Poetry in Motion

3/13/2023 (Permalink)

A happy carpet is one cared for by SERVPRO

Recently, SERVPRO of Greater Broken Arrow franchise owner, Ben Drost, was called upon to give a presentation of the benefits of using SERVPRO as your choice for carpet cleaning service. Here is a poem Ben and AI created:

Bonnet Cleaning: A Gentle Approach to Carpet Care

Bonnet cleaning, gentle and light,

A method for carpets, not so bright,

Using minimal moisture, a small amount,

To lift the dirt, and clean it out.

The bonnet pad, absorbent and soft,

Is attached to a roto, not so oft,

Sprayed with Bonnet Brite, to make it damp,

And then it's ready, to start its camp.

In a U-shaped pattern, the roto moves,

Overlapping each pass, it surely proves,

To be effective, in cleaning the pile,

And leaving the carpet, with a shining smile.

Circular motions, the roto makes,

Preventing streaks, for goodness sake,

Agitating all sides, of the carpet fibers,

Making sure, the dirt is not a survivor.

Small sections, four feet at a time,

Saving energy, and making it prime,

To clean traffic lanes, or heavily soiled parts,

With patience and care, it's a work of art.

But corners and edges, need attention too,

With Carpet Spotting Pad, and Bonnet Brite, anew,

The Spotting Pad Holder, attached with ease,

Cleaning the edges, while standing at ease.

Bonnet cleaning, a gentle approach,

With minimal moisture, and a soft roto coach,

Leaves carpets clean, and dry in a flash,

A method that's worth, a positive splash.

Hot Water Extraction: A Cleaning Process

Hot water extraction, the method of the pros

With emulsifiers and extractors, the dirt it foes

Liquid or powder, pH levels just right

For carpets clean and bright, day or night

The vacuum system is key, lift and airflow

For a job well done, these are a must-know

The V stroke technique, to cover every spot

Overlap by 50 percent, don't miss a spot

Chop strokes for stains, agitation supreme

Don't press down hard, let the wand gleam

Sway back and forth, in a smooth motion

For a large area, this is the perfect notion

RX-20 rotary tool, a switch lever for each hand

Sprays solution through five jets, across the land

Thorough extraction, the most important part

Cleaning wastes collected, a cleaner work of art

Hot water extraction, effective for soil levels light to moderate

With the right tools and techniques, cleaning carpets is great

So if you want your carpets to shine like new

Hot water extraction is the way to do!

How Do I Keep My Building Secure After a Fire?

10/2/2022 (Permalink)

Board up building

How Can I Maintain Building Security Following a Fire?

When you're dealing with a fire, your primary concern is extinguishing the flames and helping those affected. Once the flames are under control and everyone is safe, it's time to address other issues: securing your property from looters or vandals and making sure that everything gets repaired quickly.

Secure The Building

If you've experienced a fire in your building, it's important to secure the building for the safety of those who will be entering and leaving. A damaged building is more likely to experience other issues like structural damage, water damage, and mold growth. These problems can lead to electrical issues as well.

To ensure that your property and employees are safe, follow these tips:

• Keep entryways clear of debris so people can get through easily.
• Board up the opening of the building and ensure the building cannot be entered by someone off the street.
• Turn off electricity if necessary—and make sure that an electrician has been hired before turning it back on!

Keeping Looters Out

To keep looters out of your property, consider these options for boarding up the building until work can begin on repairs:

Cover Large Openings 

Cover large holes in walls with plywood or metal sheets and secure with screws or nails that are long enough to go into a stud. If your building has large holes in the walls, such as from broken windows or missing exterior siding, you will want to cover them with plywood or metal sheets as well.

Put Up a Perimeter 

Put up wire fencing around the perimeter of the property to deter intruders. If you have a fence around your property and it was damaged in the fire, you will need to replace it with a new one. The fence should be at least 6 feet high, made of strong materials that cannot easily be climbed over or cut through.

Install Security Cameras

Install security cameras that feed into a centralized system. Security cameras can be a deterrent to theft and vandalism. If you have security cameras in place, it's easier to identify the person or people who are responsible for the damage.

Neighborhood Watch

In an effort to make your property as secure as possible, we encourage you to encourage neighbors to report any suspicious activity at your property. By reporting suspicious activity, the police can better keep an eye on the surrounding area and take action against any illegal activity that may be occurring. Encourage the neighborhood residents to report anything they see by calling 911 immediately. If you see something suspicious, calling 911 is the best option. In addition to reporting suspicious activity, if you witness a crime in progress or see someone attempting to break into a building, also call 911 immediately.

One of the best things you can do to secure your building after a fire is to make sure that it's visible from the street. This will help deter criminals from attempting break-ins or other crimes.

How to Get Rid of Mildew on Plants

8/26/2022 (Permalink)

Follow These Steps To Get Rid Of Plant Mildew

Both household and garden plants are susceptible to mildew growth. Certain types of plants, such as lilacs, roses, squash, and cucumbers are significantly more likely to become victims. Don't panic; just follow the steps below to get rid of the plant mildew in your home in Broken Arrow, OK.

1. Gather Your Materials.

There are a few supplies you need to gather before you start the treatment process. For this technique, you need plant clippers, alcohol wipes, and fungicide. Your fungicide should contain copper, sulfur, potassium bicarbonate, or neem oil.

2. Remove and Discard the Infected Portions.

Identify the portions of your plants that have powdery mildew on them. They look like white and gray splotches that typically appear on leaves and stems. Use the plant clippers to snip these portions off. Discard them separately from the rest of your compost.

3. Disinfect Yourself and Your Tools.

Before you move on with the treatment process, you need to remove any mildew traces from yourself and your tools. Otherwise, you're just spreading more plant mildew. Use the alcohol wipes to carefully wash your hands and the plant clippers.

4. Apply the Fungicide.

Before you move forward, double-check the label on your fungicide to ensure that it's safe to use on the specific plant you're treating. Follow the instructions on the label to apply the fungicide to your plants. Most fungicides require reapplication every one to two weeks.

5. Implement Preventative Measures.

The appearance of mildew typically signals that there's something wrong with the environment conditions. Thin and prune your garden plants to help improve air circulation. Next time you water your plants, don't pour the water from above. Pour it directly into the soil. This prevents standing moisture from accumulating on the leaves.
Plant mildew can become increasingly problematic if not taken care of quickly and effectively. If the above technique isn't working for you, or the problem has gotten worse, contact mold remediation experts for assistance.

4 Things To Do When Requesting a Fire Claim

8/21/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage in Oneta, OK

The Following Actions Can Make The Experience Easier

Blazes devastate houses, leaving them charred, smoky and hazardous. Fire restoration isn't simple, and it can be quite costly. Homeowners in Oneta, OK, may request financial assistance from their insurance companies. When opening a claim, residents should keep in mind the following four tips. These actions could make the experience easier.

1. Understand Your Policy

Be aware of fire insurance exclusions, deductibles and procedures. Review documentation and contact your insurer, explaining the situation's details. Request to open a claim. This begins the review process which could take several weeks. In the meantime, ask about your next steps and how the company would like for you to proceed. If possible, arrange for information to be emailed to you.

2. Secure the Premises

Fire restoration has several phases: mitigation, remediation and rebuilding. Do not leave the property unattended even on the first evening. Call in a fire and water restoration company. The specialists survey the damage and begin efforts to minimize the destruction. Openings should be boarded up, preventing trespassers and environmental hazards. Tarp over burnt shingles to stop moisture development. Your insurance agency could refuse payment if action isn't taken to keep the area safeguarded.

3. Take Photographs

Snap pictures of anything requiring replacement or smoke cleaning. This evidence should be submitted to your insurer along with a property loss form. List the name of the item, how much it initially cost and how much it should take to replace it. If this stage is documented in a spreadsheet, a store link could be included to verify the amounts. The agent uses the data to tabulate compensation.

4. Obtain Assessments

Crews survey the home, offering an overview of how to return it to normal. This includes drying out walls, tearing out ruined flooring and cleaning any personal valuables. Odor treatment is likely as well. Detailed reports support your claim.

When filing an insurance claim, work closely with your insurer and the professionals. Remember: Fire restoration and clear communication are important.

When You Should Replace the Various Pipes in Your Home

8/11/2022 (Permalink)

Kitchen faucets are just as crucial to a functioning household as bathroom faucets.

When You Should Replace the Various Pipes in Your Home

Pipes do not last forever. Over time, you may discover supply line damage. This could lead to a bathroom leak that necessitates cleanup and restoration services. To prevent any leaks, you should get your older pipes replaced. When to do so depends on the age of your Oneta, OK, home and your plumbing system.

Washing Machine Hoses
Many water losses result from leaks in the washing machine. To keep the appliance functioning and prevent flooding, you should replace the supply hose every three years. You should also replace the hose if you notice any of the following:

• Leaking water
• Rust
• Bubbling
• Obvious signs of damage such as kinks and cracks
  
  

Supply Pipes
Even though these pipes have to deal with constant pressure, supply line damage typically only occurs in older homes. In fact, copper pipes can last 70 to 80 years. Brass and galvanized steel pipes survive even longer than that. Still, if you do notice a supply line leak, you should get it checked out immediately.

Faucets
Faucet lines typically can be repaired without having to replace the pipes. However, if you find yourself constantly fixing the faucet, it may be time for an upgrade. Some people also replace their faucet pipes purely for efficacy reasons.

Drain Pipes
Cast iron drain pipes are meant to last 80 to 100 years. Yet if your drain lines are made of plastic, they may only last 25 years. A storm or tree root can easily damage these lines, as well.

Toilet Pipes
Different parts of your toilet last varying amounts of time. The wax seals only need to be replaced every 20 or 30 years. However, the valves, fittings, flappers and lever have a lifespan of just four or five years.

Major supply line damage usually occurs only when those pipes are old. However, other pipes in your home can wear down over time, especially lines made of plastic. Those lines should be replaced periodically before a huge leak occurs.

5 Storm Preparation Items To Keep On Hand

7/23/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial power generator.

Here Are Five Useful Items To Keep In On Hand

According to FEMA, flood water is the number one concern from a natural disaster within the United States. In fact, within the past ten decades, statistics show that floods cost roughly $2.4 billion a year, making the situation extraordinarily costly and time-consuming. Commercial owners in Broken Arrow, OK, face the daunting task of combating Mother Nature's fierceness. While you cannot stop her ferocity, it is possible through preparation to mitigate harm. 

1. A Generator
A flooded building requires immediate attention. A water restoration company is prepared to attend to the hazard as soon as possible, often arriving within 24 hours. The sooner the property is assessed, the better. A generator on hand permits these workers to enter the facility promptly, inspecting rooms for saturation concerns.
Electricity is likely out. This device allows for the team to get a closer view.

2. Flashlights
Blackouts are entirely possible, especially if a transformer blows within the vicinity. Also, the flood water may compromise the electrical wiring. Purchase several flashlights so you and the specialists may safely tour the building.

3. Portable, Battery-Operated Radio
Employees or yourself could get stuck within the establishment. Should this occur, those inside need communication with the outside world. If electricity cuts off, a portable battery-operated radio keeps everyone in the loop.

4. Sandbags
Although bulky to store, sandbags create a barrier around the building's perimeter, keeping water from reaching within. Have some on hand for quick access. Line them around the low-lying sections of your place, stacking them like bricks.

5. Plywood
Glass is extremely vulnerable to high winds and projectiles. In fact, sometimes it's more likely that water damage arises from trees or objects busting windows. Have several sheets of plywood cut to window size stored within the back room. When a gale comes through, use them to combat obstacles.
It's possible to get ahead of flood water. It requires getting prepared early with the right supplies. Focus on things that secure the premises and assist anyone who remains inside.

How To Clean Mold From Your Belongings

7/19/2022 (Permalink)

Mold damage in Broken Arrow, OK.

Mold Cleaning

Water damage from a flood or other type of water intrusion in your Broken Arrow, OK, home can cause more harm than that of the water itself. Mold can begin growing, quickly resulting in mold damage. This means that simply drying out your home and belongings won't be enough. You must get rid of all of the mold as quickly as possible. Each type of material has its specific mold cleaning requirements.

1. Non-Porous Materials
Some of the easiest materials to clean are non-porous since these surfaces can't soak up water. You can use water and antibacterial cleaners to scrub the mold away. Drying them is also simple.

2. Porous Materials
Porous materials come in many different forms, such as clothing, stuffed toys, upholstered furniture, wooden flooring, even drywall. You can clean some of these items in a washing machine. An Esporta machine is beneficial for cleaning many types of objects by removing bacteria and contaminants. Materials that are too big or too delicate for a washer can typically be dry cleaned.

3. Documents and Photographs
Paper products such as books, artwork, important documents and photographs can be severely damaged by water and mold. Unfortunately, it probably won't be possible to restore them to their preloss condition. However, professionals can usually limit additional damage during the water and mold cleaning process. Everyone must take extreme care of these items until they can be restored professionally. Mold remediation experts have several methods of restoring documents, such as air drying, dehumidification, freezer drying, vacuum freeze-drying and vacuum thermal drying.

4. Electronics
Never plug in, power on or try to use electronics that you suspect have been exposed to moisture. Have an electrician inspect them. A professional must clean the electronics of mold and other debris and thoroughly dry their outer casings and their various components.

When you discover mold damage in your home, the key to salvaging the structure and its contents is to begin thorough mold cleaning immediately. Then, it's crucial to dry everything as quickly as possible to avoid mold's return.

Prevent Your Whole Roof From Blowing Away

7/14/2022 (Permalink)

When your shingles blow away, the layers of your roofing system can quickly become a risk.

Prevent Roof Damage

Act fast if you have a roof leak from windblown missing shingles. Roof problems are no joke, and even a tiny roof leak can expand a lot more quickly than you might expect.

Layers of Protection
When your shingles blow away, the layers of your roofing system can quickly become a risk rather than a protection. A damaged roof lets water in through the hole, potentially soaking into your lower layers. There are three main protective components in your roof:

• Shingles
• Underlayment
• Water shield

You could see extensive damage if the shingles ripped these layers away. This is why you should call a storm repair company for an estimate and initial mitigation as soon as you notice a problem — even if you don't expect to do a full recovery job immediately.

How Roof Repair Starts
When it comes to a roof leak, initial mitigation steps often involve covering up the hole with impermeable materials. You're probably familiar with the sight of blue tarps on roofs in New Tulsa, OK, after a heavy storm. If you think they're the same tarps you find at the hardware store, you're not too far off the mark. However, good roof repair companies rarely use bargain-basement options, and there's a lot more work that goes into placing the roof coverings.

Making a New Roof
Applying tarps is similar to building a new roof, only it takes a tiny fraction of the time and effort. Additionally, the effects are usually only reliable for a few days. More specifically, members of repair crews have to consider all of the same drainage and coverage properties when building temporary covers as they would if they were constructing a new roof.

Apart from quick action and careful consideration of roofing principles, the initial steps to fixing a roof leak might involve using plywood sheeting or lumber frames. It all depends on your repair schedule, the weather and the company you choose to handle your recovery project.

SERVPRO Can Help Insurance Adjusters These 3 Vital Ways

6/17/2022 (Permalink)

Greater Broken Arrow has trained in IICRC standards both in fire and water cleanup as well as restoration.

SERVPRO Can Assist Insurance Adjusters in Three Key Ways

As an insurance adjuster in Oneta, OK, it's your job to make sure the insured gets the right amount to cover any repairs for water or fire damage. Professionals are Here to Help so that the insured's home is restored quickly and in a cost-effective manner. Here's how they can help.

1. Restoration Professionals Arrive Quickly

SERVPRO has more than 1,900 locations in the United States and Canada. They can arrive at the scene quickly and provide pretesting to make an accurate assessment of the damage. Restoration professionals can restore the property so that it doesn't have to be replaced. That saves your company money on an insurance claim.

2. You Get the Vital Information You Need as an Insurance Adjuster

While at the scene, estimators make an itemized inventory of the loss and also take pictures of the important items that need to be restored. These are provided both to you and your customers, so everyone stays informed. That way, you can make the best decision for the right claim, helping your clients and saving your insurance company money.

3. Your Client Gets Quality Work

Restoration professionals have trained in IICRC standards both in fire and water cleanup as well as restoration. Staff members also take continuing education courses to hone their skills. That way they can do the best job for your client. Their work is also guaranteed by a two-year labor and one-month materials warranty. Local professionals work with the vendors so you don't have to. That way you can focus on your priority files.

When you're an insurance adjuster, you need the best, most reliable service available so your client has a restored home or business as soon as possible. You need accurate information so your insurance company can save money. With the help of professionals, everything is returned to normal quickly and effectively at the lowest cost possible.

5 Reasons Your Commercial Building Could Have Water Issues

6/9/2022 (Permalink)

Any commercial building with a fire safety sprinkler system installed could face business loss due to gushing water.

5 Signs That Your Commercial Building Is Facing Water Issues

If your commercial building suddenly takes on water, it can likely be narrowed down to a few common causes. Here are five of the most common issues that can lead to water damage within your Oneta, OK, property. 

1. Leaking Pipes
If you notice water beginning to pool somewhere in your building, faulty pipes could be the root of the problem. This may be the result of damaged pipes that have deteriorated over time or perhaps poor insulation that caused a pipe break. Check your pipes' condition routinely to catch any potential issues and replace them if a leak occurs. 

2. Roof Leaks
A leaking roof is just as likely to happen as leaking pipes and requires immediate attention. General wear and tear as well as damaging weather could compromise your roof and make your building susceptible to rainwater seeping through the ceiling. If you notice leaks or water spots in your ceiling, contact a water damage restoration company to inspect for a roof leak and issue repairs. 

3. Sprinkler System
Any commercial building with a fire safety sprinkler system installed could face business loss due to gushing water. Whether flames set off the sprinklers or a major malfunction occurs, structural damage from the gallons of water these systems release is imminent.  

4. A Toilet Backup
Many face plumbing and water issues due to a backed-up toilet. If this occurs, use the shutoff valve below the tank to stop the flow of water and try plunging to clear a blockage. 

5. Foundation Issues
Cracking or shifting of a building's foundation can not only cause major structural damage but plumbing concerns as well. A professional assessment may be required if you experience sudden damage to your plumbing system.
Water within commercial buildings can be quite common and often occurs due to leaking pipes, compromised roofs, sprinkler systems, toilet overflow, and foundation issues.