Fire Prevention

9/1/2023 (Permalink)

Your home is your sanctuary. A place where your family spends time together and makes memories. That’s why it is so scary imagining your home getting damaged by an unfortunate fire. Although you can’t control everything that happens in your home, there are some necessary tips you can follow to prevent a possible house fire. Follow these tips below.

1. Regularly test your smoke alarms. Test your smoke alarms by pressing the button located on the smoke alarm, if it produces a weak beeping noise, it is time to replace the batteries.
2. Check your heating sources. Heating sources that aren’t working properly could potentially trigger a fire. Have them checked annually.
3. Maintain a clean oven and stove. Food particles left behind can get too hot on the burner or in the oven causing a potential fire. Make sure nothing is left too close to the stove that could catch fire.
4. Never leave your kitchen. Don’t leave your kitchen while cooking. It only takes a few seconds for a fire to break out. If you have to step out of the room, turn the burners off.
5. Check your dryer. Make sure to clean out your lint trap after every load of laundry. The build up of lint can cause a fire. Have your dryer inspected by a professional yearly.
6. Inspect your cords. Before plugging something in, inspect the cord to make sure it is not frayed or being chewed. Replace the cords as soon as possible if you notice that the wires have been damaged. Avoid running cords under a rug or between the wall and your furniture, it can get too hot causing a fire.
7. Store flammable products properly. Store common household cleaners and cosmetic items in a cool area. If they are exposed to high heat, they can combust.
8. Use caution with candles. Put candles out before you leave the room or go to sleep and make sure to keep them far away from blankets or any other objects that could catch fire. Place candles on an even surface to prevent them from being knocked over. Also keep them away from pets.
9. Use caution with your fireplace. Make sure there is a door between the flames and your flooring, you don’t want any sparks to escape. Allow enough time for the ashes to cool down before throwing them away.
10. Always have a fire extinguisher handy. When a fire breaks out, your best line of defense is a fire extinguisher. Make sure every family member knows how to use it properly in case of a fire

Tracie "Dusty" Nichols

724-628-3022

Categories/ Classes of Water Damage

8/4/2023 (Permalink)

Categories of Water Damage

Assessing the severity of the damage is important for determining what is needed to start the water loss repair and mitigation.

Category 1

- clean water, or water that does not pose a threat to humans. Possible causes of this type of damage include broken appliances or sink overflows.

Category 2

- gray water, this means that the water is contaminated and may cause sickness if ingested. This type of water contains microorganisms. Broken toilets, broken sump pumps and seepage may cause category 2 water damage.

Category 3

- black water, this type of water is unsanitary, as it contains bacteria and other organisms that cause sickness. The possible sources of black water damage include sewage problems and contamination of standing water.

Classes of Water Damage: The class of damage is important when assessing water damage repair options.

Class 1 is the least harmful form of damage. Materials absorb very little of the water from this type of damage. Water damage repair is the easiest in this type of situation.

Class 2 has a fast rate of evaporation, which means that carpets and cushions may be damaged. Water damage repair is more difficult when it involves class 2 damage.

Class 3 has the fastest rate of evaporation. In this case, the water may come from broken sprinklers or other overhead sources, soaking the walls and furniture.

Class 4 requires special water restoration and water removal procedures. This type of damage may affect hardwood floors, plaster and concrete.

If your home or business experience a water loss or water damage, call us here at SERVPRO of Fayette County, the leading water removal and restoration company, dedicated to protecting your biggest investment, Not everyone knows that water damage has different categories and classes, and just because it is a low category doesn't mean that it is a low class.

Tracie "Dusty" Nichols

724-628-3022

No Storms Can Cause Issues For Your Property.

7/7/2023 (Permalink)

We normally associate storm damage to flooding, high winds, and hail. What we forget, is that no storms can create issues for you and your property, too! On the other end of the scale if you don’t have rain or water for days, weeks, or months, then your community can go into a drought.

The main effects of drought are actually something you would never think of - flooding.

• When a drought occurs all of the moisture dries up causing clay heavy soil to shrink. This means the foundation that your home is built on begins to shift and crack from the changing movement. In turn, your foundation is not able to withstand the force of the movement and may start to crack under pressure. These cracks are silent and won’t affect you during the drought. Only until the drought is over and your area begins to bring rain will you discover the cracks to your foundation. From there water can enter your home causing the cracks to erode and make bigger openings. From there you can have moisture entering your home causing mold and even worse full blown flood!

Tracie "Dusty" Nichols

724-628-3022 

Electrical Fire Safety

6/9/2023 (Permalink)

Protecting your business or workplace by teaching about electrical fire safety and putting safety plans into place is always a great idea. Accidents happen, and that’s why being prepared is key.

If you can extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher or blanket before it gets out-of-hand, that would be best to limit the amount of damage. Be prepared to think quickly and determine if the fire can be put out without risk of injury or endangering any of your coworkers. Always put employee safety first. It’s important to know smoke inhalation can be fatal.

Fire can spread quickly, and it can produce dangerous amounts of smoke. Smoke inhalation is the cause of death in home fires more than the actual fire. Not to mention, smoke causes just as much damage to the business as the fire itself.

There is a five second rule of thumb that firefighters use. They say that if you cannot extinguish a fire within five seconds then dial 9-1-1 and evacuate. Be sure to have an updated employee evacuation plan in place, and make sure to have routine fire drills so your employees know exactly what to do.

After the fire is put out and everyone is accounted for and safe, you can always count on your friendly neighborhood experts at SERVPRO of Fayette County to help you put your business back together.

Here is a list of things to have established in a place of business when it comes to fire safety. Fire Marshals look for these items. These items are ultimately for your safety, and the safety of your employees and coworkers. Make Sure You Have Clear Paths Make sure all exits are not obstructed in any way. Multiple, clear exits in the event of a fire will increase the likelihood that everyone is able to get out safely.

Emergency Exit Lights

• In the event of a fire, your workplace may lose power or have very little visibility due to heavy smoke. For these reasons, clearly marked paths of egress are required.

Fire Extinguishers are a MUST.

• Fire extinguishers are crucial in stopping a small fire before it grows larger, avoiding widespread damage to your business and injuries to your staff or customers. That's why fire marshals pay special attention to verify that they are in compliance.

Fire Sprinkler System

• Water Supply For this system to function correctly, not only must the sprinkler deflectors have the proper clearance, the water must flow as it should when called upon to extinguish a fire. The fire marshal will examine the critical components of the sprinkler system water supply, to determine that they are in good working order.

Electrical Panels

• Since electrical panels have live current running through them, any potentially flammable items (like cardboard boxes stored too close to the panel) make sure you can get to the panels without having to move anything. 

Proper Storage of Combustible Liquids

• Combustible materials and liquids represent a special fire hazard and must be treated accordingly. These will provide fuel to any fire and they pose a significant risk to your facility, including explosion potential, so proper measures must be taken at all times.

Maximum Occupancy Limits

• Your building has a maximum occupancy limit which has been put in place for a reason. If a fire were to occur, this is the number of people who could safely evacuate the premises in a timely fashion.

If you’ve been affected by a fire, know that SERVPRO® of Fayette County hits all the above qualifications and more.

Contact us today to learn how we’re able to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Tracie "Dusty" Nichols

724-628-3022

Roof Damage

5/26/2023 (Permalink)

In any type of weather there are lots of different issues that could cause damage to your home; Roof damage is one of those. Damage due to storms is the most typical, but there are several things that COULD cause the damage to your roof some being more visible than others.  

It is always good practice to have your roof inspected every 10-12 years, unless there has been a specific issue that may have caused a reason to check it sooner such as a severe storm, hail, or some other sort of natural disaster. Unfortunately, when your roof becomes damaged it can lead to bigger issues that may ultimately cause water damage to the interior of your home.   

Here we mention a few things to look for when you are inspecting your roof:    

• Loose or missing shingles: this could be caused by high winds, improper installation, or simply wearing out over exposure to the elements through the years. Loose nails can also leave a hole in the shingle that water can find its way through as well.  
• Poor installation of the flashing. "Flashing" is the metal that is placed in the sections where the roof meets the walls, or in the valleys. This must be installed properly to divert water from the roof.    
• Gutters that are not placed with the right pitch, or that have seams that are not sealed properly can also cause water to back up and then overflow into the house causing water damage to ceilings and/or walls. Not having gutter guards to keep leaves and debris from collecting in the gutters can cause overflow of water that can result in damage to your roof and other areas of your home as well.    

Rotted fascia or soffit can also be an area that allows water to intrude.   

If you suspect that you may have roof damage causing water damage to your home please feel free to contact us at  and we will be happy to assist you. SERVPRO® of Fayette County can also supply emergency tarping and board up if the need may arise. SERVPRO® of Fayette County will be there for all of your home repairs or accidents.

Tracie "Dusty" Nichols

724-628-3022

Emergency Kits for Evacuation for the Deaf, Blind, and Service Animals

5/12/2023 (Permalink)

Need some help or information about Emergency Kits for Evacuation for the Deaf, Blind, and Service Animals?

Emergencies can be difficult for anyone but here are some tips/ preventions to help.

• Emergency Kit for Evacuation for the Deaf, Blind, and Service Animals in Fayette County
• Storm Damage & Evacuation in Fayette County
• Low vision or hearing loss may make a power outage more difficult in Fayette County. Evacuation may also be more difficult.   

SERVPRO of Fayette County has these tips:    Have an evacuation emergency kit ready. You can also use it at home.   For people who have low hearing or deafness in Fayette County, consider the following:  

• Extra batteries for hearing aids 
• TTY   
• If you Sign, have a pen and paper for people who do not know Sign   
• Backup batteries for any augmentative communication devices  

For people who have low vision or blindness in Fayette County, consider the following:   

• Use large-print or Braille on labels   
• Magnifiers or other assistive devices    
• White cane (if you use one)   

Storm damage makes life more difficult for service animals too.  

For people who have service animals in Fayette County, consider the following:     Food, water, and other supplies  

Tell emergency responders that your service animal travels with you  . Help keep them safe also. 

Shelters and other buildings may not refuse entry to a service animal    

Links: https://www.ready.gov/individuals-access-functional-needs

If you have any questions give us a call today!

"Like It Never Even Happened"

Tracie "Dusty" Nichols

724-628-3022

We Are Always Ready!

4/28/2023 (Permalink)

We Are Always Ready!

SERVPRO of Fayette County is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, no matter how large or small that they can be. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is very crucial. If you delay for just a few hours, it can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

SERVPRO is here to Answer the Phone Ready to Help  

Call Today at 724-628-3022

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need us as an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of Fayette County has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through any tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration - in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

Here is What to Expect 

When you call us, we will ask several questions regarding the water damage emergency of your home or business. These questions will help our technicians to determine what equipment and resources that they need to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed for that job.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions

Including:

• Your name and contact information.  
• Your insurance information (if applicable)   The street address of the water-damaged home or business. 
• When did the flooding or water damage occur? 
• What caused the water damage (if known) 
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

Tracie "Dusty" Nichols

724-628-3022

Emergency Kits and Natural Disasters

4/7/2023 (Permalink)

Natural disasters are unexpected and destructive. It is important to plan for the next natural disaster accordingly. You never know when a disaster can strike which is why it is important to prepare a kit for your home, work, and vehicle.

According to Ready.gov, you should have the following in your emergency kit: 

- One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation

- At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food

- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and an NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert Flashlight

- First aid kit

-Extra batteries

-Whistle to signal for help

-Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place

-Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation

-Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

-Manual can opener for food

-Local maps

-Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery.

Tracie "Dusty" Nichols

724-628-3022

Safety Practices With Children and Fires.

3/10/2023 (Permalink)

Safety Practices With Children and Fires

When it comes to children, you can never prepare enough in the event of a fire. Making sure that children know what to do and what not to do can go a long way in safety.

What a smoke alarm sounds like:

• Some children run and hide when an alarm sounds a house-fire warning. Making and practicing a house fire escape plan helps them respond appropriately to the alarm. What a firefighter looks like at a fire: Show your children with the equipment a firefighter may be wearing and/or carrying. Children may hide instead of responding to their calls. 

Escape routes:

• Always teach children two ways out of every room (i.e., window and door). Stay low during escape: Crawl as close to the floor as possible under smoke to a safe exit. Test the safety of their exit route: Use the back of the hand to test if a closed door is hot. If it is hot, use another way out.

Where to meet after escape:

• Everyone must meet at a previously designated meeting place outside the home so that firefighters know that all persons are out of the house. How to call for help: Call 911 from a neighbor's home. 

Stay out:

• Never go back inside a burning home to get anything such as toys, clothes or pets These tips are a great way to ensure your children are prepared in the event you have a house fire.

Tracie "Dusty" Nichols

724-628-3022

Customer Service

12/19/2022 (Permalink)

Customer Service

Owning a successful business is an incredible achievement.  Whether it’s a local shopping center or a franchise bank they all have one thing in common – clients.  Having a reliable client base can really make your business soar.  Having great customer service and a reliable product is only half of it. 

Clients and consumers like to feel safe in your business property surroundings.  With restrooms and facilities open to the public, you can’t guarantee what others may or may not do. We understand how important your business is to you.  Impressions are a big deal and we want to make sure your company is in the best of shape.   When a local business contacted us, we made sure their bathroom was clean and free from blood borne pathogens.   Our team is highly trained in working with biohazard materials that can be potentially hazardous for you and your clients.  We work quickly to clean and sanitize all areas so that you can get back to managing your business.  

SERVPRO of Fayette County cares about the businesses that make this community thrive.  We understand that closing your doors to biohazard materials can mean losing profit.  We work quickly to minimize this issue as best we can.

Tracie "Dusty" Nichols

7247-628-3022