First Hand Experience: Thankful for the Team!

7/22/2022 (Permalink)

If you want to feel like your concerns are getting heard, please call SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville at 319-338-8550.

Hello Everyone!

It’s Jacob here, and I wanted to talk about something that I’m currently dealing with, which is microbial growth in my apartment. Although I am renting and have to wait for the property manager to take care of it, I am very thankful for my team. 

Being a Digital Marketing Coordinator, I often don’t get out into the field, but I can notice when something doesn’t look right. I am very thankful for my SERVPRO Production team, who responded to the videos I sent seeking advice. When I expressed my concerns about having myself and my dog exposed, they brought me some of our proprietary products and explained this could be a good line of defense as I waited for the property manager.

Our staff is very busy as some work in the vehicles as they go from job to job, but I am truly blessed that they took my concerns to heart. You should choose SERVPRO because the amount they care for will be hard to find elsewhere.

The Fire. Stops. Here!

7/15/2022 (Permalink)

Call our SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville office anytime at (319)338-8550!

Hello Everyone! 

It’s Digital Marketing Coordinator, Jacob, and I was on Tik Tok when I came across a video discussing the current situation of wildfires causing significant issues for states like Alaska. Growing up I would never forget seeing the Smokey The Bear ads and I just thought all fires were started from an ignited cigarette or even a gender reveal gone wrong. 

We have experienced a very humid summer which causes the ground to dry out making it more capable of igniting. Although wildfires aren’t a common issue in the Iowa City area we wanted to make sure you all know how to prevent fires from spreading to your home.

1. Clear the home’s surroundings of any debris or combustible materials.
2. Maintain your lawn by trimming all trees and bushes.
3. Practice safety measures when having campfires. (Make sure you see if there is a fire ban, dryness of campfire area, etc.)
4. Create a Fire Safety Plan. 

Our SERVPRO Promise is that we will have someone there for you, whether that be Lisa our Marketing Representative, or one of our many amazing Project Managers.

Purifying the Water Source

7/15/2022 (Permalink)

If you are in a storm that causes damage to your property/business please stay safe and call our SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville at (319)338-8550!

When powerful storms leave behind major chaos, you should always check your property for damage once it is safe. Even if your property isn’t directly affected, you might have to deal with some consequences of such extreme weather.

One of those topics is clean water and knowing what is safe to drink and what isn’t. We hope that you have a supplied storm shelter that you have stocked with water bottles, blankets, and nonperishables, but if you haven’t, it’s okay. We at SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville are here to tell you how to purify and store contaminated water. 

Finding the Perfect Container is the first thing you will want to do is find containers that have a narrow neck which would make it easier to pour. You should never use a container that has been used for cleaning supplies or other toxic chemicals. 

Ways to Purify Water

1. Boiling the water is one of the safest ways to kill germs, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites. You will want to continue boiling for one minute for elevations 6,500ft or less and for three minutes for higher elevations. After that, you will want to let the water sit and cool before transferring it to a storage container. 
2. Using Water Purification Tablets

The other option we will discuss is using water purification tablets to help purify the water when you cannot bring it to a boil. How it works is the active ingredient is usually chlorine, chlorine dioxide, or Iodine. All of which deactivate harmful pathogens by rendering them harmless. We suggest purchasing a bundle and storing them in your storm shelter with a 3-year shelter life; these will be handy during storms and hiking trips; click here.

I'MMMMM READY! To Complete Your Emergency Ready Profile!

7/15/2022 (Permalink)

If you want to protect your business, please call SERVPRO of Iowa City at 319-338-8550, and we will have someone come Create this resource for you.

Hello Everyone!

It’s Digital Marketing Support Coordinator here, and I wanted to discuss a new SERVPRO skill set I’ve learned.  An Emergency Ready Profile is a free service we provide that I can’t get enough of. As a business owner, you know that anything can happen, whether storm damage or fire. You must be on top of every challenge a season may bring. 

The ERP program takes less than an hour or so to complete but what it does is combine all the information that your staff may need during a disaster. For example, let’s say a water pipe burst in your hotel, and you need to shut off the water valve… How many of your staff will know where that is? 

You don’t have to worry about that, as the ERP app will literally have a picture of where the valve is located. This, in return, cuts down the time that the disaster has to continue. The app also has all the contacts you will need if your business isn’t operational, so you don’t have vendors bring in shipments.

THOR! Turn down the lightening It’s too close to the house

7/15/2022 (Permalink)

If your home is damaged by a high voltage of electricity please call SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville at 319-338-8550!

Lightning has this effect of excitement, but when those bolts strike too close, it makes you panic! Lightening can cause your home damage in multiple ways; some you can control, and other’s not so much. Here are some ways that lightning causes damage and how you can protect your home. 

One of the biggest dangers of intense lightning is the routes it can take to enter your home through simple access points. Some of these access points are gas/water pipes, electric lines, phone/cable lines, metal frames, and more. If the current is moving through your electrical system, it has the opportunity to create an explosive surge which could destroy the wires. One way to combat this is by using surge protectors on your outlets. 

The most common way that causes significant destruction to your property is when the bolt goes through the roof. When this happens, the heat from the bolt runs through the wall, which causes a fire to start. The only solution I suggest is to have a fire extinguisher/sprinkler system prepared by placing it in an area that is easy to reach.

Sump Pump Failure, Can We Not?

7/15/2022 (Permalink)

If you wake up to a flooded basement call our SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville office at 319-338-8550.

It’s Jacob, Digital Marketing Coordinator, and I recently went to the Job File Coordinator’s Office to ask them a simple question: What is Causing Our Water Jobs?

“Sump Pump Failures with all the rain we’ve been getting.” So I thought, let me explain some of the most common ways that cause sump pumps to fail.

The Clogged Discharge Pipe

If you haven’t checked your sump pump recently, I recommend checking to see if it is draining thoroughly. A lot of people run into the issues when the drain is clogged, and the flood water flows back down the pipe and into your basement. A simple way to combat this is by ensuring the opening of the discharge pipe has a grate. This prevents any chance of clog from forming.

Power Failure

The weather we’ve seen in the Midwest region has created the perfect situation to fail your sump pump. When intense storms pass through your area, it can cause power outages and excess rain. When you combine those two factors, you allow yourself to fall victim to a flooded basement. No power means the pump won’t work, causing the water backup. To avoid this, purchase a backup generator that allows you to turn it on manually.

Cupping... Warping… This is Nightmare

7/15/2022 (Permalink)

If you notice this type of damage please call our team at SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville at 319-339-8550.

When our Project Managers go to a job site and the scope of the property, they are looking for multiple factors to present themselves. One of the most common indicators of this damage is cupping or warping.

Cupping is when the floor boards create a concave shape with higher sides than the center. Cupping is associated with a change in moisture content levels. Warping is more severe than cupping because it involves the floor buckling/popping off of the subfloor. Water vapors can cause this to happen.

If this doesn’t get taken care of by professionals, it can cause microbial growth from the layer of paper that goes in during the installation process to prevent squeaking. If you let this continue without restoration, it can permanently damage your floor.

Appliance Fires

7/14/2022 (Permalink)

Although used daily for many, household appliances are a large cause for fires.

Most of us use household appliances on a daily basis. After all, these machines help to improve our lives with convenience and efficiency. Whether it be a washer and dryer, stove, dishwasher, refrigerator, or other cooking appliances, these items are used routinely. Although convenient, these machines can often malfunction and lead to home or apartment fires. Even so, these fires often happen while a homeowner is away and leaves an appliance running or leaves a cooking appliance unattended. SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville 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 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. 
2. Do not overload your washer or dryer, and always make sure to clean out the lint trap. 
3. 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.  

The Method to Our Restoration Process

6/22/2022 (Permalink)

If you want your disaster to be handled the right way please call SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville at 319-338-8550.

Recently we received a job from a client that dealt with a carpet that had water and pet damage which means we have to be strategic when restoring it to the preloss condition. The damage was deeply embedded into the carpet, especially with the extreme heat the Midwest has faced. 

Do you know how we remove deeply rooted water/odor damage; well, we pour more water on it. You read that correctly; with deeply ingrained damage, we need to take the necessary steps, and our crew will create a structure by using collapsible sides lined with 6-millimeter plastic to create a bath. I know this is getting ironic; the bath is then added with our SERVPRO products, Urine Odor and Stain Remover, which gets soaked into the carpet for an hour, causing the severe stuck-on damage to be lifted and off the rug. 

We don’t stop there; we use our rotary machine to agitate the rug even more, causing the remaining damage to be lifted off the ground. Once this process is completed, we empty the water and use the water claw to extract the rug, with the final step being providing a last cosmetic clean, restoring it to the preloss condition.

Summer Flooding Doesn't Have to be Stressful

6/8/2022 (Permalink)

If you experience water damage during flash flooding please call SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville at 319-338-8550.

Hello Everyone!

It’s Jacob, Digital Marketing Support Coordinator, and I wanted to take some time to talk about one of the most significant issues of the summer season, flooding. If you're going to read what the farmer’s almanac has predicted, feel free to read more. Recently our SERVPRO of Sedalia franchise area experienced flash flooding that caused widespread damage. Last week the Mayor of Sedalia declared it a disaster following the heavy rainfall. With this being said, I wanted to talk about what to do if you find your property in the path of a flash flood.

Preflooding: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

The biggest thing you can do to expedite any confusion for a claim is document your belongings. Often a property will have items swept away during flooding, so documenting before can help your insurance claims process. You could take pictures of your high-value Items or do a video as you walk through your home. 

Another problem with flood damage is that often it isn’t included in your insurance policy. We suggest that if there is a chance that your home is on the flood plain, purchase flood insurance. 

Water is Rising: QUICK ACTION REQUIRED

Okay, so there is flooding in the area, and you can see water rising in the streets or perhaps the nearby river. Don’t wait but start to move the items you don’t want to get ruined and move them to either a higher surface, countertop, or move items to another floor. Make sure that nonperishables and water is stored preferably in the attic space. 

Water is Here: Last To-Dos

We suggest that you supply your home with expanding foam. When the water rises, use the expanding foam to go over cracks and crevices, then seal it with multiple layers of duct tape. If the water intrudes the space and you have standing water, you MUST turn off the breaker box. If the water gets into the wall sockets, it will act as a conductor causing it to be electrified. 

We hope that none of you fall victim to a flash flood, but it has happened before in the surrounding areas. If you find yourself in this situation, please seek shelter on the top floors of your property. Don’t try and escape by car, and more importantly, if you are driving and come across standing water on the road, do not try and navigate through it.

Doing an Exterior Check on your Home and Commercial Space

5/13/2022 (Permalink)

Keep your exterior space running smooth using SERVPRO's quick tips.

SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville has the expertise needed to handle any restoration job including fire, water, mold, and smoke damage, and also knows how important it is to pay attention to the exterior of your home and commercial space. Especially with seasons changing and many days of rain to come, faulty areas may allow for water to enter, leading to damage. Here are some things around the exterior that should be checked regularly to keep your space running at its highest potential:

• Clean out your gutters so rain can easily flow through them and drain away from the roof. Gutters filled with leaves, sticks and other debris can become damaged or not work as well.
• Check that your gutter’s downspouts are properly attached to allow water to drain away from the home. A detached or broken spout can lead to water flooding outside.
• Make sure the sump pumps in your home are operational and have a working battery. An unexpected, failed sump pump may lead to a slew of future problems.
• Check that garden hoses are properly attached to prevent water from draining into piping.
• See if the caulking on your windows needs repair. A ripped seal in the window may allow water to enter the home.

Humidity in your Space

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

If you suspect that your home has microbial growth, we suggest you call SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville.

With an increase in temperature and precipitation comes more humidity in the air, which may lead to rising moisture levels in your home or business. SERVPRO knows this can run the risk of microbial growth and wants you to be aware of the following places in your home that may be subject to microbial growth: 

Mold Behind Pillows and Furniture 

If you have your pillows close to/touching the wall and you notice a discolored black shade, this is an indicator that there is mold growth. There could be multiple factors causing microbial growth. Still, two simple suggestions to prevent this is to leave the pillows with a 3-4" air gap between the walls and cushions. Whereas the long-term solution could be purchasing a long-term, constant flow exhaust fan, such as the Panasonic WhisperGreen, which lowers the overall humidity levels in your home. 

Mold Growth in Dead Spots 

The way that air flows creates dead spots in certain spots of your home, leaving cold air in the corners of the room from the bottom to the ceiling. This is caused because airflow patterns are unable to make 90-degree turns. This cold air leads to condensation and, in return, creates perfect conditions for microbial growth. 

Growth on Furniture  

Suppose you have furniture lined up against a wall. In that case, you run the risk of making perfect microclimates that are the ideal conditions for mold growth. This type of mold growth only comes from homes with a relative humidity of 70% or higher. These conditions are created by the limited airflow. The cool exterior walls provide the condition, and the couch makes the perfect surface. 

Condensation on Window Frames/ Windowsills 

Let's say you are unsure how to tell if your home is naturally humid. One of the easiest ways to tell is when you have condensation on the window frames. This is common in homes with condensation collecting on single-pane aluminum windows. 

Staying Safe During Spring/Summer Storms

5/6/2022 (Permalink)

If your property took the wrath of a tornado, call our team at SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville at 319-338-8550.

This past week Wichita was hit by two tornadoes that affected 1,000 structures. We suggest that you make a plan and hold a practice drill to prepare your family.

Finding the Perfect Safe Place

The biggest hurdle when severe weather strikes are finding a spot in your home where you all can wait out the storm. If you are in a home with a basement, try and find a location free from any windows as they could break and send sharp shards everywhere. If you are in a home without a basement, we suggest staying on the first floor while seeking shelter in the bathroom. For protection, we recommend lying in the bathtub as your cover yourself with a mattress. Suppose you’re like our Digital Marketing Support Coordinator Jacob, who lives in an older apartment. In that case, we suggest that you create a plan before the storm, asking your first-floor tenants if you can wait in their apartment until the weather passes. 

Prepping for the Worst Case Scenario 

Like some of the properties in Witcha, when a tornado hits, it can level properties which is why stocking your area will better prepare you for those worst-case scenarios. When you find the perfect shelter, we suggest you stock up on water, nonperishables, and structures such as a desk or table to lay under. If the structures start to shake and you hear what sounds like a train whistle, we suggest you cover your neck to help protect yourself from falling debris. 

Please Remain in Shelter Until Storm Passes

With the tornadoes, it doesn’t matter how long they are on the ground; you NEED TO STAY OUT OF IT’S WAY! Tornadoes create strong winds that can rip homes from their structure or send semis flying. When a tornado is on the ground is NO TIME to pull out your phone to become amateur storm chasers. Stay inside to protect yourself from dangerous wind gusts or fast-flying debris.

Call Before You Dig!

5/6/2022 (Permalink)

Don't let the fear of striking an underground service line; call 811 to schedule your yard survey!

Let’s be honest, spring and summer are the seasons in that you want to enjoy the nice weather while making home improvements. I know that every year, my mother will always plant Sunflowers. Whether you add a garden or put in an inground pool, or even the new Tik Tok Trend “garden ponds” when a pool is emptied, the client adds microorganisms to help build a small ecosystem. Here are some of the key things to remember before you create a DIY disaster:

Getting your land surveyed is important because you need to locate and mark where the gas or water lines are. You will not be the most well-liked neighbor if you dig and strike a sewage line, causing human waste to flood your backyard. 

If you were to call 811, you would be directed to a service that can come and adequately mark the underground service lines. Before you start digging for your inground pool or your new Masterchef grilling pit, please call 811; your neighbors will appreciate it more. 

P.A.S.S. the Fire Extinguisher

5/6/2022 (Permalink)

If you ever need fire restoration, please call SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville at 319-338-8550.

Hello Iowa City/Coralville!

Digital Marketing Support Coordinator Jacob is here to tell you about a simple way to remember how to use a fire extinguisher correctly. When I moved out of my parents, it was exciting but exhausting. I lived on the top floor of a 9-floor apartment building. Neighbors would set off the smoke alarm. 

When I started at SERVPRO, I quickly learned this simple acronym to make operating a fire extinguisher effective. Use the PASS method when you need to step into action at a moment's notice.

Pull the pin. When you pull the pin, it brakes the tamper seal.

Aim low; Fire spreads quickly because of how fast the temperature changes as the fire grows. Knowing where to aim the extinguisher will help extinguish the flames before they can grow. When directing the agent, you will want to aim at the source, which is the base of the fire. 

Squeeze the handle, which will send the extinguishing agent into the flames. What this does is deprive the fire of oxygen which helps it grow. 

Sweep from side to side; it is key not to release the handle when eliminating the spread. Only release the handle when the fire is visible put-out.

I hope this helps you as it has become easy to remember as Stop. Drop. And Roll. I hope you will only remember the acronym and not use it. If your home or apartment has an active fire, we want you to try and extinguish it, but if it grows out of control, please seek shelter. 

DON'T Try this With Your Sprinkler System

5/6/2022 (Permalink)

Please don't hang your clothes on your sprinkler system; hang them on the clothing rack.

Being in the restoration industry, we sometimes see the direct causation from unattended mistakes and property damage. One of the most common loss creators is the fire sprinkler system and how simple isolated mistakes create massive problems. Here is how you can prevent an enormous water loss created by your fire sprinkler system:

Don’t Leave The Kitchen While Cooking

One of the first job sites I went on was started when a client left the room while a pan had hot grease. When grease reaches a specific temperature, it becomes combustible, and one little splatter of water will start a massive grease fire. Our team of professionals wants you to stay safe by not leaving your food unattended while cooking. We also advise you to avoid leaving your stove on while not home. The recent stove upgrades that promote the ability to leave it on while at work are a massive accident waiting to happen. Please avoid doing this.

It’s A Sprinkler, Not A Closet Hanger

One of my buddies got into major trouble when I was in college after the sprinkler system was weighed down by these LED lights he had hanging. The systems weren’t set up to hold any weight, so when you have something hanging, it creates pressure that, over time, causes it to break off the wall. When this happens, you have a rainforest of water that will be spraying throughout your room.

Season Forecast Farmers Almanac

4/19/2022 (Permalink)

Spring is a blooming time; here are some things our SERVPRO staff is looking forward to.

The Farmer’s Almanac is an educated prediction for the future year’s weather forecast. This spring has been predicted to be near-normal temperatures, with plentiful spring showers in the Midwest region. The Summer’s Almanac predicts that we will experience “Sizzling, Scattered Summer Showers.”

The Digital Marketing Support Coordinator, Jacob, went around and asked some people a simple question, “What are you excited for, both personally and professionally?”  

Lisa M,  Marketing Representative

Personally: She is excited about the baby chicks for the farm she lives in. I wish we had a video of her quacking with her baby chicks around the yard. 

Professionally: Lisa is excited about upcoming outdoor events, which allow our marketing team to build contacts in a fun, relaxing environment unless Lisa has the keys to the golf cart!  

Ronda, Controller 

Personally: Ronda is ready to open that window in her office with the nice warm air. I think we can all relate to this!

Professionally: Being the head of Accounting means Ronda always has numbers on her mind, this spring season, she is excited about implementing time-saving platforms. 

Jesse B, Human Resource Generalist

Personally: Jesse is a motorcyclist enthusiast, which means that he needs speed, and he wants the wind through his hair; oh wait! (Jesse recently shaved his head.)

Professionally: Our Family of Franchise has grown significantly over the past couple of years, and we are excited to have more employees join our SERVPRO family!

Earth Day Activities in the Iowa City Area!

4/18/2022 (Permalink)

If you have a free Saturday, try making one of these events to work with local businesses to clean up Iowa City!

Earth Day is approaching, and SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville is Here to help our planet on this special day. Whether you go to one of the following events or participate in a family-related earth day activity, you should focus on working together as a community.

Earth Day Events- Iowa City and Surrounding Areas

1. IRL Earth Day Pickup: Saturday, April 23, 2022 (12 PM - 4 PM)

It’s not too late to register for the Iowa River Landing’s Earth Day Event. If you register before the event, your group will get a coupon to one of the businesses in the IRL (Backpocket, Tribute, Marquee, 30 Hop, and Vesta.)

Schedule of events:

12-1 pm Volunteers will go around the IRL to pick up trash.

1-4 pm Earth Day kid activities provided by Bur Oak Land and Trust.

2-4 pm Live Music from Justin Goodchild

1. First Annual Tulip Festival: Saturday, April 23, 2022 (10 AM - 8 PM)

Join Wilson’s Orchard & Farm as they host their first-ever Tulip Festival! This event will be at the Iowa City location from 10 am - 8 pm with fun activities such as tulip picking, polaroids in the tulip field, tulip kids crafts, a nature scavenger hunt, and for ADULTS (21+) A COMPLIMENTARY CIDER TASTING! 

Schedule of events:

11:00 am-1 pm Stephanie Catlett & Blake Shaw

2:00 pm- 4 pm Kalimbaman and the Fabulous Yahoo Drummers

3:00 pm- 6 pm Tulip painting with Brush & Barrel

6:00 pm - 8 pm Sneezy Dollars

7:00 pm - 8 pm Sunset Yoga in the Tulip field with Hot House Yoga.

Our Digital Marketing Coordinator, Jacob

3/21/2022 (Permalink)

The fun fact about me, Jacob, is that I am a National Award Winning Blog Writer.

Hello Everyone!

My name is Jacob, and I am the Digital Marketing Support Coordinator working out of the Iowa City Office. After college, I entered the workforce pre-COVID, which made things very difficult as a new candidate in the workforce. I was able to gain experience while working as a Communications Coordinator, Social Media Coordinator, and Marketing Assistant. It wasn't until my job as a Server at a local restaurant had a small fire that I was introduced to SERVPRO. Not only the services they provide but the relief that comes from choosing the SERVPRO team and getting the project completed by a group of trained professionals.

The moment of relief my coworkers and I felt when we heard we were able to open once again made us want to work for the team. It wasn't until months later that I came across an open position as their Digital Marketing Support Coordinator. I found a group that I am proud to work for, as this is a team that works endless hours to ensure our clients are provided with the best service. Seeing employees like Condrad (Crew Chief, Iowa City location) deciding to work a weekend shift to ensure another teammate can attend to family matters.

We are a team that works together even when the job isn't the most desirable. We lend a helping hand when someone on our team needs it because that is the SERVPRO way. I want to keep getting the SERVPRO brand into the digital space.

Preventing Cigarette Fires

2/11/2022 (Permalink)

Smoking inside your home increases your risk of starting a fire.

People frequently will do something even when they know they shouldn’t. One more significant problem is smoking cigarettes inside the home, which increases the risk of starting a fire. We aren’t going to tell you to stop smoking, but we hope you consider not smoking inside the home for the following reasons.

• Overloaded Ashtray
• Smokers commonly sit the ignited cigarette down while inhaling nicotine if they can’t finish it in one sitting. This becomes a potential fire waiting to happen as most ashtrays have some accumulated reminisce of last cigarettes. When you have an ignited cigarette sitting, it collects hot ash, which gets naturally ashed, creating the perfect conditions for a fire. We suggest that if you can’t finish a cigarette, you put it out by lightly pushing the ignited end against a quarter. 
• Catching Z’s with an Ignited Cigarette
• Believe it, or not more people have fallen asleep while smoking than you would think. One in twenty (5%) home fires are started when someone falls asleep with a cigarette still ignited. The scary part is that most of those fires were created at an unsafe distance which doesn’t leave the person with much time to react, causing severe burns and death in some cases. 
• Discarding Properly
• One of the most common fires starts when the person smoking doesn’t properly put out the fire. This includes smoking outside as an ignited cigarette butt can easily ignite a bush.

We understand that it is tempting to smoke inside your property due to winter. We don’t advise this as there are health concerns when smoking inside, but the risk of starting a fire also increases. Knowing the common ways cigarettes create home fires helps you understand how to prevent falling victim to a house fire.

Melting Snow Creates Water Damage

2/11/2022 (Permalink)

When shoveling, one should make a pathway so that all melted moisture can flow away from home.

Living in the Midwest has taught us that one minute it could be significant snowstorms, and the next, it will be direct sunlight as if nothing had happened. People don’t connect with snow melting, and flooding issues as these types of floods aren’t as common. Flooding doesn’t occur unless the ice freezes near the structure, creating tiny cracks in the foundation. The problem begins when the chilly weather subsides, and now you have the perfect doorway into your home as water has a way to seep into the house.

Water Damage to the Carpets

During the winter, the water will seep into the cracks, which cause water damage to the drywall, flooring, or carpets. When it’s cold outside, we usually keep the temperature of our homes warmer than usual which helps microbial growth if the water reaches the carpet. The development will thrive in these conditions, especially if the homeowners don’t allow proper ventilation outwards. Still, if you follow these tips, you can help prevent unwanted disasters.

Tip 1: Be Strategic with Shoveling

When shoveling, you should be strategic in creating a pathway for the water to flow once it starts to melt. Meaning if your home is on a hill, find a way that eliminates the risk of large amounts of water-absorbing around the foundation of your home.

Tip 2: Clear Excessive Snow off of the Roof

When you don’t adequately remove the snow off of your roof, you are running the risk of having a ceiling collapse or, even worse, the creation of ice dams. When trying to prevent these ice dams, we advise you to get all snow off first and then get on the roof to evaluate the drains. This ensures you can clear any frozen blockage, which stops the problem before it begins.

Tip 3: Check Sump Pump

You can test your sump pump by pouring a bucket of water into the pump, which displays if it is working. Performing routine testings, you can help prevent flooding of the crawlspaces, around the foundation, and in the basement.

We have received a couple of samples of warmer days ahead on the bright side. Spring is right around the corner, which means even more ways for water to create problems for your home!

Removing Moisture from Materials

2/11/2022 (Permalink)

Our crew of professionals is prepared to use their knowledge to provide their clients with the best course of action.

When our crew approaches a water job, we evaluate many different variables. All of which are very important, but there are two variables that we look at the most: type of material and the degree of wetness. This means that we will evaluate each material's permeability, the ability for water to pass through the material, dampness, the moisture movement. The liquids will be presented in one of these forms.

Surface Water

Like the name, you can find this type of moisture on the material's surface. It is a visible liquid and can evaporate. When mitigating this type of moisture, you must remove the moisture using mechanical extraction. The next component needed to be addressed: airflow, which helps control temperature and humidity, which helps evaporate any remaining moisture.

Free Water

Unlike surface water, the name of this absorption doesn't give you many clues on how to find it in a material. Before the moisture can form a chemical bond to the material, free water happens. You can find this type of moisture in cavities, open pores, and other air spaces within the material. When mitigating this form of moisture, you will want to use lower humidities and warmer temperatures. By maintaining these factors, you ensure that the moisture is going to evaporate.  

Bound Water

More work is needed to fully mitigate this type of moisture material as this form is when the moisture has made chemical bonds. You will have to release it to get the moisture out of the material when this happens. Unlike the other categories, controlling the airflow won't help remove the chemical bonds. The moisture will dry fastest when it is warmed. The essential factor to keep in mind is maintaining the surrounding humidity. Keep in mind that this type will take the longest to dry out of all categories.

This is why you should hire our team of professionals here at SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville because we know what to look for. We evaluate each material to create a precious course of action to provide results and restore to the preloss condition. 

Fire Restoration Pack-out:101

2/11/2022 (Permalink)

Our team finds great pleasure in returning restored items to their owners. The owners also feel a certain comfort when obtaining their property.

We provide services for our clients to take their SERVPRO experience to the next level. Our team goes above and beyond so that our clients don’t have stress more than necessary. A fire restoration pack-out is when our team takes the contents from the client, and they will clean and deodorize them. Our team works to restore the preloss condition. Once that level is achieved, they will pack up the contents, store them, and deliver them back once the owner accepts them. SERVPRO offers this service because we can recognize the importance of having sentimental items during a difficult time.

Pack-Out Inventory

When we obtain contents from a client after performing a pack-out, we generate a complete list of all the contents. This list contains the item's condition when received and other information to help protect the client’s property and reduce contractor and insurance company liability. One of our content technicians will document the condition when obtained and restore the preloss state when observing the contents. When boxed/canned foods encounter heat from the fire, they must be appropriately documented before it gets disposed of.

Attention to Detail

As a company, we hope that your or your family will never need our services. Still, there are so many unpredictable factors that we can’t control. With that being said, if you are ever in need of a pack-out service or any assistance, please call our SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville location at 319-338-8550.

Residential Buildings = Potential Sewage Blockage Nightmare

1/5/2022 (Permalink)

Let us take care of the drains so you can go back to having a relaxing bath!

There are perks to owning a residential building, but some aspects aren't as appealing as others. One of those is when a backed-up sewer causes thousands of dollars in damage to the floors, electrical systems, wall, etc. As an owner of a residential building, here are some strong indicators of backed-up sewage.

Odors:

If you smell an odor around the drains and it continues once you clear a clog, you should call a plumber. We advise you to call in a plumber or an inspector because this smell could mean issues later down the road.

Clogged Drains:

A blocked sewer can cause unpleasant odors, but did you know the blocked pipe can also create frequent clogging of the drains. The blocked pipe will then cause backups into your faculty, which can sink into other apartments through the ceiling. This water would be considered "black water" as the source of the leak is unclean. 

Indentations in Landscaping:

Although you may not have a clogging issue, it doesn't mean you are in the clear. Pipes could break, which could cause indentations in your landscaping, such as a divot in the yard. If the break is severe enough, you could find yourself with a sewage leak in the property's ground. It can escalate into a sewage backup in your building if not addressed. 

Deformations in Landscaping:

There is the chance that puddling happens in certain areas you can see. There should be visible signs showing a problem underneath the ground. If you were to look at a parking lot, it could look sunken or cracked. If close enough, you could see possible cracks in the foundation, which requires an expert to come out to take a look; that's us! Sometimes it's the little things that can go a long way. Here are two things you can do to prevent damage later on: DO NOT put hot grease down the pipes, let it cool, and dispose of it in the trash. Another is paper towels, feminine hygiene products, cloth diapers, and hygienic wipes do not deteriorate quickly, which can create problems for your drains. 

We have seen it all, and we have the strategies needed to keep your business safe from a stinky situation. As always, please reach out to SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville if you ever have a problem with your sewage lines!

Let's Prevent Some Ice Dams

1/5/2022 (Permalink)

Know what to look for so you can prevent ice dams from forming on the roof of your home.

With the winter season here, we are preparing for frozen pipe burstings and water damage caused by ice dams on the roof. Ice dams are created when three components form the perfect conditions to ruin a homeowner's life. These components are a snow-covered roof, different temperatures at the top of the roof compared to the lower edges, and freezing temperatures. 

The Perfect Conditions Equals the Perfect Wintery Nightmares

You might be wondering how a little ice can affect the roof's structure. This happens when the snow melts from the warmer areas and pools on the roof 32F or below. The water then finds the cracks in the surfaces and openings in the exterior roof coverings, seeping into attic space. Sometimes it won't stop there. The water can flow into exterior walls or through the ceiling insulation and stain the finish. 

Nonuniform Roof Surface Temperatures

There are some crucial tips that you can implement to avoid a bigger disaster. Ice dams are created when two different surface temperatures are on the roof. This means that parts of the roof have a heating source on the interior, causing the different spots on the roof to be warmer than others. Heat travels from the home to the roof surface in these three ways: conduction, convection, and radiation.

• Conduction is when heat energy travels through a solid. 
• Whereas convection is when heat/energy is transferred from rising air to your hand.
• Lastly, heat/energy can be transmitted by electromagnetic waves known as radiation.

The best way to avoid creating ice dams on your roof can be achieved in multiple ways. These are some of the steps that the homeowner could do to prevent ice dams from forming: 

Limiting the Heating Source by Adding Insulation

As mentioned before, heat can move from the ceiling and insulation by conduction through the sloped portion of the roof. You should combat this critical access point by installing more insulation, precisely one with a high R-value per inch to keep heat inside the home.

Purchase A Roof Rake

If installing insulation isn't something you feel comfortable with, you could always hire SERVPRO; you can always purchase a rood rake. A roof rake is a tool you can use once the snow has stopped falling. You can extend the rake, which helps pull down access snow, allowing the roof to cut off the source of the damage.

If you find yourself in a winter wonderland of a mess, please reach out by CALLING US at 844-965-0001 or by calling the local Iowa City number 319-338-8550.

SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville Loves You!

1/4/2022 (Permalink)

If you or anyone you know is struggling, please provide them with the love and the resources they deserve!

As we slowly get back to a new normal after the COVID-19 pandemic shut down nearly every city in the world. This isolation has left many people fighting their struggles, especially not having that face-to-face interaction as they usually would. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrations (SAMHSA), the suicide rate is 25 times greater than the general public for individuals with serious mental illness and mood disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder.

When people decide to end their lives sometimes, bystanders might feel their fault. It’s hard to understand what is going through someone’s mind when contemplating their life. If you notice any of the following signs in yourself or anyone close to you, we suggest seeking a wellness stay. 

Warning Signs of Suicide

• Talking about feeling hopeless or having a lack of wanting to live.
• Talking about being a burden to others.
• Displaying extreme mood swings.
• Losing interest in things or losing the ability to experience a pleasure. 
• They are withdrawing or feeling isolated.

If you know someone experiencing suicidal thoughts, please help them get to these resources.

Resources

• The Crisis Center of Johnson County, Iowa
• Crisis Line: (319) 351-0140 or toll-free at (855) 325-4296
• Chat: IowaCrisisChat.org
• Foundation 2 Crisis Center, Cedar Rapids
• Crisis Line: (319) 362-2174
• Veterans Crisis Line
• Crisis Line: (800) 273-8255, Press #1
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 
• 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• 911 or emergency services

Our team at SERVPRO® of Iowa City/Coralville wants to extend our hand to those struggling. We have to look out for one another as if we were our own. If you or anyone you know is struggling, please reach out to one of the resources above so you can start the healing process!

Not Today Frostbite!

1/3/2022 (Permalink)

The only way to protect oneself from frostbite is by monitoring the current forecast and planning accordingly.

If you haven’t been outside the past couple of days, this might be news to you: It’s FREEZING outside! With temperatures dipping down into the deep negatives, the risk of getting Frostbite is rising SIGNIFICANTLY. If you aren’t familiar, Frostbite is the freezing of the skin and underlying tissues, causing the skin to discolor to a dark blue/black color. The only solution is the removal of the body part. You might feel safe wearing warm gloves, but sometimes, they can penetrate through the material if cold enough. This blog will go over the difference between frostnip and Frostbite.

Frostnip

Frostnip is considered a mild form of Frostbite because if treated immediately, the skin can improve by reheating skin. If untreated the continued exposure to the cold can lead to numbness. When the affected area gets reheated, expect to feel this tingling pain caused by the blood flowing through the affected area. 

Frostbite

Suppose you suspect or notice a discoloring on yourself or someone around you. In that case, it is in the best interest to IMMEDIATELY seek medical assistance. If untreated, you can suspect the only solution is to remove the affected area. You should know that there are two kinds of Frostbite, superficial and deep, which both require immediate action to prevent it from getting worse.

Superficial Frostbite

When someone gets superficial Frostbite, it can change their skin color. This type of Frostbite has the chance of healing by the process of reheating the skin; note that the skin may look mottled with the opportunity of having a stinging, burning, or swelling pain. It is common for a fluid blister may appear between 12-36 hours after rewarming.

Deep Frostbite

This type progresses by affecting all layers of the skins and tissue in the affected area. This is when the skin to a shade of white, blue-gray, or black with losing all sensation of cold, pain, or discomfort in the area. Large blisters are expected to form 24 to 48 hours after rewarming. Joints and muscles can stop working, which leads to the tissue turning black and hard as it dies. 

Knowing What to Look For

You will want to seek medical attention if you start to notice any of these symptoms:

• Increased pain, swelling, inflammation in the area that was frostbitten.
• Fever
• Seek attention if the skin is hard, cold, or blotchy. 
• You are likely to develop hypothermia in severe cases, which requires IMMEDIATE action. 
• Signs of hypothermia are intense shivering, slurred speech, drowsiness, and loss of coordination.

We at SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville want to ensure you have a safe winter season. When exposed to severe weather conditions, you have to be self-aware to know when to get to a warm area. 

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned

12/7/2021 (Permalink)

Certified: SERVPRO Clean is a standard that we strive to achieve on a job site.

The COVID-19 pandemic, many working professionals didn't feel safe going back to the office. Here at SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville, we were busy performing disinfection jobs that ensured clients' health and the people in the environment. We decided to label our performance expectations by providing our clients with Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is our newly implemented defensive pathogenthat uses our unique 3 C'S:

Consult

• When upholding the standard, we realize that clients are different, and we have to tailor our program to meet our customers' needs.
• By talking with our clients, we can figure out unique information that can assist our team in providing the highest level of service for our clients.

Clean

• After talking with our client, we will agree upon a plan of action. Our expert deep clean is initiated using our proprietary EPA-Approved Hospital-Grade cleaning solutions. 
• This ensures that we hold our client's job to the highest standards that the CDC recommends for cleaning and decontamination.

Certify:

• Once we are completed, we will post the "Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned shield that will be found in the front window. 
• This represents our drive to perform in a committed way to the comfort and security of our clients. 

If you ever want to learn more about our overall general cleaning practices, please read more at SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville.

Sewage Cleanup Expertise

12/7/2021 (Permalink)

Our team will perform all the steps to ensure our client is safe in the area. We eliminate microbial growth to keep our clients healthy.

We get a lot of calls from clients when they need our assistance with whatever it may be. Sometimes the calls are general cleaning, whereas others are not desirable. 

Sewage Cleanup

When we get a class about the need to clean up a site affected by a sewage leak, we will be wearing PPE. We do this so that our employees get protection from harmful pathogens. We will place a job into one of these three categories:

• Category 1: “Clean Water”

This is when the water has come from a clean source. If left untreated, it can progress into a category 2 or 3. Some examples of category one would be a broken water line. 

• Category 2: “Gray Water”

This water has a significant level of contamination which can cause discomfort or illness if it gets ingested. Examples of this would be a washing machine overflow, a toilet overflow with some urine but no feces, or a dishwasher overflow. 

• Category 3: “Black Water”

This is very much an unsanitary source that can cause severe illness or death if it gets ingested, and we suggest not to put yourself in contact with this category of water. Some examples would be flooding from a body of water, water from beyond the toilet trap, a toilet bowl with feces, or standing water that has started to grow microbial growth. 

When Mother Nature Strikes this is How to Handle it

12/7/2021 (Permalink)

When a storm hits a town, a significant loss can be left behind. This is a job that our crew of professionals is ready for!

When a storm causes damage to your property, it might feel like a daunting task to complete. Let us help you walk through the steps you should take to ensure your needs are met.

1. Contact your Insurance Provider

• When dealing with storm damage, you might consider how many other properties were damaged.

1.  If it was an isolated event with the only property in the path being yours, it might be easier to fulfill your claim.
2.  It might be harder to get your claim pushed through for approval if you were dealing with a storm like a derecho that can affect many properties. 

• When having conversations with your agent/provider, you will want to write down the names of the people you speak to, their contact information, and any names given to you through previous conversations. 

1. Additional documentation that you should keep track of is topics discussed, projected timelines are given, and the previously discussed documentation list. 

• By keeping an accurate track of this documentation, you can ensure you can reference critical information when speaking with new representatives. 

1. Contact your Local SERVPRO

• Our team of professionals will compile documentation, communication logs, and other important information that will benefit the insurance adjuster. 
• Our Project Manager will create a course of action using our proprietary data software to create the scope of work that our technicians will follow.

1. Our services also include reconstruction to be the one-stop-shop for our clients. Meaning we can help our clients from start to finish which alleviates the stress off of you, the client. 
1. Provide the Complete File for Adjuster

• We pride ourselves on being a replicable source of information, which means that our documentation is done so that the adjuster can understand what happened, how we fixed it, and the steps we took to complete the job. 

Let us take the stress out of can be a very stressful time. We will provide such professionalism in handling your emergency to ensure you can free peace of mind during this difficult time. 

Holiday Baskets

11/21/2021 (Permalink)

Our Marketing team came together to create holiday buckets!

Holiday Bucket

Once a year, we have all our Sales and Marketing Representatives come together to create holiday bucks. This is an excellent way for our marketing staff to get to know one another as we don’t meet besides our Monday Zoom meetings. Some tunes were played, and some even danced as we each worked to complete the baskets. We had ourselves a blast as we made these baskets that we plan on handing out to the people who’ve kept us in mind when recommending clients our way. We want to show our appreciation by handing out a basket of products from local companies within the franchise region. 

The basket consisted of:

• Canned wine from Les Bourgeois Vineyards from Rocheport, MO. 
• A SERVPRO Mix from Almost Famous Popcorn in Cedar Rapids, IA. 
• Freeze-dried skittles and strawberries from Shelf 2 Table in Marion, IA
• Beef Steak Jerky from Iowa Smokehouse in Albia, IA
• Pella Beef Sticks from Ulrich Meat Market in Pella, IA
• Sea Salt Caramels from Chocolate Storybook in West Des Moines, IA
• Fresh Honey from Lone Cottonwood Farm in Colombia, Missouri

What I love about SERVPRO is how we want our clients to feel like friends. Not just a problem solver but a helpful resource to anyone that needs it. Whether that be any useful tricks in our blogs, the hard work we do on the job site, or the information we hand out at community events. Welcome to our SERVPRO family! 

How to ensure that frying a turkey doesn’t ruin your turkey day

10/28/2021 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO we prioritize safety and we want you to do the same for this Thanksgiving. Make sure to enjoy the holiday season!

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville wants to help ensure that your turkey day doesn’t get ruined by an accidental fire. According to the National Fire Prevention Association, on average, frying turkeys have been the main cause of about 900 homes in the United States every year.

Preparations for the turkey before you start frying

It is critical that when you are cooking a turkey that you should NEVER fry a frozen turkey. In fact, you should start thawing it in the refrigerator a few days before the big day and make sure it is dry beforehand. You will want to set up the unit on a flat surface, preferably, on a cement driveway far from the home with nothing overhead. One of the most important aspects to keep in mind is to not overfill the turkey fryer with oil. Overfilling the unit can run the risk of having the oil spill out and which could cause the whole unit to engulf in flames.

READY…SET…FRY!

It is time to get that turkey cooking, when placing the turkey into the frying unit, you will want to SLOWLY drop it into the fryer. After the turkey is in the fryer, you shouldn’t leave it unattended because the oil will continue to rise in temperature until it reaches 450? which is the temperature that oil will start to smoke. At any time during the frying process, you see any smoke coming from the unit you then immediately TURN OFF THE GAS. The turkey is cooked all the way through when the dark meat is at an internal temperature of 175-180? and all the white meat is at an internal temperature of 165-170?. Finally, one should never try to touch the unit without any form of oven mitts due to the extreme temperature that the fryer can reach.

GOBBLE GOBBLE Time

From our family here at SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville to yours we hope that you have a fun and safe Thanksgiving.

Floating (Magic?) Carpet

10/27/2021 (Permalink)

Air movers can be placed and clipped underneath the carpet to promote drying of the back part of the carpet. This is part of the drying process.

When water damage takes over, our team is ready to take your home back. If you have carpeting in your home, then it would be safe to say that one of your worst nightmares would be flooding or a leak that would soak and stain all your carpet. In this case, after water is properly extracted, the rest of the drying process can be continued. Whether we are placing air movers or you are renting your own, carpet can be “floated” where air movers are placed to blow air under the carpet. The air mover can be clipped to a section of the lifted carpet and the air creates this effect that is similar to the magic carpet in “Aladdin,” creating this flowing movement. If you are doing this on your own, make sure that you don’t have too many air movers putting air under the carpet at the same time. If there are too many air movers, the “floating” movement can become too aggressive and the carpet hitting the ground repeatedly can result in the tac strip separating from the backing. To ensure that your carpeting is maintained, please call on professionals to help. We have the equipment to make sure the job is done right and that we can get your home back to preloss conditions.

Outdoor Grill Safety

9/10/2021 (Permalink)

As we wrap up the summer and head into fall,  our team wanted to provide a reminder about grill safety and how to prevent a house fire. Having your dinner on the grill and your family enjoying your backyard is exactly what summer calls for, but it is important to prioritize safety amidst all the fun. Grilling is a fantastic way to prepare a meal, but it is also one of the more hazardous cooking methods due to the presence of an open flame.

While we are all for a backyard barbecue, we do like to remind everyone of the safety considerations to take in order to prevent fires.

Many people do not realize that grill fires are a frequent issue, occurring around 5,700 times a year as reported by the U.S. Fire Administration. However, by being a safe grillmaster, you can significantly reduce the chances that one will occur.

Safety Considerations to Prevent Grill Fires

Create a safe zone around your grill. Placing your grill in a convenient spot may seem like the most important thing, but we like to urge people to keep safety in mind as well. At least three feet around your grill should be free of flammable materials so there is no chance of a flare-up spreading to nearby objects. It is important to try and place the grill away from the home.

Clean your grill grates often. With each use, your grill grates can become saturated with food and grease that have become stuck over time. Brushing down your grates after each use is always recommended.

Never leave the grill unattended. Catching a grill fire before it gets out of hand can be the difference between a small incident and a large emergency, so never walk away from the grill when it is lit. 

Inspect the grill regularly. As with anything, grills can wear down with age, especially those that are gas-powered. Doing a visual inspection before each use can help you locate any gas leaks safely so you can repair them before using your grill again.

If you have a grill fire that does damage to your home, we are here to help. You can call us anytime, day or night, to have a quick response from our restoration experts.

The Standard Water Damage Process

7/20/2021 (Permalink)

Every water damage job is different as there are different grades of water, different amounts, different floors and contents affected, and different causes. With that being said, we maintain a standard procedure to ensure the safety of the client and this allows us to build out the best call to action for every job. 

Step 1: Emergency Contact

Cleanup and restoration begin with a phone call. We have a representative to answer your phone call 24/7/365. They will lead you through several questions to better understand your needs for the water event.

Step 2: Inspection and Damage Assessment

Our SERVPRO professional completes a detailed inspection of your property and determines the scope of the damage.

Step 3: Water Removal/Water Extraction

This step removes the majority of the water from your home or business.

Step 4: Drying and Dehumidification

Our team of professionals will manipulate temperature and relative humidity to remove the remaining moisture. Daily monitoring will occur until the materials reach an acceptable drying goal.

Step 5: Cleaning and Sanitizing

Walls, floors, and other surfaces of the property will likely need professional cleaning treatments once the area is dry. Restoring contents, odor removal, and deodorization, and sanitizing treatments occur during this step.

Step 6: Restoration

This is the final step in the process of restoring your property to its pre-water damage condition.

We Can Help You With Your Storm Damage

7/20/2021 (Permalink)

When disaster happens you can depend on SERVPRO to have the resources you need. We don't tell our customers that call in that we are too busy. We are Ready For What Ever Happens! We have the training, equipment, and vehicles ready to head out whenever the time calls to help our community. Our team of trained professionals helps with mitigation to reconstruction. We give you information and tips to help minimize damage and keep the storms away. We can't stop a storm or tornado from happening, but we are here to help when it does. Take the time now while there is no threat of rain to prepare for future storms.

Why Do You Need to Act Fast?
You need to act quickly when storm damage strikes. The cleanup process should begin as soon as possible because the longer you wait, the more damage will result. Our Certified Technicians with our IICRC Team will perform every step to get you back on track!

We are a Team - Large Loss Response

7/19/2021 (Permalink)

Living in the midwest, we all know how unpredictable the weather can be. One day it can be sunny with clear skies and the next day there it could be hailing and cold. Our SERVPRO team knows that storm damage can happen and damage the business at any time.  We are currently the only certified Large Loss Response Team in the state of Iowa. We have the training, equipment, employees to help with any size disaster. We want to make your life easier and stress-free. Our certified response team is comprised of trained technicians who get in the field and help with any storm damage. Every loss is managed by a commercial operations manager to help ensure seamless communication and timely mitigation for your large loss. Our employees are trained residential and commercially for any size disaster. We are stocked for any large job that could come in. We are ready to help.

Commercial Fire Cleanup

7/19/2021 (Permalink)

A fire takes over your business at 3 in the morning, what do you do? When the stress is the highest, you can call on SERVPRO to take care of the cleanup and restoration. Our team works in a timely manner to get business back to normal. We take care of everything from the first alarm call to the final inspection, and we are a company you can trust to get the job done right. We do not run from a job, SERVPRO is ready for any commercial fire that arises. We do smoke, soot, and fire cleanup no matter how big the fire is. We take care of the fire damage restoration, and we make sure that your buildings are commercial fire cleanup ready. We offer 24-hour service for any size job.
When a business is involved in a fire, we know how costly the damage can be. SERVPRO is always on hand to help you when you need us most. Our professional approach and our expertise take worry out of the equation so that you can focus on the important things like keeping your customers safe, employees present, and business running smoothly.

Your Storm Saviors

7/19/2021 (Permalink)

We offer 24-hour emergency service because we know that storms, fires, and water issues can happen any day at any time. We want to help you get back to preloss conditions no matter the situation.
Storms and other natural disasters can come at any time so you should always have a plan in place. Our goal is to help you get back on track as quickly as possible so we can all get back to enjoying our homes. Whether it's a fire or a storm, your safety is our first priority.
Everyone plays an important role in helping make your community safe and strong in case of emergencies. That's why we want you to know that we're here for you no matter what type of service request you may have.

Why Do We Use Dehumidfiers?

7/19/2021 (Permalink)

We use dehumidifiers as one piece of equipment during our balanced drying system we utilize when we are cleaning up after a water loss. Our team members work to get the moisture out of the material, and they then use air movers and energy to get the water to evaporate. In some cases, though, with certain materials like hardwood, our team may need to dehumidify the material as well. While dehumidifiers can be strong enough to take water out of the air and can be effective enough to dry a room out quickly, we have other options.

We use dehumidifiers because sometimes they are the most effective option. We are available 24/7 for emergency disasters and can provide equipment to get your home or business back to preloss conditions

Ultrasonic = Ultra Cool

7/19/2021 (Permalink)

An ultrasonic tank and dryer are paired together to help create a complete drying process. Contents are cleaned in our ultrasonic tank and then they are placed in the dryer to complete the system. This dual system allows for contents to be cleaned efficiently and thoroughly, expanding our range of restorable contents. Our ultrasonic tank and dryer work together to complete a complete process.

Applications:

• Washing of automobile parts and other delicate items.
• Cleaning of jewelry parts, backpacks, camping equipment, etc.

Our Ultrasonic Machine system is utilized to clean many different items including items damaged by mold or soot, mainly being used with fire damage. If you experience a disaster, then call our office. Our team offers 24 emergency services and can help you get back to normal!

Mold Exposure from Flash Floods and Storm Damage

6/29/2021 (Permalink)

One preventive measure against flooding is to keep gutters clean and working properly. Homeowners should try to do their best to release water away from their homes and not near the foundation to prevent further water damage. It can be helpful to build a barrier around a home with sandbags to reduce flood damage.

Increased rainfall people in the midwest should be concerned about mold exposure. It is not uncommon for people to experience mold exposure and not even know it is happening. It is important to trust the professionals and get storm damage dealt with right away. SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville provides 24/7 emergency services for those experiencing storm damage. Handling damages as soon as possible can minimize overall damages and prevent microbial growth.

Commercial Large Loss Program

5/13/2021 (Permalink)

Did your commercial property experience a disaster? Do you know who to call? Call SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville, no job is too large for us to handle. Our large-loss specialists are strategically positioned to handle any size disaster. The Disaster Recovery Team is made up of the best in restoration. We are ready for any size job at any time of day.

Customers for the Commercial Large Loss program include:

• Hospitality Industry
• Property Mangers
• Universities
• Municipalities
• The Pentagon

Should a disaster hit our area in Iowa, SERVPRO has storm teams on standby. We are prepared for the unpredictable disasters and available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. Let us help you get your business back to pre-disaster condition by calling our office.

Weather Watch vs. Weather Warning

5/13/2021 (Permalink)

When it comes to weather, you should always be prepared for whatever can happen. You should know the difference between a weather "watch" and "warning". You can use the ISCN app as a resource.

Watch:  Be Prepared! This is issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms in and near the watch area. The watch area normally covers numerous counties. They are typically issued for a duration of four to six hours. During the watch, stay informed, review safety rules, and be ready to act if a severe thunderstorm warning is issued.

Warning:  Take Action! This is issued when either indicated by radar or reported by spotters. A warning typically covers the size of a city or small county. They are typically issued for a duration of one hour. People in the affected area should seek safe shelter immediately. Severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes with little or no advance warning. Lightening is not a criteria for issuing a severe thunderstorm warning.

When storms hit, SERVPRO® of Iowa City/Coralville is close by and ready to respond to your flood or storm damage emergency. We are proud to serve our local communities.

*Source: National Weather Service

Fire Damage Tips

5/13/2021 (Permalink)

If your home or business suffers a fire, you may be at loss on what steps to take next. The following tips may help reduce damage and increase your chances of a successful restoration.

Do:

• Limit movement in the property. It helps prevent soot particles from becoming embedded into your carpet and upholstery.
• Keep hands clean. It could further soil upholstery, walls, woodwork, etc.
• Cover upholstery, rugs, and carpet traffic areas by placing dry, colorfast towels or old linens on them.
• If electricity is off, empty refrigerator/freezer. Clean completely and prop open doors to help prevent odors.
• Change HVAC filters; leave system off until a trained professional can check them.
• Cover air registers with cheesecloth. Tape double layers to prevent soot particles from getting in or out of the HVAC system.
• If heat is off during winter, pour RV antifreeze in sinks, toilet bowls, holding tanks and tubs to avoid freezing pipes and fixtures.

A Word from Our Franchise Owner

5/6/2021 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO team of trained professionals is ready for whatever could happen to your home or business.

Brian Meyer understands the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your life and home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it "Like it never even happened."  We celebrated our 10-year anniversary as a SERVPRO area franchise in 2020.  We have valued your business over the years and will continue to value it for the many years to come.

Our SERVPRO team specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage. Our SERVPRO franchises can also mitigate mold and mildew from your home or business.

Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. With a nationwide system of qualified franchises, no damage is too large or too small for us. Along with our current certifications listed, we are also advanced certified water damage restoration technicians.

Be Prepared for anything

5/6/2021 (Permalink)

You know storms are going to happen.  Rather it be snow, rain, wind, etc. They are going to happen.  To be prepared is a must.  The following list is what is recommended at a minimum to be ready in the event of a storm.

• Flash Light

• Extra Batteries

• First Aid Kit

• Cellphone

• Canned Food

• Manual Can Opener

• Bottled Water

• Blanket

• Fire Extinguisher

• Battery Powered Weather Radio

Being prepared will help keep panic at a minimum. These items kept in a safe place where you go in the event of a storm for easy access is also necessary.  Keep where you go in the basement or in possibly a bathroom closet if your home or business does not have a basement.  Pick food items and bottled water that have long shelf lives.  Make sure to test your batteries every month or so in your devices.

Emergency Ready Profile

5/6/2021 (Permalink)

The matterport camera takes 360 degrees of photos to create a virtual walkthrough for the facilities.

We’ll help minimize interruption. This can be done with our Emergency Ready Profile which is a cost free option for your business. We gather all he contacts needed during a disaster. With this, we now offer a matterport camera scan with the profile that can also be utilized. Preparation is key to making it through a disaster, so plan Now. SERVPRO® staff sets the profile up for you.

Emergency Ready Profiles contain critical information for quick response times.

Information gathered:

• Property Details
• 
  Location Information
• 
  Building Access Points
• 
  Utility Contact & Shut-Off Information
• 
  Key Emergency Contacts
• 
  Additional Building Specifics

A concise profile with critical info needed in the event of an emergency. It remains a no cost assessment. Get you back to your building faster and get your life back up and running while also identifying the line of command for authorization before work begins.

Be Emergency Ready with Matterport

5/4/2021 (Permalink)

The Matterport creates a visual walkthrough that can be seen with 3 different type of views: The one shown is the dollhouse view.

It is always better to be prepared for a disaster, instead of waiting for the unexpected. Not knowing where the emergency shut-offs (water, gas, electric) are located in your business will cost more money. Training employees what to do when there is a water pipe burst or a gas leak is crucial to the safety of your staff and getting back to productivity.

Our emergency ready plan is a great resource to prepare for the unexpected. You can learn more about the fundamentals in this blog. Our SERVPRO local franchise has decided to utilize an additional resource—Matterport.

Matterport—What can it do?

• 360 degrees of photos
• Full floor plans
• Claims documentation
• 4k quality photos
• Easy to share
• Measure tool
• Blur brush
• 3 views—Bird’s eye view, doll house view, & walk through

The pairing of the emergency ready profile with the link of your scanned commercial building via Matterport, will allow you to be prepared for the unexpected. Combing the technology will allow your building and important emergency information to fit in the palm of your hand. Your local SERVPRO® marketing representative is here to help.

What to Know: Storm Alerts

4/26/2021 (Permalink)

Remember to go to your local weather station to keep up-to-date on important weather information and storms.

Have you ever been watching TV or listening the radio and heard a storm alert and was confused by what it meant or what you should do when you heard it? There are four common storm alerts based on threat of a storm. Below is a list in order for least to most threating and what to do when you hear the warning.

Outlooks– the least serious of weather alerts. It is issued if hazardous weather is due to occur with in the next 3 to 7 days. For any outlook warning you should stay tuned and monitor the situation for further updates

Advisory- less serious weather alert. When issued the weather is usually less serious but can still cause some inconvenience. For an advisory warning exercise caution and monitor the situation.

Watch- more serious. When issued the weather has an increased risk of causing a hazardous weather event but the location and times are still uncertain. When a watch has been issued continue to listen for further information and be prepared for the weather to change quickly

Warning- most serious of storm alerts. A warning means a weather event is occurring and there is an increased threat life and property exists. When a warning is issued take action immediately and protect yourself and property.

There is no order in which an alert could occur. Some storms can start out as an advisory and go though the proper order of alerts and other times a storm can happen out of nowhere and go right to a storm warning.

To find out what weather alerts are active in your area visit your local or national weather websites or your local news channel if you’re expecting a storm or currently having active weather.

A Little SERVPRO History

4/23/2021 (Permalink)

Rick Isaacson is the current CEO for the 1,800 SERVPRO professional franchises. He works to help create a business based on helping others.

Learn and understand the history and growth of SERVPRO, from the beginning.

Ted and Doris Isaacson created SERVPRO in 1967 as a painting business in Sacramento, California. With a background in cleaning and restoration, Ted and Doris soon transformed the company into a franchisor of cleanup and restoration specialists.

After selling the first franchise in 1969, SERVPRO continued to grow, acquiring the Bristol-Myers Domesticare Division and its 175 franchises in 1979.

SERVPRO relocated its corporate headquarters from Sacramento to Gallatin, Tennessee, in 1988 to place itself within 600 miles of 50% of the U.S. population.

At the time of the relocation, the SERVPRO System consisted of 647 franchises.

The company's headquarters quickly became a key contributor in its community, and in 1991 the Nashville Business Journal named SERVPRO Industries, LLC, the Small Business of the Year. The company continued its impressive growth, selling the 1,000th Franchise in 2000

In 2005, SERVPRO Industries, LLC, moved to a new 140,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in Gallatin to provide more room for expansion.

More than 1,700 franchises are operating nationwide, and SERVPRO continues to grow. The need for experienced, trained, and professional cleanup and restoration experts is recession resistant, and the growth potential inside of a proven system presents an opportunity for prospective franchisees.

With a proud history, a positive current growth, and a bright future, SERVPRO will press on toward becoming the premier cleaning and restoration company in the world.

Laundry Safety

3/12/2021 (Permalink)

Laundry can easily pile up, but it is essential to practice basic safety techniques to protect your home.

Not clearing your laundry filter after each use can be dangerous. It is reported that there are over 17,000 fires related to home dryers each year.
Here are a few simple tips to follow to help prevent a clothes dryer fire:
-Clean the filter screen after each load to prevent lint buildup.
-An adult should be at home whenever the dryer is in use and the home should have working smoke alarms.
-Clean the vents outside twice a year to clean out any accumulated dust and lint.
-Commercial dryers should be cleaned out regularly because of their frequent use and shared venting system.
-Don't dry mop heads in the dryer. The dryer's heat can ignite the chemical residue on mop heads.
-Keep the surrounding area clean. The dryer's heat may ignite anything left too close to the dryer.
-The safety of your family is important to us and we hope that you don't encounter such a fire. Be sure you follow these steps to avoid a fire in your home.

What Makes SERVPRO Stand Out

2/22/2021 (Permalink)

With 100+ employees, easy access to extra labor, and eight SERVPRO franchises, our team of trained professionals are ready!

As a restoration company, our aim is to be the trusted resource among clients. We ensure that we follow industry standard protocols. Our staff members go through IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration) training to be best prepared for all the services we offer. They are also certified with OSHA, Lead, and Asbestos awareness. We maintain a large inventory of equipment for residential and commercial work. The extensive list was added to this past week with more equipment being sent to our team. Air movers, dehumidification equipment, air scrubbers, specialty drying equipment including desiccants and generators all help complete the work in a timely manner. Lastly, our team members utilize technology and client documentation to make sure that everything is recorded properly. Our proprietary software that documents and records all the essential information is needed to make sure that these pieces are easily accessible. 

What to do about frozen pipes

2/18/2021 (Permalink)

A burst pipe can cause a lot of water damage, so call on our team when you are experiencing the damage in your home or business.

Frozen pipes can cause a lot of issues and cost a lot of money! One pipe burst in a home at 4-8 gallons of water running per minute. This can cause thousands of dollars worth of water damage. If not taken care of and mitigated properly, then this can then lead to mold issues.

Prevention:

1. Locate and identify any and all shut off valves in the home and make sure they work properly.  (Everyone should know where their "Main Water Valve" is at and how to operate it)
2. Identify any potential problems. (Areas where pipes are on an outside wall, ceiling, attics, crawl spaces, etc)
3. Seal any gaps around the home where cold air has a chance to come in contact with pipes.  In extreme cold temperatures, especially wind driven, even a tiny opening can let enough cold in to cause a pipe to freeze. (Dryer vents, windows, cable penetrations, etc.)
4. Turn off and drain all standard outside hose bibs.

When the temperature is expected to drop:

1. Open kitchen sink and any vanity doors of the areas that are at risk for problems.
2. With pipes that are on outside walls that may be a freeze problem, leave a small trickle of both of the hot and cold water running.
3. Temporarily seal off any crawl space vents that may be around the foundation.
4. Keep the house warm.

What to do if you experience a frozen pipe: (The first sign of a "frozen" pipe is reduced or no flow at all)

1. If you experience a "no flow" situation (First turn off the "Main Water Valve" to the house and leave the faucets "open", Second DO NOT use any open flame to attempt to thaw the pipes, Third DO NOT use any electric heater, hair dryer applied directly to the piping as any leaking water may cause electrocution, and Forth turning the water back on is best handled with (2) people.  One person turning on the water SLOWLY and the other walking about the house to be sure no water is running).
2. Heat and patience is the best way to get frozen pipes thawed out.  We do recommend that if a frozen pipe happens to find the source and correct it so it will not happen again.  (If you were lucky enough for the frozen pipes not bursting this time, you may not be so lucky the next time.)

**Please be advised if the water to your house is shut off, it may also turn off any fire prevention system you may have hooked up to your water

What to do if you leave your home during the winter months:

1. Turn the Main Water Valve off to your home**
2. Leave the heat on to the house and set it NO LOWER than 60 degrees.
3. Have a neighbor stop by daily, especially when the temperatures are in the 20's or lower.

**If your home has "hot water and/or steam heat", the water must remain on even when you are not there. A neighbor stopping by is critical if this applies to you.

The Principles of Drying

2/10/2021 (Permalink)

Our team of trained professionals utilize their expertise to make sure your home or business can get back to normal.

The restorative drying process is meant for restoration professionals and is designed to ensure that each component and variable is considered to achieve all drying goals.

Principle 1: Provide for the safety and health workers and occupants

Principle 2: Document and inspect the project

Principle 3: Mitigate further damage

Control the spread of contaminants

Control moisture intrusion

Principle 4: Clean and dry affected areas

Our team uses cleaning procedures whenever soils and debris must be removed to expedite the drying process. Restorative drying for professionals is used to control as many factors as possible to complete the most efficient drying process. Once enough water is extracted, evaporation is enhanced by:

• Lowering humidity
• Increasing airflow across wet surfaces
• Controlling temperature of air and surfaces
• Using outside air when possible
• Creating a drying chamber

Principle 5: Complete the restoration and repairs

Smoke Webs

2/9/2021 (Permalink)

Smoke webs appeared in this apartment complex after a fire caught in the lower level. The fire damage caused smoke and soot damage in the complex.

In the case of a fire, there can be a situation called smoke webbing. Ionization refers to particles of smoke with opposite charges attracting to each other. The formations of these smoke chains are called "smoke webs" as stated previously. These smoke webs look similar cobwebs. They are usually found at room corners and other parts of the home. The presence of smoke webs indicates combustion of synthetic materials, not spiders or cobwebs as some believe. In every fire, some surfaces can be become deeply embedded with soot and smoke odors. Ionization is one of the factors that influences smoke behavior. And understanding these factors help our team of professionals remove any damage appropriately. If you experience a fire in your home or business, you can call on our team of professionals to properly take care of your fire damage, smoke, and soot.

Mold Remediation on a Roof Ice Dam

1/28/2021 (Permalink)

We are "Here to help" with any winter disaster. We can assist with any water or mold damage from an ice dam.

In the case of an ice dam, we are able to help with drying water damaged walls and floors and we can remove and clean up affected insulation. This image shows how an ice dam can lead to potential water damage. If the water goes untreated then it can produce mold spores that can continue to spread. We start by properly removing all saturated and affected insulation then the area can be treated and dried out if necessary. When working in older homes, we make sure to test for lead and asbestos per OSHA expectations. The goal of a mold remediation project is to return the indoor environment to a clean, safe, livable condition. With the build up of ice on the roof and gutter, the ice melts and can seep through to the dry wall and insulation. This can then be a source for mold. If you are in need of help, call our office and we will he there to make it "Like it never even happened."

How To Help Your Business During A Disaster

1/22/2021 (Permalink)

No matter the time of day, out team of professionals are ready to assist you with whatever disaster that has affected your business.

We have the capability to handle any large job. We have the equipment and vehicles ready for whatever is needed to assist you on your journey to get business back up and running again. It is said the 50% of businesses that close due to a disaster never reopen. The businesses that are able to reopen normally have a emergency plan set up to ensure a quick and efficient transition back to normalcy. We offer a cost-free option for those looking to record emergency information in one accessible application that's accessible on mobile devices. So when the unexpected happens, whoever is onsite can access the proper contacts to get the situation handled. When is comes to the unexpected disaster, it is essential to be timely to limit further damage. Call our office today to set up an appointment with one of our marketing representative to set up your Emergency Ready Profile today.

Ew! What's that smell?

1/20/2021 (Permalink)

Our tea is ready to help at a moment's notice with whatever you need to help you get your life back to normal, even when it comes to bad smells.

Good news! We are able to deodorize your home whether it's a water job or fire job or it's merely animal smells. We have the equipment to get the job done. Our team of professionals will use Ozone generators to remove any odor after the source is removed. Ozone gas (O3) is very effective in eliminating odors. When the Ozone generator is on, plants, animals and the team member need to get out of the area that is being treated, because ozone can be toxic when inhaled at significant levels. It is meant to make O2 turn to O3 as it is an olfactory desensitizer. Ozone works slowly, but is very effective. Depending the disaster, the ozone generator can do the trick, or it can a necessary deodorization step.

Personal Protective Equipment

1/14/2021 (Permalink)

No matter if it is mold, sewer damage, or water intrusion, we have the equipment needed to handle the situation efficiently and thoroughly.

We aim to provide our professional team members the necessary tools to succeed at every job they complete. As restorers and as professionals, our team members need to be prepared for potentially hazardous conditions. Personal Protective Equipment, PPE, is then implemented as a way to protect our team and the customer. Before using Personal Protective Equipment, the technician will closely evaluate the potential risk and determine the type of equipment is necessary for the job. This can also be referenced from OSHA and the IICRC. To help protect technicians from many hazards associated with contaminated water intrusions, team members need to have protective gear accessible. These items protect for all potential exposures to the body and include:

• Chemical-resistant gloves
• Splash goggles
• Appropriate Respirator
• Hard hat
• Rubber boots with hardened shank
• Protective clothing/Tyvek suits

With 2020 behind us, what does that mean for SERVPRO?

12/31/2020 (Permalink)

Our goal as a team of professionals is to make a place of excellent services and to be "faster to any size disaster."

SERVPRO will still be the “faster of any size disaster,” and to further that claim, SERVPRO plans to expand! It means that SERVPRO will have more manpower for those larger disasters, and more manpower means getting homes and businesses back to working order, faster. Our aim is to provide exceptional customer service for each and every customer.

After the last year we have had, SERVPRO has adapted to the changes and conquered the roadblocks ahead. Disinfecting may still be a huge thing in 2021, and SERVPRO will be there again and again to disinfect and sanitize it all. And while people are still working from home, we will still be able to provide carpet and duct cleaning for the extra traffic, as well as any mold, flood, or fire damage. Whatever lies ahead, SERVPRO is ready.

Best Helpful Hints to Get You Through the Winter and Storms

12/15/2020 (Permalink)

We know winter storms on on their way, so you can call on us when things get out of hand and the cold affects your home or business.

1. Ceiling fans are not just for summer: flip the switch to reverse the spin of the fan and turn on the lowest speed to blow warm air down from ceiling.
2. Use energy from the Sun: During the day, open drapes and blinds to allow sunlight to help warm the house, land then close at night to hold in heat.
3. Dress in Layers: Pack an extra pair of warm socks, blankets, wool sweaters and long-johns or coveralls in your car to keep warm.
4. Keep a bag of clay kitty litter in car: If your car gets stuck in deep snow or slick ice, sprinkle kitty litter (non-clumping) at the base of your tires to add some traction to get moving again. Extra weigh in trunk will create added pressure on your tires, ensuring greater contact between your tread and the ground.
5. Don’t smoke or drink coffee before shoveling: Caffeine and nicotine are stimulants and can add extra stress to the heart.
6. Learn to walk like a penguin: To walk safely on ice, walk like a penguin. Point your feet out, land hold your arms out slightly to your side.  Shuffle, land take short steps.
7. Easy deicer: The night before freezing temperatures, rub half a potato over your car’s windshield.  The sugar from the potato creates a barrier over the window and prevents ice from forming, when you come out in the morning you will not have to scrape!  Simply rinse and wipe with your wipers when you get on the road.
8. Gas Up: During cold weather months, it is good practice to keep at least a half tank of gas in your vehicle at all times.  Not only does it prevent you from being stranded, but it prevents any water in the tank from freezing, which can damage the fuel pump.
9. Frozen locks: Squirt a little hand sanitizer on them. The isopropyl alcohol that kills germs also lowers the freezing point of water, and can melt the ice inside the lock within seconds.
10. Grab a roll of duct tape and keep it in car: Not only does it fix everything, but you can use it as a fire starter – duct tape is very flammable and is a great tool to get a fire going in an emergency.  Don’t forget to have a lighter or matches in your emergency kit.
11. Candles: will keep you warm in your car if you are stranded in car. Also, don’t forget to have a lighter or matches.
12. No more icy walkways: Sprinkle leftover coffee grounds on your freshly shoveled walk or driveway to help melt the ice – it’s a natural and environmentally friendly way to add more traction underfoot.  Remember to wipe feet when going inside.
13. Dry wet shoes: by stuffing them with dry newspaper to absorb the moisture quicker.
14. Shoveling Snow: Spay shovel with non-cook cooking spray, snow will slide off easier.
15. Winter Survival Kit to keep in vehicle: Flashlight, batteries, snacks, water, ice scraper, first aid kit, candle and lighter, phone charger, warm outer clothing and travel shovel.

Homemade Cleaners Around The Home

12/3/2020 (Permalink)

If these homemade cleaners aren't quite doing the trick, then you can call on our SERVPRO team to help clean up your mess.

Home Made Glass Cleaner

*Mix 1 part Vinegar with 2 parts water

*Add ½ teaspoon dish soap for every cup of water

*Shake to mix

ALL-Natural Homemade Floor Cleaner

*1 part water

*1 part white vinegar

*1 part 70% Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol

*A few drops of liquid dish detergent

*1/4 part lemon juice

DIY Upholstery & Carpet Cleaner   (If you have animals this can be a life saver)

*¼ cup of baking soda

*¼ cup of white vinegar

*3/4 cup of warm water

*1/2 tablespoon of dish liquid soap

Homemade Deodorizing Spray

*2 cups fabric softener

*2 cups baking soda

*4 cups of warm water

Homemade Garbage Disposal Cleaner

*3/4 cup baking soda

*1/2 cup salt

*1/2 teaspoon liquid dish soap’

*1 lemon

After first 3 ingredients are mixed, grate lemon peel into mixture. Then cut lemon the lemon in half and remove the seeds.  Squeeze both halves into the mixture until lemon is fully incorporated.  Grab a sheet pan, spoon and some parchment paper.  Cover the sheet pan with parchment paper, use the spoon to mold in half rounds, and then tap them out onto the pan.  Allow the tablets to dry overnight.  Place dried mixture into a sealable container.

Clean Your Washer

*2 cups vinegar

*1/4 cup baking soda

*1/4 water

Pour mixture directly  into the machine’s drum.  Run a normal cycle at least twice.  Make another batch and use a brush and scrub the edges.

DIY Dishwasher Detergent

*2 cups of Borax

*2 cups washing soda

*4 packets of sugar-free lemonade Kool-aid.

All-Natural Homemade Floor Cleaner

*1 part water

*1 part white vinegar

*1 part 70% Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol

*A few drops of liquid dish detergent

*1/4 part lemon juice

This information was compiled from various on-line sources. SERVPRO is not responsible for any and all claims made by these sources. If the mess can’t be cleaned then make sure to call the professionals. Our SERVPRO team is here to help!

WINTER CHECKLIST FOR YOUR HOME

11/20/2020 (Permalink)

The colder months are quickly approaching and it's important to prepare as much as possible.

WINTER CHECKLIST FOR YOUR HOME

Winter weather can wreak havoc on your home if you are not prepared. Here is a list of tips and tricks for the winter months.

WINDOWS & DOORS

*Replace weatherstripping around doors and windows to prevent heat loss.

*Make sure your windows are securely locked to prevent cold air coming in or heat loss.

*Inspect windows for cracks, gaps or broken glass.  Replace or repair if needed.

GUTTERS

*Clean out any debris to prevent blockage of water flow and make sure downspouts flow away from house to prevent flooding or foundation damage.

*Make sure gutters are properly fastened.  Ice and snow can pull gutters down and away from home.

*Cleaning out downspouts help with ice dams.

Call our SERVPRO team if you experience any damages this winter.

We Are Ready At All Times

10/30/2020 (Permalink)

We have all the equipment and vehicles needed to get any size job done. We come prepared no matter what the disaster is.

We have a promise to our clients. WE ARE READY at all times. We have a staff of over 40 people ready to help after any size disaster. We have staff on call at night and on the weekends to make sure that when we are needed we are ready. We have different size vehicles all stocked and fueled ready to leave at a moments notice. We have a very mobilized fleet. We have cars, trucks, trailers, and van trucks and a new semi trailer. We have a highly trained staff with crew leaders with over 90 years of combined experience in the mitigation and restoration business. They maintain certifications in residential and commercial approved structural drying, fire and smoke restoration, odor control, water damage restoration, carpet and duct cleaning, and biohazard. Our staff is ready to help you.

Get Ready for the Colder Months

10/30/2020 (Permalink)

It's time to prep for the winter months and the best time to start is during the fall before it gets too cold to handle.

SERVPRO is here to help. It is important to take the time to reduce property damage by doing these things this fall to prevent property damage. Winter is around the corner and Iowa winter temperatures are cold and harsh. Be prepared by taking a little action now by doing a little fall preventative maintenance.

Fall Maintenance Checklist

• Stow Your Mower
• Store hoses and turn off outdoor water
• Drain and turn off sprinkler systems
• Seal cracks around doors and windows
• Clean your gutters
• Inspect your roof
• Direct drainage away from your house
• Get your furnace serviced
• Prune your plants
• Look up the chimney for any blockages and check the dampers to make sure they are working

When damage happens though know we are here to help make it "Like it never even happened."

Get a FREE Emergency Ready Profile for your business

10/30/2020 (Permalink)

We are dedicated to make sure that you have all the proper information needed in case of an emergency.

For some damage restoration companies, conducting large-scale water damage repairs on office buildings in Iowa can be very difficult. In the event of a sprinkler malfunction, upper floor flood, or other disasters, the vertical nature of many office spaces can pose a significant challenge even for experienced restoration professionals like SERVPRO. However, with the help of the SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile system, you can make sure that your office receives the care and treatment it needs while we deal with mitigating your disaster.

The Emergency READY Profile is a mobile app that allows businesses in Iowa City and Coralville to prepare for and mitigate disasters as soon as they happen and provide details to ease the communication between multiple entities.

Our marketing team will help set up your account for you! We want to take the hassle out of a disaster and help your company thrive. If you own or manage multiple locations, we can set it up so you can see and manage all locations information. We will come and do a walk through with you, take pictures and document the location of the utility shutoffs

Creating an Emergency READY Profile for your business allows you to operate your company with a higher degree of security and peace of mind. When disaster strikes help is only a click away. The ERP is formatted to be a preventative tool, we help you identify hot-spots and areas of concern. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Should water, fire, or mold damage happen to your building, you can alert SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville and have our IICRC certified technicians sent out with only the push of a button. Your emergency information will be available at your fingertips 24/7 helping to reduce time figuring out who you want to contact. 

Contents Claim Inventory

10/23/2020 (Permalink)

Our professional team can help you get back to normalcy by restoring the salvageable contents. We are HERE TO HELP.

Just imagine experiencing a total loss of your home due to a fire and having to recall every item that was damaged… would you be able to do it? Would you trust yourself to remember each individual item that was in your home, especially the rarely used ones? Without a photographic memory, most of us would struggle with this extensive task in an already stressful time. In the event of a fire, your insurance company will expect you to provide a list of all your personal property that was damaged. By having a pre-assembled Home Contents Inventory you can have piece-of-mind knowing that all of your contents are documented and can then be properly replaced according to your insurance policy. There are several methods to complete your Home Contents Inventory whether on paper or digitally (you can contact your local SERVPRO for a blank copy of either). You will want to make sure to list each item, its value, and include any receipts and photographs along with it. It is a good idea to update your Home Contents Inventory list annually to include any new items you have added to the home and remove items you no longer have. Make sure to keep a copy safe in a fireproof container or safe deposit box and you can always file a copy with your insurance agent as well.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned

10/23/2020 (Permalink)

When going in to clean to disinfect a space, we make safety a high priority. We make sure to come in full PPE to clean the property.

For all businesses that need help reopening or have experienced a positive COVID-19 test in the work place, this is a reminder that we do offer professional services to combat this issue.

Let us help you get back to business

As our communities re-open, we’re all moving back toward a new kind of normal. The expectations of visitors, customers, and employees who come into our establishments have evolved, and staying safe and well is a top concern. The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed what it means to be clean, and we’ve developed a program to help your business meet the new higher standard of clean that is now expected.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is a defensive cleaning program we’re offering to businesses and commercial locations to address the current COVID-19 pandemic. This proactive viral pathogen cleaning program goes well beyond janitorial or carpet cleaning. By choosing Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you, your employees, your customers, and your community can rest assured that you’ve selected a higher cleaning standard – you are Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

Extensive training and specialized products

As the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration*, we stand on more than 50 years of experience and expertise to help your business become Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.  Beyond fire & water, SERVPRO professionals are trained and experienced in biohazard decontamination and chemical spills – always adhering to the cleaning and decontamination standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local authorities. 

From formulating and creating our proprietary cleaning products, like SERVPROXIDE, at our headquarters in Gallatin, TN, to taking the utmost care while disinfecting, we will ensure you and your business are set up to inspire consumer confidence as the economy continues to reopen.

3 C’s – Consult, Clean, and Certify

When the stakes are this high, you want a partner who has developed an industry leading, proprietary training program, cleaning solutions, and remediation processes over decades. We’ve cleaned up some of the most challenging biohazards imaginable. Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned reflects our unique experiences and capabilities. The program is grounded with our unique 3 C’s: Consult, Clean, and Certify.

•     Consult – Every business is different, which is why you’ll be assigned a Cleaning Protocol Consultant who understands your business and will create a cleaning program to meet your specific needs. This program will be developed based on your business type, size of space, amount of high frequency touchpoints, foot traffic and congestion points.
•     Clean – Based on your specific business needs, your location will undergo a thorough, deep clean, using exclusive cleaning products, according to protocols set forth by the CDC. Our employees have years of experience, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform. Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for the cleanup process, and disposal of hazardous materials.  In the event of a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 event, we will be there cleaning within 24 hours to ensure you get back to business as quickly as possible. 
•     Certify - Once your business location has been Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you will gain access to proprietary signage, digital emblems, and other collateral that communicates that you’ve selected a higher standard of clean available to help protect your employees and customers. And because we add the day, month, and year to that proprietary stamp of clean, your guests will know that not only did you choose Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, but that your location is being cleaned regularly at this standard.

Call today for a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation

We’re Here to Help – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – until life is back to normal in the communities we all call home.

Call SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville today for your Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation.

* #1 Choice in cleanup & restoration based Commercial Attitude & Usage Tracking study. Polling 816 commercial business decision makers on first choice for future needs related to cleanup & restoration work. Study conducted by C&R Research: October 2019

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned means professionally trained SERVPRO franchises perform the requested cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection services according to proprietary SERVPRO protocols and recognized industry and CDC standards with EPA approved cleaning products to deliver a SERVPRO certified cleaning experience.  Each SERVPRO franchise is independently owned and operated.

The Steps of Deodorization

10/13/2020 (Permalink)

The smells after a fire can be persistent and overwhelming, so we are here to help deodorize the affected space.

There are four principles of deodorization that we follow when restoring an affected area after a fire:

1. The first step is to remove the source. The charred material all needs to be removed first to start the process. 

2. Our team then cleans contaminated surfaces to remove soot residue. This needs to happen as soon as we are able to get to it. This will help minimize damage.

3. After removing the residue, our franchise professionals then use different methods to remove odor. This principle is called "recreate the conditions of penetration."  We use many different methods to remove odor form objects.  We use ozone machines, hydroxyl machines as well as thermal foggers to remove odor. 

4. When necessary, our team members seal and encapsulate the odor using special sealing materials, so the odor does not penetrate the sealer and continue to produce an odor.

Our team is able to assist with any fire, smoke, and soot job to help get your life back on track.

The Power of Dehumidifiers

10/13/2020 (Permalink)

Our team member make sure to come prepared with all the necessary equipment to get the job done in a timely manner.

We use dehumidifiers as one piece of equipment during our balanced drying system we utilize when we are cleaning up after a water loss.  Dehumidification helps to minimize secondary damages. Dehumidifiers used alone are not the only piece of equipment we use. These units are used to capture evaporated moisture in the air. Our team members work to get the moisture out of the material, and they then use air movers and energy to get the water to evaporate. Once evaporated, the vapor can be removed from the air with a dehumidifier.  "Dehumidifiers are a sealed refrigeration system with defrost mechanism, fan, and water collection system.  The dehumidifier removes energy from the incoming air, then returns this energy as sensible heat to the exiting air.  During this energy removal process, water vapor condenses on the evaporator (cool) coil and is collected." - Disaster Academy Training Manual

Ways To Increase the Resale Value of a Property

10/13/2020 (Permalink)

It is a fact: a clean, fresh smelling home sells faster, so that's why we are here to help realtors with difficult listings.

Customers might be concerned that undergoing damage and requiring restoration work might bring down the resale value of properties. These customers will want to know the relationship between restoration work and resale values of the properties.

Customers will be interested in learning what are some of the most cost-effective ways to raise the real estate value of their property. You can provide your insight as a leader in the restoration business to give your customers.

1. Have your duct work cleaned out – It’s a good idea to start cleaning ducts before winter hits. This will help you out by ensuring that everyone in home stays healthy, but more so, they will also help you save money and to prolong the life of your duct system. 

2. Have your carpets cleaned – Brushing and vacuuming carpets, while being helpful, does not count as carpet cleaning. Vacuuming should be done twice a week to remove around 80% of the dirt and grime that accumulates in your carpets. Carpets should be professionally cleaned at least twice a year. Carpets cleaned professionally can remove the pathogens that hide within the fiber of your carpets. Allergens such as dust mites, bedbugs, and pollen can safely be extracted from the carpets.

3. The potential dangers of removing mold yourself – We all are exposed to low levels of mold spores every day. However, molds can settle down and spread quickly through out your home. Exposure to certain molds can have effects on one's health. While DIYers sometimes attempt to tackle the problems in their home, mold is one that should be handled by a professional. Mold remediation requires the expertise of a professional with years of experience in safety and properly removing mold from your home.

4. Odor Removal – Odors can be concerning when they linger and are tough to eliminate. Airing out the property and using air fresheners are masking agents. Lingering odors can indicate that there is serious damage that has been done to the property, such as water damage, mold growth, or smoke damage. Odors are usually an indicator of a larger issue. If you do not see it, but can smell it, then call your professional Restoration Company.

We Have a Product For Any Situation

10/9/2020 (Permalink)

We are fully stocked with whatever product is needed to get the job done no matter the size of the job.

SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville has a cleaning product for any cleaning situation for the unexpected disasters. Whether you have a sewage job, a fire job, a mold job, a carpet cleaning job, a job that might have some blood, or a job that has painted graffiti, we have a product specialty formulated by our scientists at SERVPRO that will be able to help remove that stubborn situation. We are here as your premier cleaning and restoration company to make it "Like it never even happened." Our team has products stocked and ready on our shelves all the time and our trained technicians know how to safely and properly use these resources to treat the most stubborn of situations. We have environmentally friendly "green" products by request. We have a nice selection of deodorizers and air fresheners. You can depend on SERVPRO to take care of you, your home, business, carpets, upholsteries, etc. 

How to Prepare Your Home for Winter Weather

9/18/2020 (Permalink)

If water damage does occur in your home, you can call on our SERVPRO team to help quickly and efficiently set up equipment for you.

About 1 in 50 homes has a claim caused by water damage or freezing each year. With winter right around the corner now is the perfect time to start preparing your home for the winter weather. SERVPRO has some tips to help you prepare.

1. Shut off and drain any outside faucets.
2. Once the leaves have fallen, it’s time to clean those gutters.
3. Make sure the soil around your home hasn’t settled, leaving areas for water to pool at your foundation.
4. Test that your sump pump is in working order.
5. Mark your main water source and make sure your family know how to shut it off in case of a water emergency.

If disaster strikes your home, call you local SERVPRO Franchise Professionals to help assist you. We are HERE TO HELP.

Commercial Graffiti Removal

9/16/2020 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO team is capable of removing graffiti in several different ways. For media blasting, a containment unit can be built to limit the mess.

Are you struggling with stubborn graffiti removal on porous material such as concrete? Have you tried everything in your arsenal and the hardware store?  Are your maintenance contacts getting tired of scrubbing and still being able to read the graffiti? Our team recently worked with a local college in the area that had this same problem, and they had given up and thought that this was the new normal for their concrete memorial sitting area. SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville was able to step up and clean as we do best.  We used our media blast system to etch away the top layer of concrete where the graffiti had soaked into the pores of the concrete and made it look new again. Media blasting expels an abrasive material at the surface to remove soot damage or, in this case, graffiti. We are here to help and can work to remove graffiti on multiple surfaces.

The Impact of a Larger Fire

9/10/2020 (Permalink)

We have the equipment and vehicles for any water or fire loss.

SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville was on this large loss commercial fire earlier this year for about a week. 

This was a commercial fire in a nearly finished retirement community set to open just weeks after the fire. Our major focus was on the part not affected by the fire but all the water the fire department had to use to extinguish the fire. We mitigated all damaged materials and completed a structure dry utilizing a trailer mounted desiccant and other industry methods. We brought a semi trailer that was fully stocked for this job. We have the equipment and trained professionals to help with any size job. We are Here to Help at any time. We are prepared to assist any job with our team.

What is the IICRC?

7/15/2020 (Permalink)

It is essential that our team is trained properly so that we can help your business quickly, efficiently, and professionally no matter the day.

What is the IICRC? The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification is a nonprofit organization for the cleaning and restoration industry. Our SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville team members study IICRC best practices guidelines for fire damage, water damage restoration, and mold remediation. It is a certification and standard-setting organization. IICRC standards are developed to provide the highest quality concepts, terminology and procedures recognized in the cleaning and restoration industry. There are many certifications that our team members earn and our SERVPRO team of franchise professionals make sure to keep up with the certifications as technology and material changes. Our team members take the certifications to be prepared for any situation and to properly address the problem and apply efficient and thorough mitigation for your business or property.

Soft and Hard Content Cleaning

7/15/2020 (Permalink)

All contents are itemized and can be taken to our shop to be cleaned and restored.

SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville provides content cleaning services when fire, water, sewage, or mold remediation occurs. When any of these disasters occur, we will be there to help. Not only do these situations leave the structure a mess, but it can damage your valuable contents as well. When fire affects lives they think the fire has stolen their contents. At SERVPRO, we have specifically trained content cleaning personnel that will help to restore your personal belongings back to preloss conditions. We start by taking a detailed inventory of your belongings and carefully packing them into boxes as to not damage anything. In the industry this process is called a "pack out". This would include any item that SERVPRO cleaning staff and you deem salvageable including:  clothing, shoes, rugs, drapes, linens, décor items, electronics, dishes, books, and other miscellaneous items around the home.  The items are then taken back to our facilities where SERVPRO uses different methods of restoration to carefully bring life back to your belongings as quickly as possible. This includes our ultrasonic machines.

After the cleaning process has taken place, your personal contents are stored in an environmentally controlled space for safe keeping until your home or business is ready.

Storm Damage Assistance

7/15/2020 (Permalink)

We have our vehicles ready to go for any size disaster and are prepared to assess

When storms roll through, SEVRPRO of Iowa City/ Coralville is ready to assist no matter how big or small the job.  Our trucks are always stocked and ready to go, allowing the ability to quickly dispatch one of our highly trained crews to arrive prepared to begin accessing the issue to provide the most efficient remedy. When we put the all call out for help those professionals that are available for the job end up  bringing additional resources and staff.  All SERVPRO franchises are trained to do the work the same way.

SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville understands the urgency of getting a property back into its preloss condition, with daily monitoring to make sure the process is working to its fullest capacity and we can get the lives of those affected back to normal as quickly as possible.

Call Us for Water Damage Cleanup

7/15/2020 (Permalink)

We as franchise professionals work to keep you informed with every part of the process, so you know how to protect your home in the future.

When water damage occurs it can set you in a fit of panic. It is essential to know where your main turn off switches are is very important in a water damage situation. When you see water turn off the main valve first. Then go back and work to isolate where the problem is originating from and you can isolate the leak to the nearest shut off. Water damage can range from burst pipes, natural disasters, flooding, ground infiltration, or even sewer lines. Regardless of the cause another key thing is to know when you need help and it is too much for you to handle. Often times a restoration and cleanup professional is called to help with the restoration. We at SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville follow highly regulated processes to ensure that the water damage restoration not only is effective, but also provides a safe place for occupants during and after the restoration process. You can depend on our team of franchise professionals to have the equipment stocked for any situation.

When is a Board-up Needed

7/14/2020 (Permalink)

We are ready 24/7 for any emergency that may occur where you would need our assistance.

Situations such as vandalism and graffiti can be very upsetting and overwhelming for homeowners and businesses. Vandalism and graffiti can range from relatively minor pranks to malicious destruction of property. Often simple acts of vandalism, like breaking a window, can cause significant water and mold damage if not addressed in a timely manner. Here at SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville, we have the capability to help with this property damage. We can do a board-up which is done after a storm, fire or vandalism incident where the building is exposed. It is meant to prevent further damage from happening to the facility. It minimizes property loss by securing the building and taking care if restorable/reusable elements. A natural disaster can leave your facility vulnerable to problems such as vandalism, theft, and unwanted entry.

The Problem With Too much Rain

7/14/2020 (Permalink)

We have all the necessary equipment to get the job done so that you can have peace of mind.

In the case of a storm, heavy rainfall can infiltrate a home or business very quickly. Most of the time it is a problem in the lower level or basement of a home or in a crawl space. Water can seep in and penetrate under garage doors, around improperly sealed windows, and through cracks in the cement foundation or walls. It is important to note that water will always travel the least path of resistance. If you find water where you don't want it and you don't know how to remove it, so we are Here to help. ® SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville has several different forms of extraction equipment and are ready for 24/7 with our emergency services. It is very important to remove the water as soon as possible to prevent further wicking into the structure materials of the building. It can be difficult to remove without the right equipment. This is where we, SERVPRO franchise professionals, come in. We will extract the standing water and then set drying equipment to remove moisture from the structure. Always remember to call right away when you see a problem for help.  Water is something you want to clean up right away so further problems don't occur.

The First 24 Hours After a Fire

7/14/2020 (Permalink)

We know how unexpected and stressful fire damage can be, so we will work efficiently to get your property back to pre-loos conditions.

The first 24 hours after fire damage make the difference between restoring versus replacing the property. SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville provides a timely response with mitigation services ranging from smoke and soot removal to contents claim inventory and document restoration. We offer a large amount of options in the case of fire damage. We can either utilize a dry or wet technique to completely remove soot off of surfaces like the walls and ceiling. Additionally, media blasting is used soot, mold, or paint removal. It is done by forcibly propelling a stream of abrasive material to smooth the surface.  A containment area can be built to make the cleanup process easier to limit the product from spreading to unwanted areas. The containment is easily moved to reach different parts of the affected location. Lastly, thermal fogging recreates the act of penetrations and follows the same path of the smoke from a fire to deodorize. It is estimated that up to 50% of businesses that close due to a disaster, such as a fire, never reopen. Of the businesses that survive, the overwhelming majority of them have a preparedness plan in place. Whether it’s a home or business, SERVPRO is a lead in fire damage response and can help you quickly get the property back.

The Do's and Do Not's for Fire Damage

7/2/2020 (Permalink)

We offer several options for cleaning smoke and soot to help you get back to preloss conditions. We want you to know that we are "Here to help."

If you have fire and smoke damage to your property, home or business, it is hard to not start cleaning yourself. If this situation arises, please let our SERVPRO franchise professionals assist you. Here are some tips for those who experience fire and smoke damage in their home or business. The Do's are meant to help you minimize damage. Please keep movement in the building at a minimum.  Minimal movement helps keep particles from becoming embedded in carpet and fabrics. Make sure to wash your hands a lot and be cautious not to transfer or wipe soot onto something. It can make it damage the item more. If electricity is off, then empty fridges and freezers and prop doors open to prevent odors. It is beneficial to change your furnace/air conditioner filter, but don't let the system continue to run. Be certain to turn it off. The Don'ts that are stated should be left to professionals to help you get back to preloss conditions. Do not try washing anything yourself. You could further rub the soot into the item. Don't shampoo your carpet. We recommend that you take the time to talk to a professional first. Don't clean any electronics without contacting a professional. Do not consume any food or beverages that may have been affected by the fire, soot, or smoke. Additionally, do not use toiletries as they can also be affected by fire, soot, or smoke. Do not turn ceiling fans on, because this will stir up the soot residue. Our SERVPRO team is available for 24 hour emergency services.

The Different Types of Mold You'll Encounter

7/2/2020 (Permalink)

Mold prospers in warm, damp area and it will continue to spread with a continuous water source. Call our professionals to help with mold remediation.

There are different types of mold.  The most common are aspergillus, cladosporium and stachybotrys atra (also known as black mold). Aspergillus and Cladosporium are nontoxic to humans but it can aggravate allergy symptoms. It is important to note that not all mold is dangerous. In fact, it is all around us, but some mold should be removed by professionals. It is found in foods and in air conditioning systems. This is found as a black or green mold that grows in little dots in bathrooms, on painted surfaces, and in flexible air ducts. Black mold should be removed for safety reasons. Call our SERVPRO franchise professionals to remove molds such as black mold. This type of mold grows on building materials with a water source available. To prevent mold growth, make sure that water leaks are dried up quickly and humidity levels are maintained in your home or business. Mold thrives in warm, damp conditions. Our SERVPRO franchise professionals are certified to test for mold.  We do visual inspections, air sampling, as well as we have a bore scope that can go inside areas that are not normally visible to look for mold.  When air samples are taken, 3 samples are taken and sent in to be analyzed. The results take about 5 to 7 days to return.  If the air samples come back positive for mold then we will do further investigation to locate the source of the positive result of the air samples. Call us for pricing if you believe you have mold present and we will help you maintain your healthy home remediate mold.

The Do's and Do Not's for Water Damage

7/1/2020 (Permalink)

We are fully stocked for any amount of water damage. As franchise professionals, we can help you get toward preloss conditions.

Water damage can happen at any point for anyone, home or business, resulting in sometimes irreversible damaged property. These do's are only for clean water and do not’s pertain to sewage water. Sewage water is treated differently since it causes different damage and requires a different cleanup process. We, the team of SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville, know the importance of having professionals helping you properly dry out your home after water damage. With the right tools and pieces of equipment our SERVPRO franchise professionals can safely dry out your home or business and the contents within it. If the proper methods are administered then it minimizes the removal of materials such as drywall (this is also dependent on how soon the water damage is being dealt with. To minimize the damage, make sure to shut off the source of water and turn off the electricity. It is essential to remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and soaking up with towels. This is especially important for wood furniture. To ensure that more damage isn't sustained by the furniture, place aluminum foil in between furniture legs and the carpet. While these are good steps, your safety is important, so make sure to NOT enter a room with standing water since there could be a risk of electrical shock. We take safety very seriously and we want to ensure your safety along with our own. Make sure to disconnect all power first. It is recommended to NOT leave rugs and furniture upholstery wet against one another, because the fabrics have the potential to bleed between each other. It is important to note that you should not be utilizing your household vacuum to try and suck up any water. If these tips are followed, then damage can be minimized and you will be better prepared for help to arrive. Remember to stay safe and get excess water cleaned up professionally to minimize the chance of mold growth.

Large Loss Response Team

7/1/2020 (Permalink)

We, as professionals, want to ensure your safety. We will work to get the business back preloss conditions with our 24 hour emergency services.

We are currently the only certified Large Loss Response Team in the state of Iowa.  We have the equipment, employees, and connections to help in even the largest disaster. We promise to be ready when you need us. Our equipment is always fueled, tested, loaded.  We have on call staff 24 hours a day for your emergency.  We have a trailer loaded with our desiccant and a dedicated generator to run it at all times. This desiccant is a 5,000 cfm piece of equipment for dehumidification. We have air movers and large portable dehumidifiers for drying a structure. We have large air scrubbers and different ozone machines for removing odor. A large loss is a loss valued at over $50,000 in mitigation or remediation work.  Every loss is managed by a commercial operations manager to help ensure seamless communication and timely mitigation for your large loss. Our employees are trained residential and commercially for any size disaster.

We Help No Matter the Weather

7/1/2020 (Permalink)

We will make sure to help you and your home or business no matter the weather. We know how stressful these times can be.

SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville remains a reliable option for homeowners and business owners during disasters. Our goal is to make any disaster disappear "Like it never even happened." We offer 24-hour emergency service because we know that storms, fires and water issues can happen any day at any time. We want to help you get back to preloss conditions no matter the situation. Whether it’s two in the afternoon or two in the morning, we will respond to your disaster quickly to get you back to a safe and functioning space. This includes hazardous mold mitigation, water damage mitigation, biohazard cleanup, and fire cleanup. We know the stress that these situations can bring, and we are here to help the process move smoothly and efficiently. We make our services available 24 hours a day for 365 days a year. We want to ensure you will be helped during overwhelming and unexpected times. We come ready for whatever happens. No matter the weather or time of day, we will be there to assist.

We Can Weather Any Storm

7/1/2020 (Permalink)

We know storm damage can be unexpected and stressful. We want to help take some of that stress away and provide and thorough/professional services.

As a business, it is your job to weather any storm that comes your way no matter the type or size. Sometimes physical storms are unexpected and can be quite devastating and detrimental to a business. Here at SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville, our job is to give some peace of mind and help instigate water and fire damage cleanup and restoration. We are capable of traveling anywhere to help get the property back to preloss conditions. Our SERVPRO team of franchise professionals have access to a semi-trailer that is meant to stock up for any disaster that could strike your business. We make our services available 24 hours a day for 365 days a year for whatever could happen. We want to ensure you will be helped during overwhelming and unexpected times. We come ready for whatever disaster occurs. No matter the weather or time of day, we will be there to assist.

What Is A Desiccant?

5/27/2020 (Permalink)

A desiccant can aid in the process in getting a property back to preloss conditions.

Our desiccant aids the process of bringing the affected area back to a state of dryness and is mainly used for commercial losses. More specifically, it helps mitigate water damage. For larger scale losses, it acts as a large dehumidifier. It utilizes a generator to help with the process. These use an absorbent material to extract water from the air. The material is heated to drip the moisture into a water tank. Desiccant dehumidifiers are designed to work more effectively in lower temperatures. Dehumidifiers are designed to keep a room’s humidity levels in check, so the air is more comfortable and fewer physical signs of damp air are noticed, helping minimize the chance of mold. The desiccant can be utilized if your home has been flooded, especially if the wood is soft to the touch in that area. Softwood can indicate rotting and windowsills are particularly vulnerable. If you notice mold or mildew our team can use the desiccant to help get the moisture in the air and materials to a more stable level. Desiccants are used on a larger scale water loss to remove moisture from the air.  We used these as a tool in our balanced drying system in place or alongside dehumidifiers on a larger scale project.  Desiccants operate differently than dehumidifiers. Desiccants do not collect water through condensation. They vent moisture-laden air from inside the structure to outside the structure using a ventilation system.  Desiccants are usually large units and sit outside the structure with venting tubes and air input tubes from and to the structure. They create the greatest vapor pressure and are best used when trying to dry wood flooring, plaster, or concrete. They work on the principle of sorption rather than condensation. Water vapor in this process is adsorbed by a silica gel and then that silica gel is reactivated by energy causing the desiccant to release its moisture to the outside air.

Building a kit for an emergency

5/20/2020 (Permalink)

Re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your family’s needs change and remember to replace expired food.

After an emergency, it may be necessary to build a kit that can last up to 3 days. We know how stressful unexpected storms can be and we want to help you prepare for any scenario. To assemble your kit, store items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag. It should be noted that the supplies in a kit can be different based on your own personal needs, but the list recommended by ready.gov is a great place to start.

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:

• Water (one gallon per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation)
• Food (at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food)
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Extra batteries
• Whistle (to signal for help)
• Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
• Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
• Manual can opener (for food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

You can use ready.gov for additional kit supplies ideas as well as how to maintain your kit and where to store it. Again, we want to help you prepare to weather any storm. If storm damage ever damages your home, you can call on SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville to be there to help.

*Source: Ready.gov

We can make fire damage "Like it never even happened"

5/19/2020 (Permalink)

Fires are often unexpected, and we want to create peace of mind as we are able to help get the property back to preloss conditions.

The first 24 hours after fire damage make the difference between restoring versus replacing the property. SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville provides a timely response with mitigation services ranging from smoke and soot removal to contents claim inventory and document restoration. We offer a large amount of options in the case of fire damage. We can either utilize a dry or wet technique to completely remove soot off of surfaces like the walls and ceiling. Additionally, media blasting is used soot, mold, or paint removal. It is done by forcibly propelling a stream of abrasive material to smooth the surface. Lastly, thermal fogging recreates the act of penetrations and follows the same path of the smoke from a fire to deodorize. It is estimated that up to 50% of businesses that close due to a disaster, such as a fire, never reopen. Of the businesses that survive, the overwhelming majority of them have a preparedness plan in place. Whether it’s a home or business, SERVPRO is a lead in fire damage response and can help you quickly get the property back.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned - a defensive cleaning program

5/18/2020 (Permalink)

Our defensive cleaning program gives your business a way forward by providing your employees and customers ongoing safety and assuredness.

Let us help you get back to business

As our communities re-open, we’re all moving back toward a new kind of normal. The expectations of visitors, customers, and employees who come into our establishments have evolved, and staying safe and well is a top concern. The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed what it means to be clean, and we’ve developed a program to help your business meet the new higher standard of clean that is now expected.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is a defensive cleaning program we’re offering to businesses and commercial locations to address the current COVID-19 pandemic. This proactive viral pathogen cleaning program goes well beyond janitorial or carpet cleaning. By choosing Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you, your employees, your customers, and your community can rest assured that you’ve selected a higher cleaning standard – you are Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

Extensive training and specialized products

As the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration*, we stand on more than 50 years of experience and expertise to help your business become Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.  Beyond fire & water, SERVPRO professionals are trained and experienced in biohazard decontamination and chemical spills – always adhering to the cleaning and decontamination standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local authorities. 

From formulating and creating our proprietary cleaning products, like SERVPROXIDE, at our headquarters in Gallatin, TN, to taking the utmost care while disinfecting, we will ensure you and your business are set up to inspire consumer confidence as the economy continues to reopen.

3 C’s – Consult, Clean, and Certify

When the stakes are this high, you want a partner who has developed an industry leading, proprietary training program, cleaning solutions, and remediation processes over decades. We’ve cleaned up some of the most challenging biohazards imaginable. Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned reflects our unique experiences and capabilities. The program is grounded with our unique 3 C’s: Consult, Clean, and Certify.

•     Consult – Every business is different, which is why you’ll be assigned a Cleaning Protocol Consultant who understands your business and will create a cleaning program to meet your specific needs. This program will be developed based on your business type, size of space, amount of high frequency touchpoints, foot traffic and congestion points.
•     Clean – Based on your specific business needs, your location will undergo a thorough, deep clean, using exclusive cleaning products, according to protocols set forth by the CDC. Our employees have years of experience, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform. Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for the cleanup process, and disposal of hazardous materials.  In the event of a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 event, we will be there cleaning within 24 hours to ensure you get back to business as quickly as possible. 
•     Certify - Once your business location has been Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you will gain access to proprietary signage, digital emblems, and other collateral that communicates that you’ve selected a higher standard of clean available to help protect your employees and customers. And because we add the day, month, and year to that proprietary stamp of clean, your guests will know that not only did you choose Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, but that your location is being cleaned regularly at this standard.

Call today for a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation

We’re Here to Help – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – until life is back to normal in the communities we all call home.

Call SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville today for your Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation.

* #1 Choice in cleanup & restoration based Commercial Attitude & Usage Tracking study. Polling 816 commercial business decision makers on first choice for future needs related to cleanup & restoration work. Study conducted by C&R Research: October 2019

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned means professionally trained SERVPRO franchises perform the requested cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection services according to proprietary SERVPRO protocols and recognized industry and CDC standards with EPA approved cleaning products to deliver a SERVPRO certified cleaning experience.  Each SERVPRO franchise is independently owned and operated.

What ultrasonic cleaning can do for you!

5/13/2020 (Permalink)

This ultrasonic tank can be used on a wide variety of products.

Our Ultrasonic Machine system is utilized to clean many different items including items damaged by mold or soot, mainly being used with fire damage. An ultrasonic tank and dryer are paired together to help create a complete drying process. Contents are cleaned in our ultrasonic tank and then they are placed in the dryer to complete the system. This dual system allows for contents to be cleaned efficiently and thoroughly, expanding our range of restorable contents. We can clean some electronics, jewelry, guns, family heirlooms, light fixtures, porcelain dolls, etc. All this is done quickly and efficiently. We can clean a whole assortment of contents as it offers a deep and even clean for even the most delicate items. This system utilizes minimal chemicals and high speed and energy efficient cleaning. Ultrasonic works with high-frequency ultrasonic vibrations, along with the special cleaning solutions to create the effect of millions of tiny bubbles which break down contaminants off the target surface without the need for scrubbing. Even if you don't have fire and water damage in your home and you just need an item deep cleaned, feel free to bring it in and we will be happy to clean the item quickly and thoroughly for you. With our ultrasonic dryer, contents are cleaned in our ultrasonic tank and then placed in this dryer to complete the process.

Our Largest Addition

5/13/2020 (Permalink)

Our trailer is meant to be stocked for any size disaster. We will help no matter the size of the project.

Our biggest addition to the SERVPRO team is our semi trailer. This trailer is stocked for any large loss scenario. Stocked as a rolling distribution center with equipment, consumables, and tools to clean up any disaster. Whether it’s a storm or fire, SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville has the capability to mitigate any size disaster with the new addition. The new semi trailer can handle any large losses that affect places such as apartment complexes, hotels and other businesses. Storms and fires can be unpredictable and difficult to prepare for. We here at SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville are here to help be “Faster to any size disaster” and to help relieve some of the stress that large losses can bring. The sooner help is called then the sooner and more efficiently our team can work to get the space back to preloss conditions. The semi trailer can hold enough machines for large scale scenarios. Our team is prepared to help mitigate any disaster. We have team members specifically named our “Disaster Recovery Team '' for the large losses.

Emergency Readiness Profile

5/13/2020 (Permalink)

Our ERP application can be used on almost any device and prepares the business for any disaster that could strike.

We know there is a lot of uncertainty at this time, and we would like to help take some of the stress away. Call us to find out about our cost-free Emergency Readiness Profiles (ERPs) and how they can help you, especially during this time. We are continuing to operate at this time and are here to help. We offer a service of helping businesses develop an emergency ready profile for their property at no cost.  We offer a free app for all phones  to also maintain this critical contact and property information electronically prior to any incident or unexpected disaster. Everything can be accessed with a mobile device in seconds if a disaster strikes. This information can be shared very easily with staff and whoever else needs to be ahold of the information and contacts. An ERP includes information about emergency contact numbers, priority and high/risk area, shut off valve locations, insurance contacts, and more. If also details the location and directions for the different parts of the building. This is essential since every building is different in  one way or another.  We believe in helping to reduce property damage when a disaster occurs.  We provide a paper copy, emailed copy, and the app copy of the Emergency Ready Profile for easy access by all employees. We here at SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville stand by being proactive not reactive to an emergency situation.  These profiles are proven to help reduce the amount of damage that occurs if kept current and utilized. Call and schedule your appointment with one of our team members to help develop your FREE Emergency Ready Profile.

Are you Ready?

5/8/2020 (Permalink)

This app is accessible on almost any device and can help when disaster strikes.

We know there is a lot of uncertainty at this time, and we would like to help take some of the stress away. Call us to find out about our cost-free Emergency Readiness Profiles (ERPs) and how they can help you, especially during this time. We are continuing to operate at this time and are here to help. We offer a service of helping businesses develop an emergency ready profile for their property at no cost.  We offer a free app for all phones  to also maintain this critical contact and property information electronically prior to any incident or unexpected disaster. Everything  can be accessed with a mobile device in seconds if a disaster strikes. This information can be shared very easily with staff and whoever else needs to be ahold of the information and contacts. An ERP includes information about emergency contact numbers, priority and high/risk area, shut off valve locations, insurance contacts, and more. If also details the location and directions for the different parts of the building. This is essential since every building is different in  one way or another.  We believe in helping to reduce property damage when a disaster occurs.  We provide a paper copy, emailed copy, and the app copy of the Emergency Ready Profile for easy access by all employees. We here at SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville stand by being proactive not reactive to an emergency situation.  These profiles are proven to help reduce the amount of damage that occurs if kept current and utilized. Call and schedule your appointment with one of our team members to help develop your FREE Emergency Ready Profile.

Got Storm Damage? No Problem

5/7/2020 (Permalink)

We know storm damage can be unexpected and devastating, so we make sure we are prepared for any scenario to help you when you need it most.

We are currently the only certified Large Loss Response Team in the state of Iowa.  We have the equipment, employees, and connections to help in even the largest disaster.  We promise to be ready when you need us.  Our equipment is always fueled, tested, loaded. We have on call staff 24 hours a day ant day of the year. We have a semi trailer loaded with our desiccant and a dedicated generator to run it at all times. This desiccant is a 5,000 cfm piece of equipment for dehumidification.  We have air movers and large portable dehumidifiers for drying a structure.  We have large air scrubbers and different ozone machines for removing odor.  Every loss is managed by a commercial operations manager to help ensure seamless communication and timely mitigation. Our employees are trained residential and commercially for any size disaster. The semi trailer can hold enough machines for large scale scenarios. Our team is prepared to help mitigate any disaster. We have team members specifically named our “Disaster Recovery Team '' for the large losses. We have capabilities to mitigate any size disaster with access to all the necessary supplies. Call on SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville whenever storm damage strikes.

We are Here for You

4/23/2020 (Permalink)

We are always here to help no matter the size of the disaster.

We know these times have been trying for each and every one of us. There are many unknowns and we want to help provide peace of mind. We are still open 24/7, helping with any disaster that hits your home or business. We, here at SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville, want to help you no matter the size of the disaster. We are IICRC trained and ready with whatever is needed for fire, water, and mold damage. Our team has 24 Hour Emergency Service for when problems need to be dealt with immediately. With this time of uncertainty, we are continuing our cleaning and sanitization services. We offer a ULV fog to disinfect service as it quickly and efficiently covers surfaces. The product’s dwell time is only 10-15 minutes, but we recommend that you are out of the facility for four hours to let the product settle and have the scent dissipate since it is a cleaning product that is dispersed all throughout the property. We also offer sanitizing services for porous surfaces such as carpets/rugs, and we offer disinfection services for nonporous surfaces. We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Our SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville can perform a proactive cleanup that involves facility or structure cleaning and disinfecting by calling 844-965-0001We know these times have been trying for each and every one of us. There are many unknowns and we want to help provide peace of mind. We are still open 24/7, helping with any disaster that hits your home or business. We, here at SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville, want to help you no matter the size of the disaster. We are IICRC trained and ready with whatever is needed for fire, water, and mold damage. Our team has 24 Hour Emergency Service for when problems need to be dealt with immediately. With this time of uncertainty, we are continuing our cleaning and sanitization services. We offer a ULV fog to disinfect service as it quickly and efficiently covers surfaces. The product’s dwell time is only 10-15 minutes, but we recommend that you are out of the facility for four hours to let the product settle and have the scent dissipate since it is a cleaning product that is dispersed all throughout the property. We also offer sanitizing services for porous surfaces such as carpets/rugs, and we offer disinfection services for nonporous surfaces. We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Our SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville can perform a proactive cleanup that involves facility or structure cleaning and disinfecting by calling 844-965-0001.

We Are Cleaning Experts

3/18/2020 (Permalink)

We are "Ready for whatever happens." And we can come anywhere to help.

SERVPRO is Here to Help during this time of need

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

Specialized Products

The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.

Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning

If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today – SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville, 844-965-0001

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fguidance-prevent-spread.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-business-response.html

How To Handle Water Damage

2/18/2020 (Permalink)

When water damage is out of your control, you can call on our team and we will come with all the needed equipment.

Water damage can happen at any point for anyone, resulting in sometimes, irreversible damaged property. These do's are only for clean water and does not pertain to sewage water. Sewage water is treated differently since it causes different damage. We, the team of SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville, know the importance of having professionals helping you properly dry out your home after water damage. With the right tools and pieces of equipment our team can safely dry out your home or business and the products within it. If the proper methods are administered then it minimizes the removal of materials such as drywall (this is also dependent on how soon the water damage is dealt with. To minimize the damage on your property, make sure to shut off the source of water and turn off the electricity. It is essential to remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and soaking up with towels. This is especially important for wood furniture. To ensure that more damage isn't sustained by the furniture, place aluminum foil in between furniture legs and the carpet. While these are good steps, your safety is important, so make sure to NOT enter a room with standing water since there could be a risk of electrical shock. Make sure to disconnect all power first. You shouldn’t leave rugs and furniture upholstery wet against and sitting on carpets, because the fabrics have the potential to bleed between each other. It is important to note that you should not be utilizing your household vacuum to try and suck up any water. If these tips are followed, then damage can be minimized and you will be better prepared for help to arrive. Remember to stay safe!

The Power of Flood Cuts

2/12/2020 (Permalink)

Drywall being removed to make a Flood Cut.

Water damage, if not treated quickly and efficiently, can damage flooring and personal belongings as well as heightening the chance for mold growth. Our Franchise Professionals here at SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville are here and “Ready for whatever happens.” With water damaged houses and business, there is a method sometimes needed that is called a Flood Cut. A Flood cut is made from the floor up, cutting out the drywall when you have a water loss. This cut is made at two feet of height.  As the water works its way up the drywall, it prevents the water from continuing to move up and makes it easier for reconstruction. Additionally, the insides can be dried and sanitized behind wall cavity. This term is used in water remediation as well as construction for describing partial removal of drywall, allowing access to framing and salvageable materials to continue the drying process. The drywall can easily be fixed, making it look “Like it never even happened.”

We Have a Product for That

11/7/2019 (Permalink)

We have our product ready to go for you.

For all the messes, stains, spills, and bad weather that life brings, SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville has a product for any and every cleaning situation at any caliber. This includes but not limited to a sewage job, fire disaster, mold, carpet cleaning, a job that includes blood or even a situation with graffiti. SERVPRO comes ready with the products specially formulated by SERVPRO scientists needed for any of those situations, eliminating any stubborn situation. Our specialty products make us one of the leading companies with our attention to customer needs and product details. We train our technicians, so they know how to properly and, most importantly, safely utilize the products. We are prepared for any situation, keeping all our equipment and product stocked, and we make sure that the homeowner or business owner is happy with the results when we leave. You can trust SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville to follow IICRC recommended guidelines when cleaning for a client, keeping the client’s safety as our main priority. We have eco-friendly products available to satisfy all our customers. When coming into the home or commercial space, we work efficiently to get the residents back to day-to-day life.

We Are Ready For All Types of Weather

10/31/2019 (Permalink)

Our vehicles are packed and loaded for any disaster.

SERVPRO works to achieve preloss conditions for every disaster we encounter. It’s our vow to meet customer needs and make the customer feel at ease throughout the process. Our aim is to be quick yet efficient, so the customer can get back to day-to-day life. SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville aims to do this by maintaining professionalism throughout the whole process. With our expertise, we can make the customer feel more at ease during such a stressful and overwhelming time. No matter what the weather brings know that SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville is here to help. You have worked hard to make your house a home. At SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville, we are here to help you restore your home and personal contents. We are diligent and hard working to get the client back into the home. The reason to hire a professional team when you are needing deep cleaning service is because of our precision and attention to detail.  Our trained staff brings with them the best materials, equipment, and chemicals in the business for any situation whether it is a fire, water, sewage, mold, post construction, or general cleaning job. We are prepared for any situation and we make sure that the homeowner or business owner is happy with the results when we leave.

SERVPRO Training

10/30/2019 (Permalink)

Training helps to make sure that you are getting the best possible service.

SERVPRO stands as one of the leaders in fire and water restoration with locations to assist across the country. What makes SERVPRO continue to be a top player is our commitment to our wide variety of services by bolstering them with extensive training and certifications. Training is a vital piece of this industry where people’s personal belongings and homes are being dealt with. The team stays up-to-date on not only requirements but also the newest technology and software programs. The SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville team maintains several certifications under the Institute of Inspection Cleaning Restoration Certification (IICRC). These include Water Removal Technician, Odor Control Technician, Fire and Smoke Technician, Carpet Cleaning Technician, and Health and Safety Technician among many others. This allows the team to be fully prepared for any scenario, highlighting our ability to assess the disaster to make it “Like it never even happened.” SERVPRO has been able to tailor products and cleaners for a multitude of scenarios due to the team keeping ahead with technology and news. SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville is committed to a solutions-based mentality and continuing to grow our knowledge and certifications to help when the time calls.

Top 10 Causes for a House Fire

10/23/2019 (Permalink)

Once a fire starts, it can grow quickly as seen in this image of chair that caught fire only a minute prior.

Every home faces the potential for a numerous assortment of risks with the most dangerous of the array being a house fire. An accidental fire can occur from many household items and can easily decimate a house in minutes if it is not properly and quickly handled. While proper insurance can help mitigate financial loss, it is better to understand and work to prevent the situations that lead to house fires on any kind. Most homes are stocked full with combustible items. This list is meant to help homeowners not only identify potential issues but also lower the risk of a house fire. Whether it’s a candle accidentally burning throughout the night, faulty cooking equipment or any other scenario, homeowners should be aware of the most common causes of house fires and work to minimize and prevent accidents before they occur. With the Holidays right around the corner, be extra cautious when using candles and setting up a tree.

10.Barbeque

During the outdoor cooking season, grills left unattended on a wooden deck or next to a wall of a home can bring about a fire. A heated grill next to a wooden fence can easily cause fire, and grills have been known to ignite the exterior walls of a home or garage if placed too close.

9.Christmas Tree

Christmas trees are a holiday favorite for many as a staple to the holiday season, but they also come with many risks. Especially when the tree becomes dry, a quick spark can set the whole tree on fire. Make sure to keep the water reservoir full and to unplug the tree when you are not at home.

8.Inadequate Wiring

These fires erupt from overheating and to minimize this from occurring, make sure systems are installed properly with their protective features.

7.Children Playing with Fire

Children are very curious and will sometimes get access to flammable objects and put the property at risk. This includes matches, stove tops, candles and more. Make sure to keep lighters, candles, and matches out of reach from kids.

6.Candles

The lighters and matches utilized to light candles are just as dangerous as the candle itself. Fires can start from unsupervised candles and children getting ahold of them.

5.Electrical Equipment

These fires normally erupt from short circuiting which, in turn, causes sparking to ignite materials in the household. These are difficult to location, because they are often in hidden locations and a fire can build before the residents can acknowledge the situation.

4.Careless Smoking

Cigarette butts are a large perpetrator for house fires as cigarettes will sometimes be left unattended or dropped.

3.Flammable liquids

Chemical fires occur from spontaneous combustion: this is a reaction of chemicals combining with oxygen to produce enough heat to ignite. Be sure to store fuels and other chemicals in proper containers that are protected from heat.

2.Heating Equipment

When in the presence of fabrics or other combustibles, personal space heaters and baseboard heaters can create a house fire. It is recommended to never leave the house with a space heater running.

1.Cooking Equipment

Out of all the scenarios, the most common residential fires come from cooking, making up almost half of house fires. This can occur from grease and oil being overheated in the stove or oven, for grease and oil are highly flammable and combusts without needing direct flame contact. Many times, open flames and ovens are left unattended when in use and aren’t mitigated until it is too late. Another source to look out for are portable cooking appliances which includes electric griddles and toasters. These appliances must be cool to the touch before being stored away. You practice safety by making sure to clean pans to eliminate grease build-up along with removing crumbs and scraps from toasters and electric griddles.

Live Burn Event

10/18/2019 (Permalink)

This is a broken CSST flexible gas line that ignited gas and released a jet of fire.

Recently, the Ankeny Fire Department along with EFI Global and our SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville office presented a live burn for insurance adjusters and risk managers to have them gain knowledge to make informed decisions when processing claims. Several large boxes were built by our SERVPRO team with drywall to simulate an actual room complete with donated furniture. Before the live burns, adjustors were able to learn about the science behind how certain fires are started, analyzing the speed of separate fires. They also learn how different contents and structural materials are affected. One of the burns was simulated by a broken CSST flexible gas line which runs gas to appliances. A non-grounded line made a pin hole from an electricity arc. The gas then leaks out and catches fire from the arc of electricity, igniting the gas and creating a jet of fire. It’s important for adjustors to know the effects of soot and smoke throughout the environment.

Quality Control

10/16/2019 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO team comes fully stocked and prepared for water damage disasters.

Quality Control

After any water damage, we here at SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville, not only take care of getting the water cleaned up but we also preserve the homeowner’s property as this is one of our biggest concerns. Knowing that the homeowner is putting their trust in us, the SERVPRO team makes preparation one of our goals to ensure the highest quality service possible. Listed below are just a few ways we work to achieve top quality control.

• Furniture Blocks: Used to protect surfaces from staining or rusting while the drying process is taking place.

• Safety: Our Technicians are trained to identify and address what could be a possible tripping hazard, just the little extra could prevent an accident.

• Floor Covering: We take the time to cover flooring if necessary, to prevent damage to the homeowner’s floor.

• Keeping the homeowner informed is also one of our top goals, knowing the importance of communicating with the homeowner every step of the way to provide ease of mind that resolution is near is key.

Why SERVPRO

10/8/2019 (Permalink)

The many faces of our Iowa City/ Coralville Team!

SERVPRO of Iowa City / Coralville professionals undergo extensive training and certification to ensure the team exceeds the industry standards. Whether it’s a small leak or a major disaster, our team is ready to handle the issue. The SERVPRO team genuinely cares about each and every customer and work to get them to preloss conditions in most cases. Every member is proud and passionate about the work they do for every customer. 

SERVPRO has a 24-Hour Emergency Service that provides help for those who need it.

SERVPRO provides detailed estimates that clearly list all services to be performed which helps to eliminate unforeseen surprises. Once the estimates have been approved, trained professionals will arrive in fully stocked vehicles to not only mitigate the problem but also to protect the structure and contents.

S – Service that exceeds the competition

E- Excellent communication throughout the process

R- Restoring property back into its pre loss state.

V- Vow our pledge to meet customers’ needs

P- Professionalism displayed with all team members.

R-Respected and Recognized as the industries leader

O- Outstanding Customer Service

Water Clean Up Services with our Large Loss Semi Trailer

9/29/2019 (Permalink)

This is our semi trailer added to our large loss response fleet in the fall of 2019.

We have added another large loss piece of equipment to our fleet. This 53' semi trailer is  stocked and ready for whatever happens. It carries air movers, dehumidifiers and flood pumper extraction units. After a project manager decides how much equipment and materials it will take to clean up the fire or water loss, this semi will be dispatched if needed. It is stocked and ready with the equipment and consumables including ppe, rags, cleaning equipment, power equipment, etc. It is ready for what ever happens. We understand the need for fast mitigation services and the need for equipment and supplies to be ready.  With this semi trailer being ready to go, we will get your business back to business faster. This semi trailer will travel to all sections of the state. SERVPRO of Iowa City / Coralville along with our other two offices strategically placed in the state of Iowa we are the largest SERVPRO in the state of Iowa and are ready to be any where in the state of Iowa within 4 hours.

Mold and Your Duct Work

9/11/2019 (Permalink)

HVAC and Mold

Why is HVAC mold so common? Well every time it encounters an area with high humidity levels and warm temperatures it wants to party. These conditions occur during both heating and cooling the system. Improperly sized units can cause a system to work harder producing an excessive amount of condensation resulting in standing water in the lines. This creates an environment for mold to develop which will blow spores throughout your home every time your HVAC is turned on.

How to Prevent?

1. Changing your air filters monthly.
2. Inspect for any cracks or leaks regularly.
3. Routine cleaning of pans making sure to drain any excess water.
4. Routine duct cleaning.

SERVPRO of Iowa City / Coralville have highly trained technicians to provide duct cleaning a preventative in HVAC mold.

HVAC and Mold

1. Why is HVAC mold so common?
2. Well every time it encounters an area with high humidity levels and warm temperatures it wants to party. These conditions occur during both heating and cooling the system. Improperly sized units can cause a system to work harder producing an excessive amount of condensation resulting in standing water in the lines. This creates an environment for mold to develop which will blow spores throughout your home every time your HVAC is turned on.

How to Prevent?

1. Changing your air filters monthly.
2. Inspect for any cracks or leaks regularly.
3. Routine cleaning of pans making sure to drain any excess water.
4. Routine duct cleaning.

SERVPRO of  Iowa City / Coralville have highly trained technicians to provide duct cleaning, a preventative in HVAC mold.

Fire Safety Recommendations

9/11/2019 (Permalink)

Fire Safety

Take a moment to ask yourself the following questions regarding fire safety in your home to avoid the risk. SERVPRO of Iowa City / Coralville is here to help even before you need us.

• Do you have adequate smoke detectors in your home?

Every Home should have at least one working smoke alarm. It’s recommended to have approved smoke alarms on each level of the home, outside sleeping areas and inside bedrooms. Test your alarm monthly and replace batteries once a year even if the battery seems to be okay.

• How good are your electric connections?

Never overload electrical circuits or extension cords. Never place cords or wires under rugs in high traffic areas. If any electric cables are worn or taped, they should be replaced immediately. Shut off and unplug any appliances that sputter, spark or emit an unusual smell.

• Is your Stove clear of flammable objects?

Keep wires, cloths and oven gloves away from stove top. Also don’t let grease or other remains build up-they can go up in flames

• Has your chimney been swept?

              If you have a fireplace, you should have your chimney inspected and cleaned at least once a year. Give yourself enough time in case repairs are needed before the cold weather sets in.

• Do you have several easy -to -use fire extinguishers in your home?

It’s a good ideal to have several. And make sure that all family members know where they are located and how to properly use them.

• Do you have an escape plan?

Practice an escape plan with your family. Stay low to the floor when escaping from the fire and never open doors that are hot. Have a set location where everyone can meet after escaping the house.

Choose a Professional When Water Damage Happens

7/26/2019 (Permalink)

This photo shows the water in dark blue on a FLIR camera, that has migrated through the wall from a water leak on the other side.

When water damage occurs it is important to have a mitigation inspect the structure to make sure the structure is in fact dry. It is the water you can't see that can create further damage. Mold. Scary word when you don’t know what it is exactly. To the untrained eye mold or microbial growth as we refer to it can be very intimidating.

Water damage if not properly mitigated can lead to mold. If mold develops choosing the right company for the remediation is key in successfully removing the microbial growth and making sure no spores contaminate the remaining area. Did you know that microbial growth spores are so small that you can’t see them in the air? At SERVPRO of Iowa City / Coralville we use true HEPA Air Filtration Devices and Containment procedures to ensure you and your family or business remain safe. This catches 99.97% of airborne particles and the containment procedures ensure no cross contamination happens. We receive calls all the time where an untrained person has attempted remediation and cross contaminates the unaffected areas putting everyone at risk. At SERVPRO our technicians are certified and we continuously train to stay up to date with all the current procedures, technology, and practices that keep everyone safe. When you choose SERVPRO you can rest assure that you, your family, and your business are in good hands. Below is a link to the EPA’s “Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home.

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-10/documents/moldguide12.pdf

SERVPRO Faster to Any Size Disaster

7/16/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Iowa City / Coralville is faster to any size disaster rather it be a flood, fire or storm related damage we have the experience, tools, and staff to mitigate any size disaster faster. The faster a disaster is mitigated the better. The longer that water or contaminants from a fire are affecting the structure the more damage that can be caused. Its not only better for the contents and structure but faster for the business to resume normal operations and limit interruptions to operations. When business is not operational money is lost. SERVPRO understands this and knows the importance to get you back to normal as quickly as possible. If there is a storm event affecting many locations we have the ability to call in additional resources and staff from a large network of SERVPRO locations.  This allows all of our clients to get help faster! We are - Ready For Whatever Happens.         

SERVPRO Provides Content Cleaning Services

7/15/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Iowa City / Coralville provides content cleaning services when fire, water, sewage, or mold remediation occurs. When one of these events occur in your home or business, not only does it leave the structure a mess but your contents as well.  We provide the most content cleaning services during fire clean up projects. When fire affects lives they think the fire has stolen their contents.  At SERVPRO we have specifically trained content cleaning personnel that will help to restore your personal belongings back to pre-fire condition. Returning these precious items to their owner.

 We start by taking a detailed inventory of your belongings and carefully packing them into boxes. In the industry this process is called a pack out. This would include any item that SERVPRO cleaning staff and you deem salvageable including:  clothing, shoes, rugs, drapes, linens, décor items, electronics, dishes, books, and other miscellaneous items around the home.  The items are then taken back to our facilities where SERVPRO uses different methods of restoration to carefully bring life back to your belongings as quickly as possible.

After the cleaning process has taken place, your personal contents are stored in an environmentally controlled space for safe keeping until your home/ business is ready to be moved back into.  

SERVPRO's favorite day is when we get to help our clients move back into their home or business after an event with clean items.  

"Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Helps With a Plan of Action

7/15/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Iowa City/ Coralville offers a no cost Emergency Ready Profile for your business. This will help minimize business interruption by having a plan of action. Being prepared is key for getting through any type of disaster, big or small. Having a plan in effect prior to a disaster saves time and money. The SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile is designed to provide quick reference of important building and contact information. This plan is available to you any where any time with a easy to operate mobile application. Identifying  the line of command for authorizing work allows the mitigation process to begin helping  you to get your business operating as quickly as possible.  With many years of experience SERVPRO Iowa City/Coralville is the only  Large Loss Franchise in the State, with highly trained techs which prepares us to handle any size loss.

SERVPRO is Always Ready and Can Handle The Calls

7/15/2019 (Permalink)

When disaster happens you can depend on SERVPRO to have the resources you need.  We don't tell our customers that call in that we are too busy. We are Ready For What Ever Happens!

Most people will luckily never have to experience a catastrophic storm. Be it a hurricane, tornado, flooding, wild fire, or a combination it can be really scary and knowing what to do next can be critical to saving your property. In 2018 there was the California wild fires that cost an estimated $24.5 Billion and hurricanes Florence and Michel that combined estimated over $40 Billion in damage[1]. Here in Iowa we had the June 30^th Event where our franchises took over 500 calls in central Iowa alone. The team at SERVPRO of Iowa City / Coralville was able to mobilize people, equipment, and all various resources efficiently to help homeowners and businesses get back to normal life. At SERVPRO we can activate our STORM teams all over the continuous United States. When they are not having storms in their area they are able to mobilize and help others. Pulling from over 1700 franchises we can handle anything that comes  our way. At SERVPRO of Iowa City / Coralville we are here to help when you need it most.  Give our office a call and we will dispatch the help needed. SERVPRO's around the country operate with the same professionalism, equipment, and trained staff.  This army of many, The Green Team, rushes to disaster to help those who need it most. 

[1] https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/billions/events/US/2018

SERVPRO Dries Water Damaged Vehicles Too

6/19/2019 (Permalink)

What happens if you leave your car windows down and now you have water damage in your vehicle. Call SERVPRO of Iowa City / Coralville. Your home, possibly your business and your vehicle are the biggest investments you will make in a lifetime. Due to the risk factor of mold, it is very important to leave the drying process up to SERVPRO if you experience water inside your car. When it comes to your vehicles, SERVPRO uses the same drying process as they would your home or business.

• Identify all affected materials
  1. Decide what materials should be dried and what should be replaced.
• Measure the restorable materials for moisture content. (How wet is it?)
• Set appropriate drying equipment
• Monitor for progress
• Pulling Equipment when finished.

SERVPRO of Iowa City / Coralville has the equipment necessary to find the hidden water throughout the vehicle  that may be trapped between the metal framing of the car and the interior components. We have the knowledge, training, tools, and equipment to get it dried out and get you back on the road in a safe and comfortable vehicle.

Check Your Sump Pump to Prevent Storm Damage

6/17/2019 (Permalink)

When the rain pours do you check your sump pump?

If you answered no to this question here are some things to consider checking,

• Is there power to the sump pump? Check that it is plugged in and the breaker is not tripped.
• Is the float free of any debris and away from the side wall where it won’t work properly?
• Is the inlet free of any debris that could prevent it from pumping the water out?
• Does the pump work? An easy way to test this is by filling the pit with enough water to reach the float of the sump pump to trigger the pump.
• Another thing that you should check is where the sump pump drains. Ensure that it drains far enough from the foundation that the water doesn't leak right back in.

A proper working sump pump can save you considerable amounts of money after a significant rainfall event.

If damage does occur though SERVPRO of Iowa City / Coralville is here to help.

Clean Up Of Your Business Is Our Top Priority

6/14/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Iowa City / Coralville knows the importance of getting your business up and running as soon as possible after damage caused by fire, water, vandalism or any natural disaster that may occur. Our team of trained IICRC staff specializes in getting things cleaned up and restored allowing a business to open as soon as possible. We know that every hour a business is down revenue is being lost. Our 24/7 response provides immediate mitigation to prevent further damage.  We have an on call staff 24 hours a day to be there when you need us most. Fast mitigation and removal of standing water as quickly as possible prevents further damage from occurring to structural materials.  We understand that when your business is not fully operation you are not making as much revenue as you could. We are here to help make it "Like it never even happened."

When Storm Damage Happens - How We Help

6/14/2019 (Permalink)

When storms roll through. SEVRPRO of Iowa City/ Coralville is ready to assist no matter how big or small the job we can handle the issue.  Our trucks are always stocked and ready to go, allowing the ability to quickly dispatch one of our highly trained crews to arrive prepared to begin accessing the issue to provide the most efficient remedy.

When a large amount of businesses and homes have trouble we you know we can help and come through. With having access to call in a Storm Team if needed in order to expedite alleviation of storm damage.  Storm Team is the network of partner SERVPRO franchises around the country.  When we put the all call out for help those that are free bring additional resources and staff here to help.  All SERVPRO's are trained to do the work the same way.

SERVPRO of Iowa City / Coralville understands the urgency of getting a property back into its pre-storm condition, with daily monitoring to make sure the process is working to its fullest capacity and we can get the lives of those affected back to normal as quickly as possible.

What To Do If You See Water

6/14/2019 (Permalink)

When water damage occurs it can put you in a sense of panic. Being calm is key. Knowing where your main turn off switches are is very important in a water damage situation. When you see water turn off the main valve first. Then go back and try and isolate where the problem is coming from and you can isolate the leak to the nearest shut off. Water damage can range from burst pipes, natural disasters, flooding, ground infiltration, or even sewer lines.  Regardless of the cause another key important thing is to know when you need help. Often times a restoration professional is called to help with the restoration. We at SERVPRO of Iowa City / Coralville follow highly regulated processes to ensure that the water damage restoration not only is effective, but also provides a safe place for occupants during as well as after the restoration process.  You can depend on our team to have the equipment needed for any situation.

Testing For Lead After A Fire Damage

6/14/2019 (Permalink)

Lead paint is very uncommon in new construction these days, but before 1978 lead was very common. When necessary testing may need to be done before any removal of affected materials occurs. At SERVPRO of Iowa City / Coralville we typically find lead based paint after a fire and/or water loss has occurred. Used in more than 38 million homes lead is something we must be very careful about to keep you and your family safe. Lead dust is the most common way lead exposure occurs. In small children they have been found chewing on window sills that contain lead based paint. This is a major hazard that will affect a child’s development. At SERVPRO we invest in our technicians with the training and certifications to provide you with the safest mitigation project we can. We always work “lead-safe” and follow all laws and regulations. For more information on lead please visit https://www.epa.gov/lead

Different Types of Water Damage Categories

6/12/2019 (Permalink)

Do you know the difference in water losses? There are three different categories that a water loss is classified in depending on the category of water. These help us determine the best plan to make your water loss “Like it never even happened.”  SERVPRO of Iowa City / Coralvilles trained technicians will diagnosis the type of water category depending on the source of the water damage.

Category 1 Water - Refers to a source of water that does not pose substantial threat to humans and classified as "clean water". Examples are broken water supply lines, tub or sink overflows or appliance malfunctions that involve water supply lines.

Category 2 Water - Refers to a source of water that contains a significant degree of chemical, biological or physical contaminants and causes discomfort or sickness when consumed or even exposed to. Known as "grey water". This type carries microorganisms and nutrients of micro-organisms. Examples are toilet bowls with urine (no feces), sump pump failures, seepage due to hydrostatic failure and water discharge from dishwashers or washing machines.

Category 3 Water - Known as "black water" and is grossly unsanitary. This water contains unsanitary agents, harmful bacteria and fungi, causing severe discomfort or sickness. Type 3 category are contaminated water sources that affect the indoor environment. This category includes water sources from sewage, seawater, rising water from rivers or streams, ground surface water or standing water. Category 2 Water or Grey Water that is not promptly removed from the structure and or have remained stagnant may be re classified as Category 3 Water.

You can depend on us to help navigate this to properly mitigate and restore your home or business.

We Have The Resources Needed to Take Care of Commercial Mitigation

6/4/2019 (Permalink)

When your place of business has a loss, SERVPRO of Iowa City / Coralville’s  main goal is that of the business owners. Get the business back up and running as soon as possible. Nobody likes a disaster of any kind, and we are here to help you through it.

SERVPRO has may resources to get your business back up and running including:

Fast response time: SERVPRO will respond to any event within the State of Iowa within 4 hours.

Iowa’s only large loss response truck: We have two 25 foot box truck’s stocked specifically for responding to large losses and ready to go at any time.

Large labor pool – Our three offices have a combined total of over 50 employees in house. We also have access to hundreds of temp laborers.

Extensive list of subcontractors – When the job is finished and you are ready to rebuild or replace your commercial business, SERVPRO has an extensive list of trusted subcontractors that we can refer you to for all construction needs.

The Technology Sets Us a Part When Performing Mitigation Work

5/24/2019 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Iowa City / Coralville we are using the latest in technology to help us perform mitigation services.

Moisture mapping technology is used to give you the best options available to get you back to "Like it never even happened."

We also do in house training on a regular basis to keep even our senior technicians fresh in the field. We look to organizations such as the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and Restoration Sciences Academy to learn proven techniques that work.

Our biggest piece that sets us apart would be our detailed moisture mapping, documentation, and thorough inventory processes. We have great people who make these things work behind the scenes and it makes the difference if you were to compare. See more by visiting https://tinyurl.com/y42okayc

When Water Damage Occurs

5/21/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Iowa City / Coralville believes safety is your first priority.

1. Never touch or use any electrical appliances or equipment if you are standing on wet carpet or floors.

2. If possible stop the water flow to prevent further damage know where shut off valves are located.

3. Do not throw anything away and take lots of photos and move wet items to a dry area as soon as you can.

4. Try to clean up as much standing water as possible and set up or turn on fans. This can also help circulate air to help with the drying process.

SERVPRO knows that the first 24/48 hours are critical to the restoration process in order to prevent mold damage which can be much more costly to repair then just cleaning up the water and properly drying the structure as well as affected materials.

Prevent Storm Damage To Your Home - 5 Tips

5/16/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Iowa City / Coralville has these 5 tips to help prevent storm damage to your home or business.

1. Clean the gutters as clogged and damaged gutters are what often what lead to roof leaks and foundation leaks. When your gutters are full of leaves and debris it prevents the water from draining down the down spout and away from the structure causing water to pool on the roof and around the foundation.

2. Check your foundation. If you have cracks or large gaps in your foundation water could seep into your home or business during a heavy rainstorm causing water damage, water will find any source inside it can.  Also check the grading around the property and make sure that the grade naturally drains the water away from the structure. 

3. Pack up all outdoor furniture and other light items. Often times outdoor furniture is made from light weight materials and in a strong wind guest can rip it up into the air and launch it into your or others home, business or vehicles causing significant damage.

4. Know how to shut off your utilities. If storm damage happens you may need to shut off the utilities. It’s a good practice to locate all utility shut offs and know how they work before a storm hits.  Make sure all parties that are on the property know where these items are and how to properly turn them off.

5. Inspect your property for dead or damaged trees. In a storm trees can get knocked down or limbs are torn off.  Call a licensed arborist for help with this inspection and solving the issue safely.

To Close or Not To Close The Bedroom Doors

5/10/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Iowa City / Coralville is here to help provide structure and contents cleaning services when a fire affects your home or business. To help prevent damages it has been proven that closing doors helps to reduce the spread of the fire and smoke.  This is especially important while sleeping. The idea that you want to leave your door open when you sleep so you can smell the smoke is a dated and dangerous one. Studies have shown that during sleep, your senses become weak. Olfaction (sense of smell) is reduced the maximum, making it the weakest among all senses. Chances are that the smoke from a fire will reach your room long before the actual flames of the fire. Smoke contains many gasses such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide that reduce the oxygen in the air and cause disorientation. Assuming you have properly placed and working smoke detectors to alert you of the fire, closing the door to your bedroom will keep these harmful gasses at bay long enough for you to make life saving decisions. 

For more information:

https://www.tuck.com/sleeping-bedroom-door-open-or-closed/

Kitchen Fire Cleaning by SERVPRO

5/10/2019 (Permalink)

Did you know from 2012-2016 more than $6.5 billion dollars in direct property damage was caused by fire? The leading cause of a residential structure fire is cooking[1]. Hopefully for most people they will never have to experience a house fire and the related cleanup and restoration that follows. I want you to think for a second to a time where you were sitting at a campfire. Now, regardless of how long you sat there you will likely have an odor on you now and you can even smell it while you read this maybe. Some more than others know exactly what I mean. That absolutely unmistakable smell of wood smoke, burning leaves, or a grass fire. It’s not exactly pleasant the next day if you wear the same coat, hat, and your shoes. This is a simple fix, wash it.

Now what do you do if you have a fire inside the house? It may not look bad or maybe half the house is gone, no matter. Your next steps may be critical in saving irreplaceable personal items and salvaging the remaining structure. Unfortunately many people never make a plan for unexpected disasters such as this.

 At SERVPRO of Iowa City / Coralville we are always Ready for Whatever Happens and will be there for you in your time of the unexpected to help make it "Like it never even happened." We do this with training, certifications, and continuing education for our team. We use the newest technology that is exclusive to SERVPRO. We take our technical training, technology, experience, and willingness to help people and make an otherwise devastating disaster "Like it never even happened."

Like free stuff? Want to be Ready for Whatever Happens? You can build and manage your own Emergency Ready Profile completely free of charge. Do you own or manage commercial properties? A SERVPRO representative can build it for you today and we do that free of charge to keep you prepared. Check out https://ready.SERVPRO.com/ now!

[1] [1] https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Data-research-and-tools/Building-and-Life-Safety/Home-Structure-Fires

Storms - SERVPRO is Ready!

5/9/2019 (Permalink)

When most people think of the word storm, they think about thunder, lightning, high winds and heavy rain. SERVPRO of Iowa City / Coralville does monitor and prepare for these situations like any other, they are contained to a few months out of the year. The word "storm" means to SERVPRO it can happen any time, any where.  We take pride in being ready.  Our trucks and equipment are always loaded. We are always prepared for the next storm. When monitoring and preparing for a “storm” SERVPRO has to take into consideration any occurrence that is going to affect multiple homes or businesses in an area.

For example: when the temperatures drop below freezing in the winter for a period of time, homes & businesses have the risk of their water pipes freezing and busting leaving a mess. This is a storm event for us. Another great example of a “storm” situation that SERVPRO prepares for is Tornado season. In any situation, SERVPRO’s goal is to be prepared and ready to respond within minutes.

Odor Detection Services for Commercial Locations

5/8/2019 (Permalink)

Photo shows mold growth behind a commercial businesses dry wall that was discovered doing an inspection and then during the remediation process.

SERVPRO of Iowa City / Coralville technicians are trained and ready to inspect and help identify the source of odor! We use state of the art technology to pinpoint moisture and compromised materials in order to eliminate the source of the odor and to make it “Like it never even happened.”!

If your building locations has ever experienced a water loss, microbial related issue, or even rodent/insect infiltration and the structural materials were not properly mitigated and restored you may have found your odor issue. Compromised HVAC systems that are not properly addressed will create these issues down the road possibly as well. 

In door air quality of your office and work space is very important and we are here to help when an odor presents itself.  We do thorough inspections and will present our findings along with an estimate for services if needed.  Give our office a call today with any questions you might have. 

SERVPRO and the Red Cross

5/7/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Iowa City / Coralville and the Red Cross both are here to help when a storm has affected your home or business. It has made for a natural fit for us to work together to help people in their time of need.  SERVPRO has volunteered on several occasions to help the Red Cross on a local level.  We recently did the Sound the Alarm Campaign and also last fall did a Touch A Truck awareness event.  The Sound the Alarm campaign is a program where individuals can have free smoke detectors installed in their homes. We both believe in prevention and awareness. When disaster strikes the Red Cross comes in and helps the individuals involved stabilize their life again and SERVPRO comes into aid with the structure and contents affected by the event. We are here to work together to protect peoples lives and lively hood. 

Spinklers are a Common Cause of Water Damage In Commercial Structures

4/24/2019 (Permalink)

Sprinkler systems are commonly installed in commercial and industrial buildings. They save life and structure when a fire occurs. They do cause water damage though when putting out the fire or when the system malfunctions.  This is when SERVPRO of Iowa City / Coralville is here to help. We come in and dry the structure when a system malfunctions. Fire sprinklers are activated when the mercury liquid filled bulb bursts between 135 and 165 degrees. It is thought by many that they are triggered by smoke.  They are actually activated by heat. Failures occur with sprinkler heads commonly when the line freezes from cold weather or the head gets hit or pulled on by something.  We are here to help when you need it most and want to help prevent issues before they arise. It is always a good idea to know where your sprinkler line shut off valves are located in case you have a malfunctioning system and know who services these systems for your facility.

SERVPRO partners with the local Red Cross

4/22/2019 (Permalink)

We believe in prevention and preparation.  It is a natural fit for SERVPRO to work with the local Red Cross chapters.  Both SERVPRO and the Red Cross have the gift to be able to help people in their time of need so it is a natural fit for us to support each other.  SERVPRO of Iowa City / Coralville is hosting the 2019 Sound the Alarm Campaign at our location in our Des Moines office on May 3rd.  Please come out and volunteer.  You can register from our Facebook page.  The Sound the Alarm Campaign is a program to install free smoke detectors supplied by the Red Cross in peoples homes.  SERVPRO staff and others will be going out to install these detectors.  Smoke detectors save lives and we are so lucky to help with this great initiative. 

Specialty Floor Drying Systems

3/12/2019 (Permalink)

When your building needs specialty drying services you can depend on SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville to have the systems needed to help when you need it most.  We have specialty floor drying systems to dry hard wood floors. This picture shows a hard wood floor drying system for a gym floor. Gym floors can cost a significant amount of money to replace. When they are affected by water damage the faster the water can be extracted and specialty drying equipment can be installed the better. Wood can easily warp and separate. This system uses tubes to pipe the warm dry air under the floor and exhaust the moist air back out. We also have another type of system were we can install mats on top of the hard wood flooring system.  Depending on the infiltration, the type of wood flooring and the type of install we decide on the best course of action to treat the situation.

Fire Structure Cleaning

3/6/2019 (Permalink)

When fire damage affects your home or business SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville is here to help.  We have IICRC trained technicians that specialize in structure and content cleaning. One of the first processes in structure cleaning is to remove soot residue. We use dry sponges to remove the soot from the affected materials. In order to reach the high areas in the home we will attach the dry sponge to an extendable pole to reach. Then the sponge can be used to wipe down ceilings and walls of any soot that might be on the structure.  Soot residue has to be removed in order for the structure seal coat to stick. You can depend on SERVPRO to have the right training and tools to get the job done.

Wet Washing After A Fire

3/6/2019 (Permalink)

When fire damage occurs there are different techniques of cleaning depending on the type of fire that occurred. You can depend on SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville to help your business or home after the fire has occurred.  We will scope the situation and determine the best plan of action. There are different techniques. One of those techniques and processes is wet washing. This process is not to be used for every fire as it can smear the soot verses remove it.  The picture shows our team wet washing a section of soot damaged area and the improvement it has made on this particular fire. We are here to help when you need us most. If you have had a fire in your home or business give our team of professionals a call.

Moisture Checks for Water Damage

2/20/2019 (Permalink)

It is the water that you don't see that can cause damage. SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville uses some of the best meters, detectors, and monitoring devices on the market to protect your home or business when water damage occurs. To make sure that the structure is dry and proper moisture progression is taking place we use these tools when drying a structure. We do daily monitoring while drying a structure as well as will provide moisture checks for residences and commercial locations that have had water infiltration to make sure that the structure is dry and there is not water hiding behind structural materials.   This picture shows a infrared camera, called a, FLIR camera. This camera is showing where there is water still trapped in below the flooring material. When you have water damage you can depend on SERVPRO to have the right tools to make sure your structure is properly dry.

Hard Wood Floor Damage

2/20/2019 (Permalink)

When you have hard wood floor damaged by water you can depend on SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville to have the specialty drying systems needed to be able to help possibly restore your flooring. Hard wood floor drying systems include mats, air movers, and dehumidification equipment to be able to remove the water trapped by the flooring.  The trick to being able to save the flooring is speed.  Quick extraction of standing water and quick setting of the floor system is key. If too much warping of the wood has taken place it is hard to bring the wood back to its original state.  When water damage occurs to any hard wood flooring it is best to call SERVPRO and have them do a moisture check of the floor and make sure the flooring is dry and there is not any unwanted moisture trapped under the floor to prevent further damage days later.  SERVPRO has the equipment for residential losses or even large commercial wood floors like those that are installed in gymnasiums. 

Professional Cleaning Service

11/16/2018 (Permalink)

The reason to hire a professional when you are needing deep cleaning service is in the attention to detail.   Our trained staff bring with them the best materials, equipment, and chemicals in the business for any situation wether it is a fire, water, sewage, mold, post construction, or general cleaning job. We are prepared for what ever the situation and we make sure that the homeowner or business owner is happy with the results when we leave. The attention to detail is important so that the buildings health and safety is ready for occupants. There are times when we have cleaned after a storm and it is vital to make sure that no glass or insulation remain in the structure. Our clients safety is our number one concern. You can trust SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville to follow IICRC recommended guidelines when cleaning for a client.  We are here to help. 

We Know How To Turn Up The Heat - Water and Fire Referral Cook Outs

10/26/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville's General Manager, Billy, knows how to turn up the heat. We enjoy cooking and thanking those that refer clients to us. When water or fire damage affects a clients home it can be a devastating experience. We have built fantastic relationships with wonderful insurance companies, realtors, fire departments, property managers, and others that will refer their friends to us when damage happens.  They put their trust in us to take care of them when it matters most. We thank those that refer work to us by providing lunch. We know that they appreciate our trained staff quickly and efficiently taking care of their friends and we appreciate them for referring the work to us. We love to get behind this large grill and cook up some great food.

We Have A Cleaning Product For All Situations

10/26/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville has a cleaning product for any cleaning situation. Weather you have a sewage job, a fire job, a mold job, a carpet cleaning job, a job that might have some blood, or a job that has graffiti. We have a product specialty formulated by our scientists at SERVPRO that will be able to help remove that stubborn situation. We are here as your premier cleaning company to make it "Like it never even happened." We have products stocked and ready on our shelves all the time and our trained technicians know how to safely and properly use these resources to treat the most stubborn of situations. We have environmentally friendly "green" products as well. We have deodorizes and air fresheners also. You can depend on SERVPRO to take care of you, your home, business, carpets, upholsteries, etc. Give us a call today with your stubborn cleaning needs.

We Believe Training Is Vital To Success In Restoration

10/26/2018 (Permalink)

Members of our team recently received training from our Program Coordinator, Nita.  Training is vital in our industry. Things are constantly changing. Our team needs to stay up on the newest technology as well as the newest information and requirements from insurance companies. She trained on the use of our proprietary software program that we utilize in the field to collect and record data in regards to clients losses. This information forms the story of the loss for insurance companies and the client for documentation. It is vital to record the information in regards to affected materials and the process of restoring the affected materials. Our team has weekly Monday production meetings to go over any thing of importance but we also do more in depth trainings like these as needed to keep us up to date on information and well informed to make sure we are always ready to help our clients with the most up to date information.

Water Damage Clean Up Requires Air Flow

7/25/2018 (Permalink)

When your business or home are affected by water damage and you don't know what to do you can trust that SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville has the equipment necessary to provide the mitigation services you need. When you find water damage call our office right away and we will be out to provide a plan of action and start providing services to stabilize the structure to minimize any further damage from occurring. A big part of properly mitigating a water damage is air flow and providing the right amount of air flow for the affected square footage.  With our trained technicians taking measurements and assessing the situation this is figured out.  We can then provide the right amount of equipment to properly mitigate the situation.  This picture shows a few different types of air movers we have on the same job and how we affectively space them to provide airflow to affected materials.  The metal silver fan in the front corner is the clients on this job. You can see the difference on this job of what was actually needed for air flow.

The Show Must Go On - Cleaning Up A Water Loss For A Theater

6/29/2018 (Permalink)

When water affects a theater the show must go on. The show and the guests are looking forward to the event.  Tickets have been sold and other shows are depending on the schedule. The event can not be changed.

The water intrusion at this location was caused by a roof leak during a very fast moving heavy rain storm that moved through.  To keep the show on track and guests not knowing that there was a problem our crews set up equipment and then took it down just a few hours before the show and then reset it right after the show was over each night. This was very labor intensive as there was lots of equipment to set up and take down in a short amount of time to be able to dry the structure properly but we understand that the show must go on. Our employees worked long hours and at odd times to make sure that the guests never experienced any hiccups when coming to experience the show.  We work hard to make it "Like it never even happened" during and after the dry out process.  When you see these green trucks you know that help has arrived and you can depend on us. The Show Must and Will Go On!

Odor Removal After A Fire

6/28/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville does content cleaning.  After a fire contents can be affected by odor and soot.  Our trained professionals will come in and assess those contents and decide which ones are save able and which ones have to be disposed of.

Different contents absorb soot and odor differently based off of the materials they are made of.  The first step of removing odor is to remove the source of the odor which is the soot. We will clean the item using different methods based off of the material and amount of damage to the item. Then after the soot is removed we will tackle the odor.

To remove the odor we will put most items inside of our ozone room. The picture below shows half of our ozone room. Our ozone room contains wire racking as well as plenty of room for free standing larger items. The items will remain in the sealed room for several hours while the ozone machine runs. 

We work hard to return your items to you and make it "Like it never even happened."

Content Pack Out Services in Iowa City

6/28/2018 (Permalink)

When a fire happens in your home or business you can depend on SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville to help.  We provide a service while the clean up process occurs to pack out the contents in your home or business that might be either affected or be in the way why mitigation and clean up services occur. We will pack up those contents, clean them, and/or store them if needed.  We label the boxes and photo graph all items inside the boxes for easy identification and location if needed during the process.  The picture below shows how we keep the contents labeled and in a crate for easy identification and organization in our warehouse.  You can depend on SERVPRO to help during your clean up process.

Drying Up After Water Damage

6/28/2018 (Permalink)

When water affects your business or home SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville is here to help with equipment and trained staff.

This business had water damage after a heavy rain storm in a short amount of time. The water came into their building and affected the entire location. We extracted the standing water and set equipment. We set a total of 387 fans on this particular job, as well as desiccants and generators as you can imagine it took lots of power to run all this equipment. We have the means to be able to dry the structure.  Air flow is a big part of the drying process. Having the right amount of air flow is crucial to the drying process.  We use calculations to figure the right amount of equipment needed to properly dry the structure and contents in a facility.  We are here to help you with our trained professionals when disaster happens to get you back to your home and business faster, making it "Like it never even happened."

Storm Damage Clean Up in Iowa City

6/28/2018 (Permalink)

If you have storm damage, we can clean it up. We are here to help and have 24/7 staff and equipment. If you have water damage from flash flooding, structural damage from high winds, or smoke damage from a lightening fire. We are here to help. Our trained staff are here to assess the situation and stabilize your structure for you.  We can help you find the resources you need to quickly clean up any situation weather you have a large tree that has come down or a roof that needs repaired. We have business relationships with contractors and vendors that we partner with that are here to assist even with things we are not able to do ourselves. We are able to bring in large equipment if needed to solve any problem that you have.  We are here to help be that resource for you in that time of need when a disaster happens. You can turn to SERVPRO and know that we are here to help.  We know that your family and/or business are important to you and it is important to get things back to normal quickly.  We work hard to help make it "Like it never even happened."

Water Clean Up In A Large Commercial Business

6/27/2018 (Permalink)

Desiccant System Set Up in Des Moines

Drying a large commercial space takes special equipment. SERVPRO has that equipment ready and available.  When drying 1000's of square feet of space it takes specialized equipment.

Desiccant drying systems are brought in to assist in the mitigation process. Desiccants operate differently then dehumidifiers and operate to a lower temperature as well. 

The first step in any mitigation process is to extract the standing water. Then the steps of drying the structure begins. To dry the structure if there is a lot of square footage affected a desiccant will be utilized because air flow tubes can be utilized through the building.  The moisture can then be exhausted outside the building. 

We are here to help with your Commercial Building drying needs. We have the equipment necessary to help clean up the mess and work hard to make it "Like it never even happened."

Rain Water Removal From Basement

6/26/2018 (Permalink)

This picture shows one form of extraction equipment we utilize.

Heavy rain fall can infiltrate a home or business very quickly. Most of the time it is a problem in the lower level or basement of a home or in a crawl space. Water can seep in under garage doors, around improperly sealed windows or through cracks in the cement foundation or walls. Water will always travel the least path of resistance.

If you find water where you don't want it and you don't know how to remove it we are here to help. SERVPRO has several different forms of extraction equipment and are here to help. It is very important to remove the water as soon as possible to prevent further wicking into the structure materials of the building. It can be difficult to remove with out the right equipment. This is where we come in. We will extract the standing water and then set drying equipment to remove moisture from the structure. Always remember to call right away when you see a problem for help.  Water is something you want to clean up right away so further problems don't occur.

Mold Cleaning Process

6/14/2018 (Permalink)

When there’s a water intrusion, like a roof leak or leaking waterline, mold can quickly become a problem in your home or business. It is the water you can't see that may cause the most damage. Mold can affect your health and can also cause significant damage to your property. Fortunately, we are here to help and have the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to handle your mold problem. Although every mold damage scenario is different, requiring a unique solution, the general mold remediation process stays the same. The following steps illustrate a “typical” mold removal process.

Call Professionals - SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville

The mold cleanup and restoration process begins when you call our office. A representative will ask a series of questions to help determine the necessary equipment, resources, and personnel needed.

Inspection & Damage Assessment

Your property will be carefully inspected for signs of mold using technology designed to detect mold and hidden water sources. Mold feeds on cellulose and water which can be hidden from plain view.

Mold Containment

Various containment procedures will be placed to prevent the spread of mold and isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process.

Air Filtration

Specialized filtration equipment will be set in place that captures microscopic mold spores out of the air. SERVPRO technicians utilize powerful air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in progress.

Removing Mold & Mold-Infested Materials

The mold remediation process depends on the amount of mold growth and the types of surfaces on which the mold appears. Antifungal and antimicrobial treatments will be used to eliminate mold colonies and help prevent new colonies from forming. Removing and disposing of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and flooring, may be necessary to remediate heavy mold growth.

Cleaning Contents & Belongings

We clean your furniture, decorative items, curtains, and other restorable items affected by mold. Our technicians use a variety of cleaning techniques to clean and sanitize your belongings. They are also trained to remove odors and deodorize using fogging equipment.

Restoration

Depending on the level of mold damage, drywall, subfloors, and other building materials may be removed. 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. We understand mold and mold growth and have the equipment to remediate mold in your home or business. 

HEPA Filters Used During Mold Remediation

6/14/2018 (Permalink)

We use different pieced of equipment in our industry and the filters that we use in those filters are just as important as the piece of equipment. When doing different types of restoration work we will set in the space what we call air scrubbers.  These air scrubbers contain HEPA filter units that collect air borne particles that their size is 300 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. To a HEPA filter, catching a one-micron particle is like stopping a cotton ball with a door screen.  When doing mold remediation we use these air scrubbers but we also will use HEPA vacuums to clean surfaces and trap the particles. 

HEPA filters were invented during World War II to remove and capture radio active dust particles that would present a health hazard to researchers. It was invented to protect the human respiratory system.  HEPA filters are the top form of air filtration.

We also use HEPA filters in our HEPA vacuums when cleaning so that contaminants are not released back into the air.

Using proper filtration is vital in the mitigation industry. You can depend on SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville. 

Water Removal after Storm

6/14/2018 (Permalink)

Crew loading up their van.

Today in the Iowa City/Coralville area we received a very large amount of rain in a short amount of time. Our crews as soon as the rain started falling in central Iowa were making sure the trucks were loaded and ready. This happens every day though. We make sure we are ready to help when the help is needed. We are able to dispatch the teams quickly to your home or business. We can help you extract the water when your sump pump fails, water infiltrates your foundation, or your sewer backs up.  We can dry the structure of the building or even do demo of the affected materials so that the reconstruction can start that much quicker. It is all about getting you back to normalcy as quickly as possibly. Disasters happen but it doesn't have to be that way for long. Let the professionals help.

Helping to restore your house back into your home.

5/15/2018 (Permalink)

Home: (noun) 1. The place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or household. 2.  Any place of residence or refuge.  

You have worked hard to make your house a home. You have so many memories in your home and when disaster strikes you want to preserve those memories. At SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville, we are here to help you restore your home and personal contents. We are diligent and work hard to get you back into your home.

Our warehouse cleaning technicians take good care of your contents to make sure they get back to you restored and “Like it never even happened.”

Give us a call at SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville when disaster decides to hit your home.

Document Restoration for Businesses

5/4/2018 (Permalink)

Businesses have lots of important documents and vital records. When water or fire damage occurs you can depend on SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville to be able to help restore these items.  It is vital to bring in professionals right away for document restoration services.  We restore tax records, historical documents, books, photographs etc.  In commercial business spaces there are so many things that can cause water damage to documents.  Documents that are years old but important and need to be maintained are often kept in the basement of a facility.  These areas are subject to water infiltration, sump pump failures, sewer back ups, mechanical room or line failures.  We are here to help if these type of situations occur.  Fire or soot damage can also ruin documents.  We are here to help with those as well. 

We have specialized freeze drying and cleaning equipment that we utilize.  If you are ever in need of having vital documents restored give us a call. We are here to help.

Storm Response Teams

5/4/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has storm response teams.  When a large natural disaster occurs and you think how can there even begin to be enough resources to clean it up, that is where SERVPRO comes in.  We have strategically placed storm teams around the country and franchises partnered with those storm response teams to be able to mobilize and get boots on the ground and equipment to assist those affected by the natural disaster quickly.  SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville is a responding franchise. As Iowa's Large Loss Response team we have the staff and equipment to respond to any size disaster and we work with these storm teams. This allows us if a disaster happens in Iowa we are ready to call in the resources to assist very quickly if it is a very large disaster and beyond something just our franchise can handle. Such as multiple buildings affected in a large area.  You can know as a home owner or business owner that we are ready to help you get your property taken care of.  Give us a call and let us worry about getting the resources to you. We are an independently owned franchise with the strong backing of over 1700 additional franchises across the county, storm team franchises, and a fantastic corporate office all to assist bringing in the resources to help our friends and neighbors.  You can depend on us here at SERVPRO.

SERVPRO provides Storm Clean Up

5/3/2018 (Permalink)

The thing about a disaster is they are unexpected. Storm damage is even a larger disaster then a fire or water damage at a home or business because it is not just contained to one building. Storm damage is usually affecting multiple buildings, multiple residences, and/or multiple businesses.  SERVPRO is ready to help. Our 24 hour, 7 day a week on call staff are trained and ready with equipment fully ready and waiting at our facilities to roll out the minute we get the call to help. We can secure a building after wind damage, remove debris from trees, we are able to extract water that has infiltrated areas that it is not supposed to be, or clean up a back up that has occurred from storm water.  We provide services to both residential and commercial businesses and we have the resources to handle multiple calls all at once.  We are here to help ease some of the stress that occurs when a disaster happens. Know that when you make the call to SERVPRO we are making it "Like it never even happened"

Emergency Preparedness Tips For Storms

5/3/2018 (Permalink)

Tornadoes and storms cause over 25 Million dollars in damage a year.  It is a necessity to be prepared.  Tips for being prepared for a storm, as you never know when one might hit, are below.

-Keep the gas level in your car above 1/4 of a tank.

-Record the dosages and names of medications you take and keep in a grab and go place, such as in your purse.

-Keep your purse or wallet in an easy to get to place and if you have to go to the basement in a storm take it with you.

-Test the batteries in your flash lights monthly like you do your batteries in your smoke detectors.

-Keep all emergency information in a safe place and make multiple copies.

-Have your insurance companies contact information saved in your cell phone including policy number and agents name.

-Keep electronics/phones charged at least above 20% so incase the power goes out you have a little reserve left.

These are a few items in the restoration industry we here of that people comment on that might have been helpful in a storm damage and they are the little things.

Board Up After Storm Damage

5/3/2018 (Permalink)

Board Up After Lightening Hit A House

When storm damage occurs we are here to help you maintain the safety of your home or business.  We provide board up services.  If your home or business is affected by wind damage, broken windows, tree damage, lightening damage, etc give SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville a call.  We have the materials on hand to secure the building and prevent further damage to the structure or the contents until repairs can be made.  We have staff on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We work with insurance companies and take photos before and after the board up process for documentation.  It is vital to maintain the structure of a building so further damage does not occur after storm damage.  We work hard every day to help our clients recover after a disaster and make it "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Provides Service To All Types Of Commercial Businesses

5/2/2018 (Permalink)

We work for all types of commercial businesses for all types of losses. We at SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville have helped business get back up to normal for educational facilities, churches, financial institutions, restaurants, hotels and apartment buildings to name a few. When water, fire, or mold, etc occur and you don’t know how to clean it up we are here to help. We specialize in getting business back up to normal. Let us bring our equipment and trained staff in to help. We will scope your loss, provide an estimate and get to work for you right away. When the work is completed we will provide all documentation including drying logs and pictures of work progress for documentation that you might need. We provide service for all size losses small to large. We are equipped to handle any size commercial facility as the large loss representative for the state of Iowa. You can trust SERVPRO to help your commercial business.

Specialists in Fire Cleanup

5/2/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville is here to help when fire affects your home or business. We know that you don’t experience this everyday. We specialize in fire restoration cleaning and mitigation. We are here to help when a fire affects the structure and/or contents.  We are a full service restoration company. You can depend on us to help you make advised decisions as you work through the process. We clean structure and contents. We provide demolition services. We will media blast and seal structure. We work with dependable subcontractors to help in the rebuilding process. We work with and communicate all documentation with insurance programs and the insured to make sure all know the status and progress of the job. We are here to help when a fire occurs.

Using Dry Sponges to Clean After A Fire

5/2/2018 (Permalink)

When cleaning after a fire don’t use water initially. Soot should not be cleaned up with water first. Soot should initially be removed with dry sponges. Dry soot cleaning sponges are used to remove soot and dirt where you don’t want the surface to get wet. It is made of a natural rubber and is used like an eraser. Once the surface of the sponge is dirty it has to be thrown out. They can not be reused. The sponges hold a remarkable amount of soot in the pours of the sponge. After wiping the fine particles of soot off the surface the surface can be wet washed. This process needs to be done by a professional. If not done properly surface damage can occur. There is a science to fire cleaning and you should trust and hire a professional if you have fire clean up that needs to occur. We work hard and have trained professionals ready to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Benefits of Using Trained Professional to Clean Up Mold

5/2/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville is here to help when mold affects your building. Mold will grow under certain conditions. Mold is a living organism and needs air and moisture to live.  When conditions are ideal mold will grow. It is important to use a trained professional to properly clean up mold. A trained professional when remediating mold will set up containment, use HEPA vacuums, use antimicrobial, seal if necessary and take air samples when completed to make sure it is remediated properly. Before the work is completed photos will be taken and after the work is completed additional photos will be taken as well for documentation. We are here to help improve and take care of your property. We work hard and take pride in making it "Like it never even happened."

AMRT Certified Technicians Here at SERVPRO

5/2/2018 (Permalink)

Our staff at SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville that lead the crews and provide mold remediation services are IICRC AMRT Anti Microbial Remediation Training certified. This is vital to make sure that services are provided properly. A lack of training and education can be harmful to the structure, occupants as well as our employees. This is why our staff are trained in this skill set before performing services.  Protecting the health and safety of all involved while dealing with microbial growth is important.  Trained technicians know how to perform testing, set up containment, use HEPA filtration equipment, and keep cross contamination from happening. You can trust our team to properly remediate your mold situation and concerns and trust that our staff that are performing the work are AMRT certified.   

Spring Cleaning will be a breeze when you contact SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville

4/10/2018 (Permalink)

Take a minute and smell the flowers this spring!

The wonderful first day of spring where you open your windows after having your house boarded up all winter. That wonderful spring day can also be an eye-opener because of how much spring cleaning you might need to do. Let SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville help with some of that cleaning. Spring Cleaning can be a hefty job and can be overwhelming to try and get everything done. Let us help lighten the load! We provide carpet cleaning, odor removal, air testing, and mold remediation that can help get your house sparkly clean. SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville makes it “Like it never even happened.” Take a minute and smell the roses on a lovely spring day and let SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville do your household spring cleaning.

Want to help commercial businesses after a water or fire loss?

4/10/2018 (Permalink)

Join our SERVPRO green team today!

We work hard to ensure our residential and commercial clients get the help they need in their time of need. Our commercial clients know to call green to get it clean. If you want to become part of the team that makes it "Like it never even happened.", you are in luck!

We are hiring for multiple positions. We are currently hiring for Production Technicians in our Iowa City and Des Moines locations. We are also looking for a Project Manager to oversee every aspect of a job that comes in. 

If you would like more information about our current job openings please go to: 

https://SERVPRO.careerplug.com

We are always accepting resumes and you can submit yours to andrea@SERVPRO.me.

SERVPRO of Ottumwa/Oskaloosa helps to make it "Like it never even happened."

Emergency Response Planning for Your Business

4/9/2018 (Permalink)

We help Commercial Facilities create mobile profiles of their emergency information for their buildings for easy access in the event of an emergency to help reduce property damage or just be able to find the number for the plumber. We help put this information into an application on your phone so that you have the needed information in the time of an emergency right at your fingertips.  This is a FREE service we offer.  This no cost assessment includes us coming to your facility and taking about 30 minutes to walk through your facility and helping to locate and document with pictures and location notes where all your emergency shut offs are located at.  We also take the information that you provide us in regards to emergency key contacts name, phone numbers and/or emails that you provide.  We then compile this information for you and then provide you with a secure log in and you can then access the information from any mobile device or a computer.  We can add any additional information that you see that you would like to add in the available notes section of the app. It also can assist in letting us know where to park in case of an emergency and where to put a dumpster if an emergency happens.  The nice part about this app is that it is not only utilized for facility managers to use in the event of an emergency but also as a training tool for staff about where these shut offs are in the facility as well as who the key contacts are.  Contact our office today 319-338-8550 to find out more and how we can help you be more prepared in 2018 with an Emergency Response Plan.

Microbial Growth Assessments - Mold Testing

4/9/2018 (Permalink)

We offer Microbial Growth Assessments.  If you believe you have something that you think might be mold have it tested by a professional. It is better to be safe than sorry. We are here to help you.  Our employees are trained and certified.  We will perform the testing. Send in the samples. If mold is confirmed we will set up a remediation plan and go over the estimate.  Proper containment will be set up. Mitigation will occur and then finally another set of testing will occur to make sure that all of the microbial growth has been removed.

Microbial growth is more present in facilities than ever before as we build more efficient, tighter buildings. Everything we do produces moisture. Buildings need to breathe.  We are here to help you protect your health and safety if you believe you have mold give SERVPRO a call to perform a microbial growth assessment.

Mold Remediation Cleaning

4/9/2018 (Permalink)

When cleaning after a mold remediation job SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville cleans for the safety and health of our customers using multiple techniques. 

• We use HEPA vacuums to clean the surface area before and after to contain the spread and infiltration of mold spores.
• We use HEPA air filters in our air filtration devices during the process.
• We use microfiber cleaning cloths and change them out after cleaning so much of an affected area reducing cross contamination.
• We set up containment before starting work so that during the process contaminates are not spread to uncontaminated areas.
• We use antimicrobial sprays were needed to prevent further growth.

We clean for health and safety first and then you just get an outstanding appearance.  It is so important to contain contaminants when performing mold remediation services and cleaning. We work hard every day to make it "Like it never even happened."

April Showers bring May flowers and the possibility of flooding to your Iowa City/ Coralville home.

4/4/2018 (Permalink)

April Showers do bring May flowers but they also bring flooding. Taking precautions can help minimize the damage that occurs at your home. The first thing you need to do is check with your insurance to make sure that you are covered. Coverage options vary depending on the insurance company so it is always a good idea to check and see what is available to you. Second, have your sump pump and chimney checks yearly and make sure your gutters are clean and attached properly. If water does get into your home it needs to be removed quickly and dried out properly so you don’t have mold growth in the future.  SERVPRO of Iowa City/ Coralville will respond to the problem and extract the water and start the remediation process to prevent mold growth at all affected levels.

SERVPRO's ERP Helps Office Buildings Mitigate Fire, Water, and Mold Damage in the Iowa City and Coralville Area

3/14/2018 (Permalink)

The ERP Helps Many Iowa City and Coralville Area Businesses Minimize Water Losses--Call SERVPRO for a Free Consultation 319-338-8550

Many Institutions and Commercial Enterprises Rely on SERVPRO to Help Prevent and Mitigate Water Losses

For some damage restoration companies, conducting large-scale water damage repairs on office buildings in Iowa can be very difficult. In the event of a sprinkler malfunction, upper floor flood, or other disasters, the vertical nature of many office spaces can pose a significant challenge even for experienced restoration professionals like SERVPRO. However, with the help of the SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile system, you can make sure that your office receives the care and treatment it needs while we deal with mitigating your disaster.

The Emergency READY Profile is a mobile app that allows businesses in Iowa City and Coralville to prepare for and mitigate disasters as soon as they happen and provide details to ease the communication between multiple entities.

Our marketing team will help set up your account for you! We want to take the hassle out of a disaster and help your company thrive. If you own or manage multiple locations, we can set it up so you can see and manage all locations information. We will come and do a walk through with you, take pictures and document the location of the utility shutoffs

Creating an Emergency READY Profile for your business allows you to operate your company with a higher degree of security and peace of mind. When disaster strikes help is only a click away. The ERP is formatted to be a preventative tool, we help you identify hot-spots and areas of concern. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Should water, fire, or mold damage happen to your building, you can alert SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville and have our IICRC certified technicians sent out with only the push of a button. Your emergency information will be available at your fingertips 24/7 helping to reduce time figuring out who you want to contact. 

Estimating your fire loss in the Iowa City/Coralville area

2/28/2018 (Permalink)

Our estimator looking at a loss before writing an estimate for the client

Our skilled and knowledgeable estimators walk through the property looking at multiple variables such as WATER DAMAGE from extinguishing the fire, WALLS AND STRUCTURE DAMAGE checking the structural strength of your home or business, SOOT DAMAGE by removing the soot and deodorizing the smoke smell, CONTENT CLEANING so you get your possessions back without soot damage or smoke smell. All of these things are looked at and factored in when doing a complete and thorough estimate to perform restoration mitigation services after a fire or soot damage.

 To help make things easier for you it is always good to have a log of your insured contents so if a fire does occur you can easily tell what is accounted for and what you might need to throw away. Many insurance companies have a content inventory checklist so check and see if your insurance company has one. This helps you know what you have for contents and assign a value to your contents.

Our estimators also talk with your insurance and have an open line of communication to help make sure when we are done we make it “Like it never even happened.”

Estimating your fire loss in the Ottumwa/ Oskaloosa area

2/28/2018 (Permalink)

Our estimator looking at a loss before writing an estimate for the client

Our skilled and knowledgeable estimators walk through the property looking at multiple variables such as WATER DAMAGE from extinguishing the fire, WALLS AND STRUCTURE DAMAGE checking the structural strength of your home or business, SOOT DAMAGE by removing the soot and deodorizing the smoke smell, CONTENT CLEANING so you get your possessions back without soot damage or smoke smell. All of these things are looked at and factored in when doing a complete and thorough estimate to perform restoration mitigation services after a fire or soot damage.

 To help make things easier for you it is always good to have a log of your insured contents so if a fire does occur you can easily tell what is accounted for and what you might need to throw away. Many insurance companies have a content inventory checklist so check and see if your insurance company has one. This helps you know what you have for contents and assign a value to your contents.

Our estimators also talk with your insurance and have an open line of communication to help make sure when we are done we make it “Like it never even happened.”

When Mother Nature makes a roaring entrance SERVPRO of Iowa City/ Coralville makes it “Like it never even happened.”

2/26/2018 (Permalink)

Make March memorable and make a roaring entrance!

“In like a lion out like a lamb.” As we head into March we are still in winter and then we slowly transition into spring. Iowa weather is so incredibly unpredictable we can go through three different seasons in one day! No matter what the weather brings know that SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville is here to help. Whether there are heavy winds that require us to securely board up your home, excessive rainfall that floods your basement and damages your contents, or your neighbor has a sump pump or sewage back up that flows into your basement. Feel free to give us a call when a disaster or Mother Nature strikes. With the winter we have had you can look forward to spring starting on March 20^th.

"We're all mad here."

2/15/2018 (Permalink)

When you have severe water damage at your home you might go MAD trying to coordinate everything with insurance, mitigation, content cleaning, and then you might have to worry about reconstruction. One thing that you might not think about is all of your important documents and pictures that might have been damaged. You wouldn’t want your marriage license or your Great Grandma’s bible to grow mold because you forgot it had gotten wet in all the hustle of the water damage. We can dry your books, pictures, paintings, and important documents for you.

The Mad Hatter said “No wonder you’re lat. Why, this watch is exactly two days slow.” You don’t have to worry about our clocks being slow because we are a 24/7 company.

Let us help keep the romance lit in Iowa City/Coralville

2/12/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville is working to ensure that your romantic plans don't get interrupted.

You have been planning this day out for weeks. The flowers have been delivered, the table is set, and the wine is poured. You are sitting down with your significant other for a romantic candlelit dinner at home. Right before you put dessert on the table you get a smell of something very unpleasant. You search your home to find where the stench is coming from and it is a sewage backup in your bathroom. Sewage back up can occur for a variety of reasons. Don’t let it ruin your romantic night in. You won’t want to clean up the mess yourself put your trust in SERVPRO of Iowa/Coralville and give us a call.  We will come in, extract the water, deodorize, clean your damaged contents, and restore carpets and floors.

Call us today to help make sure your romantic night can resume. We work hard to make it "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville is your statewide Large Loss Response Team

1/29/2018 (Permalink)

Winter, spring, summer, or fall all you have to do is call…SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville when disaster strikes. Did you know that SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville is the only Large Loss certified franchise in the state of Iowa? What does it mean to be large loss certified? Glad you asked! Being a certified large loss franchise means that we can respond to any loss across the state. We are equipped for residential and large commercial losses. You will know we are on the scene with the bright green machines but you will also know who our employees are by their uniforms and id badges.  We understand the importance of getting your business back up and running after a disaster and we work hard to make that happen. SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville is here to help with any size disaster.

SERVPRO Emergency Green Vehicles are equipped to cleanup your emergencies.

12/19/2017 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville for your emergency water and fire cleanup needs.

Green is on the Scene with our many different types of vehicles. During emergency water and fire calls we respond with our trucks all ready to go! Thanks to some of our amazing staff these trucks keep stocked

We have a water truck that we bring to the job site to extract water right on the premises. This helps to ensure that the drying process can start quickly so your water emergency can get cleaned up. We also have other vehicles that are designated for large loss jobs and removing your affected content for cleaning at our shop. When you see the green SERVPRO vehicles you know we are helping you, your neighbors, and your local businesses get back to everyday life quickly and efficiently.   

Fall Maintenance Checklist

9/14/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is here to help.  Take the time to reduce property damage by doing these things this fall to prevent property damage.  Winter is around the corner and Iowa winter temperatures are cold and harsh.  Be prepared by taking  a little action now by doing a little fall preventative maintenance.

Fall Maintenance Checklist

• Stow Your Mower
• Store hoses and turn off outdoor water
• Drain and turn off sprinkler systems
• Seal cracks around doors and windows
• Clean your gutters
• Inspect your roof
• Direct drainage away from your house
• Get your furnace serviced
• Prune your plants
• Look up the chimney for any blockages and check the dampers to make sure they are working

When damage happens though know we are here to help make it " Like it never even happened"

Items in an Emergency Supply Kit - Create Your Own

9/14/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville believes in being READY.  One of the first ways of doing this is to have an emergency supply kit.  It may be different depending on what type of disasters you are likely to encounter but this is a good starter list. 

• Water ( one gallon water per person per day)
• Food ( non-perishable 3-day supply)
• Battery-operated radio, preferably a NOAA Weather Radio
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal help
• Dust mask
• Hygiene items
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual can opener
• Local Maps
• Cell phone with chargers
• Cash
• Important documents
• Fire extinguisher
• Matches

Put this emergency kit in a safe place that easily able to be found by all members of your family. 

When an emergency happens don't forget to call SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville to make it "Like it never even happened."

Water Clean Up In Iowa City/Coralville and Surrounding Areas

7/25/2017 (Permalink)

When water damage happens in Iowa City and Coralville and the surrounding areas don't hesitate with who to call.  Call SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville, Ottumwa/Oskaloosa, Des Moines East & SW.  We are the largest SERVPRO in the state of Iowa but we are here to handle everything from a small water leak to a large flood.  We can clean up fresh water from a water line break from a washing machine, dish washer, sink, refrigerator, or even water from an air conditioner condensate line.  We can clean up water that has backed up from a drain line or from a sump pump that has quit working. 

It is so important to call us right away.  It is the water you don't see that can cause the most damage.  We do free estimates and free moisture checks.  Don't hesitate to call. 

We have equipment loaded and ready to go and crew that works 24 hours a day to help you and respond to your loss right away to start extracting water and we will set dehumidifiers and air movers if needed as soon as we can to keep the water from wicking further into the structure. 

You can trust us. With our three locations to have staff ready to help you 24 hours a day. So when you have water to clean up we are here to help you.  Thank you for trusting us.

Home Contents Inventory-Why it’s Needed in Case of a Fire

6/22/2017 (Permalink)

Imagine having a total loss of your home due to a fire and having to recall every item that was damaged… could you do it? Would you trust yourself to remember each individual item that was in your home, especially the rarely used ones? Without a photographic memory most of us would find some difficulty with this task in an already stressful time. In the event of a fire, your insurance company will expect you to provide a list of all your personal property that was damaged. By having a pre-assembled Home Contents Inventory you can have piece-of-mind knowing that all of your contents are documented and can then be properly replaced according to your insurance policy. There are several methods to complete your Home Contents Inventory whether on paper or digitally (you can contact your local SERVPRO for a blank copy of either). You will want to make sure to list each item, its value, and include any receipts and photographs along with it. It’s a good idea to update your Home Contents Inventory list annually to include any new items you have added to the home and remove items you no longer have. Make sure to keep a copy safe in a fireproof container or safe deposit box and you can always file a copy with your insurance agent as well.

Emergency Fire Tips

6/22/2017 (Permalink)

In 2015 there were 1,345,500 fires reported in the United States. A structure fire was reported every 63 seconds and caused an estimated $14.3 billion in property damage. In order to ensure you and your family’s safety make sure to have an escape route in place so if a fire is discovered, you can move quickly to evacuate to your designated meeting place. The aftermath of a fire can be just as devastating as the initial event. Your local SERVPRO is here to help minimize damage and save your contents. Do not attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to a fire without consulting a repair service and make sure your restoration company is IICRC certified (all SERVPRO techs are!) There is a science behind effective cleaning. Proper methods and products must be used depending on the materials being cleaned to avoid further damage. When you choose SERVPRO, you can take comfort knowing your home and contents are in the hands of trained and caring professionals.

Emergency Water Tips

6/22/2017 (Permalink)

Suffering a water loss can be a hectic and stressful time. Emotions run high and often times you don’t even know where to start! The first step should always be to identify the source of incoming water then shutoff or stop the water source if possible. Next make sure to turn off all electrical appliances around the affected area to reduce electrical hazards and turn off the circuit breakers supplying electricity to the wet areas. You will want to remove excess water by mopping or blotting and make sure to never use a regular vacuum to remove water! Keep furniture safe from additional damage by placing aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting/flooring and make sure to call your local SERVPRO to come assess the damage and get the drying process started immediately.

Commercial Restaurant Loss & Getting you Back to Business

6/22/2017 (Permalink)

In 2015 Restaurants across the United States suffered a total of $116 million dollars in damages, the average loss being $23,000 (not including revenue loss from business interruption) finding prime days for damage occurred on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. We know that even the smallest losses can impact business functionality and cause revenue loss which is why we are here to get you back to business quickly! SERVPRO of Iowa City/Ottumwa/Des Moines is a large loss certified franchise with trained crews and commercial grade equipment that can respond to any size loss within hours. Regardless of the type of loss we understand the urgency of getting damages taken care of… after all an empty restaurant will COST you money. Once emergency cleaning is completed, our professional team can also offer regular maintenance services such as hood kitchen exhaust cleaning helping to ensure your restaurant is always clean and ready for business!

Disaster Preparedness for a Storm

6/22/2017 (Permalink)

With the fluctuations in weather, Iowa has been known to experience its fair share of severe weather and storms. Two elements that cause a thunderstorm are moisture and rapidly rising warm air, which is why severe thunderstorms occur most often in hot summer months. Thunderstorms produce lightening which can severely hurt people and damage property. Heavy rain can cause flash flooding and high winds can damage your home and blow down trees and utility poles. If you happen to get caught unprepared, storms can threaten both your property and your personal safety. Make a list of items to bring inside during a storm and ensure pets are safe and any outside housing is secured. Be sure to discuss a safety plan with your family including a safe place in your home away from windows and glass to gather during a storm. Have an emergency kit including water, non-perishable food, towels, garbage bags, and first aid kit supplies and remain indoors until after the storm has passed. After a storm you can contact your local SERVPRO 24hours a day to assist with any immediate board ups needed to protect your home.

Summer Weather and Your Appliances- Fire Hazards In Business and at Home

6/22/2017 (Permalink)

Often time people overlook the fact that summer weather can have an impact on your appliances. Extreme Heat, Summer Storms, and Power Outages can be hazardous and increase the chances of a fire in your home or business. Be cautious of over-working compressors from refrigerators and freezers, they can get extremely hot and cause a fire. Improperly used extension cords not designed to carry the proper electric load can heat quickly and also cause a fire and considerable damage. During a Summer Storm do not use electrical appliances that have been wet or potentially shorted from a lightning strike, these can be a major fire hazard. To be sure no fires have started it’s a good idea to check your appliances during and after a storm. If you experience a power outage never run cords from generators or other appliances under carpet or rugs where heat could build and cause damage or fire. Being aware of the potential hazards can save you, your business, and your home.

Extreme Heat- How it can Affect you

6/22/2017 (Permalink)

We all know Iowa summers bring extreme heat! Extreme heat is caused by higher than normal temperature and humidity. Children, ages infant to four are at higher risk for heat related illnesses and need extra fluids compared to adults. Symptoms of heat related illness include faintness, exhaustion, nausea, muscle spasms, and fever. In the United States more than 600 people die every year due to extreme heat. During these heat waves it’s better to stay inside and stay cool if possible. Air conditioning is the highest protective measure against extreme heat illnesses. HYDRATION is also extremely important! Drink plenty of water and if you’re in prolonged heat it’s good to utilize sports drinks to replenish your body with electrolytes. If you must be outdoors you should also avoid strenuous activities, wear lightweight light colored clothing, and take breaks in the shade or a cool environment.

Mold - The Process of Mitigation and Remediation in Iowa City

6/14/2017 (Permalink)

Our Technician Matt setting up to do microbial growth air testing in a basement in Iowa City

When there’s a water intrusion, like a roof leak or leaking waterline, mold can quickly become a problem in your home or business. It is the water you can't see that may cause the most damage. Mold can affect your health and can also cause significant damage to your property. Fortunately, we are here to help and have the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to handle your mold problem. Although every mold damage scenario is different, requiring a unique solution, the general mold remediation process stays the same. The following steps illustrate a “typical” mold removal process.

Call Professionals - SERVPRO of Iowa City/Ottumwa/Des Moines

The mold cleanup and restoration process begins when you call our office. A representative will ask a series of questions to help determine the necessary equipment, resources, and personnel needed.

Inspection & Damage Assessment

Your property will be carefully inspected for signs of mold using technology designed to detect mold and hidden water sources. Mold feeds on cellulose and water which can be hidden from plain view.

Mold Containment

Various containment procedures will be placed to prevent the spread of mold and isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process.

Air Filtration

Specialized filtration equipment will be set in place that captures microscopic mold spores out of the air. SERVPRO® technicians utilize powerful air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in progress.

Removing Mold & Mold-Infested Materials

The mold remediation process depends on the amount of mold growth and the types of surfaces on which the mold appears. Antifungal and antimicrobial treatments will be used to eliminate mold colonies and help prevent new colonies from forming. Removing and disposing of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and flooring, may be necessary to remediate heavy mold growth.

Cleaning Contents & Belongings

We clean your furniture, decorative items, curtains, and other restorable items affected by mold. Our technicians use a variety of cleaning techniques to clean and sanitize your belongings. They are also trained to remove odors and deodorize using fogging equipment.

Restoration

Depending on the level of mold damage, drywall, subfloors, and other building materials may be removed. 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. We understand mold and mold growth and have the raining and equipment to remediate mold in your home or business. 

Why we use HEPA filters for Mold Remediation

6/13/2017 (Permalink)

This picture shows a few of our HEPA vacuums

When doing different types of restoration work we will set in the space what we call air scrubbers.  These air scrubbers are HEPA filter units that collect air borne particles that their size is 300 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. To a HEPA filter, catching a one-micron particle is like stopping a cotton ball with a door screen.  When doing mold remediation we use these air scrubbers but we also will use HEPA vacuums to clean surfaces and trap the particles. 

HEPA filters were invented during World War II to remove and capture radio active dust particles that would present a health hazard to researchers. It was invented to protect the human respiratory system.  HEPA filters are the top form of air filtration.

Water Removal From Carpet in Iowa City

6/12/2017 (Permalink)

Our employee, Nick, extracting water from carpet and pad.

After a water intrusion we will use this type of equipment to remove the water from carpet and pad.  In order to save the carpet and pad it must be a clean water loss. Meaning the leak had to come from a fresh water line.  We use this equipment or something similar to extract the water.  This machine is called a rover but we will also use a machine called a hydroX. They work the same way.  You stand on both types of machines and the weight of the machine and the employee standing on the machine helps to squeeze out and suck up the water. The machine is self propelled using controls on the handle.  The water is then pumped through tubes into a truck mounted holding tank to be disposed of.  Air movers and dehumidifiers are still needed to remove moisture but this will remove the majority of excess water.  We attempt when ever possible to save the carpet and pad but many times if not attended to fast enough delamination occurs. This is why it is so important to know who to call if you ever have water damage and to do it right away. This will minimize cost for the dry out process and minimize property damage.

Iowa City - We Do Carpet Cleaning

5/18/2017 (Permalink)

We are a premier cleaning company.  We specialize in carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, drapery cleaning, rug cleaning, and furniture cleaning.  We do carpet cleaning for residential and commercial customers. We have licensed technicians who are trained by the IICRC in the proper methods to clean different types of carpets and fabrics. We pretest fragile fabrics and make sure that we take the best care of your home or office that we can.  We clean carpets for general cleaning, after water damage, after fire damage, to remove odors, to remove stains, and to clean up after pets.  We pride ourselves in a job well done.  We do stair cleaning as well.  We have the right equipment and the right products to keep your carpets and fabrics safe.  Our estimates our free and we do our pricing based off of square footage.  Give us a call today. 

Weather Radio - Everyone Should Have

5/4/2017 (Permalink)

Everyone should have a weather radio. A weather radio keeps you informed of inclement weather. Early warning is your best plan to prevent damage or death from a storm.  Storms can change direction, grow in intensity, and change people's lives in a second if they are not informed promptly.  The nice thing about weather radios are that when an update comes out from the National Weather Service they immediately alert you.  You only get the information that you request based off the programming of your weather radio.  When purchasing a weather radio make sure you get one that runs off batteries and a/c power.  Make sure you check the batteries once a month and make sure that you change them once a year.  In the event of a power loss you want to be informed.  Yes they are loud and will wake you up when you are sleeping but if there is a bad storm heading your direction keep your family safe by waking up to your weather radio.

Dehumidifiers

5/4/2017 (Permalink)

We use dehumidifiers as one piece of equipment during our balanced drying system we use when we are cleaning up after a water loss.  Dehumidification helps to minimize secondary damages.  Dehumidifiers alone are not the only piece of equipment we use. These units are used to capture evaporated moisture in the air. We have to get the moisture out of the material and we use air movers and energy to get the water to evaporate.  Once evaporated the vapor can be removed from the air with a dehumidifier.  "Dehumidifiers are a sealed refrigeration system with defrost mechanism, fan, and water collection system.  The dehumidifier removes energy from the incoming air, then returns this energy as sensible heat to the exiting air.  During this energy removal process, water vapor condenses on the evaporator (cool) coil and is collected." - From Disaster Academy Training Manual

Desiccants

5/4/2017 (Permalink)

Desiccants are used on a larger scale water loss to remove moisture from the air.  We used these as a tool in our balanced drying system in place or along side dehumidifiers on a larger scale project.  Desiccants operate differently then dehumidifiers. Desiccants do not collect water through condensation. They vent moisture-laden air from inside the structure to outside the structure using a ventilation system.  Desiccants are usually large units and sit outside the structure with venting tubes and air input tubes from and to the structure.  They create the greatest vapor pressure and are best used when trying to dry wood flooring, plaster, or concrete. They work on the principle of sorption rather then condensation.  Water vapor in this process is adsorbed by a silica gel and then that silica gel is reactivated by energy causing the desiccant to release its moisture to the outside air.

Can We Save Your Structure

5/4/2017 (Permalink)

In a lot of cases yes we can. A lot of building materials are made to get wet but NOT maintain wetness.  It is very important to have a balanced drying system and start that system very quickly after water damage.  Problems with saving materials occur when the water infiltration is caused by contaminated water.

Drywall can be saved if it is a clean water infiltration.  Drywall is fragile when wet but when dried it is very strong.  If seems are intact and there is no swelling or microbial growth then the drying process can begin. 

Paneling and wallpaper are difficult to dry but cavity drying systems can be attempted if the material can not be replaced and it was a clean water infiltration. 

Lath and Plaster require a very controlled drying process with aggressive evaporation and low humidity air but can sometimes be saved. 

We use many different systems to dry different materials in different spaces.  We have floor drying systems, cavity drying systems, and general drying systems. 

We are here to help you.  Like it never even happened.

Commercial - The benefits of an Emergency Ready Plan

5/4/2017 (Permalink)

Statistically 50% of businesses will not reopen after a water or fire loss.  Reason being they do not have a plan in place.  If no plan is in place, there is extended amounts of time where revenue is not made.  This hurts the business and then they close.  We understand this need to be prepared.  We have a completely FREE service where we come and help you put a plan in place with emergency contacts, shut offs, and pictures all in a easy to use app that can be accessed on a phone, tablet, or computer.

With a plan in place you know contacts and locations of things to be able to reduce property damage in the event of a fire or water loss.  You know who to call and help can be there faster.  We are a firm believer in don't wait until disaster strikes. Contact us today to help you be "Ready for whatever happens"

Have A Safe Place

5/3/2017 (Permalink)

When a storm is approaching always have that safe place.  Always forward think.  Take the time even when you are driving down the road where is my safe place if inclement weather would approach.  Have that safe place at home.  Make sure everyone in your house knows where that place is.  It will make the situation go smoother in the event something were to happen. Control the situation as much as you can.  Does your family know where to go in the event of a disaster? Make a plan now it will help if something were to happen.  If you are using a neighbors house, a place down the street or another family member across town just have a plan and make sure everyone knows what the plan is.  Have a plan for a storm, have a plan for a fire, have a plan for a medical emergency. 

We Do Biohazard Work

4/10/2017 (Permalink)

Most people don't realize but we do Biohazard work as well.  Biohazard clean up is:

• Unattended Death Clean Up
• Blood Clean Up
• Homicide and Suicide Clean Up
• Crime Scene Clean Up
• Industrial Accidents
• Animal Clean Up

We have 5 trained technicians with many years of experience in this profession. They have a great bedside manor and have an incredible amount of empathy for our clients.  Biohazard work is something we take very seriously. We pride ourselves in being desecrate while we do the work.  We work with police departments, fire departments, funeral home directors, medical facilities and home and vehicle owners.  We have worked for commercial and residential locations.  We pride ourselves on being your local option to help in your time of need. 

Understanding our Commercial Customers Needs

4/6/2017 (Permalink)

We pride ourselves on understanding our commercial customers needs.  We understand that every minute you are closed and/or not fully open for business you are loosing valuable revenue.  We guarantee that when you make a call into us that within an hour no matter the time of day we will contact you and set up arrangements to be on site.  We then will do everything in our power to very quickly decide what needs to be done and how we are going to do it so that you get back up and running as quickly as possible. 

If possible we will set up containments or set up specialized air cleaning equipment to get your business back up and running immediately while we work so you can work.   We know that your business is very important to you because our business is very important to us and we are lucky enough to have the trained staff and the equipment to help you and your business.

Types of Commercial Properties We Have Worked For

4/6/2017 (Permalink)

We have worked with many different types of commercial properties.

We have worked with schools; cleaning contents after a storm, drying out a water loss to reduce further damage, drying gym floors to avoid costly replacement, and cleaning after a fire.

We have worked with banks; cleaning sewage from basements, drying out and restoring important documents, and cleaning carpet to name just a few.

We have worked with many commercial retail locations; cleaning soot and removing odor after a fire, cleaning contents, removing grease from surfaces, and drying out after a sprinkler head or a water intrusion.

We have worked with many property management companies on apartments and hotels; Removing mold, removing odor, cleaning carpets, cleaning after a fire loss, drying out after a water loss.

Either way we have a proven track record of working with Commercial Businesses and getting them back and running as QUICK as possible to prevent excessive revenue loss. We even offer Emergency Ready Profiles for no charge on a handy app so that businesses have all their important information in the event of an emergency right in front of them all the time.

Ask our staff how we can help your business.

Be Ready For The Storm

4/6/2017 (Permalink)

You know storms are going to happen.  Rather it be snow, rain, wind, etc. They are going to happen.  To be prepared is a must.  The following list is what is recommended at a minimum to be ready in the event of a storm.

• Flash Light


• Extra Batteries


• First Aid Kit


• Cellphone


• Canned Food


• Manual Can Opener


• Bottled Water


• Blanket


• Fire Extinguisher


• Battery Powered Weather Radio

Being prepared will help keep panic at a minimum. These items kept in a safe place where you go in the event of a storm for easy access is also necessary.  Keep where you go in the basement or in possibly a bathroom closet if your home or business does not have a basement.  Pick food items and bottled water that have long shelf lives.  Make sure to test your batteries every month or so in your devices.

SERVPRO has its own Meteorologist

4/6/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO's corporate office maintains and has on staff our very own SERVPRO Meteorologist.  She helps our franchises with Storm forecasts and alerts so that we are ready and informed.  Storm alerts are vital she says because she has witnessed and experienced storm chasing.  She went out and chased storms and felt the power of super cells building in the Midwest.  She knows the power of weather and why it is so important to be informed and ready in our industry.  Her being a part of our team is a vital key as she helps us know where and when we need to activate our teams to different areas to help out those affected by the storm.  Being knowledgeable about the weather which is such a key factor in our industry empowers us to be ready for you. 

It is important to dry up the water

4/4/2017 (Permalink)

Water damage due to an intrusion, long standing leaks, or from high humidity need to be addressed right away.  Mold feeds and grows in high moisture and warm environments.  Mold is present every where.  There are good forms and bad.  It is very important to start the drying process right away to prevent mold growth.  Organic materials found inside a building; wood, paper, drywall and insulation are great sources of food for mold.  Different types of mold are health threats.  It is very important though to remember that if you see visible mold spores to not put air flow directly across the mold. It can send the spores airborne causing more damage.  This is why it is so important to call a professional right away to make sure all areas are brought back to acceptable moisture levels inside a home after water damage.

Testing For Mold

4/4/2017 (Permalink)

We are certified to test for mold.  If you believe mold is present either by visually seeing something you think is mold or by smelling something musty call a professional.  We do visual inspections, air sampling, as well as we have a bore scope that can go inside areas that are not normally visible to look for mold.  When air samples are taken, 3 samples are taken and sent in.  The results take about 5 to 7 days to return.  If the air samples come back positive for mold then we will do further investigation to locate the source of the positive result of the air samples.  Call for pricing if you believe you have mold present and we will help you maintain your healthy home.

Health Effects of Mold

4/4/2017 (Permalink)

Mold can effect people's health.  People most effected by mold are people with compromised health, infants and young children, people with chronic breathing issues such as asthma and allergies, and the elderly.  Any one can experience health problems from mold though.  Possible health effects are runny nose, cough, sneeze, abnormal accelerated problems with asthma, sore throat, or sinus inflammation.  This sounds like a common cold but problems from mold linger for excessive amounts of time.  Mold spores grow very quickly so if you see mold give us a call right away so health concerns don't accelerate.  Cleaning the affected mold areas when you are already showing signs of illness can increase this level of sickness for yourself so this is why using a professional with proper personal protective equipment is a good idea.

Types of Mold

4/4/2017 (Permalink)

There are different types of mold.  The most common are aspergillus, cladosporium and stachybotrys atra (also known as black mold).

Aspergillus is non toxic to humans but it can aggravate allergy symptoms.  It is found on foods and in air conditioning systems.

Cladosporium is non toxic to humans but can aggravate allergy symptoms.  This is found as a black or green mold that grows in little dots in bathrooms, on painted surfaces, and in flexible air ducts. 

Stachybotrys is commonly called black mold. This should be removed to prevent health issues.  Call a trained professional to remove.  This type of mold grows on building materials.

To prevent mold growth make sure that water leaks are dried up quickly and humidity levels are maintained in your home or business. Mold thrives in warm damp conditions.

Our Service Response Guidelines

4/4/2017 (Permalink)

Customer service is top priority for us on any loss but especially on a commercial job.  We want to get your business back up and running as quickly as possible following a loss.  Our service response guidelines are as follows.

With in 1 hour of your initial call to us we will return your call and arrange a professional to provide service.

With in 4 hours of your initial call a professional will be on site to evaluate the loss and start mitigation services.

With in 8 hours of your initial call we will be able to give you a briefing of what we are doing and how we need to do it  and provide that scope to the appropriate people.

We are here to help you and we know that prompt service is needed when an emergency happens.  You can trust us.

Smoke Alarms and Fire Emergency Plan

4/3/2017 (Permalink)

Smoke alarms save lives. They are the tool most valuable in saving peoples lives.  Smoke alarms should be near every bedroom. It is very important to check them often and make sure the batteries are in good working condition.  Test the alarm beep every month.  Change the batteries every year and the unit may need replaced every 10 years.  If you need help with your smoke detectors, installing, servicing, or testing contact your local fire department. 

Be sure also that your home has a Fire Emergency Plan in place. Make sure everyone knows where to go and how to conduct themselves in the event of a fire.  Show children how to open windows and how to test doors to see if they are hot.  Make sure everyone knows where the safe place to meet outside the home is.  A practice fire drill with your family is always a good practice once a year.

Principles of Deodorization Following a Fire

3/28/2017 (Permalink)

There are four principles of deodorization that we follow when restoring an affected area after a fire.  The first step is to remove the source.  The charred material all needs to be removed first to start the process. 

We then clean contaminated surfaces to remove soot residue.  This needs to happen as soon as we are able to. This will help minimize damage.

After removing the residue we then use different methods to remove odor.  This principle is called recreate the conditions of penetration.  We use many different methods to remove odor form objects.  We use ozone machines, hydroxal machines as well as thermal foggers to remove odor. 

When necessary we seal and encapsulate the odor using special sealing materials so that the odor does not penetrate the sealer and continue to produce an odor.

List of Items to be maintained by the customer following a fire

3/28/2017 (Permalink)

In the event of a fire and it is decided by the customer, insurance adjuster, and SERVPRO that SERVPRO is going to do a content pack out of the affected belongings while the home/business is restored there are a few items that the customer should maintain.  These items SERVPRO prefers are sorted out of the belongings before we come to pack up the others for cleaning and storage. 

-insurance policies

-licenses, birth certificates, passports, tax documents

-school and medical records

-checkbooks, credit cards, ID cards

-irreplaceable videos, media, or pictures

-few special toys; baby items

-pet foods and inside pets

-cash

-prescription drugs

Our pack out process if very organized and recorded for easy access of any items that are needed while in our hands but these are a few items that are usually needed very quickly.

Sign Up for our Periodic Informational Newsletter

3/3/2017 (Permalink)

Click the below link to sign up for our periodic informational newsletter.  We send out our newsletter frequently. The newsletter is an informational tool that we use to stay in touch with our SERVPRO friends.  The newsletter provides information about how SERVPRO is different from other restoration/mitigation companies.  We include content on the equipment we use, how we do the work we do, things that are going on in our community, and provide you information to help you be prepared in the event of a disaster. There newsletter also links you quickly to our website for easy access to blog information and before and after pictures of the work that we do. There is also a quick link to our services page so you can learn more about what we do and how we can help you or someone you know when you need us most. Please take the time to click Sign Up and we will put your email on our newsletter list.

Hydroxyl vs Ozone Machines

2/28/2017 (Permalink)

Hydroxyl and Ozone machines both work to eliminate lingering odors, gases, and organic pollutants from the air. We are lucky to have both types of machines.  We put them in homes and businesses to remove pet odor, smoke odor, odor from mold, cooking odor, etc.  There are benefits and draw backs to both types of machines. 

Hydroxyl machines are able to run with living things in the same room.  They remove odor slower then when using ozone machines but you can live and work around a running hydroxyl machine.  Ozone machines can not run with living organisms in the same space.  Ozone machines will work in a few hours where a hydroxyl will need to run for a few days depending on the extent of the odor.  Ozone machines can also bleach wet fabrics and effect rubber. 

Depending on the type of odor you have we will chose the best type of equipment to work best to eliminate the smell. 

Fire and Smoke Do's and Don'ts

2/23/2017 (Permalink)

If you have fire and smoke damage to your property it is hard to not start cleaning yourself.  Please let the professionals help you. 

The Do's

-Keep movement in the building at a minimum.  This helps keep particles from being embedded in carpet and fabrics.

-Wash your hands a lot and be careful not to transfer or wipe soot onto something. It can make it damage the item more.

-If electricity is off empty fridges and freezers and prop doors open to prevent odors. 

-Change your furnace/air conditioner filter but don't let the system continue to run. Turn it off.

Don'ts

-Do not try washing any thing yourself.  You could further rub the soot into the item. 

-Don't shampoo your carpet. Talk to a professional first.

-Don't clean any electronics without contacting a professional.

-Do not consume any food or beverages that may have been effected by the fire, soot, or smoke.

-Do not turn ceiling fans on. This will stir up the soot residue. 

Water Damage Do's and Don'ts

2/23/2017 (Permalink)

Water damage from clean water is much different then contaminated, sewer water.  These do's are only for clean water.  It is important to hire a professional to help you dry out your home after water damage.  With the right tools and pieces of equipment we can properly and safely dry out your home or business and the products with in it.

Do's

-Shut off the source of the water. 

-Turn off electricity

-Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and soaking up with towels. 

-Wipe excess water from wood furniture.

-Put aluminum foil in between furniture legs and carpet. 

Don'ts

-Enter a room with standing water. There could be a risk of electrical shock. Disconnect all power first.

-Leave rugs and furniture upholstery wet against and sitting on carpets.  The fabrics could bleed between each other. 

-Turn on your television or any other electronic.

-Do not use your household vacuum to try and suck up any water.  They are not made for this.

What is a Biohazard Event

2/8/2017 (Permalink)

A Biohazard Event is something effected by human blood, human blood itself, animal waste, human body fluids, microbiological waste, pathological waste, or sharps waste.  Many events that are biohazard related are very emotional.  We take pride in being a locally owned franchise here to help our neighbors.  We clean up after hoarders,  a homicide or suicide, an unattended death, bodily fluids in a vehicle, etc. 

We are here to help you handle these situations safely. We have 5 certified staff to help in properly and discreetly cleaning up and disposing of this material.  Most of our biohazard events are cleaned up at night.  This helps in keeping on looking eyes from becoming too much of a problem.  We use special equipment to find and locate all traces of biohazard material and completely clean up the materials.  You can trust our staff to clean up after your biohazard event in a caring manor.

Ready At All Times

2/8/2017 (Permalink)

One of our van trucks

We have a promise to our clients. WE ARE READY at all times.  We have a staff of over 40 people ready to help after any size disaster. We have staff on call at night and on the weekends to make sure that when we are needed we are ready.  We have different size vehicles all stocked and fueled ready to leave at a moments notice. We have a very mobilized fleet.  We have cars, trucks, trailers, and van trucks. We have a highly trained staff with crew leaders with over 90 years of combined experience in the mitigation and restoration business.  They maintain certifications in residential and commercial approved structural drying, fire and smoke restoration, odor control, water damage restoration, carpet and duct cleaning, and biohazard.  Our staff is ready to help you.

Large Loss Response Team

2/8/2017 (Permalink)

We are currently the only certified Large Loss Response Team in the state of Iowa.  We have the equipment, employees, and connections to help in even the largest disaster.  We promise to be ready when you need us.  Our equipment is always fueled, tested, loaded.  We have on call staff 24 hours a day.  We have a trailer loaded with our desiccant and a dedicated generator to run it at all times.  This desiccant is a 5,000 cfm piece of equipment for dehumidification.  We have air movers and large portable dehumidifiers for drying a structure.  We have large air scrubbers and different ozone machines for removing odor. A large loss is a loss valued at over $50,000 in  mitigation or remediation work.  Every loss is managed by a commercial operations manager to help ensure seamless communication and timely mitigation.

Our employees are trained residential and commercially for any size disaster.

Ultrasonic Machine

2/8/2017 (Permalink)

Ultrasonic Machine

Our Ultrasonic Machine is located in our Iowa City office. This machine is used to clean many different items including items damaged by mold or soot.  We can clean some electronics, jewelry, guns, family heirlooms, light fixtures, porcelain dolls, etc. 

The benefits of Ultrasonic cleaning are;

Offers a deep and even clean

Very delicate cleaning for those delicate items

High speed and energy efficient cleaning

Minimal chemicals

Ultrasonic works with high-frequency ultrasonic vibrations, along with the special cleaning solutions, to create the effect of millions of tiny bubbles which breakdown contaminants off the target surface without the need for scrubbing.

If you have an item that you would like to have deep cleaned with our ultrasonic machine just let us know.

Even if you don't have fire and water damage at your home and you just need an item deep cleaned, feel free to bring it in and we will be happy to clean the item quickly and thoroughly for you. 

Emergency Ready Profiles

2/7/2017 (Permalink)

We offer a service of helping businesses develop an emergency ready profile for their business at no cost.  We offer a free app to also maintain this critical contact and property information electronically in advance, where it can be accessed with a mobile device in seconds if a disaster strikes, also free.  This information can be shared very easily with staff.   This ERP includes information about emergency contact numbers, priority and high/risk area, shut off valve locations, insurance contacts, and more.  We believe in helping to reduce property damage when a disaster occurs.  We provide a paper copy, emailed copy, and the app copy of the Emergency Ready Profile for easy access by all employees.  We believe in being proactive not reactive to an emergency situation.  These profiles are proven to help reduce the amount of damage that occurs if kept current and utilized. Call and schedule your appointment with one of our great staff to help develop your FREE Emergency Ready Profile.

2017 CE Classes in Iowa City/Coralville Areas

2/6/2017 (Permalink)

We are excited to announce that our CE Classes for Spring AND Fall are now available and waiting for you to get signed up!

We are offering more classes this year (morning and afternoon options) and also options for all-day classes to better accommodate you and your schedule! We hope to see you this year!

The website link can be found below, but here is a breakdown of our classes in the Iowa City/Coralville area this year:

http://SERVPRO2017ceclassschedule.eventbrite.com

2017 CE Classes in the Ottumwa Area

2/6/2017 (Permalink)

We are excited to announce that our CE Classes for Spring AND Fall are now available and waiting for you to get signed up!

We are offering more classes this year (morning and afternoon options) and also options for all-day classes to better accommodate you and your schedule! We hope to see you this year!

The website link can be found below, but here is a breakdown of our classes in the Ottumwa area this year:

http://SERVPRO2017ceclassschedule.eventbrite.com

1)  Course Topic: Ethics For Dummies (SPRING Morning   Session) (9:00am-12:00pm) 

Date: Tuesday, June 6th, 2017

Registration: Begins at 8:30 AM

Credit Hours: 3

Instructor: Todd Davis, CIC

Course ID #: Pending Filing Processing

Cost: $25.00

Location: The Bridgeview Center

                102 Church Street, Ottumwa, IA 52501

2) Course Topic: Where There's Smoke, There's Fire (SPRING Afternoon Session) (12:30pm-4:30pm)

Date: Tuesday, June 6th, 2017

Registration: Begins at 12:00 PM

Credit Hours: 4

Instructor: Todd Davis, CIC

Course ID #: Pending Filing Processing

Cost: $25.00

Location: The Bridgeview Center

                102 Church Street, Ottumwa, IA 52501

3) Course Topic: Ethics & Truth (FALL Morning Session) (9:00am-12:00pm)

Date: Wednesday, November 15th, 2017

Registration: Begins at 8:30 AM

Credit Hours: 3

Instructor: Todd Davis, CIC

Course ID #: Pending Filing Processing

Cost: $25.00

Location: The Bridgeview Center

                102 Church Street, Ottumwa, IA 52501

4) Course Topic: E & O Mock Trial (FALL Afternoon Session) (12:30pm-4:30pm)

Date: Wednesday, November 15th, 2017

Registration: Begins at 12:00 PM

Credit Hours: 4

Instructor: Todd Davis, CIC

Course ID #: Pending Filing Processing

Cost: $25.00

Location: The Bridgeview Center

                102 Church Street, Ottumwa, IA 52501

Lunch is provided for all attendees (12PM-12:30PM)—come half an hour before for registration

There are afternoon options available on the same dates as the morning sessions at the same location. If there is an interest to participate in a whole day of CE Class sessions, remember to register for both the morning and afternoon classes (a whole day session is $50.00)

2017 CE Classes in Des Moines/Ankeny Areas

2/6/2017 (Permalink)

We are excited to announce that our CE Classes for Spring AND Fall are now available and waiting for you to get signed up!

We are offering more classes this year (morning and afternoon options) and also options for all-day classes to better accommodate you and your schedule! We hope to see you this year!

The website link can be found below, but here is a breakdown of our classes in the Des Moines/Ankeny areas this year:

http://SERVPRO2017ceclassschedule.eventbrite.com

1)  Course Topic: Cowboy Ethics (SPRING Morning   Session) (9:00am-12:00pm) 

Date: Thursday, May 11th, 2017

Registration: Begins at 8:30 AM

Credit Hours: 3

Instructor: Todd Davis, CIC

Course ID #: Pending Filing Processing

Cost: $25.00

Location: Glen Oaks Country Club

                1401 Glen Oaks Dr., W Des Moines, IA 50266

2) Course Topic: Insurance Claims for Water, Mold, Crime Scene & Biohazard (SPRING Afternoon Session) (12:30pm-4:30pm)

Date: Thursday, May 11th, 2017

Registration: Begins at 12:00 PM

Credit Hours: 4

Instructor: Todd Davis, CIC

Course ID #: Pending Filing Processing

Cost: $25.00

Location: Glen Oaks Country Club

                1401 Glen Oaks Dr., W Des Moines, IA 50266

*To gain access to the Glen Oaks Country Club facility: At the security gate, let the personnel know you are attending the SERVPRO CE Class* 

3) Course Topic: Ethics for Dummies (FALL Morning Session) (9:00am-12:00pm)

Date: Wednesday, October 18th, 2017

Registration: Begins at 8:30 AM

Credit Hours: 3

Instructor: Todd Davis, CIC

Course ID #: Pending Filing Processing

Cost: $25.00

Location: The Ankeny Courtyard by Marriot

                2405 SE Creekview Dr., Ankeny, IA 50021

4) Course Topic: Industry Hot Topics (FALL Afternoon Session) (12:30pm-4:30pm)

Date: Wednesday, October 18th, 2017

Registration: Begins at 12:00 PM

Credit Hours: 4

Instructor: Todd Davis, CIC

Course ID #: Pending Filing Processing

Cost: $25.00

Location: The Ankeny Courtyard by Marriot

                2405 SE Creekview Dr., Ankeny, IA 50021

Lunch is provided for all attendees (12PM-12:30PM)—come half an hour before for registration

There are afternoon options available on the same dates as the morning sessions at the same location. If there is an interest to participate in a whole day of CE Class sessions, remember to register for both the morning and afternoon classes (a whole day session is $50.00)

Hiring Production and Cleaning Techs

1/13/2017 (Permalink)

We're hiring for all locations, Iowa City/Coralville, Ottumwa/Oskaloosa, and Des Moines East and SW - Full Time production and cleaning techs!  HS diploma/GED, valid driver's license required, competitive pay/benefits. Full description/application at www.SERVPRO.careerplug.com or send resume to andrea@SERVPRO.me

We believe in a team environment.  We support each other and cross train when needed.

We offer a health insurance option to our full time staff. 

We believe in training and supporting our staff. There are many areas of advancement in house.  Our production and cleaning staff are a big part of helping people after a disaster help put their lives back together.  All of our employees have a lot of empathy for our clients. If you have a big heart  and desire to help people this is the place for you.

Hiring for Marketing Representative

4/29/2016 (Permalink)

Marketing Representative

SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville and Ottumwa/Oskaloosa, a cleaning & restoration Company specializing in water & fire mitigation, is currently hiring for a Marketing Representative.

Responsibilities

Primary Role:  Promote and communicate franchise services in business to business interaction to achieve increased use of, and profit from, our services for residential and commercial losses. Grow and develop residential and commercial customer base by utilizing a systematic process to identify new prospects and to routinely contact and follow up with customers or COI (Center of Influence). Build relationships with such clientele as insurance agents and become acquainted with local law enforcement and fire departments. When losses occur, this clientele should feel comfortable calling you.  Daily travel is required.  This job requires occasional overnight/weekend stays and, depending on event duration, (ie: conventions, trade shows, etc.) may require extended stays.  Conduct repetitive contact calls as follow up to losses and continue to build relationships and educate the customer as to why SERVPRO is the best cleaning and restoration company in the industry. Utilize SERVPRO marketing materials and tools to educate potential residential and commercial customers of the benefits from choosing SERVPRO and gain maximum exposure to the public.  Grow public relations by attending scheduled marketing events within the community and help orchestrate such events as assigned by existing marketing team, ie: continuing education courses in various fields related to our clientele, public relations events and community outreach.  Attendance at certain Chamber and community events will be required.  You will schedule and present Lunch and Learns for larger groups.  You will also work in conjunction with existing marketing team to provide administrative help and put together Emergency Response Profiles for commercial accounts.

Results Expected: Continual increased usage of SERVPRO’s services throughout the assigned territory. New customers are routinely added and customer base is diverse. Both internal and external communications are timely and effective.

Minimum Requirements

• HSD/GED and 1 to 2 years preferred in sales/marketing and customer service

• Valid Driver license

• Pass background check and drug test

• Subject to verbal and written scenario testing

• Understand production and estimating processes

• Complete documentation, as appropriate

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including proper punctuation, grammar and use of courteous and professional tone, via voice, email or text at all times

• Ability to meet people in new or difficult situations and build rapport

• Excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail

• Very self-motivated and goal-oriented

• Ability to multi-task

• Capability to work in a fast-paced, team oriented office environment

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (ie: Outlook, Word, Excel)

• Ability to produce well worded emails and social media posts.  Will be primary social media handler (ie: Facebook, Twitter, Webpage)

• Ability to brainstorm and bring new ideas to the table to help SERVPRO remain one of the leading restoration providers in our area

• Attend marketing meetings at least quarterly and production meetings once a month

Hours

• 40 hours/week, with the flexibility to work overtime when required, afterhours and on weekends.

 Pay Rate

Competitive base with commission, based upon qualifications and discussed during interview

Check out our website at: www.SERVPROiowacitycoralville.com for even more information.

 TO APPLY: E-mail your resume, along with salary history to our Marketing Director, shea@SERVPRO.me and/or Administrative Assistant zinnia@SERVPRO.me

SERVPRO® specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke, or water damage situation. So, when disaster strikes, homeowners, businesses and insurance providers will rely on us to respond with unparalleled service excellence. As a nation's leading fire and water cleanup and restoration company with more than 1,600 Franchises nationwide, we are growing rapidly, creating exciting opportunities for "A Level" talent.  We have recently gained status as a Large Loss Response Team franchise, therefore, we travel statewide for large commercial losses.  We are also an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau.  We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. This company does not and will not discriminate in employment and personnel practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, national origin, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. 

CE Classes

1/28/2016 (Permalink)

We’re excited to roll out our new 2016 CE class schedule!  Click on the link below to view and register for classes.  We're looking forward to seeing you soon! 

http://SERVPRO2016ceclassschedule.eventbrite.com

Course Topic: What’s my line? Ethics.

Date: Tuesday, April 12^th 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Registration begins at 8:30 AM.

Credit Hours: 4

Instructor: Todd Davis, CIC

Course ID # Pending Filing processing.

Cost: $25

Location: Bridge View Center

102 Church Street, Ottumwa, IA

Course Topic: Insurance and Claims for Biohazard, Crime Scene and Hoarding.

Date: Tuesday, April 26^th 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Registration begins at 8:30 AM

Credit Hours: 4

Instructor: Todd Davis, CIC

Course ID # 86431

Cost: $25

Location: Coralville Marriott

300 E 9^th Street, Coralville, IA

Course Topic: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

Date: Tuesday, September 20^th 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Registration begins at 8:30 AM

Credit Hours: 4

Instructor: Todd Davis, CIC

Course ID # Pending Filing Processing.

Cost: $25

Location: Carpenter’s Hall

1215 Court Avenue, Chariton, IA

Course Topic: Claims you Never want to See.

Date: Tuesday, October 4^th 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Registration begins at 8:30 AM

Credit Hours: 4

Instructor: Todd Davis, CIC

Course ID # Pending Filing Processing.

Cost: $25

Location: DMACC Newton Campus

600 N 2^nd Avenue W, Newton, IA 

Frozen Pipes

1/6/2016 (Permalink)

Please keep an eye out on your pipes with this incoming cold weather!  Leave a few faucets with a very slight drip so there is water moving through the pipes.  This will make it less likely for the pipe to freeze.  If you do happen to have a frozen pipe, please thaw slowly to prevent the pipe from breaking.

Happy Holidays from SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville

12/4/2015 (Permalink)

Our 2015 Christmas Tree!

We wish you the happiest of holidays this season!

We are FINALLY moved in!

10/26/2015 (Permalink)

The time has finally come and we have moved into our new building!  It took a lot of hard work and determination, but WE DID IT!  Now for the fun part.... unpacking!  You never realize how much stuff you actually have until you have to find a place for it in your new location!

New Building Progress

9/24/2015 (Permalink)

one of the offices at SERVPRO's new office!

Things are moving along quickly!  We should be moved into our new Iowa City building within a week!

New Building Progress

8/17/2015 (Permalink)

As some of you may know, we are currently in the progress of renovating a new building for SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville to move into!  We have everything painted, the new flooring is currently going in, and we will begin renovating the shop area soon!  This is an exciting time for SERVPRO.  This will be the 3rd building we have moved into since the owner has taken over 6 years ago!  More information to come and pictures will be posted on our Facebook page!

July 4th Parade 2015

7/6/2015 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville and Ottumwa/Oskaloosa participated in Coralville's 4th Fest Parade on Saturday morning! 

FSRT & OCT Certifications

6/1/2015 (Permalink)

Last week we had a new group of employees go through the FSRT and OCT (Fire, Smoke, and Odor) Certification Classes.  I cannot wait to announce that all of our employees passed and add their certifications to our resume.  We train to make sure you get the best service we can provide!

AMRT Certifications

4/27/2015 (Permalink)

Three of our Estimators just returned from AMRT (Applied Microbial Remediation Technician) Training.  They were in Ohio last week to get updated on Mold Remediation and Restoration!

Springtime Maintenance

3/23/2015 (Permalink)

Too many homeowners believe spring maintenance is all about the cleaning. Sure, spring cleaning comprises a big chunk of any spring home maintenance schedule, but maintenance aimed at various structures, appliances, and systems within the home is, arguably, just as important. Nearly all homeowners love to see spotless windows for that first sunny, 70-degree day, but you can't forget your roof and the possibility that ice dams formed over the winter. Indeed, just as much as that first spring day should provide an excuse to go for a hike or a picnic, it should also provide a reminder that your outdoor spring maintenance is waiting. Follow this spring maintenance checklist to ensure your home is in optimal condition for the rest of the year.

Spring Maintenance Checklist

Gutters and downspouts: Pull leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts. Reattach gutters that have pulled away from the house. Run a hose on the roof and check for proper drainage. If leaks exist, dry the area and use caulking or epoxy to seal the leak.

Siding: Clean siding with a pressure washer to keep mold from growing. Check all wood surfaces for weathering and paint failure. If wood is showing through, sand the immediate area and apply a primer coat before painting. If paint is peeling, scrape loose paint and sand smooth before painting.

Exterior caulking: Inspect caulking and replace if deteriorating. Scrape out all of the eroding caulk and recaulk needed area.

Window sills, door sills, and thresholds: Fill cracks, caulk edges, repaint or replace if necessary.

Window and door screens: Clean screening and check for holes. If holes are bigger than a quarter, that is plenty of room for bugs to climb in. Patch holes or replace the screen. Save bad screen to patch holes next year. Tighten or repair any loose or damaged frames and repaint. Replace broken, worn, or missing hardware. Wind can ruin screens and frames if they are allowed flap and move so make sure they are securely fastened. Tighten and lubricate door hinges and closers.

Drain waste and vent system: Flush out system.

Hot water heater: Lubricate circulating pump and motor.

Evaporative air conditioner: Clean unit, check belt tension and adjust if needed. Replace cracked or worn belt.

Heat pump: Lubricate blower motor.

Foundation: Check foundation walls, floors, concrete, and masonry for cracking, heaving, or deterioration. If a significant number of bricks are losing their mortar, call a foundation professional. If you can slide a nickle into a crack in your concrete floor, slab or foundation call a professional immediately.

Roof: Inspect roof surface flashing, eaves, and soffits. Check flashings around all surface projections and sidewalls.

Deck and porches: Check all decks, patios, porches, stairs, and railings for loose members and deterioration. Open decks and wood fences need to be treated every 4-6 years, depending on how much exposure they get to sun and rain. If the stain doesn't look like it should or water has turned some of the wood a dark grey, hire a deck professional to treat your deck and fence.

Landscape: This is a natural for spring home maintenance. Cut back and trim all vegetation and overgrown bushes from structures. Limbs and leaves can cut into your home's paint and force you to have that side of the house repainted. A little trimming can save a lot of money and time.

Sprinklers: Check lawn sprinkler system for leaky valves, exposed lines, and improperly working sprinkler heads. If there is an area of your yard that collects too much water or doesn't get enough, run the sprinklers to figure out the problem. If it's not something you can fix yourself, call a professional before your lawn needs the water.

2016 CE Class in Des Moines

2/9/2015 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville, Ottumwa/Oskaloosa and Des Moines East/SW have the following CE Class available now!  Please see the link below to register for your CE Class today.

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/avoiding-eo-exposures-tickets-26541344877?aff=es2

What To Do About Frozen Pipes

1/5/2015 (Permalink)

Frozen pipes can cause a lot of issues and cost a lot of money!  One pipe burst in a home at 4-8 gallons of water running per minute can cause thousands of dollars worth of water damage.  If not taken care of and mitigated properly this can then lead to mold issues.

Prevention:

1. Locate and identify any and all shut off valves in the home and make sure they work properly.  (Everyone should know where their "Main Water Valve" is at and how to operate it)
2. Identify any potential problems. (Areas where pipes are on an outside wall, ceiling, attics, crawl spaces, etc)
3. Seal any gaps around the home wherer cold air has a chance to come in contact with pipes.  In extreme cold temperatures, ecspecially wind driven, even a tiny opening can let enough cold in to cause a pipe to freeze. (Dryer vents, windows, cable penetrations, etc.)
4. Turn off and drain all standard outside hose bibs.

When the temperature is expected to drop:

1. Open kitchen sink and any vanity doors of the areas that are at risk for problems.
2. With pipes that are on outside walls that may be a freeze problem, leave a small trickle of both of the hot and cold water running.
3. Temporarily seal off any crawl space vents that may be around the foundation.
4. Keep the house warm.

What to do if you experience a frozen pipe: (The first sign of a "frozen" pipe is reduced or no flow at all)

1. If you experience a "no flow" situation (First turn off the "Main Water Valve" to the house and leave the faucets "open", Second DO NOT use any open flame to attempt to thaw the pipes, Third DO NOT use any electric heater, hair dryer applied directly to the piping as any leaking water may cause electrocution, and Forth turning the water back on is best handled with (2) people.  One person turning on the water SLOWLY and the other walking about the house to be sure no water is running).
2. Heat and patience is the best way to get frozen pipes thawed out.  We do recommend that if a frozen pipe happens to find the source and correct it so it will not happen again.  (If you were lucky enough for the frozen pipes not bursting this time, you may not be so lucky the next time.)

**Please be advised if the water to your house is shut off, it may also turn off any fire prevention system you may have hooked up to your water

What to do if you leave your home during the winter months:

1. Turn the Main Water Valve off to your home**
2. Leave the heat on to the house and set it NO LOWER than 60 degrees.
3. Have a neighbor stop by daily, ecspecially when the temperatures are in the 20's or lower.

**If your home has "hot water and/or steam heat", the water must remain on even when you are not there.  A neighbor stopping by is critical if this applies to you.

Happy New Years!

12/31/2014 (Permalink)

SERVPRO wishes everyone a safe and fun New Years Eve!

Now Hiring!

12/31/2014 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville is now hiring for the following positions:

• Production Technician

Please email resumes to lauren@SERVPRO.me

Questions and Inquiries please call 319-338-8550 and ask for Lauren.

Happy Holidays

12/17/2014 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville would like to wish all of our friends and family a very safe and happy holiday season!

Iowa Association of County Medical Examiners Convention

11/7/2014 (Permalink)

Chris our lead estimator will be present at the IACME Education Expo in West Des Moines on Friday, November 14, 2014!  Stop by and see him if this is an event you will be attending!  SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville specializes in biohazard cleanup and will be present for questions!

SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville is Hiring!

8/22/2014 (Permalink)

Now Hiring!

SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville and SERVPRO of Ottumwa/Oskaloosa is currently hiring Production and Cleaning Technicians.

The requirements for this position:

• Must have a professional appearance and great attitude.
• A valid driver license with a reasonable driving record.
• Ability to pass a criminal background check with no felony convictions or misdemeanors involving violence or theft.
• Must be able to pass a drug test.
• Because we provide 24-hour emergency services, must be willing to be on call, as needed.
• Some night and weekend work is required.
• Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds.
• Must have a high school diploma or a GED certificate.
  
  Please call 319-338-8550 or 641-682-0782 for more information or email your resume to lauren@servpro.me

2014 Solon Beef Days Parade

7/22/2014 (Permalink)

The 2014 Solon Beef Days Parade SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville Group!

SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville really enjoyed seeing everyone at the Solon Beef Days Parade 2014 this past Saturday!  We had a great time mingling with everyone!

SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville and Ottumwa/Oskaloosa at Washington Parade

6/4/2014 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Iowa City/Coralville and Ottumwa/Oskaloosa will be participating in the 175th anniversary of the town of Washington, IA!  Keep an eye out for all of the green in the parade 06-07-14 at 2pm!