How to Properly Install and Maintain Smoke Detectors

10/3/2023 (Permalink)

Maintaining a properly functioning smoke detector will not only keep peace and quiet in your home, but will make it much safer.

How to Properly Install and Maintain Smoke Detectors

We have all had that frustrating experience with a faulty smoke detector that just will not stop beeping. Maintaining a properly functioning smoke detector will not only keep peace and quiet in your home, but will make it much safer. 

Tips for properly installing smoke detectors: 

• The number of smoke detectors necessary for your home will be determined by the size and layout of your home. However, as a general rule you should have at least one on every level of your home (including the basement) and one in every bedroom.
• Install smoke detectors in central locations. Ceiling detectors should be placed on a flat area and wall detectors must be less than 12 inches from the ceiling.
• Always follow your device’s instructions carefully while installing (especially detectors that require hardwired power). If you do not feel comfortable installing on your own, there are many professional services that will install them for you.
• Test your alarm after installing them by using the test button 

Tips for maintaining smoke detectors:

• Never use the same smoke detector for longer than 10 years. If you have had the same ones for longer than this, replace them as soon as possible. 
• Test the alarms monthly. 
• Replace non-hardwired detector’s batteries annually. 
• Clean your detectors every year. Dust and other pollutants can impede the performance of your smoke detectors.

If you experience a fire loss in your home, SERVPRO® of Saline County and Hot Springs is here to help 24/7. Our team of fire restoration professionals will restore your home to preloss conditions, so it is "Like it never even happened." Call us at (501) 776-2222.

When your Commercial Space in Saline County needs Water Restoration

8/31/2023 (Permalink)

Don't wait, when water damage affects your commercial space, call SERVPRO of Saline County right away to begin the restoration process.

SERVPRO® is Here to Help You Deal with Commercial Water Removal and Restoration

As you already know, one of the most important keys to operating a successful retail store is having your clean, functional store front open and available for customers to shop in. One of the biggest threats to your Saline County business is a substantial water damage disaster. If plumbing lines burst inside the ceiling or wall, water can quickly spread and affect multiple areas of your building before the shutoff valve is activated. 

Cleaning up a mess from a major water loss may seem daunting and overwhelming, but you do not have to go through it alone. When you need water removal and restoration services for your Benton store or commercial facility, SERVPRO® of Saline County and Hot Springs is here to help. 

A large water loss could limit your ability to keep your business open throughout the restoration process, depending on the amount of water lost and the extent of the damage. For this reason, choosing a professional water removal and restoration company, rather than trying to do the work yourself, to complete the work and get your business back up and running can make the vital difference. 

If the water is not completely dried and removed, lingering water can lead to compounding damage and further expense down the road. Not getting the water damaged property professionally restored leaves your business open to risks for your customers and staff. For example, one of the biggest risks is the growth and spread of mold, which only requires some moisture and warm temperatures to quickly get out of control. This is not only unsightly and smelly, but poses health risks to anyone in the space. 

Our SERVPRO® of Saline County technicians are available 24/7 and will work to get your business back to preloss conditions. When our crews arrive they will quickly assess the scope of the damage, and get pump trucks and wet-vacs working to extract the water as fast as possible. This process continues until the property is dried, deodorized, disinfected, and remodeled as necessary. 

While there are threats that you always face as a business owner, there are plenty that you do not have to fight alone. Trust in the experienced technicians at SERVPRO® of Saline County to help you restore your building from any disaster you have to battle. Give us a call anytime you need us at (501) 409-6557.

How to Winterize your Home

8/31/2023 (Permalink)

Get your home ready for winter by following these easy tips!

Winter is Coming: How to Make Your Home Winter Ready

While you may still be enjoying what is left of the summer sun, school is back in session and the temperatures are slowly dropping. With Fall and Winter just around the corner, the coming months are the ideal time to start preparing your property for the coming winter temperatures. Taking proactive steps now can help prevent or at least mitigate the severity of the damage winter conditions may cause to your home. 

We have compiled a short list of steps you can take both inside and outside your home to help prepare your home for the Winter. 

Inside Your Home:

• Make sure your pipes and plumbing work are properly insulated to help prevent freezing.
• Add or repair weather stripping around doors and windows. 
• Have your chimney and fireplace cleaned and inspected. 
• Program your thermostat to keep your home at a consistent temperature. 
• Replace your HVAC filter and get the system cleaned. 
• Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. 

Outside Your Home:

• Clean gutters and downpipes of debris. 
• Clear yard of brush and trim trees, to prevent ice build up and falling debris. 
• Bring outdoor furniture inside if possible, if not, cover items to protect them from winter conditions. 
• Move potted plants indoors before temperatures drop below 45°F. 
• Place snow removal tools in an accessible area. 
• Check your roof and outside structures for damage and have any damage repaired. 

While this list is not comprehensive and some scenarios are unpreventable, these steps can make the crucial difference in protecting your property from extreme conditions. 

If a disaster does affect your home, call SERVPRO® of Saline County and Hot Springs for 24/7 emergency service, at (501) 776-2222

The Leading Cause of Housefires in Saline County

7/10/2023 (Permalink)

Most Fire Damage in Saline County is caused by Everyday Household Accidents. 

When you think of the common causes of house fires, you may imagine extraordinary situations causing widespread damage. In reality, however, residential fires are most often caused by everyday household accidents. 

SERVPRO of Saline County and Hot Springs is a leading expert in fire and smoke damage restoration and has effectively dealt with fire and smoke damage of all kinds and severity levels. Based on our experience, most house fires are not caused by unique events such lightning strikes, wildfires, or arson. Most commonly, fires in the home result from fairly common accidents, such as unattended cooking or improperly extinguishing a grease fire. 

Common accidents that may lead to fire and smoke damage:

• Forgetting to turn off cooking appliances and electronic devices (Clothing irons, ovens or ranges, hair styling tools, etc.) 
• Out of control grease fires that occur while cooking
• Falling asleep on a couch or in your bed with a lit cigarette
• Electrical shorts or exposed wiring 
• Overheating halogen lamps and other light sources 
• Children playing with appliances, electrical devices, lighters, or matches
• Unattended candles or other open flames

When remediating fire-damaged homes, clean-up and fire restoration technicians usually determine that one or more of these situations has caused the blaze. 

With that in mind, if your home has experienced a fire and you need help cleaning up the damage, call our team at SERVPRO of Saline County and Hot Springs. Our skilled and well-equipped professionals are ready for your call 24/7 at (501) 409-6557.

SERVPRO is Here to Help when a Tornado Damages Your Saline County Home

6/6/2023 (Permalink)

For every homeowner in Saline County and the surrounding regions, tornadoes are a real risk. Unfortunately, these storm systems can cause severe damage to your home in a very short period and there is very little that anyone can do to prevent the destruction from these disasters. However, recovering from tornado damage is not something that you have to face alone.      

No one can know how much damage will be done until after the storm has passed, as these storms vary greatly in size and intensity. The strong winds, swirling trapped debris, and fallen trees put the exterior of your home at risk for severe damage. Making the roof, siding, and windows of your Saline County home most vulnerable.  

If these areas of your home remain open or exposed to the elements, compounding risks may arise. External damage may create structural weaknesses or vulnerable points that can give way later on. Weakened roofing and open siding make flooding a constant threat and leave the contents of your home vulnerable to theft. Board up, tarping, or pack out services may be necessary to mitigate further damage until reconstruction can begin. 

SERVPRO of Saline County and Hot Springs professional technicians can help you to preserve your home and the things inside it that you hold dear. Your contents can be packed up and brought to our secure facility to be cleaned and stored until your home’s restoration is complete. We can also provide tarping and board up services to keep rain and unwanted elements from entering your home. Our reconstruction team can also assist in the rebuilding efforts and help bring your home back to pre-storm conditions.    

While you may never be completely prepared for the destructive nature of a tornado, SERVPRO of Saline County and Hot Springs is always ready to respond and here to help. No matter what day or time, we are available 24/7. For professional restoration, tarping, board up, and pack out services, call SERVPRO of Saline County and Hot Springs at (501) 409-6557.

How to Discover a Water Leak in Your Bathroom

9/20/2022 (Permalink)

Indoor plumbing is one luxury of modern life, but a bathtub leak can quickly turn it into a stressful, expensive problem. If you want to prevent a water disaster from damaging your home, there are signs you can look for. Here are a few ways to find potential water leaks in your tub or shower.

Look for Signs
If you suspect you have a shower pan leak, there are several telltale signs you can search for. Here are some signs to look for when inspecting your home for leaks:

• Damp carpet
• Rusted floor nails
• Stains on the shower stall
• Water in the ceiling or light fixtures below
• Wet drywall

Some signs may not be immediately apparent, but you can do simple things to uncover them, such as pulling back a corner of the carpet to look for rusty floor nails. Another easy task is to inspect the drywall and floor surrounding the shower (or the ceiling on the floor below if you have a multi-story home). Some leaks may not be apparent while the water is off, so running the water while you search may make the leak easier to find.

Perform a Test
If you’re building a home in Saline County or remodeling an existing bathroom, a bathtub leak test may be appropriate. This a test often performed by professionals during home construction, so ask your contractor about it. To do the test, he or she will stop the drain, fill the tub to capacity and let it stand for at least 48 hours. It’s a simple way to discover potential leaks before other water damage-prone materials are installed.

Unfortunately, sometimes a bathtub leak isn’t discovered until the damage is already done, but a water damage repair specialist can help get your home back to normal. With these tips, you'll know what look for before the next water trickle becomes a flood.

Post-Construction Cleaning in Benton, AR

8/31/2022 (Permalink)

Whether you’re taking on a lengthy renovation project or building a whole new commercial structure, it can leave a huge job to clean up.  The cleanup process can last several weeks, but we can help get your business back up and running in no time!  SERVPRO offers a huge range of cleaning services which includes post-construction cleanup.  Our highly trained team knows how to clean every bit of your newly built/ renovated space, whether it be a kitchen, large office building, or warehouse space. As a part of a national franchise system with over 40 years in the cleaning industry, SERVPRO of Saline County and SERVPRO of Hot Springs will deliver on our promise of exceptional results. 

Call us today at 501-776-2222 for more information!

We're always here to help.

The Stages and Categories of Hurricanes

8/22/2022 (Permalink)

During Hurricane Season, you tend to hear TV meteorologists talking about different terms and categories to classify the storm.  What do they actually mean?

Where do hurricanes actually begin?  As a storm builds from a thunderstorm to a hurricane, it passes through 4 distinct stages:

Tropical Disturbance: a mass of thunderstorms that have wind speeds of less than 23 mph.

Tropical Depression: consistent wind speeds of 23-39 mph and a circulation of wind in the center of the thunderstorm mass is detected.

Tropical Storm: forms when the maximum sustained winds have intensified to 39-73 mph. Storms are typically given a name at this stage and are characterized by problems caused from very heavy rainfall.

Hurricane: finally forms when surface pressures continue to drop, and winds reach 74 mph. There is now a clear and definite rotation around a calm center, or eye. 

Hurricanes have their own categories which are defined by the Saffir Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale: 

Category 1: Winds 74 to 95 mph (Minor damage)

Category 2: Winds 96 to 110 mph (Extensive damage — Can uproot trees and break windows)

Category 3: Winds 111 to 129 mph (Devastating — Can break windows and doors)

Category 4: Winds 130 to 156 mph (Catastrophic damage — Can tear off roofs)

Category 5: Winds 157 mph or higher (Can level houses and destroy buildings)

This scale only estimates property damage that could occur with the maximum sustained wind speed of a particular hurricane; it does not take into account the potential for other dangerous events that often accompany hurricanes, like tornadoes, flooding, and storm surge. 

Calm Waters

8/9/2022 (Permalink)

Before the 2022 Hurricane Season started, the NOAA predicted an above-average season to rival the extremely active 2021 season.  The Gulf Coast and other areas braced themselves for an influx of tropical weather, and then...

Nothing happened.  There have only been 3 named storms since the beginning of the season in June.

Many areas in the Gulf were affected by drought conditions through the spring and summer months, and the Hurricane Outlook was officially downgraded at the beginning of August.  

So, is everything all clear?  Not exactly.

Approaching mid-August, there are some disturbances and tropical waves showing up on the radar.  These could eventually turn into named storms that affect the Gulf Coast and surrounding areas.  We're heading into the peak of Hurricane Season, and anything could happen.

If it does?

We'll be there.  SERVPRO of Saline County and Hot Springs have assisted our national Storm Teams in areas affected by strong hurricanes.  We're ready to do it again.

We're always here to help.

Water Loss Categories: Category 3

7/11/2022 (Permalink)

Water loss isn't the type of property damage that you can put off until later.  An invisible stopwatch starts running from the moment the damage occurs, and the longer it lasts, the worse the damage can be.  We've previously discussed Category 1 water, which comes from a sanitary source.  We've also discussed "greywater," or Category 2 water, which happens when Category 1 water sits for more than a couple of days.  It can also come from an overflowed washing machine, dishwasher, or toilet that does not contain feces.  Category 2 water is very susceptible to bacterial invasion, and this is when your water loss turns serious.  Should a Category 2 water loss sit for 48 hours, it is now classified as Category 3, commonly called "black water."

Aside from Category 2 water sitting for 48 hours, Category 3 water has many sources.  A sewage backup is automatically classified as a Category 3 loss.  Large rain events can cause flash flooding, which is also Category 3.  Major storm damage, such as flooding from a hurricane is black water, too. 

Take care to never ingest Category 3 water, either intentionally or accidentally.  This water is extremely contaminated, and you could be exposed to serious diseases such as Hepatitis B and C, Tetanus, or even HIV. 

Once your home suffers a Category 3 water loss, it is imperative to have it remedied immediately.  Should that water sit in your home, it could soak not only the contents of your home, but also sheetrock, flooring, and anywhere else it can get.  This poses a huge health risk to the occupants of the home.

SERVPRO of Saline County and SERVPRO of Hot Springs understand the severity involved with Category 3 water, and our specially trained technicians are ready to make it "Like it never even happened."  Call us today at 501-776-2222 to discuss your needs.  We're available 24/7.

We're always here to help.