , dependable honest work.
I would recommend SERVPRO to anyone.

-Stephanie M.

If you have a fire, water, mold, or asbestos disaster, give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365.

Careers with SERVPRO

3/27/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Rexburg / Rigby is proud of the work we do and is always looking for people interested in a rewarding career. We put great value into our employees and the work that they do.

Our staff at SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s Corporate Training Facility to regular IICRC industry certifications, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. Our training program includes the following:

  • IICRC Training
  • Employee Certification Training
  • Initial Franchise Training
  • e-Learnings
  • Continuing Education Classes

Here at SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby we pride ourselves in being a veteran family owned franchise. Our mission is to develop a hardworking team of quality people who focus on excellent service, fairness, and mutual respect.

If you are interested in a career with SERVPRO please check back frequently as new career opportunities become available. Or give our SERVPRO office a call at (208) 523-5365.

Why SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby

3/27/2019 (Permalink)

You always here people asking why this company and why that company?! So, I decided to ask people around our office why they would choose SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby and here is what they had to say…

“Because we make it look "Like it never even happened." We are fast on site and we care about our customers.”

-Megan Olsen

Marketing Manager

We are faster to any size disaster. We are a dedicated team in wanting to restore your home to its original.

-Jared Lusk

Production Manager

Our techs are fast and do quality work. The women in the front office are by far the most caring and efficient workers I’ve ever worked with. And I am more than proud to be a part of.

-Courtney G.

Marketing/Sales

“We are courteous, informative, and have real life people answering our phones!”

-Melissa M.

Job File Coordinator

We love volunteering

3/26/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby loves to get involved with local events in our area. One of the more recent events that we will be donating our time to is the Spring Brew event in downtown Idaho Falls, ID. This event will be hoping to host hundreds of people and is a fundraising event for Idaho Falls Downtown Developments Corporation. If you are interested in attending this event more information will be posted below.

Head Downtown to enjoy friends, brews, and bands April 13th from 1:00 to 6:00pm at the Civitan Plaza (corner of Park Avenue and B Street)! Come enjoy local craft beers and live music on the stage. Grab your friends and come enjoy the afternoon outside with us. Admission is $15, which gets you 3 beer tokens and a commemorative pint glass. Additional beer tokens may be purchased at the event. Non-drinkers get in for $5.

April Showers Brings May Flowers

3/13/2019 (Permalink)

Many people, myself included, are astatic and cannot wait for those beautiful flowers to bloom and that terrible white stuff on the ground to disappear for a few months. But are we really ready for all spring has to offer? There are many hidden dangers as well as preparations we should be checking off our list before spring makes its first appearance.

On www.diynetwork.com they suggest a few things that will help you be more prepared.

  • Clean Gutters - Grab a ladder, and check your gutters for debris. Remove as much as you can with your hands (Don't forget to wear gloves!). Remove any leftover gunk with a garden hose. Take off any nozzle and have a helper turn on the water when you’re ready. Shove the hose into the downspout to power out of gooseneck bends. Make sure your downspouts channel water at least five feet from foundation walls.
  • Scrub Walls, Baseboards and Outlets - Scrub all the walls — in the bathroom, kitchen, bedrooms and living areas — with a sponge or brush and mild soap and water. This includes baseboards and outlets. Make sure to completely dry outlet covers before replacing.
  • Replace Filters - Replace all filters including water, range hood and air vent filters. You should replace these filters every 3-6 months depending on the type of filter you have.
  • Clean Faucets and Showerheads - Unscrew the faucet aerators, sink sprayers and showerheads, and soak them in equal parts vinegar and water solution. Let them soak for an hour, then rinse with warm water.
  • Clean Out the Dryer Vent - A clogged dryer vent can be a fire hazard. To clean it, disconnect the vent from the back of the machine and use a dryer vent brush to remove lint. Outside your house, remove the dryer vent cover and use the brush to remove lint from the other end of the vent line. Make sure the vent cover flap moves freely.
  • Wash Exterior Windows - Hire a window-cleaning service to clean all exterior windows.
  • Keep Allergens Away - Keep dust, mold and pollen at bay by decluttering your home, checking pipes for leaks and keeping the air clean.
  • Check Foundation Vents - A house with a crawl space has vents along the foundation walls. The vents provide air circulation that helps prevent excess moisture and mold growth, and they prevent critters from taking up residence underneath your home. The screens collect leaves and other debris from fall and winter. Spring is a great time to clean them out and check for damage. Clean the vents by hand or use a shop vacuum. Repair any damaged screens — critters can get through even the smallest holes.
  • Clean the Grill - Your grill has most likely collected dust during fall and winter. Help your grill live a long life with these maintenance tips, whether you have a charcoal or gas grill.
  • Prep Your Garden - You can't have a successful garden without good soil. Follow these tips on how to prepare your soil to help you grow a lush garden.
  • Test Smoke Alarms - Test smoke alarms and CO detectors, and change out batteries as needed. It's cheap, only takes a few minutes and can save your family's lives.
  • Clean Outdoor Furniture - Outdoor entertaining season is just around the corner.

Flood Warnings

3/1/2019 (Permalink)

With the winter weather slowly drifting into spring, rain is sneaking right in. And with rain sometimes brings floods. Floods in the streets, yards, and even worse… your home or business. One way to prepare for a possible flood situation is to have a plan. On www.ready.gov they have a list of preparations you can use in case your area floods or there are flood warnings.

Prepare NOW

  • Know types of flood risk in your area. Visit FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center for information.
  • Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.
  • If flash flooding is a risk in your location, then monitor potential signs, such as heavy rain.
  • Learn and practice evacuation routes, shelter plans, and flash flood response.
  • Gather supplies in case you have to leave immediately, or if services are cut off. Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication. Don’t forget the needs of pets. Obtain extra batteries and charging devices for phones and other critical equipment.
  • Purchase or renew a flood insurance policy. It typically takes up to 30 days for a policy to go into effect and can protect the life you've built. Homeowner’s policies do not cover flooding. Get flood coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
  • Keep important documents in a waterproof container. Create password-protected digital copies.
  • Protect your property. Move valuables to higher levels. Declutter drains and gutters. Install check valves. Consider a sump pump with a battery.

If you have a fire, water, mold, or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365.

Are you prepared???

2/14/2019 (Permalink)

A house or commercial fire can be a very scary event. The scariest part can be how unprepared you are when a terrible disaster like a fire happens.

On www.wikihow.com they offer a few examples of things you can do to make sure that you are a bit more prepared for this sort of situation.

Purchase a house with fire sprinklers installed. A sprinkler only applies water to the area threatened by fire.

Make copies of important documents and pictures and keep a copy of them at a friends or relatives house. Put the originals in a fire resistant safe.

Make an escape plan to evacuate your home in case of a fire or other emergency. If your room is on the second floor, consider purchasing a fire ladder to aid in escape.

Keep areas around the furnace, water heater, outlets, and other potentially hazardous areas clear of combustible materials.

Purchase and install smoke detectors or test the ones you have to ensure they are in working order.

Purchase fire extinguishers for your home and consider getting a Class k extinguisher for your kitchen in case of grease fires.

Practice escaping from your house as if it were on fire by staying low and following your escape plan.

Ensure exits such as doors and windows aren't obstructed and are in working order if you do not choose to repair them.

Have your chimney inspected and swept regularly. This will prevent build up of residue which causes chimney fires.

Keep the main gas shut off and electric meter visible and accessible to aid the fire department in the extinguishing of the fire.

Call your local fire department and ask about a home fire inspection. they'll most likely be willing and will do it for free. while you’re calling you can ask about any fire prevention functions.

Get involved with your fire department. It may be one of the best ways to prepare. Try volunteering for them, if they need help or if they have an auxiliary you can join to help at functions.

Moldy bathrooms

2/14/2019 (Permalink)

Our crews were in Jackson, Wy doing a mold job that had occurred because of leak in a customer’s bathroom. This disaster in turn caused mold to grow. If you suspect mold anywhere in your home make sure to call a trusted professional right away.

According to www.moldpedia.com, they offer a little more insight.

Causes - Why and How Mold Grows in the Bathroom

It's very common for mold to be found in bathrooms. One obvious reason why is that there's lots of water and humidity in the bathroom. Frequently running water in the bathroom basin, the bathtub and the shower creates wet surfaces and puddles of water. If you don't dry this moisture out quickly it can easily lead to mold growth. On top of this, when the water in the bathroom does dry out it evaporates into the air and increases the humidity. Steam from the shower or a hot bath also makes the bathroom more humid. Since bathrooms are often not well ventilated the humidity tends to hang around and wet surfaces take a long time to dry out.

If you think you may have a mold disaster, give us a call today at (208) 523-5365.

Water can equal mold

2/1/2019 (Permalink)

This past weekend a family had a flood in their bathroom which resulted in the findings of a lot of other issues. Upon removing the laminate flooring and particle board they found that the stagnate water had created mold!

According to www.buildingscience.com, mold needs water to grow; without water mold cannot grow. Mold also needs food, oxygen and a temperature between 40 degrees and 100 degrees F. Since mold decomposes dead organic (once living) material it can grow on wood, the paper facing on gypsum board (drywall) and other materials made from wood. Molds secrete digestive fluids that decompose the substrate, making nutrients available. Mold can also digest some synthetic materials such as adhesives, pastes and paints. While mold cannot get nutrients from inorganic material such as concrete, glass and metal, it can grow on the dirt present on these surfaces. Molds prefer damp or wet material. Some molds can get moisture from the air when the air is very damp, that is when the relative humidity is above 80%. The high humidity makes surfaces damp enough for mold to grow.

Without taking care of it properly mold can spread rapidly. Mold can grow by extension of hyphae that are like tiny root hairs. In this way, a small colony of mold can expand to cover many square feet of material. Mold can also make spores that are like very small seeds. Spores can survive conditions that are too sunny, hot, cold, dry or wet for mold to grow. When spores are released they can be carried by air or water to new locations. Some spores are so small that they are more affected by air currents than by gravity. When spores land on a damp surface that has food and oxygen available, and if the temperature suits them, they will start to grow. It is important to realize that mold spores are present everywhere, in outside air as well as indoor air – unless very special precautions are taken to remove or kill them.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster make sure to give SERVPRO a call right away. We are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

It's melting, It's melting!

2/1/2019 (Permalink)

Recently we were on a job where the melting snow had run down the foundation and into basement apartments. Our crews had to extract the water and place equipment in the basement apartments.

When dealing with a water loss we have to work fast. Water can be quite the mischief maker when left alone. Water acts as a breading ground for all sorts of dangers, especially mold!

According to www.cdc.gov mold is found both indoors and outdoors. Mold can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems.

Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.

If you have a fire, water, mold, or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365

Fire Dangers

1/15/2019 (Permalink)

Commercial fires are very dangerous and can get out of hand extremely fast. There is so many ways that fires can develop. On fireline.com they have a list of common commercial fire accidents.

Arson

Arson is one of the leading causes of fire damage, death, and workplace injuries in commercial buildings. But arson doesn’t just affect business owners or the company. It can injure or kill workers and fire fighters, result in loss of a job for workers, and easily spread to other buildings and public utilities nearby. Arson might be instigated by the owner for insurance purposes, unhappy workers or clients, vandalism, to hide bigger crimes, or by mentally unstable individuals.

Human Errors

Not every fire caused by a human is meant maliciously. A smoldering cigarette or forgotten coffee pot could be the reason behind a human error fire. The risk of fire increases as more people enter the building and use the equipment. The equipment itself is not usually the cause of the fire, but instead the misuse of the equipment.

Water Heaters, Boilers, and Furnaces

While there are strict codes regulating the installation, use, and maintenance of this equipment, sadly it is not always followed. Improper installation and lack of maintenance can trigger a fire in your building. Combustible materials like chemicals, paper and trash should never be stored in the same area as this equipment.

Electrical Fires

Electrical appliances or systems can start a commercial fire, but sadly people are often at the root of this fire as well. When businesses hire unqualified individuals to modify electrical outlets or circuitry, it can lead to problems. Electrical code violations are often committed by unreliable builders or workers. These code violations can lead to fires in your building. Another cause of electrical fires is the electrical equipment itself. Equipment that is misused or overloaded can often cause fires as well as a lack of proper maintenance.

If you have a fire, water, mold, or asbestos emergency give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365

Stormy weather ahead

1/11/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is there for you 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. That means our crews drive in all sorts of different weather. The most dangerous though is the winter weather months. We travel all over Eastern Idaho and experience all the highs and lows of the weather patterns.

We are very big on safety and require our crew members to always drive safe and remember how stubborn the winter months can be. According to www.coverhoud.com here are some tips to keep you safe while driving in these harsh conditions.

  1. Prepare your car
    Once the first few drops of water start hitting your windshield, you should immediately turn on your windshield wipers and your headlights.
  2. Focus on the road
    When the rainwater first hits the dry road, it mixes with built-up oil and grease deposits, making the roads incredibly slick. This makes the initial moments of a rainstorm more dangerous than if it has been raining for a while, since the water will eventually wash away the build up.
  3. Slow down sooner
    The rain will make the roads wetter and more slippery, which makes it take longer to come to a full stop. When approaching a red light or traffic, be sure you begin the braking process earlier and slower than usual to give yourself additional time to halt your forward progression without the car sliding.This reduces the chances of the vehicle hydroplaning.
  4. Keep calm
    No matter how safely you drive, there is always a chance the car will end up hydroplaning. If this happens, don't panic and slam on the brakes or spin the wheel, since this could cause the car to spin out. Edmunds.com recommended slowly taking your foot off the brake pedal as you calmly keep steering straight and the car will eventually regain traction.
  5. Avoid puddles
    Even the deepest puddles can appear shallow. If you approach a puddle, check to see if it approaches the bottom of the car doors. Don't take any unnecessary chances with deep water and either drive around it or find an alternative route. If you must drive through it, proceed slowly and cautiously. Getting any water in the engine can risk damage to the electronic cooling systems.
  6. Steer clear of traffic
    Sometimes you cannot avoid the other cars around you. If there is considerable traffic on the road around you, maintain the three-second rule. If possible, extend this to five seconds. Stay away from buses and trucks, since their tires will spray up a considerable amount of water in their wake and reduce your visibility.
  7. Pull over
    If the rain becomes too torrential to see anything, pull over and wait it out. The safest form of driving is not driving at all, and in situations where visibility drops to near zero, there's no need to risk trying to reach your destination.

Sneaky Mold

1/11/2019 (Permalink)

How can mold affect if left untreated? Hold is a very serious issue and should be treated as such. Mold is found everywhere and can grow on almost any substance when moisture is present. They reproduce by spores, which are carried by air currents. When spores land on a moist surface suitable for life, they begin to grow.

There are many different ways you can learn that there is mold in your home or business. www.Moldpedia.com has offered these seven different signs you can look for.

Allergic Symptoms from Mold

If you are having a problem with allergies then there's a good chance there could be mold growing somewhere in your home. Common allergic reactions to mold include sneezing, sore eyes and a runny nose or nasal congestion.

Smelling a Mold Odor

When you have mold growing hidden away in your house, often a moldy smell might be the only clue that it's there. Don't ignore mold odors if you can't see any mold.

Seeing Signs of Mold Growth

Visible mold growth might seem like an obvious sign of mold. However many people don't notice small amounts of mold growth or they think it's just soot or dirt.

Signs of Water Problems

If you have had any long term moisture problems in your house it's usually inevitable they will lead to mold beginning to grow.

Water Leaks

The above signs of water problems in homes are usually created by leaks. However if you already know that you have had a water leak (such as leaking pipes or a leaking ceiling) then just that knowledge by itself, even if you don't see signs of water damage, is a good sign that you might have mold growing in your house around the area where the leak was.

Past Flooding

If your house has been flooded in the past then it's likely that mold would've started to grow. Any mold would probably be growing in places where flood water remained the longest such as in the basement. Floods can often create mold growing out of view behind walls or under floors.

Condensation

If you see a lot of condensation in your home then it's a sign that you have a high amount of moisture and hence a sign that you could have a mold problem. Condensation will occur on surfaces such as glass windows or metal pipes. Mold could be growing where the condensation builds up and collects. Rusting indoor pipes are a sign that you could have a lot of condensation in your house.

If you suspect mold growth in your home call SERVPRO today at (208) 523-5365

Not so controlled burn

1/11/2019 (Permalink)

Burning debris in spring

With spring right around the corner, a lot of people are gearing up to start burning all the debris they have to get rid of it. But there are many hidden dangers in doing so. According to the National Weather Service is advising people to check weather conditions before starting any controlled burns.

 They also remind us that Fire danger increases rapidly in the spring once the snow beings to melt, especially in windy lower elevation spots. These conditions often result in several agricultural burns getting out of control year after year. 

 It doesn’t take long once the snow begins to melt for fire danger to rapidly increase even after a cool and wet winter. The persistent spring wind only serves to further dry vegetation and literally provides more fuel for the fire. A wind-whipped fire in quick-burning dormant vegetation can cause a burn to easily become uncontrollable.

It is common for calm morning wind to give way to gusty wind around the midday hours during the spring months. A weather forecast of how and when the wind speed and direction may change during the day can mean the difference between a successful burn and having an animated discussion with your local fire warden.

The National Weather Service in Riverton is advising people to get the most up-to-date weather forecast before conducting agricultural burns.

If you have a fire disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365.

Mold even in the winter!?

1/11/2019 (Permalink)

When dealing with mold you can never let your guard down. It is a year-round battle that never goes on vacation. Mold can occur at any place and time with little warning to you if you don’t know what to look for.

Although there is no way 100% to ever avoid mold, there are definitely ways to fight back and try and keep ahead of the game.

According to www.highya.com these six ways may help to prevent mold growth in the winter.

1. Increase Air Circulation and Reduce Humidity

One cheap and simple step to reduce moisture is to use fans and open windows. By increasing the air circulation in rooms, cold air is less likely to condense in nooks and crannies.

2. Keep an Eye Out for Leaks That Can Let in Excess Moisture

Watch for leaks in common areas such as windows, exterior-to-interior doorways, and the surrounding areas by swamp coolers and skylights.

3. Repair Any Leaky Area Immediately

Mold and mildew can grow at a rapid pace. The longer you leave a leak unattended, the more likely you are to experience mold and the damage that comes with it.

4. Limit the Possible Areas Where Mold and Mildew Can Grow

Since fungi thrive on quick-to-decompose items such as books, piles of loose papers, or boxes of clothing, use strategy when storing these items.

5. Take Care to Keep Entryway Flooring Dry During Wet Weather

In rooms where moisture is a problem, area rugs and other washable floor surfaces are preferred over wall-to-wall carpet, if possible.

6. Use Exhaust Fans in the Kitchen and Bathroom

Boiling water and taking steamy showers provide your home’s environment with plenty of moisture. Make sure not to slack when it comes to turning on exhaust fans, including the one in your oven’s hood, which can help reduce condensation formation.

If you have an issue with mold give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365

The pipes are bursting

1/10/2019 (Permalink)

Here our guys are getting prepped and ready to start reconstruction after  a water piped burst in this home. During the winter months it is very common for water pipes to burst. There are however ways that may help to prevent this terrible problem. For example, www.simplemost.com suggest these simple tips and tricks to help avoid your pipes bursting.

  1. Make Sure Pipes Are Insulated

Exposed pipes are prone to freezing, even in warmer climates. There are a variety of ways to keep those pipes snug as a bug in a rug. One way is to add insulation to pipes around the home.

  1. Let Your Faucet Drip

Most people see a dripping faucet as an issue that needs to be fixed. However, during the winter months, it’s actually good to allow your faucet to drip just a little bit. A little bit of water flow keeps pressure low in the pipes. Low pressure, means less of a chance of those pipes bursting!

  1. Seal Up Cracks and Leaks

Caulk should be your best friend this time of year. You want to keep out as much of the cold air as possible. Do a careful inspection of your house to determine if there are any air leaks. Places to look include near dryer vents, windows, electrical wiring and, of course, the pipes.

  1. Open Those Doors

Whether you’re home or out of town, the American Red Cross recommends keeping the interior doors of your house open. This allows the heat to move through the house more efficiently. This also helps the heat reach closer to the pipes, reducing the risk of them freezing.

  1. Disconnect/Shut Off The Water

Another tip if you’re going to out of town for a while: Consider shutting off your main water line and draining your water system. This will leave your pipes empty in the house, so no water can freeze inside of them to cause a rupture.

Drywall repair is an art!

1/10/2019 (Permalink)

After a toilet leaked from the second story and our crew cleaned up that mess, its on to the reconstruction phase. Our employee Matt is very careful in his efforts to make this ceiling look like new again. Drywall is a skilled trade and requires a lot of steps and detailed work.

The last part of the process is to make it look "Like it never even happened." www.HGTV.com has given these steps below.

  1. Spread a drop cloth around the area.
    2. Use a putty knife to scrape damaged paint from the ceiling. Hold the putty knife at a 30-degree angle for the best results. Remove all the paint from the ceiling to avoid mismatched textures.
    3. Use the utility knife to remove any damaged sections of drywall. For small areas, remove as little drywall as possible. For larger damaged areas, cut out the entire damaged area and replace it with a patch using standard drywall repair techniques.
    4. With a small putty knife, spread a thin layer of joint compound along each seam.
    5. After smoothing the compound, cut a piece of drywall tape to length and apply it to the wet compound. Drywall tape has no adhesive and must be applied while the joint compound is still wet.
    6. With a clean putty knife, smooth the tape to remove air bubbles.
    7. Apply a layer of joint compound on top of the tape. Allow the compound to dry, and sand it smooth. Use a wider drywall knife to apply a second layer, and sand the compound smooth after it dries. For smooth drywall joints, keep the blade as steady as possible and maintain consistent pressure.

Winterize before winter takes over

1/10/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO was called out to a job today that happened due to water damage from sprinkler system freezing. In regions like Eastern Idaho temperatures can reach the negatives very fast so preparing for the winter months are a must.

There are definitely ways to possibly help prevent this problem. www.Rainbird.com offers a step by step process on how they winterize their irrigation system.

  1. Insulate your assets:

Shut off the water supply to the irrigation system. The main shut off valve for your irrigation system needs to be protected against freezing. Make sure it is wrapped with insulation (foam insulation tape and a plastic bag) to protect it from harsh winter temperatures and prevent it from freezing. If you do not have a main shut off valve, you might consider installing one as a preventative investment. Also, any above ground piping needs to be insulated. Self-sticking foam-insulating tape or foam insulating tubes commonly found at home supply stores are fine.

  1. Stay in control: 

If you have an automatic system then you will need to "shut down" the controller (timer). Most controllers have a "rain-mode" which simply shuts off the signals to the valves. The controller continues to keep time, the programming information isn't lost (start times, valve run times, etc.) and the clock continues to run throughout the winter.The only change is that the valves will not activate. If your controller is responsible for activating a pump, as a precaution you should remove the wires that are connected to the MV (Master Valve) and common terminals. This will prevent the possibility of the pump being accidentally activated which could cause damage from overheating. An alternative to using the rain mode is simply to shut off the power to the controller. If you do, you'll need to reprogram the time and potentially all your other settings as well, in the spring.

  1. Drain the pipes: 

Now you need to remove the water from the pipes and sprinklers so that it won't freeze/expand and break the pipe. There are several ways to drain your pipes: a manual drain valve, an automatic drain valve or the compressed air blow-out method. However, since there could be potential safety risks we recommend contacting your local irrigation specialist. Many offer sprinkler winterization services this time of the year.

  1. Protect valves and backflow preventers: 

Insulate backflow preventers and valves if they are above ground. You can also use insulation tape for this. Be sure not to block the air vents and drain outlets on backflow preventers.

Duct not Duck

1/10/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is now offering duct cleaning! Today the guys went to a local high school and preformed duct cleaning as well as fogging the ducts. It is very important to have your ducts cleaned. We have found a few tips online.

As a rule of thumb, the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) suggests cleaning your ducts every three to five years. There is not a formula for figuring out an exact time period. Rather, professionals have collectively based it on past experience with a wide range of systems. If your HVAC system needs cleaning more than once a year, then there is a problem with the system that is allowing dirt to infiltrate the components.

Quite a few things can contribute to the reasons you may need to clean your ducts. You can deduce that your HVAC system needs to be cleaned based on where you live. The climate in which you live can also determine what may clog your vents or build up in your ducts. Here are some telltale signs you may need professional HVAC duct cleaning:

  • Dusty build-up around the outside of the vent register
  • Excessive debris around the filter area
  • Obviously thick dirt in ducts
  • Noticeable bursts of rubbish exiting supply registers
  • Mold smell present in the air flow from vents
  • Visible vermin infestation or accessing

If you need your ducts cleaned give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365.

Toilet issues

1/9/2019 (Permalink)

We had an unfortunate disaster that happened because of a faulty toilet. It happened to be on the 3rd story of this apartment building and made its way down all the way to the first-floor apartment.

SERVPRO was there, even in the middle of the night, to help with this disaster. Issues like this can likely be avoided if you follow these six warning signs from www.customairinc.com. You may be able to avoid a plumbing disaster.

1.The Sound of Running Water

While you’re certainly supposed to hear running water while you’re washing dishes, doing a load of laundry or taking a shower, you shouldn’t hear it all the time. If you hear running water when you’re not supposed to, there may be a leak somewhere in the house. Examine the exposed pipes to try to locate the leak yourself. Look for visible drips and signs of recent water damage, such as water stains or warped wood under cabinets.

2.Gurgling in the Toilet

Your toilet shouldn’t make noise when you’re not using it. When a toilet gurgles periodically, it’s trying to pull in air. This may indicate that a clog is forming in the pipes. The sooner you address this problem, the easier it is to clear the clog. Getting rid of that developing clog early will help you avoid the dreaded problem of an overflowing toilet.

3.Unpleasant Odors

If your drains are releasing an odor that smells like rotten eggs or sewage, contact a plumber immediately. That rotten egg smell is hydrogen sulfide, which is emitted by sewage and bacterial growth. It may indicate that there’s a leak in one of your sewage pipes or bacterial growth somewhere in your pipe system.

4.Slow Drains

Have you noticed that water pools at your feet while you shower? Or perhaps your kitchen sink fills up with water when you rinse the dishes. Whenever a drain is running slowly, it’s likely that a clog is forming somewhere in the pipes. The most common thing that clogs showers is hair.

5.Low Water Pressure

Many different issues can cause low water pressure. First, check the faucet head to make sure that it’s not clogged. If cleaning the faucet head doesn’t cause the water pressure to return to normal, you may have a leak, a broken pipe or an eroded water line.

6.Corroded Pipes

Check visible pipes for signs of corrosion. You can typically find exposed pipes under your sinks and in your basement. Discoloration or build-up on the pipe is a sign of trouble. Other signs of leakage include water stains and warped wood.

SERVPRO is always here so give us a call day or night for all of your cleaning and restoration needs.

building safety

1/1/2019 (Permalink)

Whether you own your commercial building or are leasing it from another entity, it is always a good idea to have a safety plan in place in the possibility that disaster should strike.

SERVPRO offers a free Emergency Readiness Plan which will help you to determine the safest and quickest way to handle an unforeseen emergency.

Call your local SERVPRO today to set up a time to meet with one of our qualified personnel to go over the needs of your particular structure.

However, there are some things that you can do yourself to reduce that chances that disaster may strike

Before closing for the day, assign someone to check for the following:

Inspect bathrooms for any running water in sinks or toilets

In cooler weather familiarize yourself with any space heaters that may be in use.  If not already done so, unplug them from the wall sockets

When temperatures drop below freezing, set thermostats to an overnight level that will prevent pipes from freezing, ESPECIALLY if this has been a problem in the past

Make note of any tree branches that may be close to windows and have them trimmed down.  Strong winds can cause them to either swing in to the window or fall and break the glass

Make sure that if you have a disaster to give SERVPRO a call at (208) 523-5365

Winter is upon us

1/1/2019 (Permalink)

With the winter months up on us now is the perfect time to know helpful tips and tricks to stay safe while driving on these icy roads.

  • Accelerate and decelerate slowly
  • drive slowly if needed
  • the normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should increase to eight to ten seconds
  • know your breaks
  • don't stop while going up a hill

Another tip is to always keep your vehicle stocked with survival items. Some of these items may include...

  • Ice scraper
  • Shovel
  • Gloves
  • Blankets
  • Emergency flairs
  • Rock salt
  • First aid kit

Preparing your vehicle for winter is also a great way to be ready for the cold winter months. These are a few things you can do...

  • Check your engine coolant and antifreeze levels
  • Check your tire pressure and tread depth-good tires are key to staying on the roads and keeping safe while the weather becomes questionable
  • Use winter windshield wiper fluid - When winter comes switch out your fluid for winter fluid

It is always a good idea to know your environment and to check your local weather reports. This will help prepare you for road conditions and may prevent a bad situation.

Major Damage

1/1/2019 (Permalink)

When storm damage hits, it can wreak major havoc and cause horrible damage to your home and business. For those of us who live in states who experience all 4 seasons you know that winter weather can be very unforgiving. They can come fast and hard and it is always important to be prepared before and after when disaster may hit.

Some storm damage can even cause a hazardous unsafe situation. When it comes to your family’s safety, some things need to be taken care of quickly and efficiently.

Storms can cause all kinds of damage including fallen trees on your house, collapsed walls leading to standing water in your home or even basement, and window damage to name a few. 

Standing water is never a good sign and should be treated and taken care of as soon as possible. The moisture from the water can soak into the carpet, walls, and furniture and cause mold to grow. Mold can cause a lot of health issue and should be treated right away.

If you have a cleaning or restoration disaster call SERVPRO today at (208) 523-5365

Heavy rains

1/1/2019 (Permalink)

This homeowner found water seeping in from a recent storm right away because the damage occurred in a basement right at the bottom of a highly used stairwell. 

Water issues in a location that is a high traffic area allows owners to be more aware of a water loss sooner than in areas of the house where they don’t often go.

Right away the owner pulled up the carpet and pad to dry both of them with all the fans she had in her home.  By doing so she was actually able to dry out the carpet, but the pad still needed to be replaced.

By contacting SERVPRO we were able to give her an evaluation of the damage which helped her from having any secondary damages and prevented mold growth as well.

Upon inspection it was discovered that due to recent heavy rainfall a crack that was in the foundation of the wall allowed water and mud to seep into the house.  The crack looked as if there had been an attempt to repair it previously but it obviously wasn’t enough to stop the water and mud from coming through.

If you have any fire, water, mold or asbestos disasters give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365

Wild Fires in Wyoming

10/29/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has been on the scene in Pinedale, Wyoming helping to clean up the aftermath of the wild fires that started on mid-September 2018. Our crews have been working tirelessly trying to get families whom have been affected by this disaster back to their everyday life. We have been cleaning and restoring person belongings, flooring, and anything else that may have been touched by this horrible smoke residue.

As of September 21st there were over 230 homes evacuated and over 34,000 acres burned. There has been a ton of help in trying to stop this fire from continuing to spread. The response includes air tankers, helicopters, engines, and tons of fire firefighters trying to get control of this enormous blaze!

SERVPRO is dedicated to doing anything and everything to make sure these families who have suffered through this disaster will be able be back to normal as soon as possible.

If you have a cleaning or restoration disaster that you need assistance with give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365 .

Idaho Preparedness Fair

10/29/2018 (Permalink)

The Idaho falls preparedness fair was a great opportunity for SERVPRO to get out in our community and share some of the things that we deal with on a day to day basis.

We were able to help better prepare people of the dangers of all kinds of disasters as well as educate them on ways to prepare the best they can in the event of a disaster.

The day itself was a huge success. There were a ton of vendors and attendees. We handed out swag, did giveaways, and engaged the crowed with a game of cornhole.

The importance of the Preparedness fare is to help people get a better understanding on how to deal with a situation when or if a disaster of any kind may hit. Our goal is to give them the tools they need to so they can be prepared in a situation that sometimes seem very scary to some. We enjoyed being at this event and will definitely be back again next year!

In the event a disaster hits you, please give SERVPRO a call. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Be careful with that insulation

8/31/2018 (Permalink)

Some people are unaware how dangerous insulation in their homes. Most are careful about the amount of insulation installed, but often the type, the age, and other quality factors are ignored. Being educated about potential health, and safety, issues is an important way to protect your home and family.

Asbestos, Zonolite, and mold are all dangers that can lurk inside of insulation and all cause different threats.

Asbestosis is a serious, non-cancerous disease of the lungs that is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. The lung tissue is irritated and scarring occurs, making it hard for oxygen to get into the blood. There is no effective treatment for asbestosis.

Zonolite

Another dangerous insulation that was produced well into the 1980s, Zonolite, was manufactured by the Grace Company. Zonolite was produced using sharp vermiculite crystals and looks like small, 1/4 to 1/2 inch puffy nuggets. The respiratory dangers are similar to asbestos.

Mold

Mold and fungus will damage and discolor the walls, floors and ceilings in homes. If left unchecked, it can damage the structural integrity of the building by eating away at the wood and drywall. It can also cause breathing problems.

There are certainly ways to avoid the dangers that come with insulation. If you do decide to make changes or upgrades to your home you will want to consider an energy efficient home renovation. That means that you will need to look into more of a simple energy solution. Including alternative forms of insulation.

If you happen to have a disaster please give us a call at (208)523-5365. We are open 24 hours a day 7 days a week for all your cleaning and restoration needs. We are on call so we can be there immediately to help you with your disaster.

Fire safety

8/30/2018 (Permalink)

When dealing with residential fire safety, time is of the essence. Fire spreads quickly and relentlessly. Fire is unforgiving and quick to engulf anything and everything in its path. In just two short minutes, a fire can become life threatening. In just five minutes, an entire home can be engulfed in flames.

Being aware is not enough but knowing the proper preventative actins to take may help. Here is some expert’s advice that may help.

-Having a working smoke alarm provides a 50% better chance of surviving.

-Overloading electrical circuits, ignoring frayed cords, and running extension cords as a permanent source of power are also common hazards. Extension cords should only be used temporarily. Not as a permanent solution.

-Make sure your family designates an outside meeting place in the event of a fire.

-It’s best to make the kitchen no-child zone if you can.

-Make “fall & crawl” a part of the escape routine so children understand that the temperature and air quality are more survivable lower to the ground.

-Always have an emergency plan and go over it over and over again. The more your children know and remember the better the situation will be. Practice makes perfect and understanding the plan helps.

If you happen to have a disaster please give us a call at (208)523-5365. We are open 24 hours a day 7 days a week for all your cleaning and restoration needs. We are on call so we can be there immediately to help you with your disaster.

Fire Season Is Here

7/27/2018 (Permalink)

With these hot temperatures warming up the Eastern Idaho region, you will need to be very careful with all of your outdoor activities. If it becomes very hot, windy, and dry it is probably a good idea to limit your outdoor activities that might possibly result in a wildfire. Burning debris and target shooting are a couple activities that need to be rethought if the weather is too hot.
 
Because of the lack of snow pack this year there is a higher risk of fires. Snowpack keeps the ground and soil moist by covering it longer into spring and summer which in turn influences the onset of fire season as well as the widespread and seriousness of wildfires.
 
As many as 90% of wild fires in the United States are caused by burning of debris, campfires being left unattended, throwing out cigarettes, and simply people intentionally starting fires, aka arson.
 
Because of this, wildfires threaten thousands of homes a year. www.readyforwildfire.org
suggests these steps.
 
1.       Review your evacuation plan checklist
2.       Ensure that your emergency supply kit is in your vehicle
3.       Cover-up to protect against heat and flying embers. Wear long pants, long sleeve shirts, heavy shoes and boots, and goggles or glasses. 100% cotton is always preferred
4.       Locate your pets and take them with you to safety
 
Always remember that if you are evacuated and then able to return home to be alert and look over a few things.
1.       Always be alert for downed power lines and other hazards,
 
2.       Check propane tanks, regulators, and lines before turning on your gas
 
3.       Check your residence carefully for any hidden embers or smoldering fires
 
 
If you do unfortunately happen to have fire damage on your home make sure to call a professional like SERVPRO to help with your disaster.

Harsh Weather

7/25/2018 (Permalink)

Harsh weather in Idaho can really do a number on residential and commercial buildings. One of the job we are currently on we are tearing out an overhang that is molding, rotting, and falling apart due to crazy weather conditions.

The most important function for a roof overhang is to help keep water off siding, windows, and doors. I it obviously impossible to stop all the rain from getting to your walls, a wide roof overhang will make a big difference for you. Although, and overhang that might be trying to keep a more than two story building dry will be much less unsuccessful than a one-story building would be.

Replacing an overhang is a big job and should be completed by a professional. There is a lot of important steps and safety precautions that need to be taken before you can even get started. Weather is always a factor as well when you are doing an outside repair. Rain, wind, snow and hail seem to be tricky and sneaky all at the same time.

Our employees are highly trained and are devoted to staying safe and keeping others safe. The have continued education available to all employees as well as training that allows them to continue to learn while working with SERVPRO. We are dedicated to having the most experienced and safe employees possible.

If you need a professional to help with your disaster, call SERVPRO at (208) 523-5365. We will make look “Like it never even happened”.

Boiler room leak

7/11/2018 (Permalink)

A boiler room leak can be a huge problem. Not only can it lead to rust and corrosion, but any other issues. Four main reasons it can be quite possibly be is pressure issues, damaged seals, cracks in the body and loose joints. Corrosion will cause pipes and tanks to weaken overtime allowing water to leak. If water is to leak, that will open your building up to a whole new batch of issues.

No matter what the reason, having water leaking in the building is always a bad sign. If you let it go untreated it can lower the value of your property and possibly make it harder to sell. It can be an eyesore and extremely hard to cover up with paint. An inspector can spot it easily and report it which in turn can make a potential buyer less interested in purchasing your property. It can also cause a ton of external damage as well.

It can also damage ceilings. The longer you wait to hire a company to clean it up, the bigger your problem will become. Paint on the ceilings can discolor and plaster may bulge. It can also lead to holes in you concrete, ruin your electricity, break down carpet, ruin your drywall, and cause health hazards.

If you suspect any leaking please call the professionals at SERVPRO so we can help make it look “Like it never even happened.”

Is mold lurking in your doorway?!

6/12/2018 (Permalink)

Mold can strike anywhere moisture is found. Attics and ceilings are two of the most common and sometimes preventable places that mold will show up. Those two spots need to be inspected as often as possible. To keep your home safe call a professional if you suspect mold growth at all.

Here is some tip to identify if mold could be lurking in your doorway.

  • You notice signs of mold such as a mold smell or mold symptoms
  • To identify the species of mold in your home
  • To help you find where mold is growing
  • To test indoor air quality by measuring the number of spores in the air
  • To test if mold in your home has been fully removed

Here at SERVPRO we do FREE mold testing and will always be more than happy to come out and check on your home. 

Sneaky Sneaky

6/12/2018 (Permalink)

Water can be an extremely sneaky substance. It can hide in areas that you would never in a million years even think to look. If you even slightly suspect water might be present in your home you should always call a professional. If caught soon enough the costs for repair can be reduced significantly.

The professionals at SERVPRO are trained and certified in dealing with this exact issue. We have the tools and knowledge to stop that sneaky water buildup in its tracks. Our ultimate goal is to help restore your items and ultimately make your disaster look like it never even happened.

If you think you may have a water problem give SERVPRO a call so we can set up an appointment to come out and inspect the area.

A Day of Remembrance

5/25/2018 (Permalink)

Memorial Day, was inaugurated in 1868. It was previously designated Decoration Day, for the purpose of decorating the graves of Civil War veterans. Memorial Day has since become a day on which all war dead are commemorated. On Memorial Day, we remember those among us and those who have gone before, who secured for us the precious freedoms that we enjoy today. It is a day to once again acknowledge the price for which our freedom was purchased--a cost beyond measure.

Let us consider briefly the price that has been paid for us to breathe the air of a new morning, to assemble in the park to enjoy a summer concert, to attend worship services in the church of our choice, and to dream the American dream without limitations. Then, let us pause to remember those who have cultivated and tended our land of freedom--with their courage, their tears, their blood and their very lives.

 Our fallen heroes still whisper to us from the grave. If we listen carefully, even today, we can hear the muffled sounds of their call to arms in defense of our nation. This same spirit of freedom is carried in the wind and echoes down through the ages. It is everywhere you look. It can be found in the voices of our children playing in the school yards, in the bountiful goods offered for sale in privately owned places of commerce within our community and in the faces of our citizens in polling places on Election Day.

This spirit can be found in abundance in every corner of every community in this great nation of ours. For this spirit is like an eternal flame. It was lit by the courage and blood of our founding fathers, fanned by the winds of patriots to a brightness beyond description, and then sheltered and protected by members of our Armed Forces from the storms of tyrants and dictators who feared and were blinded by the intense light of liberty and freedom.

 

Our heartfelt prayers and thanks go out to all of those brave men and women who have stepped forward without hesitation to serve our nation so valiantly in its time of need. These are the qualities that heroes are made of. They are the same qualities that made and have kept America great and free since our founding fathers landed at Plymouth Rock, dedicating their lives to raising up a great republic that would forever be a beacon of freedom to the entire world. We are the land of the free because we are the home of the brave.

Row row row your boat

5/12/2018 (Permalink)

Flood water is not only hazardous but it can be extremely dangerous when it's in motion. Flooding can occur due to many different reasons. A water main burst, heavy and excessive rainfall, overflowing rivers, etc.

Flood damage to your home and belongings can be devastating! However immediate action is required. Water damage can ruin your most valuable of items and also lead to mold. SERVPRO closely monitors the drying process so that we can be sure we get all your items dried thoroughly. We have a large variety of methods to clean your contents. These include:

  • Dry Cleaning - Used for cleaning light residues or to pre-clean prior to cleaning.
  • Wet Cleaning - An effective cleaning method for removing moderate to heavy residues.
  • Spray and Wipe -Effective for items that can withstand cleaning.
  • Foam Cleaning - Used for upholstery fabrics that might shrink or bleed if cleaned.
  • Abrasive Cleaning - Involves agitation of the surface being cleaned.
  • Immersion Cleaning - Contents are dipped into a bath of the cleaning product.

SERVPRO is dedicated to helping you through your toughest of times. Next time you need immediate help give us a call. We are here for you 24 hours a day!

Reviews make us smile!

5/9/2018 (Permalink)

We absolutely love our customers! We always go above and beyond to make sure that we are there to help them every step of the way. Reviews like this always bring a smile to our faces.

  • It's never a fun call when you have an emergency, but the crew at SERVPRO were awesome to work with. When it rains it pours we ended up having a leak in our basement and SERVPRO was very responsive and were able to mitigate the damages. I would recommend them to anybody!
    Thank you SERVPRO.    

         -Andrew Trost

  • Awesome!! Ryan did an amazing paint job for out daycare!!! Fast, clean, friendly and very professional!! I would recommend this company and Ryan!! Very Happy Client!!!!

         -Dana Russell

Make sure to call SERVPRO for all your fire, water, cleanup and restoration needs!

Chimney Fires

5/9/2018 (Permalink)

Your chimney and flue add architectural interest to your home, but the real function of your chimney is to take dangerous flue gasses from the wood stove, fireplace, or furnace out of your home safely. It helps the air in your household stay breathable, just like your windows in your kitchen vents, bathroom windows, and attic. However, unlike the other exhaust points in your home, wood stove and fireplace chimneys need a particular kind of care. 

In action, a chimney fire in your Rexburg home can be impressive and cause you to need fire damage repair from a professional remediation company such as SERVPRO. Indications there is a fire in your chimney includes plenty of dense smoke, a loud popping or cracking noise, and a hot, intense smell.

Chimney fires can be dramatic and noisy enough to be detected by people passing by or your neighbors. Dense smoke or flames could shoot out from the top of the chimney. It has been reported by homeowners that they were startled by a low rumbling sound which is reminiscent of a low flying airplane or a freight train.

Undetected Chimney Fires
Chimney fires which are slow-burning do not receive enough air or have the fuel to be visible or dramatic, and they many times go undetected until an inspection of the chimney later. However, very high temperatures are reached and can create as much damage to the chimney structure, and parts of the house close to it, as their more spectacular counterparts explosive fires.


Chimney Fires and Creosote
Wood stoves and fireplaces are made to contain wood-fuel fires safely while heating your home. Chimneys have the job of getting rid of combustion by-products, which are the materials made from burning wood, including water vapor, smoke, gasses, wood particles that are unburned, tar fog, hydrocarbon, and different minerals. As these materials are rising and flow into the cooler chimney, condensation occurs. The residue which that is left sticks to the inside walls of the chimney and is known as creosote.

Black or brown in appearance, creosote can be flakey and crust, shiny and hardened, or drippy and sticky. All forms can occur in a chimney. No matter the form it takes, creosote is very combustible, so if enough quantity builds up and the temperature of the inside of the flue is high enough, you could be dealing with a resulting chimney fire.

When a fire in your chimney damages your home, SERVPRO is always ready to help you clean up the mess and repair the damage. Smoke and odor remediation and indoor air quality are focal points of a SERVPRO service. It is, however, important to have your chimney regularly cleaned to try and avoid this problem in the first place.

SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby knows how damage chimney fires can be to your home. Give them a call as soon as possible after the fire is out at (208) 356-0263 so they can prevent further damages from occurring.

Electricity was the cause of this Fire

5/2/2018 (Permalink)

This is the aftermath of an electrical fire. There are many different reasons for which a house fire can start. Problems with wiring, light fixtures, faulty outlets and appliance failure are just a couple reasons. The most common electrical fires happen because of homeowners overloading electrical outlets or extension cords. There are many ways to prepare for the possibility of a fire.

  1. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and in every room
  2. Test them every month to make sure batteries are still properly working
  3. Make a fire escape plan with your family and practice it
  4. If a fire should happen Get out, Stay out, and Call for help

Fires can happen anytime to anyone so it’s always good to prepare yourself and others.

Maybe mold, maybe not!

5/2/2018 (Permalink)

Here we are using a moisture reader to find any moisture in the floors and walls that could be causing mold in this family’s home. The customer was concerned because their child had recently developed respiratory issues. The parents were suspicious that mold may be the culprit and wanted to rule it out. After finishing our inspection the results came up negative. It is always a good idea to check for mold if you have any lingering suspicions at all.

Mold is a fungus that likes to grow in spaces with lots of moisture. Leaks in roofs, windows, and pipes or places that have been flooded are all hot spots for mold exposure. Mold also grows well on paper and wood products, ceiling tiles and cardboard. It is a nasty little fungus that will try and make its way on anything it possibly can. Good News?! SERVPRO can help! If you are worried that there could be mold in your home or office please give us a call to receive your FREE mold inspection.

Blistering and peeling and fading... Oh My!

4/25/2018 (Permalink)

Winter is finally coming to an end and summer is almost here! The sun is shining, the weather is getting hotter, and you are starting to notice that the paint on your house isn't quite as nice as it used to be. The hot sun can be amazing and beneficial, but it can also be very damaging. One thing that the sun always seems to wreak havoc on is the exterior paint on our homes. The major thing to be aware of is that paint acts like a protective sealant for your house. In order to protect the exterior of your home from getting damaged it's always good to have a strong quality paint job on the exterior.

A few examples of what our wonderful bright shining star likes to do is blister, peel, and also fade paint. This is caused by excessive sun exposure. Usually you can expect about 7-10 years until you will need to update your paint on your home. That however depends on the quality of the paint you choose. 

You cannot ever stop the damage that will eventually be done to your home, but there are ways to help prolong it. For example, using a high quality acrylic latex paint is a great route to go if you want longevity. This is because it includes durable pigments and a binder that prevents it from breaking down. There is also weatherproof and moisture resistant paints out there you can explore as well.

Experienced painters are a great go to source for your painting questions and concerns. They will be able to help you figure out which colors may hold up best against the sun, best paint products, and how long you may have before another repaint will be necessary. And remember it is more cost efficient to paint now then deal with wood rot, water damage, or flaking paint later.

Let a pro take care of your mold

4/2/2018 (Permalink)

Mold occurs quite often. The source of the molds, the spores themselves, can float into your home in the air, on pets' fur or hair and peoples' clothing. It can already be inside if there are moist places, hidden away in closets, utility or laundry rooms and even under the sinks in the kitchen or bathrooms. Air ducts are a favorite collection point of mold spores since being airborne organisms; they readily are circulated throughout your home. SERVPRO recommends keeping the RH-relative humidity of your home below 45%. This does inhibit the proliferation of mold colonies.

Mold can impact people with negative health effects. It can undermine building materials as it consumes the cellulose food source. The fuel for molds can be anything that is organic. Including wood, that wallboard, and furniture as well as clothing and fabric on the furniture. It needs moist spaces and relatively stale air. It thrives inside walls, especially when a leaking pipe creates the perfect conditions for moisture, warmth, and lack of sunlight.

Certain precautions must be exercised in mold remediation servicing. If you are not in a situation to handle this in a certified, safe way, and few homeowners are, calling a mold remediation and restoration company like SERVPRO is the best defense against a mold attack. Mold remediation is not a wise DIY project. Let the pros resolve the issues.

All A/C and heating systems will be turned off to stifle the circulation of mold spores. Skilled SERVPRO  technicians, following IICRC industry standards, will vacuum out the air ducts using an HEPA filtration system. Antifungal, antimicrobial, and disinfecting products will be introduced within the HVAC unit to destroy mold and mitigate the chance of reoccurence. Bear in mind, it is unprofessional, and inaccurate, to claim total elimination of mold and mold spores from a household. Properly conducted mold remediation will return the interior environment of your home to a safe and sanitary condition. 

Containment is critical to keeping the dislodged spores from floating into otherwise uncontaminated areas. The process of finding and removing molds may require the tearing out of building materials that have been contaminated. This means the demolition of walls, ceilings or floors if grossly affected. Specialty sponges are used by the SERVPRO experts to help wipe down and remove mold growth. It extreme cases, porous materials like drywall may require bagging and disposing of in certified centers for contaminated and biohazardous materials.

These fungi are not something to treat as an afterthought, so if you detect or suspect the presence of this call SERVPRO of Idaho Falls/Rexburg (208) 523-5365 for quick and safe mold remediation.

Why is there water in my basement!?!?!?

3/13/2018 (Permalink)

If you discover standing water, slimy surfaces, or developing mold patches on a basement wall, it is crucial that you do not leave them untreated. The longer water damage is neglected, the harder it will be to repair and restore, and the costs can escalate.

FIRST:  Find the source of the water damage. Moisture can make its way inside a house from several different routes. Once you locate the source, you can start to think about a solution, but your first response should be one of investigation and examination. You can't fix what you don't see.

Most reported reasons why basements develop signs of water damage are;

Water Damage from Outside
- A leak in a home's roof can lead to a water problem in the crawlspace, as strange as that sounds. If a broken tile or other components let water in, it runs down the internal walls and through to the basement.
- For those of us living with Idaho snowstorms, basement windows need internal an internal drainage system.  Otherwise, the snow will just accumulate, melt, and seep into the basement.
- When landscaping, make sure that grades are designed to run away from the property. That way, the water cannot pool and seep through the foundation walls.
- If damp is only ever an issue following a rainstorm, the problem could be a poor quality sealant. This is an easy problem to fix. All that is needed is to replace the interior barriers around doors and windows. Sealants dry out, so you may have to keep replacing it every few years.
- Obstructed, ice dams, or cracked guttering could also be the culprit as overflowing water ends up right above the foundation of the house and the basement.
- You might simply have a high water table. If this is the case, the obstacle will unfortunately persist. There is not much that can be done to change it, but installing a sump pump will significantly decrease the chance of flooding leading to water damage.

Water Damage Inside:
- Interior plumbing, appliance malfunction, leaky faucets, frozen pipes, and condensation buildup may result in structural or water damaged personal items.
- If you can spot water making its way up through drains, the municipal sewer system may be under too much strain. You can alleviate this in your home by investing in a backflow valve. These are inexpensive and easily available. If a septic tank backs up, be sure to call SERVPRO to safely and quickly remove waste products from your water damaged Idaho home. "Like it never even happened."

Spring Waters Around the Corner

3/1/2018 (Permalink)

Heavy Idaho winter snowstorms are producing a large amount of snow pack in the mountains.  This will in all likely hood produce a heavy runoff in the upcoming spring months.

This heavy water saturation means there is a large potential for sub water to penetrate through homes and businesses by the way of foundation walls, basements and crawlspaces. 

This can happen in any age of building so whether you have a newer or older structure it is important to periodically check all underground levels for any water intrusion.

You may not be able to stop it entirely but catching it early and a call to SERVPRO can reduce further damage to structure and personal property.  SERVPRO will assist by using subpumps to remove the water, sandbags to help reduce further seepage, and dehumidifiers to control humidity until the sub water subsides.  So don't fret is you see water in your basement from an unknown source, simply call SERVPRO and let us help you determine the source of the water and give you best the idea for cleaning it up

Get Home Inspection For Mold BEFORE Purchase

1/31/2018 (Permalink)

This local homeowner contacted SERVPRO a little to late.

He had purchased his home with a clean disclosure statement from the seller.  However, within a short amount of time it became evident that mold was growing rampant in the kitchen and living room area.

A small leak in the walls had gone undiscovered and was creating the perfect growing conditions for mold to thrive in the warm, poorly ventilated environment.

The homeowner noticed a small wet spot in the corner carpet and pulled it up to see mold growing there.  After pulling up more of the carpet he could tell the problem was much bigger than he had hoped for.

SERVPRO workers discovered mold not only under the carpet in to the sub floor but it also ran up the walls in the kitchen and living areas.  

Had the homeowner contacted SERVPRO before he purchased the home. mold air quality testing could have been preformed and then the he could have negotiated the mold remediation in the price of the home

Commercial Building Safety

1/30/2018 (Permalink)

Whether you own your commercial building or are leasing it from another entity, it is always a good idea to have a safety plan in place in the possibility that disaster should strike.

SERVPRO offers a free Emergency Readiness Plan which will help you to determine the safest and quickest way to handle an unforseen emergency

Call your local SERVPRO today to set up a time to meet with one of our qualified personnel to go over the needs of your particular structure.

However, there are some things that you can do yourself to reduce that chances that disaster may strike

Before closing for the day, assign someone to check for the following:

Inspect bathrooms for any running water in sinks or toilets

In cooler weather familiarize yourself with any space heaters that may be in use.  If not already done so, unplug them from the wall sockets

When temperatures drop below freezing, set thermostats to an overnight level that will prevent pipes from freezing, ESPECIALLY if this has been a problem in the past

Make note of any tree branches that may be close to windows and have them trimmed down.  Strong winds can cause them to either swing in to the window or fall and break the glass

The Power of Water

1/11/2018 (Permalink)

Many businesses in West Yellowstone Montana close for the winter due to low tourist attendance.

This hotel owner had taken a few days off to relax in the warmth of the Nevada sun and returned to a 5 room disaster!!!!

A hose leading to one of the sinks had broken while he had been away.  The force from the water running for 3 days had actually bore a hole into the opposite wall.

SERVPRO responded quickly to the call, however the water had caused substantial damage to the initial room and flooded 4 other rooms as well.  In the initial room the water had wicked up the walls as high as 7 feet.

The grateful hotel owner was gracious enough to provide one of the hotel rooms for our staff to stay in while they completed the job.

Driggs Restaurant Chemical Fire

1/4/2018 (Permalink)

NO EXIT

A Driggs Idaho restaurant owner was quite surprised when he arrived at his place of business one morning.  

When he arrived at his restaurant he knew there was a problem due to the black soot on the outside wall of his restaurant.  Immediately he thought there was a fire inside and call the fire department.

When they arrived and opened the doors there was no fire burning, however, there was considerable heat damage.

It appeared that cleaning rags with powerful chemicals placed in a laundry hamper had ignited at some point in the evening.  As the fire tried to take hold it consumed all of the oxygen in the room and eventually is had burned itself out.  

This did not stop it from smoldering however and the intense heat in the room caused everything plastic to eventually melt to a point of unrecognizability.

The picture posted here is of the exit sign that hangs over the outer door.  

SERVPRO was called to estimate losses and repairs.

Preparation is Best

12/22/2017 (Permalink)

This SERVPRO loss was reported in a home that is under construction and did not have any house wrap on it. This lack of preparation naturally exposed all of the framing and plywood to the elements

Recent storms in the area had dropped a large amount of rain during the building process and as such, the main floor had soaked up a significant amount of water.

As winter approached and temperatures became cooler the floor was unable to dry out. The combination of the wet flooring along with the crawlspace not having the proper ventilation needed encouraged mold to start to grow on the bottom of the sheeting.

The SERVPRO inspection showed that the whole main level had mold on the bottom side of the plywood.  Mold Remediation was necessary but the contractor was instructed to wrap the house correctly before any work began.

Water Water Everywhere

12/22/2017 (Permalink)

This SERVPRO loss occurred in an unoccupied home and was caused by lack of attention from a property manager

Due to forecasted freezing temperatures, the property manager was trying to do preventative maintenance by running water through the lines to prevent frozen pipes.

Unfortunately he did not monitor the sink in which the water was flowing, and the basin overflowed causing water to run under the flooring.

The water ran long enough that eventually it caused the wood flooring to begin to bow and then mold started to grow on the subfloor.

It was also discovered that enough water had spilled out of the sink that the ceiling of the bedroom directly below had standing water above the drywall.

SERVPRO tip, always keep your eyes on running water, especially in the home.

Do I Smell Bacon?

12/22/2017 (Permalink)

This SERVPRO reported loss was caused by a careless cook. 

A basement apartment was recently rented to a first time young resident with little cooking skills.

The resident was cooking bacon for the first time on her new stove.  The bacon grease caught on fire and the ensuing flames rose towards the ceiling. 

The heat from the fire melted the face of the microwave above the stove and the cabinets began to smolder. 

The ceiling had acoustic cork tiles that absorbed a lot of the smoke and needed to be removed.

While the fire was contained to the stove area the smoke traveled through each of the basement bedrooms and also in the stairwell leading up to the main level.

SERVPRO tips for grease fires

  • NEVER TRY TO PUT OUT A GREASE FIRE WITH WATER
  • Cover the fire with a large metal lid
  • If there's no lid nearby, douse the fire with salt or baking soda
  • Turn off the heat source if possible
  • As a last resort, use a fire extinguisher

Be Diligent Test for Asbestos

12/22/2017 (Permalink)

Although asbestos is for the most part no longer used in construction and manufacturing, many buildings today still retain traces or even large quantities of asbestos. Particularly in older buildings, testing for and identifying this asbestos is an important job, but one that is unfortunately neglected by many business owners. Failing to test for asbestos when making renovations or restorations to a building can cause long-term negative health effects for restoration professionals, customers, and even yourself, creating a legal and financial disaster large enough to ruin most businesses. There are specific Federal regulations mandated by the EPA regarding renovating buildings, and asbestos abatement. SERVPRO provides certified asbestos testing to ensure the safety of our technicians and your customers alike.

Testing is not only advisable for practical reasons, but also for legal ones. Failing to test for asbestos can lead to steep fines and regulatory penalties, regardless of whether or not the substance is present. OSHA has explicit guidelines in place regarding demolition or renovations of commercial structures, especially schools, and other municipal buildings. Furthermore, if a customer or employee gets sick as a result of untested asbestos, you may be at risk of a costly and difficult lawsuit. Federal and state authorities alike take this process seriously, which is why it is always recommended to hire a certified company like SERVPRO to complete the task. 
 
SERVPRO is certified in asbestos testing and guarantees a fast and efficient process for your business. 

Cleaning Up Your Business After a Water Disaster

12/22/2017 (Permalink)

Flooding and water damage at commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether SERVPRO is dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you eed.

SERVPRO specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at the SERVPRO corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Help for Wet Basements

12/22/2017 (Permalink)

Do you find that your basement is always wet after a small storm? Are you having to deal with continuously drying your basement during snow season? You are not alone, the majority of homeowners have issues with excess water or moisture intrusion into their basements during poor weather situations and are looking for a solution to their problem.

SERVPRO can provide you with the services that you need to battle this type of moisture issue.
 
SERVPRO technicians understand that a wet basement can cause multiple problems. As a finished living space, any moisture intrusion into your basement can ruin carpet, drywall, insulation and framing. Water getting into a cellar you use for storage can warp flooring one level above and encourage the spread of mold to other areas of your home. 
 
Inclement weather events such as rainfall and melting snow have the ability to produce thousands of gallons of water and can cause major problems you simply aren't ready to handle. While rising groundwater situations present even more problems that could affect your property in various ways. Maintaining clean gutters and making sure that you provide the proper soil slopes in your landscaping can channel excess water away from your home. Correct R-rated attic insulation can help prevent ice damming on the roof and gutters leading to more harm.
 

Prepare Your Pipes for Upcoming Freeze

12/22/2017 (Permalink)

The truth is, living in this area can be rough and even though you take the time and effort to prepare for the worst, bad things can still happen. 

Temperatures can drop rather fast and take you and your pipes by surprise, leaving you with a rather dangerous and expensive mess to clean up.
 
At SERVPRO we recommend taking the time to insulate any piping exposed to outside elements, include adding heat tape or heat cables where frozen pipes are likely to happen, this will assist you in preventing this sort of damage. 

Other helpful suggestions:
 
1.) Disconnect and properly store any outside hoses.
 
2.) Make sure that your outside faucets are in good working order, no leaks or drips, and that they are prepared to resist the coming weather.
 
3.) Leave both your hot AND cold water dripping overnight to maintain a steady flow through your pipes.
 
4.) Leave cabinet and storage doors open to allow heat to enter into those areas to assist in heating uninsulated pipes running through them.
 
5.) Never shut off your indoor heat, maintain at least 65 degrees indoors at all times, even if you aren't going to be home.

Roofer causes Storm Damage

12/20/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is called to many homes where the roof is damaged and leaking but a recent storm showed that the cause of the leak was from a local roofing company.  

They had tarped the roof after removing the shingles because a storm was predicted for the next day.  However, the owner of the home woke up to find water running down the inside walls of the bathroom, garage and sunroom.

Upon inspection it was discovered that one of the roofing workers and put his foot through the roof and did not tell anyone, he simply covered it up with the tarp.  

The roofer did take responsibility for the damage and called SERVPRO to make the necessary repairs.

However, our inspection discovered more damage than was originally found, due to our excellent estimator.  He followed the water trail even into an attic crawl space where it was very evident that water had penetrated that area as well.

He sent our SERVPRO personnel out with the necessary equipment to get everything dried as quickly as possible.

How Quickly Fire Can Spread

12/19/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO was recently called to a local home regarding what first was called in as a small garage fire. Upon arrival they discovered that old exposed wiring had not only caused the garage to catch fire but it had affected the entire home leaving the occupants in a hotel for the foreseeable future.  

Many times the safety of garage wiring is overlooked because home owners are either not aware there is an issue or the idea of "It has been like this for years and we never had a problem with it" is the prevailing thought.  

To save on building costs many garages are unfinished and homeowners can easily take this moment to inspect wires to determine if there should be some electrical work done ASAP.  

Whether your garage is finished or unfinished take a moment now to ask yourself these questions.  

*Do you hear or see a spark when you flip a switch?

*Do you ever smell an odd odor coming from the outlets?

*Are light switch plates warm or hot to the touch?

*Do you hear buzzing when the electricity is on?

These are signs that an electrician should be called right away to avoid the costly damage that this SERVPRO family endured.

Winter Water Hazard

12/19/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO responded to a call last week about a vacation home that had water damage from a broken pipe.  

SERVPRO later discovered that for the amount of water that had been displaced into the basement, the pipe must have been broken for close to 3 weeks before anyone realized the damage.

A few tips for those of you taking extended holiday trips.

*Ask a trusted friend or neighbor to monitor your home on a daily basis, ESPECIALLY if there are freezing temperatures

*Hire someone to come and house sit for you.  There are services online or you can contact your local House, Apartment Rental Agencies.

*If you do have someone watching the house, make sure they know where the Main Water Shut Off Valves are.  Ask your local SERVPRO provider for one of these FREE Main Water Shut Off tags and place it on or near the location.

*Depending on how long you will be gone, monitor the temperatures coming up during your vacation and set the thermostat at a level that helps to ensure pipes will not freeze.

Should you have a problem of course call SERVPRO immediately

An ounce of Prevention for Idaho Winter 2017

12/14/2017 (Permalink)

The 2017-2018 winter for the Rexburg, Idaho region will soon be unpon us. 

SERVPRO would like to offer a few suggestions in order to prepare your home for the upcoming season.

1. Invest in weather stripping. This is very inexpensive, but will help keep the warm air in and the cold air out.

2. Clean your gutters.  Filled gutters will be slower to drain and can cause water/ice build up resulting in ice dams.  Ice dams can cause a significant amount of water damage to a structure.

3. Evaluate roof to prevent ice dams.  

4. Buy a roof rake.

5. Prune trees around the house.

6. Stock up on supplies in case you need them!

7. Protect pipes from freezing.  Broken pipes are the leading cause of water damage through the winter.

For all your restoration needs, call SERVPRO

It pays to go to work on Saturday

12/13/2017 (Permalink)

When Good Pipes Go Bad!!!!

Recently a local tax company came in to work on a Saturday morning to find water in various rooms but no sign of leakage that they could immediately see. 

Using their SERVPRO Emergency Ready Plan they turned off the main water line and contacted our local franchise.  While they waited for the arrival of SERVPRO the business owner was dismayed to find that the water still seemed to be coming into their building. 

Upon their arrival our technicians discovered that the CITIES main waterline had burst and was flooding not only the current structure but two other businesses in the complex as well. 

A quick call to City Dispatch and the other tenants helped to ward off what could have been a costly weekend disaster.  Although the damage was certainly significant it could have been even worse had the tenants not found the damage until Monday morning.

So a good tip is to make sure that your ERP also includes the phone numbers for your local City Dispatch or Water Works Department, and, other business tenants sharing your building space.

Poor Ventilation Aides Mold Growth

12/6/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is on the job today in a home with mold in various places throughout house.

Mold in your home doesn’t have to come from a broken pipe or a water loss that wasn’t taken care of fast enough.

The mold being treated today is actually the result of poor ventilation in the home.

Mold was found in several places around the home, but the areas most affected were in fact baseboards and sheet rock that had free standing cabinets placed in front of the wall.  This allowed for a dark and undisturbed area in which mold was free to grow.

One of the benefits of modern homes is the fact that they are more air tight and keep out those cold Idaho winters. However, in older homes if not regulated correctly, humidity along with a poorly ventilated area can allow mold unchecked.

If you find mold in your home call SERVPRO and let us put our experience, training, and certification to work for you.

Poor Ventilation Aides Mold Growth

12/6/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is on the job today in a home with mold in various places throughout house.

Mold in your home doesn’t have to come from a broken pipe or a water loss that wasn’t taken care of fast enough.

The mold being treated today is actually the result of poor ventilation in the home.

Mold was found in several places around the home, but the areas most affected were in fact baseboards and sheet rock that had free standing cabinets placed in front of the wall.  This allowed for a dark and undisturbed area in which mold was free to grow.

One of the benefits of modern homes is the fact that they are more air tight and keep out those cold Idaho winters. However, in older homes if not regulated correctly, humidity along with a poorly ventilated area can allow mold unchecked.

If you find mold in your home call SERVPRO and let us put our experience, training, and certification to work for you.

Black Mold 101

11/16/2017 (Permalink)

Because of its color all black mold is considered dangerous.  That is not the case.  There are, however, a few species of black mold that are toxic.  There are several strains of black mold and the best way to determine if it is one of the bad kinds is through testing. 

SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby has certified mold restoration experts who can not only test the area, but also safely remove the toxic mold as well.  Because the danger level increases with exposure, timely testing is highly recommended.

A few things to consider:

1. Does mold smell?  Yes, it smells like mildew and must.

2. Where is it typically? Basements, Bathrooms, Attics, Laundry Areas, Kitchens, Carpet, and Building Materials.

Black mold can be in a lot of places.

NEVER attempt removal of black mold alone.  Professional removal is necessary as disturbing mold can release huge amounts of spores into the air.  If you have or suspect you have mold issues, please contact SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby and let our certified technicians solve the problem.

Furniture Mold Removal

11/13/2017 (Permalink)

If you suspect an odor or stain is due to mold damage, extra care should be taken to restore your furniture.  First thing that you need to do is to stop source that allowed the mold to grow in the first place.  Mold thrives in damp areas such as your bathroom or basement.  

Sometimes unexpected damage can occur from a broken water pipe and it can reach furniture or other items in your home.  Mold can be dangerous and really requires the help of a trained and certified professional.  At SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby we have trained technicians who can safely eliminate any mold issue.

Fire Caused By BBQ Grill

10/28/2017 (Permalink)

BBQ Fun Catches House on Fire

BBQs are a terrific summer activity, but one that can be ruined if not careful.  This home fire was caused by the BBQ grill being too close to the siding of the house on the deck and caused damage to the entire main level of the home.  Do not let this happen to you!!

Grease Fires Can Lead to Water Damage

10/16/2017 (Permalink)

Water Damage caused by Fire

Grease fires happen in a blink of an eye and if not responded to quickly can burn down your home. SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby responded to a request to help restore an apartment after a grease fire had done its damage. Thankfully the apartment had a fire suppression system and the tenant was able to get the fire out relatively fast. The bulk of the damage wasn’t caused by the fire and smoke. It was caused by the sprinkler that helped to put the fire out.

Hundreds of gallons of water had covered the kitchen, part of the living room, and everything in it. Our first priority was to extract the water and dry everything effected before secondary damage occurs. Second damage can happen a number of ways, but some common areas can be warped cabinets or floors.

That results from having the water saturate the material causing it warp as its dried out. If you experience any type fire, water, or mold damage let SERVPRO put its experience to work for you. We can minimize secondary damage and help you get your property back to normal.

Water Damage from Your Water Heater

9/29/2017 (Permalink)

Water Heater Leak Spreads Throughout House

One on the most frequent sources of water damage for homes or businesses are water heaters. Often times they will leak for an extended period of time before the home owner or business owner realizes the problem. If a leak has gone on for a long time your insurance coverage could be very limited. SERVPRO responded to job this past weekend in Hamer where the water heater had leaked. When the business owner spotted the leak, we were able to respond with an emergency to crew to help mitigate the damage. All buildings large or small should have a preventative maintenance schedule to help ensure the building is properly taken care of. It will save time and money if you make small repairs vs having  maintenance problems before they come a larger problem. If you do experience water damage please give SERVPRO of Idaho Falls or Rexburg a call so we can put our experience to work for you.

Abandoned Buildings Can and Do Cause Problems

9/24/2017 (Permalink)

Total Fire Loss in Kellogg, Idaho

This abandoned turn of the century hotel in Kellogg, Idaho caught on fire and was a total loss.  There was no electricity or other utilities at the building.  Although it is easy to forget about these buildings, it is critical they be looked at from time to time for potential damage problems.  This particular building had squatters living in the building.

As a result of this complete loss building's fire, all of the surrounding buildings experienced significant smoke and water damage.  The fire was so hot the fire department needed to keep a constant water flow on several of the adjacent buildings to make sure they did not catch on fire as well.  

SERVPRO of Rexburg, Idaho was called in by several of the businesses and building owners to help fix the fire and water damaged areas.

Backed Up Sewers on Labor Day Weekend

9/16/2017 (Permalink)

Removing Standing Water

Sewers backing up have kept SERVPRO employees busy this Labor Day weekend. The common culprit has been clogged main sewer lines which doesn’t allow the waste water to run into the sewer.

The waste water will then start to back up into the lowest point in your sewer line such has a basement bathroom. As you can image the smell is over powering and damage can be extensive. Sewer water is Category 3 water which means the materials it affects must be removed.

hat can mean flooring, sub-flooring, cabinets, trim, and drywall. If you don’t know the status of your main line, it’s worth the time and money to have a company come out and ensure that your drain lines are in working order.

Smoke and Soot Clean Up

9/1/2017 (Permalink)

Having a fire in your home or on your property can be a life changing experience and very invasive.  SERVPRO is here to handle the damage to your property the fire left behind. We can make it like it never even happened.

Smoke and Soot Facts

  • Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure
  • Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor
  • The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process

Different Types of Smoke

  • Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber
    • Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary.
  • Dry Smoke
    • Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.
  • Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire
    • Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent color

Every smoke and soot damage situation varies on size and type of damage done. If you have fire, smoke, or soot damage to your property give us a call. We will put our experience and resources to work for you. 

Does Your Home Have a Mold Problem?

8/8/2017 (Permalink)

Finding mold in your home is not an experience anybody wants to have. It usually brings a lot of questions, and it should. Mold spores are everywhere so removing mold entirely from your home is not a realistic goal.  The mold remediation process reduces the mold spore count to its natural or baseline level.

Facts about mold

  • Mold is present almost everywhere
  • Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air. They may enter your home through windows, doors, AC/ heating systems, or can come in on your clothing or pets.
  • Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can grow quickly into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens or irritants.
  • Mold often produces a strong musty odor that can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
  • Higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

If you suspect your home has a mold problem call us so we can use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.

Fire Damage Can Be a Life Changing Experience

8/7/2017 (Permalink)

Having a fire in your home or on your property can be a life changing experience and very invasive.  SERVPRO is here to handle the damage to your property the fire left behind. We can make it like it never even happened.

Smoke and Soot Facts

  • Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure
  • Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor
  • The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process

Different Types of Smoke

  • Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber
    • Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary.
  • Dry Smoke
    • Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.
  • Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire
    • Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent color

Every smoke and soot damage situation varies on size and type of damage done. If you have fire, smoke, or soot damage to your property give us a call. We will put our experience and resources to work for you. 

Restoring Your Commercial Property After a Water Damage Event

7/25/2017 (Permalink)

Water damage events at commercial properties present their own unique challenges, and can be very stressful. Our staff understands the importance of getting your commercial property up and running as fast as possible.

When we arrive at your property we bring 10 years of experience with commercial property damage with us. We have the necessary resources to handle any job, large or small. Our trained professionals work quickly to assess the situation, isolate the damaged area, and start work immediately. Time is always of the essence to minimize damage, and to resume operations as soon as possible. Your local SERVPRO has access to large loss teams specifically trained and ready to go in event of a large loss.

If your commercial property experiences a water damage event call us so we can put our experience and resources to work for you.

Chimney Fires and Your Rexburg Home

5/16/2017 (Permalink)

Rexburg Chimney Fires Are Preventable-Call SERVPRO for Cleanup

Rexburg Properties Receive Smoke & Fire Damage Cleanup from SERVPRO

Your chimney and flue add architectural interest to your home, but the real function of your chimney is to take dangerous flue gasses from the wood stove, fireplace, or furnace out of your home safely. It helps the air in your household stay breathable, just like your windows in your kitchen vents, bathroom windows, and attic. However, unlike the other exhaust points in your home, wood stove and fireplace chimneys need a particular kind of care.
 
In action, a chimney fire in your Rexburg home can be impressive and cause you to need fire damage repair from a professional remediation company such as SERVPRO. Indications there is a fire in your chimney includes plenty of dense smoke, a loud popping or cracking noise, and a hot, intense smell.
 
Chimney fires can be dramatic and noisy enough to be detected by people passing by or your neighbors. Dense smoke or flames could shoot out from the top of the chimney. It has been reported by homeowners that they were startled by a low rumbling sound which is reminiscent of a low flying airplane or a freight train.
 
Undetected Chimney Fires
Chimney fires which are slow-burning do not receive enough air or have the fuel to be visible or dramatic, and they many times go undetected until an inspection of the chimney later. However, very high temperatures are reached and can create as much damage to the chimney structure, and parts of the house close to it, as their more spectacular counterparts explosive fires.
 
Chimney Fires and Creosote
Wood stoves and fireplaces are made to contain wood-fuel fires safely while heating your home. Chimneys have the job of getting rid of combustion by-products, which are the materials made from burning wood, including water vapor, smoke, gasses, wood particles that are unburned, tar fog, hydrocarbon, and different minerals. As these materials are rising and flow into the cooler chimney, condensation occurs. The residue which that is left sticks to the inside walls of the chimney and is known as creosote.
 
Black or brown in appearance, creosote can be flakey and crust, shiny and hardened, or drippy and sticky. All forms can occur in a chimney. No matter the form it takes, creosote is very combustible, so if enough quantity builds up and the temperature of the inside of the flue is high enough, you could be dealing with a resulting chimney fire.
 
When a fire in your chimney damages your home, SERVPRO is always ready to help you clean up the mess and repair the damage. Smoke and odor remediation and indoor air quality are focal points of a SERVPRO service. It is, however, important to have your chimney regularly cleaned to try and avoid this problem in the first place.
 
SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby knows how damage chimney fires can be to your home. Give them a call as soon as possible after the fire is out at (208) 356-0263 so they can prevent further damages from occurring.
 

Wet Basements In Rexburg

5/8/2017 (Permalink)

The potential is there for mold infestation and eventually, structural damage unless the water gets drained, and the air moisture levels brought down.

Water Damaged Basement

Water in the crawl space under a home usually goes ignored until it goes away. A damp basement also goes ignored until puddles start to form in the low spots and stored property begins to absorb the excess water. Both attitudes can have long-term, adverse effects.

SERVPRO knows that a wet basement or crawl space is more than just an annoyance to a Rexburg home. The potential is there for mold infestation and eventually, structural damage unless the water gets drained, and the air moisture levels brought down to normal levels.

Our technicians can get into most crawl spaces and remove standing water using various types of sump pumps. In small spaces, they can push in lengths of hose to efficiently draw water out as well. Basements are drained of standing water in just a few hours using one of the portable pumps or pumping trucks in our equipment inventory.

With the water removed, one of our inspectors checks the air content using special moisture meters. If the humidity is too high, technicians deploy dehumidifiers to lower the moisture percentage in the air. These machines draw as much as 25 gallons of water from the air per day and clear out most basements in two or three days.After we remove the water from your basement and lower the moisture content, we highly recommend two additional services: encapsulate your crawl space and waterproof the cinder block foundation walls.

Encapsulation simply means installing a water vapor barrier. Our technicians use high-quality, polyethylene sheets that are reinforced with a polyester mesh to seal off the floors and walls from bleeding moisture into the crawl space. We secure the sheets in place using two-sided, foundation tape or a polyurethane caulk. Since most crawl spaces have a dirt floor, polyethylene sheets are a very efficient and low-cost method to prevent further moisture intrusion and reduces the risk of mold infestation as well.

Waterproofing the foundation walls serves the same purpose as encapsulation, but is more efficient for basement and areas larger than the normal sized crawl space. Technicians fill all cracks and holes with hydraulic cement to seal them and then apply a waterproof coating of masonry cement to the inside of the basement walls. This coating prevents further water intrusion in most cases. Additional protection is gained by digging around the outside of the foundation walls and applying a thick coating of liquid rubber. This inventory product is designed to waterproof foundations even in extreme situations and provides a dry basement in all but the absolute worst disasters.

SERVPRO of Rexburg / Rigby has decades of experience in Idaho when it comes to keeping your basement dry. We understand that it is essential to the overall support structure of your home and use every skill and equipment item in our inventory to provide a safe environment for you and your family. If you need our help, call today at (208) 356-0263.

Island Park Overflowing Toilet Options for Cleanup

5/2/2017 (Permalink)

Toilet Overflows Causes Water Damage and Needed CleanUp in Island Park

SERVPRO's Experience Mitigates Water Damage Caused by Faulty Toilet Functioning in Island Park


Say water or flood damage and people imagine thunderstorms, water up to the knees and photo albums floating in the basement. In many cases, a small amount of water can cause as much damage depending on the source of the water and what is in it.

An overflowing toilet in an Island Park home can cause hundreds of dollars in damage if it is not taken care of quickly. There is the threat of contaminated water, ruined carpets, and cabinets that need to be dried or replaced. SERVPRO has the experience and tools needed to repair and restore your home of all these issues. If the excess water originated from the holding tank or the water supply line behind the commode, then the water is not initially contaminated and designated as Black Water. Even urine filled water that may backup is typically pathogenically hazardous.

Our first step to deal with contaminated water is to spray all affected areas with a disinfectant as we approach. Spraying begins to kill bacteria and viruses from the moment we start work. Next, we remove any solid matter that has come up through the plumbing. Technicians place it into a hazmat bag or bucket for disposal outside the home.

Now, the contaminated water is pumped out. Since the amount of water from an overflow is usually small, our response team use extractors to draw it out from the floor and carpets. Once they finish, every surface that was exposed is sprayed with a disinfectant and scrubbed.

In the case of contaminated water, we recommend replacement of carpets and carpet pads. It is cost effective to launder small, bathroom or area rugs, but the cost to clean and restore larger carpets is often more than replacing them.

Bathroom cabinets become quickly contaminated as well. The wood can be disinfected and cleaned easily with little cost other than labor. If the water from the toilet has stood for more than a day or two, disinfecting may not be an option, and we recommend replacement of the cabinets and perhaps even the floor trim around the bathroom walls.

What seems like simple repairs or clean-ups can often become much more time-consuming and expensive. If you have a plumbing issue of any type, SERVPRO of Rexburg / Rigby is here to help. Call us today at (208) 356-0263 to get started.

Do Not Waste Your Time Testing - Get Valuable Mold Damage Remediation Services In Island Park Today

4/4/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Can Inspect for Mold Growth in Your Island Park Home, then Remediate

Island Park Mold Service is Readily Completed by SERVPRO


It is one thing to have a mold remediation specialist enter your home to inspect and assess possible damages or mold contamination that exists. It is something else entirely to have a company charge you for mold testing services that make you wait for a response from a testing facility.
 
Any mold found in your Island Park area home should get your direct attention. Mold damage exists because there is a problem, regardless of the kind or amount of mold found, professional services are your best option for getting things under control and returning your home to a clean, safe, secure environment for you and your family to enjoy.
 
It is a waste of your time and money to get the kind of mold found in your home identified. Purchasing a home mold testing kit from your local grocery store, taking a sample, and waiting for results wastes valuable time needed to save the contents and personal belongings caught up in the affected area.
 
In fact, self-testing often leads to disturbing the area and causes additional damages to develop, while also causing you to spread the contamination to other clean areas of your home. SERVPRO can provide you with the equipment necessary to contain the contaminated area and catch or control airborne microscopic spores that take flight once the affected area has been disturbed.
 
Take the opportunity to contact us, SERVPRO can perform these services for you and prevent additional damages from forming. It only takes 24 to 48-hours for mold to contaminate an area of your home. Waiting for testing results from a laboratory often takes up to 72-hours, making the problem far worse by the time you figure out that you need help. Besides, a typically visible mold is a test onto itself.
 
So, avoid making the mistake that some unfortunate homeowners make. Turn to a company with expertly trained mold remediation technicians. SERVPRO offers 24-hour emergency services, technicians who can work when you need them and provide you with any of the services you need to return your home’s indoor air quality and environment to one that you and your family can enjoy without worrying.
 
Contact SERVPRO of Rexburg – Rigby for a fast response to your request for help. We work with your insurance company if you have coverage, manage the entire process, and provide you with the services you deserve. (208) 356-0263

Biohazard Cleanup Services Available For Your Rexburg Area Home

3/27/2017 (Permalink)

There are a variety of scenarios that make it necessary to use trained technicians to provide you with biohazard cleanup services in your home.

Biohazard Cleanup


We all know how cleaning and maintaining our home provides us with the perfect way to protect and extend the life of particular contents. However, when emergency situations occur, not everyone knows how to properly deal with, or even recognize, biohazards that may exist.

There are a variety of scenarios that make it necessary to use expertly trained technicians to provide you with biohazard cleanup services in your Rexburg area home. The possibility of exposure to both biological and chemical contaminants can pose serious health risks to those involved and therefore require trained professionals to handle them correctly. SERVPRO can provide you with fully licensed, expertly trained technicians with years of experience dealing with unhealthy or dangerous situations that develop in a home. Leave the process of returning your property to a safe, healthy environment to professionals qualified to handle biohazardous situations.

If you intend on entering a possibly contaminated area on your own, think again. It just is not worth your personal safety to take the risk. Make sure that you call for assistance and stay out of affected areas while waiting for help to arrive. We are available 24-7 and respond to your initial call as soon as possible to begin restoring your property to a quality pre-damage condition.

SERVPRO cleaning technicians specialize in recovering your home after a sewage backup occurs, or your previous tenant turns out to be more than you bargained for after leaving. There are incidents of accident cleanup, chemical spills, and even hoarding scenes that require professional attention. At SERVPRO we have experience handling these circumstances and more, including accidental suicide or death, homicide, tear gas and other crime scene residues, along with returning homes to a quality condition that someone used as a meth lab.

Any situation in your home that involves blood or other bodily fluids, animal waste or other potentially pathogenic substances, requires proper training and safety precautions to clean, disinfect, and deodorize your home properly. Avoid taking any chances and choose a quality cleanup company to help resolve the situation as quickly as possible.

Need help or have questions? Contact SERVPRO of Rexburg / Rigby for additional information or to obtain the services you deserve to get things under control again. We are here to help (208) 356-0263.

Fire And Flood Damage Affecting The Entire Rexburg Area

3/8/2017 (Permalink)

Fire, Floods, and Natural Disasters Happen. Get Relief for Your Property in Rexburg and Call SERVPRO

A Double Whammy from Flood and Fire Damage Can Count on SERVPRO for Help


What are you going to do when coping with the hazard or disaster in front of you is your only option? Fires and flooding often go hand in hand, requiring you to prepare yourselves and your loved ones for a variety of situations.
 
Homes and businesses of all kinds face a variety of similar issues, in the Rexburg area combating fire and flood damage more often than you might think. Educating yourself and your loved ones on the appropriate steps to take during an emergency is a great start.
 
However, what happens to your property and belongings when you do not take the initial steps to prepare for recovery? Making contact with an IICRC certified professional restoration company, like SERVPRO, can assist you with making the preparations necessary to put a plan in place that can save you and your family a lot of heartache and pain.
 
There are enough fire and flood damage incidents every year that any of your neighbors or friends could be dealing with a situation like this a couple of times every day. This very minute, both homeowners and business owners could be battling electrical fires due to faulty wiring or having kitchen fires that leave smoke damage everywhere.
 
Situations that result in dozens of homes and businesses plagued by harmful soot and soiled residues, or extensive water damage that requires professionally trained technicians to correct the situation the right way.
 
SERVPRO can help resolve damage throughout your property that simply needs a professional touch. We have handled situations where movie theaters were dealing with water heater leaks and used diagnostic and extraction tools at our disposal to locate excess moisture within walls, helping return things to normal and preventing harmful mold issues from developing.
 
SERVPRO technicians also repair major water leaks and floods caused by washing machine failures, water lines bursting in our schools, as well as instances where suppression system lines flood local hotels. Single family homes are typically easily handled by our technicians.
 
All while using technically advanced drying tools and methods to pull moisture out of areas that it does not belong in and putting moisture detection to work. We even use direct drying procedures with air movers and dehumidifiers to force clean, dry air into many locations that are hard to get to on your property.
 
Trust your fire and water damage restoration services to a local company you can trust. SERVPRO of Rexburg - Rigby is ready to help, give us a call today. (208) 356-0263

Black Mold on Walls or Ceilings in Your Driggs Home? Don't Panic!

2/22/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Remediates Mold in Driggs

Call SERVPRO for Driggs Property Mold Remediation


Mold comes in many different colors. Black is one of them. Black mold is sometimes heard about on the news, while other colors of these fungi are left undiscussed. But not all black mold is the toxic black mold that makes headlines.


Homes in Driggs can be damaged by mold of any color, and some can lead to health effects. Black mold seems much more threatening though it does not produce mycotoxins much different from other species.


Any mold, regardless of color, can cause health effects in people. Some people are more sensitive to the various elements of molds found in their home. Sometimes, the health effects experienced are heightened because of the increased humidity that allowed large colonies of mold to proliferate. SERVPRO does not just remediate black mold. We help homeowners by setting up dehumidification systems that can mitigate mold growth, thus, helping to alleviate these health effects.

Several different government agencies have information, backed by some extensive scientific study, about mold. What we have learned is that the facts are vastly different from what many people believe about mold of any type. The media, often to gain higher ratings, often use sensationalized stories in the news and also in much different 'based on real life' dramas. The scientific findings, though, have resulted in a much less dramatic picture of mold, including black mold, and their dangers. We at SERVPRO want to calm any fears you may have about black mold.

Part of the belief regarding black mold as being more harmful than mold of other colors could also stem from a common misconception. Many people view things of a dark or black color as more sinister than its equivalent of another color. This stereotype holds true for good guy vs. bad guy scenarios, felines, magic, and many other things. We even categorize highly contaminated water from sewage or storms as "Black Water."

The CDC has stated that “the term 'toxic mold' is not accurate.” Any mold in and of itself, of any color, is not toxic. Any toxicity comes from what is produced by certain types of mold, called a mycotoxin. There are only a few strains of mold that produce mycotoxins, and one, Stachybotrys chartarum, also known as Stachybotrys atra, happens to be black in color.

Stachybotrys is the strain of mold that has many people nervous and ready to vacate their home when found. Leaving your home is not the right reaction. Not all is lost, and your family will not automatically begin to have life-threatening illnesses because of exposure to this or any other type of mold. SERVPRO has helped many families regain control of their homes, so they never had to leave. From initial inspection through containment and remediation, rely on us to resolve your mold infestation.

There are over a thousand varieties of mold in the USA alone, which is a fraction of the number of mold types worldwide. This microbe lives everywhere on the planet, including indoor areas, and also those outdoors. Mold not only looks unsightly but can eat at the cellulose found in so many materials that we use and possess. Our daily activities often involve items that are plant-based and therefore susceptible to damage from mold infestation.

Black mold can be controlled and infestations treated in the same manner that mold contamination of any other color is controlled and treated. SERVPRO of Rexburg / Rigby knows just how to take your nightmarish discovery and get everything back under control for you. If you are worried you may have black mold, call us at (208) 356-0263.

Commercial Water Extraction for Island Park Businessess

2/8/2017 (Permalink)

Island Park Water Intrusion to a Print Shop Can Cause Damage

Island Park Damage Is Often Caused by Wall, Call SERVPRO


Once water damage has struck your business, the first action is to remove it immediately. Standing water can permanently destroy carpets, floors, and walls if not dealt with quickly. In many situations, though, that is not enough.


Water extraction, especially in commercial structures is a needed procedure for many Island Park businesses. It is this process that removes water from carpets to keep bubbles from forming underneath, stop glue from dissolving and prevent mold from expanding and growing. SERVPRO has the equipment and experience to stop all of this and more.

For print shops and other businesses that deal in paper products, this process is also necessary to reduce the overall levels of moisture in the air. Although paper quickly falls apart when exposed to water, reducing the humidity inside the structure saves items that are not otherwise damaged.

To do this, our technicians use air movers, dehumidifiers, exhaust fans and specially designed heaters. The dehumidifiers extract water directly from the surrounding atmosphere, which prevents it from damaging finished product and stock items. Air movers and exhaust fans draw air from a single location and circulate it throughout the facility and eventually to the outside. Circulation helps the dehumidifiers perform more efficiently as moisture is removed with the air away from paper stocks as well as the floors and walls of the structure.

The commercial grade heaters can be set to safely raise the temperature in a variety of spaces from a small stockroom to a large showroom or customer service area. Besides the reduction in physical damage to stocks and finished products, this combination of equipment to lower the moisture levels also stops mold growth.

As these machines are set up, other team members work with the business owners to examine which damaged property needs removal. Everything that has been underwater typically must be thrown out. Water is absorbed quickly, and even a stack of paper and other product can be useless in a matter of hours once covered with water.

Pulling standing water out of a structure takes care of many issues when it comes to restoration. It does not stop all problems, though, and further actions are needed. SERVPRO of Rexburg / Rigby has the experience and equipment to completely remove and dry your business to reopen for your customers. Call us today at (208) 356-0263 to get started.

Proper Asbestos Testing and Abatement Required In Rigby Homes

1/21/2017 (Permalink)

Rely on SERVPRO for Asbestos Testing and Abatement in RIgby

Asbestos Abatement Is a Technical and Tightly Regulated Professional Service for the Safety of Workers and Residents

Whether you have had a recent flood, fire, mold issue, or storm damage, you may also discover that your home is one of those that contain asbestos materials used during original construction. You will need your property tested for asbestos before any renovation, or demolition can occur.
 
It does not just affect older buildings; there are thousands of different building materials used today that contain asbestos, your Rigby home is no different. Asbestos testing helps prevent exposure to airborne particles that pose potential health concerns and must be performed by a certified inspector. You have probably seen class action lawsuit advertising for mesothelioma, often caused by asbestos exposure.
 
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, mined for its unique properties, which make it ideal for use in fireproofing materials, electrical & thermal insulation, or as an additive used to enhance the strength of other materials. The natural abundance of the material made it very accessible for use before 1978 until the possible health effects became known and regulations were set to minimize exposure.
 
Today, there are several OSHA and EPA regulations concerning the handling and disposal of asbestos that are strictly enforced to protect the safety and health of workers and residents during and after construction. Requirements are in place to inspect your property for the presence of asbestos before work begins if there is even a hint of its presence. The first test is typically a visual one. Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) can identify if a fibrous specimen is indeed asbestos.
 
During SERVPRO's fire or water damage restoration process, we perform several action steps that could expose workers if asbestos-containing materials exist.
 
Water Migration Inspection - Uses pin style moisture meters that penetrate several types of materials to determine how far the water has migrated into your building.
 
Smoke Residue Inspection - The process includes rubbing a dry sponge across smoke damaged materials, for testing how much soot is removable.
 
SERVPRO technicians would have a high chance for asbestos exposure while removing any wet or damaged construction materials, boarding up a structure, cleaning smoke residues, performing move-outs, or even providing quality airflow procedures to dry an affected area properly. Full HAZMAT suits, respirators, boots, and goggles are some of the equipment to protect the workers from this carcinogenic mineral.
 
Materials such as textured ceilings or walls, pipe or tank insulation, ceiling tiles, flooring, sheetrock, or cement siding, all may contain asbestos and must be removed by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor. The asbestos fibers are renowned for gluing down vinyl flooring, always a large source of asbestos in homes built before 1978.
 
While SERVPRO offers many quality services, our primary concern is your safety and the safety of our workers performing your restoration.
 
Contact SERVPRO of Rexburg - Rigby today for assistance. (208) 356-0263

Commercial Crime Scene Cleanup in Rexburg

1/10/2017 (Permalink)

Trust SERVPRO

SERVPRO Has Advanced Training in Crime Scene Cleanup

When you own a business, the last thing you would want to deal with, or even think of, is some sort of crime scene happening on your property. However, sometimes the unthinkable does happen. If you own a movie theater, hotel, church, restaurant or any other location and a mass trauma occurs in your building, there will be many things going through your mind and the building itself including police officers, sirens, ambulance, forensic investigators, distraught workers and terrified people, leaving you at a loss of what to do. At SERVPRO, we can help you. We deal with all different kinds of traumas, and our team of supportive staff can help guide you and your business back to a normal path of operations.

A very important aspect of taking care of a commercial crime scene is cleanup. This isn’t cleanup that any of your Rexburg workers should be doing. It is doubtful they would be quite the same after seeing the scene, both physically and mentally. A mass trauma with signs of struggle and blood shouldn’t be seen by people as much as you can help it, as it will only do harm. Contact our professional team at SERVPRO instead. We will clean up all the body fluids, blood and any other remnants of the trauma to make the location safe and clean once again. Our team members are IICRC certified and receive intensive ECTP, Employee Certification Training Program supplemental education. Even though many might be shaken up after what happened, you can make sure that there is no remaining danger once the criminals are caught, and the chaos has calmed down.

If you have contacted our SERVPRO team because of a recent trauma at your company, we won’t try to understand what you are going through, but we can offer some comfort by cleaning up the area in disarray as soon as possible. We are experienced, professional, and certified, and once our cleanup process is completed, and before we leave, we will give you a certificate which guarantees the safety of the trauma-stricken area. These things can be quite unforgettable, and we’d like to assist you in getting through it. Do not even consider cleaning it yourself, as we are here anytime that you need and we’ll take care of all the cleanup ourselves with our professional equipment and cleaners.

Give SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby a call if your commercial building has suffered a trauma. We are a biohazard and crime scene cleanup remediation company and will come and do the cleanup that is required after a crime or an accident. We’ll clean up, remove biohazards, sanitize and restore your property to its original state when you give us a call at (208) 356-0263.

Flooded Basement in Ashton Needs Quick Water Extraction

12/20/2016 (Permalink)

Ashton Flooding and Electricity Are a Dangerous Combination

Call on SERVPRO to Dry Out Your Basement and Home

Flooding happens here in Idaho every winter. In addition to the usual reasons such as a backed-up septic tank or a washing machine line splitting, the freezing weather can block a line or even cause one to break. Water lines in basements are particularly vulnerable.

As a locally owned franchise, SERVPRO knows exactly how damaging a flooded basement can be to an Ashton home. Our response team members are your neighbors and concerned about the same things. Once you call us in, we'll arrive in less than a matter of hours to help you put your home back to its pre-loss condition if at all possible.

Getting us in quickly is important. Even just the standing water from a broken water heater can rapidly destroy paneling, drywall, and carpeting as well as stored personal property.  Once our team is on the job, they will set up a pump to remove the water. If needed, our technicians will also bring a generator or run the pump off of one of our generator trucks for uninterrupted electrical support until they' re finished. We will transport to your job site whatever types of sump pumps and drying devices are required for a return to normalcy.

With the water out, our team will remove any property that may need to be dried out or require some minor restoration. Depending on how much there is, they will move it to another room in the home, remove to our facility as a Pack-Out for restoration or place it in storage for you.
Next, technicians will use water extractors to draw water from carpets and upholstered furniture. At the same time, dehumidifiers will be set up to draw water from the air, lowering the moisture to normal levels. The time needed for thorough drying and verification depend upon the severity of the damage. These actions serve not just to restore the property, but also help prevent the growth of mold in the basement and on possessions stored there. Although the colder weather helps to slow mold growth, it does not stop it.

There's a lot of cold temperatures and snow in this week's forecast. If you have a problem with water in your basement, call us today at (208) 356-0263 to start clearing it out. This is also a good time to call us for an inspection to prevent problems. SERVPRO of Rexburg / Rigby is here to keep you in a safe, dry home this winter and throughout the year.

Why Testing for Asbestos Before Making Commercial Renovations to Your Diggs Property is Prudent

12/12/2016 (Permalink)

Asbestos Abatement Is Safely Handled By SERVPRO for Your Diggs Business

SERVPRO Is a Qualified Asbestos Abatement Service Provider

Although asbestos is for the most part no longer used in construction and manufacturing, many buildings today still retain traces or even large quantities of asbestos. Particularly in older buildings, testing for and identifying this asbestos is an important job, but one that is unfortunately neglected by many business owners. Failing to test for asbestos when making renovations or restorations to a building can cause long-term negative health effects for restoration professionals, customers, and even yourself, creating a legal and financial disaster large enough to ruin most businesses. There are specific Federal regulations mandated by the EPA regarding renovating buildings, and asbestos abatement. SERVPRO provides certified asbestos testing to ensure the safety of our technicians and your customers alike.

Legal Reasons
Commercial asbestos testing for Driggs businesses is not only advisable for practical reasons, but also for legal ones. Failing to test for asbestos can lead to steep fines and regulatory penalties, regardless of whether or not the substance is present. OSHA has explicit guidelines in place regarding demolition or renovations of commercial structures, especially schools, and other municipal buildings. Furthermore, if a customer or employee gets sick as a result of untested asbestos, you may be at risk of a costly and difficult lawsuit. Federal and state authorities alike take this process seriously, which is why it is always recommended to hire a certified company like SERVPRO to complete the task.
 
Health Reasons
In addition to laws on the subject, testing for asbestos should be a major consideration for your health. Asbestos can cause many negative health effects, some of which can shorten your lifespan or lead to long-term illness. Asbestos is a known carcinogen.The longer you are exposed to it, the more likely many of these side effects are to manifest, meaning that valued employees and regular customers may also be at risk. Just as the removal of mold growth can help to avoid a medical emergency in your business, so too can asbestos testing prevent a host of serious medical issues.
 
SERVPRO of Rexburg / Rigby is certified in asbestos testing and guarantees a fast and efficient process for your business. Call us at (208) 356-0263 for our services or a quote.

Battling Frozen Pipes In Rexburg

11/19/2016 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO to Help Storm Damaged Frozen Pipes in Your Rexburg Property

SERVPRO Tips and Assistance for Winter Induced Plumbing Problems

It takes a lot to protect your home or commercial property from frozen pipes occurring during the winter months. You would need to have access to proper equipment, knowledge, and experience to tackle everything that needs doing. How many of you are laborers, plumbers, and carpenters all rolled into one? Do you even know what to do to protect your home?

Our professionally trained technicians can handle storm related frozen pipes in Rexburg. Doing this type of repair or preparation yourself could cause far more damage than if you wouldn't have done anything at all; call our offices today to get the expert assistance that you deserve.
 
SERVPRO is here to help you prevent frozen pipes from ever happening and is there for those of you who don't head this advice to prepare your home in advance. Preparing your home for the winter takes a little work. Water hardens and expands when it freezes, putting pressure on whatever is containing it. Regardless of the type of material, your container consists of; it will crack or break due to expansion during severe weather if you don't take the proper steps to protect it.
 
Our SERVPRO technicians check your outside hoses, swimming pool lines, water sprinkler system and water supply lines that get installed in open, unheated, areas such as your garage, kitchen cabinets, attics, basements and other crawl spaces throughout the home. These pipes are likely to have little to no insulation on them, and it makes them prone to freezing.
 
SERVPRO also highly recommends that you drain all of the water from your swimming pools, water sprinkler systems, and outdoor hoses before cold weather hits; you might end up with far more trouble than you wanted if you don't. It would also be beneficial to shut off inside valves that supply water to the external devices and leave any faucets open to prevent damage from expansion.
 
There are ways to properly install insulation on these exposed pipes that will assist them in preventing damage. With heat tape and cabling available to resist freezing on exterior faucets and piping as well.
 
Make sure that you keep your garage doors closed as much as possible, open your cabinets in your kitchen and bathroom storage areas to allow heat to enter and always maintain a constant temperature in your home, whether you are there or not.
 
We can assist you with your cold weather preparation. Call SERVPRO of Rexburg - Rigby today. (208) 356-0263

Mold Inspection And Mold Restoration Process In Driggs

11/10/2016 (Permalink)

Mold requires a higher than normal level of moisture and a food source to expand and grow.

Mold Inspection

Mold requires a higher than normal level of moisture and a food source to expand and grow. When that does happen, the process to clean it out is not simple. It's not enough to just spray bleach on visible mold and then paint over it.

If you need us to perform a mold inspection in your Driggs home, SERVPRO will send in its inspectors for a complete check regardless of the amount of mold or how far it may have spread. It is part of the plan we develop based on five principles to contain, treat and document the mold restoration process.

One - Provide for the health and safety of you and our employees. Our safety practices ensure that occupants are secure in the uncontaminated areas of a home and that our staff's health is protected in the contaminated work site.

Two - Document the conditions and processes used. Our technicians record the conditions throughout your home. This includes not just the mold infestation, but the amount of moisture present as well.

Three - Control the mold contamination at the source. Mold has to be kept from spreading to unaffected areas while cleaning and restoration are in progress. As an example, we place heavy plastic sheeting to seal off entrances and other openings to the affected area.

Four - Remove the contamination. This is accomplished using two methods: cleaning and removal. Mold can be removed using cleaners and special vacuums designed for the purpose. If the mold has begun damaging building materials such as drywall, it will have to be removed from the affected area and disposed of properly.
 
Five - Reduce moisture levels. This is how to prevent mold from returning. If the moisture isn't dealt with, a single mold spore can start the whole problem all over again. Our technicians use dehumidifiers and exhaust fans to reduce moisture levels to a point appropriate for your home.

If you have mold or simply suspect there may be contamination in your home, contact us at (208) 356-0263 to schedule an inspection. SERVPRO of Rexburg / Rigby is ready to help our fellow Idahoans put their homes and lives back to normal.

Concerns About Asbestos Removal In Rigby

10/21/2016 (Permalink)

Rely on SERVPRO for Asbestos Abatement in Your Rigby Home

For Your Rigby Property, SERVPRO Can Ensure Asbestos Abatement

When your home has been damaged by water, worries intensify if the structure includes materials containing asbestos. Many popular materials used to build, remodel and repair homes, particularly before the 1970s, may be manufactured with asbestos integral within the items or as a fire resistant coating. The long fibers of asbestos are a potential health hazard when airborne; SERVPRO technicians assess the possibility of exposure to this substance at every step in the process of fire and water restoration.

Some of the services we provide while inspecting and planning may have a low risk of spreading asbestos in Rigby while others may raise serious concerns of significant movement of the fibers throughout your home environment. We are trained to follow federal protocols when dealing with asbestos and will partner with specially licensed asbestos abatement contractors if cleaning, drying or removal of damaged materials pose a hazard under the law.
 
Flooding, rain, and storms can bring significant moisture into the ceilings, walls, and flooring of your home. These items, as well as the insulation and ductwork that keep your home's interior comfortable frequently, contain asbestos. The adhesives holding tiles to a subfloor as well as roofing materials and window putties and glazing that may have tumbled into your home after a storm or other disaster also pose an asbestos risk. If the structural components are so water damaged that they cannot be restored it is possible that asbestos removal will be required and we are expert at arranging for this to be done safely so that the process of repairing your home can continue. Discovering that your water damage has now led to potential asbestos contamination is very stressful for you, the homeowner, and we are committed to guiding and supporting you at this difficult time.
 
As we work together on your water restoration process, the goal will be to ensure that the finished product brings your home back to its pre-loss condition without exposing you or your family to hidden risks because of asbestos on the premises. SERVPRO can handle the complexities of water damage that evolve into an asbestos abatement action while always focusing on restoring both your home and your peace of mind. After the asbestos is gone our staff will use experience and industry standards to bring your house back better than before, water damage remediated and a previously unknown hazard removed. "Like it never even happened."
 
When the unexpected is complicated by preexisting risks like asbestos SERVPRO of Rexburg / Rigby stands ready to help with your water damage restoration and other important services. Call us at (208) 356-0263 24/7 to set your complete recovery from disaster in motion.

Water Damage in a Basement Requires Professional Restoration

10/8/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Dries Out a Water Damaged Basement in Island Park

Wet Basement Is Restored By SERVPRO

Torrential rains over a period of several days can saturate the ground so thoroughly that even a typically sound basement experiences flooding. Standing water in your lower level can be a real problem if you have no sump pump system in place, but SERVPRO has the equipment and the expertise to remove the water and dry the flooring and structure to prevent secondary damage. Whether you use your basement for living areas, storage or mechanical systems like your water heater and furnace, or some combination, water and moisture excessive must be managed swiftly. If the water has seeped in because of rain, it may not contain a lot of contaminants. Removing gray water fast avoids the risk of more aggressive contamination and often permits water logged flooring and possessions to be restored rather than removed and discarded.
 
A wet basement causing water damage in Island Park can be dried out in a straightforward manner if our technicians are on the job within the first hours after the water began to collect inside. Depending on the amount of water in the basement we will use submersible pumps or extractors to remove it. Our attention will then move to any residual moisture that may be trapped in flooring, floor coverings or the walls. As basements usually have concrete floors, we will use air movers and dehumidifiers to pull moisture out. Tiles or carpeting will be assessed as to whether they can be dried in place, off-site or need to be removed and replaced.
 
SERVPRO staff will also take care to evaluate the condition of any heating systems and appliances in the basement because of the risk of electrical shock or the leaking of fuel into the flood water. We will also inspect the walls, particularly the cinder block that often comprises the outer dimensions of the basement. Using specialized moisture probes our technicians will determine if extra actions are needed to release water trapped in the cinder blocks. Holes may be drilled in grout joints to move water out, and our team will also be looking for insulation or vapor barriers that may complicate the complete drying of cinder block construction. Establishing a free air flow over and through the wet areas of the basement is the key to safe restoration.
 
SERVPRO of Rexburg / Rigby is proud to be the water damage restoration company people rely upon. If your home or vacation-get- away suffers a wet basement call (208) 356-0263 any time of the day or night to schedule our team to inspect and advise on how to get the water out.

Damages to Expect from an Overflowing Toilet

9/26/2016 (Permalink)

Overflowing toilets can cause mild to moderate flooding damage, can infect surfaces all over the environment, and lead to more problems down the road.

What Damages to Expect from a Toilet Overflow

We deal with many types of water damage in the field, and although most people think of our damage services for violent and destructive events like fires and floods, a large number of our calls actually come from less violent but still troublesome problems, such as an overflowing toilet. Overflowing toilets can cause mild to moderate flooding damage, can infect surfaces all over the environment, and lead to many more problems down the road. Don't be afraid to call us for an overflowing toilet; left untreated, these can turn into much bigger disasters for your home.

Sanitary Concerns

One of the most important concerns we address when dealing with an overflowing toilet in Rexburg is sanitation. Toilets contain contaminants and microbes that could cause ill health effects, and must be treated with caution. Anywhere the waters flow over must also be sanitized thoroughly, and we must continue to check for mold growth even after the area has dried. Never attempt to clean up or dry out the waters yourself, as they may be hazardous to your health.

Water Damage

The main form of damage from an overflowing toilet typically comes in various types of water damage, most often flooding. Common issues include warped flooring materials, stained fabrics, and walls, leaks into spaces between walls and floorboards, and various degrees of damage to furniture and objects. Our SERVPRO technicians carry a diverse and well put-together set of equipment, and can deal with just about anything along these lines.

Plumbing and Pipe Replacement

Of course, whatever caused the water damage issue must be repaired, and this often means replacement of pipes and plumbing inside of the toilet. We work with you to help make sure repairs get done right, and source materials from only the best providers and contractors.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

SERVPRO of Rexburg / Rigby is well equipped and ready to handle any toilet, sink, or bathroom fixture overflow, with heavy-duty industrial grade equipment available for every job as needed. Just call us today at (208) 356-0263 so we can get to work on repairing and restoring your home.

A Residential Grease Fire Starts in the Kitchen

9/21/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Tip: Be Careful with Grease Fires in Your Rigby Kitchen

Call SERVPRO For ALL Your Fire Damage Restoration Needs

Grease fires and stove top fires in residential homes are the leading cause of house fires and burns. Grease fires start when oil or fat are left unattended on the stove. They are highly flammable liquids that quickly overheat, ignite, burn and spread out. Cooking fires that ignite shoot upwards, while splashing and burning as the flames are spread to walls, cabinets and nearby appliances and materials. A grease fire can rapidly get out of control leading to the leveling of an entire house.

A residential grease fire in Rigby requires a plan of action. The more you know, the less property will be lost and you remain safe also. First, every home should have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen area and keep it fully charged. Your local fire department can help you refill or recharge it. Every home should also have installed smoke alarms and remember to change the batteries twice a year.
 
As stressful as a grease fire that erupts can be, try to keep your head to remain safe and keep your family safe by following these steps:
 
• If the fire starts in a pan, carefully place a lid over it to smother flames. Turn the stove off.

• If the fire spreads outside the pan, cover as much of the pan as you can. Evacuate the house and call for help.

• don't spray your fire extinguisher directly on a grease fire because its forced spray will splatter the oil unless you have the proper extinguisher.

• do not put out a stove fire with water because it further splashes the flames and can cause an explosive action.

• do not use flour or sugar to smother a stove fire because their chemical makeup makes them very explosive and volatile.

• if your clothes catch fire, the saying is to Stop, Drop, and Roll.

• Baking soda is often considered to smother a grease fire. Yes, I know from experience that if you quickly pour a lot on the fire, it will extinguish the fire.

• Turn on the exhaust fan, but not during a fire, only after the fire is out to clear the smoke. Do not turn on the HVAC system or circulate interior air by using ceiling fans. The unwanted smoke may cause more damage than the flames to previously unaffected items and ruin the indoor air quality.
 
Whether your home was scorched or heavily damaged, SERVPRO is ready and available to help. When a small grease fire singes your walls or cabinets, don't try to take care of things yourself, contact us for an assessment. Our fire restoration process involves a thorough inspection for damages caused by the fire, smoke, and soot.
 
If water was used to put out a fire or the chemical from a fire extinguisher was used, we could remove the residue, followed by cleaning and sanitizing all surfaces. We can also provide an immediate board up and roof tarp service if needed.
 
SERVPRO of Rexburg / Rigby is your local go-to company for all your mold, water, or fire damaging occurrence to your property. Call us at (208) 356-0263 and let us get you back to pre-fire condition "Like it never even happened."

Steps You Can Take After Basement Flooding

8/7/2016 (Permalink)

Flooding Can Be Devastating - Call SERVPRO if you are dealing with flooding in your home or business!

SERVPRO Technicians are Certified to Remediate Flood Damage

Flooding is a serious matter, and can carry a number of risks not only to your home but also to your personal health. Whenever you're dealing with massive floodwaters, always make sure to confer with SERVPRO representatives on what you should and should not do to protect yourself. Make sure above all that you don't enter any deep water, or use any electronics in the home. Our technicians will handle most of the cleanup and restoration work on their own, but before they arrive on-scene there are a few things you can do to help out.
 
Hang Wet Fabrics, Furs, and Leather
 
Whenever you're dealing with a flooded basement in Island Park, you should, if possible, remove any fabrics, furs, and leather in the area. Hang them up to dry, preferably in sunshine or near a heat source. Don't try to use a hair dryer or other appliance to dry them. This is essential in preventing mold growth on potentially valuable items.

Wipe and Mop Up Excess Water
 
If you don't have thick floodwaters remaining in the area, chances are there is still excess water on surfaces and floors. If you can, mop and wipe these up, but be careful to wear gloves and boots while doing so. If the water has a consistent depth and requires pumping, leave it to us and don't risk yourself by wading in.
 
Remove Art and Books
 
Take any paper books or pieces of art in the area and move them to a dry area. These are easily lost in a flood, and may be time-consuming or costly to restore if they take on water. This also goes for loose items in general, but items perishable in water should be prioritized.
 
Turn on the A/C (in Summer)
 
If the flood strikes during the warmer months of the year, turning on the air conditioning in your home helps to start and quicken the drying process. We use heavy equipment to dry the room regardless, but cooler temperatures and faster airflow are always helpful.
 
Remove Cushions, Pillows, etc.
 
Removing cushions and pillows from furniture helps to expose more of their surface to the air, and thus helps them to dry faster. In addition, try to place metal foil or wood blocks between the legs of your furniture and wet carpets.
 
SERVPRO of Rexburg / Rigby has dealt with dozens of cases of basement flooding, and has trained technicians ready to respond fast to your emergency. Call us 24/7 for services at (208) 356-0263.

Fire Damage and Your Home

7/21/2016 (Permalink)

Two Story Home That Sustained Fire Damage

Let SERVPRO Get Your House Back To Clean and Healthy After Fire Damage

Romantic moments fill many couples' special time together, but sadly, they can sometimes take a turn for the worse. Candles and colored panels of fabric laid over end table lamps can start fires quickly when they aren't closely supervised (which can be difficult to do when your attention is focused elsewhere during romance). If a fire starts, it will not only ruin your mood, but it will also cause damage to the area it was located.

In Ashton and the surrounding areas, fire damage can be quickly repaired by our professionals. This will help get you and yours back to normal living quickly, and keep your home protected. We know how important your home's sanctity is, and will work with you to repair things to the point where the damage is completely eliminated. Leaving your home “Like it never even happened” is our trademark, and also our goal. We want you to know that even small fires can cause severe damage to walls, ceilings, and the flooring, as well as to surrounding items in your home. We have the knowledge and skills to eliminate the damage professionally and discretely.

Bedrooms are well known to contain a myriad of different substances, from natural fabric clothing to synthetics that produce toxic fumes when exposed to heat. Many of these synthetic fabrics will also melt before they burn, creating a thick smoke in a very short period of time. Because you spend a third of your time sleeping in your bedroom, it's very important to your health that the damage is completely eliminated. Soot contains particles that can cause respiratory problems. These same particles also are what produces the smoke odor that lingers long after a fire, no matter the size, is put out.

We have the equipment and the training to return your bedroom to its formally healthy state, and let you have a good night's rest again. Not only do we have specialized cleaning techniques that are IICRC approved, but we also use equipment that produces ozone, or O3. While ozone exists in the atmosphere naturally, we can produce it in concentrated amounts. This gas is an irritant, so you should not breathe this in, but it quickly dissipates after the machinery is turned off. While in operation, though, the gas permeates porous and semi-porous materials, removing the last traces of soot. What remains behind is a boost of oxygen, and a cleaner, fresher scent that is natural, and reminiscent of the air after a rainfall in the spring.

You can reach our expert professionals by calling SERVPRO of Rexburg / Rigby at (208) 356-0263. Open 24/7, we are always available to not only take your call, but we will also respond with the fastest possible service to your emergency. We want you to be happy, safe, and secure in your home.

Professional Service for Water Damage to Limit Loss

6/9/2016 (Permalink)

A Water Drip Can Lead to Water Damage in Your Jackson Home. SERVPRO Says Check for Leaks.

Contact Us Today for Jackson Water Damage Cleanup

If you are dealing with the serious after effects of water damage in Jackson, you may be wondering if your home is worth saving. Keep your chin up. Water damage can wreak serious havoc on a building and render it unsafe for human habitation in a very short period. Whether the damage is due to flooding, sewage system malfunction, a burst frozen water pipe, or a badly behaving appliance, the result is the same: a mess that needs cleaning in a hurry before damages multiply and mold growth takes over and affects the integrity of the building.

Dealing Proactively With Water Damage in Jackson
Once the damage has occurred, the fastest way to remove excess water is to rely upon the services of a local restoration company like SERVPRO that can get to the site quickly and begin a fast water extraction program. We have industrial grade pumps, wet-vacs, and even mops and buckets to remove the bulk of the standing water.

The sooner you get your emergency taken care of, the better. Every hour that goes by is an hour during which your family is out of their home in the case of major flooding or severe sewage blockage. A locally owned and operated water damage restoration company can help mitigate the losses and get you back into a safe home environment.

A Full Program of Property Restoration
Once you contact us, we can begin a full program of property restoration. First, an immediate inspection and assessment of the damage and adjacent areas and then an estimate of the costs involved recovery are given to you. If you agree to the service, the professionals will then extract all of the remaining water in the building, checking especially for voids where water can go without being detected in most cleanup efforts. Our IICRC certified experts can make sure the building is completely dry.  The use of moisture meters, infrared cameras and hygrometers enhance our ability to guarantee dryness.

When all of the excess water and any mold growth is remediated from the building, our technicians will then take care of secondary concerns, such as removing any nasty stains or blemishes left over from the accident. The professionals will clean and restore any furniture or other implements that water has damaged. A full check will be performed to make sure your building has not sustained any structural damage.

Expert Cleanup and Restoration Services for Water Damage in Jackson
When you need prompt and efficient service for water damage in Jackson, SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby is here for you. We also serve clients in nearby areas, such as Victor, Ashton, St. Anthony, and Sugar City. Call us at (208) 356-0263

For Immediate Service in Rexburg or Rigby, Call SERVPRO

5/17/2016 (Permalink)

Rexburg/Rigby: We provide immediate service day or night!

SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster in Rexburg and Rigby. 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 (IICRC)

·         A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry

·         Locally Owned and Operated

·         Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment 

Have Questions? Call Us 24/7 – (208) 356-0263

Residential Services

Whether your Rexburg or Rigby 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 Rexburg or Rigby 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

·         Commercial Water Damage Restoration

·         Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

Jackson Fire Damage - Measures Against Fire Damage in Jackson

5/11/2016 (Permalink)

Fire damage in Jackson can be a challenging and lengthy process.

Measures Against Jackson Fire Damage

Safeguarding against fire damage in Jackson can be a challenging and lengthy task, but will pay off in the end with every valuable and product saved by your measures. You don't have to lose everything in a large fire -- or even much at all -- so long as significant measures are taken against future fires. Here are some tips towards reducing the damage fire can do to your home or business.
 
Keep Valuables in a Safe
If you have prized documents or items that are susceptible to fire damage and can't live without them, investing several hundred dollars in a large, sealed, full metal safe may be an excellent solution. Fire can't really burn through solid metal, and so long as the container is sealed, there will also be little oxygen contained within to ignite on its own. Purchasing and maintaining a safe for your valuables can be an excellent investment, as well as good protection against burglaries and other types of natural disasters. A combination lock safe may be the best choice so that the key can not be misplaced.

Minimize the Use of Wooden Cabinets
Wooden cabinets and containers are often the most abundant in a home or business. They are cheap, sturdy, and aesthetically pleasing, and so end up being quite popular. Simply put, these wooden containers are highly flammable, and will all but guarantee the complete destruction of contents within in the event of a fire. Minimize the use of these cabinets, and never keep other important flammable objects or materials within them. The potential for loss is just too great. Luckily, metal and even stone cabinets have become architecturally viable in many homes, so making this transition may be easier than you think.
 
Don't Pack Things Together
Cluttered, packed homes are often the worst hit by fires. High concentration of flammable materials in one area can lead to large and engulfing flames, hastening and worsening the fire damage of a home or business. Minimizing clutter, trash, and disorganized items and spaces go a long way towards fixing these issues. If you find this to be a prominent issue in your business, there may be even more reasons to reduce the clutter, such as conformity to fire codes and pleasing aesthetics for customers and workers. Keep the clutter down, and you can only improve your home or business' safety against fires.
 
If you've endured any sort of fire damage recently and are in need of restoration services or advice, please do not hesitate to contact SERVPRO of Rexburg / Rigby at (208) 356-0263.

Rigby Fire Damage--What Should You Do?

4/6/2016 (Permalink)

Rigby Fire Prevention Tool is a Simple Smoke Detector

SERVPRO Restores Fire Damaged Homes in Rigby

Rigby fire damage has attacked your home. You watched as the many things you have accumulated are burned up in flames. The fire department has been there, and they are now rolling up their hoses, what to do next? The fire department has declared the house uninhabitable until brought back up to health and building codes. The electricity is off, and all services such as gas and water have also been turned off. That, of course, creates more confusion as to what comes next.  One of the things you should not do is to go in and start some kind of clean up, in this unsafe environment.

Call your insurance agent to dispatch an adjuster to initiate the fire damage restoration process. Ask your agent to provide an experienced fire damage restoration company to start the rehab of your Rigby home. A program developed by a fire and water restoration company like SERVPRO will assess and inspect the structure and provide a list of items worth saving and those that are non-salvageable. The final decisions are made by you and your adjuster. This company also offers help with your claim and paperwork to lessen your stress and assist in ensuring a fair restitution.

Fire is one thing. It brings with it burned or burned up materials, furniture, walls, ceilings and it deposits such elements as soot, often greasy, and smoke that permeates everything. The soot and smoke damaging deposits are a priority for clean up. Air circulation must be minimized, HVAC units turned off, to prevent the cross contamination of smoke and oily soot. The technicians clean thoroughly all surfaces, coated with soot or smoke residue, with special dry sponges to reduce smearing and streaking.

There is a significant amount of water and fire damage. The extraction of water, as well as anything damaged by the fire, needs rapid action.

SERVPRO conducts the inspection necessary to locate all of the fire and the water damaged materials. Many of these items need to be removed, such as scorched and waterlogged drywall, other structural elements, and furniture, to a degree that it is no longer capable of being useful. Water can be behind some of those walls and might provide a condition for mold growth.

If your Rigby home has been in a fire and you do not want any of these headaches, call SERVPRO of Rexburg / Rigby. The skilled experts can restore your fire damaged home to its pre-loss condition "Like it never even happened." Just call (208) 356-0263.

Ririe Mold Remediation--Professionals Are Your Best Defense

4/4/2016 (Permalink)

Mold on Bread--Throw It Out Mold in Your Ririe Residence--Call SERVPRO

SERVPRO Can Safely Restore Your Ririe Residence with Mold Remediation

Ririe mold remediation should always be considered as a matter left to the professionals. These fungi develop into large colonies from mold spores which are in nature all around you. Spores are in virtually every household, lying dormant, waiting for the right conditions to start a bloom. Mold removal and remediation from your Ririe home should be looked into quickly when discovered.

This mold can take over large areas if allowed to remain after it has been detected. Contrary to popular lure, mold species, there being thousands, are not often harmful to humans or animals. They can cause negative health effects, but usually in the old, the very young, and individuals with immune system disorders. Some people are sensitive to the allergens and mycotoxins which can be produced by mold colonies. 

Mold requires three factors to flourish into colonies: a food source which may be cellulose products like wood, and most other organic laced products around the home. Also, a fair amount of moisture, and shaded cool areas away from direct sunlight. This means that the only indicator you may have is a musty odor coming from a closet or the basement if not a crawlspace. One of the reasons you may be getting molds, now, after all of this time, is that you may have had a leaking faucet or pipe, somewhere in your house. That leaking pipe, appliance or water heater could be the cause for activating any mold spores you do have, and this is the time that growth gets started.  A call to a mold remediation company like SERVPRO is a wise decision to make. An infestation takes 48-72 hours to start to gain steam. It Can then grow at a good rate, especially in dark, undetected voids within your Ririe home.

The entire home should be inspected to locate, not only molds but spaces that are the perfect environment for their growth. This means those closed areas, under sinks, and behind walls and above ceilings. The professionals from SERVPRO have the equipment such as infrared cameras to distinguish heat variations inside walls which help determine the possibility of a mold infestation.

Several actions that you should not take before a professional gets there:
Do not allow elderly folks or kids into visible infestation points
Do not expose the mold to a fan as this can spread it around the house.
Do not disturb or touch the mold in any way.
Do not use bleach on it.
Do not try to dry it out yourself as the spores can become airborne and contaminate more areas of your home. If your HVAC system is on, turn it off immediately to prevent circulation through the duct work.

During a complete inspection, the mold remediation and restoration experts from SERVPRO can locate, contain and remediate the molds. The source of the moisture must be identified and fixed or else the mold growth can return. The techs will use foggers to broadcast antifungal, antimicrobial, and deodorizing products in the required sequence. Air scrubbers can also be employed to purge the air of many mold spores. HEPA filtration systems, protective clothing, and gear, along with specialized equipment and chemical products can remediate the mold infestation in your Ririe home and restore your space to a safe condition "Like it never even happened."

Since mold is not something for the faint of heart, when you do notice some, time is of the essence. It is not possible to eliminate all traces of mold infestations and spores, so call SERVPRO of Rexburg / Rigby at (208) 356-0263 for rapid response and complete care to get the most out of the service.

SERVPRO OF REXBURG/RIGBY GETS A+ RATING FROM THE BBB

3/31/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby: A+ Rating

Why does SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau?

The BBB is a non-profit, dedicated to promoting open and responsive interaction between businesses and customers -- inspiring trust in the consumer and developing a dependable marketplace for all.

Today’s Council of Better Business Bureaus, established in 1970, evolved out of a group of independent Advertising Vigilance Committees formed in the early 1900s.  Advertiser's clubs organized the Vigilance Committees around a set of principals for promoting honesty, integrity and transparency in advertising, to defend against less virtuous advertisers that were giving the industry a bad name.   

The BBB has refined their principals into a series of high standards for ethics in business operation, advertising and customer service which operators must meet to receive their accreditation. 

 Some of the key objective factors are:

•    How long the business has been in operation

•    The size of the business in volume and number of employees

•    The number of complaints filed against the business

•    How the business responded to any complaints

SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby has been operating for nearly eight years.  In that time, they have served thousands of customers in the Snake River Region with only one complaint.  The company fully and promptly resolved that customer's issue.

Meeting these high standards, along with numerous other requirements and details has earned SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby an A+ Rating, achieving a score of 97 - 100 on the BBB Scale. This has earned them an A+ Rating, achieving a score of 97 - 100 on the BBB Scale.

10 Reasons Why Your Basement is Wet in Rexburg

2/23/2016 (Permalink)

Repair a Leaking Washing Machine Before it Ruins Your Floor

Rexburg Water Damage Can Be Restored by SERVPRO

If you discover standing water, slimy surfaces, or developing mold patches on a basement wall, it is crucial that you do not leave them untreated. Yes, having to deal with internal damp and Rexburg water damage can be very stressful. The longer water damage is neglected, the harder it will be to repair and restore, even as the costs escalate.

The first step is finding the source of the water damage. Moisture can make its way inside a house via several different routes. Once you locate the source, you can start to think about a solution, but your first response should be one of investigation and examination. You can't fix what you don't see.

Here are ten of the most frequent reasons why basements develop signs of water damage.

Water Damage from Outside
- A leak in a home's roof can lead to a water problem in the crawlspace, as strange as that sounds. If a broken tile or other components let water in, it runs down the internal walls and through to the basement.
- For those living in areas prone to snow, basement windows need internal drainage functions. Otherwise, the snow will just accumulate, melt, and seep into the basement.
- When landscaping, make sure that grades are designed to run away from the property. That way, the water cannot pool and seep through the foundation walls.
- If damp is only ever an issue following a rainstorm, the problem could be a poor quality sealant. This is an easy problem to fix. All that is needed is to replace the interior barriers around doors and windows. Sealants dry out, so you may have to keep replacing it every few years.
- Obstructed, ice dams, or cracked guttering could also be the culprit as overflowing water ends up right above the foundation of the house and the basement.
- You might simply have a high water table. If this is the case, the obstacle will unfortunately persist. There is not much that can be done to change it, but installing a sump pump will significantly decrease the chance of flooding leading to water damage.

Water Damage from Inside
- Interior plumbing, appliance malfunction, leaky faucets, frozen pipes, and condensation buildup may result in structural or water damaged personal items.
- If you can spot water making its way up through drains, the municipal sewer system may be under too much strain. You can alleviate this in your home by investing in a backflow valve. These are inexpensive and easily available. If a septic tank backs up, be sure to call SERVPRO to safely and quickly remove waste products from your water damaged Rexburg home. "Like it never even happened."

Locally Owned and Operated

We live and work in Rexburg too; we might even be neighbors. As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Rexburg / Rigby is close by and ready to respond to your flood or water damage emergency in Rigby, Island Park, and Rexburg. Call us 24/7 for help. (208) 356-0263

Fire and Smoke Damage-Structural and Content Cleaning

12/22/2015 (Permalink)

Fire and Smoke Damage to a home and contents

This time of year is busy for cleaning and restoration professionals.  Freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on the pipes, water lines and spigots in your home or business.  While water damage is the most common occurrence we deal with this time of year, the cold weather can also bring about another kind of damage---fire and smoke.

Fireplaces, wood burning stoves, portable heaters and other means of keeping warm can be the cause of devastating damage to your home, business and belongings. When a fire affects you or your loved ones, your first call should be to the fire department, and your second call should be to SERVPRO.

Not only can the flames cause serious damage, the soot, smoke residue and ash that is left behind can be just as destructive.  Fire damage leaves behind irritating odor and residue that if left untreated, can cause secondary damage. 

Professional fire damage repair will remove this odor and residue.  This remediation should be done quickly.  Ash is very acidic and will cause materials to deteriorate if it remains too long.  Proper cleanup is crucial to restoring your home, business and personal belongings to their pre-fire condition. 

Improper cleaning of the structure and content can lead to permanent damage.  Chemical agents not specifically created for use in fire and smoke remediation can react with the residue and create toxic and harmful fumes. 

SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby has fully trained and certified technicians who have studied the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) guidelines for fire and smoke remediation and have vast experience in both residential and commercial cleanup.

Often, when a fire occurs, you’re not only dealing with the damage from the flames and smoke, there is also the water and chemical used to put the fire out.  These together can be overwhelming.  If left to sit for too long, the risk of secondary damage to structural materials increases exponentially.  The phone call you make to SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby could be the one that saves your home or business.

The trust you instill in us to restore your home, business and belongings after a fire damage is something we will never take lightly.  We have the experience, knowledge and training to assist you with all of your specific needs.  We work closely with you and your insurance company to ensure that the process from start to end is as smooth and stress-free as possible.

We specialize in content inventory and cleaning to help restore your belongings affected by soot and smoke damage.  We know that when a fire affects you, your biggest concern is the health and safety of your loved ones.  Returning your property to you, odor free and clean is our number one priority.  A fire damage can be emotionally and physically draining.  Helping to restore and return your memories, prized possessions and important belongings is only a part of the services we provide to help make your loss, “Like it never even happened.”

A quick response after a fire damage occurs makes all the difference in the world.  With 24/7 emergency response and trained, certified, uniformed employees ready to go, SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby is faster to any size disaster.

Our friendly, knowledgeable office staff are ready to take the call that will change the way you view the restoration industry.  With free inspections and estimates, you always know what to expect.  Let us help you with your fire and smoke damage needs.  We promise to make your loss, “Like it never even happened.” 

Rexburg/Rigby: (208) 356-0263   We are always here to help.

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