Tips for Keeping Your Sump Pump in Top Condition

7/20/2022 (Permalink)

Flooding in a local home.

A basement is more prone to water accumulation simply from its lower location. As a homeowner in Cedar City, UT, you should focus on keeping this area dry and maintaining a functioning sump pump.

5 Tips for Caring for Your Home's Sump Pump

You may not enter your basement daily, but you do want to keep it dry and free from harm. Sump pumps allow you to go about your day while monitoring the water buildup. The pump often sits in a lower portion of the space. Water drains into it, and when water levels hit a particular point, the unit turns on, pulling fluid from the structure.
Get proactive, checking the pump. You don't want this device to fail. If it does, you could have a flood on your hand, requiring a water restoration company to clean up the mess. Use the following maintenance tips to verify your unit is in working order.

1. Clear Out Debris

Make it a priority to check your device for buildup. When the water flows into it, rocks, girt and small items get picked up. These items block the flow, preventing the sump pump from working its best. Therefore, examine the inlet screen every few months and after severe storms.

2. Complete a Test Run

Set aside a few times a year to ensure the pump works correctly. Grab a bucket of water, and pour it down the pump's opening. It should trigger a response, kicking it into action. Keep an eye on the flow. Ensure the water heads into the pipes and out of the house. Once outside, it should move away from the foundation. If you suspect a problem, call professionals in to make necessary repairs.
Don't wait to correct concerns. Any issues with this test indicate an improper operation which could lead to puddles and floods. Water damage occurs quickly and allows for mold growth to start.

3. Clear Out the Lines

Debris can move from the screen into the unit's lines. When you complete your pump maintenance check, keep an eye on how the water moves once in the device. If it's not leaving quickly or seems sluggish, turn off the pump and disconnect the pump tubes. Clear it out to improve the movement.

4. Examine the Float

The pump relies on a floating control system. When the water enters, it moves to the top, sensing the fluid levels. If it's obstructed at all, it could fail to react correctly. The device may run too long, overworking the system or fail to respond, allowing water buildup. See that it's moving upwards and has nothing blocking its path.

5. Verify Battery and Electric Work

The pump plugs into an electrical circuit. Double-check its functionality. Ensure the cord isn't worn or frayed. Furthermore, your unit should turn on with a battery backup if the electricity goes out. These die after a few years, so note when you put it in and change it every couple of years.

As a concerned homeowner in Cedar City, UT, recognize the significance of your sump pump. This device protects from flood damage, mitigating harm and restoration costs. Strive to check on it often, ensuring it's in good condition.

11 Items to Have in Your Home Emergency Kit

6/10/2022 (Permalink)

Use an emergency preparedness kit when disaster strikes.

After a storm hits and the power goes out, being prepared could make survival over the next few days easier for you and your family. If you know a storm is coming, it’s smart to prepare a home emergency kit. Your survival kit should include a variety of supplies, all of which should help you survive on your own over a few days.

When you’re putting together your home emergency kit, these 11 items are essentials to include to make sure you are prepared for storms and emergencies.

Water

Water should be one of the first and most important items you put in your survival kit. You should include a gallon of water per person for each day you plan to prepare. If you don’t know how many days to prepare for, you should include enough supplies for at least three days.

Food

You should also have at least three days’ worth of non-perishable food in your emergency kit. Food like canned vegetables, soups, crackers, and granola bars are perfect for adding to your kit.

First Aid Kit

Put together a first aid kit for emergency preparedness. Include items like bandages, ointments, pain relievers, cough drops, and aloe vera cream or gel.

Flashlight

Include a flashlight or several flashlights in your kit. Make sure they have working batteries, so you can have light if your power goes out.

Batteries

Your emergency kit can also include spare batteries for things like flashlights and cell phones. If you’re including a battery pack or portable charger for cell phones, be sure to charge them before putting them in your survival kit.

Cash

Having cash on hand is a smart move, especially during emergencies. You never know when you won’t have access to your bank or your credit cards. Having cash in your home emergency kit ensures you will have money to purchase anything you might need.

Medications

Include medications and other medicine in your survival kit. If anyone in your household takes medications, pack a seven-day supply. Make sure you have other medicine like cough syrup, antacids, and fever reducers.

Emergency Contact Information

Keep a list of emergency contacts in your kit as well. Include numbers for family members, close friends, and other emergency numbers.

Blankets

Put aside a supply of blankets for your home emergency kit. Include enough blankets to keep your entire household warm during the event of a power outage.

Whistle

Put at least one whistle in your emergency kit too. If you’re in a dire situation, a whistle can help you signal for help from others.

Toiletries

Include a variety of toiletries, such as toilet paper, body and facial wipes, hand sanitizer, toothpaste, and other personal hygiene items. Keep in mind that in an emergency, you may not have access to running water, so pack items that can help you stay clean without needing to run water.

Contact SERVPRO

If you need further help putting together a home emergency kit or want to discuss storm preparedness, feel free to reach out to us at SERVPRO! In the case that an emergency does take place, SERVPRO is here to help restore any damage. Contact us for restoration and cleanup services in Fillmore, Cedar City, and the surrounding areas.

10 Tips to Help You Survive a Winter Power Outage

6/10/2022 (Permalink)

Winter storms can cause outages. Keep out the cold with these tips.

With winter storms, come winter power outages. While a power outage may not be avoidable, you can stay warm without electricity and survive the outage. Take the recent power outages Texas has been experiencing as an example. Outages can often be unexpected and leave many people in dire situations. But if you take the necessary steps, you can be prepared for power outages caused by winter storms.

1. Stay Warm During Winter Storm Power Outages

When the power goes out, it can get significantly cold very fast. You want to be sure you can stay warm during power outages by taking the necessary precautions.

Keep Doors and Windows Shut

First, you want to have all doors and windows completely shut. If there are any cracks in the doors or windows, use towels to prevent drafts and cold air from coming in.

If you have black blankets or towels, these can also be used to draw extra heat into your house. By hanging them on windows or laying them on the floor where the sun shines, you are insulating the windows and bringing in heat directly from the sun.

Have Blankets on Hand

If you expect a winter storm, be sure to have several blankets on hand. Having enough blankets for your whole family can help you and your family to stay warm without electricity. Be sure to also dress in multiple layers.

2. Avoid Traveling During Winter Storms and Power Outages

If weather conditions are dangerous, such as sleet or freezing rain, it’s never a good idea to travel. Avoid traveling altogether unless it is absolutely necessary.

If you do have to travel during a winter storm, be prepared. Keep an emergency travel supply kit in your car and make sure you’re not traveling alone. Additionally, be sure someone knows where you are headed so that they can know if you arrive safely.

3. Keep a Non-Electric Heater

If you experience a winter power outage, have a backup non-electric heater installed in your home. Fireplaces and wood stoves are great at keeping you warm, but you need to be careful when using them. Be sure they are cleaned regularly and safely store any fuel for them.

4. Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning while Trying to Stay Warm

If you are using a non-electric heater, be sure to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. To do this, clean out your fireplace or wood stove before lighting it. Also, be sure the area is ventilated so that the fumes produced can leave your home.

5. Keep a Stock of Water and Non-Perishable Foods

Always have a stash of bottled water and non-perishable foods on hand in the event of a winter power outage.

It’s recommended to have three days’ worth of a supply of water on hand for your entire household. This means you should also have three days’ worth of food for everyone, including pets. Keep non-perishable foods in your pantry, such as canned vegetables and soups, granola or fruit bars, crackers, and nuts.

6. Have an Emergency Kit Prepared

Before a storm is expected to hit, take the time to put together an emergency kit. These kits can include first aid, medication, blankets, and flashlights. You can also include candles, extra batteries, pre-charged portable chargers, a small tool kit, and toiletries.

7. Keep Children and Pets Safe

During winter power outages, it’s extremely important to watch out for children and pets. Stay in the same room as them. If for some reason you need to travel in the winter storm and your children are old enough to stay home by themselves, keep emergency supplies for them.

Make sure your children know where emergency phone numbers are in case they need to reach someone. Have any medication they might need accessible and be sure they are dressed in layers.

Be sure to also dress your pets in any clothes you might have for them as well. If you do not have pet clothing, keep your pets wrapped in blankets for warmth.

8. Avoid Using Phones for Non-Emergencies

If you’re in the middle of a power outage, then you have limited cell phone batteries, which is why phones should be used only for emergencies.

Limiting the amount of time on your phones can help preserve your battery length. It’s smart to conserve your phone’s battery if you have an emergency and need to reach someone. Be sure to also have pre-charged portable chargers so that you can charge your phone throughout the power outage.

If you need to contact family members to confirm their safety, text them. Texting uses less power and doesn’t congest the network, leaving phone lines open for emergencies.

9. Prevent Further Damage

While your power is out, go around your house to unplug appliances and electronics. You won’t be needing them during the outage. By unplugging them, you’re protecting them from a power surge when your electricity does come back on.

You can keep one lamp plugged in and switched on. Although, the lamp won’t work, when it does flick on, you’ll know the power has come back.

10. Be Prepared to Evacuate

On the off chance that you need to evacuate your home during a winter power outage, there are a handful of things you should turn off or unplug before you evacuate.

Turn Off the Main Breaker and Water Main

Before leaving, be sure to turn off your main breaker. If you have a circuit breaker panel or power supply box, turn that off as well.

You also need to turn off your water main. After doing this, you need to drain any water from the system by opening all taps and flushing toilets in your house several times. Open your drain valve to empty the hot water tank as well.

After flushing toilets and draining sinks and tubs, spray antifreeze into the water left behind to prevent it from freezing over.

Unhook Appliances

Be sure to also unhook major appliances like washing machine hoses and drains. If you haven’t done so already, go through your house and unplug other appliances and electronics as well.

6 Ways to Hailproof Your Home from Hailstorms

6/10/2022 (Permalink)

Large hail ruining a rooftop

Hailstorms can come out of nowhere, last a few minutes, and inflict damage. While not every hailstorm causes that much damage, some can be more harmful than others.

But hail roofing your home for winter storms could save your house from significant hail damage. By taking these six precautions to hail-proof your home, you can not only protect your home from damage, but you can protect your household from getting hurt by hail as well.

Maintain Your Roof to Prevent Hailstorm Damage

Inspecting your roof regularly can help save you from hail damage and expenses. If you notice any problems, contact roofers to give your roof the maintenance it needs.

Stay prepared for any unexpected hailstorms that come your way by maintaining your roof. Keep track of any problems or damaged shingles so that you can replace them right away. If a shingle seems to only be mildly damaged, it’s best to still take proper hailstorm preparedness actions and fix it. Even minor defects can leave room for hail to cause significant damage.

Keep Your Trees Trimmed

Keep your trees and shrubs regularly trimmed to prevent the risk of them damaging your home during hailstorms. If you keep your trees and shrubs maintained, it reduces the chances that branches will break off and fall onto your home during the next hailstorm.

While it’s important to maintain all trees and shrubs in your yard, take extra care to trim those close to your roof or windows. Branches hanging over your roof or near windows are more likely to cause damage than others.

Clear Your Gutters

Be sure to always clean out your gutters to keep them clear. When a hailstorm hits, you’ll want to know that water can properly drain off your roof to prevent water damage to your home.

Bring Outdoor Furniture and Items Inside

During powerful hailstorms, outside furniture and items can pose an immediate threat to your home and family. Powerful winds can blow around furniture, making airborne projectiles, which can damage windows. Hailproof your outdoor area by bringing any outdoor furniture and items inside during winter storms.

Keep Windows and Doors Sealed

As soon as a hailstorm starts, make sure all your doors and windows are sealed. It’s especially important that you cover your windows with drapes or blinds in the chance that hail shatters your windows. By keeping them covered with drapes or permanent shutters, you can prevent glass and hail from being projected into your home.

Bring Vehicles into Your Garage or a Covered Area

If you don’t already keep your vehicles in your garage or a covered area, it’s a good measure for hailstorm preparation to start. Keeping cars, RVs, and boats covered can help protect them from significant hailstorm damage. It’s best to keep them in a completely enclosed area for the best protection, such as a garage or shed.

Storm Damage Restoration from SERVPRO

At SERVPRO, we can help you with any winter storm damage questions or concerns. If your home or commercial property suffers damage from a hailstorm, our team can help restore the building. Contact us today to discuss hailstorm damage and restoration for your property.

Storm Damage Tax Write-Off

6/10/2022 (Permalink)

Roof Damage and Tax Write-Off Benefits

When your Cedar City, UT, the property has suffered from serious storm damage, the recovery efforts and expenses add up rapidly. Fortunately, the losses may be covered by a tax-deductible if your insurance company didn't cover them. (If your property is insured, but you didn't file a claim, you won't be eligible for the write-off.)

What type of storms could prompt the qualification for deductions?

• Blizzards
• Earthquakes
• Flooding
• Hurricane
• Tornadoes

Any of these natural disasters could ruin carpeting, drywall, and furnishings. Hopefully, your insurance coverage will provide for most of the cleanup and repair costs, but many property owners are still left with financial losses. This is where the tax write-off comes in; basically, if you can show a direct connection between the storm, you can apply for the deduction.

A Break for Business Property Owners

When rules for claiming this deduction for your business property are a little more relaxed than the rules for private property. For example, residential property owners must subtract $100 and 10 percent of your adjusted gross income from their deductible amount. Residential property owners must itemize to claim the deduction, but commercial property owners can file as nonitemizers. If you're preparing your own taxes, research related IRS publications and specifically #547 which covers casualties, disasters, and thefts.

Natural Disaster Areas

If storm damage takes place in an area that has been declared a Natural Disaster Area by the U.S. president, it is possible to deduct casualty losses from the tax return for the current year or from the previous year. This opportunity to amend a past return allows you to determine which would give you the bigger refund check.

Available Resources Provide Help

Storm damage can prompt serious repair costs and lead to difficult financial losses. You'll find that working with property disaster repair and cleanup professionals, insurance representatives, and tax advisors is a good way to get a clear picture of the available resources. When your Cedar City, UT, property looks like it was hit by a hurricane (because it was,) be sure to use every available resource to rebuild and get back to work.

Protect Your Home From Storm Damage With Landscaping

5/30/2022 (Permalink)

Avoid Storm Damage by Following our Tips.

Heavy rainfall can lead to outside flooding and standing water indoors if your Cedar City, UT, yard is not adequately landscaped. It doesn't take much water indoors to do a lot of severe damage.

Therefore, it's essential to ensure that rain can drain away from your house to flow to a better location. There are several relatively simple ways to protect your home and its contents from stormwater runoff.

Ways To Prevent Indoor Water Damage From Stormwater Runoff

1. Install an Ecoroof

Roofs are the most significant contributor to rainstorm runoff, but green roofs significantly reduce this drainage. Home and other building owners have been using green roofs for years, but they haven't become prevalent yet. However, these roofs are becoming increasingly popular because they are now more affordable and easier to install.

Over the years, owners of eco-friendly roofs have found that the green cover on their flat or slightly sloping roof preserves the roof's life. It also reduces energy costs by better insulating the home.

2. Develop Driveway Drainage

If you have a concrete or asphalt driveway, you can add rain drainage to either or both sides of the driveway. You can also consider constructing a driveway of a different material, such as gravel, that allows for easier drainage.

3. Redirect Rainwater With a Swale

A swale is a natural or man-made depression in the ground that directs water flow. When landscaping, you should ensure that the excess water is directed appropriately somewhere safe with a high tolerance for moisture. Swales can work even better when you slow the water's drainage path. This can be done by planting deep-rooting plants on the inclines and covering the lowest point of the depression with rocks.

Restricting the draining water will prevent outside flooding.

4. Spread Heavy Mulch

Mulch can cause problems when it spreads by clogging drains, and it can be an annoyance to clean up. Standard mulch chips are easily spread by heavy rains as the water pools. Hardwood mulches are typically heavier than others and are better at staying in place. You can also get man-made types of mulch that can be helpful.

5. Create a Rain Garden

A rain garden provides a place for rainwater to pool when it rains heavily and then slowly drain back into the soil. A typical rain garden is between 50 and 100 square feet. A well-performing rain garden will have plants in the middle that can best tolerate remaining submerged in wet soil. Plants located around the edges will not hold as much water as those in the middle. It's also best to use native plants to create the most low-maintenance version of a rain garden.

6. Redirect Your Rain Spouts

Install downspout diverters to redirect rainwater from your home's gutters to lower ground. Correctly positioning these diverters will prevent water from pooling around the perimeter of your home, which ultimately leads to the need for the services of a water damage restoration company.

Outside flooding issues at your home can soon lead to major indoor moisture problems such as structural damage or mold growth. Keep your property protected by implementing these rain drainage solutions.

More Tips on How to Prevent Spring Thaw Flooding

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

Winter thaws can cause a lot of problems for Cedar City residents.

When the cold winter finally thaws into beautiful spring, you likely won’t be thinking about the potential of a flooded basement. Unfortunately, the possibility is quite real, especially if the temperature rises dramatically and suddenly (a common phenomenon in Utah). If unmanaged snow and ice melt too fast, the resulting water can quickly seep into your home’s foundation and cause terrible flooding in your basement.

Before the spring arrives, here are some things you can do to prevent spring flood damage.

Guard Your Home’s Exterior with Sand and Salt

While Southern Utah doesn’t typically experience a flurry of snowfall every winter, any snow that does build up around the foundation of your home can melt and cause unexpected flooding. Just as you do with your sidewalks, salt is a good solution for keeping ice formation and buildup to a minimum.

Additionally, if you have experienced flooding in past winters or want to ensure maximum protection, adding a sand-salt mixture to the ground beneath your gutters will help prevent ice and soak up extra water at the same time.

Prepare Your Yard for Proper Drainage

Every home is built upon a unique elevation and slope. No matter how well your land is prepared during construction, years and decades of settling can affect the direction water flows across your yard. A simple method of guarding your foundation from improper water distribution is to dig a channel that leads “downstream” and away from potential basement entry points. This channel is known as a swale.

If this simple fix is insufficient to solve the problem, you may need to seek professional assistance to adjust the contours of your property. After all, there is no need to live with the threat of basement flooding year after year.

Keep Your Basement Drains Clear

As the lowest point in your basement, your foundation’s drains are your next line of defense against intrusive flooding. These drains directly connect to your city’s sewer system, ensuring your basement stays protected from accidental flooding or burst pipes.

If you have never checked your basement drains before, make it a point to remove the metal cover and examine the interior of the pipe. If flooding has occurred before, debris may be stuck over or inside the drain.

Maintain a Cool Attic

Melting ice during the spring can be handled easily enough. But what happens when all that water refreezes right at the edge of your gutters, ready to cascade down on the first spring thaw?

As strange as it may sound, keeping your attic space cool is one of the best ways to ensure the snowpack on your roof collects and melts evenly. Proper insulation both between the attic ceiling and the roof, as well as your attic floor and the rest of your home, will help. Make sure to seal any cracks and spaces around window frames to keep everything dry.

Restore Your Home from Spring Thaw Flooding with SERVPRO in Cedar City and Fillmore, Utah

No matter how much you prepare for basement flooding, some disasters (whether natural or unforeseen) cannot be avoided. If you have experienced a flooded basement and require professional cleanup and restoration, you can rely on SERVPRO of Cedar City / Fillmore for fast and efficient service. Give us a call at (435) 251-924 if you find yourself in an emergency.

How to Prevent Water Damage from the Spring Thaw

3/5/2021 (Permalink)

Winter Thaw

As the weather warms, the spring thaw nears closer. Each year, this can pose a threat to homes if proper spring flooding preventative measures aren’t taken, and you’ll want to be sure to take proper actions to prevent home water damage.

Before the spring thaw comes around, be sure to take proper measures to prepare the outside and inside of your home.

Outside Your Home

Clear Ice and Snow around Your House

Clearing three feet of ice and snow from around the sides of your home can prevent water from getting into your home’s foundation. Not only can it protect your foundation, but it can keep water from getting into your basement.

Clear Out Gutters

Although there won’t be any leaves to clear out of your gutters, it’s still smart to clean them out to prevent ice and snow buildup. Your gutters have an important role during the spring thaw: if your gutters are blocked by ice or snow, the gutter water can overflow and cause home water damage.

Inside Your Home

Consider a Sump Pump for Your Basement

Basements are prone to spring flooding, which is why it’s worth considering installing a sump pump if you do not already have one.

Sump pumps that have a battery backup will kick on, pumping water out even if a winter storm causes a power outage. They’re also an excellent preventative measure for spring-thaw flooding.

Unplug & Move Appliances in Your Basement

If you have a refrigerator, laundry machines, or other appliances in the basement of your home, they can pose an incredible threat during a flood.

To protect your appliances and your home from electrically charged water, be sure to unplug all appliances and electronics in your basement during the spring thaw.

Aside from unplugging them, move any appliances and electronics that you can carry out of the basement during spring flooding season. If appliances are too big or heavy to carry upstairs, try elevating them on cement or wood to protect them from floodwaters.

Consider Installing Backwater Valves

Where spring-thaw floods are concerning, you should consider having backwater valves to protect your basement and home from sewage flooding.

If a main swerve backup happens, backwater, or backflow, valves will automatically close to protect your home from flooding. They can be installed in your basement sewer connections to prevent further home water damage.

Home Water Damage Restoration from SERVPRO

Even with your best efforts and preventative measures, home flooding can still happen. At SERVPRO, we can help with home water damage! Our team is eager to assist you, so feel free to contact us to discuss any damage or restoration you may need.

10 Things To Do To Prepare For A Severe Windstorm

3/2/2021 (Permalink)

Windstorm

Wind Damage Protection

Weather warnings for a windstorm can bring a host of anxieties and apprehensions. The biggest of them is whether your home will be able to withstand the onslaught of harsh winds. Luckily, there are some things you can do to ease those concerns. We’ve come up with several precautions you can take to ensure that your home will make it through the storm with flying colors.

Preparation is half the battle, they say. So, let’s win this war with these 10 tips!

1)   A Simple Plan

Whether you plan to ride out the storm and shelter in place at home or leave for somewhere safer, you need a detailed plan for either option.

• If you plan to get out of Dodge, you should have a route mapped out, the safest way to get there, which roads to take, food and supply for the journey, and some spare cash.

• If you plan to wait it out at home, you should make sure you have enough food in your pantry. Dry foods like beans, rice, and lentils are a good source of protein, take up little room to store, and make hearty meals. If you buy tinned food, make sure to check the expiration dates. You’ll also want a fully-stocked first-aid box, pet food if you have pets, toilet paper, and water bottles.

2)   Out & About

Inspect the area surrounding your house. If there is any equipment outside that could get swept away in the wind, either bring it inside or secure it to something sturdy. Any trees that are in danger of falling over and damaging the house should be cut down and removed.

3)   A Roof Over Your Head

The roof takes a real beating during a windstorm, so make sure the roof of your home is in good condition before the storm arrives. Have it repaired if need be.

4)   Add Fuel

Make sure all your cars and generators have full tanks of fuel. In an emergency, if the power fails, a generator can be a lifesaver.

5)   All That Glass

Windows and doors with glass can be really vulnerable in a windstorm. These can be especially dangerous if they break towards the inside. Make sure to protect all the windows and glass doors in the house with pre-fitted windstorm shutters.

6)   Unplug

All electronics, computers, and anything plugged into a power source can short circuit and cause a fire. Additionally, if power lines go down during the windstorm, the appliances can surge when the power is restored. Unplug all appliances, computers, and electronic equipment before a storm comes. It would also be a smart idea to make backups of all important data on these devices.

7)   Household Chemicals

Make sure that all household chemicals, like cleaning products, are properly sealed, placed in secure plastic bags, and stored somewhere high and safe, like a tall cabinet.

8)   Tune In, Turn Off

Use duct tape on any cracks or spaces around the windows and doors to prevent the winds from entering your home. Turn off the electricity from the main source.

9)   Get In Touch

In the case of a severe storm, form neighborhood communities beforehand. During the windstorm, keep your portable radio close and keep checking for weather updates. Afterward, check in with your neighbors to make sure everyone is okay. Help out if anyone is running low on supplies. Check in on the elderly.

10)               Pets

If you have pets, it’s important to understand that your pet will feel even more anxious and scared than you during a windstorm. Keep toys, treats, and a leash ready to ensure they don’t run and hide somewhere dangerous.

These precautions should ensure minimal damage to your home, and the safety of you and your loved ones during a windstorm. If your property does sustain any damage from the wind, your best bet is to contact Sevpro of Cedar City/Fillmore. We’re the best in the business and will make sure your house is shipshape in no time.

Fighting an After-Flood Smell

9/27/2019 (Permalink)

This home flooded due to a storm in Cedar City, UT and suffered severe water damage.

Have you ever been inside a building or car that has recently flooded? If so, you know the stench that flood water often leaves behind. The combination of mold growth and sewage loss can create a foul odor.

Before you learn how to expel this smell, there are a few things you should never try to in Cedar City, UT:

• Cover the odor up with other scents
• Ignore it
• Think bleach alone can work
• Keep the doors and windows closed

Don't Try This at Home

Instead, try the following methods:

Call a Professional

The first thing you should do when you notice that musty odor is to call a restoration crew. Mold growth is no small problem. It can cause structural and health issues. A cleanup company has the necessary tools and experience to solve your problem.

Dry While You Wait

In many cases, professionals from a flood water restoration company can come quickly after you call. However, there are a few things you can do while you await their arrival. First, do your best to dry out the affected area.

You can open doors and windows to get air flowing. If the weather doesn't permit you to open your windows, try firing up the dehumidifier instead. Furthermore, you should keep children and pets away from the area.

Clean Furniture

If your furniture was in the path of the flood, you might wish to start getting the musty smell out of the upholstery. It may seem counterintuitive, but white vinegar can help absorb the odor. Spray some on affected areas and wait for the vinegar smell to dissipate. When it does, you may notice the mold smell has gone with it.

There’s no doubt that the smell of mold growth after flood water affects your home can be sickening. In addition to these measures, be sure to call a professional in Cedar City, UT, to rid your home of mold.

Wind Damage

11/1/2017 (Permalink)

In Cedar City it often seems as though the wind never stops! This is great if you like to fly kites but it is not always so great for your house and property. Here is a list of things that need to be checked for damage after a strong wind storm.

1. Shingles or roof tiles.
2. Rain gutters on your house.
3. Siding on your house.
4. Windows and window shutters if applicable.
5. Fencing.

If you do experience wind damage and notice missing shingles or roof tiles call SERVPRO of Cedar City to tarp your roof. We tarp roofs as a temporary solution to help in case it rains before a roofer can get to your property. If you didn't know your roof leaked and you do experience rain damage, well, we can help with that too.

SERVPRO of Cedar City is open 24/7/365 for any emergency big or small. Call (435) 251-9241.