Be Prepared, Not Scared: Disaster Preparedness for Southeast Cuyahoga County

3/5/2024 (Permalink)

Living in Southeast Cuyahoga County, we experience the beauty of the Great Lakes region firsthand. But with that beauty comes the potential for unpredictable weather events. From summer thunderstorms packing heavy rain to winter blizzards with strong winds, being prepared for potential disasters that could damage your property is crucial. Here at SERVPRO Team Fosdick, your local disaster restoration experts, we want to empower you to take charge and be ready for anything.

Common Disasters in Southeast Cuyahoga County:

• Flooding: Due to our proximity to Lake Erie and rivers like the Cuyahoga, heavy rain or rapid snowmelt can lead to flash floods or river overflows, threatening homes and businesses.
• Lake Effect Snow: Southeast Cuyahoga County is particularly susceptible to lake-effect snow, bringing heavy snowfall, strong winds, and blizzard conditions that can disrupt power and cause property damage.
• Tornadoes: While less frequent, tornadoes can occur in our region, causing significant destruction with high winds and flying debris.

Be Proactive: Prepare Your Home or Business

A little preparation now can go a long way in minimizing the impact of a disaster later. Here are some key actions you can take:

• Develop a disaster plan: Discuss potential scenarios with your family or employees and outline a plan of action. Include evacuation routes, communication strategies, and emergency contact information.
• Assemble an emergency kit: Stockpile non-perishable food, water, first aid supplies, a battery-powered radio, flashlights, and extra batteries. Consider including items specific to winter weather, like blankets and hand warmers.
• Protect your property: Regularly clean gutters and downspouts to avoid water damage from heavy rain or melting snow. Reinforce your basement with waterproofing measures if necessary.
• Know your shutoff valves: Locate the shutoff valves for water and gas lines, so you can quickly shut them off in an emergency.
• Backup important documents: Scan and store copies of critical documents (insurance policies, passports) in a cloud storage service or waterproof container.

By taking these steps, you can significantly reduce the stress and damage caused by a disaster. Remember, SERVPRO Team Fosdick is always here to help. We are available 24/7 to respond to emergencies and provide professional restoration services for your home or business.

Stay safe, Southeast Cuyahoga County!

Spring into a Healtheir Home: Essential Cleaning Tips for the Season

3/5/2024 (Permalink)

Spring has sprung in Southeast Cuyahoga County! As the days get longer and the windows fling open, it's the perfect time to shed the winter blues and give your home a fresh, healthy makeover. Here at SERVPRO Team Fosdick, we're all about creating a clean and safe environment for you and your loved ones. So, grab your cleaning supplies and get ready to tackle these essential spring-cleaning tips:

Conquer the Dust Bunnies:

Winter months often mean closed windows and trapped dust. Spring is the time to wage war on these allergens! Start by tackling high surfaces like ceiling fans, light fixtures, and crown molding. Work your way down, using a damp microfiber cloth to trap dust particles. Don't forget to declutter shelves and cabinets before wiping them down – this minimizes the amount of dust you have to clean in the first place.

Deep Clean Carpets and Upholstery:

Spring cleaning is a perfect opportunity to breathe new life into your carpets and upholstery. For a deep clean, consider professional carpet cleaning services from SERVPRO Team Fosdick. Our technicians use powerful equipment and eco-friendly methods to remove dirt, allergens, and pet dander, leaving your carpets and furniture fresh and sanitized.

Banish Bathroom Mold and Mildew:

Warm, humid bathrooms are breeding grounds for mold and mildew. This spring, tackle these unwelcome guests with a vengeance! Mix a solution of white vinegar and water, and use a spray bottle to apply it to affected areas (avoiding harsh chemicals). Let the solution sit for 30 minutes, then scrub with a stiff brush and rinse thoroughly. For persistent mold problems, consult a professional like SERVPRO Team Fosdick for safe and effective mold remediation services.

Freshen Up Your Air Ducts:

Dust mites and allergens can lurk unseen within your air ducts. Schedule professional air duct cleaning from SERVPRO Team Fosdick. Our technicians use specialized equipment to remove dust, debris, and allergens from your air ducts, improving indoor air quality and promoting a healthier breathing environment.

Embrace the Power of Natural Light:

Spring is all about new beginnings! Wash your windows and allow natural light to flood your home. Sunshine not only brightens your space but also has natural disinfecting properties.

Don't Forget the Often-Ignored Spots:

Spring cleaning isn't just about sparkling surfaces. Take this opportunity to clean out your refrigerator, pantry, and cabinets. Discard expired food items and organize what remains. Clean your oven, microwave, and other appliances for a fresh start.

By following these tips and considering professional cleaning services where needed, you can transform your home into a healthy and sparkling haven this spring!

Breathe easy, live healthy, and enjoy the beauty of spring!

Taking Care of Your Belongings After a Fire or Water Loss

11/22/2018 (Permalink)

Labelled crates where we can keep your items safe and secure

Water and fire damage affect not only the structure of your house but also your belongings. SERVPRO of Southeastern Cuyahoga County understands that your home is more than a structure. Your furniture, clothing, keepsakes, and other belongings are important to you. Your belongings are important to us, which is why we provide the following to help restore and protect your belongings while we are restoring your home.

Move-Outs/Pack-Outs

If your home requires extensive restoration or cleaning, SERVPRO of Southeastern Cuyahoga County can conduct an organized, efficient move-out of the affected area. A move-out will provide several benefits, including the following:

• A quicker remodeling process
• Protecting items from potential damage
• Protecting contents from further on-site damage

When restoration is completed, we will work with you to coordinate the move-in according to your needs. The services offered upon move-in may depend on your insurance coverage.

On-Site Storage

We have in-house storage where we can keep your belongings safe from further damage, and can provide cleaning and restoration services for your belongings. We have a 18,000 square foot warehouse dedicated to storage where we can keep your items safe and secure. Your items will be placed in clearly identified and secured containers. You can rest assured that your items are being taken care of.

Contents Inventory Service

When emergency strikes, the damage can often feel overwhelming. We can help ease the worry and confusion during the recovery process by offering our Contents Inventory Service, which provides a detailed and accurate list of your belongings. We take a room-by-room inventory of your contents, including digital photos, and barcodes.

Our Contents Inventory Service:

• Preloss list and value of contents
• Detailed and accurate report
• Better information to settle claims quicker
• Assistance with burden of proof for claims

If your home and belongings need restoration services, rest assured that SERVPRO of Southeastern Cuyahoga County has you covered. We can pack out, store and restore your belongings. Give us a call today at 440-248-0022

Our Highly Trained Restoration Specialists can restore your home in the Southeastern Cuyahoga Area

11/12/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Southeastern Cuyahoga 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 Southeastern Cuyahoga

SERVPRO of Southeastern Cuyahoga 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.