Winter is Coming! SERVPRO of Kirkland Has You Covered!

11/29/2024 (Permalink)

This is a before and after photo of a room with a large pipe in the wall that froze and cracked during the Kirkland Freeze

As temperatures drop there are many things to consider in how you manage your home. With heavy rains and freezing temperatures, this check list will help you prepare, protect, and prevent potential damage to your home. 

Drains, Gutters, Downspouts

Winter comes after fall, some might say the two intertwine for a period of time. Regardless, fall creates a lot of debris that often creates blockages in our drains, gutters, and downspouts. This is one way outside water finds its way into our homes because it does not have a proper path to flow out and away. Be sure to clear any debris and check for any cracks or other damage. You want to make sure these systems can properly do their job to protect your home in leading all water away from the structure. 

Exterior Inspection: Roof, Siding, Faucets, and Trees

Protecting your home from winters mayhem starts with an evaluation of the exterior of your home and the surrounding factors. Think of it as your first defense when it comes to winter. Your roof and siding take the blunt force of winter at its best. Be sure to check the shingles on your roof, look for cracked, damaged, loose, or missing ones. This will prevent moisture from finding its way in or giving heat a way out. Shingle repair is far more affordable than an entire roof replacement. Do the same for the siding on your house. Again, repairs on both are easier and more cost efficient than the damage that could occur as a result of not checking. 

It is also very important to remove any hoses connected to exterior faucets and get those covered for the winter to prevent freezing and any damage that could occur from that. Lastly, do a quick evaluation of the trees surrounding your home. All the inspections and preventive measures mean nothing if a branch falls right through your roof. 

Preparing for the Freeze Inside

While the exterior of your home is your primary defense, there are many things to consider inside as well. Frozen pipes can cause thousands of dollars in damage to a single home. Take time to insulate your pipes or check existing insulation and look for any leaks. One way to prevent pipes from freezing is to let the water drip when temperatures plummet.

Next you want to check all doors and windows. You want the cold to stay out and the heat to stay in. This can help with costs for heating in the winter. Caulking is great and inexpensive way to seal any leaks. Shrink film is another great inexpensive solution to keeping the cold out. Both are available at your local hardware store.

Another thing to keep in mind is issues with heating equipment can cause a buildup of Carbon Monoxide in the home. Carbon Monoxide is known as the silent killer because it is virtually undetectable without a detector, sharing the same symptoms as the common flu. So be sure to get one for your home or test and replace the batteries frequently if you already have one. That being said, it's a good time to have your heating system serviced, this should be done annually.

Call SERVPRO of Kirkland today for your yearly maintenance needs! 

Common Issues In Your Commercial Property

10/28/2024 (Permalink)

A commercial site

SERVPRO of Kirkland is Here to Help® when an emergency arises in your business. While water, fire, or mold damage can be overwhelming for your business, rest assured that our team will arrive on-site quickly and professionally. At SERVPRO of Kirkland, we understand the importance of getting back to your preloss condition as soon as possible, and with a quality of work that exceeds industry standards. Keeping your Commercial business safe and sound is necessary in operating efficiently. Many buildings have pre-existing small issues that have the capacity turn into larger ones if proper maintenance has not been maintained soon enough. 

We have highlighted some of the issues that occur the most frequently to our customers in Commercial buildings. 

What to inspect in your Commercial Property:

• Leaks – Whether you have a leak in your roof, foundation, or pipes, water can accumulate in areas of your building. Sedentary moisture almost always leads to rotting wood, foul odors, and mold growth.
• Asbestos – Although not used in construction anymore, older buildings may still have asbestos present. Exposure to asbestos is extremely dangerous and MUST be taken care of if found in exposed areas in your homes.
• Fire Safety Regulations – Make sure that your fire extinguishers are up to date and are in working order. Check your sprinkler system to ensure that in the event of a fire, they will work as intended.
• Electrical Faults – If you have older wiring in your building or have ever had a rodent problem, you should check for faults. Mice and rats tend to chew on wires, leaving them exposed and more likely to start a fire.

Tasks to expect from the SERVPRO of Kirkland Technicians:

• Detailed Cleaning – We will remove excess soot or other contaminants from impacted areas through HEPA vacuuming and dry sponge. SERVPRO Technicians clean your furniture, decorative items, curtains, clothing, and other restorable items affected by mold. They use a variety of cleaning techniques to clean and sanitize your belongings.
• Selective Demolition – to remove unsalvageable materials or property. Removing and disposing of porous materials, like drywall and carpeting.
• Pack Outs – to remove salvageable personal property from the affected area for off-site cleaning and storage.
• Air Filtration and Flow Management – SERVPRO technicians utilize “Air Scrubbers” to remove airborne contaminants and soot. “Dehumidifiers” which remove water vapor from the air which lowers the humidity ratio. The lower the humidity the more it increases the rate of evaporation of moisture. “Air Movers” are used in water damage restoration to enhance evaporation at the surface level and reduce drying time.
• Deodorization – to remove or mask offensive odors and return the affected area to a usable space.

SERVPRO of Kirkland will respond quickly and get you back to preloss condition asap. We have the training, experience, and equipment to manage your commercial Water, Fire, and Mold Damage.

We are here for you 24/7. Give us call at 425-820-0080!