Recent Posts

SERVPRO is Here for YOU!

6/6/2023 (Permalink)

After a fire or water loss, you have so much to think about and deal with and we want to put your mind at ease. Our team is filled with experts who are trained to handle any loss, big or small. We work as a team to help you. 

Communication is key! We will gather information and truly listen to your needs and wants during this process. We want you to know you are as important to us as the next customer and we will treat you and your belongings with care. We will stay in constant communication with you as the job progresses and up until it is complete. We know that as long as we are all on the same page with expectations, we will all end up on the same team. 

Our goal is to make our customer comfortable and completely satisfied with the work we do for you. Our crews take great care in cleaning and restoring your belongings as though you were family. They will show you respect and they will also treat your home and belongings with respect. 

We understand when you have a loss, you are in need of help and guidance. SERVPRO of Springfield is the restoration company for you. We are experts in our field and understand the value of our customers. We know that once you have used our company, you will recommend us to your friends and family. We appreciate your business!

As always, if disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Springfield, Sangamon, Morgan, Cass, and Montgomery counties is always here for you. We can be reached 24/7 at 217-528-7775.

Sun, Fun, and Coworkers

6/4/2023 (Permalink)

Spring has finally arrived! The weather has finally turned nice and everyone is itching to get outside and enjoy it. Letting your employees outside for some team-building activities once and a while could be just what they need to shake off the COVID and winter energy that built up while stuck inside. But how do you get past the fact that the mere mention of team-building activities brings a groan from most? Luckily, Wrike.com has a great list of games and activities that will both take advantage of Spring weather and be enjoyed amongst your team;

  • Water Cooler Trivia
  • Scavenger Hunt
  • Work Outdoors Day
  • 3 Truths and a Lie
  • The Human Knot Game
  • Office Picnic Day
  • The Egg Drop Challenge
  • Blind Drawing Contests

Even those who prefer the indoors sometimes want a change of pace. The same is true for anyone else. Some time to have fun and enjoy the beautiful weather will boost everyone’s spirits and give the team time to become closer. Doing these or other small activities every now and then will help your team in so many ways. And in turn, your productivity might even go up. So consider going out with your team to enjoy the sun. It doesn’t always shine, but when it does it’s beautiful.

Source: https://www.wrike.com

As always, if disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Springfield and SERVPRO of Morgan, Cass, Macoupin & Montgomery Counties are always here for you. We can be reached 24/7 at 217-528-7775.

Ice Maker Tips to Help Prevent Water Leaks

6/3/2023 (Permalink)

When an ice maker is added to an existing home, the installer will use an ice maker valve, a small metal saddle secured to a cold water pipe near the refrigerator. The ice maker kits often come with a small clear plastic water pipe attached to the valve and to the water inlet on the refrigerator.

That piece of flexible plastic tubing is the most likely suspect for a leak. Pinholes in the tubing go unnoticed during installation and remain unnoticed for years, hidden behind the refrigerator. Over a long period of time, hundreds of gallons of water seeping from the tubing can lead to serious structural decay and damage to the wall and floor systems around the refrigerator.

Modern homes usually have a shut-off valve installed in a wall panel behind the refrigerator where soft copper tubing is used to connect the valve to the refrigerator. Pinhole leaks or fractures of copper tubing are possible, but not as likely as in the plastic tubing.

Two things you can do to prevent water damage from an ice maker:

  1. Use copper tubing for the connection.
  2. Install a battery-operated flood alarm. Properly positioned, the inexpensive battery-operated alarm will respond if the unit detects water from a leak. The alarm can be used in the kitchen, in a basement, near water heaters or any other source of water that could leak and cause damage.

Battery-operated flood alarms can be found at most hardware stores or online.

SERVPRO of Springfield and Sangamon, Morgan, Cass, Macoupin, Montgomery Counties is available 24/7 and can be reached at 217-528-7775.

Tornado Safety Tips

6/2/2023 (Permalink)

If you live in the midwest, you have most likely experienced a tornado in your general area. If you have not, consider yourself lucky. Here in central Illinois, we have had some major damage done to some of our cities that take months or years to recover. The last tornado in our area that caused extensive damage was in Taylorville in 2018. We are incredibly thankful we did not have any major injuries or deaths but we did experience some major structural damage to many homes, personal property, and businesses. SERVPRO was proud to be a leader in restoration during that time of need. Tornadoes are difficult to prepare for because many times we don’t have a lot of notice. What we can do is be prepared as possible ahead of time. We have put together some potentially life saving tips for you and your family to read over and take action.

  • Have a Plan. If you have a basement, please use it. If you do not have a basement or lower level, go to an interior room with no windows or outside doors. Using a mattress to cover your head and body from debris is recommended, if you do not have a mattress, use a blanket, if that is not available, use your arms to protect your head from possible flying debris. It’s also recommended to have an emergency kit with enough supplies to provide for your family for 72 hours.
  • Practice your Plan. Having a plan at home is great but if no one in your family is aware, it’s useless. Be sure to practice your plan using different times of day and while your family is in different areas of the home. Be sure they are aware of the safest areas of your home and the least safest. Explain to small children why it’s so important to be away from windows and doors and the importance of being face down and covering their heads because of flying debris.
  • Talk with your children about their plan at school as well. Again, reiterate the importance of positioning. Communication and practice will help your child to feel more secure and confident in a time of crisis. 
  • Do not bother with your windows. It’s been said to raise windows in order to equalize pressure in your home during a tornado. This is a myth. The fact is if there is a tornado over your home, it’s likely the windows will be blown out anyway so let’s make sure you are nowhere near them. Please do not bother with the windows at all and go straight to your safe room and take cover.
  • Know the sounds and alerts. Make yourself and your family aware of what the tornado siren sounds like in your community. Watch your local news or listen to your local radio. They will likely be keeping you updated on locations and recommending actions to keep you and your family safe.

I have copied the definitions for both tornado warning and tornado watch directly from the National Weather Service website; weather.gov

  • Tornado Watch: Be Prepared! Tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. Review and discuss your emergency plans and check supplies and your safe room. Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching. Acting early helps to save lives! Watches are issued by the storm prediction center for counties where tornadoes may occur. The watch area is typically large, covering numerous counties or even states.
  • Tornado Warning: Take Action! A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. There is imminent danger to life and property. Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If in a mobile home, a vehicle, or outdoors, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. Warnings are issued by your local forecast office. Warnings typically encompass a much smaller area (around the size of a city or small county) that may be impacted by a tornado identified by a forecaster on radar or by a trained spotter/law enforcement who is watching the storm.
  • If you are driving and can find a shelter inside a building, that is best. If there are absolutely no buildings in your area to seek shelter, you should look for the lowest possible land and lie on your stomach covering your head with your arms. If there is no low lying land, your last option would be to remain in your car with your seat belt on crouching as low as your can under the windows covering your head. Using a blanket or any material to cover your face and head to protect yourself from flying debris. Do not shelter under a bridge or overpass.

SERVPRO of Springfield, we are your restoration experts. We are Here to Help you and your family through any disaster.

As always, if disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Springfield, Morgan, Cass, and Montgomery counties is always here for you. We can be reached 24/7 at 217-528-7775.

Hoarding and Fire Safety with SERVPRO® of Springfield

6/1/2023 (Permalink)

Photo Credit: Newscom Hoarding is a major fire concern! Photo Credit: Newscom Hoarding is a major fire concern!

SERVPRO® of Springfield would like to remind the community that hoarding can cause a serious safety and fire risk. Hoarding is defined as collecting or keeping large amounts of various items in the home due to strong urges to save them or distress experienced when discarding them. Many rooms in the home are so filled with possessions that residents can no longer use the rooms as designed. The home is so overloaded with things that everyday living is compromised.

When a home is overwhelmed by hoarding, the home becomes unsafe. The large piles of personal belongings make it difficult to navigate around the home and can lead to injury. The piles can also block windows and doors making it difficult to get in and out of a home. Blocked doors and windows can prevent help from being able to enter the home. Fires can also start by having personal items too close to cooking or heating equipment. It takes only a small spark to ignite flammable items. Remember to always keep a clear 3 foot space around cooking and heating equipment.

Keep yourself and those you love safe and be aware of an escape plan for your home and ensure that all fire alarms are in proper working order.

If a fire damage does occur, call SERVPRO® of Springfield at 217-528-7775.

Source: www.nfpa.org

Happy Halloween from SERVPRO!

10/31/2022 (Permalink)

image_halloween Halloween

Happy Halloween from everyone here at SERVPRO of Springfield! We hope that your costumes are awesome and your candy stashes grow large. There’s no doubt that Halloween can be a source of fun and excitement for kids and adults alike. But even on this beloved holiday, it’s important to not only remain safe while out and about but also to try to be somewhat healthy as well. Luckily, Healthychildren.org has a list of safety tips and healthy pointers to help you get the most out of your Halloween celebrations;

  • If you’re going trick-or-treating at night, plan costumes that are bright and reflective so other people and cars will be able to see you easier
  • Give your child a good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating to dissuade them from eating too much candy
  • Make sure costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement, or contact with flame and contain adequate footwear for long periods of walking and running
  • Keep an eye on what your child has in their mouth at all times while out trick-or-treating
  • Consider approved and hypoallergenic makeup as opposed to masks to make sure you have a full range of vision
  • Try to ration treats for the days and weeks following Halloween to keep everyone from overeating on their Halloween treats
  • Avoid any sharp or long swords, canes, or sticks as a costume accessory as they can be hazardous to others if used inappropriately
  • Make sure you’re children know to never eat candy that is not properly sealed in a wrapper
  • Only go to homes with a porch light on because that is a common indicator that the people inside are participating
  • Inspect any baked or homemade goodies for contamination or allergens
  • Always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds even if they know the neighborhood well

Halloween is one of the most celebrated and enjoyed holidays on the calendar every year. But it can also be very dangerous for both adults and kids if they’re not well prepared for it. Just remember to stay safe when having fun and make sure others around you are doing it just the same.

As always, if disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Springfield and SERVPRO of Morgan, Cass, Macoupin & Montgomery Counties are always here for you. We can be reached 24/7 at 217-528-7775.

Cleaning Up Your Virtual Inbox

10/4/2022 (Permalink)

image_emails Emails

Ever have one of those days when you open up your work email and find dozens of emails waiting for your response first thing in the morning? I know I have. Especially after a relaxing vacation. No one wants to go through all those emails every day and potentially overlook something important. That’s why it’s a good idea to have some kind of system for managing and organizing your emails so that you can cut through the clutter and get things done. The Verge has a list of helpful tips for keeping your inbox neat and tidy;

  • Don’t check all your emails as they come in
  • Know that you don’t have to answer all of them immediately
  • Create labels and folders in your inbox to keep certain topics separate
  • Make templates to speed up replies
  • Unsubscribe from unimportant websites and newsletters
  • Mute group emails that you don’t need
  • Don’t make your inbox your to-do list, have a separate list

With a few simple changes, you can streamline your emails and workload from a cluttered mess to a clear set of tasks. We all have a tendency to want to look at every new email that crosses our computers. And that can lead to distractions and tasks being started, but never finished. And at the same time, you have to check your email at least daily to make sure you’re not falling behind on your work. A healthy middle ground run by your priorities and your work is the best way to ensure that everything gets done on time and in the order it’s meant to. That way the next time you open your inbox doesn’t have to be a traumatic one.

As always, if disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Springfield and SERVPRO of Morgan, Cass, Macoupin & Montgomery Counties are always here for you. We can be reached 24/7 at 217-528-7775.

Snacking in the Rain

10/3/2022 (Permalink)

image_rain snacks Rain Snacks

When the rain is pouring down outside, the traditional snack runs that we take with our family, like a trip to the ice cream shop or to get a snack from a food truck, are not as much fun. But if your family is simply dying to have a tasty treat while it’s raining, there are many creative at-home recipes that will please everyone in the family, and also make a fun activity in the preparation. Taste of Home.com has a list of creative snack ideas that any family will find absolutely delicious.

  • Rainbow Cake with Clouds
    • A bright Rainbow Jello Cake using a little whipped cream on the side to make fluffy clouds
  • Waffle-Iron Pizzas
    • Dough and your favorite toppings, or even breakfast fillings like ham and eggs, get cooked and pressed in the waffle iron to create delicious mini pizzas
  • S'mookies
    • Replace the gram cracker in a s'more with cookie dough and bake the whole thing
  • Frozen Banana Cereal Pops
    • Dip bananas in yogurt, roll 'em in cereal, then freeze
  • PBJ on a Stick
    • Take the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich on the go with skewers
  • Peanut Butter Chocolate Poke Cake
    • Chocolate cake combined with creamy peanut butter and topped with peanut butter-filled sandwich cookies and peanut butter cups
  • Hot Dog Roll-Ups
    • Cheese-and-bacon-filled hot dogs wrapped in a fluffy croissant 
  • Cereal & Milk Ice Cream Sandwiches
    • Sugary cereals and treats are all frozen together to make ice cream sandwiches
  • Pizza Monkey Bread
    • Tomato sauce, cheese, and any pizza toppings you want all wrapped up in a sweet monkey bread crust
  • Kiddie Crunch Mix
    • A no-bake snack mix is a delightful treat for kids, and you can easily increase the amount to fit your needs

With a little creativity and ingenuity, your family can have a good time cooking up some unique snacks that also happen to taste delicious. And most are snacks that you can create using the everyday grocery items that you probably have around your house. And you can even try inventing your own recipes. So give it a try the next time you’re stuck inside with the rain and see what delicious treats you can create.

As always, if disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Springfield and SERVPRO of Morgan, Cass, Macoupin & Montgomery Counties are always here for you. We can be reached 24/7 at 217-528-7775.

Maintaining Fire Escapes

10/2/2022 (Permalink)

image_fire escapes Fire Escape

Fire escapes are one of the things we don’t really think about when we think about being prepared for a fire. Sure we’d use them in the event of an emergency, but what if we haven’t maintained them properly? If your fire escape isn’t well maintained, it could become just as hazardous to use as the fire. It is so important that the fire escapes in your home or business are well maintained so that they’re ready for you to use in the event of a catastrophic fire. Habitat has a list of things you should do in order to keep your fire escapes safe and usable;

  • Schedule annual maintenance inspections with an engineer
  • If something shows signs of wear, it may need a supporting angle or reinforcing plate welded to it
  • If the steel has badly deteriorated, the beams will need to be removed and replaced with new ones
  • All joints around penetrations should be caulked to keep water out
  • Loose steps, railings, platform slats, handrails, and other metal pieces should be bolted or welded
  • Before new paint is applied, all rust must be scraped off as well as any loose, blistering, peeling, or flaking paint

The last thing you want during a fire is one of your escape routes becoming unusable because it would collapse under the weight of the people fleeing the fire. It is vital to know the condition of your fire escapes and make sure they are up to code and safe to use. Because a fire won’t wait until you’ve fixed them to burn.

As always, if disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Springfield and SERVPRO of Morgan, Cass, Macoupin & Montgomery Counties are always here for you. We can be reached 24/7 at 217-528-7775.

Power Washing Dangers

10/1/2022 (Permalink)

image_powerwash Powerwashing

During the summertime when warmer weather is all around, many people take extra time to enjoy the great outdoors. Because of this, you may notice the outside of your house for the first time in a long time. Or more specifically, the growing mold along the side of the house and the dirt-speckled concrete. This is where the power washing industry comes in. Many homeowners will hire a company or rent the equipment to power wash their houses and clean away the gunk. What many can sometimes forget is that power washing can cause real damage to your home if not done carefully. Pressure washers can spray water at a pressure of anywhere from 2800 to 4000 psi. That’s why it’s so important to know what types of damage to watch for while getting your house washed. WASHH Power Washing Experts have a list of damages that are common accidents when it comes to power washing;

  • Stripped paint
  • Shredded window screens
  • Loose and dented vinyl siding
  • Loose brickwork from cut mortar
  • Damaged seals on windows
  • Splintered or cracked wood
  • Algae, mold, and mildew growth from water build-up beneath the siding

When done correctly, power washing is a very effective way to clean the most stubborn gunk off your house and get it sparkling clean. But with that amount of pressure, it’s crucial to make sure that whoever is in control knows how to properly control the spray and clean the house. So the next time you notice mold creeping up your siding, go ahead and power wash. Just remember to do it responsibly.

As always, if disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Springfield and SERVPRO of Morgan, Cass, Macoupin & Montgomery Counties are always here for you. We can be reached 24/7 at 217-528-7775.