How to Fend Off the Flu at Work

8/29/2022 (Permalink)

Sniffling, coughing, hundred-degree fever…that’s right folks, flu season is upon us. But no need to worry there are a few things that your office can do to protect your employees (and yourself) from catching much-dreaded influenza. We’ve compiled a list of 5 ways to prevent the flu from spreading at your office.

• Give Flu shots at work
• sanitize the workplace
• Embrace basic hygiene
• Avoid physical contact
• Stock the office

Roughly 5-20% of US residents get the flu each year–but this doesn’t have to include your employees. Taking the appropriate measures to prevent the flu in your office will keep your workforce healthy and productive. SERVPRO of Mason City can help keep your business sanitized this season.

Commercial Duct Cleaning

8/29/2022 (Permalink)

Did you know that the ventilation system in your business is often the biggest culprit in poor indoor air quality? Ensuring your HVAC system and ductwork are free from dust and grime that can circulate throughout your business is of utmost importance.

SERVPRO is here to help! Our franchise professionals will inspect and make recommendations about the best way to address your business’s air quality concerns. Cleaning years of dust and dirt out of your HVAC system can help reduce the potential for damage and health risks. Not only that, but it can also extend the life of your equipment.

Top reasons to have your air ducts cleaned:

• Reduces allergens and irritants in the air
• Restores peak energy efficiency of your HVAC system
• Remediates bacteria, fungi, and mold
• Eliminates offensive odors

SERVPRO of Mason City has the equipment and knowledge needed to help protect your business from air quality issues. Call us today for a free quote!

A Small Water Leak Can Be a Big Problem

8/29/2022 (Permalink)

A sudden faucet broke with water spewing all over the bathroom, you’d call the plumber to get the damage fixed right away. But, when you have a small drip under your sink, you wait another day, or even weeks to repair the leak.

It might not seem bad in the beginning; even small leaks can become too big for you to handle. By the time you realize it, you’re dealing with a major headache from all the damage and expenses that one simple leak has caused.

Monthly Water Expenses Increase

A dripping sink will affect your water bill. Drips from a leaky faucet or sink can add up to a lot of money on your monthly water bill.

Water Leak Statistics:
The following shows the amount of water that can be lost for various size leaks.

Common water Loss examples:

Leaking Pipe @ 30 drips per second = 2 Gallons per Day
Leaking Pipe @ 60 drips per minute = 5 Gallons per Day
Leaking Pipe @ 120 drips per minute = 11 Gallons per Day

Typical Normal Water Uses:

1 Bath = 42 Gal
1 Shower = 17 Gal to 50 Gal
Wash 1 Load of Clothes = 45 Gal
Flush Toilet = 3 Gal

You can do your own calculations to determine water loss.

Extensive Damage in Your Home

If you think that a small leak will always stay small, think again. The damage from the leak can extend to other parts of your home. If you start noticing signs of leaks in your home, contact SERVPRO of Mason City.

The Product We Use

8/29/2022 (Permalink)

You may or may not have heard of the company Benefect. They are known for creating some of the best cleanings and disinfecting products on the market. One of the best parts of this company is they wanted to create safe, environmentally friendly products. Most antimicrobials or disinfectants on the market can still be used safely, but nothing like the products made by Benefect.

SERVPRO of Mason City uses the products made by Benefect for their all-natural benefits. The products they make are produced using nature’s way of cleaning and killing germs. They are a world leader in botanical antimicrobials. Here at SERVPRO of Mason City we specifically use Benefect Decon 30, a Botanical Disinfectant, for its cleaning and disinfecting properties, and it is made from only plant extracts. All these products have been tested and EPA approved.

How often do you buy a cleaner and see it riddled with warning labels and first aid statements? When someone comes into your home or business to clean, do you REALLY know what is in that bottle they keep spraying everywhere? Therefore we choose Benefect Decon 30 for our cleaning and disinfecting needs. SERVPRO of Mason City uses Benefect Decon 30 to clean your home or business so you don’t have to worry about harsh products.

Want to learn more about Benefect and its product? Visit http://www.benefect.com

Need your home or business cleaned thoroughly and safely? Call SERVPRO of Mason City today at 641-424-3382 and let us help you!

Understanding Structure and Content Coverage

8/26/2022 (Permalink)

Nobody plans for an unexpected disaster but understanding your insurance coverage is very important in the event a disaster does occur. When purchasing a home or business insurance policy, there are several things that need to be considered.

One of the biggest decisions when purchasing insurance is what type of policy or policies you need to protect not only the structure of your home or business but also the belongings inside. A structured policy covers the building, which includes things attached to the building such as flooring, countertops, etc. A content policy covers anything you can pick up and carry out of the home or business. This can include furniture, clothing, appliances, etc. Contents are defined as any kind of personal possessions that are not permanently attached to the structure. In the event a loss occurs at your home or business, it is very important to have insurance for the structure as well as the content. This will insure you are protected for all things important to you.

Talk with your insurance agent to review your policy and be sure you’re covered. SERVPRO of Mason City is always happy to help in the time of need and to make a disaster look “Like it never even happened.”

What to do After a Fire

8/26/2022 (Permalink)

When fire damages your structure, there are many emotions running through your mind. As the owner of a business or home, fear, stress, and uncertainty can make you feel overwhelmed by the loss that has occurred. SERVPRO is here to help ease some of those uncertainties and work to make it look like “it never even happened.”

The first 48 hours after fire damage can make the difference in restoring versus replacing. After the rescue team has come in and extinguished the fire, there are some things you, as the owner, can do until help arrives to risk any further damage. These include:

• Limit movement in the structure to prevent soot particles from spreading.
• Place dry, colorfast towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery, and carpet traffic areas.
• Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers to stop particles of soot from getting in or out of the HVAC system.
• If the electricity is OFF, empty the freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open to prevent odor.

Some things you will want to avoid without contacting SERVPRO first include:

• Cleaning any walls or painted surfaces, electrical equipment, or shampoo carpet or upholstery.
• Consume any food or beverages that may have been stored close to fire, heat, or water. (They may be contaminated.)
• Send garments to a dry cleaner; improper cleaning may set in a smoke odor.
• Turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet. The wiring may be wet or damaged and cause electrical shock, and air movement may create secondary damage.

SERVPRO is always here to help. With high-quality products and a team of professionals, we strive to not only restore your structure, but also your peace of mind. In the event a fire occurs in your home or business, please give us a call!

What is Soot and is it Dangerous?

8/26/2022 (Permalink)

After a house fire is put out, the danger, unfortunately, does not stop there. Soot may spread to your entire home, this not only poses a threat to the structure but to your health as well.

Soot is made up of tiny particles created by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. Soot contains acids, chemicals, metals, soils, and dust. The acidic properties in the soot can cause additional damage to your home and indoor air quality if not removed immediately.

Soot can enter your body through inhalation, ingestion, or through the skin and eyes. This can cause breathing issues, including asthma, bronchitis, coronary heart disease, and even cancer. To avoid the health risks of soot exposure after a home fire, make sure that all soot-affected areas are properly cleaned and sanitized. SERVPRO of Mason City has specialized training and equipment to remove soot. 

Fire Safety Guidelines for the Workplace

8/26/2022 (Permalink)

Workplace and office fires have reduced in numbers over the last few decades. This is greatly in part to advances in technology, more effective fire control tools and systems, and businesses taking a much more serious approach to fire prevention workplace training.

Tips for workplace safety:

• Emergency exits
• Fire and smoke alarms
• Fire drills
• Work-space clutter
• Equipment
• Electrical safety
• Smoking

Being PREPARED is the key to preventing fires at the workplace. Having an action plan in place, in the event of a fire will help ease the stress and reaction time. Follow the advice above and you can save yourself and your coworkers from injuries and death.

For professional fire damage or smoke remediation services, call SERVPRO of Mason City at (641) 424-3382.

Flood Watch vs Flood Warning – What’s the Difference?

8/25/2022 (Permalink)

Flooding can occur rapidly and can cause major damage to homes and businesses. The National Weather Service or your local weather service issues flood watches, warnings, and advisories. But what do they mean? Below are the differences between the announcements and what you need to do for each.

Flood Advisory – this is the lowest level of flood notifications. Flooding may be possible under the current weather conditions, but if a flood does occur it is usually less severe. It is best to pay attention to weather announcements and be alert to the risk of flooding.

Flood Watch – this indicates that flooding may be possible in your area within 24 to 48 hours. It means that conditions are favorable for a flood, but not guaranteed. Be ready to seek shelter because a flood watch can quickly turn into a flood warning.

Flood Warning – this means flooding is imminent or already happening in your area. Some things you should be aware of at this time include locating emergency shelters, and evacuation procedures, avoiding low-lying areas, and staying tuned for weather updates. If officials advise evacuation, do so immediately.

Flash Flood Warning – flash floods are sudden and violent. This usually occurs within six hours or less when rain is heavy or levees and dams break. Because flash flooding happens so rapidly, there may not be time to send out alerts. If you become aware of this warning, seek higher ground immediately. Even if it is not raining in your area, flash flooding can still develop when the warning is issued.

Flooding can be very dangerous and sometimes very sudden. In inclement weather, always be alert to your local weather service or the National Weather Service for updates and how to protect yourself. Always exercise caution and be prepared. For water removal and mold damage after a flood, call SERVPRO of Mason City to make it look “Like it never even happened.”

Summer Storms

8/25/2022 (Permalink)

Heavy thunderstorms and potential tornadoes are always a threat to our area during the summer months. There are different types of disasters that can arise from these storms. Examples are flooding and power outages. Both cause potential safety hazards.

 Always be aware of large damaging storms that are possible in your area and prepared for the aftermath. Flooding can cause power outages. Power outages may even cause flooding in some areas and homes. If your home is equipped with a sump pump, make sure that you have a battery backup system. Make sure that the battery backup is operational and maintained regularly.

   An emergency kit is good to keep on hand in case of power outages, heavy flooding as well as other natural disasters that may strike at any time. At ready.gov/kit you can find an extensive breakdown of items recommended to have ready at any given time. Below is a summary list to get your kits started or up to date.

• Water(one gallon per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation)
• Food(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)
• 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 (to help find safe emergency routes)
• Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery (for emergency contacts)

Once your kit is assembled or updated, you must remember to maintain it.

• Keep canned food in a cool, dry place.
• Store boxed food in a tightly closed plastic or metal containers.
• Replace expired items as needed.
• Re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your family’s needs change.

Keep your emergency kit in a designated place where you have easy access to it, and are ready to go in a hurry. For more information, the above-hyperlinked word will lead you to ready.gov designated sites to help in preparing your family for any emergency or disaster that mother nature can cause.