What SERVPRO® Stands For

5/14/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® Employees are here to help 24/7

SERVPRO® stands for many different things, and it makes us very happy to be able to serve our community with all their restoration needs. SERVPRO works to help people restore their damages and make the restoration process as smooth as possible. We will make your home safe for you and your whole family.
SERVPRO Team McGinnis is all about serving our community and serving people; we want to be a resource, and to be helpful to others. That is why we do business, and the WHY we do business is the most important thing, in our minds. So, obviously people know what we do, but we want to be out in our Community. We want to be involved and to be there when people need assistance. That is our number one focus, our number one mission: to serve the people of our Community in their time of need and help restore peace of mind.
If you need help restoring damage in your home or business, call SERVPRO today. We specialize in water, fire, biohazard, mold and so much more. We always want you to be happy with the job we do for you.

Rely on the professionals at SERVPRO Team McGinnis to make it ”Like it never even happened.” If you have any questions please call 541-745-2097

Cooking Oil Fire

5/10/2024 (Permalink)

While it might not look like too big of a job, even a small fire can require professional trained technicians to help!

Cleaning up soot and smoke after a grease fire in your kitchen can be a daunting task.

A grease fire in your home is an unexpected disaster and can create a significant amount of damage. Pouring water onto a fire is an initial reaction, but water mixed with oil creates a splash effect, which actually can cause the fire to spread. The most effective way to snuff out a grease fire is with a fire extinguisher, baking soda, or a fire-suppression blanket.

After extinguishing the fire in your home, it is difficult to clean and restore your kitchen to its original condition. In addition to visible soot, the smoky smells permeate every porous surface and can remain for years, if not properly cleaned. We want you to look to us, SERVPRO® Team McGinnis as your neighborhood fast and friendly team to help turn things around.

Our team here at SERVPRO® will walk you through the whole restoration process making sure you understand and are comfortable leaving your kitchen in our hands. Communication is key with every job, especially yours. You chose SERVPRO® to make your kitchen look “Like it never even happened.” You experienced a grease fire disaster in your kitchen and we will be there to fix it right the first time.

Life can throw unexpected curves your way and cause disruptions you never thought possible. You can trust the Fires Restoration Specialists to get your kitchen back up and running as quickly as possible and help restore the rhythm of your home life. You can call us at SERVPRO® anytime, day or night at 541-745-2097.

A fire in your home....

5/8/2024 (Permalink)

Even small fires need professionals to make it like it never even happened!

A fire in your home….

An Oregon homeowner recently suffered fire and smoke damage in their garage. Investigation discovered that an electrical malfunction started the dryer fire. The placement of a fire extinguisher nearby allowed the homeowner to react quickly and get the fire subdued with relative speed. However, even in that short amount of time, the area of the garage surrounding the dryer became covered in soot and smoke residue.

Fire damage leaves behind odors, smoke residue and soot which can be challenging for the homeowner to clean. The heat from the fire itself causes porous surfaces, such as drywall, to open up and trap odors. And while soot might just look like dirt, breathing in soot particles can be harmful to your health. Soot contains a mixture of fine particles, such as carbon, chemicals, and other byproducts of incomplete combustion. When inhaled, these particles can irritate the respiratory system, leading to coughing, shortness of breath, and respiratory distress. And the PH of soot is such that is slowly eats away at the materials it clings to, such as ceramics, metals, glass, etc.  By calling SERVPRO® the homeowner was at ease knowing the cleanup was being professionally managed, and the soot and odor were safely and thoroughly removed.

When you are faced with a fire disaster, remember SERVPRO® is here for you. We are have technicians that operate 24/7. Call SERVPRO® Team McGinnis today at 541-745-2097.

We can make it “Like it never even happened."

Mold is Preventable

5/8/2024 (Permalink)

Mold can grow almost anywhere - but it can also be easily prevented with proper care.

Mold is preventative

When a residential or commercial property suffers a water damage disaster, mold spores begin to appear within 48-72 hours. SERVPRO® has the training and experience to properly execute the resolution of mold growth. In the case of suspected mold growth in your residential or commercial property SERVPRO® Team McGinnis West can inspect, determine the cause and remediate your property.

According to the EPA, here are the top 9 things you should know about mold/growth.

1. Learn to control mold growth indoors. Maintain a low humidity level, especially high moisture in the bathroom and kitchen.
2. Immediately clean and eliminate the source of mold. If you are unable to or unsure, call in the professionals.
3. Repair or replace the source of water leak or problem.
4. Maintaining bathroom vents, dryers, and range hoods will lessen the possibility of mold growth. Be aware during hot weather when running your air conditioner units that there is no water spillage.
5. Immediately dry any water damaged surface or materials.
6. Use a combination of water and detergent to clean mold off of surfaces. This is less toxic than bleach and will not cause further damage to the surface.
7. Maintaining insulation properly (i.e. window sills, door jams, crawlspaces, attics) will reduce the collection of condensation.
8. Carpet should never be installed in bathrooms or kitchens due to the high moisture and humidity.
9. Inspect surfaces and object that have set in water damage, mold can grow on any surface including, but not limited to, cardboard, furniture, water fountains, and food.

If you have questions or need help with your Oregon residential or commercial property, you can call SERVPRO® Team McGinnis anytime at 541-745-2097.

Board-Ups

5/8/2024 (Permalink)

When your place of business suffers a loss, even due to Vandalism, SERVPRO® is here to help!

Did you know that SERVPRO® will perform board-ups when necessary?

SERVPRO® answered the call of a vandalism disaster to a local Oregon business before dawn early one fall morning. Upon arrival our team inspected the damage; glass and metal debris both inside and outside of the building. The team got to work right away, safely removing the glass pieces in order to have a safe work area. Some tables and chairs sustained damage as well, but thankfully no one was hurt. 

After our team was able to remove all the unsafe materials, they then went and got the needed materials to perform a board-up. This service helped the tenants to be at ease knowing their property would not endure further damage.  Board-ups help prevent further damages by preventing people from entering the property, helps keep animals, as well as rain and other external debris out.  They also help protect the homeowner from trespassers, who may vandal, steal or even injure themselves accidentally. Did you know that even if someone trespasses your damaged property, they can sue you if they get hurt in the process of their trespassing?? Board-ups are a service highly recommended by most insurance companies as a 1^st step in many disasters, to protect property owners, as well as the property itself.

After suffering damage to your home or business property SERVPRO® will be on scene to clean-up, board-up and restore the damage. It is just one of the m services we can provide for your family or business. Call us today at 541-745-2097

What happens to my things?

5/3/2024 (Permalink)

our Contents Specialists are trained to safely pack up your items for safe removal to our warehouse for cleaning and storage.

After a fire and before the restoration can begin.

The process of packing up your belongings can be long and tedious. SERVPRO® Team McGinnis takes that burden from your shoulders. You have enough to tend to, let us help with packing and unpacking.

Our teams are extremely detailed and accurate with inventorying each item. When your contents are packed, they are then moved to a secure location at our warehouse.

When it is time to begin the move out process you do not have to concern yourself with packing items, as we come prepared with the essentials. SERVPRO® supplies sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, shrink wrap and various packing materials. Our teams set up a staging tables in each room while also identifying each box per room.

Boxed items are small to medium size objects and are packaged accordingly.

Large items that can be disassembled to safely transport will be. If we are unable to disassemble, then our team(s) will wrap the times with the necessary material and place moving pads around so other items do not cause damage.

Our teams are trained to identify and separate which items can be safely cleaned and returned, and which items are deemed ‘non-salvageable’. Non-salvageable items are items that have sustained severe damage, either from smoke/soot, water, or even asbestos or a biological source. These items are considered unsafe for continued use.

Documenting your contents is a high priority and we do it by hand and digitally. We have a move out checklist that the project lead will go over with you and list items in detail. When the project lead is back at the office, they will then record the information in a spreadsheet along with taking the digital photographs taken by the team onsite, then uploading those content photos to your customer file.

When the time has come that repairs and restoration is complete, we will then preform a move back. By bringing your items back, unload and unpack per room you will notice cleaned and restored items safely returned to their proper spaces.

If you find yourself in need of fire restoration or have question and concerns give us a call at 541-745-2097. Your local SERVPRO® is operated 24/7/365 with emergency services available.

Infra-Red for Water Damage?

5/3/2024 (Permalink)

Infra-Red technology allows us to see the full extent of water damage, even when its not visible to the naked eye!

Infrared camera technology allows technicians to see what cannot be seen with the bare eye.

According to an article posted online by Flir Systems, Wilsonville - Oregon,

"An infrared camera is a non-contact device that detects infrared energy (heat) and converts it into an electronic signal, which is then processed to produce a thermal image on a video monitor and perform temperature calculations. Heat sensed by an infrared camera can be very precisely quantified, or measured, allowing you to not only monitor thermal performance, but also identify and evaluate the relative severity of heat-related problems."

Pretty neat technology, don’t you think? Now, we use it *slightly* differently than mentioned above. Water Restoration Technicians use the Infra-Red tech to search for water by looking for COOLER spots, which are indicative of the presence of water. It helps us to measure just how saturated the wall, the floor, or the door might be, which helps us better map out how best to help you and your emergency.

You see this is why use the infrared technology on all of our jobs because seeing is not always believing.

When you contact us for any water damage related service, our team will use the best technology we have to ensure your property is taking care of.

Call SERVPRO® Team McGinnis anytime day or night for help 541-745-2097.

Fire Safety Tips

2/22/2024 (Permalink)

Knowing what to do in the event of a fire can help save lives!

Fires can be very frightening – they are scary, spread quickly and can cause devastating losses.  While we cannot completely fire-proof our homes, there are a few steps you can take to help protect your family in the event of a fire.

• Install and regularly test smoke detectors. Statistics show that working smoke detectors reduce the risk of death in a house fire almost in half! Fires spread quickly, and once that alarm sounds, you may only have a minute or two to escape.
• Practice Fire Drills at home. Since time is of the utmost importance during a fire, it is best to KNOW what do in the event of a fire.  What is the best escape route? Where does the family meet up outside?  In order to respond quickly, it is best to have a rehearsed plan ahead of time.
• Have fire extinguishers handy & know how to use them. Keep them in an easy access location near a likely source of fire – in the kitchen, the laundry room, etc.  And maybe buy a few extra and have your children practice using them (probably best to do OUTSIDE).
• Childproof your kitchen. To keep small children from accidentally turning on the stove, which may having something on it that could burn.
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children. And teach your children they are not toys.

While no one wants to imagine what they would do in the event of a fire, it is better to be prepared, and have a plan to help keep your family as safe as possible.  And if you do experience a fire, do not hesitate to call your Fire Restoration Specialists at SERVPRO®.  We are here to help. We can take care of your home, so you can take care of your family.

Water DamageTips

2/22/2024 (Permalink)

Some helpful tips if water damage does occur

Emergency Water Damage Tips

After a storm passes, it is important to stay safe while waiting for help to arrive. Here are some tips to help prevent further damage after a storm, especially if your property has some water damage:

Shut Off Water Source

Shut off the water source if possible or contact a qualified party to stop the water source.  

Turn Off Circuit Breakers

Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the business when access to the power distribution panel is safe from electrical shock.   

Move Important Objects

Move any paintings, art, objects, computers, documents, or other sensitive valuables to a dry place.  

Don't Enter Affected Areas

Do not enter affected areas if electrical outlets, switches, circuit breakers or electrical equipment are exposed to water. Always avoid electrical shock hazards!   

Stay Away From Structural Damage

Stay away from visible structural damage. Close and rope off the affected area if possible.  

Have Insurance Available

Have your insurance policy available and know the name of your insurance company and broker. Call SERVPRO® today at 541-745-2097! A professional will come out and assess damage and provide necessary mitigation services.

Winter storms can cause water damage!

2/20/2024 (Permalink)

Freezing temperatures can cause pipes to break in your home!

Wowzers!

Winter season really did a number on us here in the Pacific Northwest! From wind storms to ice storms we had an astonishing amount of falling trees on homes. This lead to massive water damage as the rain did not stop coming. 

Freezing weather also caused frozen pipes.

If you have a pipe burst, SERVPRO® has trained professionals that can repair all the damages and have your home looking “Like it never even happened.” In the meantime, here are some tips to help prevent your pipes from freezing.

• If the crawl space access is inside the home, set a fan in the opening to blow warm air from the home to the foundation 
• Leave the cabinet doors under the sink open to keep the pipes warm 
• Caulk and seal around doors, windows and faucets 
• Close all foundation vents that are near pipes 

Call on the professionals at SERVPRO® today at (541).745.2097