A Growing Company that's Here to help®

7/27/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has over 2,000 locations Here to help® you through any disaster!

With 2,000+ franchise locations spread across North America, our SERVPRO branded cars can be found anywhere and everywhere. We are locally owned and operated with the support of our Headquarter location and the support of the other SERVPRO locations. 

Our Family of Franchises is a Member of SERVPRO’s Disaster Recovery Team®, which means we will send crews to assist other locations for large loss jobs in the affected areas. This is important because a significant loss, such as a natural disaster, can mean long hours a need for extra labor. By dispatching our crew, we can provide a helping hand during a time of need. 

Another way that our SERVPRO Family of Franchises helps other locations is by providing assistance to newer and growing locations. Our HQ location does an excellent job at providing material to help develop our team’s workflow.  Our team will work to train departments that might need help with learning the roles. 

If you need SERVPRO services, please call SERVPRO of Marshall, Sedalia and Columbia at 660-886-5194.

Moisture Leads to Microbial Growth

6/8/2022 (Permalink)

If your property needs to be evaluated for water damage call SERVPRO of Marshall, Sedalia and Columbia at 660-886-5194.

We send one of our Project Managers to a property instead of accepting images because we can’t engage our other senses with images. The biggest sense that we can’t engage is the sense of smell; our Project Managers know what to smell to tell how severe the job is. If a property has standing water, we must consider factors such as microbial growth. With us being in the warmer months, properties have a higher chance of microbial growth with the added humidity in the air. By following these easy controllable steps, you can ensure your property doesn’t fall victim to microbial growth.

1. Microbial Growth needs specific conditions to flourish, one being moisture in the air. Adding moisture to your home’s air quality can stem from multiple sources, so finding what is causing the moisture needs to be the focus immediately. This could be flood water, dishwasher leak, or as simple as having the water vapor from a boiling pot of water. 
2. Everything that is a living organism needs a food source to thrive. Microbial growth also needs a food source, and some of the most common household materials that promote growth are wood, cardboard, textiles, and dust-containing skin cells.
3.  We all know that temperatures during the summer are unbearable at times; well, microbial growth thrives in temperatures ranging from 41 to 104?, which is what we keep our homes at. 
4. Finally, Oxygen is the last factor that can control microbial growth.

Flash Flood Requires Swift Action

6/6/2022 (Permalink)

If your property was affected/ gets affected by flooding, please reach out to our team at 660-886-5194.

Our SERVPRO of Sedalia location was devastated by flash flooding that caused water damage throughout numerous homes. We had to send some of our team members from our 9 other franchise locations to help with the widespread water damage. We also called another SERVPRO Family of Franchises and asked for assistance when the jobs became too much. Flash Flooding is a severe problem that requires swift action. This is what we recommend our clients to do when they fall victim to flooding:

1. The first tip is to prepare for the projected severe weather by buying nonperishable items and sandbags. If the store has a limit based on demand, we suggest using expanding foam in the cracks and crevices of the door while sealing it with duct tape.
2.  This is very important if water seeps into your home, especially if you’re unsure if the water will continue to rise; please TURN OFF THE ELECTRICITY BOX. If water gets into the wall sockets, you risk the water becoming a conductor for electricity. Buildings have to have sockets a foot off baseboards to prevent this from becoming a problem.

Once the water has begun to lower, our team of professionals is ready to restore your property "Like it never even happened."

Survey BEFORE You Dig!

5/3/2022 (Permalink)

Before you break ground on a project, call a land surveyor to locate where underground system lines are.

The summertime is an ideal time to tackle those outdoor projects you have been planning all year. Whether somebody wants to optimize their yard space by building planters, a pool, an inground fire pit or attempting the trend of creating small garden ponds, it is important to survey the yard before attempting any outdoor, DIY project. Failing to complete this task may lead to a slew of issues, including ones that require SERVPRO services. 

SERVPRO recommends locating where gas and water lines are underneath the surface to avoid hitting a utility line. If a power tool does come in contact with these lines, the consequences can spread through the town with large power outages and sewer mishaps.

Locating utility lines can be done by calling 811, as you will be directed to a service that can survey your property and mark the lines. So, the next time you plan to dig on your land, survey it BEFORE you break ground! 

Spring Thunderstorms Bring May Flowers

4/12/2022 (Permalink)

A combination of moisture and hot, rising air can lead to thunderstorms and tornadoes.

Have you ever wondered why it seems to thunderstorm more often when Spring and Summer arrive? Many times, when these seasons roll around, most people anticipate nice weather and sunshine, yet fail to remember the stormy nights that may come along. According to “howstuffworks,” thunderstorms thrive in the presence of moisture and quick-rising, hot air, which are both common in the warmer months of the year. Hotter sunlight during this time creates a warmer atmosphere, and when clashing with winter’s leftover cool, dry air, can lead to thunderstorms or tornadoes. Be prepared for these changing seasons and instable weather to come by knowing SERVPRO of Marshall, Sedalia and Columbia is only a phone call away. With 24/7 emergency services and a team of highly trained professionals, SERVPRO® is determined to be Faster to Any Size Disaster.  

Welcoming Allison: Our New MSC!

3/16/2022 (Permalink)

Allison recently graduated from College and has a background in newspaper writing.

Working at SERVPRO provides room for opportunity, growth, and personal connection. Even within a short amount of time, new employees can witness an atmosphere of diversity and respect shown throughout the various SERVPRO locations, as well as a degree of flexibility. 

According to Forbes article “3 Benefits of Diversity in the Workplace,” having a diverse workforce produces higher financial returns, expands a customer market, and promotes professional growth. To a potential employee, this implementation of inclusion is essential. It was even reported that one in three job seekers would not apply to a company that does not seem diverse. SERVPRO recognizes this importance and makes sure to impose and support a code of diversity and inclusion.  

Today, prospective employees seek jobs that respect their time, salary, and work-life balance desires. Gone are the days of new employees putting in extra work for an underpaid wage in hopes of one day getting promoted. Interviewees are now making their expectations and values clear to employers from the start.

 A study in a recent Forbes article “To Lure Workers, Companies Are Giving New Employees Their First Weeks Off, Speeding Up Retirement Plan Access—And Piling On The Cash,” noted that 20% of companies in a survey “were using sign-on bonuses more than before the pandemic” to incentivize employees to onboard.

A company in the article even requested workers to take a “recharge day” each month to promote a positive work-life balance. SERVPRO offers a sign-on bonus for many positions to keep up with these changes and notices the desires of future applicants such as a flexible schedule, valuable benefits, and a fair pay rate.  

The P.A.S.S. Method

2/11/2022 (Permalink)

By learning the P.A.S.S. method, you add time back on the clock before the fire grows out of control.

Would you know how to stop a fire at a moment's notice? If you have never operated a fire extinguisher, you should read closely as we go through the P.A.S.S. method. By following these four easy steps, you can ensure that you keep your property safe from a potential complete loss. 

Pull the pin. When the pin is pulled, it will also break the tamper seal.

Aim low; the hottest part of the fire is at the base of the fire. That means that when directing the extinguisher, you should aim towards the base/ hottest part of the fire. 

Squeeze the handle. This will send the extinguishing agent into the fire, which ultimately ends the fire.

Sweep from side to side. It is best not to let go of the handle when directing the agent until the fire appears to be out.

You can save your property from a potential complete loss by learning these quick and easy tips on operating an extinguisher. If the fire grows out of control, leave the property immediately. No fire is worth jeopardizing your life as all materials are replaceable. If you need our fire restoration services, don't hesitate to get in touch with SERVPRO® of Marshall, Sedalia and Columbia at 660-886-5194.

Magic Drying Techniques

2/11/2022 (Permalink)

When rugs don't get adequately dried, they run the risk of microbial growth! This is how we ensure that doesn't happen!

Are you a fan of the movie Aladdin? If so, you will enjoy this magical drying technique that brings carpets to life. When our team of professionals arrives at a job affected by water, they have their procedures put into place that optimizes the drying time of certain materials. Some common elements we use when drying certain materials are airflow and humidity. 

Our floating carpet technique entails setting air movers up under the wet carpet casting a constant airflow that drys the rug out. You might be wondering why we call it magical, and it's because the carpet is hooked to the air movers, which keeps them from moving. The air movers being placed at each corner displays this floating waving motion. The importance of not adding too many air movers is to keep in mind, which can cause an aggressive wave motion, resulting in the tac strip separating from the backing.

To ensure you aren't damaging your carpet, you should call SERVPRO® of Marshall, Sedalia and Columbia at 660-886-5194. Our team of trained professionals will have all your carpets floating like they were from Aladdin. 

Are You Stranded? This is What You Will Need!

1/5/2022 (Permalink)

By packing an emergency bag, you prepare yourself for the worst-case scenario, which could help save your life.

Although we can't make an auto claim with your insurance, we wanted to take some time to go over some essential winter must-haves to keep in your car. If you haven't heard, the winter storm that pushed through the region last Tuesday has caused drivers to be stranded for 24 hours on I-95 in Virginia. In this situation, people had to bear through the below-freezing temperatures. Many had no food or water and no idea when they would be moving again. The line of cars stretching 50 miles long with some parts of the interstate still closed due to government officials advising drivers to avoid I-95 altogether. Here are some must-haves to keep in your car if you get stranded on the side of the road.

Snow Removal Tools

When you get stuck on the side of the road, your first course of action would see if you can get your car unstuck. If you don't have tools, you might even try shoveling the snow out of the way yourself. By leaving these products in your vehicle, you will have a better chance of getting your car out. 

• Ice Scraper/Snow Brush
• This helps keep your view out of the windows clear with no obstruction. 
• Shovel
• If you have a shovel, you will be able to clear the snow under and around the car to help get more traction without all the snow. We advise that you start by making a clear and direct path to get you back on the road. Take some time and clear off the car so it is apparent that you require assistance. You should also ensure that you have dug out the tailpipe to allow a path for the exhausted to escape.
• Kitty Litter
• Once the car is cleared and you want to turn the car on, you might want to have kitty litter to put on the path you created. Also, you should add some litter under the tire to help the tires gain traction on the snow-covered ground. 

Hunkering Down Tools

Let's pretend that after trying all of the listed tips above, you can still free the car. This is when you need to hunker down and wait for someone to help rescue you. These are the tools you will need to ensure that you can stay warm during what could be hours of waiting. 

• Extra Set of Clothing
• When you get stuck, you have to conserve the gas in the tank to ensure that you can drive away once rescued. It will get cold in the car, so packing extra gloves, clothes, hats, or blankets can help ensure you can stay warm. 
• Emergency Flares
• When stuck in the snow, you will be surprised at how fast your car can get completely covered. Suppose you notice a snow truck or any other form of an emergency vehicle. In that case, you will need to capture their attention as your location might be hard to see. An emergency flare will capture their attention, and you can be rescued faster. 
• Jumper Cables
• If you have your car sitting on the side of the road while you have the engine running, it will cause your battery to die in most cases. So by keeping your emergency jumper cables in your car can help start your vehicle.
• Food/Water
• Usually, you wouldn't spend extra time driving your car in the vehicle. When you are stuck, you should be prepared for being stranded for hours on end. By keeping food and water in the car, you can prevent anyone from going hungry. 

Most importantly, if you are driving somewhere when there is a projected winter storm, please adjust your time to allow extra travel time. If you find yourself stuck on the side of the road, please call these emergency road services:

Emergency Police Number: Call 911

Missouri State Patrol: Call *55 or 800-525-5555

You Have To Watch Out For Those Ice Dams

1/5/2022 (Permalink)

As you can see from the SERVPRO diagram that the snow/ice melts and freezes on the slope of the roof creating ice dams.

An Ice What?

If you have never heard of an ice dam before, a roof has nonuniform roof surface temperatures that cause the snow and ice to melt. This becomes problematic because it refreezes on the areas of the roof that is frozen. This causes pools of water to sit on the roof with nowhere to go. The water will find cracks and come in through the exterior roof coverings, which seep into the attic. I wish it stopped there, but there is the chance that it can flow into the exterior walls or through the ceiling insulation, which will stain the ceiling finish. 

Nonuniform Rood Surface Temperatures

The primary source that causes ice dams is the source of heat/energy that melts certain frozen areas on the roof. When certain spots on the sloped roof melt, there is a heat source on the inner side. There are three ways that the ice on the slope can melt:

Conduction is when the heat/energy travels through a solid, insulation, and roof structure.

Convection is when heat/energy is transferred from rising air to your hand, roof.

Finally, heat/energy can be transmitted by electromagnetic waves known as radiation. 

To avoid a heating source from being created, you should ensure that all access points to the attic are well-sealed so no heat escapes through the ceiling. These are just a few ways to be proactive in preventing ice dams from forming. 

Limiting the Heating Source by Adding Insulation 

One way to eliminate the possibility of having access to heat/energy from escaping your home is by installing more insulation. When installing insulation, you should find one with a high R-value per inch to ensure all heat stays in the house.

Purchasing A Roof Rake

If you cannot install more insulation, you could always hire SERVPRO but purchase a roof rake. This tool can help pull down access snow to help minimize the source of the water damage. 

If you find yourself in a winter wonderland of a mess, please reach out by CALLING US at 888-886-5195; you can call the local Marshall number 660-886-5194 or the Columbia location at 573-449-1999.