Holiday Fire Safety

12/4/2024 (Permalink)

Wish you and yours a happy and SAFE holiday!!

With the Holiday season upon us, we here at SERVPRO Team McGinnis would like to remind everyone of some simple steps you can take to help ensure a SAFE Holiday Season:

1. Inspect all Electrical Decorations/Lights for damage before using. Cracked or damaged wall plates or sockets, loose or exposed wires, and unsecure connections may cause shock or pose a fire risk.
2. Do not connect more than 3 strands/strings of lights together. This may cause a blown fuse, and can also start a fire.
3. Keep live trees well-watered to prevent drying out. Dry wood and needles mixed with electrical decorations pose a greater fire risk.
4. Do not leave lit candles unattended. These can easily be knocked over by playful pets or kids, or simply forgotten and allowed to burn down and start a fire.
5. Please be mindful that decorations or stockings you might hang on your fireplace mantel are flammable. Use caution if lighting a fire
6. Do not leave the stove unattended when cooking. Not only are many holiday house fires started by meal preparation, unattended hot pots and pans on the stovetop pose a burn risk for children
7. KEEP A FIRE EXTINGUISHER EASILY ACCESSIBLE! Know where the fire extinguisher is located in your home or the home you are visiting. Check them regularly, like your smoke detectors, to make sure it will work if you need it.

We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season. But, remember that if you do experience a fire, big or small, your Fire Team is always ready to respond! Call us today!

Biohazard? SERVPRO can help!

11/25/2024 (Permalink)

Our team is READY to tackle your dirty jobs!

The professionals at SERVPRO Team McGinnis are trained to safely and effectively removed bio-hazardous substances and prepare waste for proper disposal according to OSHA, EPA, and state and local health regulations. Equipped with the necessary safety equipment and cleaning products, SERVPRO® professionals help turn unsafe environments into clean, safe homes, and offices. Like it never even happened 

Blood-borne Pathogens

SERVPRO professionals remove and dispose of bodily fluids, tissue, and other potentially pathogenic substances resulting from accident, trauma, crime, or death. Trained SERVPRO technicians thoroughly clean, disinfect, and deodorize the structure.

Methamphetamine Labs

Many of the chemicals used in the production of illegal drugs such as methamphetamine are volatile and can leave harmful residues throughout a structure. SERVPRO professionals follow federal and state guidelines to properly clean all surfaces.

Crime Scene Residues

From fingerprint powder and evidence-gathering chemicals to tear gas and pepper spray residues, SERVPRO professionals can clean and restore your property and contents.

Arson and Vandalism

SERVPRO professionals are recognized as leaders at helping property owners recover quickly from fire and water damage. SERVPRO also provides general cleaning and deodorization services for situations resulting from vandalism including graffiti, egg, spoiled foods, and human or animal waste.

Sewage Backup

Sewage backups and black water intrusions are more than nasty, smelly deposits- these damages also introduce harmful microorganisms into a structure. SERVPRO professionals remove the sewage, contaminants and moisture, disinfecting as they clean. SERVPRO professionals help ensure the structure is properly cleaned, disinfected, and deodorized.

Dealing with a crime, trauma or death is undoubtedly difficult, but you can depend on SERVPRO Team McGinnis for courtesy, empathy, and the quality biohazard cleanup and restoration services that you need. Safety-minded, SERVPRO is ready to do our part in restoring your space and your peace of mind. If a traumatic event has occurred on your property and you require assistance with the cleanup, contact the professional biohazard cleaning service to discover more about our Tuscaloosa biohazard restoration services and secure our help.

Contact SERVPRO Team McGinnis for emergency or non-emergency service when your house or business have any bio-hazardous substances. We are here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

New Technology Assists in Finding Water Damage

5/14/2024 (Permalink)

New developments in technology can help us find water damage even when not visible to the naked eye!

Keeping Up on Technology

SERVPRO® Team McGinnis uses the latest Industry technology and state-of-the-art equipment to turn your loss around.

We have specialized equipment designated per category of loss. Our warehouse holds enough equipment to maintain and restore a hotel with a 45-room water loss. Not only does our warehouse contain equipment for large water losses, it also houses the various cleaning products produced by and are SERVPRO® certified. Although each SERVPRO® Franchise is individually owned and operated, as part of a larger National entity, we have access to resources outside of our region when a major disaster strikes our area - such as wildfires, or the recent ice-storms.  We can call upon our colleagues to ensure we have what is needed to help you and your family.

There is a wide variety of types of equipment used to restore your property to like new condition that your typical cleansers and cleaning materials cannot handle.  We not only keep up on the latest Industry standards for new equipment technology, we ensure that our Technicians are staying up-to-date in training on the newest techniques and technology.

SERVPRO® is available 24/7/365 to serve our customers. We are a highly trained water, fire, mold and biohazard restoration company with many services not typically covered by other restoration companies.

Call us today for your cleaning and restoration needs at 541-745-2097.

9 things to know about mold

3/18/2024 (Permalink)

The more you know about mold/growth, the more likely you will be able to prevent it in your home

When a residential or commercial property suffers a water damage disaster, mold spores begin to appear within 48-72 hours. You can count on the Growth Remediation Specialists at SERVPRO® to have the training and experience to properly execute the resolution of mold growth. In the case of mold growth in your residential or commercial property SERVPRO can inspect, determine the cause and remediate your property.

According to the EPA, here are the top 9 things you should know about mold.

1. Learn to control mold growth indoors. Maintain a low humidity level, especially high moisture in the bathroom and kitchen.
2. Immediately clean and eliminate the source of mold. If you are unable to or unsure, call in the professionals.
3. Repair or replace the source of water leak or problem.
4. Maintaining bathroom vents, dryers, and range hoods will lessen the possibility of mold growth. Be aware during hot weather when running your air conditioner units that there is no water spillage.
5. Immediately dry any water damaged surface or materials.
6. Use a combination of water and detergent to clean mold off of surfaces. This is less toxic than bleach and will not cause further damage to the surface.
7. Maintaining insulation properly (i.e. window sills, door jams, crawlspaces, attics) will reduce the collection of condensation.
8. Carpet should never be installed in bathrooms or kitchens due to the high moisture and humidity.
9. Inspect surfaces and object that have set in water damage, mold can grow on any surface including but not limited to cardboard, furniture, water fountains, and food.

If you have questions or need help with your Oregon residential or commercial property, you can call SERVPRO anytime, day or night.

Life along the River can lead to water loss!

3/18/2024 (Permalink)

Life along a river can spell disaster during rainy seasons, and Spring thaw!

No matter how prepared you are, disaster catches you off guard. The Willamette River is a stunning backdrop to many of our towns here in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. Like many areas with a river there are lots of homes nestled close by. Unfortunately there comes an unexpected day when the river rises and water can threaten your home. Your property becomes damaged and you fear the worst.

Here at SERVPRO Team McGinnis, we specialize in water damage, clean up and repair. We get things back to normal looking “Like it never even happened.”

We have the equipment to clean out any water left behind and get your home contents dried.

In a situation like this we pack up all of your contents, bring them back to our warehouse where trained employees, and top of the line equipment dry out your belongings. Once your home is repaired and back to normal we bring your contents back.

You know you’re in good hands with our highly trained professionals working around the clock 24/7/365 to service any disaster.

SERVPRO® offers no-cost Emergency Ready Profiles which is part of a disaster preparedness plan. Call today at 541-745-2097.

Did you know?

2/28/2024 (Permalink)

Count on SERVPRO® for all your cleaning needs!

Did you know? Outside of Fire and Water Restoration Cleaning we offer an array of other cleaning services! 

Other Specialty Cleaning Services:

• Air Ducts, Dryer Vents & HVAC
• Biohazard
• Carpet & Upholstery
• Ceiling, Floors & Walls
• Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned Program
• Documentation Restoration
• Drapes & Blinds
• Odor Removal 
• Sewage & Toilet Overflow
• Trauma & Crime Scene 
• Vandalism & Graffiti
• Commercial Cleaning Services

Life happens. Kids spill drinks, pets have accidents and homes get dirty. Retirement homes need deep cleanings, apartment complexes have an array of cleaning needs from windows to garbage shoots to floors. Restaurants with commercial kitchens. Commercial buildings incur many different types of wear and tear damages that require professionals for cleaning. Have a cleaning need? We here at SERVPRO® have you covered. We specialize in the dirtiest of dirtiest jobs!

So call SERVPRO® today for your cleaning needs at 541-745-2097! 

Suspect Mold? Call us today!

2/21/2024 (Permalink)

Suspect mold? Do not hesitate to call us today!

Let’s talk Mold.

Mold is a type of fungus that consists of small organisms. In small amounts, mold spores are usually harmless, but when they land on a damp spot in your home, they can start to grow. When mold is growing on a surface, spores can be released into the air where they can be easily inhaled.

Some restoration companies advertise “mold removal” and may even guarantee to remove all mold. This is a fallacy because removing all mold from a house or business is impossible; microscopic mold spores exist almost everywhere, both indoors and outdoors. Here are the facts:

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
• Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce health effects.
• Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
• Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

Call SERVPRO® today if you feel you have a Mold problem at 541-745-2097

Call on us after the storm!

2/14/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® has the profession tools to help you out in the event of water damage due to a storm

Wowzers!

Winter season really did a number on us here in the Pacific Northwest! From wind storms to ice storms we had an astonishing amount of falling trees on homes. This lead to massive water damage as the rain did not stop coming. 

Freezing weather also caused frozen pipes.

If you have a pipe burst, SERVPRO® has trained professionals that can repair all the damages and have your home looking “Like it never even happened.” In the meantime, here are some tips to help prevent your pipes from freezing.

• If the crawl space access is inside the home, set a fan in the opening to blow warm air from the home to the foundation 
• Leave the cabinet doors under the sink open to keep the pipes warm 
• Caulk and seal around doors, windows and faucets 
• Close all foundation vents that are near pipes 

Call on the professionals at SERVPRO® today at (541).745.2097

Count on us after the storm!

2/5/2024 (Permalink)

Water damage after a storm? We can help!

When it comes to water damage, SERVPRO® is the company to call! We take pride in restoring your property to its pre-damage condition. We take several steps to ensure no more damage occurs, and that the damage that has happened is taken care of as quickly as possible. 

• Initial Emergency Contact: We are available 24 hours a day, if you have an emergency, call us right away!
• Inspection and Damage Assessment: When we arrive on scene, we will do a detailed inspection of the damage 
• Moisture Extraction:  If necessary, we will bring in pumps to extract excess water, and reduce drying time 
• Dehumidifying and Drying: Once the excess water has been removed, equipment will be placed to speed up the drying time and help the moisture evaporate 
• Cleaning and Repair: Items that can be saved will be professionally cleaned, anything non salvageable will be replaced or repaired 
• Restoration: This is where we restore your home to its pre-damaged condition. This includes replacing flooring, drywall, trim, and painting. 

Count on the Professionals at your local SERVPRO® franchise if you have water damage occur! Call us at 541-745-2097

Help keep your family safe during a storm

1/23/2024 (Permalink)

Carbon Monoxide Detectors can help keep your family safe

When a winter storm hits, temperatures plummet. We feel the cold, even indoors as houses can be drafty, or a loss of power causes a loss of heat.  As many turn on portable heaters, the risk of fire is probably their primary safety concern.  Most people do not even consider the risk of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning!  But many common practices that come with a winter storm do come with an increased risk of accidental CO poisoning. To reduce your risk, and help keep your family safer during a winter storm, please be aware of the following:

• Proper use and ventilation of portable generators. Generators can be a life saver during a loss of power in a Winter Storm.  But they also create CO, so only use a generator per manufacturer’s instructions, and only in areas with proper ventilation. Never place one in an enclosed space, such as a basement, attic or attached garage. And make sure it is placed at least 15 feet away from a window or door into the home!
• Make sure chimneys are clean. Woodstoves, or wood burning fireplaces are a great source of heat in a cold snap. However, if the chimney is clogged, that CO filled smoke will feed back into the home, putting everyone at risk.
• Do not idle your car, or any vehicle, in a garage. Even with a garage door open, the colder air condenses the CO in the exhaust from the vehicle.
• Don’t use your oven or stove to heat your home.
• ANYTHING that burns fuel can create CO. Gas-Powered Generators, Furnaces, Wood stoves, Kerosene heaters, Gas-powered tools, Gas-Powered home appliances, Gas and Charcoal Grills, and, of course, vehicles.  Only use these items in well ventilated areas.
• Check exterior vents for ice or snow covering. During a storm, your furnace and appliance’s exhaust vents can become covered in ice or snow.  This can cause that exhaust to vent into the home, putting you and your family at great risk.
• Install Carbon Monoxide detectors.Have at least one on every floor of your home. Change out the batteries when you change clocks for Daylight Savings.

While we cannot ever be 100% prepared for a storm, making sure your home’s heating systems are in good shape BEFORE winter storms strike is your best defense.  If you need the name of a good Chimney Sweep, or Heating & Cooling Company, call us at SERVPRO® for a recommendation. We have worked with many wonderful Service Men and Women in our community and are happy to help you find someone to assist you.