Snow and Sump Pump Failure... Who Knew?

3/10/2023 (Permalink)

Sump pump failure often occurs during a heavy rainstorm, but did you know they can happen during winter storms too.  There are many reasons for failure such as power outages, product defect, switch problems, sizing, improper installation, etc. Once a sump pump failure occurs, water begins to seep through cracks in the foundation and your basement walls. Water tends to gravitate towards the lowest point of the basement, often saturating anything in its path. A flooded basement can jeopardize your health, safety, and your home’s integrity. It’s worth making a call to SERVPRO of Geauga County and let our trained, professional crews, handle the situation safely and correctly.

• We are Available 24 hours/7 days per week.
• Our technicians are highly trained in water restoration techniques.
• We use s500 IICRC Restoration Standards (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification)
• Advanced Inspection and Extraction Equipment

About SERVPRO of Geauga County

SERVPRO of Geauga County 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.

Call Us Today – We Are Here to Help – (440) 564-7266.

Spring Water and The Chagrin River

3/1/2023 (Permalink)

There are several common causes of water damage a home or business could face. Broken pipes or hoses, overflowing bathtubs or toilets, sewer backup, or even extended periods of high humidity in the basement. Some of these problems are easy to prevent with careful maintenance. Other occurrences that lead to damage are completely out of a home or business owner’s hands such as: power outages causing water removal pump failure, damage caused while attending to a fire, or flash floods. Many of those who reside in the vicinity of the Chagrin River, know how something as simple as a spring thaw can cause excessive flood damage rather rapidly.

When faced with water damage in a home or business, the first thing to remember is to call for help immediately. Waiting to seek help while trying to remedy the situation will only make the damage worse. Persons faced with water damage need the assistance of professionals who act right away and use cutting-edge gear and methods to remove the water rapidly.

There are many choices of professionals who remedy water damage in the Bainbridge, Chagrin Falls, and Novelty, Oh area. Here are a few tips to help find the right company to help. • 24/7 availability, time matters when water destruction occurs so constant availability is important. • Highly trained professionals who understand the facets of air movement, drying, and water cleanup. Certification from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) provides the peace of mind that the restoration company will provide quality work from knowledgeable technicians. Whether it is water in the home or water in the business, having a technician who is skilled in mitigation is important; this is no time for amateurs to try their skills. • A restoration company which is licensed, insured, and bonded for the protection of the client and the restoration professional is necessary.

SERVPRO of Geauga County 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. 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.

Have Questions? Call Us 24/7 

Our SERVPRO technicians can inspect your home or business to determine the appropriate plan of action for the type of water damage encountered.

Office: 440-564-7266 

Green Roses

2/14/2023 (Permalink)

Valentine’s Day is here.  Did you figure out what to get, who to get, or if you should even get? What is appropriate dinner, candy, golf balls, socks, roses (I say green roses). How do you show you care, is it through a monetary gift, an action, or maybe words? Here at SERVPRO of Geauga County, we show it through community. You may have seen us in your neighborhood, out on the streets, on the golf course, in the Police or Fire Stations, even in the center of town decorating a Christmas tree. We join forces to help, wherever, and whenever we can; even if it’s not for fun or a charitable event.

Speaking of Christmas, as many families were enjoying their time together, SERVPRO of Geauga County was hard at work. Geauga County was hit with freezing temperatures, pipe breaks, wind, and storm damages. Our team members were out day and night helping those business and families who suffered from flooding, falling ceilings, and loss of power. SERVPRO of Geauga County knew how imperative it was for this community and their families to have a warm and safe environment and wouldn’t accept any less! This goes for any day, even a holiday; we are always here to help! (I say green roses).

We understand that disaster can strike any time and we are available for you 24/7.   Being locally owned and operated, our first responders, office team, and owner all reside in the community and take pride in being invested in the well-being our community.

From all of us at SERVPRO of Geauga County, Happy Valentine’s Day and Green rose to you! (Life, growth, hope, and new beginnings.)

Call Us 24/7 – 440-564-7266

For more information on smoke, fire, water, bio, mold, microbial damage, visit http://www.SERVPROgeaugacounty.com/

Warm to Cold, Cold to Warm - Geauga County Storms

2/7/2023 (Permalink)

Storm damage caused by ice and water can create havoc in our Geauga County communities. Storm damages can be overwhelming and pose a multitude of hazards to you and your property. If your Geauga County home or business has been impacted by a storm damage, time becomes money. By calling SERVPRO of Geauga County first, the faster the mitigation can begin, ultimately reducing interruptions and reducing recovery cost. Whether you are dealing with a relatively small water cleanup or a large-scale event, SERVPRO of Geauga County will work quickly to address your situation and help isolate the damaged area.

Here are just a few services that we could provide:

Water Removal – Extraction and Source Removal.

Hazard Removal – Stabilization and or demolition of unsafe building materials.

Dehumidification – Equipment to control the temperature and humidity.

Content Inventory – Salvageable and non-salvageable inventory, documentation, cleaning, storing, and restoring.

Sanitization and Deodorization – Neutralization and or elimination.

SERVPRO of Geauga County specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a storm 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 and equipment to restore your property.

If your home or business, suffered from storm damage, please contact SERVPRO of Geauga County at 440-564-7266 or visit http://www.SERVPROgeaugacounty.com/

What is a Lake Effect Snow?

11/16/2022 (Permalink)

Lake-effect snowfall is a fact of life in Geauga County

Lake effect snow is common across the Great Lakes region during the late fall and winter. Lake Effect snow occurs when cold air, often originating from Canada, moves across the open waters of the Great Lakes. As the cold air passes over the unfrozen and relatively warm waters of the Great Lakes, warmth and moisture are transferred into the lowest portion of the atmosphere. The air rises, clouds form and grow into narrow band that produces 2 to 3 inches of snow per hour or more.

Unfortunately, lake-effect snowfall is a fact of life in Geauga County. Scientists expect extreme winter storms to become more frequent and more intense in the area over the next few decades as our climate changes.

SERVPRO of Geauga County has a storm team ready to respond when this lake effect snow hits.  Our teams have experience and knowledge when you are dealing with storm, flood, and water damage. Immediate action is crucial to restore your belongings before further damage. SERVPRO of Geauga County is the company with storm damage experience and expertise that has the resources and professional equipment to handle the job. No job is too big or too small for SERVPRO of Geauga County, we can respond immediately to storm and flooding conditions.

If you suffer storm damage, please contact SERVPRO of Geauga County at 440-564-7266 or visit http://www.SERVPROgeaugacounty.com/

SERVPRO of Geauga Family supports first responders!

9/23/2022 (Permalink)

Owner, Michael Bowdren with Bainbridge Police Chief.

SERVPRO of Geauga County opened in October 2014 and is an independently owned and operated business.  The founder of the franchise, Michael Bowdren, has been in the restoration business for more than 18 years before opening his own franchise with SERVPRO. His employees value the family environment that Michael has created and that is why the franchise's greatest philosophy is that they treat their customers as they would their own family.  Michael also understands the importance of giving back and community support. In the past few weeks he visited local fire and police departments to show his support surrounding First Responders Week. He strives to always provide a helping hand to the businesses and organizations that make Geauga County home to so many people.

SERVPRO of Geauga County understands the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your life and home or business. Their goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it "Like it never even happened." Michael and his team vow to provide an effortless service and treat your family or business with TLC.

If you need to schedule service for your home or business, please call today at 440-564-7266 or visit http://www.SERVPROgeaugacounty.com/

Commercial Restoration and Cleaning Services

9/23/2022 (Permalink)

Our team servicing a commercial building.

SERVPRO of Geauga County helps commercial customers with a wide variety of cleaning, construction and restoration projects.  From a minor mishap to major losses, we can help to restore your business.  Our Disaster Recovery Team is composed of elite technicians who have the training and resources to handle large-loss events for industries that have included hospitals, universities and government facilities.  Each large loss project is managed by one of our project managers whose goal is to ensure that your business experiences the smoothest restoration experience possible.  Additionally we can help you navigate the insurance claims process and coordinate the necessary paperwork for a quicker, easier experience.

We also provide other services, including special event services, power generation, climate control and Certified Cleaning services.

If you would like to learn more about how we can help you, contact us at 440-564-7266 or visit http://www.SERVPROgeaugacounty.com.

Why does my basement flood during heavy rain?

9/13/2022 (Permalink)

This flooded basement was a result of clogged gutters.

Persistent rain causes soil saturation, creating  water pressure. This pressure forces moisture through your basement walls and floor. Loose soil around your foundation absorbs water. Your gutters and downspouts get clogged with rainwater that pools right next to your foundation.

There are some measures you can take today to help waterproof your basement and safeguard it against a catastrophic flooding episode.

• Keep your rain gutters clean, and make sure they’re pointed away from the foundation of your home.
• During the next heavy rain, check around your yard to see where water is pooling and being diverted to. If it’s going toward the foundation of your home, contact an expert to grade your yard so it’s able to properly handle the water it receives during storms.
• If you have a basement window, make sure it’s protected with a window well cover.
• A sump pump can be your basement’s savior. An automatic sump pump set to trigger on when it senses water in your basement space offers a layer of protection for your home, even when you’re not there. Homeowners in particularly flood-prone areas should have a backup sump pump, and check to see if flood insurance is available for purchase.

Be sure to call SERVPRO of Geauga County if the amount of water is more than a foot deep, many items have become wet, or mildew is beginning to take hold. Quickly removing the water and beginning the drying process is essential to lessen the possibility for mold to form, which can greatly increase the damage and cost involved.

If you suffer storm damage, please contact SERVPRO of Geauga County at 440-564-7266 or visit http://www.SERVPROgeaugacounty.com/

Enjoying your hot tub?

8/29/2022 (Permalink)

It is important to follow all safety precautions when owning a hot tub!

Whether it’s warm or cold outside, a hot tub can be relaxing and therapeutic at the end of a long day.

Although soaking in the tub might melt away your worries, you shouldn’t neglect the insurance implications and dangers of owning one while following all safety precautions.  

Should you have the unfortunate event of having your hot tub cause water damage to your home, we recommend calling SERVPRO of Geauga County to help you get your home repaired and restored as efficiently as possible.  The actions below are some things you can do while waiting for assistance:

• Shut off the water source if possible
• Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the home when access to the power distribution panel is safe from electrical shock
• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting
• Move any upholstery or valuables
• Don’t enter affected areas if electrical outlets, switches, circuit breakers or electrical equipment are exposed to water. Always avoid electrical shock hazards!

It is important to note that hot tubs are generally covered by your homeowner’s insurance, but we do recommend contacting your insurance agent as some policies may not. If your insurance carrier agrees to cover your hot tub, there’ll likely be some changes to your liability coverage.

Regardless, we know decompressing is essential in today’s busy world, and a hot tub is a great way to do this, but please be sure to follow all the  guidelines surrounding your hot tub. 

Should you need Emergency Service? Call Us 440-564-7266 or visit http://www.SERVPROgeaugacounty.com.

DID YOU HEAR THAT THUNDER LAST NIGHT?!

8/21/2022 (Permalink)

We always recommend having a lightning safety plan!

Geauga County can always count on having unpredictable weather! 

Thunderstorms are dangerous weather systems that include lightning and can also produce power winds of more than 50 mph, create hail, and can cause flash flooding and tornadoes.

Lightning is one of the leading causes of injury and death from weather-related hazards. Although most lightning victims survive, people struck by lightning often report a variety of long-term, debilitating symptoms.

You can protect yourself from severe thunderstorms even if you’re caught outdoors when lightning is close by. We always recommend having a lightning safety plan.

• If the weather forecast calls for thunderstorms, postpone your trip or activity.
• Don’t forget the 30-30 rule. After seeing lightning, start counting to 30. If you hear thunder before you reach 30, go indoors. Suspend activities for at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder.
• If no shelter is available, crouch low, with as little of your body touching the ground as possible. Lightning causes electric currents along the top of the ground that can be deadly up to, and exceeding, 100 feet away.
• Avoid concrete floors and walls. Lightning can travel through any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring.
• If a thunderstorm warning has been issued for your area or you hear thunder, go inside immediately.
• Get out and away from bodies of water. If boating, fishing or swimming, get to land and find a sturdy, grounded shelter or vehicle immediately.
• And don’t forget your pets!! Outside dog houses are not lightning-safe. Dogs that are chained to trees or wire runners can easily fall victim to lightning strikes.  Bring your pets inside the home or garage during thunderstorms.

REMEMBER - When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors! - A sturdy building is the safest place to be during a thunderstorm.

If you suffer storm damage, please contact SERVPRO of Geauga County at 440-564-7266 or visit http://www.SERVPROgeaugacounty.com/