Consistent Communication

9/21/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® is always Here to help.

SERVPRO® of Ottumwa/Oskaloosa knows that when your residential or commercial property is threatened with damage, it can be a very stressful and unknown time. This is why we make it a priority to communicate with our clients every step of the way. SERVPRO® will provide detailed information to our customers in every step of the restoration process so that our valued customers are never left in the dark. Afterall, having repair teams working on your private property and belongings can come with questions or concerns. 

Beginning with the initial phone call to SERVPRO, our office staff will talk through options and scheduling with the customer. The staff will gather information and let the customer know that SERVPRO is here to help. A Project Manager will scope the loss and provide an estimate. These managers will also discuss the restoration process with the customer and inform him or her of the work that will need to be done on the property. Our skilled technicians will work to make fire, water or mold damage “Like it never even happened.” Our consistent communication continues through the payment process with our office staff and follow-up conversations.  

Restoring Commercial Spaces

9/21/2023 (Permalink)

When your commercial property takes the hit of a large loss situation, it can mean a pause in business. SERVPRO® of Ottumwa/Oskaloosa knows quick response time can lessen damage to your property and prides itself on being Faster to any size disaster. Our professional large-loss specialists know what steps to take in the mitigation, restoration and reconstruction processes and can be there to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. SERVPROs strategically located groups, which are part of the Disaster Recovery Team, are there to respond to storm, flood and fire damage that takes a toll on a property. Some commercial industries serviced by SERVPRO of Ottumwa/Oskaloosa include food service, hospitality, healthcare, education, property management and more. If your commercial space experiences a large loss, know that SERVPRO has teams ready to respond.

Fires Caused by Household Appliances

9/21/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Ottumwa/Oskaloosa has the expertise to restore properties following a fire.

Although convenient, many household appliances can often malfunction and lead to home or apartment fires. Whether it be a washer and dryer, stove, dishwasher, refrigerator, or other cooking appliances, these items are used routinely and help our lives, but can also have detrimental effects if used carelessly, left unattended or malfunctioning. SERVPRO of Ottumwa/Oskaloosa can be there to restore a commercial or residential property following fire and smoke damage and is always Here to help. To prevent a possible fire due to a household appliance and protect your property, here are three things you can do.   

1. Never leave heated cookware on overnight such as crockpots. Use of these appliances should be supervised in case of a heating element or wiring malfunction. 
2. Never leave an appliance running while away. Coming home to clean dishes from the dishwasher may sound nice after being away, but electrical issues may stem from heating elements which can cause fire.  
3. Do not overload your washer or dryer, and always make sure to clean out the lint trap. 

Storm Damage? Call SERVPRO.

8/21/2023 (Permalink)

Storms can be unpredictable and take a toll on your home or commercial space, which can cause damage to both the interior and exterior of your property. SERVPRO of Ottumwa/Oskaloosa understands that these disasters can come at any time and provides emergency services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have trained, on-call professionals to respond to your loss, and our teams make it a priority to be faster to any size disaster. This immediate response time can lessen damage, cleaning time and costs as further damage will be prevented. So, if your property is ever impacted by storm damage, do not hesitate to call SERVPRO of Ottumwa/Oskaloosa at any time, day or night. We are always Here to help. 

For residential services that can bring you peace of mind when something goes wrong, SERVPRO offers water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, mold remediation, storm damage restoration, general cleaning and building services. A commercial property impacted by damage can also be restored by SERVPRO with services such as commercial water damage restoration, commercial fire damage restoration, commercial mold remediation, storm damage and large loss event restoration, and cleaning services. 

Droughts: Think Before You Burn

9/19/2022 (Permalink)

If you experience damage from an accidental fire or damage from an energized storm, call SERVPRO of Ottumwa/Grinnell.

Hello Ottumwa! 

It’s Jacob, and I wanted to write a  blog post about where we talk about a cause-and-effect relationship. Right now, Iowa is in a drought due to the lack of rainfall and hotter temperatures. The lack of seasonal storms has essentially dried the ground which raises the risk of accidental fires. Back in March, the sheriff's department placed a burn ban on Wapello County after high temperatures caused a drought. 

I think we all should make a conscious effort to avoid burning trash and to check our cigarettes before throwing them out, read more. Just until we get some precipitation that will rehydrate the ground. Warmer air makes the ground dry, well the amount of evaporation increases with the dryer weather. This in return causes an increase in water vapor in our atmosphere which means rain/snow storms.

Embracing Our Struggles

9/19/2022 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Ottumwa & Grinnell at 641-672-0872 and our team will gladly assist you!

When you are a Family of Franchises that span 2 states you are going to face growing pains. As a digital marketer, which is more brand-focused, I think that embracing the struggle is what separates our company from other restoration companies. We cheer as a team when we accomplish something but we also work to create a stronger team than the day before. Growth doesn’t stop when things are going well, growth means finding easier practices to help alleviate stress on another department.

Something that our Family of Franchises struggled with was communication especially when your furthest location is 662 miles away. As a digital marketer, I wanted to step up and help find better ways to improve our communication. We had previously implemented a chatbot that is connected to our communication software, Podium. I personally created an E-learning platform that included notes on how certain procedures needed to be addressed. 

We have implemented that platform in the training checklist so that they understand our expectations before we get them on the field. I think being authentic is what made our group so successful which stems from “Embracing the struggles.”

The Fall Season is Almost Here: Are you Ready?

8/15/2022 (Permalink)

If you have any questions/concerns please reach out to SERVPRO of Ottumwa & Grinnell by calling 641-672-0872.

HELLO Ottumwa!

It’s Jacob; you know that Digital Marketing guy, and *Cough* *Cough*  *Starts to sing* 

‘HERE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS: scary movies, leaves changing color, and cooler temperatures!’

I'm talking about Fall! We are nearing the end of the summer season, and there are some things you should prepare your business/home for before the winter weather arrives. Here are some things you should do:

Get an HVAC Inspection

During the fall season, there is less demand for HVAC technicians, so this is the perfect time to get it prepared for the winter season. By getting the system checked, you are keeping the efficiency high and the utility bills low while providing maintenance repairs before it becomes a problem. If you get it checked during the start of fall, you are providing your family with clean air because if it doesn’t get checked, it could circulate polluted air.

Check Your Plumbing

You will want to have someone check your exposed pipes as this will prevent any clogs down the line. As we know that when temperatures drop below 0, it increases the risk of having pipes clog and burst. By getting the pipes checked, you can be ensured that the pipes are well insulated, which will prevent winter water damage disaster.

Flood Warnings Vs. Flood Watches

8/12/2022 (Permalink)

Stay safe during flood events, and just know SERVPRO of Ottumwa & Grinnell is one call away. Please call our office at 641-672-0872.

Hello Ottumwa! 

I wrote a blog a couple of days ago about creating a Family Emergency Plan, so I wanted to continue this topic of flooding. I’m gonna be honest; I did not know the difference between flash flooding/flooding warnings and watches.

Flood Watches or Flash Flood Watches

When the local governments/news channels issue a watch, it generally means that flooding is a possibility. If a watch has been issued, you should stay alert to changing conditions and be ready to seek higher ground.

Flood Warnings or Flash Flood Warnings

You will want to ensure that you hear the warning closely because they require different actions. When local officials issue a flood warning, they want you to avoid any low-lying areas and evacuate if your home is in the flood zone. Flash Flood Warnings are more of a concern no matter if you're in a low-lying area because water will rise fast. We suggest you follow the Family Emergency Plan you created as action is recommended immediately. 

Sometimes the predictions might be wrong, but it just takes one accurate forecast to cause significant damage. I remember in 2008 when the flooding in Cedar Rapids occurred and how fast the waters rose. Please be safe and act quickly!

Cigarette Fires can Smolder for 18 Hours!

8/12/2022 (Permalink)

If you experience any fire damage, please call SERVPRO of Ottumwa & Grinnell at 641-672-0872.

It’s Jacob,  Digital Marketing Support Coordinator, and I wanted to talk about a trend I’ve noticed while going to fire-damaged properties. Cigarette fires have become a culprit for a noticeable amount of house fires in our franchise area. This isn’t casting shade on the cigarette smokers, as I once occasionally enjoyed a cigarette here and there.  

The problem we are seeing is with the record temperatures we have faced this summer; planters are drying out faster. When you think the cigarette is extinguished, you will be surprised by the amount of heat still being produced. If the cigarette is ignited, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 18 hours for the soil to reach the perfect temperatures to ignite into flames. 

The CBS Minnesota location took the blog image after they tested how fast a cigarette can cause a planter to ignite into flames. One of the easiest ways to prevent this is by filling the container with water which will fully extinguish the cigarette while eliminating the heat it can produce.

Restoring Properties after Vandalism

8/12/2022 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Ottumwa & Grinnell at 641-672-0872 if you need our services.

Having your commercial property vandalized can take a toll on your business and can be a stressful experience. Whether a window gets busted, or graffiti ends up on your property, SERVPRO® of Ottumwa & Grinnell can be there to clean and restore your commercial space. With our strive to be faster to any size disaster, and our 24/7 Emergency Services, you can count on SERVPRO to get your property back to its preloss condition. Cleaning up vandalism should be left to the professionals, so make sure to call SERVPRO if you experience it. Our SERVPRO team uses the following three common methods to remove graffiti from driveways, walkways, walls, stonework and more: 

• Scrubbing, using solvents and a wire brush 
• Pressure washing the affected area 
• Media blasting with sand or dry ice