SERVPRO Now in Bellefontaine, OH

8/31/2022 (Permalink)

If you live in Logan County, you have probably heard of a local business owner who held auctions at his property on South Elm Street. When he decided it was time for a change and opened a retail store in town, Scott Huffman, the owner of SERVPRO of Central Auglaize/Hardin/Logan Counties knew it would be the perfect space to start his own business.

The building had a lot of potential and Scott was eager to customize the space to fit his needs. Work began on the inside of the building including new water lines, electric, LED lighting and fresh paint, then it was time for the exterior. Last week our team gave the building a facelift featuring a signature SERVPRO green stripe, that is sure to catch your eye. The team is very proud of the final result and feel like it’s a direct reflection of our core values and focus on customer service that makes our employees “bleed green”, and now our building does as well.

Scott is grateful to have his business in his hometown of Bellefontaine and looks forward to helping his community in their time of need. Feel free to come see the results for yourself, we’re located at 315 S. Elm St., Bellefontaine, OH. If your home or business is in need of repair, please don’t hesitate to call us at 937-354-3540.

We're Always Here to Help

8/31/2022 (Permalink)

With Labor Day quickly approaching we wanted to take a moment to talk about why we celebrate this holiday and the history behind it. During the Industrial Revolution the average American worked 12-hour days, 7-days a week. Kids as young as 5, immigrants and the extremely poor were forced to work in unsafe conditions. As the manufacturing business took off, so did labor unions who became more vocal about the mistreatment of employees. The first ever Labor Day parade took place on September 5, 1882, when 10,000 workers marched from City Hall to Union Square in New York City to protest these conditions.

A “workingmen’s holiday” caught on across the country and many states passed legislation recognizing it. However not everyone was on board and unions were forced to continue to strike and protest for safer working conditions. A strike in Chicago caused the government to send in troops that resulted in the death of more then a dozen workers. As an attempt to repair ties with the American workers President Grover Cleveland signed a law recognizing the first Monday in September as a national holiday know as Labor Day.

Our team at SERVPRO of Central Auglaize/Hardin/Logan Counties offer emergency services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. So, while you’re enjoying the holiday with family and friends you will have the peace of mind knowing that SERVPRO is always here to help.

Wishing everyone a Safe and Happy Labor Day!  

2022 SERVPRO Convention

8/5/2022 (Permalink)

Owner's Scott and Andrea Huffman

Every year SERVPRO host a convention for all the franchise owners across the country to keep them updated on technology changes, new equipment, workshops, and all things SERVPRO. It’s a great event that allows owners to continue to learn and grow and provide their customers with the best experience possible during their difficult situation.

While the event has been hosted virtually the past couple years due to covid, owners of SERVPRO of Central Auglaize, Hardin and Logan Counties, Scott and Andrea Huffman attended the event that was host is Dallas, TX this year. When asked about his experience and what he enjoys most when attending convention Scott said, “I enjoy collaborating with other SERVPRO professions and seeing what the future holds.”

SERVPRO has a strong focus on continued education, so they record all general sessions and workshops and upload them so employees who couldn’t attend still have access to the information. With more then 50 workshops recorded covering everything from production, customer service, executive and personal growth there’s something for every member of the team to learn and help them be more successful.

We would like to give a special shout to the 2021 Franchise of the Year Winners, Jim and Trish Wall, of Team Wall from Maryland. Their hard work and compassion for others are a great example of what Team SERVPRO is all about. We look forward to seeing everyone next year at convention in Tampa, FL.           

We Have the Right Extraction Equipment for Your Water Loss

6/28/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has been a leader in the restoration business for over 50 years. Our highly trained technicians have access to the best equipment in the industry to make your home or business “like it never even happened.” We get lots of calls regarding water losses, and while no two jobs are exactly alike, they all start the same way, extracting the water. Below is a brief description of the extraction tools we use and how they work.

Light Wand

This is used to extract water from the surface of the carpet. While this is just the first step removing water it greatly reduces the weight of the water and slows down the migration of the water into the carpeting. While this may be affective if no underlay is present, such as glue-down carpet, other extraction tools would need to be used is pad is being saved.

Squeegee Wand

Squeegee or squeegee wands are the best tool to use when extracting water from hard surfaces. They use a cleaning head with a rubber strip around the perimeter to create a good seal.

Vacuum Sealed Extraction

This is a form of deep extraction and is used to remove water from the carpet and pad. Vacuum sealed extractors have a base technicians stand on, the extra weight provides a tight seal allowing water to be extracted from carpet and pad at the same time. This technique is best used on small areas such as closets, or around the perimeter of a room.

Weighted Compression Extraction

This is another form of deep extraction and the most effective for large areas. Most are mechanical and govern their own speed which provides consistent extraction which is critical for the effectiveness of the extraction process. This equipment has a heavier base the technicians stand and ride on to create a tight seal to pull water from deep down in the carpet and pad.

While all extraction tools rely on the principle of airflow each of these machines are different and play an important role in the extraction process based on material, affected area and accessibility. If you experience a water loss in your home or business call SERVPRO of Central Auglaize/Hardin/Logan Counties, where we have the tools and technicians to make it “like it never even happened.”

Be Prepared for Ohio Weather

6/28/2022 (Permalink)

A common phrase I heard in Ohio was “if you don’t like the weather, just wait a few days.” Extreme shifts in weather are fairly common in this area from huge temperature jumps to severe storms. While most are able to shelter in a safe place when they hear of a chance for extreme weather, homeowners should be thinking about these months in advance, and checking their insurance policies to make sure they have coverage for water and windstorm damage, debris and tree removal, sewer backup due to flooding, and sump pump failure due to flooding. Having photos of the exterior of your home before a storm hits is always recommended, and an inspection after a storm comes through is important to note any damage and prevent secondary damage. Some areas of your home you should look at include:

Exterior- Walk around exterior of home and inspect all siding. Also be sure to make note of damage to AC/HVAC unit and outdoor appliances such as grills.

Windows- This is extremely important after a wind or hailstorm, check for shatter or cracked windows and for any frame damage.

Roof- Check for missing, discolored, or damaged shingles as your first sign for roof damage. If you don’t see any damage to roof but are experiencing leaking in your ceiling, you should have someone come out immediately to prevent secondary damage.

If your home or business experiences damage from a storm call your local restoration specialist, SERVPRO of Central Auglaize/Hardin/Logan Counties today at 937-354-3540.

Basement Floods in Bellefontaine, OH

6/23/2022 (Permalink)

Recently a homeowner in Bellefontaine, Ohio went down in her basement only to find several inches of standing water, however she didn’t panic and knew exactly what to do. She called us, SERVPRO of Central Auglaize/Hardin/Logan Counties, and scheduled our 24/7 emergency service team to come start extracting the water immediately. While this is something no homeowner wants to happen, flooding is very common. Basement flooding most often occurs from heavy rainfall because it’s the lowest level of the building and is built partly or entirely below ground level, but there are several other potential sources including:

• Storm sewer backup
• Sanitary sewer backup
• Water supple-line break
• Hot-water tank failure
• Blocked or failed sewer lateral pipe
• Foundation drainage failure
• Many more

If you experience flooding in your home or business it’s always best to act fast, standing water is dangerous and causes severe damage to your homes structure. Our crews at SERVPRO of Central Auglaize/Hardin/Logan Counties are “faster to any disaster” with emergency service crews available 24 hours a day 7 days a week, so call us at 937-354-3540.

Schools Out For Summer

6/23/2022 (Permalink)

Summer has officially begun, while few are thinking about the upcoming school year, we at SERVPRO of Central Auglaize/Hardin/Logan Counties are hard at work, cleaning several residence halls and dormitories for a local university. As the leader in the cleanup and restoration industry, we have the knowledge and experience to handle any commercial cleaning job, no matter the size. Our highly trained technicians and advanced cleaning products will help provide a safe and clean environment for students to live in come fall. We provide services for the following:

• Commercial Cleanings
• Commercial Water Restoration
• Commercial Mold Restoration
• Commercial Fire Restoration
• Commercial Storm Damage Restoration

If your commercial property is in need of any of the services above, please don’t hesitate to contact SERVPRO of Central Auglaize/Hardin/Logan Counties today at 937-354-3540.

Logan County Worker's Facing Extreme Heatwave

6/20/2022 (Permalink)

The Summer Solstice occurs tomorrow, marking the official start of summer. While summer is loved by many in Ohio, anyone out in the elements should take extra precautions during the long hot days. Most employees who work in construction, landscaping, farming, and many other industries do not have the option to work from home or from a comfy air-conditioned office so keeping them knowledgeable about heat related illness is the best way to keep them safe. Here are the most common illnesses caused by heat and what to do if an employee is showing symptoms:

Heat Rash

Red patches that are usually located on the neck, chest, groin and in elbow creases and contain small pimple like blisters. This is not life threatening but treatment should include staying in a cool, dry place, keeping the rash dry, and using a power (like baby powder) to soothe the rash.

Sunburn

While most sunburns can be treated at home a severe sunburn can result in hospitalization. Sunburns make the skin painful, red, and warm some even resulting in blisters. Treatment for sunburn include staying out of the sun until the burn heals, taking cool baths or placing cool cloths on skin, or using moisturizing lotions and aloe on affected areas. One should never pop a blister from a sunburn.

Heat Cramps

Heat cramps cause muscle pain or spasms, and heavy sweating during exercise or manual labor. They can usually be fixed by stopping physical activity and moving to a cool place, drinking water or a sports drink and simply waiting for the pain to stop. Seek medical help if the cramps last longer then 1 hour, or you have heart problems.

Heat Exhaustion

Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, fast but weak pulse, nausea, muscle cramps, dizziness, headache, cold, pale, clammy skin, and fainting. Heat exhaustion can usually be treated by moving to a cool place, sipping water, loosening clothing, and placing cool cloths on skin. Seek medical help if you experience vomiting, your symptoms get worse or last longer than an hour.

Heat Stroke

This is the most dangerous of the heat related illnesses and should be treated as such. People experiencing a heat stroke will have a high body temperature (103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher) fast and strong pulse, hot, red, dry, or damp skin, confusion, headache, dizziness, nausea, or lose consciousness. Call 9-1-1 right away, while waiting for emergency services you can move the person to a cooler place and place cool cloths on skin to bring temperature down. You should never give someone experiencing a heat stroke anything to drink.  

When you or your employees are working outside in this extreme heat remember to always drink plenty of water, even when you’re not thirsty. Avoid alcohol and sugary drinks since these can dehydrate you more quickly. Try to schedule labor intensive jobs for the early morning or late evening to beat mid-day heat. Use a wide brimmed hat to keep rays off and loose, lightweight clothing to keep cool. Wear and reapply sunscreen as directed to protect from sunburns. Try to spend time indoors with A/C during breaks and after work if possible. Always encourage co-workers to rest and drink plenty of water throughout the day. Spending a few moments with your crews to go over some of these tips could be a potentially life saving conversation, so please don’t hesitate.

Wishing you all a safe and cool summer from your friends at SERVPRO of Central Auglaize/Hardin/Logan Counties.

Send your Favorite First Responder to the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl

6/16/2022 (Permalink)

Our team at SERVPRO is so grateful for all the first responders out there! We recognize and appreciate the brave work you do for our communities, always running towards the danger. We have witnessed the damage left behind when your heroic work is done and feel honored to be able to help with the clean up after a fire, storm, or other disasters. You give so much of yourself to others, so we think it’s time to give back.

Since 2018 SERVPRO has sponsored the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl in Dallas, Texas to honor the Everyday Heroes across the country. The game will be held December 27, 2022, and SERVPRO is giving away 1,000 complimentary first responder tickets on a first-come-first-serve basis starting at the end of the summer.

If you or a loved one is an Everyday Hero, please go to firstresponderbowl.com , and click on the TICKET tab to claim your free ticket. Also be sure to check out our Everyday Heroes Wall presented by LiquidAgents and StaffDNA where you or a loved one can be featured with other brave first responders across the country.

THANK YOU to all the first responders from your friends at SERVPRO of Central Auglaize/Hardin/Logan Counties. If you have any questions or need assistance registering, please call us at 937-354-3540.

Summer Power Outage in Logan County

6/16/2022 (Permalink)

Strong thunderstorms with damaging winds ripped through Logan County earlier this week taking with it trees and power lines leaving thousands of residents without power, some for days now. This week has also brought with it a heatwave making a bad situation worse. While power companies are working around the clock to restore power to all customers it’s always good to be prepared when something like this happens. Here are a few tips to help you deal with prolonged summer power outages.

1. Keep Emergency Supplies on Hand

Having an emergency supply kit on hand is the first step in being prepared for a power outage. Kits should include water and non-perishable food, enough for 3 days for every person living in the home, cell phone or land line, emergency contact list, flashlight, and battery-operated radio.

2. Keep Refrigerator and Freezer Doors Closed

Keeping the doors closed will greatly aid the unit in holding its temperature. The CDC states that food will hold in a refrigerator for 4 hours, while a full freezer can hold food for 48 hours, and a half full freezer will hold for 24 hours.

3. Keep Outside Doors and Windows Closed

Shading the house with curtains and blinds and keeping doors and windows closed will keep as much of the cool air from going out and the warm air from coming in as possible.

4. Check for Cooling Stations in your Community

When residents are without power for prolonged periods most communities will have cooling stations set up around the city providing them somewhere to go to cool off when temperatures are dangerously high.

5. Check on Friends and Neighbors

Infants and children up to the age of four, people over 65, people who are overweight, and people who are ill or take certain medications are at a higher risk for heat related illnesses, check on neighbors and friends to make sure they are staying safe.

6. Keep Pets Hydrated

Heat affects our pets the same way it affects us. Always make sure they have access to clean, cool water.

7. DIY a Battery Powered A/C Unit

There are lots of tutorials available online for homemade A/C units, most use a sealed container, a pipe, fan, and ice to provide cooling relief. Make sure your fan is battery operated so it can be used during a power outage.

8. Keep Activities for Kids on Hand

Kids can get impatient during a power outage, and when power is limited screen time may not be an option so keeping things like coloring books, crayons, boardgames, and other activities on hand is always a good idea.

Even with the best preparations disaster can still strike. If you experience a storm loss in your home or business call the restoration professions, SERVPRO of Central Auglaize/Hardin/Logan Counties at 937-354-3540.