Archived Blog Posts

Be Prepared for Disaster

9/26/2022 (Permalink)

As our country has been faced with the recent flooding in Texas with Hurricane Harvey and now in Florida with Hurricane Irma SERVPRO of East Louisville feels that we should prepare for the effects we are sure to feel locally in our state. Here is a list of things you should be prepared for ahead of time.

First of all, you should recognize the flood risk in your area by identifying the flood prone areas around you.
You should know your communities warning signals, evacuation routes and emergency shelter locations.
During storms that cause flooding stay tuned to the local weather stations.
You should have emergency supplies ready ahead of time.
Before evacuation, you should be sure to turn off the electric, gas, and water.
If you decide to stay in your homes be sure to unplug appliances and electronics so that if the water reaches the outlets you can avoid electrical shock and fire.
One of the most important things you need to remember, is NEVER to walk or drive through high water. People forget how easy it is for moving water to sweep people and cars away.

Safety is the first priority. After the storm, remember that SERVPRO is here to help you get your life back in order.

Fire Damage Cleanup And Restoration Company For East Louisville

9/26/2022 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.

Smoke and soot facts:

Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of East Louisville will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions. We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage. We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Fire or Smoke Damage?
Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608

We are proud to be an active member of this community. SERVPRO of East Louisville is locally owned and operated so we’re already nearby and ready to help East Louisville residents and business owners with any-sized fire and smoke damage emergencies.

Residential Fire Damage

9/26/2022 (Permalink)

When you need a quick fix for Louisville residential fire damage you'll need to hire a locally owned and operated company. If your property has suffered severe damage due to fire and smoke, it’s important to use a team of experienced damage control professionals.

Our certified technicians can quickly diagnose the damage, assess the general situation, and get right to work on containing and correcting the problem. The sooner you contact them, the less chance you have of further damage. With any fire damage, time is of the essence.

Louisville Residential Fire Damage Cleanup Needs

The trouble your property faces isn't over when the actual fire is finally put out. In fact, it may just be beginning. After the fire is extinguished, there is still the damage from smoke, as well as damage to the structure itself, to deal with. There is also plenty of work to be done to get the property properly cleaned up, such as removing debris, neutralizing odors, and ventilating the area.

A Fast Response Means Less Problems

The primary goal of SERVPRO of East Louisville fire damage cleanup service is not only to limit the damage to your property but also to respond quickly enough to salvage as much as possible. A fast response is necessary to limit the damage and the overall cost of the job. After smoke and debris are cleared out, the restoration can begin, getting the property owner back to normal life in their family home.

Restoration Rather Than Replacement Is the Key

When it comes to fixing any fire damage in Louisville, KY, the key to a successful solution is restoration rather than replacement. While it would be easy for a cleanup team to simply recommend that the entire structure be torn down and replaced, the reality is that such a drastic measure may be completely unwarranted. It's usually far easier, more convenient, and more cost-effective to do a complete restoration job on your property rather than tearing it down.

What to Look for in a Fire Damage Service

Most people choose to go with a locally owned and operated business as they can respond to your emergency within a very short period and get immediately to work. A reputable restoration service will give you an overview of what to expect before you begin. They should clear away the debris, do a thorough cleansing of any fire damage to your structure, clean up your upholstery, and purify the air so that you won't fall victim to any noxious and poisonous odors.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608

Why it's important to call SERVPRO at the first sign of water damage

9/26/2022 (Permalink)

The amount of damage water can cause is amazing and often underestimated by homeowners. Excess moisture is bad enough, but when a home is flooded or hit with a plumbing disaster (like a busted pipe), the situation can quickly get out of hand. There’s a reason why these incidents are among the most expensive problems a homeowner can face.

Floods, sewage back flows, and other sources of contaminated fluid usually cause the worst damage. Water can be filled with all kinds of deadly substances, ranging from chemical residues to animal feces to parasites. Bacteria, viruses and fungi grow in an alarming rate in contaminated fluid, and severe health risks can be caused by these contaminants.

This problem is compounded by the composition of most homes, which are filled with organic materials. Drywall, wood and the matter that is trapped in carpet fibers are just a few examples, and they can give pathogens room to grow. Within 48 hours, mold may begin creeping behind the walls and releasing spores, and any organic materials that have been soaked through by contaminated fluid will usually have to be destroyed.

SERVPRO of East Louisville will dry the home quickly and apply antibacterial, antiviral, and anti fungal agents to all surfaces that had contact with the water. This ensures the family can return to a safe home.

Have Water or Flood Damage?
Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608

Why SERVPRO of East Louisville

9/26/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Louisville specializes in more than just water, fire, and mold remediation, we also do a lot of bio-hazard clean up, we work with a lot of local companies and apartment complexes when they need clean up of bodily fluids or clean up of dangerous material.

SERVPRO of East Louisville was recently called out to a local business to do clean up after pepper spray has been used in contained area. SERVPRO of East Louisville came and made it "Like it never even happened." Our technicians are trained to handle any situation. The crews were on site quickly to clean the affected areas by hand, set up equipment to clean the air, get the duct work properly cleaned, and took care of any carpet or upholstery that was affected.

SERVPRO Is More Than A Company - We Are Part Of The Community Too

6/19/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Louisville has always done our best to help the community when needed. Our crews have stepped up to help the Wounded Warrior project in the past to assist an injured veteran to build a ramp to get into his home, and also helped clean out his basement.

In addition to helping out a wounded warrior we have also been donating coats, gloves, hats, and shoes to an underprivileged school in Louisville, Kentucky for many years. These families to not have the monetary means to keep their children warm while waiting for the bus in the morning and we are here to help them each year.

We've also donated our services to fire departments to clean vehicles during the pandemic.

Our owner, Jason Wilson, has participated in numerous other donation and charitable events to help the people of Louisville, Kentucky. This community has been good to us over the years and we know the importance of giving back to the community.

If Your Sump Pump Ain't Pumping - Now Is The Time To Call SERVPRO!

6/14/2022 (Permalink)

Today SERVPRO received a called about a sump pump failure in a customers home. Sump pumps don't last forever, aside from electrical interruptions the sump pump has a life expectancy of only 10 years.

We arrived on site and most of the water had already dried up but the customer was very aware of the risk of mold after standing water has been in your home even if it was a short period of time. After the water was extracted SERVPRO placed several dehumidifiers and air movers in the basement to pull all of the moisture out of the air to prevent any possibility of mold becoming a problem for the customer. Sump pump failures are more common than people think, SERVPRO suggests people perform regular maintenance by regularly pouring a bucket of water in it to make sure it start immediately, making sure the vent hole is clear with no blockages, and making sure all pipes are tightly connected.

Another option to make sure the battery isn't a concern is "deep cycle batteries" they are made to use a steady amount of energy over a long period of time so they are less likely to fail as quickly.

If Your Tree Falls On Your Next Door Neighbor's House - What Happens Next?

6/14/2022 (Permalink)

What Happens If Your Tree Falls on Your Neighbor's House?

In most cases, if your tree falls on your neighbor’s property, they will need to make a claim on their home’s insurance policy. If you were notified the tree needed to be removed before it actually fell and caused damage, you would then need to file a liability claim on your insurance

SERVPRO® can handle emergency tree removal safely and quickly. We ensure that your property is secure by performing any tarp and board-up services needed. Remember After any storm damage or water damage situation in Louisville, your primary focus should be safety first:

• Is it safe to stay in the house?

• Electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns.

• Only do activities that are safe for you to perform.

• Wet materials can be VERY heavy. Be careful!

As a trusted leader in the water damage restoration industry, SERVPRO has highly trained technicians that are dedicated to responding faster to any size disaster. We provide 24-hour emergency service and have the training and expertise to handle your restoration and cleaning needs. "Like it never happened". Contact us for more information.

Have Questions? Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608

SERVPRO Is A Full Service Restoration Company

5/26/2022 (Permalink)

This year has been one of the most active years for severe weather the Commonwealth of Kentucky has experienced in years. From the deep freeze we experienced in January, to the flooding from heavy rains from February- August, SERVPRO of East Louisville has been there for businesses and homeowners through each and every storm.

The Majority of people who are familiar with SERVPRO know us as a Fire and Water Restoration and Cleanup Company. What they don't realize is that SERVPRO of East Louisville is a full service restoration company. Not only are we faster to any disaster, but we can facilitate the rebuild on every job.

So what does that mean to our clients?

It means dealing with one company throughout the whole process.

For example: A client has a sump pump that fails due to a power outage from a strong thunderstorm. Within a couple of minutes water has spread across the basement, and within an hour the client has several inches of water in their basement. SERVPRO of East Louisville is dispatched to the clients house to extract the water, remove damaged trim and drywall, and set air movers and dehumidifiers so the drying process can begin. In many cases other restoration companies take care of the extraction, tear-out, and drying. The client is then task with choosing another company to come in and replace the drywall and trim that was torn out, which can be annoying and overwhelming.

SERVPRO makes the process seamless because we do it all from start to finish. Our construction division works side by side with our production teams and when the drying process is complete we come in and do all the put back. Clients love working with SERVPRO because we are a one stop shop. Which means dealing with one company who coordinates everything takes all the pressure and emotion off the clients plate. The next time you experience a commercial or residential disaster call SERVPRO of East Louisville. We are a true full service restoration company.

Do You Have Your Disaster Preparedness Kit Ready?

5/13/2022 (Permalink)

When preparing for a storm, it is important to make sure that you have an emergency supply kit on hand. We all know that a supply of non-perishable food and drinking water are essential, but do you know what else should be included in your kit? SERVPRO of East Louisville is prepared to help you pick up the pieces after the storm. We want you to be prepared to weather the storm and recovery. In addition to food and water, your disaster readiness kit should include the following items:

Battery powered or hand-cranked radio
Flashlight
First aid kit
Extra batteries
Whistle (to signal for help)
Dust mask (to filter contaminated air)
Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
Manual can opener
Cell phone with battery backups
Important documents (like birth certificates, social security cards)
Prescription Medications

If you choose to weather the storm, it is important that you have all necessary items to get you through until help arrives. As part of the network of SERVPRO storm teams, we are always ready to set out as soon as possible to help those affected. We are ready and we want to make sure you are too!

Language Barrier Does Not Keep SERVPRO From Helping Those In Need! You Can Count On SERVPRO!

5/12/2022 (Permalink)

When it comes to our customer service, we do everything in our power to make sure you get the best service possible. We understand that sometimes this will come with complications. One complication that we sometimes see is a language barrier. When we come across a barrier like this, we know how to conquer it. We work closely with the customer to make sure they have everything they need, even if it means taking our time to understand exactly what the customer wants.

There are many reasons to chose SERVPRO of East Louisville as your water & fire mitigation company. One of many of those reasons is that SERVPRO of East Louisville actually has a large amount of employees that are bilingual. There are many areas of Louisville that have large Hispanic population. With that being said, we have several insurance agents in these areas of Louisville that prefer to use SERVPRO for their water and fire mitigation needs because of our bilingual capabilities. Whenever you are in the need of water or fire mitigation take into consideration that we have employees that are bilingual.

más rápido a cualquier desastre

Ask The Pros - Can Clean Water Damage My Home?

5/11/2022 (Permalink)

While sewer water or blackwater as is it defined can quickly lead to mold growth in a home, clean water can also lead to dangerous mold growth. Blackwater contains lots of dirty bacteria that can quickly promote mold growth by itself. Clean water can cause mold spores that are naturally present in air and dust can also lead to mold growth.

The dangers in clean water leading to mold growth are that clean water can easily go unseen in a home due to the lack of odor when compared to black water. Clean water or gray water which is rainwater, can leak into a home’s attic or walls or crawl spaces and linger without being spotted. This water can then lead to mold spores activating and growing in these unseen areas. It’s not until the mold spreads to visible parts of the home or causes a musty odor that it is finally found. By that time, the damage caused by the mold can be quite extensive.

So even if you have a leak in your home that isn't Blackwater give SERVPRO of East Louisville a call to get the affected areas dried out to prevent further damage from starting.

Don't Forget To Plan for Water Damage

5/10/2022 (Permalink)

One of the most damaging and devastating things you can ever experience as a homeowner is a flood.

There are many causes of household flooding that can include:

Heavy rains
Sewer back-up
Malfunctioning sump-pump
Pipe burst

The first several days after a disaster are critical to preventing unnecessary secondary damages like mold. SERVPRO suggests the following steps to help minimize additional damage to your home, business and possessions.

If the water has entered the structure through the flooding of a creek, stream or river, or if it has filtered through insulation during its intrusion, it is considered black water and could be hazardous to your health. Avoid contact with contaminated items as much as possible.
Take the greatest caution while entering your home, and wear sturdy shoes and protective clothing when dealing with flooded areas.
Do not attempt to operate any electrical equipment while standing in wet or damp locations.
Throw away all foods - even canned goods - that have encountered flood waters.
Remove and prop wet upholstery and pillow cushions for drying. Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items.
Place fans at 45-degree angles to walls and move large furniture away from walls to create the best air circulation.
If your home has a crawlspace, be aware excess moisture in this area can often foster mold growth.

SERVPRO also recommends having a three-day supply of water for each member of your family - including pets - along with non-perishable food, a battery-powered radio, extra batteries and a flashlight. Citizens should also keep in mind things like necessary medications and insurance documents.

Storm & Water Prevention Matters

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage is very unpredictable and usually leaves the customer with costly repairs. While many homes and buildings are protected against fire damage by installing fire alarms and detectors, only few have protected their properties against water damage. What makes it worse is that water damage, oftentimes, is unrecognizable until the damage caused is already huge. The best way to prevent water damage and costly repair services, it is important to protect yourself, your home, and your business against it by following the tips below.

Perform regular inspections and maintenance on your plumbing systems
Repair and protect your home or building’s exterior
Winterize any exterior water shutoff valves each winter to protect from frozen pipes.

Finally, in case water has penetrated your home, the best option to take is to call a professional water damage repair services to minimize the damage caused. SERVPRO of East Louisville has professional tools and water extraction systems that can quickly remove water inside your home or building and prevent the damage from spreading.

When Disaster Strikes, SERVPRO Is At Our Best!

5/8/2022 (Permalink)

Imagine coming into work early in the morning...as you approach the entrance to the front door, water and mud are seeping out. It's a scenario that plays out throughout cities in America daily, and in most cases businesses are left with a massive cleanup, and questions as to when business will resume as normal.

Recently this scenario was a reality for a Christian childcare center and SERVPRO of East Louisville was there to help. The facility manager had arrived at his normal time to open the childcare center for the day. When he approached the entrance he could see water and mud pouring out from under the front door. That's when he realized that almost the entire building had been affected.

A water line underneath the building running to one of the bathrooms had burst, pushing up mud and water from under the building. A total of seven rooms were flooded. SERVPRO of East Louisville was task with extracting water from all the rooms, removing affected contents, pulling cove base, and removing all carpet and pad.

Once all of the wet content had been removed, the drying process began. Over 40 air movers and 8 dehumidifiers were set up to ensure all moisture was eliminated. Then we disinfected every room and cleaned all the contents to insure it was safe to open back up to the public.

Does your business or property have a plan of action in place for when the unexpected happens? If not contact SERVPRO of East Louisville and ask about our complimentary service known as an E.R.P (Emergency Ready Plan).

Did you know that SERVPRO of East Louisville has an Esporta Wash System?

5/7/2022 (Permalink)

What does this mean for you? SERVPRO of East Louisville is capable of decontaminating soft contents from all categories of losses; including sewage, mold and can restore damage caused by smoke and soot from a fire. The decontamination efficacy of the Esporta Wash System (this means how well it removes the contaminants) has been validated by numerous third party laboratory tests performed by leading hygienists, universities, and industry consultants.

Insurance professionals who select soft contents restoration through Esporta Certified Operators benefit from having delighted policyholders, faster and simpler claim settlements, and more accurate claim settlement costs.

This also means that more contents can be restored instead of replaced. Many items in a home are irreplaceable and SERVPRO of East Louisville has the right tools and staff to make sure as many contents are restored!

Summer Is Right Around The Corner - Check Out These Grilling Safety Tips!

5/6/2022 (Permalink)

Grill Safety to consider when breaking out your inner backyard culinary skills.

July is a peak month for summer grilling fires. The Memorial Day weekend is approaching quickly, it’s time to dust off the grills and let the inner backyard culinary skills to work. As exciting as it is to break out the grill for the official start of the summer season right, we have to always consider the safety that needs to be taken when preparing to light up the grill.

NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) says that the U.S. fire department responded to an average of 8,900 home fire that involved the use of grills, hibachis, or barbecues per year. These 8,900 fires caused annual averages of 10 civilian deaths, 160 injuries, and $118 million in direct property damage. Almost all the losses resulted from structure fires. The leading causes of grill fires were a failure to properly cleaning of the grill, placement of the grill because it was placed to close to a structure, and leaving the grill unattended. Five out of six (83%) of grills involved in home fires were fueled by gas while 13% used other sources of fuel.

Precautions to take while grilling

Propane:

Stay alert when grilling. Avoid grilling when you are tired or have consumed too much alcohol.
Do Not leave your grill unattended.
Keep the grill in a place that is free from flammable items and away from porch rails, and low lying branches.
Keep children and pets as far away from the grill as possible
Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year.

NOTE: A light soap and water solution applied to the hose is a great way to check for leaks. You can often smell a propane leak, but propane will also release bubbles when the soap and water solution is applied. If you detect a leak, turn the gas tank and grill off. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department.

Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before igniting.
If you smell gas while cooking, immediately move away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not move the grill.
If the flames go out for any reason, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least 15 minutes before re-lighting it.
Keep your grill clean by regularly removing grease or fat buildup from the grates and trays below.

Charcoal grill safety tips to consider:

If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquid to the flames.
Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources.
Electric charcoal starters do not use fire. Be sure to use an extension cord for outdoor use.
When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container with a lid.

Have Smoke or Fire Damage? Call (502) 897-3608

Be Prepared With An Emergency Ready Plan?

5/1/2022 (Permalink)

Owning a commercial property is a big responsibility and can come with many issues. One of the most important things to keep in mind is protecting your investment. SERVPRO of East Louisville offers a free Emergency Ready Plan to help our commercial owners do just that.

The Emergency Ready Plan consists of the following:

A walk through of the property with your maintenance person and a SERVPRO Representative.
SERVPRO will document the sensitive areas, label water and gas shuts offs with either an Orange or White tag so they easily seen.
SERVPRO will include documentation, step-by-step written directions, and pictures of each shut off valve.
SERVPRO will include the contact names and telephone numbers for all of the utility companies and property personnel that would need to be notified in the event of an emergency on the property.
SERVPRO will take this information and place it into a nice binder for you to keep.

SERVPRO offers this service free of charge with no obligation simply because we care about the businesses in our city. SERVPRO wants every business in the city to have an Emergency Ready Plan so they are prepared in case of an event. The Emergency Ready plan can help you reduce the damage done to your property.

If this sounds like a great benefit for your company – call SERVPRO of East Louisville to schedule yours today.

Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608

Watch Out For Causes of Commercial Water Damage

5/1/2022 (Permalink)

There are a lot of things to consider when maintaining a commercial property. Of course, safety is managed by laws and requirements that every commercial property must maintain, however unexpected damage is still possible. One case of unexpected commercial property damage is water damage. Commercial water damage can not only be a safety threat, but be incredibly costly to repair.

So here are some possible causes of commercial water damage to watch out for. Windows with cracks or weak construction can allow leaks from weather to invade the interior of the building. Make sure windows are strong and up to date. The foundation of the building is an easy place for water damage to occur since it’s low to the ground where water runoff or storm build up can accumulate. Ensure regular checkups of the integrity of the foundation, including cracks and leaky pipes. Sprinkler systems are required in buildings for safety reasons, but nonfunctional sprinkler systems can pose a threat by unexpectedly turning on and soaking rooms. Like the other causes, make sure someone is constantly assuring the quality of the sprinkler system. The answer to all of these possible causes is to invest in a person or team who can ensure the maintenance of the commercial property.

If you own or maintain a commercial property that has experienced water damage, no matter how much, call your local SERVPRO of East Louisville we have dealt with commercial water damage before and knows exactly how to fix and restore your commercial property to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Flash Floods Can Happen & Can Be Very Dangerous

4/10/2022 (Permalink)

Freak storm wasn’t only cause of flooding in Granite City. Here are the other problems.

SERVPRO of East Louisville sent a Storm Team to Granite City, Illinois to help cleanup after a freak storm sent flash flooding throughout the city. Our crews are working hard to remove water, mud and other debris from homes after the flood waters rose out of control. We specialize in this sort of cleanup and our crews are ready to help anyone affected by the water/storms.

Read the full article regarding the flash flooding in Granite City HERE.

"Flash floods that closed roads and delayed the start of the school year in Granite City are being blamed on the perfect storm: torrential rain, an outdated and inadequate storm drainage system, and political finger pointing.

A thunderstorm dropped between 5 and 7 inches of rain on the central and northern areas of Granite City Sunday night and into Monday morning, flooding the city and turning its roads into waterways. The southern part of the city received roughly 4 inches of rain.

“There was a deluge of water in a short time and the area couldn’t drain fast enough,” Madison County Chairman Kurt Prenzler said. “It was storm on top of storm.”

Leave It To SERVPRO For Large Loss From Water Damage

4/8/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Louisville can handle any size water loss. Our crews treat each customer with the same respect and sense of urgency regardless how large or small of a loss.

We have the manpower and equipment to handle large commercial losses such as a 17 story commercial water loss in Downtown Louisville due to a water heater leak that went undetected for an extended period of time. We have also worked with on a multi floor hotel water loss due to a sprinkler malfunction.

The University of Louisville has trusted SERVPRO of East Louisville multiple times to clean up dormitories following water loss, and several classroom buildings after flash flood waters entered.

We are the leaders in the industry and take pride in the word we do and the people we employee. Our team knows that any damage to your home or commercial property is very important and we will explain each step of the process to keep you informed.

Do You Remember When Two Massive Storms Hit The U.S. in 2018?

4/8/2022 (Permalink)

Back in 2018, two of the worst hurricanes to hit the United States in many years. While both were devastating, they were destructive in different ways. Hurricane Florence dropped almost 36 inches of rain in the Carolina’s causing extensive flooding statewide. Hurricane Michael brought winds upwards of 155 mph, devastating the Florida panhandle with damages that flattened some areas.

SERVPRO of East Louisville was called to help people affected in both states just weeks apart. The SERVPRO Storm Teams were activated to assist in the clean-up of these areas. With the water damaged caused by Florence, getting the water extracted and the drying process started was priority one for the team. This allowed the customers to return home safely, mitigating the risk to their health. As for Michael, this storm brought a number of different issues for the SERVPRO Storm Team to face. The wind was the main issue so getting roofs tarped was the first priorty, and debris had to be cleared before mitigation could begin.

While both storms proved to be a challenge, the professionals of SERVPRO of East Louisville showed compassion and professionalism that will be felt for years to come.

House Fires Are Almost One Of The Worst Things That Can Occur

4/7/2022 (Permalink)

Having a house fire is almost one of the worst things that can happen. Not only do you lose property and other household items, you also lose personal effects that can never be replaced. Unfortunately, in the midst of all the pain, loss, and frustration, there are steps that need to be taken sooner rather than later to get the recovery ball rolling. One of those steps is to hire a professional fire damage restoration company to assess and repair the damaged areas.

It is very understandable that, after a house fire, many people would think that taking care of something like this themselves would be more financially feasible. After all, you are already going to have to shell out a good amount of money to take care of whatever it is you are going to have to take care of due to the fire. Well this could prove to be a big mistake. And if you look at the big picture, another accident is probably not exactly what the doctor ordered for this situation.

First of all, in nearly every case, your insurance provider will recommend you hire a professional fire and smoke damage restoration company rather than do the work yourself. The cost to hire one of these companies may seem steep at first but the services they provide will definitely end up being well worth the price. The most obvious thing to keep in mind is that these are the professionals. They have all the knowledge and experience required to take care of the restoration in the most effective and efficient manner possible. Restoration companies can provide you with advice and insight into aspects such as what is and isn't salvageable. They can also help with insurance paperwork.

Restoration companies understand that not all fires are the same. Every fire is going to be its own unique entity. There will be differences ranging from house materials and amount of damage to how the fire was put out. Did you know that many times the smoke damage is actually the worse part of a fire? Even with a small fire the smoke can find its way into any porous material such as carpet, wood, and walls, just to name a few. There are also different types of smoke. There's wet, dry, protein, and even oil smoke. These all need to be treated in a different way.

Look, nobody wants to go through a house fire. And hopefully this is a situation none of you will ever have to experience. But if you do, wouldn't it be beneficial to have an expert on hand that can help you begin the recovery process? You will have your plate plenty full dealing with the emotional damage as well as the insurance company. Let the professionals handle the fire and smoke damage restoration for you.

Remember To Be Safe & Never Step In Standing Water

4/7/2022 (Permalink)

When a customer walks into their basement and notices standing water in the floor they should remember to be safe and never step in standing water. It is not safe because the water could be touching electricity, and/or the water could contain harmful contaminates such as sewage.

Our team at SERVPRO of East Louisville is certified in this very sort of issue and we will safely and diligently extract, dry-out and disinfect all surfaces where the water damage occurred. Our crews work hard to save any contents we possibly can to save the customer valuable time and money when it comes to replacing items.

SERVPRO or East Louisville is a full service team and we can work from start to finish on your project. Our technicians can clean up and dry-out, do demolition when needed, and then our reconstruction department can put your home or business back "Like it never even happened." Working with us means you'll always know who to call because we handle it all.

Dryer Fires Costs Millions Each Year

4/6/2022 (Permalink)

Clothes dryer fires cost millions each year. It is estimated that 2,900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year, also causing 5 deaths, 100 injuries and $35 million in property loss. Failure to clean the dryer (34%) is leading cause of home clothes dryer fires. In May of 2018 SERVPRO East Louisville was called out to a home that had unfortunately experienced a dryer fire.

SERVPRO arrived on site and started mitigating the water portion of the home damage, we also removed effected drywall and placed air movers and dehumidifiers where needed.

Once removal of effected areas and the dryout is complete SERVPRO will be starting with the cleaning process. For this particular home we will start with structural cleaning such as removing all carpet, pad from second floor and steps leading up to second floor. Cutting out drywall from living room ceiling which was located directly under laundry room. Once all of ducts, surfaces and contents have been thoroughly cleaned we will begin the process of getting the customer back in their home. SERVPRO's repair division will replaced carpet and pad, replace and repair effected drywall, sealed and painted all areas upstairs, including the living room ceiling downstairs.

The customer will know that our team of certified professionals are HERE TO HELP get them back to normal in their home as quickly and safely as possible.

Are You Prepared For The Unexpected?

4/5/2022 (Permalink)

How to be prepared for the unexpected:

Has your business ever considered what would happen if a flood occurred overnight and you walked into the facility the next day to a mess?

SERVPRO is HERE TO HELP ease the stress of this kind of loss. We are available 24/7/365 and always have a live person answering our phones to make sure you receive the help needed right away. Another way you can have peace of mind is by contacting a SERVPRO of East Louisville representative to come out and provide a complementary Emergency Ready Profile (ERP).

This profile doesn't take much time to complete and will give you access to all of your building's shut off valves, as well as compiles all of you emergency contact numbers in one place. The app is easy to use and will be a life saver when a disaster strikes. To learn more about the ERP process please click here or give us a call at (502) 897-3608.

SERVPRO's Quick Response & Expertise Is What Separates Us From The Rest!

4/4/2022 (Permalink)

Airport Hanger Foam Suppression System Malfunction

Today's commercial and military aircraft are extremely expensive pieces of equipment. The hangars where these aircraft are stored and maintained are unique in their own right. On a given day these hangars are storing aircraft with a significant amount of flammable liquids on board. Aircrafts need regular maintenance and the activities performed during inspections provide several opportunities for a fire to start. Every airport hangar is outfitted with a complex fire suppression system that can fill a hangar with 15-20 feet of foam in a matter of minutes in the event of a fire. The foam will suppress any fire and keep it from spreading and causing additional damage to the aircraft and hanger.

When these foam suppression systems work properly they can save an airline or the military millions of dollars in damage. However there are occasions when these complex systems malfunction. When a malfunction happens, airlines find themselves buried (literally) in a huge mess of foam.

Recently, SERVPRO of East Louisville received a call from an airline at Standiford Field who found themselves in this exact situation. Earlier that morning as crews where performing routine maintenance checks on planes the alarms sounded. The crew was baffled when they heard the alarm sound, but they were even more shocked when the foam suppression systems starting dumping foam from all directions. Within minutes the whole hangar was filled with 15-20 feet of foam, halting all work, and causing a massive mess and headache for management.

SERVPRO crews worked day and night cleaning up the hangar, and the other offices affected by the foam. The majority of the foam dissipated and left the hangar with about 6 inches of oily water. In these situations where you have water that has been contaminated with chemicals the protocol is to work with an environmental company to make sure that the water is pumped out and disposed of properly to protect the environment.

Whether it's a residential or commercial job SERVPRO is always faster to any disaster. Our quick response and expertise is what separates us from the rest, and helps families and business get back normalcy.

Call SERVPRO of East Louisville – (502) 897-3608 when the unexpected happens to you or your business.

SERVPRO of East Louisville Is Unique, Especially How We Work With Our Agents & Customers

3/30/2022 (Permalink)

One of things that make SERVPRO of East Louisville so unique is how we work with our agents and customers to identify whether a claim should be filed.

SERVPRO has learned that insurance companies do not look favorable on zero paid claims. The insurance companies have found that people who turn in small claims are in effect using their policies as a home maintenance program.

We tell our agents to call us so we can put eyes on the situation. We can tell within a few minutes whether the claim will meet or exceed the customers deductible. This in turn helps the customer avoid higher rates, and the agent avoids a loss that in the long run could affect retention.

SERVPRO was recently asked by an agent to look at a customer‘s basement that had a sump pump malfunction. After reviewing the loss, the damage would not have met the insureds $2500 deductible. This insured avoided a claim and had SERVPRO of East Louisville do the water mitigation. Both parties were happy and we have a very satisfied agent and customer.

SERVPRO Tips - How To Safely Remove Mold

3/30/2022 (Permalink)

Mold can easily grow on clothes and fabric if you have too much moisture in your home. Clothes made of cotton or other organic materials make great food sources for mold and mildew to live on.

It's best to consult a professional when dealing with mold. However, if you feel comfortable trying these steps to remove mold from clothing see below.

Tips to keep in mind when removing mold from clothes:

It's best to wash your clothes in hot water. Hot water kills mold more effectively than cold water and better removes mold spores and allergens too. Of course make sure you don't use water so hot that it can damage your clothing.
When you're washing your clothes with a mold killing solution, it's best to wash them through at least two full cycles. Then after your clothes have been washed hang them on the line in the sun. The heat from the sun and the sun's ultraviolet light help to kill mold.

There are quite a few solutions you can wash moldy clothes in to get rid of the mold. Some good ones include:

Bleach
Borax
Vinegar
Baking soda
Mold killing detergent

For the full article and a step-by-step explanation of the cleaning process, click here.

If You See Signs of Mold,
Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608

Does Your Business Have An Emergency Response Plan?

2/6/2022 (Permalink)

If this sounds like a great benefit for your company – call SERVPRO of East Louisville to schedule yours today. We look forward to working with you!

The Emergency Ready Plan consists of the following:

A walk through of the property with your maintenance person and a SERVPRO Representative.
SERVPRO will document the sensitive areas, label water and gas shuts offs with either an Orange or White tag so they easily seen.
SERVPRO will include documentation, step-by-step written directions, and pictures of each shut off valve.
SERVPRO will include the contact names and telephone numbers for all of the utility companies and property personnel that would need to be notified in the event of an emergency on the property.
SERVPRO will take this information and place it into a nice binder for you to keep.

If this sounds like a great benefit for your company – call SERVPRO of East Louisville to schedule yours today. We look forward to working with you!

Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608

After A Water Damage Event SERVPRO Can Help Restore Your Commercial Property

2/5/2022 (Permalink)

Flooding and water damage events at commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large-scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

About SERVPRO of East Louisville

SERVPRO of East Louisville specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. 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.

Ten Fierce Fire Facts Brought To You By SERVPRO

1/31/2022 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of East Louisville 502-897-3608 anytime, 24/7.

Here are 10 important things to know about fires.

1. In a fire, more people die from inhaling smoke than from the flames. Never think that if you avoid the flames you are safe. Always keep away from smoke.

2. Soot is a coating of fine, black dust created when wood, coal, or oil-based substances are burned. These carbon particles float into the air and settle anywhere. Inhaling soot can caused severe lung deficiencies or even death.

3. If soot contaminates items in your home or business, a fire restoration service provider like SERVPRO of Southwest Jefferson County must assess the damage to see if restoration is possible.

Need Fire Restoration Advice Or Services? Call SERVPRO Of East Louisville At (502) 897-3608

4. The worst possible effect of soot is its tendency to cause cancer and cause serious defects in newborns. Soot produces polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons are responsible for gene mutation for particular groups of genes. They can cause birth defects and increase the chances of getting cancer.

Water’s Good And Bad
5. Water’s great at putting out most fires but the water itself can cause great damage. You must make sure, after the fire is out, that your home or business is completely dried. If you don’t, mold, mildew, and other consequences will lead to further damage and loss. This is why SERVPRO provides industrial dehumidifiers and air movers to dry saturated carpets, padding, furniture, and any other wet items.

6. Mold colonies can begin to grow just 48 hours after water damage occurs. The combination of fire, water, and mold damage to your commercial property or home could result in a complete loss if not handled properly. See our posts about mold, mold myths, and how to clean up mold.

7. Use caution if you decide to do some of the cleanup after a fire. Never start your cleaning process until you’re properly attired. Wear heavy-duty gloves, safety goggles, and a face mask. Carefully cover your nose and make sure your safety glasses have no place for dust or soot to get into your eyes.

Why Firefighters Break Windows And Cut Holes In Roofs
8. Firefighters are true heroes. However, they often must break windows and cut holes in the roof of buildings on fire. As a fire burns, the fire moves up and down and across, growing very fast. Firefighters break windows and cut holes in roofs to provide ventilation that slows the fire’s growth. Ventilation also helps get rid of dark smoke that makes it hard for firefighters to see where they’re going. The holes and broken windows help firefighters fight the fire more quickly. The bottom line is that breaking windows and cutting holes in roofs help save lives and property.

9. Firefighters will also cut holes in walls at times. That’s not about ventilation. It’s done so the fire department is sure that the fire is completely out. Fire departments don’t want to risk leaving a fire that’s not visible but is still active inside the walls or in other hidden places.

10. If you have a fire, get a copy of the fire report. In most areas, a fire report is a public document. Ask for it at the fire department or fire marshal’s office. The fire report will help you with information that your insurance company and other official offices may request.

Here To Help
The team at SERVPRO of Southwest Jefferson County has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services and natural disaster cleanup.

Call SERVPRO of East Louisville 502-897-3608 anytime, 24/7.

Safety First When It Comes To Heating Your Space

1/28/2022 (Permalink)

Space heaters are designed to supplement cold rooms and must be used with extreme caution. According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), nearly half of all home heating fires occur during the peak months of December, January, and February.

According to NFPA - Space heaters are the type of heating equipment most often involved in home heating fires, figuring in two of every five of these fires and accounting for 86% of associated civilian deaths, 78% of civilian injuries, and 54% of direct property damage.

General Guidelines for Space Heater Safety

There are several ways people can prevent accidental fires in their homes. One of the most important is to select heaters that have been tested and certified by testing laboratories. Also, keep areas around the heat source free of paper and trash.

When choosing the placement of the heater, remember the three feet safety rule by keeping everything that can burn at least three feet away from the heat source. Only use the heaters to heat the small space.

Place the space heater on a hard level nonflammable surface, never on carpet, blankets, or rugs. Never use a defective heater or one that is missing its heating element guard. Make sure you use the proper size space heater for the room.

When purchasing a new space heater, look for a model with an automatic shut-off in case the heater is left on too long. In addition, a tip-switch will automatically cut off the heat if the unit topples over. Even with the safety features, never leave the heater on when sleeping, out of the room, or away from home.

When Water Damage Meets Higher Learning, SERVPRO Is Here to Help!

1/23/2022 (Permalink)

When the call came in from the University of Louisville dormitory about a frozen water pipe that burst on the 4th floor we knew it was important to get there right away to start mitigating the problem. The first crews on the scene located the source of the water damage and made sure the stop any further damage to the facility.

Once the water was stopped our crews began working right away to pack out the contents of the affected dormitory rooms with the help of a moving company. All of the personal items and furniture had to be removed from the rooms in order to start the demo of the floors, baseboards, and affected drywall.

Once the rooms were ready our demo crews started working to remove all of the necessary flooring, baseboards, and drywall to start the drying process. Dehumidifiers and air movers were set, along with a desiccant to dry the massive building. We are working around the clock to be sure the facility is up and running as quickly and safely as possible for the students who need to return to campus.

Why SERVPRO? We Do What Needs To Be Done!

1/23/2022 (Permalink)

If you've ever wondered how a company such as SERVPRO can tackle a large loss job like the dormitory sprinkler head burst recently at the University of Louisville then look no further.

Kathy Dreyer, our amazing marketing representative, has been working 14 of the last 16 days helping at the large loss water job we are mitigating at the University of Louisville. We couldn’t do it without amazing employees like her! Thanks to all of our staff for pitching in and doing what is needed to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Kathy, and the other marketing representatives, stepped up to assist any way they could to get the mitigation process finished. Just because Kathy works in the marketing department doesn't mean she's afraid to roll up her sleeves and get to work!

If you find yourself in need of emergency services know that SERPVRO of East Louisville has employees who take pride in all aspects of the company, and are willing to do whatever possible to make sure the customer gets the best service!

Winter Storms Can Cause More Damage Than You Think!

12/13/2021 (Permalink)

Don't forget to CALL SERVPRO so we can assist in the cleanup from a frozen pipe.

You might think that storms are only common during hurricane season or the rainy months. This isn't the case because storm events can happen in the winter. Polar vortex and ice storms cause major damages each year to homes and businesses because of frozen pipes. Frozen pipes that burst can cause water damage quickly and can be tricky to clean up due to the freezing temperatures.

You might know already how to prevent frozen pipes. If not, please take a moment to review this site. However, have you ever thought about how to thaw a frozen pipe?

How to Thaw Frozen Pipes

If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, you may well have a frozen pipe. “If you suspect the pipes are frozen, be careful when thawing them out because if the pipe has already burst, the water will come flowing out and flood your home,” says John Galeotafiore, who oversees Consumer Reports’ testing of home products and power gear.

If a pipe has broken, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve, which is usually at the water meter or where the main line enters the house. If the water is still running and no pipes have burst, you can take the following steps. (Of course, if you suspect a more serious problem, call a plumber.)

Turn on the faucet. As you heat the frozen pipe and the ice plug begins to melt, you want the water to be able to flow through. Running water through the pipe, as cold as it is, will help melt ice in the pipe.

Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, or a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. As tempting as it may be, do not use a blowtorch, a kerosene or propane heater, a charcoal stove, or any device with an open flame; the high heat can damage the pipes or even start a fire.

Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. Check all other faucets in your home to see whether you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.

Don't forget to CALL SERVPRO so we can assist in the cleanup from a frozen pipe.

Do You Know There Are Four Principles Of Drying A Structure? Here is #1

12/8/2021 (Permalink)

The first principle of drying a structure is the removal of excess water.

SERVPRO's drying methodology is how we are able to fully dry structure in most cases without demolition. We use a basic understanding of thermal dynamics and psychometrics to successfully dry structures by the least intrusive means possible. Our drying methodology is comprised of four principles. Today we will explain one.

The first principle of drying a structure is the removal of excess water. Using a machine called an extractor typically does this. The more water that is removed, the faster the structure will dry. It is far easier to physically remove water than it is to remove it through evaporation and dehumidification. So if you don’t have an extractor, call a professional who does.

As moisture evaporates from a wet surface, its surface becomes cooler. This is called "evaporative cooling". This is exactly why you cool down when you sweat!

Avoid Unnecessary Secondary Damages Like Mold - Call SERVPRO First!

12/8/2021 (Permalink)

One of the most damaging and devastating things you can ever experience as a homeowner is a flood.

There are many causes of household flooding that can include:

Heavy rains
Sewer back-up
Malfunctioning sump-pump
Pipe burst

No matter what the cause, you should know what you should do if your house floods. Taking care of the problem earlier will help you to reduce the amount of damage and can make the clean-up and repair easier. It's best to call a professional when dealing with water damage in your home. The certified technicians at SERVPRO of East Louisville know exactly what steps to follow in order to prevent further damage, and to get your home cleaned up and dried out so you can get back to normal.

If the water has entered the structure through the flooding of a creek, stream or river, or if it has filtered through insulation during its intrusion, it is considered black water and could be hazardous to your health. Avoid contact with contaminated items as much as possible.
Take the greatest caution while entering your home, and wear sturdy shoes and protective clothing when dealing with flooded areas.
Do not attempt to operate any electrical equipment while standing in wet or damp locations.
Throw away all foods - even canned goods - that have encountered flood waters.
Remove and prop wet upholstery and pillow cushions for drying. Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items.
Place fans at 45-degree angles to walls and move large furniture away from walls to create the best air circulation.
If your home has a crawlspace, be aware excess moisture in this area can often foster mold growth.

SERVPRO Is Here To Help No Matter The Day or Time!

11/30/2021 (Permalink)

So when your personal disaster hits your family, call a company that cares like SERVPRO of East Louisville.

SERVPRO of East Louisville is ready to handle any disaster, but sometimes the word disaster is relative. We usually think of disasters as wide spread events but that’s not always the case. Recently, SERVPRO received a call from a customer who had a tree root invade their French drain, causing significant water damage in his basement. To this gentleman this was a disaster, however those of us at SERVPRO see damage like this constantly. Realizing how this event affected this customer’s life SERVPRO treated this situation with great care and empathy because to our client it was his personal disaster.

The crew of SERVPRO of East Louisville showed up at 1:30 am ready to start the mitigation process. We started by extracting the water and cutting out the wet carpet and pad. Once the carpet was removed they set air movers and dehumidifiers so the drying process could begin. Three days later our customer’s life was back to normal and SERVPRO of East Louisville helped another satisfied customer.

So when your personal disaster hits your family, call a company that cares like SERVPRO of East Louisville.

In The Early Stages Of Fire Damage - SERVPRO Is Here To Help!

11/30/2021 (Permalink)

If you are ever in a situation where you have a big loss in your home just remember that SERVPRO of East Louisville.

SERVPRO of East Louisville heard about a house fire in the local area and showed up on the scene not long after the firefighters had put out the flames. Losing your home can be a very difficult thing to deal with, so SERVPRO wants to do what we can to provide customers with information on the steps to take during the early stages of the fire restoration process. We are here to help.

Our team of certified technicians and managers made sure that whenever the homeowners were ready to call their insurance company they would assist them with providing temporary housing situation until their home was inhabitable again. The next step is boarding up the home to ensure that the items remaining inside will not be stolen so the customer does not have to worry about losing the items that weren't damaged in the fire after the fact. Once the customer's insurance company approves our scope of work we will start the clean up and rebuild to get their home back to the way it was.

Our hope is that you, or a family member, never has to deal with a loss of this magnitude. However, if you are ever in a situation where you have a big loss in your home whether its with fire, water, or mold, just remember that SERVPRO of East Louisville is here to help. We want to make the whole process as easy and seamless as possible

Here To Help - SERVPRO of East Louisville

11/30/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Louisville, specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.

SERVPRO of East Louisville, specializes in storm and flood damage restoration. Our teams are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its previous condition.

We are locally owned and operated, which means we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is very important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

When storms hits, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from any and all of our franchises across the country.

You can rest assured that we are HERE TO HELP when a disaster strikes in East Louisville. We've helped many customers over the years after the Ohio River flooding, tornadoes, wind storms, ice storms, and etc.

What SERVPRO Does For Storms

11/10/2021 (Permalink)

Storm team on the scene

Storms have become stronger and more severe over the years. However, thanks to the technology available today we know a storm is coming and we prepare the best we can and it still isn’t enough. Neighborhoods, cities, towns and even states are displaced by storms. When a storm event occurs all resources are stretched to the breaking point including shelter, food, and water. These are just the basic of necessities that are hard to take care immediately following a devastated storm.

We at SERVPRO have teams all over the country who are called Storm Teams. These Storm Teams have the equipment, manpower and knowledge to hit the ground running to help clean up and restore after a disaster.

Our corporate office does a great job of dispatching our Storm Teams to right place so that we can help communities get back on their feet. SERVPRO works with the people, insurance companies and authorities to get the area back to normal as quickly as possible.

When you see the next storm headed to a city rest assured SERVPRO is ready to respond where we are needed.

Have Storm Damage? SERVPRO is HERE to HELP!

11/10/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO works hard to help make it "Like it never even happened." Call Us Today (502) 897-3608!

If you have storm damage, SERVPRO of East Louisville is HERE TO HELP. We part of the SERVPRO Storm Team and we are available 24/7 with manpower and equipment. Whether 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 at SERVPRO of East Louisville are here to assess the situation and stabilize your structure. We can help you find the resources you need to quickly clean up any situation whether you have a large tree that has come down, or a roof that needs repaired. We are able to bring in large equipment if needed to solve any problem. We are here to help be that resource for you in your time of need when a disaster happens. You can turn to SERVPRO of East Louisville and know that we value you and your property. 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."

Have Storm or Flood Damage?
Call Us Today (502) 897-3608

Did You Know? There Are More Causes Of Water Damage Than Storms & Severe Weather!

10/26/2021 (Permalink)

If your business has suffered water damage, SERVPRO of East Louisville will get you back up and running again. Call us anytime 24/7 at 502-897-3608.

Commercial property owners/renters forget that storms and severe weather aren't the only causes of floods and water damage. Here are some of the typical causes of water damage to commercial buildings.

Malfunctioning sprinkler systems
Some older office and retail buildings still have outdated sprinkler systems that work in conjunction with fire protection systems. While such sprinklers can come in handy during a fire emergency, they can also cause commercial flood damage if they are faulty or in need of replacement. This could easily damage inventory and business assets.
Damaged appliances and equipment . This cause of commercial flood damage is more common in restaurants and catering facilities, as well as any business that has appliances and equipment that make use of water. If the appliance fails and sends water across your building, especially during late hours when no one is around, you may come back to work and face a water emergency.
Broken pipes and plumbing. Just like in a residence, if the plumbing system in your workplace fails water damage could be the result.
Backed up sewer lines. This is another cause of commercial water damage that often catches business owners by surprise. Should the sewer line to your building back up or become damaged, realize the potential dangers of contaminated Black Water which can cause health effects and ruin products and office furnishings.

If your business has suffered water damage, SERVPRO of East Louisville will get you back up and running again. Call us anytime 24/7 at 502-897-3608. We are HERE TO HELP!

Every Living Thing Needs WATER!

10/11/2021 (Permalink)

When you have water damage, call us, SERVPRO of East Louisville, at any hour of the day or night, at (502) 897-3608.

Water Damage

Water is one of those substances that is needed by every living thing on Earth, and it is one of the most adaptable substances, as well. Taking the form of gas, liquid, or a solid, depending on its temperature, water can change from one state to another swiftly and easily.

In East Louisville homes can have water damage throughout their entire structure because water does not remain in one location. A state of equilibrium is sought after, where water, as moisture, exists evenly distributed throughout any environment. When moisture evaporates and moves from one spot to another, this is part of that search for even distribution. Condensing onto another surface is also part of the process of achieving equilibrium.

While all of this is going on, water damage is becoming more extensive. Add to this that ice and snow on the roof can not only allow water to enter your attic but cause costly damage to the roof and the attic long before any damage is discovered in lower areas of the home.

There are many signs of water damage that you might find in your home, but almost all of them mean that the problem has existed for some time. This can mean repairs cannot wait, also. The sooner remediation of water damage begins, the better it can be for your home.

SERVPRO does more than remediation, repairs, and restoration. These and preventative measures can protect your home from future problems. Fixing the problem will not, alone, keep it from reoccurring again in the future. Making changes that allowed the water damage to exist in the first place is a huge step in making sure that repairs and restoration are worth the time and effort, as well as the money, put into repairing the damage.

Putting an end to water damage by knowing how it travels through your home, and the damage it can cause, are what we do best. When you have water damage, call us, SERVPRO of East Louisville, at any hour of the day or night, at (502) 897-3608.

Flooding can be a nightmare, but SERVPRO of East Louisville is here for you!

10/4/2021 (Permalink)

It’s a nightmare scenario for some.

You wake up, head downstairs, and you have 2 feet of water in your basement.

Or maybe, you go on vacation in the winter, and a pipe breaks flooding your entire home.

Perhaps a rain storm fills your egress and your basement carpet becomes a giant sponge.

One of the most damaging and devastating things you can ever experience as a homeowner is a flood. No matter what the cause, you should know what you should do if your house floods. Taking care of the problem earlier will help you to reduce the amount of damage and can make the clean-up and repair easier.

If the water has entered the structure through the flooding of a creek, stream or river, or if it has filtered through insulation during its intrusion, it is considered black water and could be hazardous to your health. Avoid contact with contaminated items as much as possible.
Take the greatest caution while entering your home, and wear sturdy shoes and protective clothing when dealing with flooded areas.
Do not attempt to operate any electrical equipment while standing in wet or damp locations.
Throw away all foods - even canned goods - that have encountered flood waters.
Remove and prop wet upholstery and pillow cushions for drying. Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items.
Place fans at 45-degree angles to walls and move large furniture away from walls to create the best air circulation.
If your home has a crawlspace, be aware excess moisture in this area can often foster mold growth.

SERVPRO of East Louisville is here for you! If floods attack your home or business, just give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and are here to get you back to “Like it never even happened.”

No Disaster Is Too Big For SERVPRO!

9/29/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can call upon special Disaster Recovery Teams strategically located throughout the country - no disaster is too big!

The SERVPRO Disaster Recovery Team can provide help whether you're dealing with a tornado, hurricane, blizzard or flood. The SERVPRO System has a network of strategically positioned storm teams on standby should a disaster strike near you. Available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, SERVPRO Franchise Professionals are prepared for the unpredictable.

SERVPRO of East Louisville is always on standby in the event of disaster anywhere in the United States. We are always ready, willing, and able to assist those in need when catastrophes happen. Thats one benefit homeowners and businesses receive when they utilize SERVPRO of East Louisville when a catastrophe happens here locally. We have the resources to call in our storm team to handle the volume of calls that massive storms produce.

With the ability to mobilize local command centers, along with the resources of more than 1,700 Franchises nationwide, no disaster is too big. Recent mobilizations of the Catastrophic Storm Response Teams include:

2017 Harvey & Irma
2017 Findlay Ohio Floods
2016 Houston Floods
2016 Matthew
2016 Denham Springs Louisiana
2014 Polar Vortex
2012 Sandy
2010 Nashville floods
2008 Ike
2007 Chicago floods
2007 Ohio floods
2007 California wildfires
2005 Katrina/Wilma/Rita

Winter Will Be Here Soon! Check Out These Safety Tips!

9/29/2021 (Permalink)

Change smoke alarm batteries every year unless it has a long-life battery.

It’s almost time to close up the house and get ready for winter. It’s also a good time to go over some fire safety tips to make sure your family stays safe this upcoming winter. The American Red Cross provides a handy fire safety checklist. Here are some of their tips:

Cooking Safety
“Keep an eye on what you fry.” Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling, or using an open flame

Smoking Safety
Never smoke in bed.

Children Playing
Matches and lighters are locked away.

Fireplaces, Space Heaters, Baseboards, etc.
“3 feet from the heat.” Furniture, curtains, dish towels, and anything that could catch fire are at least 3 feet from any type of heat source.

Electrical and Appliance Safety
Large and small appliances are plugged directly into wall outlets.

Smoke Alarms
Change smoke alarm batteries every year unless it has a long-life battery.
Replace smoke alarms every ten years.
Test your smoke alarms each month. If they’re not working, they can’t get you out the door.

Home Fire Escape Plan
At least twice a year, practice your fire escape plan with all your family members.
Practice makes perfect! After each fire drill, mark down your escape time.

What’s Your Escape Time?
Make sure everyone can escape in two minutes or less.

SERVPRO of East Louisville specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage. We proudly service many communities in the East Louisville. Call (502) 897-3608.

SERVPRO Is The Fire and Water Damage Specialists

9/29/2021 (Permalink)

Learning about the cleanup process will help you understand why calling the experts at SERVPRO of East Louisville is the logical choice.

One of the most devastating things a business can experience is a fire. In fact, over 70% of businesses involved in a major fire never reopen. When a fire affects a shopping center or strip mall the impact can be widespread. Obviously, the business where the fire originated will have an uphill battle to climb when it comes to structural recovery. When the fire department leaves business owners are left with a smokey, soot filled space, with hundreds of thousands of gallons of water covering all the contents that are left behind. Not only is the space where the source of the fire impacted, but the stores around them can have secondary damage as well.

Recently SERVPRO of East Louisville was called to a furniture store that had experienced smoke and soot damage. It was affected by another business in the same shopping center that had caught fire. Our crews had the daunting task of removing all the furniture from the 26,000 sq. ft. showroom. The furniture removal alone took days. After the showroom was emptied our crews had a checklist of work to do in order to get the store back in operation.

Here are some of the things we take into consideration during a smoke/fire mitigation and restoration job:

It's very important to always clean up soot and smoke damage after a fire as soon as possible. In the combustion process, soot and vapors get carried by the air to different surfaces in a property. It is at this time that they get deposited. This will happen until the process of combustion ends, which is when soot gets piled onto surfaces in layers. When the fire damage technicians come to your property, the residue from the soot becomes difficult to remove.
Removing odors: Technicians will remove any trash that causes the odor and can recontaminate areas that have been cleaned.
Cleaning: Surfaces and items will get cleaned at this time.
Deodorization: A deodorizing gas will combine with chemicals that cause the smoke smell.
Sealing surfaces: Surfaces will get sealed so that the odor gets trapped and the chances of recontamination remain small.

When you have home or commercial fire damage it's important to know how the damage from a fire can affect your home, business, and your possessions. Learning about the cleanup process will help you understand why calling the experts at SERVPRO of East Louisville is the logical choice. For more information regarding fire damage please call 502-897-3608 or visit this link.

Why Not Choose SERVPRO of East Louisville? We Are Faster To Any Size Disaster!

9/29/2021 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of East Louisville to come out and take care of your remediation needs! 502-244-7985

Recently a Property Manager called SERVPRO of East Louisville inquiring about our services. She was looking for a restoration company to lean on as a priority service provider when losses happen at the properties they manage. Then it finally came, the question everyone always asks, Why SERVPRO?

The question is an easy one to answer, SERVPRO of East Louisville is faster to any disaster. We go by the 1-4-8 rule:

1-Within 1 hour a client will receive a call back with a firm time we will be dispatching a crew to their location.
4-Within 4 hours crews will be dispatched and onsite.
8-Within 8 hours equipment will be set and or the cleaning process will be underway.

Another reason why property managers utilize SERVPRO's services is our ability to handle large loss. With over 40 employees SERVPRO has the manpower to deploy an army of workers to your location. We also have the largest inventory of equipment in the city:

475 Air Movers
105 Dehumidifiers
2 Travel Supply Trailers
8 Generators
4 Power Distributions
40 Air Scrubbers
Dry Ice Blasting Machine
Soda Blasting Machine

Call SERVPRO of East Louisville the next time disaster strikes your home or property.

Don't Let Water Cause More Damage Than It Already Has- Call SERVPRO Right Away!

9/29/2021 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of East Louisville to come out and take care of your remediation needs at 502-244-7985.

Water coming from the ceiling is a symptom of some other home system that is leaking. When a ceiling shows signs of water damage and dripping water, the place to look is in one of two home systems: the roofing system or the plumbing system. Ceiling leaks may be evidenced by actual water dripping down, but before the problem escalates to that point, you may see blistered or peeling paint, or discoloration over a spot in the ceiling.

Tips to Identifying Roofing System Leaks

The leaking occurs during or shortly after a rainfall. It may take some time for the water to appear, but if it appears during or after a rain, the roof is the place to look for the source.
If there is active water dripping, it will often be brown or dirty if it comes from the roof. Water making its way into your home often picks up dirt and impurities along the way.
In cold climates, if ceiling leaking or damage coincides with the presence of ice buildup along the eaves of the house, you likely have ice dams that are causing ice and water to back up under the shingles and down onto the ceiling. Because ice dams occur along the edges of the roof, the ceiling damage or leaking is often near the edge of the room, or may even appear on an exterior wall, since the water may be dripping directly down into the walls.
In the attic, you may find damp and soggy insulation. Gain access to the attic and look for areas of insulation that show signs of wetness. Do not assume, however, that the roof damage is directly above this part of the attic, because water can flow for quite some distance down along sheathing or a roof rafter before it drips down onto the insulation and through it to the ceiling surface. If you spot damp insulation, pull it back and examine the drywall or plaster lathe beneath. It may be obvious that you've found the source of the ceiling leak.

Call SERVPRO of East Louisville today!

Exhaust fan fire

3/30/2021 (Permalink)

Ceiling framing exposed due to a fire damage. Striped wallpaper wall and the ceiling has insulation hanging from the framing

In June of 2020 Randy Barnett, SERVPRO of East Louisville Marketing Manager, received a call from a State Farm Agent telling him that his neighbors house was on fire. Randy told him he didn’t live far from there and he was on his way. As Randy approached the scene the family, and the agent, were standing in the driveway while the fire department got the fire under control. When Randy approached the family they were visibly upset and overwhelmed with the disaster situation happening before their eyes.

Randy handed them a fire pack we keep on hand for this very reason containing bottled water, toiletries, and other essentials they would need for the night.

SERVPRO of East Louisville contacted our board up specialist and dispatched him to the scene to be ready when the fire department released the property as safe to enter. Upon entering the home it was discovered that the fire had started from an exhaust fan in the hall bathroom that had overheated. SERVPRO instructed them to remove essential items and clothing in which we bagged and immediately took them to our shop to be cleaned in our Esporta cleaning system.

For the next six months Randy watched the home go through the mitigation and reconstruction all the way through to the final walk through of the property. Unfortunately, Mr. Smith passed away from Covid before he was able to move back in making an already stressful situation even more difficult for Mrs. Smith. That’s when our construction manager showed up on the final day with flowers and presented them to her.

SERVPRO received a call from the daughter telling us how much the flowers meant, but above all else, how much she loved her newly finished home. It didn’t take long to realize how important our job is to other people. SERVPRO of East Louisville will continue to help people like Mrs. Smith for many years to come.

Faster to any disaster

3/30/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Louisville has the manpower, equipment and vehicles to handle any size disaster. With the flooding happening across the country due to record rainfall, SERVPRO of East Louisville, is ready at the drop of a hat to head to affected areas to assist with the cleanup and restoration.

Being part of the SERVPRO Storm Team means that we can be packed up and ready to go quickly when disaster strikes anywhere across the country.

It is important to us at SERVPRO to provide the same customer service when we are out of state that we offer to our brothers and sisters in our local communities. Our technicians know that when we are on Storm that means the customers we help are very distraught over their circumstances and with limited resources available they are anxious to get their property cleaned up and dried out right away.

We are HERE TO HELP!

Emergency Ready Profile

3/14/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Louisville has an awesome marketing team available to answer any questions you might have regarding the services SERVPRO has to offer to your business. Once of the items our marketing team is tasked with bringing to customers is the Emergency Ready Profile (ERP). This is a complementary service that could possibly save you time and money in the event of a disaster at your property.

The ERP can be done on site with a maintenance employee or any office staff. Our marketing representative will use an iPad to go around the facility and take notes and pictures of different locations such as shut off valves, electrical boxes, emergency exits, parking areas for service vehicles, and take down all of the emergency contact numbers for each utility service.

In the event of a disaster at your location you can open up the app and contact SERVPRO, or any other utility company you use that might be necessary. If someone at your location needs to know how to shut off the water in the event of a water loss all of that information could be at their fingertips in seconds with the Ready App.

Ice Dam Water Damage

3/10/2021 (Permalink)

Ice storms can wreak havoc for many reasons and for this customer an ice dam built up inside the roof when the gutter became filled with ice and the water had no where to go. Once the ice began to melt the water started dripping. Luckily for the homeowner the water leak happened directly over the toilet in the master bathroom.

Our team was called out on a Saturday and our production employee was able to get on the roof to assess the damage. Upon examination there was a nail pop that was sealed and a hole in the under hang where the ice dam built up.

The next step in the process was to remove the light/vent fan where the water was dripping from, remove damaged drywall ceiling and insulation so the drying process could begin.

The customer was able to get the room dried out within a few days and now the reconstruction process can begin.

Here to help 24/7/365

3/10/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is here to help customers 24 hours a day 7 days a week. When a customer suffers a disaster at their home or business it's not likely it will be discovered within normal business hours of 8 am -5 pm. That's why our franchise has a live person available to answer the phone 24 hours a day. We have production managers, technicians and other staff available after hours to handle any situation.

It's important for us to train our staff when they are hired that when you work for a company like SERVPRO you are working to serve the community day or night.

This also means you might be called out to serve other communities across the country when storm events occur. Recently our crews were called to Texas to assist with the cleanup and restoration following the unprecedented cold temperatures that spread across the state of Texas.

Technology is important

2/26/2021 (Permalink)

Screen capture of pop up chat window with orange bar at the top, white background, and green buttons at the bottom.

At SERVPRO of East Louisville we are always trying ways to improve our customer service. As technology changes we take pride in being at the forefront of new innovation. We have added a new chat feature to all of our franchise websites including SERVPROeastlouisville.com.

This chat feature will allow customers to interact, and give job/contact information, easily so we can get the job scheduled quickly to alleviate any additional stress following a disaster.

The chat feature has already been used by customers within the first week of being launched. We are excited to have another way for customers to reach us in their time of need.

We appreciate all of our customers and value your feedback. If you have other suggestions for ways we can improve our communication we look forward to hearing from you directly at chat.SERVPRO@gmail.com.

We are HERE to HELP! 502-244-7985

Fire damage can also cause water damage

2/10/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO green van parked on the street in front of a downtown Louisville building following a fire and water damage.

When a Downtown Louisville business suffered a small fire in the server room the sprinkler head did the job of putting out the fire. However, the water damage caused by the sprinkler to that floor, and the floors below meant a big cleanup job.

Fires can happen at any time of day and unfortunately for this business the fire occurred in the middle of the night when no one was on property to catch the water damage from the sprinklers quickly.

Once the building was safe to enter SERVPRO of East Louisville was on scene quickly to start mitigating the damage. Containment was set up in order to keep the smoke damage from the server room from escaping to any other portions of the building. Carpet, baseboards, and drywall were removed so the drying process could begin.

SERVPRO of East Louisville has certified professionals in fire and water damage so any client can rest assured we have the manpower, equipment and knowledge to handle any disaster.

Commercial Fire and Water Loss in Downtown Louisville

2/5/2021 (Permalink)

Downtown Louisville street with grey brick path where many green SERVPRO vehicles are parked. Street flags hang on poles.

One early Tuesday morning in February 2021 a dehumidifier in a companies server room caught fire. The sprinkler head did its jobs in popped out to put out the fire. However, thousands of gallons of water rained down on three floors for an extended period of time.

Although the fire, smoke, and soot damage was minimal, the real damage was the massive amount of water from the sprinklers that soaked all three floors.

SERVPRO of East Louisville crews worked tirelessly to deodorize the smoke smell in the corner of the building that was affected by the fire using containment, air scrubbers and hydroxyls.

For the water damage portion of the job glued down carpet had to be removed, as well as affected drywall and other materials, in order for the drying process to take place properly with air movers and dehumidifiers working around the clock.

SERVPRO of East Louisville was on site within 30 mintues at 3:00 in the morning to start the mitigation. Our goal is to make it "Like it never even happened."

How to prevent frozen pipes

2/5/2021 (Permalink)

The weather in Louisville, Kentucky is going to be below freezing for an extended period of time. This could mean disaster is around the corner for your home or business without the proper preparations to avoid frozen pipes.

Did you know more water damages are caused by broken pipes, plumbing, or appliance malfunctions, than from weather-related issues? A frozen water line can cause your pipes to burst and cause extreme damage to your home.

Be sure to get ahead of the winter season by prepping your home. Here are some tips and tricks to preventing your pipes from freezing and/or bursting.

Keep your home at a reasonably heated temperature.
Place fans around your home to help circulate warm air into the cooler areas in the home.
On colder days consider keeping doors on and cabinetry or closets that contain exposed pipes open so that the warm air can reach them.
Be sure to disconnect your garden hose, I don’t think you’ll be needing it any time soon.
In places where water flow is reduced turn the faucet on & apply heat to the vulnerable pipes using a hairdryer. As the pipe heats up any ice will melt and in turn, the water flow will increase.

Avoid freezing pipes. Lastly, if this does happen to you do not wait! Call SERVPRO of East Louisville to come out and take care of your remediation needs! 502-244-7985

SERVPRO understands your concerns about Covid

2/3/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Louisville understands that customers are on edge these days when it comes to letting someone enter their home or business because of the global pandemic. Covid has changed the way we think about visitors to our home or business. SERVPRO employees will be wearing masks at all times on your job, and we sanitize all equipment every morning before it leaves our warehouse. Our crews health is monitored closely and we abide by all of the CDC standards to keep our staff healthy at work and you healthy at home.

Rest assured that we are here to help in your time of need, and we hope that you feel comfortable that we are taking all of the necessary precautions.

SERVPRO of East Louisville is an essential business and we have been following these guidelines since the shut down in March 2020. If you have any questions don't hesitate to give us a call at 502-244-7985.

Frozen sprinkler head burst

1/26/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Louisville received a call from a local church following a sprinkler head burst at their facility. This church also had a gymnasium and other office and meeting rooms affected. SERVPRO of East Louisville was on site quickly and started extracting the water and removing the affected contents into a non affected room so the drying process could begin. The entire gymnasium was blanketed in plastic to prevent the moisture from spreading to the rest of the building and to assist with the dry out process. Dehumidifiers did their job to pull moisture from the air and flooring.

Because of the quick action from SERVPRO of East Louisville the gymnasium wood floor was able to be saved without any cupping or replacement. This saved the customer time and money on the repairs. The rest of the facility was dried out and cleaned up quickly and efficiently and the customer was thrilled with our professional service.

Penn Wynne Presbyterian Church

12/15/2020 (Permalink)

Gymnasium floor with water damage and the drywall has been cut 4 feet up and there are 6 green air movers and 2 dehus

On August 6th 2020, the SERVPRO Storm Team at SERVPRO of East Louisville went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for hurricane Isaias. Isaias was category 2 storm and in Philadelphia there was more flood damage than any other type of damage.

Flood damage means the SERVPRO teams would start by assessing the damage and see if the walls, carpet, hardwood floors, or anything else is reading wet with a moisture meter. The team would either tear out the damaged materials, or they dry them in place.

Storm is a great opportunity to travel the United States and to help people that need it most. In Philadelphia there was a church that was the biggest job we had down there it was called Penn Wynne Presbyterian Church. They were the nicest people we have ever met and even though we were away from home they made it feel like we were a little bit closer to home.

Storm Team Franchise of the Year

11/24/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Louisville is proud to announce that we have been named Storm Team Franchise of the Year from SERVPRO Corporate. We are proud of the work we have done this year, and in year's past, on Storm Team. Our crews have stepped up and traveled for many weeks at a time to assist in the cleanup and restoration following all of the hurricane storms in 2020.

This year our franchise has responded to the following storms:

May: Chicago (Flash Flooding after multiple days in a row of record rainfall)

July: Philadelphia (Tropical Storm Fay)

August-Current: Lake Charles (Hurricane Laura)

Below is a review from a happy customer following Hurricane Laura in Lake Charles.

"Our home was affected by Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Delta and this SERVPRO team came to our rescue. Their manager Rhett was easy to not only get a hold of, but quick to respond to any questions or assistance we needed. The on-site manager Jared was wonderful as well. Jared and the job foreman Zach took the time to explain the process and answer any questions I had. Which admittedly I had a lot of questions. I appreciated their team's patience with me. SERVPRO's team of Braxton, Jordan and Tony were also extremely friendly and professional. I have and will continue to recommend this SERVPRO crew to others."

Jessica Hardesty

Storm Team finds refuge in an unlikely place

11/17/2020 (Permalink)

There are still good people in the world! This is something we constantly need to remind ourselves of during the craziness of 2020. When our owner, Jason Wilson, spoke to our team of production workers about going on Storm Team following Hurricane Laura in Lake Charles, La there was no hesitation! Our team of production crew chiefs and technicians rose to the call for help and headed to Louisiana immediately to begin relief efforts.

Upon arrival our crews were assigned to a job for a kind woman who needed our help. What was most astonishing is this kind woman decided to help our crews as well. As you might not be aware of, it is nearly impossible to find shelter following a hurricane. Our crews did not have a place to stay due to the fact that most displaced people were already filling the hotels. This kind woman took us in and gave us a warm place to sleep and hot meals to eat.

Showing kindness in the midst of her own tragedy following the hurricane is something our crews will never forget.

Water damage at a school in Indiana

10/8/2020 (Permalink)

Gymnasium floor with clear plastic tenting and a desiccant machine blowing air under the plastic to dry the floor

When a water damage occurred at this Floyd County school in southern Indiana they knew exactly who to call to get the situation fixed and the school ready for as safely and quickly as possible.

At SERVPRO of East Louisville our crews reacted quickly to extract the water from the surface, remove affected trim, baseboards, doorframes, and any other surface trapping water and preventing the drying process. Air movers were placed along the outside perimeter of the room. After the floor was prepped the plastic tenting was installed over the floor and a desiccant was attached to dry out the wood flooring to prevent any further damage. It is always our goal to restore and save instead of replace when possible. This saves the customer time and money!

Our reconstruction crew will begin putting back the finishes once the structure is completely dried out.

Portable Heater Fire Safety

9/29/2020 (Permalink)

Follow these portable heater tips to help prevent winter fires and to stay safe this winter season. If you find yourself in need of fire damage services don't hesitate to give SERVPRO of East Louisville a call. We are HERE TO HELP!

Space Heater

• Keep anything that can burn, such as bedding, clothing and curtains, at least 3 feet away from the heater.

• Keep them at least three feet from things that can burn.

• Make sure the heater has an automatic shut-off, so if it tips over, it shuts off.

• Turn heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.

• Plug portable heaters directly into outlets and never into an extension cord or power strip.

• Check your space heater for cracked or damaged cords and plugs.

• Only use portable heaters from a recognized testing laboratory.

Source: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/

We are here to help hurricane victims.

9/29/2020 (Permalink)

Our crews work tirelessly on storm to make sure the customers know we take their situation very seriously. The review below is from a customer following the services SERVPRO of East Louisville provided after Hurricane Laura ripped through Lake Charles.

"After hurricane Laura, our insurance company sent in a mitigation company who evaluated the water damage and told us to call SERVPRO because the job was too big for his company. I called the national SERVPRO number and received a call from Rhett representing SERVPRO of East Louisville. Rhett, Derek, and Jared came in and got the job done quickly and efficiently sometimes working until 10:00pm at night. They wasted no time getting started and worked with us and our insurance company. They definitely made this life changing event a little easier. I feel as though these men became a part of our family, caring just as much about our well being as the mitigation of our home. Jason Wilson, these men deserve a raise. They came to Louisiana and have represented you and your company well!! Thank you Rhett, Derek, and Jared for all that you did for us!"

-Jessica Aguillard

Training is key

9/16/2020 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO we know how important it is to stay on top of training for all of our employees. Our Operations manager, Tim Quinn, does weekly training with each department so we can be sure our staff is ready for whatever happens.

It is our goal to provide excellent service regardless of the emergency. In order to do so we have to constantly strive to be the best we can. We believe that taking the time to train our employees will allow us to provide more services, perform jobs more efficiently, and guarantee you have someone show up on your doorstep who is aware of every step in the process from cleanup to restoration.

We also find it important to cross train into other departments so that when something comes up on a job the employee is able to handle almost every situation.

We thank all of our customers for trusting SERVPRO to make it "Like it never even happened."

Before and After smoke and soot damage to a family heirloom

9/14/2020 (Permalink)

Before image shows a quilt covered in soot. After image shows a clean quilt

Before and after smoke/soot damage to family heirloom.

This customer had a fire loss in a downtown victorian home back in July of 2020. It is unsure how the fire started, but it was likely a cigarette on the very top floor of the home. The fire completely destroyed the upper level of the home and roof.

This quilt was a memento from the homeowners mom who had hand quilted it, and the fire damage caused the quilt to be completely covered in soot and debris.

Our fire cleaning crew has experience when it comes to saving precious items from fire damage when others might think it was too far gone to repair.

The quilt was hung up to dry for extended period of time then HEPA vacuumed, sprayed off with water, then sprayed with SERVPRO Oxi-zap.

Once the initial cleaning was done then the quilt was soaked in a container over several nights with the same product.

As you can see from the "after" image the customer was thrilled with the outcome of the cleaning. We are proud of the work we do and proud to make things a little easier for our customers during such a tragic time.

Ready to Roll

9/8/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO pick up truck pulling a trailer with a white piece of equipment

SERVPRO of East Louisville answered the call from the Storm Team at corporate headquarters to help the residents and business owners in Lake Charles following Hurricane Laura.

Our crews started loading up equipment and supplies right away so they could get on the road quickly to help with the cleanup and restoration.

If you're wondering how our employees treat customers on storm please take a look at the below review from a happy customer.

"Thank you so much!!!! The SERVPRO of East Louisville responded to our church in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia, during the aftermath of Tropical Storm Isaias. From the very first contact it was clear that we made the right decision calling SERVPRO. Many in our congregation, myself included, believe that this teams response was divinely ordained and we were blessed to have them. Jared Topper, and his team, really went out of their way to make sure we knew what was going to happen, before it happened, keeping us up to date and really working as a partner, not as a contractor. Jared worked directly with our insurance company ensuring areas of damage were covered that I would have been unaware of had he not been present and paying attention. I was completely comfortable leaving the crew unattended in our church and school. Every time I came to the site, Austin Schoen was easy to find and always had a smile. I lost count of the number of times he helped me walk Trustee members, elected officials and other contractors through the building helping me to articulate the damage and filling in the blanks as I needed. The crew members, in addition to being highly skilled were also very respectful and courteous of the space they were working in and this meant a lot to our teaching staff and church members. SERVPRO was in our building for one week and when they left the space was left clean and ready for the next phase of our recovery efforts. While I would never want to experience a flood like this again, should we every be in a situation requiring assistance again we will absolutely be calling SERVPRO. God bless you all!!!!"

Hurricane Laura

9/8/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Louisville answered the call for help from the Storm Team at our SERVPRO corporate headquarters. Our crews immediately began gathering the supplies necessary to get on the road quickly so we could begin helping those affected by the strong hurricane in Lake Charles.

SERVPRO of East Louisville is proud to be part of the Storm Team because we pride ourselves on helping others in their time of need. Our technicians have been trained to go above and beyond to help ease the minds of our customers. We do our best to save as many precious belongings as we can, and we make sure their home or business is dried out and cleaned up so they can get back to normal as soon as possible.

Going on storm can be a large task to organize, but our team has been doing this for many years and we know what it takes to get on the road quickly and help as many people as possible.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned – a defensive cleaning program

5/13/2020 (Permalink)

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 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 East Louisville today at 502-244-7985 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.

SERVPRO is Here to Help during this time of need

4/7/2020 (Permalink)

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 East Louisville at (502) 897-3608

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

We really care

2/21/2020 (Permalink)

Recently, our owner received a voicemail with the following message from a water damage customer:

"I wanted to let you know what a wonderful job your company has done for us in our home. They have literally saved us from a water damage beyond our wildest dreams. Please pass along to everyone who worked in our home our sincerest thankfulness for what they have done for us. I have already started spreading the word about what a wonderful company you are."

The customer service provided to this customer is what we strive for on every single job we do at SERVPRO. It's important to us that our customer's know we care about them and their home. And that we want to make the cleanup and restoration process as seamless as possible during their time of need.

Commercial Water Loss

2/18/2020 (Permalink)

Do you know what the process looks like to get your business back to normal after a water loss?

Although it is not something most people ever consider, water damage can happen, and it can cause considerable damage if not treated promptly. If you find a pool of water in your building, you will need to take immediate action to minimize damage to your property. As a business owner Louisville, you may want to hire a professional remediation company to clean up the mess. Here are several things that must happen to get your business back to normal.

1. Stop the Flow of Water The most important thing you can do to minimize the damage is to stop the flow of water. You can do this by shutting off the main water valve.

2. Extract the Water Now that you have stopped the water flow, you can see how much water there is left to clean up. If it is only a little, you may be able to use a towel or mop to clean up the moisture. However, if it is more than a little, you may need to hire a professional remediation company to extract the water using specialized equipment.

3. Determine the Extent of the Water Damage Water can easily seep between cracks and into porous surfaces. This can lead to problems in drywall, subfloors, and other materials. A moisture meter can be used to identify water inside these areas.

4. Remove Unsalvageable Items There may be some objects that have sustained enough water damage that they will need to be replaced. These items can be identified and removed before the drying process begins.

5. Dry the Area It is important to dry out the area as quickly as possible so that mold does not have a chance to form. Professional drying equipment can be used to speed up this process.

If something like this ever does happen and you do need professional help, don't wait to give SERVPRO of East Louisville a call. We will make it "Like it never even happened."

Tips for Fire Safety

2/12/2020 (Permalink)

When disaster strikes, SERVPRO of East Louisville is here for you. We also know how important it is for you to be as prepared as possible to limit injury and damage to you, your loved ones, and your property. We sincerely hope you find these tips helpful in your home.

Smoke alarms are key to helping you and your family escape a potentially deadly situation, unscathed. Place a smoke alarm on each floor of the home as well as the kitchen and garage.

Test your smoke alarms on the same day each week.

Be sure to clean your smoke alarm weekly with a vacuum cleaner only, it is never recommended to wipe it down or use water.

Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms twice a year. You could do this when you move your clock forward in the spring and when you move them back in the fall.

Replace your smoke alarm every ten years and replace your carbon monoxide alarm every five years.

As always, if disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Louisville East is always here for you.

Commercial Damage

2/11/2020 (Permalink)

When business owners visualize water damage, they often picture a massive storm wiping out power lines, flooding offices, and shutting down businesses for days at a time. It is true that commercial water damage is often the result of floods and water that stems from weather events and storms.

However, many entrepreneurs and business space renters forget that storms and severe weather aren't the only causes of floods and water damage. Here are some of the typical causes of water damage to commercial buildings.

Malfunctioning sprinkler systems
Some older office and retail buildings still have outdated sprinkler systems that work in conjunction with fire protection systems. While such sprinklers can come in handy during a fire emergency, they can also cause commercial flood damage if they are faulty or in need of replacement. This could easily damage inventory and business assets.
Damaged appliances and equipment
This cause of commercial flood damage is more common in restaurants and catering facilities, as well as any business that has appliances and equipment that make use of water. If the appliance fails and sends water across your building, especially during late hours when no one is around, you may come back to work and face a water emergency.
Broken pipes and plumbing
Just like in a residence, if the plumbing system in your workplace fails water damage could be the result.
Backed up sewer lines
This is another cause of commercial water damage that often catches business owners by surprise. Should the sewer line to your building back up or become damaged, realize the potential dangers of contaminated Black Water which can cause health effects and ruin products and office furnishings.

If your business has suffered commercial water damage, SERVPRO of East Louisville will get you back up and running again. Call us anytime 24/7 at (502)-897-3608.

Frozen Pipes

1/30/2020 (Permalink)

Frozen pipes can cause big problems but there are steps you can take to reduce some of the stress and worry of that happening in your home or business.

Short-Term Steps for Preventing Frozen Pipes

Installing a Foam Faucet Cover. If you don't have much time to prepare, there are still steps you can take to protect your pipes. These measures help reduce the risk from subfreezing temperatures:

Find your main water shutoff so you can turn off the water quickly if needed. Locations vary — look in the crawlspace or basement where the water supply enters the house, inside a water meter box directly outside the house or near the water heater.
Disconnect garden hoses from exterior faucets to prevent water from freezing in the hose and rupturing the faucet. Drain the hoses and, if possible, store them where they will be protected from cold weather.
If your exterior faucets have cut-off valves, close them and drain the faucets. If they don't, insulate them with foam faucet covers.
Close foundation vents.
Fix broken basement windows.
Open cabinet doors under sinks to let warm air flow around the supply lines. Move any cleaners or other chemicals out of the reach of children.
Keep your thermostat at the daytime setting during the night. If you'll be away for several days during subfreezing weather, keep it set above 55° F.

There may be other areas around your home that need attention. Irrigation systems, swimming pool supply lines and devices in unheated garages — such as washing machines, water softeners and pressure washers — are at risk. Follow the manufacturers' instructions for winterization. Information provided from https://www.lowes.com/n/how-to/frozen-pipes-prevention-and-repair

Mold damage in commercial property

1/26/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Southwest Jefferson County was recently called out to a local storage facility where the humidity in the air was so high that it developed mold throughout the entire facility. When SERVPRO of East Louisville got to the facility the crews saw that every single unit in the facility had mold in the unit and also the contents in the unit had mold on them.

SERVPRO of East Louisville went through and wiped down every square inch of the unit and removed all of the contents and cleaned them back at the warehouse while the units were being cleaned.

No matter the size of commercial loss, no matter the type of commercial loss. SERVPRO of East Louisville has the man power and the knowledge to take care of any catastrophe that can come across your commercial property.

Our process during a fire damage

1/21/2020 (Permalink)

“To develop a team of quality people who focus on excellent service, fairness and mutual respect.”
- SERVPRO® Mission Statement

Structural Cleaning - After a smoke or fire damage, ceilings, walls, woodwork, carpeting and floors will often need a thorough cleaning. SERVPRO of East Louisville will pretest to determine the extent of damage, and then use the specific equipment and cleaning products required to clean and protect the different types of surfaces found in your structure. Depending on the amount of soot, SERVPRO of East Louisville may even be able to reduce the cost of recovery by cleaning lighter soot deposits found on some surfaces, eliminating the expense incurred with repainting or refinishing. In other cases, SERVPRO will clean to “prepare for painting”. This process deodorizes and ensures the new paint will adhere properly to the surface.

Contents Cleaning – All of the restorable contents in affected areas will be professionally cleaned and deodorized. This includes area rugs, furniture, draperies and upholstery. SERVPRO of East Louisville begins by carefully inspecting and testing all fabrics in the structure to determine which cleaning methods are most appropriate. SERVPRO can provide wet or dry cleaning services. Additionally, all the other restorable contents will be cleaned and deodorized to preloss condition. This includes electronics, art, wood furniture, kitchen items, clothing, bedding, bric-a-brac and much more. Finally, SERVPRO can provide an inventory list of all “to be claimed” items if requested.

Deodorization – SERVPRO of East Louisville provides specialized services that rid your home or place of business of offensive odors left by fire or smoke damage. SERVPRO does not merely cover up lingering odors with a fragrance, they seek out the sources of the odor and remove them. Ask your SERVPRO explains the various deodorization methods available and which will work best for you.

Fire Damage to Apartment - Space Heater

1/14/2020 (Permalink)

This past week SERVPRO of East Louisville was called out to an apartment complex that had a fire on the 3rd floor. The tenant had a space heater in one of the bedrooms and the space heater malfunctioned and burst into flames causing damage to the whole apartment.

Luckily this apartment complex had gotten an Emergency Ready Plan done on the facility so when the crews from SERVPRO of East Louisville showed up to the building they knew where all of the sensitive areas of the building where and what entrances the management wanted us to take to get to the affected apartment. The crews started with the water remediation to prevent any other apartments to get damaged and then started cleaning to entire apartment to get rid of the soot from the walls and placing equipment to get rid of the smoke smell.

An Emergency Ready Plan is a helpful thing to have on your building or place of business it gives valuable information to every employee that you have where the emergency shut offs are throughout the building just in case any catastrophe happens in your place of business.

NEW YEAR WATER LEAKS

1/7/2020 (Permalink)

hot water heater leaking water on concrete surface

Happy Holidays with out the Hot Water Heater Nightmare. As cold weather creeps in your water heater may need attention. The cold air causes expansion and contraction in water heater, and in older units these fractures can result in failure. If this happens then it usually leads to flooding.

Routine maintenance can identify those risks as well as ensure water heaters are operating effectively and efficiently.

If it is too late and your water heater has already leaked call us here at SERVPRO of East Louisville to ease this holiday hassle!

We are HERE to HELP make it "Like it never even happened." Don't hesitate to give us a call day or night. We have a live person ready to answer your call anytime of day or night.

Have Questions? Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608

Water damage cleanup

1/7/2020 (Permalink)

There is never a good time for water loss, especially after hours on a weekend. That is what happened for one of the oldest churches in Louisville, Kentucky. SERVPRO of East Louisville responded after regular business hours because we are on call 24/7/365.

The loss happened early in the morning and was found by one of the staff members upon entering for work. Apparently a drain had backed up in the activity center and caused water to enter into other areas of the building. SERVPRO of East Louisville came in and had to tear out some of the affected wet materials and start the drying process which took approximately 4 days.

This church had an Emergency Ready Profile set up by one of our representatives of SERVPRO of East Louisville. This is a document that identifies all of the sensitive areas in the building like shut offs for all major utilities such as electric, water, and gas. This document assisted the worker at the church in finding the shut off for the main water valve. Which in turn saved them thousands of dollars on their claim and also the time it took to get things back to normal.

Water damage caused by toilet supply line

12/2/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Louisville recently got called out to a home where a customer had a toilet supply line burst in the home. Unfortunately, for the owner of the home he was in the process of trying to sell his home and had not been in the home for several days. When he walked into his home and saw standing water on the main level of his home he knew he needed to act quickly to get the issue resolved.

When SERVPRO of East Louisville got onto the scene we realized the toilet supply line had burst on the upstairs level several days ago and had been running ever since. Once the water was shut off in the home SERVPRO started extracting the water out of the home. Once all the water was extracted, and all the demo that was necessary was performed, then we set equipment to dry out the home.

SERVPRO of East Louisville is always here to help no matter the size of disaster of type of disaster. We want to make your disaster "Like it never even happened."

Tips To Help Protect Your Home Next Time You're Out Of Town

10/1/2019 (Permalink)

Few things can turn a dream vacation into a nightmare faster than returning home to find flooding in the basement, kitchen or other rooms. While it’s easy enough to quickly arrange water pipe repair while you’re around, an unchecked leak during your absence could cause mold, structural decay and other damages to your building. The best way to minimize problems is to take steps that make them less likely to happen. Here are a few tips to help protect your home the next time you’re out of town.

Check for Leaks

Big problems often start with small annoyances, which is why you should look around the house to see if there are any tiny leaks. While it’s impossible to check every inch of your plumbing system for a broken pipe, you should focus on a few key areas where a leak might occur:

Under sinks
Around your water heater
Window seals
Loose shingles
Appliance hoses

Do Some Cleaning

Clogs are another issue that could lead to flooded areas of your home, so clear your gutters, downspouts and sump pits of debris. Run your sump pump to make sure it’s in good working order and install a battery-powered backup if you don’t already have one.

Why ruin your vacation by coming home to an unexpected water pipe repair bill? By taking some easy steps, you can help ensure you come back to home with no watery surprises.

How to safely use a fire extinguisher

9/25/2019 (Permalink)

P.A.S.S. method

P.A.S.S. Method

Your commercial building in Louisville, KY must be equipped with enough fire extinguishers that anyone who needs to do so can reach one quickly in an emergency. It doesn't do a lot of good to have a fire extinguisher nearby, however, if your employees don't know how to use it properly. Every person in your building needs to understand the four basic steps of the P.A.S.S. method.

1. Pull

Every canister is equipped with a safety feature that keeps it from releasing its contents spontaneously. There is a seal and a pin that holds it in place. Before you can use the extinguisher, you have to pull the pin out and break the seal.

2. Aim

You may notice that your extinguisher comes equipped with a hose. If you aim the hose at the top of the flames, however, you won't get the coverage you need. To prevent extensive fire damage that requires professional restoration services, you have to aim the hose at the base of the fire.

3. Squeeze

The fire extinguisher has a handle that allows you to release the contents of the canister. To do so, you must squeeze the handle so that the extinguishing agent comes out the end of the hose, allowing you to direct it at the base of the fire where it's aimed.

4. Sweep

If you have a small kitchen fire in your break room, you can probably put it out with the contents of the extinguisher. To do so, you need to make sure the entire base of the fire is covered in the agent that is released. Make a sweeping motion back and forth until the fire goes out or you run out of agent.
If the contents of a fire extinguisher do not put the fire out, don't grab another extinguisher. Call the fire department so that the professionals can take over. In many cases, however, using an extinguisher correctly will put out the fire and prevent a larger problem.

Fire Damage at Downtown Louisville Apartment Building

9/18/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Louisville was called to Baptist Towers in Downtown Louisville to cleanup after a fire broke out in a unit on the 17th floor. Our crews were on site right away to assess the damage and start working on the cleanup and remediation.

Our Professionals carefully inspected and tested adjoining rooms of the property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action.

The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. Our crews set up dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining water and complete the drying process.

Our technicians use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces.

Our team had to carry equipment up 17 flights of stairs because the elevators were compromised from the fire and water. There were a total of 52 units affected from this loss.

Sprinkler Damage to Downtown Louisville Skyscraper

2/6/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Louisville was recently called out to a skyscraper building downtown that had their sprinkler system burst on the twenty-fourth floor, the damage from the water affected all the way down to the twentieth floor. For SERVPRO of East Louisville this was an "all hands on deck" job. All of the production staff, the marketing team, and several office staff were at the building helping to perform the remediation work.

There were large amounts of standing water on the affected floors that needed to be extracted. Our team of certified technicians removed all of the damaged ceiling tiles, extracted the water, and removed any other damaged items in the office areas.

The next step was to set up air movers and dehumidifiers to begin the dry out process. The equipment was set to get all of the moisture out of the affected areas, the air movers keep the moisture in the air moving around to get closer to the dehumidifier so it can be removed from the air.

Emergencies like this happen on a regular basis, SERVPRO of East Louisville has the experience and the team needed to take care of the problem and make your residence or commercial building is back to normal, "Like it never even happened."

Space Heater Fire Prevention

2/5/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Louisville has been dealing with an abundance of fire jobs during the past couple of months. A majority of the fires we have been responding to have most likely started from space heater malfunctions. There are some things you can do to help with the prevention of a space heater starting a house fire.

Before using any space heater make sure that you inspect the heater for cracked plugs or loose connections.
Make sure you NEVER leave a space heater on unattended, turn it off before leaving a room or going to bed and do not let animals or children near the space heater unattended.
Keep everything that is flammable at least three feet away from the space heater (Curtains, furniture, clothing, and etc.).
Plug in the space heater directly into the wall, do not plug into an extension cord or surge protector. Plugging it into these devices could cause the surge protector to overheat resulting in a fire.

Space heaters are one of the biggest starters of house fires, if you use these tips they can reduce the likeliness that SERVPRO of East Louisville will be doing fire remediation work at your home.

Ground Repair

2/5/2019 (Permalink)

As winter goes on and we go back and forth with temperatures from the 40's to below freezing, the ground will go back and forth from freezing to thawing during those fluctuating temperatures. As this happens during the winter months and into the spring, this will cause the ground around the exterior of buildings and houses to pool water.

When we have rain or snow melting this can cause leaks around the foundation of your home or business. You should do checks on the exterior and interior of buildings and houses to make sure there is no water coming in and causing water damage.

Once the areas are checked you should go back and add soil and/or sod to those areas to fix the pooling of water and fix drainage to take water away from the foundation. On the interior if cracks or leaking occurs you should take measures to fix any of those areas where water is coming in. Once the cracks have been fixed any water damage should be mitigated properly to decrease your chances of any secondary issues such as mold.

Taking these steps will help keep your building or home dry on the inside and keep water from pooling around the perimeter.

We are a localized restoration service that gets the job done quickly and efficiently. Call SERVPRO of East Louisville to book a service.

Have Water or Flood Damage?
Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608

Prevent frozen pipes

1/30/2019 (Permalink)

East Louisville recently had some ugly weather where it went from above freezing to single digit temperatures very quickly. Weather that goes from above freezing then dropping that low for several days can cause pipes to freeze and burst in homes and businesses.

In Louisville this is a very common occurrence due to the constant fluctuating of weather temperatures. There are several ways to try to help prevent this from occurring. One way to help prevent this from happening is to make sure the heat in your business or home is at or above sixty eight degrees, having the temperature regulated inside the home will help make sure the pipes do not get cold enough to freeze.

Another tip to help prevent this from happening is having faucets in your home dripping water throughout the home. This maintains movement of water through the pipes so there is less of a chance for it to freeze inside the pipes.

Use these helpful tips and you should not have to deal with a burst pipe in your home or business, but if in this bad weather you still have a burst pipe in your home or business SERVPRO of East Louisville has the experience and the staff to take care of your problem “Like it never even happened.”

Sprinkler Damage to Downtown Louisville Skyscraper

1/30/2019 (Permalink)

For SERVPRO of East Louisville this was an "all hands on deck" job. All of the production staff, the marketing team, and several office staff were at the building helping to perform the remediation work.

Large loss mold

1/16/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Louisville was called out to a large warehouse to perform mold remediation on their property. We immediately went onto the property and started the mold remediation process. Our certified technicians take mold jobs very seriously and work very hard to make sure your home or business is safe and clean.

The first step in the remediation process is air filtration, we used equipment to pull all of the microscopic mold spore out of the air. Step two is to removed drywall or subfloors that have extensive damage done to them where they cannot be salvaged. Step three is to wipe down any surface that has been affected by mold with an anti-fungal and antimicrobial treatment that kills mold and keeps mold colonies from forming. Finally after all belongings, contents, and surfaces have been removed and treated for mold the process of restoring all the removed drywall and sub-flooring, making the property look "Like it never even happened."

Does your home or business have mold damage?

1/15/2019 (Permalink)

Mold can be caused by issues you might not know exist in your home or business. HVAC units can cause mold to grow. Sometimes people think that visible water is the only way you can get mold. That's not true. Mold can hide in clothing, behind wall paper, behind drywall or moldings, in crawlspaces, and many more places you might not think of.

Mold can easily grow on clothes and fabric if you have too much moisture in your home. Clothes made of cotton or other organic materials make great food sources for mold and mildew to live on.

It's best to consult a professional when dealing with mold. However, if you feel comfortable trying these steps to remove mold from clothing see below.

Tips to keep in mind when removing mold from clothes:

It's best to wash your clothes in hot water. Hot water kills mold more effectively than cold water and better removes mold spores and allergens too. Of course make sure you don't use water so hot that it can damage your clothing.
When you're washing your clothes with a mold killing solution, it's best to wash them through at least two full cycles. Then after your clothes have been washed hang them on the line in the sun. The heat from the sun and the sun's ultraviolet light help to kill mold.

There are quite a few solutions you can wash moldy clothes in to get rid of the mold. Some good ones include:

Bleach
Borax
Vinegar
Baking soda
Mold killing detergent

For the full article and a step-by-step explanation of the cleaning process, click here.

Drury Inn - Commercial ERP

1/11/2019 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of East Louisville we understand that keep your guest satisfied is your top priority, and you can rest assured that you are ours.

When disaster strikes at a hospitality facility, the help of a specialized team is critical in assuring that normal operations resumes as quickly as possible.

Whether the cause is a coat hanger on a sprinkler head or a natural disaster, we work to efficiently isolate the damaged area so that basic functions can continue normally, and guest can enjoy your services with minimal impact. Our professionals are trained to work with your management and maintenance teams to prioritize spaces and make sure that all areas are restored to your complete satisfaction.

Because of the Emergency Ready Profile done at the Drury Inn, they called SERVPRO of East Louisville to put them back to normal.

The SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile Advantage

As many as 50% of businesses close down following a disaster, according to the latest research. Of the businesses that survive, the overwhelming majority of them had a preparedness plan in place. Pre-planning can serve as an insurance policy aimed at peace of mind. And knowing you are "Ready for whatever happens" speaks trust to your clients and employees that in the event your business is affected by a disaster, they don’t necessarily have to be.

By developing a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile for your business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business.

Frozen Pipes can cause major damage in East Louisville

1/11/2019 (Permalink)

Winter can bring many issues to the area regarding water and fire restoration. Many commercial buildings have been impacted by frozen pipes in the past and it's not too late for those frigid temperatures to hit Louisville this year.

A large university in our area had a number of dorms and class rooms affected by water damage due to frozen pipes last year. This happens for a number of reasons, but the majority that we see are either unoccupied buildings or seldom used buildings like churches and dorms. These vacant buildings become targets for frozen pipes because usually the heat is turned off or extremely low. Although some of these disasters are unavoidable, many can be prevented by turning the heat up, or leaving the water in the pipes running by slightly opening faucets.

When the unavoidable happens, call the people at SERVPRO of East Louisville and we can help make a very stressful and chaotic situation become more tolerable.

Sump Pump Failure Cleanup

1/11/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Louisville recently got called to a home where the sump pump had failed and the customer had four inches of standing water in his basement. When SERVPRO of arrived on site there was no longer four inches of standing water but there was still a good amount of water throughout the basement. SERVPRO performed the necessary actions to remove the water and moisture from the basement using extraction methods, fans and dehumidifiers. When the dry out was finished our repair division replaced all the damaged drywall.

In some cases your home owners insurance may not cover sump pump overflows. This is a good reminder to take a look at your home insurance policy to make sure you have coverage for sump pump failure. Sump pump fails are very common and you might want to make sure it is included in your home insurance policy. This slight increase in your monthly insurance cost could save you thousands of dollars in the future.

Apartment Fire in Louisville

1/11/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Louisville was called to the scene of a fire of an apartment building in the South end of Louisville. When arriving on the scene the tenants of the apartment building were gathering their belongings together as best as they could and trying to figure out what their next move was going to be.

Fires can be very traumatic and leave people displaced from there homes for months on end. Fires are traumatic enough when they are accidental. In this case the fire was started purposefully, the arsonist put a mattress in the hallway of the apartment building and poured gasoline on it and lit it on fire causing the whole building to be engulfed in flames.

Luckily no one was harmed in the fire but all of the tenants were left with smoke filled belongings and no where to go. One of the tenants is a veteran and was homeless two years ago. He feared he was going to be back on the streets again because of this fire. SERVPRO of East Louisville helped this man pack up most of his belongings, and helped him find temporary housing until his caseworker could find him something more permanent.

Our goal is to make it "Like it never even happened."

Ice Storm Damage in East Louisville

11/16/2018 (Permalink)

Earlier this week Louisville got its first frost and snow of the year. With the pretty snow comes a lot of unexpected problems. SERVPRO of East Louisville received several calls about branches falling through roofs due to the weight of the ice that fell overnight. SERVPRO went out to the homes and put tarps on the effected rooftops to prevent anymore interior damage from being done. We also set up air movers to dry out any areas with water damage such as hardwood flooring to prevent it from buckling, and then started the steps necessary to repair the roofs. The best way to prevent this from happening is to make sure all of the trees around your home are well maintained and trimmed so that there are no branches hanging over your home.

Be prepared this winter in East Louisville

11/12/2018 (Permalink)

The winter months can create significant challenges for property managers. Snow and ice don’t have the predictability of grass and shrubs. Furthermore, grass and shrubs don’t cause ice damming and pipe freezes.

How you react to the challenges of winter can set the tone of your relationship with HOAs and association boards come spring and summer. Your clients are more likely to forgive circumstances that are out of your control. As long as they know that when mother nature strikes, you are there trying to get their home a quality fix, in a timely manner.

SERVPRO of East Louisville recognizes the need to be prepared, this is why when we partner with property managers we help them build a comprehensive recovery plan. This way you can react confidently and quickly in the face of a disaster. Winter months aren’t the time for training in front of upset tenants. Our crews have received technical and service training to help them take the proper course of action while remaining empathetic to the situation.

Our office works with our partners to make sure documents flow through the right channels which simplifies settlement, whether there is a claim or the job is a direct pay. We also anticipate and recognize coverage issues so that tenants and owners understand how the claim will be settled.

The SERVPRO of East Louisville restoration brand is the most recognized and respected brand in the mitigation industry, and SERVPRO is equipped with the manpower and equipment to handle any situation.. You can feel confident you are calling the right people when you contact SERVPRO. After all, no one gets fired for hiring the industry leader.

Have Questions? Call Today – (502) 897-3608

Understanding Mold

11/12/2018 (Permalink)

A lot of people may not realize that mold is a common problem in homes and businesses developing in warm, damp environments. Showers and bathrooms are common areas for mold to grow, however mold can grow in any location of the home or business.

SERVPRO was called out to a business that was reporting some breathing issues in the summer of 2018. Unfortunately, SERVPRO was able to positively conclude that there was mold located in the business through a series of air quality tests and spot checks. Our crews showed up and began working to remove and clean up any and all effected areas. Once removal and proper cleaning had been completed our crews began the next step of sealing the walls and surfaces that had been effected and painted where needed.

If You See Signs of Mold,
Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608

Understanding Mold

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 allergens and irritants.
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.

Hurricane Michael hits Panama City, FL and we are HERE TO HELP!

11/1/2018 (Permalink)

Blue tarps on roofs dot the landscape of buildings and homes that are left standing. The sound of chainsaws cutting threw down trees, and mountains of debris dragged out to curbs on every street in town. These are the sights and sounds of the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. This monster storm ravaged the city of Panama City, Florida with winds up to 155 mph. Thick tree trunks snapped 12 feet off the ground, boats and marinas destroyed, and beaches that once bustled with tourists are now littered with debris and memories of broken lives.

Volunteers and storm teams from across the nation embark on the task of resurrecting this city as it embraces the long journey back to normalcy. This is where we find the storm teams that SERVPRO of East Louisville sent down to the Florida panhandle over two weeks ago. SERVPRO is part of an elite team that is deployed when catastrophic events happen across the nation. With calls coming into the local franchise in Panama City at a fever pace it's impossible for one office to handle all the clients who need our services. SERVPRO of East Louisville, along with other SERVPROs from across America will be there for this community as the recovery process continues. SERVPRO is helping out the citizens of Panama City because we know at some point we may be depending on our SERVPRO brothers and sisters to help us if and when a crisis arrives.

Mold Damage cleanup

11/1/2018 (Permalink)

After a flood, or other major water damage, mold can become a very real problem. Calling a professional like SERVPRO of East Louisville is so important when dealing with any mold damage. It's always safer to have mold removed from your home or business quickly regardless of the amount you can visibly see. Not taking care of mold damage in a timely manner can cause safety and health issues for your family or customers. With the recent hurricanes in the Carolina's and Florida this is of considerable concern. What wasn't destroyed by wind was greatly effected by the rising water. The high temperatures and wet conditions were a recipe for mold growth. Having a professional like SERVPRO handling the removal provides not only a safe environment, but piece of mind knowing everything will be cleaned up properly.

Mold damage can be sneaky!

10/7/2018 (Permalink)

Mold can begin to form in your house if there is a leaky pipe, window condensation or recent flooding. These conditions along with a humidity level between 30% - 50% makes for the prefect atmosphere for mold to grow.

Some people have mold and they aren’t even aware. Such as this picture of a job we did after hurricane Irma in an apartment building. This person had a previous water damage that they didn’t know about and when Hurricane Irma hit and the water came into their home SERVPRO of East Louisville was there to help them repair the damage. As we were pulling up the hardwood floor, we found Black Mold under the subfloor.

The odor was so bad that other apartment owners were coming into the hallway to ask us what the smell was. SERVPRO was able to remove the effected floor, dry and treat the floor to prevent mold from continuing to grow, as well as remove the terrible odor. This is something that we all need to keep in mind because you never know what is growing in your home.

During the month of October, SERVPRO is speaking to our customers about preparing for the winter season. We are bringing Duct Cleaning to their attention because mold can, and does, grow in your air ducts. As winter approaches and you turn on your furnace, this makes a breeding ground for mold which can cause numerous health issues.

If you want to ensure a healthy home this winter season, reach out to SERVPRO of East Louisville at 502-897-3608 about scheduling a Duct Cleaning for your home.

Commercial Loss? Not a Problem For SERVPRO

9/5/2018 (Permalink)

Forklifts are driving force that make all the heavy lifting easy in the distribution and manufacturing world. However, there are roughly 85 forklift deaths and 34,900 serious injuries each year due to forklift accidents (data from 2007), according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Recently, SERVPRO of East Louisville got a call from a company that distributes auto parts for a major American car manufacturer. Apparently, a careless forklift operator struck a sprinkler line which unleashed 60,000 gallons of water into the warehouse.

SERVPRO of East Louisville was called after the warehouse manager said the water ran for 40 minutes flooding over a quarter of the facility. When crews arrived we scoped out the situation and began the process of extracting the water from the warehouse floor. We also had to extract water from carpet inside the main office area.

Whether it is a residential loss or a commercial loss, SERVPRO of East Louisville is the company people call when they need a quick response because SERVPRO is faster to any disaster.

SERVPRO Has the Certifications to Deal With Mold Damage

9/4/2018 (Permalink)

Another reason mold is so difficult to eliminate is because the spores are so tiny, they can become airborne, and then settle almost anywhere. They are carried by air currents, insects, and even on your pet's fur. In Halcyon, mold damage can take place in any home or office. The effects can range from discoloration of walls and ceilings, ruining of books and papers, (including important documents, items printed on low-acid paper, and photographs), and also causing carpets and other textiles to smell musty.

Understanding Mold is the First Step in Eliminating It

Mold is not a virus or bacteria, but it is still a pathogen that can cause adverse health effects. This is because it can be breathed in, come in contact with your skin through different ways, such as wearing clothing that contains mold, or from sitting on upholstered furniture that is saturated with mold. Mold is not only what you can see visibly, but also the spores that are released into the air. This is what can cause the musty odor many people associate with mold growth.

If any spores are left behind after cleaning, it is only a matter of time before it will begin to grow and spread through your home or business again. Not only must any excess humidity be removed and things aired out, all possible areas that may contain spores need to be professionally cleaned. SERVPRO professionals are technicians and specialized cleaning crews who have had extensive training in the clean-up and elimination of mold and its spores. Having IICRC training and certification prepares us for heavy mold infestations that can ruin many of your belongings.

If You See Signs of Mold,
Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608

Mold cleanup and restoration

9/4/2018 (Permalink)

We Are Experienced in Eliminating Mold Growth, as well as Cleaning and Refurbishing Many Different Materials

Painting after cleaning is one way to eliminate mold's hold over your home. Other ways include using special cleaners and detergents that are designed to deodorize your home's textiles and carpets. These not only keep the smell away, but they also eliminate mold's foothold, preventing it from recurring. If mold has been affecting the enjoyment of your home or business, make a call to us at SERVPRO of East Louisville at (502) 897-3608, and we'll have your home or office smelling clean and fresh again.

We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster

In as little as 48 hours, a minor mold issue can quickly spread through a home or business. Once you contact us, we’re dedicated to starting the remediation process quickly. This fast response lessens the mold damage, limits additional damage, and reduces the remediation cost.

SERVPRO Answers the Call for Mold Remediation

9/4/2018 (Permalink)

Once you become aware that mold is growing in your Louisville, KY home, removing the fungus should be your biggest priority. Mold remediation specialists state that mold can put your health at risk while also compromising the structural integrity of your property. Mold removal is not a DIY project. Rule of thumb is if there is about 10 square feet or more of mold growth, don't attempt mold remediation on your own. Play it safe and hire a professional mold remediation company like SERVPRO.

Mold is a fungus that grows throughout nature. In the event that your house becomes moist and wet, conducive conditions are now in place for mold proliferation. The airborne spores that are naturally in your home will develop into strings of colonies that bloom into large areas of mold patches. Mold can show up in the form of black spots, blue, green, white or even red staining on porous surfaces. Discoloration on your walls and ceilings also present other problems.

Another danger of mold on your property is the threat of health hazards. Mold can cause allergic reactions and also precipitate unwanted symptoms like runny noses, watery eyes, and sneezing. Additionally, mold can cause respiratory issues and lung complications. Mold can leave an unpleasant odor as it permeates through walls, flooring and HVAC ductwork throughout your home. This musty odor is endemic to outbursts of mold growth. Masking the odor does not solve the underlying problem. Identifying and eliminating odors are for the technically trained experts.

The Importance Of Hiring Professional mold remediation company like SERVPRO

Although some homeowners are inclined to attempt the mold removal process on their own, this strategy is not advisable. Once you go beyond fungi on the bathroom tiles or a small patch under the kitchen sink, it is time to consider seriously professional assistance. Professional mold remediation experts will use specialized equipment that demands expert handling for mold containment, air filtration, and cleaning. They will also identify and eliminate most present mold to ensure that your home is restored to its original safe, sanitary condition.

City Sewer system failure

8/23/2018 (Permalink)

Like most metro cities throughout the United States, Louisville, is dealing with an aging sewer system which dates back to pre Civil War times. MSD has addressed that there is an issue and say repairs are needed throughout the city.

A couple of weeks ago Louisville had moderate rain fall, but nothing that would be a cause for concern. Unfortunately, a local company in the downtown area had a major water issue due to a sewer line collapse. A major drain outside the basement of the building was rendered useless and the water had nowhere to go. The drain, located in a recessed courtyard, filled up with water several feet of water until it looked like a small swimming pool. The windows and door were no match for the pressure of this much water and ultimately it breached the building and flooded the conference room.

The property manager was notified by the security company that ran surveillance on the building and he called SERVPRO of East Louisville. We responded within a couple of hours and started the drying process while removing any wet materials. A few days later the drying was completed the equipment was gone the minor reconstruction was finished. The conference room was back in use "Like it never even happened." Sometimes things happen that we can’t foresee, and that is why SERVPRO of East Louisville is here to help in the event of any disaster.

Apartment Fire Damage

8/21/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Louisville was recently called out to a fire at an apartment community. The leasing office had experienced heavy fire and smoke damage throughout the entire building. These are some of the steps SERVPRO of East Louisville is taking during the cleanup process.

One of the first steps is securing the building. We start by boarding up all of the windows and doors as needed. Next we implement emergency services: cut out any and all drywall affected, remove carpet and pad, extract water, and then start the drying out process. In some cases we are asked to remove and clean all contents. Crews will work on packing out contents one room at a time. Once all contents have been inventoried and packed properly SERVPRO of East Louisville will bring them back to our warehouse. Once back at the warehouse they will be cleaned, deodorized, and properly stored.

The next step is to start cleaning the structure that was affected by the fire and smoke. When the area has been cleaned thoroughly, we set ozone machines to eliminate any odors as some may linger even after the extensive cleaning and removing of all damaged areas. A SERVPRO Project Manager will oversee that all of the scope sheets of work have been filled out and turned in daily. When the above steps have been completed a supervisor from SERVPRO will do a walk through with the crew to make sure every aspect of the job has been completed. The last step is to do a final walk thru with the business owner, and sometimes the adjuster, to make sure all the work is up to their standards and expectations.

Call SERVPRO of East Louisville the next time a disaster affects you or your business.

Forecasters predict a near- or above-normal 2018 Atlantic hurricane season

8/13/2018 (Permalink)

Hurricane season is almost upon us and SERVPRO is ready to assist around the country when the storms arrive. Our Storm Team has the equipment and manpower necessary to send crews before a storm makes landfall. That way we are ready to help as soon as possible!

For more information regarding the forecast for 2018 hurricane season visit the link below.

New satellite data and model upgrades to give forecasts a boost

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a 75-percent chance that the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season will be near- or above-normal.

http://www.noaa.gov/media-release/forecasters-predict-near-or-above-normal-2018-atlantic-hurricane-season

SERVPRO of East Louisville responds immediately to your flood and storm damage emergencies. We have the storm damage restoration experience and specialized equipment to restore your Louisville home or business back to pre-storm condition.

Have Storm or Flood Damage?
Call Us Today (502) 897-3608

Strong Storms hit Jefferson County

7/31/2018 (Permalink)

It is now mid summer in East Louisville and for the past few months all has been relatively quiet as far as strong storms and severe winds are concerned.

However, last Friday some very strong storms hit our community, SERVPRO was ready to jump into action where we were needed. The storm we experienced was spawned tornadoes, larger than golf ball size hail, lightening, strong winds and flash flooding.

We at SERVPRO want to make sure everyone is prepared as possible when these storms occur without much notice. Please make sure cell phones are always charged with SERVPRO's number (502) 897-3608, fresh working batteries in your flash lights, some cash on hand if you are able, a few gallons of fresh drinking water, and a working weather radio. These are just a few tips that could help keep your family, and loved ones, safe during storms.

Time is very important if flooding occurs to prevent more loss in your home, business, call us at SERVPRO of East Louisville (502) 897-3608 so we can put things back together, "Like it never even happened."

Mold Damage

7/31/2018 (Permalink)

The Ohio Valley has a change of seasons that brings many different forms of weather. In February of this year Louisville had a very wet couple of weeks which resulted in a historic flooding situation of the Ohio River.

Some homes and businesses attempted to do the dryout on their own. The hot summer months that followed are causing SERVPRO to receive a high amount of microbial growth in places that were not dried out properly after the floods in February.

Last week we received a call from a customer that had gotten my name from one of our State Farm Agents and wanted us to look at an issue on an interior wall in his condo that had received a small amount of flooding in February. He took care of the flood damage himself and was unsuccessful in drying out the structure completely. Due to this moisture left behind there was a large amount of mold growth on both sides of the wall that had formed rather quickly. We stepped in and resolved the issue quickly, "Like it never even happened."

If you suffer a water loss it's best to consult a professional so you don't have to worry about mold growing in your home or business.

The Flood of 2018 and The Louisville Boat Club

5/30/2018 (Permalink)

For over 140 years The Louisville Boat Club has stood as one of the nations oldest organized clubs. With all the amenities, this private club has been home to tennis, swimming, squash, and boating enthusiasts for years. Gazing out from the front steps of the clubhouse one can enjoy a beautiful Ohio river sunset, or pass the time watching river boat traffic flow east to west. But life on the river can turn from serene and pleasant, to dangerous and destructive when heavy rains and flooding happen. Such was the case when SERVPRO of East Louisville was called into assist The Louisville Boat Club, during the floods that occurred in late February 2018.

Being less than 150 yards from the Ohio River, The Louisville Boat Club has always been susceptible to flooding, and over the years the river has threatened the club many times. On February 23^rd the Louisville Metro area received a massive amount of rainfall that caused the Ohio River to rise to historical levels. In no time The Louisville Boat Club found itself engulfed by the river. Staff members inspected the damage initially by boat, and they knew with over 12 feet of water inside the clubhouse they had a long road ahead of them. SERVPRO of East Louisville responded on March 2^nd after the Ohio had receded, and the initial cleanup began.

SERVPRO of East Louisville arrived with our 2 Storm Trailers filled with over 70 air movers and 30 dehumidifiers. With the scope of the job being so massive SERVPRO sent 2 Project Managers, 4 Crew Chiefs, and over 40 workers to begin the process of restoring the property back to pre-flood conditions. Since we were dealing with Category 3 water (river water) it was a must to protect the health and safety of our crew. Each crew member was outfitted with a PPE suit which protects the body from exposure to harmful substances and material.

Once everyone was in position and had the right protective suits on we began clearing the parking lots of mud and debris. Fire hoses that were donated from the St, Matthews Fire Dept. were used to clean the parking lots and Bobcats were utilized to move mud and heavy material. While crews were busy cleaning the outside of the clubhouse with pressure washers other crews were inside making 4 ft flood cuts to affected drywall and ripping out carpet and other non-salvageable materials. Dehumidifiers and air movers were set up throughout the clubhouse to insure that proper drying techniques were employed.

Crews also worked pulling affected paneling and insulation in the indoor tennis facility, pressure washed the pool house, and had to do some light demo work to the squash courts in order to restore them back to regulation. SERVPRO of East Louisville spent over 2 weeks onsite to help restore The Louisville Boat Club back to the way it was before the floods. With the springtime rains upon us call SERVPRO with any flooding or water issues.

Commercial Client Benefits

5/30/2018 (Permalink)

Multi-family, Residential and Commercial Property Managers

At SERVPRO of East Louisville we understand the value of a quick response and fast turn around time when it comes to an emergency situation for a commercial and residential property. A quick response time can mean a reduction in the size and scope of the damage, and the difference between having a chance at saving business critical documents and equipment for the clients that are most important to you.

Louisville, Kentucky and the surrounding areas have been hit with all sorts of weather this year such as deep freezing temperatures and record flooding. Our crews were out mitigating various types of water damage, remediating and restoring apartment complexes, commercial offices, retail establishments, and university properties.

Commercial Client Benefits

Choosing SERVPRO of East Louisville for your commercial damage mitigation accrues you benefits not limited to:

Working with you to tailor the solution to you, priding ourselves in accurate and straightforward communication.

SERVPRO is the leader in commercial damage mitigation.

Every large commercial loss is supervised by a local commercial operations manager to help ensure seamless communication and timely mitigation.

The SERVPRO Commercial Large Loss Division is composed of our best of the best in restoration. Our elite large-loss specialists are pre-qualified and strategically positioned throughout the United States to handle any size disaster.

February showers bring flooding to Kentucky

4/24/2018 (Permalink)

They say April showers bring May flowers, except in The Ohio Valley. In this case, February showers brought record rainfall to our area, which resulted in massive flooding. The professionals at SERVPRO of East Louisville were called in to help clean up what was left over from the flooding.

While in the middle of numerous current jobs, a priority service agreement customer called in with four inches of water in their basement. We put a crew right on the job to help get them back to normal. The priority service agreement was the reason why this customer did not have to wait in the LONG line of jobs that were piling up from the 300+ calls our office received after the flood. This job carried an added problem seeing that this church had a food bank in the basement that provides vital needs to the community. Because of the priority service agreement we were able to put them back to pre-flood conditions in a short amount of time allowing them the opportunity to do the work the community so desperately needs.

Restoring Commercial Properties

1/15/2018 (Permalink)

About SERVPRO of East Louisville

Meet our crew of Project Managers and Office Administrators!

Our Certifications

ASD - Applied Structural Drying Technician
CCT - Carpet Cleaning Technician
IICRC Certified Firm
WRT - Water Damage Restoration Technician
LCT - Leather Cleaning Technician
RRT - Carpet Repair & Reinstallation Technician
RCT - Rug Cleaning Technician
HST - Health and safety Technician
OSHA - 10-hour General and/or Construction Industry Training Program
SMT - Stone, Masonry and Ceramic Tile Cleaning Technician
FCT - Floor Care (Hard Surfaces) Technician
SRT - Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician
ECTP - Employee Certification Training Program
RRRP - Lead-Based Paint Activities and Renovation
OCT - Odor Control Technician
UFT - Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician
FCT - Floor Care (Hard Surfaces) Technician
SCT - Subrogation Claims Training
SSI - Substrate Subfloor Introduction

University Frozen Pipe Damage

1/12/2018 (Permalink)

With winter coming in with a vengeance many commercial buildings have been impacted. The temperatures in Louisville have been hovering in the single digits, which has lead to many buildings experiencing water leaks due to frozen of pipes.

A large university in our area had a number of dorms and class rooms affected by water damage. This happens for a number of reasons, but the majority that we see are either unoccupied buildings or seldom used buildings like churches and dorms. These vacant buildings become targets for frozen pipes because usually the heat is turned off or extremely low. Although some of these disasters are unavoidable, many can be prevented by turning the heat up, or leaving the water in the pipes running by slightly opening faucets.

When the unavoidable happens, call the people at SERVPRO of East Louisville and we can help make a very stressful and chaotic situation become more tolerable.

Our team of professionals can be there to help make it "Like it never even happened." with as little inconvenience as possible. We have the equipment and qualified technicians on hand to handle any size commercial loss and put you back in business as soon as possible.

Hotel Fire times TWO

1/12/2018 (Permalink)

Human nature gives us a false sense of protection and let's us think we are prepared for anything until the unexpected happens. No one can predict when a catastrophe will happen, but we can be prepared when it does.

A local hotel in the area was hit with not one, but two electrical fires. These fires happened within days of each other. The first fire was completely mitigated and the rooms were turned back over to the hotel. Two days after the first fire was completely cleaned up there was a second fire on the floor below in a similar electrical fire.

With multiple floors without electric and heat, the temperatures plummeted down to single digits for several days. So you guessed it, pipes began to freeze and subsequently began to burst sending water down affecting 5 additional floors. Did they know this was going to happen? No! However, because they had an Emergency Ready Profile in place many more floors otherwise affected were spared. With this plan provided by SERVPRO of East Louisville, and the employees of this hotel, knew where the water and electric shutoffs were, preventing further damage.

Please take the time with your local SERVPRO Business Development Representative in your area and ask for an Emergency Ready Profile.

Bernoulli’s Ice Cream

12/31/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Louisville is more than just a Fire and Water Restoration company. There are times when properties are in need of other services beyond fire and water restoration.

Recently, Bernoulli’s Ice Cream asked us to come in and do a deep cleaning of their facilities. They requested to have the facility cleaned from the floor to rafters to pass the health department inspection. Bernoulli’s Ice Cream is a small batch production company that supplies ice cream to retail stores around the country.

Bernoulli’s business has done so well they have leased additional space next door to their existing location. When it came time to expand they called SERVPRO of East Louisville to clean the expanded space.

The next time your kitchen or restaurant needs hood vent, grease traps, carpet or any other deep cleaning, keep SERVPRO in mind.

Emergency Ready Plan

12/31/2017 (Permalink)

The Emergency Ready Plan consists of the following:

A walk through of the property with your maintenance person and a SERVPRO Representative.
SERVPRO will document the sensitive areas, label water and gas shuts offs with either an Orange or White tag so they easily seen.
SERVPRO will include documentation, step-by-step written directions, and pictures of each shut off valve.
SERVPRO will include the contact names and telephone numbers for all of the utility companies and property personnel that would need to be notified in the event of an emergency on the property.
SERVPRO will take this information and place it into a nice binder for you to keep.

If this sounds like a great benefit for your company – call SERVPRO of East Louisville to schedule yours today.

Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608

Where to Test for Black Mold

11/28/2017 (Permalink)

Recently SERVPRO of East Louisville was approached by a young lady who was renting an apartment for the first time. The excitement of moving into her own place quickly turned to concern when she realized a musty odor coming from her downstairs bathroom. To compound the problem she began to have symptoms: coughing, sneezing, and watery eyes. SERVPRO recommended having an Indoor Environmental Professional come out and do an indoor air quality test. Here are some tips we recommend for people in the market to buy or lease a home or apartment.

Where to Test for Black Mold

Testing for mold is essential, and you should have a dwelling inspected for black mold before you buy it or sign a lease. If you suspect there may be black mold in your home, or you have never had your home tested, contact SERVPRO of East Louisville for professional mold remediation services in Southwest Jefferson County. While many aspects of home-ownership can be handled in a D.I.Y. fashion, black mold is not something to be messed around with.

Carpet

Black mold loves to live on the carpet. Dust collects in carpet fibers and those same fibers trap the humidity and dampness that enables mold to grow. Carpets in below-ground levels are especially susceptible to mold as there is more humidity there.

Carpet mold is often not visible from the surface, except in severe cases, which makes testing for it necessary even if you don't see any evidence.

Air Conditioning and Heating Vents

Air conditioning and heating vents actually create ideal conditions for black mold to grow. Dual-purpose vents that both heat and cool your house raise that risk as they are in constant use.

When you have mold in your air vents, those spores are being circulated throughout your home. The sooner you can perform mold remediation procedures, the better. SERVPRO of East Louisville has a 24-hour mold emergency service hotline to quickly begin the process of cleaning your air vents.

Drywall

Mold is unfortunately common in drywall, as it traps humidity. This is especially common as the seasons change from winter into spring. Because of the nature of it, mold in drywall is rarely visible except in severe cases. For this reason, it's imperative to have a potential home be tested for mold in the walls before you sign a lease or put down a deposit.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today

11/20/2017 (Permalink)

Mold growth is a very common problem in our area. Mold spores are virtually everywhere and can enter your home or business in a variety of ways, including an open door or window, or even a pet that has been outside. Mold can cause health effects and should be addressed if you have any feeling there could be a problem.

According to the CDC, mold will grow indoors when there is a lot of moisture present. For example, leaky roofs windows or pipes that have not been repaired, or an area that has flooded and has not properly cleaned and dried. Mold grows well on a variety of materials and surface, including carpet, insulation, wallpaper, upholstery and wood. Leaving mold untreated may cause damage to your home, and may lead to health problems.

If you see mold in your home or business, or suspect that an odor may be attributed to undetected mold, SERVPRO of East Louisville can help. Our technicians are trained to effectively remove mold and sanitize your home or business for a safer, healthier environment.

If You See Signs of Mold,
Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608

What you need to know about winter water damage

11/13/2017 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of East Louisville water loss is a big part of what we do, and we strive to make it “Like it never even happened.” A water loss can happen to a home or business at anytime or anywhere. In a home or business there are many different sources such as a hose from the washing machine, a pipe under the sink or under the house or maybe the sump pump fails during a storm. According to the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, plumbing supply system failures are the leading source of residential water loss. On average the cost after deductible was paid was estimated at $5,092.00 per incident .

Winter months can be especially busy for SERVPRO of East Louisville because of the extreme dip in temperature. One tip for the winter months to prevent frozen pipe damage is to make sure all cracks, holes, and other openings on the exterior walls are sealed tightly with caulk or insulation to prevent cold air from penetrating the wall cavity.

Remember SERVPRO of East Louisville is just a phone call away if needed. Have a safe and happy holiday season.

Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608

SERVPRO of East Louisville on the scene of a large church fire

11/13/2017 (Permalink)

Recently SERVPRO of East Louisville was called to a local church with a small fire in the sanctuary. The fire damage was minimal, but the smoke damage was extensive. With the sheer size of the loss our entire staff was called in to help on the job. Our mobile command center, which is usually reserved for major catastrophes, was called in along with dozens of support staff. With the amount of smoke damage we were instructed by the insurance company to discard of everything non-salvageable because of the smoke damage. The remaining salvageable items were all scrubbed down to eliminate the possibility of severe respiratory ailments. SERVPRO of East Louisville has the capability to handle any size loss from a small kitchen fire to a large church job.

At SERVPRO of East Louisville we provide complimentary Emergency Ready Plans for businesses that will put a written plan in place to help minimize the damage. Call SERVPRO of East Louisville at (502) 897-3608 for your businesses complimentary ERP.

Furniture Store Fire Damage

10/4/2017 (Permalink)

This image was taken after the contents and flooring had been removed.

Here are some of the things we take into consideration during a smoke/fire mitigation and restoration job:

Always clean up soot and smoke damage after a fire as soon as possible. In the combustion process, soot and vapors get carried by the air to different surfaces in a property. It is at this time that they get deposited. This will happen until the process of combustion ends, which is when soot gets piled onto surfaces in layers. When the fire damage technicians come to your property, the residue from the soot becomes difficult to remove.
Removing odors: Technicians will remove any trash that causes the odor and can recontaminate areas that have been cleaned.
Cleaning: Surfaces and items will get cleaned at this time.
Deodorization: A deodorizing gas will combine with chemicals that cause the smoke smell.
Sealing surfaces: Surfaces will get sealed so that the odor gets trapped and the chances of recontamination remain small.

SERVPRO Storm vs Hurricane Irma

10/3/2017 (Permalink)

Business Development Representative, Tammy Cochran, went to Miami in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma to assist in the cleanup efforts. This was her first Storm Team experience with SERVPRO of East Louisville. Below you will have a chance to learn first hand what our franchise does to assist with the cleanup process following a hurricane.

"When the owner ask me to go to Miami Beach following Hurricane Irma I was not prepared for the devastation and challenging work that I would encounter. We arrived at the home of a customer that had called us in the middle of the hurricane, this man was so overwhelmed with exhaustion and emotion that he burst into tears the minute we walked through the door. He and his wife had worked hard during the hurricane to keep the water damage to a minimum, but in the end, they were able to save their important possessions but the carpet and rugs were lost due to water damage. Our team of certified technicians from SERVPRO were able to have his condo clear of debris, treated for mold and mildew, dry and ready for contractors to come in to replace the carpet within 72 hours.

I was so proud to be a part of our team. Just to see these guys step into action and help this family start to put their life back in order was an amazing experience. SERVPRO was able to help 51 families during our two weeks in Miami Beach.

I used to think that I wanted to live by the beach but Hurricane Irma has shown me the damage the beautiful ocean can cause to property. I now know the beach is a wonderful place to visit, but not a place for me to live.

One thing you can be sure of, the next time a Storm Team is called up – this girl will be ready to push her sleeves and get to work helping our customer recover."

--Tammy Cochran, Business Development

Dangers of Hidden Mold

10/2/2017 (Permalink)

Black mold found under subfloor after Hurricane Irma

The recent hurricanes in Florida has brought mold to our attention. Mold can begin to form in your house if there is a leaky pipe, window condensation or recent flooding. These conditions along with a humidity level between 30% - 50% makes for the prefect atmosphere for mold to grow.

If you want to ensure a healthy home this winter season, reach out to SERVPRO of East Louisville at (502) 897-3608 about scheduling a Duct Cleaning for your home.

Hurricane Storm Cleanup and Restoration

9/14/2017 (Permalink)

The recent disasters of hurricane Harvey and Irma have left Texas and Florida with flooding of epic proportions. The outpouring of help given by average citizens is an inspiration to us all. However, what happens after the floods recede and people go back to their flood ravaged homes? This is where the professionals at SERVPRO of East Louisville come in to help cleanup and restore the damaged property and belongings. Our local franchise has sent Storm Team Crews to both Texas and Florida to help with the cleanup efforts. These crews focus on residential and commercial properties to help owners get back to their normal lives as quickly as possible. With the large network of SERVPRO franchises across the United States you can be sure that when a flood strikes we will have a team there to take on the most difficult of challenges. When flood waters take over your life trust the professionals at SERVPRO of East Louisville to put your property back The recent disasters of hurricane Harvey and Irma have left Texas and Florida with flooding of epic proportions. The outpouring of help given by average citizens is an inspiration to us all. However, what happens after the floods recede and people go back to their flood ravaged homes? This is where the professionals at SERVPRO of Southeast Jefferson County come in to help cleanup and restore the damaged property and belongings. Our local franchise has sent Storm Team Crews to both Texas and Florida to help with the cleanup efforts. These crews focus on residential and commercial properties to help owners get back to their normal lives as quickly as possible. With the large network of SERVPRO franchises across the United States you can be sure that when a flood strikes we will have a team there to take on the most difficult of challenges. When flood waters take over your life trust the professionals at SERVPRO of Southeast Jefferson County to put your property back "Like it never even happened."

Mold is part of our everyday life...it is everywhere

8/31/2017 (Permalink)

Mold is part of our everyday life...it is everywhere, even in the air we breathe. When mold gets into your home or workplace, then it can become an issue. That's when you need to call the mold specialists at SERVPRO of East Louisville.

Early detection of mold can be the difference between a small problem or a much bigger one that will require help from the professionals at SERVPRO. When left unchecked it can make air quality really bad in the home or workplace.

Recently SERVPRO of East Louisville had a client named Brenda who called us concerned about an odor coming from her cellar. She had just purchased the home and noticed a musty odor coming from the over 100 year old cellar. Upon inspection she had growth in an area on what appeared to be rodent bait that was placed there by the previous owner. We explained that some rubber gloves, a mask, and a plastic bag was all that was needed to remove the issue. She was extremely relieved and was very proactive and jumped on the cleanup immediately.

Brenda was very appreciative that SERVPRO drove out to her house to give her our professional opinion. This allowed her the chance to do the cleanup on her own instead of being charged for something that was unnecessary

About a week later we received a thank you card from Brenda, along with some homemade cookies. Looks like we made another friend, and more importantly a client for life.

Severe Weather Threatens – How to Stay Safe - update

8/8/2017 (Permalink)

Severe thunderstorms and flash flooding are possible from the Plains states to the Mid-Atlantic region and the American Red Cross has steps people should follow to stay safe during this severe weather.

HOW TO STAY SAFE

DOWNLOAD EMERGENCY APP People should download the free Red Cross Emergency App to receive emergency alerts and information about what to do in case of thunderstorms, flooding and other disasters, as well as locations of shelters. The App also includes emergency first aid information and a Family Safe feature which allows people to instantly see if loved ones are okay. The free Emergency App is available in app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

THUNDERSTORMS

If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning. Go to safe shelter immediately.
As the storm approaches, take shelter in a building.
If you are driving, pull off the roadway and park. Stay in the car with the windows closed and turn on the emergency flashers. Avoid touching metal or other surfaces at conduct electricity in and outside of the vehicle.
If you are inside a home, unplug appliances and avoid using the telephone or any electrical appliances. Avoid taking a bath or shower, or running water for any other purpose.
If you are caught outside and cannot reach a safe building, avoid high ground, water, or tall, isolated trees and metal objects such as fences or bleachers. Picnic shelters, dugouts and sheds are not safe.

FLOODING

Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice. When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground and stay there.
Stay away from floodwaters.
Turn around, don’t drown. If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.
Keep children out of the water.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

National Safety Council article - Slow Down: Back to School Means Sharing the Road

8/8/2017 (Permalink)

School days bring congestion: Yellow school buses are picking up their charges, kids on bikes are hurrying to get to school before the bell rings, harried parents are trying to drop their kids off before work.

It's never more important for drivers to slow down and pay attention than when kids are present – especially before and after school.

If You're Dropping Off

Schools often have very specific drop-off procedures for the school year. Make sure you know them for the safety of all kids. More children are hit by cars near schools than at any other location, according to the National Safe Routes to School program. The following apply to all school zones:

Don't double park; it blocks visibility for other children and vehicles
Don't load or unload children across the street from the school
Carpool to reduce the number of vehicles at the school

Sharing the Road with Young Pedestrians

According to research by the National Safety Council, most of the children who lose their lives in bus-related incidents are 4 to 7 years old, and they're walking. They are hit by the bus, or by a motorist illegally passing a stopped bus. A few precautions go a long way toward keeping children safe:

Don't block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn, forcing pedestrians to go around you; this could put them in the path of moving traffic
In a school zone when flashers are blinking, stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk or intersection
Always stop for a school patrol officer or crossing guard holding up a stop sign
Take extra care to look out for children in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in all residential areas
Don't honk or rev your engine to scare a pedestrian, even if you have the right of way
Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians
Always use extreme caution to avoid striking pedestrians wherever they may be, no matter who has the right of way

Sharing the Road with School Buses

If you're driving behind a bus, allow a greater following distance than if you were driving behind a car. It will give you more time to stop once the yellow lights start flashing. It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children.

Never pass a bus from behind – or from either direction if you're on an undivided road – if it is stopped to load or unload children
If the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop
The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus
Be alert; children often are unpredictable, and they tend to ignore hazards and take risks

Sharing the Road with Bicyclists

On most roads, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as vehicles, but bikes can be hard to see. Children riding bikes create special problems for drivers because usually they are not able to properly determine traffic conditions. The most common cause of collision is a driver turning left in front of a bicyclist.

When passing a bicyclist, proceed in the same direction slowly, and leave 3 feet between your car and the cyclist
When turning left and a bicyclist is approaching in the opposite direction, wait for the rider to pass
If you're turning right and a bicyclists is approaching from behind on the right, let the rider go through the intersection first, and always use your turn signals
Watch for bike riders turning in front of you without looking or signaling; children especially have a tendency to do this
Be extra vigilant in school zones and residential neighborhoods
Watch for bikes coming from driveways or behind parked cars
Check side mirrors before opening your door

By exercising a little extra care and caution, drivers and pedestrians can co-exist safely in school zones.

National Safety Council article

http://www.nsc.org/learn/safety-knowledge/Pages/back-to-school-safety-tips-for-drivers.aspx

Water and Mold Damage Restoration Specialists Release Report on How To Prevent Mold Growth

8/1/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Louisville has released a report on the six steps to help prevent the growth of mold after water damage has occurred after serving local clients with their water and mold damage needs.

14,000 people daily are affected by water damage. It is important to know how to eliminate conditions in which mold may grow and infest the home to help prevent the growth of molds.

All homeowners who have recently experienced water damage should be concerned about mold, as it can grow rapidly. Worse yet, it doesn’t take much water for it grow and it can be much deadlier than expected. The sooner an infestation is taken care of, the better.

Here are six tips to help reduce the likelihood of mold growth:

Remove the water as quickly as possible.

Use a wet or dry vacuum to soak up as much water as possible. This limits the possibility for the mold to grow.

Use fans to dry the floors and carpets faster.

It may take several days for fans to completely dry water damage. Leave them on constantly for at least a few weeks to help circulate cool and fresh air as well as speed up the drying process.

Dehumidify the affected room.

Mold grows in moist, warm and dark areas. Dehumidifying the room helps cool the air and limit mold and mildew growth. Any equipment you can use to dry the air and ground will be useful in mold prevention.

Steam-clean your carpet.

Steam-clean any and all carpets to properly sanitize and wipe out any spores which may have started growing. Any water-damaged carpet padding may need to be replaced, but is still much cheaper than having to entirely re-carpet the house.

Sanitize walls and baseboards.

Anything that has been touched by storm water should immediately be sanitized. Clean any hardwood floors, walls, or other surfaces with soap, water, chlorine, and bleach to minimize mold growth.

Lastly, check affected furniture for any signs of mold growth that may have begun

Check all furniture for water damage, and remove the furniture from wet flooring. Water damage may hide itself under carpets or rugs, so be sure to thoroughly inspect the home.

Even following the above steps, it is likely that a mold infestation may still be present in the home. If any visible signs of mold are noticed, then an infestation/colonization has occurred. For any extensive mold damage situations, it is best to call in the professionals, such as SERVPRO of East Louisville.

Water damage and mold remediation solutions

SERVPRO is the leading company in fire damage, and mold remediation areas. They are constantly investing in the latest training for mold remediation so that they can meet any customer service needs to quickly and professionally make it “Like it never happened.” When disaster strikes, call SERVPRO of East Louisville at (502) 897-3608.

Happy Valentine's Day Bunco

2/1/2017 (Permalink)

Valentine Bunco Winners

Thank you to all of the ladies who came out to roll the dice at our by-monthly bunco! We LOVE you all and thank you for supporting SERVPRO of East Louisville. We wish all of you happiness on Valentine's Day!

If you'd like to join in the fun we host our bunco by-monthly the first Wednesday every other month. Please contact our office at 502-897-3608 for more information about our next event.

The event starts at 5pm at our office (1929 Production Drive, Louisville, KY 40299) with dinner. The first roll starts at 6pm. We usually play two rounds and are finished around 7pm. This is a great way to meet your peers in the industry and enjoy some good food on us!

The Importance of Mold Remediation for Your Home in East Louisville

9/29/2016 (Permalink)

Hidden Mold

In Louisville, SERVPRO Answers the Call for Mold Remediation

Once you become aware that mold is growing in your Sequoyah Hills home, removing the fungus should be your biggest priority. Mold remediation specialists state that mold can put your health at risk while also compromising the structural integrity of your property. Mold removal is not a DIY project. Rule of thumb is if there is about 10 square feet or more of mold growth, don't attempt mold remediation on your own. Play it safe and hire a professional mold remediation company like SERVPRO.

The Importance Of Hiring Professional mold remediation company like SERVPRO

Call SERVPRO of East Louisville Today

When you realize that mold has invaded your home in Louisville, it is important that you take action immediately. When it's time to call the right company to remedy unwanted mold, SERVPRO of East Louisville is the company to trust. With over 1,650 franchises and over 57 years of industry experience, our IICRC-certified technicians possess the expertise and training necessary to optimize the mold removal process for you.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

We live and work in Louisville too; we might even be neighbors. As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of East Louisville. Call us for help. (502) 897-3608.

Does your East Louisville Home Have a Mold Problem?

9/8/2016 (Permalink)

Got mold?

Mold can spread through a home in as little as 48 hours.

Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere, both outdoors and indoors. This makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Therefore, mold remediation in East Louisville educes the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold 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 allergens and irritants.
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.

If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.

If You See Signs of Mold,
Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608

We are proud to be an active member of this community. SERVPRO of East Louisville is locally owned and operated, so we’re already nearby and ready to help East Louisville residents and business owners with any size mold contamination.

Cleaning Hints and Tips

8/4/2016 (Permalink)

Helpful Cleaning Tips from SERVPRO of East Louisville

Cleaning Hints and Tips

Crayon on walls: Pour a little dry-cleaning solvent on a soft towel (terrycloth works best). Start my blotting. If stain does not completely gone, rub gently, ensuring you feather outward from the center. This will work on most surfaces except antique wallpaper. You can also try one of the Mr. Clean sponges- the type you dampen before using. These sponges work great on many soils on both flat and semi/gloss painted surfaces.

Blood Stains (washable fabrics, carpet and upholstery only): Soak with cold water for about 30 minutes. If stain remains mix a little water with some unseasoned commercial meat tenderizer (this breaks down the protein in the blood). Soak for about 15 minutes, and then rinse with cold water. Allow to air dry- do not use a hair dryer, it may cause fabric to shrink.

Glass Cleaner: For best results use either crumpled newspaper or pages from a phone book.

Lightly Soiled Glass: ½ cup lemon juice, 1 gallon distilled water

Extremely Dirty Glass: 1 tablespoon household ammonia, 3 tablespoons denatured alcohol or vinegar, 1 quart warm water

All Purpose Cleaner: Dampen a sponge in the mixture, wipe surface. This is a mild abrasive, do not use on glass, chrome or other polished type of surfaces.

¼ cup baking Soda, 1 quart of warm water

Furniture Polish: Use a spray bottle to apply to wood surfaces, wipe clean with a soft cloth.

1 teaspoon lemon oil, 1 pint mineral oil

Brass and Copper Cleaner: Apply paste to item and let stand for 15 minutes. Wipe/buff clean using a soft white cloth. Make sure you turn the cloth so you are using a clean area at all times.

1 teaspoon salt, 1 cup vinegar, Enough flour to make a paste

Red Wine Stains: First try step 1, if stain remains try step 2. Remember, always blot, never rub the carpet or faberic. Rubbing damages the fibers, which may cause the stain to set. Once the stain has stopped transferring to the cloth, blot area with ¼ teaspoon dishwashing liquid in one-cup water. Follow up with a clean water rinse. Always allow the area to air dry.

Step #1: Soak area with either club soda or white wine. Allow to set for 5 minutes. Blot area with clean white cloth until the stain stops transferring to the cloth.

Step #2: Mix ? cup white vinegar and ? cup water. Blot in the same manner as above.

Coffee or Fruit Juice Stains on hard-surface flooring (not for wood or laminate flooring): Soak a clean white towel in the mixture below. Place the towel over the stain for several hours. Repeat up to 4 times. Rinse area clean with warm water.

1- part Glycerine

3- parts warm water

BBQ Grill or Oven Racks: Place rack in a large black plastic trash bag. Pour enough ammonia to cover all areas. Tie bag closed and allow to sit for at least 24-hours. It is best to do this outside to prevent the smell of ammonia from entering your living areas. Remove bag and hose off. Wipe BBQ grill racks with the rinsing mixture listed above for red wine stains (This is to remove any remaining ammonia residue).

Smoke Alarms: When you vacuum your carpet, vacuum the outside of all your alarms. When you change the batteries (Spring and Fall), vacuum the inside of the alarm.

Ballpoint-ink Stains: Place the garment stain side-down on a clean white towel and blot the area from the backside with a clean-white cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol can remove ink stains on cloths. By blotting from the backside of the fabric, the stain is pulled away from the surface, which increases the chance of its removal.

Mold or Mildew: Spray mixture on surface and allow to set for 10 minutes. Wipe surface with a cloth damped with mixture. To remove residue and odor of bleach, rinse surface with warm soapy water.

1 part bleach, 10 parts warm water

Candle Wax on Carpet: First try step 1, if stain remains try step 2. Remember, always blot, never rub the carpet or fabric. Rubbing damages the fibers, which may cause the stain to set. Once the stain has stopped transferring to the cloth, blot the area with ¼ teaspoon dishwashing liquid in one-cup water. Follow up with a clean water rinse. Always allow the area to air dry.

Step #1: Fill a pot with ice and place on the wac until it is frozen solid, and then hit the wax with a hammer. Use a vacuum to remove the small pieces of wax.

Step #2: Place a brown paper bag or clean white towel over the wax and heat with a warm (not hot) iron. Move the towel or bag to a clean area a few times. Continue until the wax is gone.

Pet Stains (Urine or Vomit): Nature’s Miracle. You can find it at most large pet stores.

Need Cleaning Services?
Call SERVPRO of East Louisville Today – (502) 897-3608

Mold Damage Shouldn't be Left to Ruin Your Home's Interior

7/28/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Has the Certifications to Deal With Mold Damage

Mold can quickly grow with only a slight rise in humidity. Many homeowners find themselves struggling to combat the smells and odors mold produces on an ongoing basis. This will never win the battle against mold. The spores can remain dormant for extended periods of time; mold is a tough enemy to conquer.

Another reason mold is so difficult to eliminate is because the spores are so tiny, they can become airborne, and then settle almost anywhere. They are carried by air currents, insects, and even on your pet's fur. In Halcyon, mold damage can take place in any home or office. The effects can range from discoloration of walls and ceilings, ruining of books and papers, (including important documents, items printed on low-acid paper, and photographs), and also causing carpets and other textiles to smell musty.

Understanding Mold is the First Step in Eliminating It

Mold is not a virus or bacteria, but it is still a pathogen that can cause adverse health effects. This is because it can be breathed in, come in contact with your skin through different ways, such as wearing clothing that contains mold, or from sitting on upholstered furniture that is saturated with mold. Mold is not only what you can see visibly, but also the spores that are released into the air. This is what can cause the musty odor many people associate with mold growth.

If any spores are left behind after cleaning, it is only a matter of time before it will begin to grow and spread through your home or business again. Not only must any excess humidity be removed and things aired out, all possible areas that may contain spores need to be professionally cleaned. SERVPRO professionals are technicians and specialized cleaning crews who have had extensive training in the clean-up and elimination of mold and its spores. Having IICRC training and certification prepares us for heavy mold infestations that can ruin many of your belongings.

We Are Experienced in Eliminating Mold Growth, as well as Cleaning and Refurbishing Many Different Materials

Painting after cleaning is one way to eliminate mold's hold over your home. Other ways include using special cleaners and detergents that are designed to deodorize your home's textiles and carpets. These not only keep the smell away, but they also eliminate mold's foothold, preventing it from recurring. If mold has been affecting the enjoyment of your home or business, make a call to us at SERVPRO of East Louisville at (502) 897-3608, and we'll have your home or office smelling clean and fresh again.

Our Highly Trained Restoration Specialists can restore your East Louisville Home

7/28/2016 (Permalink)

We are an IICRC Certified Firm

SERVPRO of East Louisville is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

IICRC Certified Firms must

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.

• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.

• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.

• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.

• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

About SERVPRO of East Louisville

SERVPRO of East Louisville specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: 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.

BUNCO Event, Wednesday, August 3

7/14/2016 (Permalink)

Start the Heart Foundation

BUNCO EVENT
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3

We are excited to announce our next Bunco event will be fun and informative. We will provide a free Hands Only CPR class, thanks to the Start the Heart Foundation. Below is information about this foundation. I hope you all can attend. Please pass this along to your coworkers.

The first roll of the dice will start as soon as the demonstration is finished (as close to 6 as possible). The presentation will begin at 5:30 pm. Don't forget Bunco is hosted at our office: 1929 Production Drive, Louisville, KY 40299.

Please RSVP and let Megan know if you will or won't be attending by June 20th. Below is some information about sudden cardiac arrest and how we can potentially save someone’s life.

Hope to see you there!
Your SERVPRO of East Louisville Marketing Team

Start the Heart: Sudden cardiac arrest claims the lives of over 300,000 people per year in the United States. Would you know exactly what to do in the event someone near you collapsed and may not be breathing? Come to this short class and learn the simple skill of hands-only CPR (no mouth-to-mouth required) that will empower you to be prepared for this type of emergency. Bystander CPR can double or even triple a person's chance of survival. This class is for anyone who is willing to learn!

Summer Office Declutter Check

6/30/2016 (Permalink)

Clean desks lead to more productivity, more productivity leads to raises, raises lead to island vacations!

Put Some Clean In Your Summer

Tips and tricks to help declutter your office.

Divide Your Workplace Into Zones: Determine how you want and need to use the space and set up zones for your daily functions. You may require a workspace for your computer, a library area for your research, a storage area for supplies and a filing area for your archives. This will provide a foundation for a more efficient use of space.

Keep Only What You Need At Arm's Length: Boxes of pens, stacks of papers and old coffee cups need to go. Rid your desk of visual clutter by paring down the items on top to the essentials only. Supplies, paperwork and personal items should be kept in the zones you've established for them.

Create A Daily Paper System: Consider creating hanging files or baskets labeled "To Read", "To Do", and "To File". Establish set days for each, so that you don't get behind or feel the overwhelming need to do everything at once.

Sort Your Catch-All Drawer: Use drawer dividers to give everything a place, like compartments for paperclips and rubber bands. Go through the drawer every six weeks and clear out anything that is out of place or isn't being used.

Eliminate Digital Clutter: Digital clutter can be just as stressful as physical clutter. Organize digital files and your e-mail inbox just as you would paper files - with a system of logical and clearly labeled folders. Also, keep the icons on your desktop to a bare minimum, and trade in sticky notes on your monitor for calendar reminders.

Disinfect Regularly: Prevent the buildup of dust, dirt, food stains and fingerprints. Wipe down your desk, phone, keyboard and monitor once a week with disinfecting wipes.

Information courtesy of SERVPRO's Restoration Newsline Volume 26, Issue 4. Serving local residents, property managers, and business owners for over 20 years, SERVPRO of East Louisville offer fire and water restoration, water removal, biohazard cleanup, mold remediation, air duct cleaning, inventory services, carpet and hard floor cleaning and care.

If you have a fire or water emergency, please call us now at (502) 244-7985

Archived Blog Posts

Be Prepared for Disaster

Fire Damage Cleanup And Restoration Company For East Louisville

Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.

Smoke and soot facts:

Different Types of Smoke

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Have Fire or Smoke Damage?Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608

Residential Fire Damage

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608

Why it's important to call SERVPRO at the first sign of water damage

Have Water or Flood Damage?Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608

Why SERVPRO of East Louisville

SERVPRO Is More Than A Company - We Are Part Of The Community Too

If Your Sump Pump Ain't Pumping - Now Is The Time To Call SERVPRO!

If Your Tree Falls On Your Next Door Neighbor's House - What Happens Next?

Have Questions? Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608

SERVPRO Is A Full Service Restoration Company

Do You Have Your Disaster Preparedness Kit Ready?

Language Barrier Does Not Keep SERVPRO From Helping Those In Need! You Can Count On SERVPRO!

Ask The Pros - Can Clean Water Damage My Home?

Don't Forget To Plan for Water Damage

Storm & Water Prevention Matters

When Disaster Strikes, SERVPRO Is At Our Best!

Did you know that SERVPRO of East Louisville has an Esporta Wash System?

Summer Is Right Around The Corner - Check Out These Grilling Safety Tips!

Have Smoke or Fire Damage? Call (502) 897-3608

Be Prepared With An Emergency Ready Plan?

Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608

Watch Out For Causes of Commercial Water Damage

Flash Floods Can Happen & Can Be Very Dangerous

Freak storm wasn’t only cause of flooding in Granite City. Here are the other problems.

Leave It To SERVPRO For Large Loss From Water Damage

Do You Remember When Two Massive Storms Hit The U.S. in 2018?

House Fires Are Almost One Of The Worst Things That Can Occur

Remember To Be Safe & Never Step In Standing Water

Dryer Fires Costs Millions Each Year

Are You Prepared For The Unexpected?

How to be prepared for the unexpected:

SERVPRO's Quick Response & Expertise Is What Separates Us From The Rest!

Airport Hanger Foam Suppression System Malfunction

Call SERVPRO of East Louisville – (502) 897-3608 when the unexpected happens to you or your business.

SERVPRO of East Louisville Is Unique, Especially How We Work With Our Agents & Customers

SERVPRO Tips - How To Safely Remove Mold

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608

Does Your Business Have An Emergency Response Plan?

Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608

After A Water Damage Event SERVPRO Can Help Restore Your Commercial Property

Ten Fierce Fire Facts Brought To You By SERVPRO

Safety First When It Comes To Heating Your Space

When Water Damage Meets Higher Learning, SERVPRO Is Here to Help!

Why SERVPRO? We Do What Needs To Be Done!

Winter Storms Can Cause More Damage Than You Think!

How to Thaw Frozen Pipes

Do You Know There Are Four Principles Of Drying A Structure? Here is #1

Avoid Unnecessary Secondary Damages Like Mold - Call SERVPRO First!

SERVPRO Is Here To Help No Matter The Day or Time!

In The Early Stages Of Fire Damage - SERVPRO Is Here To Help!

Here To Help - SERVPRO of East Louisville

What SERVPRO Does For Storms

Have Storm Damage? SERVPRO is HERE to HELP!

Have Storm or Flood Damage?Call Us Today (502) 897-3608

Did You Know? There Are More Causes Of Water Damage Than Storms & Severe Weather!

Every Living Thing Needs WATER!

Water Damage

Flooding can be a nightmare, but SERVPRO of East Louisville is here for you!

No Disaster Is Too Big For SERVPRO!

Winter Will Be Here Soon! Check Out These Safety Tips!

SERVPRO Is The Fire and Water Damage Specialists

Why Not Choose SERVPRO of East Louisville? We Are Faster To Any Size Disaster!

Don't Let Water Cause More Damage Than It Already Has- Call SERVPRO Right Away!

Exhaust fan fire

Faster to any disaster

Emergency Ready Profile

Ice Dam Water Damage

Here to help 24/7/365

Technology is important

Fire damage can also cause water damage

Commercial Fire and Water Loss in Downtown Louisville

Have Fire or Smoke Damage?
Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608

Have Water or Flood Damage?
Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608

If You See Signs of Mold,
Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608

Have Storm or Flood Damage?
Call Us Today (502) 897-3608

Have Water or Flood Damage?
Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608

If You See Signs of Mold,
Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608

If You See Signs of Mold,
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