Have Frozen Pipes?

11/19/2024 (Permalink)

Cold temperatures are inevitable in Wisconsin.  When freezing temperatures hit, here are some helpful prevention tips:

• When you know temperatures will be dipping below freezing, allow water to run in all the sinks at a slow, constant drip. It only needs to trickle, and that tiny amount of water will keep the water moving through the pipes and prevent them from freezing.
• Open up the cabinet doors in the bathrooms and kitchen. This will allow the heat from the home to circulate and warm up the pipes.
• Keep the garage door closed to keep garage pipes from freezing.
• Keep your house at a warm, consistent temperature both day and night.
• If you leave your home for extended periods of time, do not set your thermostat lower than 55 degrees.
• If you do end up with frozen pipes, a hand-held hair dryer or heat lamp can thaw them.

Have water damage from a frozen pipe? Call SERVPRO of Southwest Waukesha

Extension Cord Safety Tips

11/19/2024 (Permalink)

Extension cords are one of the most commonly misused items in a home and at the office.  To ensure safety use these following tips when using extension cords.

• Determine the correct wattage required to power the device and be sure to select the correct size of the extension cord.  If connecting two or more devices, add together the wattage rating for all devices to prevent overload.
• Select the appropriate extension cord for using devices indoor or outdoor.
• Do not use extension cords that are cut or damaged. Touching the exposed strand of wire can give someone electric shock or burn.
• Be sure to unplug extension cords when finished using due to the cord will still conduct electricity until it is unplugged.
• Running a cord under carpet or across a doorway is unsafe.

If you have any questions regarding fire damage please call SERVPRO of Southwest Waukesha County at (262) 542-0900.

Quick Response To Your Storm Damage

9/18/2024 (Permalink)

Natural disasters are never planned, but when they do occur they can cause damage to your business and slow down operations while your property is being restored. With many years in the restoration industry and top of the line equipment, the professionals at SERVPRO of Southwest Waukesha provide a quick response to any disaster. From restoring water damage from leaks to repairing your building, we aim to help you avoid revenue loss and minimize inconvenience to your business. Our quick response can help you resume normal business functions quickly while avoiding costly construction downtime. 

For a quick response to any disaster give the professionals at SERVPRO of Southwest Waukesha a call at (262) 542-0900 to restore your property and its contents to their pre loss conditions and return your business to its normal function as soon as possible. 

Mold Damage

9/18/2024 (Permalink)

Every mold damage scenario is different and requires a unique solution, but the general mold remediation process stays the same.  SERVPRO of Southwest Waukesha understands mold and mold growth and has the training and expertise to remediate the mold in your home or business.

We carefully inspect your property for visible signs of mold. Mold feeds on cellulose and water and can be hidden from plain view. We use various technologies to detect mold and hidden water sources.

Our professionals use various containment procedures to prevent the spread of mold. We may use advanced containment procedures like negative air chambers to isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process. All fans and heating and cooling systems will be turned off to prevent the spread of mold.

Have Mold Related Questions? Call Us Today (262) 888-4180

What is

9/18/2024 (Permalink)

As a property owner you may find yourself asking, What is asbestos? Asbestos is fiberous crystals of silicate that are often used in atic and wall insulation due to its strength and ability to resist heat.

Ok, but why is it dangerous? Asbestos is dangerous because the long fiberous crystals that it is comprised of have the ability to break down into microscopically thin fibers. These fibers are so small they can remain airborne for days if they are disturbed. While airborne, individuals can breathe these fibers in. Since the fibers are so small, they can travel deep into a person’s lungs, where they may eventually lodge in the lung tissue. Once there, these fibers can cause several serious medical issues including asbestosis. For this reason, it is important to identify and remove asbestos in your home or workspace.

With our cutting-edge equipment and comprehensive training, the professionals at SERVPRO of Waukesha are Here to Help® with all your asbestos removal needs.

What is Asbestos?

9/18/2024 (Permalink)

As a property owner you may find yourself asking, What is asbestos? Asbestos is fiberous crystals of silicate that are often used in atic and wall insulation due to its strength and ability to resist heat.

Ok, but why is it dangerous? Asbestos is dangerous because the long fiberous crystals that it is comprised of have the ability to break down into microscopically thin fibers. These fibers are so small they can remain airborne for days if they are disturbed. While airborne, individuals can breathe these fibers in. Since the fibers are so small, they can travel deep into a person’s lungs, where they may eventually lodge in the lung tissue. Once there, these fibers can cause several serious medical issues including asbestosis. For this reason, it is important to identify and remove asbestos in your home or workspace.

With our cutting-edge equipment and comprehensive training, the professionals at SERVPRO of Waukesha are here to help with all your asbestos removal needs.

Desiccant vs. Dehumidifier

8/15/2024 (Permalink)

Desiccant dehu vs Compressor dehu

SERVPRO of SW Waukesha County and SERVPRO Jefferson County/Oconomowoc use both types of dehumidifiers on our jobs.  The commercial grade Phoenix D385 dehumidifier units are used for large jobs or cold temperature situations.

A desiccant dehumidifier functions by drawing air through an intake duct, where it is then passed through a large rotating wheel composed of a water-absorbing material (desiccant). This is a material that absorbs the humidity from the air. The air is then pushed by a fan operated by an electric motor and the air is blown back out into the room. The air duct is often kept hot by an electric heating element, which also heats the airspace within the rotating wheel to dry it out. Excess moisture is ran through a drain line or directly outside through lay flat ducting creating a negative air process if viable. In some cases, a desiccant is ducted directly into a standard compressor dehumidifier. This is a viable option for above average moisture levels accompanied by a secondary heat source to get rapid drying done in large spaces.

When it comes to using a standard low-grain refrigerant dehumidifier in an area such as a basement, garage, or space below 60 degrees, it is important to know that these dehumidifiers will often have trouble working to their full potential. This is due to the fact that the inside of a compressor dehumidifier needs to be colder than the ambient air in the space it is occupying in order for it to work efficiently. If the room temperature falls below 50°, it means that the components within a compressor dehumidifier will be close to freezing, which means that ice could form on the cooling coils. Most compressor dehumidifiers will spend the majority of their time defrosting themselves when faced with temperatures below or around 50°.

With this being said it is important to know when it would be better to implement the use of a desiccant dehumidifier vs a standard compressor dehumidifier.

For all your water damage questions or needs, please contact a certified water restoration technician.  The SERVPRO of SW Waukesha County location is 262-542-0900 and our SERVPRO of Jefferson County/Oconomowoc location is 920-674-3002

What is the difference between Tornado Watch and Tornado Warning?

5/8/2024 (Permalink)

What Is the Difference between a Tornado Watch and a Tornado Warning?

• A tornado watch means tornadoes are possible in the area. You should review your emergency plan, check supplies and be ready to act quickly if a tornado does approach.
• A tornado warning means a tornado has been visually sighted or indicated by weather radar and you should act immediately. Be sure to have a battery-powered weather radio available to monitor potential tornado activity.

What Are the Signs of a Tornado?

Some of the potential indicators of tornadoes may include:

• A strong, persistent rotation in the cloud base and/or whirling dust or debris on the ground under a cloud base.
• Hail or heavy rain followed by either a dead calm or a fast, intense wind shift.
• A loud continuous roar or rumble that does not fade in a few seconds, like thunder does.

What Should I Do if I Learn a Tornado Is Approaching?

• If you are in a house, go to the lowest level, such as a basement or a storm cellar.
• If there is no basement, go to an interior room such as a closet, hallway or bathroom.
• Try to cover your head with a blanket or jacket to guard against flying debris or broken glass. If you are in a mobile home, you should leave immediately and seek shelter elsewhere.
• If you are outside and cannot get to shelter, crouch beside a strong structure or lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area and try to cover your head and neck.
• Get as far away from trees and cars as you can.

What if I Am in a Car and I Learn a Tornado Is Approaching?

• Try to locate a sturdy building in which you can immediately seek shelter. If that isn’t possible, you have two options:
• Stay in the car with the seat belt on, putting your head down below the windows and covering it with your hands and a blanket if you have one.
• If you can safely get lower than the level of the roadway, exit your car and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands.

What Are Some of the Common Misconceptions about Tornadoes?

• One misconception is that opening a window in your house will “equalize the pressure” created by the tornado. Do not open any windows; doing so may actually pressurize the house and cause the roof to be torn off.
• Tornadoes are not always visible from a distance. Rely on a weather radio for the latest information.
• Although tornadoes are usually spawned by thunderstorms, they have been known to occur without lightning. They can cross a river or another body of water.
• Tornadoes are not confined to “tornado alley,” a region of the Midwestern U.S. where tornadoes are most frequent. Tornadoes can occur anywhere, any time.

Have Questions?Call SERVPRO of Southwest Waukesha

Is storm damage ruining your home?

2/5/2024 (Permalink)

Storms can cause a variety of damage to your home and property, Luckily SERVPRO of Southwest Waukesha professionals are here to help you recover from any weather disaster. 

High winds can cause damage to roofing, allowing water to leak in from thunderstorms or melting hail or snow. This water damage can affect the structural integrity of the building and cause damage to flooring, carpeting, furniture and ceilings. SERVPRO of Southwest Waukesha has the service, training and equipment to restore any of these damages. Our professionals have the tools to clean and restore carpeting that has been soiled to any degree, from light staining to moderate to heavy soiling. SERVPRO of Southwest Waukesha professionals will take the time to determine and communicate which cleaning option is best for your carpet's level of soiling, provide and estimate of the time and cost of the job, and explain how to prolong your carpet's appearance and quality following restoration.

Remember, for all you your carpet cleaning needs SERVPRO of Southwest Waukesha is here to make it "Like it never even happened." 

Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes

12/1/2023 (Permalink)

Cold temperatures are inevitable in Wisconsin.  When freezing temperatures hit, here are some helpful prevention tips:

• When you know temperatures will be dipping below freezing, allow water to run in all the sinks at a slow, constant drip. It only needs to trickle, and that tiny amount of water will keep the water moving through the pipes and prevent them from freezing.
• Open up the cabinet doors in the bathrooms and kitchen. This will allow the heat from the home to circulate and warm up the pipes.
• Keep the garage door closed to keep garage pipes from freezing.
• Keep your house at a warm, consistent temperature both day and night.
• If you leave your home for extended periods of time, do not set your thermostat lower than 55 degrees.
• If you do end up with frozen pipes, a hand-held hair dryer or heat lamp can thaw them.

Have water damage from a frozen pipe? Call SERVPRO of Southwest Waukesha