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.

Choosing the Right Fire Extinguisher for your Business

6/15/2022 (Permalink)

As a business owner, fire safety should be a top priority when thinking about your employees and facility. While there’s no sure-fire way to prevent a fire from occurring, extinguishing the flames quickly will greatly reduce the damage that is left behind. Having a fire extinguisher on hand is a great way to combat the flames. Did you know there are different classes of fire extinguishers that extinguish different kinds of fires? Here is a brief description of each of the classes to help you choose which extinguisher is right for your facility.

Class A

-Safe for use on ordinary combustible fire, use on materials such as cloth, wood, rubber, paper, and plastics.

Class B

-Rated for use on flammable liquids, use on materials such as gasoline, grease, and oil.

Class C

-Safe for fires that are electrically energized.

Class D

-Safe to use on combustible metals like titanium and magnesium.

Class K

-Rated for kitchen fires safe to use on grease, cooking fat, and oil fires.

In the event that a fire can’t be extinguished or damage is left behind, SERVPRO of Central Auglaize/Hardin/Logan Counties is always Here to Help. Call us today at 937-354-3540.

Sprinkler System in your Commercial Building

6/10/2022 (Permalink)

Fire sprinklers are a common safety feature in most commercial buildings. They don’t normally malfunction, but when they do, they bring with them the potential for flooding, and thousands of dollars in water damage. Maintenance is a must for these systems, and we recommend having them inspected by a professional at least once a year to keep your employees and facility safe. Even with the best maintenance there is still a chance of a system failure, so here are the first few steps to take should you encounter a loss due to your sprinkler system.

1. Shut the Water Off

Seems like common sense but having a good understanding of where the shut-off valves are located and getting to them quickly is going to be the best way to minimize the amount of water entering the facility.

2. Call your Agent

Reach out to your insurance company so they can get the claim process started. They will likely send out an agent to assess the damage.

3. Take Photos

Documentation is key during a loss. Do not remove any of the damaged materials, but instead take phots and videos so you have proof of everything that was damaged in case there are any disputes once work is completed.

4. Call SERVPRO of Central Auglaize/Hardin/Logan Counties

Calling a commercial restoration company after a large loss is always recommended. Fire sprinkler systems can disperse a substantial amount of water and should not be looked at as something that you can clean up yourself.

No matter the size of the loss, SERVPRO of Central Auglaize/Hardin/Logan Counties has the knowledge and expertise to make your facility “Like it never even happened.” Call us at 937-354-3540 today!

Free Service for your Logan County Business

6/9/2022 (Permalink)

Murphy’s law simply states, “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong”. While some may see that as a pessimistic point of view, we at SERVPRO of Central Auglaize/Hardin/ Logan Counties see that as a challenge we’re ready to help your business combat.

SERVPRO Emergency READY Plan Profile is an easy way to have critical information about your facility at your fingertips should, and if Murphy’s law is correct, WHEN disaster occurs. According to industry research 50% of businesses may never recover following a disaster. That’s why taking the time to have a plan in action before disaster occurs allows mitigation to happen quickly, reducing business interruption.

If you were sitting at your desk and a pipe broke overhead, would you know where the main shut off valve is? Perhaps you do know, but if you were out of the office would all other members of staff have the same knowledge? A great advantage of the SERVPRO Emergency READY Plan Profile is having shut-off valve location details that can easily be distributed to staff. They would also know who to contact should a disaster occur and what they can expect from us.

These are just a few benefits of this completely free service we offer here at SERVPRO of Central Auglaize/Hardin/Logan Counties to all businesses who want to be “Ready for whatever happens.” Contact our office at 937-354-3540 for more information or go to https://ready.SERVPRO.com  to get started today!

Who you gonna call?... SERVPRO

6/9/2022 (Permalink)

As a commercial or residential property manager you know that you must be “Ready for whatever happens”. This is a motto SERVPRO of Central Auglaize/Hardin/Logan Counties knows a thing or two about as well. Whether it’s a tenant who vandalized a property or natural disaster like a flood we have the tools and knowledge to get your property back to preloss conditions. Our highly trained technicians offer services for:

• Commercial water damage restoration
• Commercial fire damage restoration
• Commercial mold damage restoration
• Commercial storm damage restoration

With over 50 years of experience in commercial and residential restoration services, you will have peace of mind that we can handle your job no matter the size. We’re always here to help! Emergency Services available 24/7 Call SERVPRO of Central Auglaize/Hardin/Logan counties today at 937-354-3540.

We are IICRC Certified at SERVPRO

6/29/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Central Auglaize Hardin & Logan Counties is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

IICRC Certified Firms must

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.

• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.

• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.

• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.

• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

About SERVPRO Central Auglaize Hardin & Logan Counties

SERVPRO of Central Auglaize Hardin & Logan Counties 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 and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: 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.

How to deal with smoke damage in Hardin County commercial buildings

6/29/2021 (Permalink)

When a fire occurs, SERVPRO of Central Auglaize Hardin & Logan Counties works to assist business owners and proprietors to move forward and put their lives and businesses back together. It can be overwhelming. The restoration process after a commercial fire is laborious if not time-consuming. It includes:

• damage assessment
• debris removal
• odor, soot, and residual water mitigation

Fire and smoke damage restoration professionals are there to advise and direct business owners to sift through the damage and greatly aid in rebuilding their businesses and commercial properties.

Once undertaken, the goal of commercial fire damage restoration is to thoroughly clean every nook and cranny of a business or commercial property after a fire. In a fire’s aftermath, much of the damage restoration focuses on eliminating the persistent smoke odors and the accompanying soot and residual water. Every trace of the contaminants responsible for odors must be scrubbed clean and deodorized. High-powered equipment such as air scrubbers can help clear the air of particulates and odors. Industrial air movers and dehumidifiers mitigate residual water and moisture from putting out the fire.

It all hinges on taking action quickly. In doing so it’s possible for smoke and fire restoration professionals to minimize damage and loss. Here are several steps to anticipate how your restoration professional deals with smoke damage after a fire occurs on your commercial property.

Smoke Odors

As with most fires, commercial fires leave a pungent odor that permeates the building, furnishings, fixtures, and air throughout the property. Those odors are in large part a result of the fire source itself—the debris from the fire, the soot and residual water and chemicals that were used to extinguish the fire. The debris must be dealt with first.

Once the fire and insurance company have determined an origin and cause of the fire, restoration crews move to quickly remove the debris and soot from the premises. Materials such as charred furnishings, rugs, and ceiling tiles are carried out until the property is emptied of any burned remnants of the fire. Debris removal also mitigates odors by removing microscopic dust particles, airborne and settled, that derives from soot deposits and burned debris. Debris removal reduces the intensity of odors, but will not completely eliminate them. Soot and residual water also combine to contribute to smoke odors, and they must be dealt with.

Soot Removal

Thick layers of soot mixed with moisture cover a good portion of commercial fire sites. Soot is the black, powdered carbon and chemical byproduct of the burned material after a fire. Depending on the material burned in commercial fires, the chemical or acidic composition of soot can cause further damage on its own to just about any surface it is in contact with. Soot can stain porous and textured surfaces, permanently discolor granite, plastics, grout and the un-burned fixtures made of wood or textiles.

Removal of soot can reduce the likelihood of permanent soot staining discoloration and may reduce the costs of replacement. As an important step in fire damage restoration, industrial vacuums are very helpful in removing the layers and bulk of powdery soot after fires.

Residual Water

Not only is mold a problem after flooding but after fires as well. Residual water from extinguishing the fire can lead to mold spreading throughout the property if it is not properly mitigated. The increased moisture in the air interacts with mold spores. In a confined space this allows mold to grow rapidly, covering and staining porous surfaces. The smoky odor after a fire rapidly combines with mold to further contaminate the air and interact with surfaces. The longer such odors interact with surfaces the more difficult it will be to completely eliminate the odor.

Commercial fire damage restoration entails industrial-grade air movers and dehumidifiers to remove water and moisture that can lead to airborne mold spores. All interior walls must be checked for water damage. All surfaces must be cleaned thoroughly and wiped down with anti-bacterial agents throughout the process.

If you have a commercial building with fire damage, give us a call to help get you back and running. Our number is (937) 354-3540.

How to deal with smoke damage in commercial buildings

6/28/2021 (Permalink)

When a fire occurs, SERVPRO of Central Auglaize, Hardin, and Logan Counties works to assist business owners and proprietors to move forward and put their lives and businesses back together. It can be overwhelming. The restoration process after a commercial fire is laborious if not time-consuming. It includes:

• damage assessment
• debris removal
• odor, soot, and residual water mitigation

Fire and smoke damage restoration professionals are there to advise and direct business owners to sift through the damage and greatly aid in rebuilding their businesses and commercial properties.

Once undertaken, the goal of commercial fire damage restoration is to thoroughly clean every nook and cranny of a business or commercial property after a fire. In a fire’s aftermath, much of the damage restoration focuses on eliminating the persistent smoke odors and the accompanying soot and residual water. Every trace of the contaminants responsible for odors must be scrubbed clean and deodorized. High-powered equipment such as air scrubbers can help clear the air of particulates and odors. Industrial air movers and dehumidifiers mitigate residual water and moisture from putting out the fire.

It all hinges on taking action quickly. In doing so it’s possible for smoke and fire restoration professionals to minimize damage and loss. Here are several steps to anticipate how your restoration professional deals with smoke damage after a fire occurs on your commercial property.

Smoke Odors

As with most fires, commercial fires leave a pungent odor that permeates the building, furnishings, fixtures, and air throughout the property. Those odors are in large part a result of the fire source itself—the debris from the fire, the soot and residual water and chemicals that were used to extinguish the fire. The debris must be dealt with first.

Once the fire and insurance company have determined an origin and cause of the fire, restoration crews move to quickly remove the debris and soot from the premises. Materials such as charred furnishings, rugs, and ceiling tiles are carried out until the property is emptied of any burned remnants of the fire. Debris removal also mitigates odors by removing microscopic dust particles, airborne and settled, that derives from soot deposits and burned debris. Debris removal reduces the intensity of odors, but will not completely eliminate them. Soot and residual water also combine to contribute to smoke odors, and they must be dealt with.

Soot Removal

Thick layers of soot mixed with moisture cover a good portion of commercial fire sites. Soot is the black, powdered carbon and chemical byproduct of the burned material after a fire. Depending on the material burned in commercial fires, the chemical or acidic composition of soot can cause further damage on its own to just about any surface it is in contact with. Soot can stain porous and textured surfaces, permanently discolor granite, plastics, grout and the un-burned fixtures made of wood or textiles.

Removal of soot can reduce the likelihood of permanent soot staining discoloration and may reduce the costs of replacement. As an important step in fire damage restoration, industrial vacuums are very helpful in removing the layers and bulk of powdery soot after fires.

Residual Water

Not only is mold a problem after flooding but after fires as well. Residual water from extinguishing the fire can lead to mold spreading throughout the property if it is not properly mitigated. The increased moisture in the air interacts with mold spores. In a confined space this allows mold to grow rapidly, covering and staining porous surfaces. The smoky odor after a fire rapidly combines with mold to further contaminate the air and interact with surfaces. The longer such odors interact with surfaces the more difficult it will be to completely eliminate the odor.

Commercial fire damage restoration entails industrial-grade air movers and dehumidifiers to remove water and moisture that can lead to airborne mold spores. All interior walls must be checked for water damage. All surfaces must be cleaned thoroughly and wiped down with anti-bacterial agents throughout the process.

If you have a commercial building with fire damage, give us a call to help get you back and running. 

Calling All Property Managers In Logan County

6/10/2021 (Permalink)

If you manage commercial or residential property, you should be prepared for anything. SERVPRO of Central Auglaize, Hardin & Logan counties offers solutions to owners and property managers, whether cleaning vandalism from rowdy tenants or a natural disaster like fire or flood.

Your commercial property is always at risk of being damaged by natural elements. If your business gets hit by a disaster, you’ll need a commercial restoration company with real-world experience and the resources to return your property to its normal state. SERVPRO has over 50 years of experience in residential and commercial restoration services. Our team of experts offers:

• Commercial water damage restoration
• Commercial fire damage restoration
• Commercial mold damage restoration
• Commercial storm damage restoration

Our SERVPRO professionals are available 24/7 with the best tools to take care of any size loss for offices, retail spaces, healthcare facilities, residential buildings and more. If you are in need of immediate assistance, give us a call at (937)354-3540!

Protect Your Kenton, Ohio Business

5/17/2021 (Permalink)

Multinational cyber crime could ring up an eye-popping $6 trillion bill annually by 2021, a shocking figure that would be the biggest wealth transfer the world has ever seen. Because cyber attacks are enormously profitable, every business is at risk for electronic mischief like viruses and ransomware, web jacking, denial-of-service attacks, technology piracy, information theft and much more.

What is a business to do? Know that cyber criminals, like all crooks, seek easy and fast pickings. Taking basic protective steps across three tiers of business activity goes a long way toward shielding your company and your livelihood.

Doing business in the world: Wi-Fi networks can be vulnerable to hackers, so secure, encrypt and hide yours. Don’t broadcast your network name, and protect router access with a strong password. Keep unauthorized users from accessing business electronics in the field, too. Because laptops and cell phones are easy to lose, install systems that encrypt and password-protect information and automatically lock up data with timed programs. Contracting a cyber security expert to audit your systems is another smart tactic.

Doing business in your workplace: Good planning and regular housekeeping help secure operating systems against attack. Install antivirus and anti-malware software – then use it. Cyber criminals often break in this way because employees themselves disable or disregard built-in protections. Regularly update your operating systems, because bad actors regularly exploit this vulnerability. Encrypt sensitive data and set up access levels for different data types – not everyone in your company needs to see everything. Finally, regularly back up data to the cloud or external drives.

Doing business as employees: Employees accessing your systems remotely represent significant opportunities for cyber criminals. Two-factor authentication – when an employee requests remote login, your system sends a unique code to the user’s on-file cell phone number – boosts security. Set up computer terminals and devices to automatically log out users if they are inactive for longer than 10 minutes.

Restoring Your Hardin or Logan county Commercial Property After A Water Damage Event

5/13/2021 (Permalink)

Flooding and water damage events at your local Hardin and Logan county area commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

About SERVPRO of Central Auglaize, Hardin & Logan counties

SERVPRO of Central Auglaize, Hardin & Logan counties 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.

No job too BIG!

3/13/2018 (Permalink)

School Bus 2017-2018

We here at SERVPRO of central Auglaize, Hardin & Logan counties had the pleasure of working for Ridgemont local school district here in Hardin county recently.

The job was a BIG one to say the least. Not just in pure size alone, but logistics as well. The job was cleaning, waxing, and buffing 12 school buses, inside and out. while also coordinating the bus schedules, and our work schedules to coincide in harmony together.

The Ridgemont school bus coordinator (Connie Reel), was a pleasure to work with and really helped us with the logistics needed to get this done. Once a routine was developed we could have a full sized bus cleaned, waxed and buffed, inside and out in around 4-5 hours time, and ready for pickup.

We would like to thank Ridgemont Local School District for giving us the opportunity to make their buses shine, and look like the day they rolled off of the assembly line.

Take a look and see for yourself.

5 Ways to Exude Confidence Everywhere You Go

3/12/2018 (Permalink)

Whether you’ve moved to a new city, are looking for a job, want to start dating or simply make friends, networking will prove to be valuable. The challenge is networking in a way that goes beyond introductions and an exchange of business cards that get lost at the bottom of your desk. Especially if you lack confidence, leaving your house to go meet complete strangers can be incredibly challenging. Still, even if you’re socially awkward and an introvert, you can exude confidence and ace your networking goals.

I know this because I have learned to become extrovert for the sake of business networking. Naturally, at any given moment I’d prefer to be in bed, reading, or binge watching Netflix original series, but in order to not be a total shut-in in a city where I’ve lived for less than a year, I actually have to get out and talk to people.

This requires a heap load of motivation, focusing on my objective and reminding myself the entire Lyft ride there that I need to build relationships. Over the years, I’ve gotten better, and although it’s a mental exercise to get myself to an event, once I arrive, I ace it.

Here’s 5 ways you can exude confidence at any networking event you go to:

1. Map out your networking event plan

Anxiety has a way of making you a no-show although you RSVP’d on Eventbrite two weeks ago. Before registering for events, think through why you need to be there, what you want to get out of the event, who you want to meet and how you can turn it into an opportunity to advance a personal goal.

It helps to look up organizers, speakers, sponsors and attendees if that information is available. Meetup.com shares all of that information publicly so you can start there for finding events that work for you. Plan to leave well in advance so that you don’t add additional stress by running late, having to look for parking or worrying about getting lost.

Read the rest here. . .

March Maintenance Guide

3/5/2018 (Permalink)

It's spring! Get going on these important home maintenance projects.

Daylight savings time begins on March 11th and the first day of spring is officially March 20th, so this month marks that great transition from winter to spring. You may already be experiencing the first signs of spring like bulbs blooming, first blossoms on the trees and the inevitable spring allergies.

You’ll want to tune up your lawn mower and service any other outdoor equipment that helps you in the yard.As you walk around your home outside, take a look at the structure and see what needs taking care of. Your roof should be clear of moss, branches and leaves, so should your gutters. The siding may need to be cleaned or painted so if you need to get quotes from any professionals, this is the month to get them out to your house.

Although many of us are anxious to get out into the yard this month, there are still plenty of important projects to get done on the inside too. Transition months like March are perfect for reorganizing closets and putting away winter items and getting out the summer gear.

Roofs and gutters are the first defense for keeping the home dry and free from mold, so be sure to regularly remove snow and make sure the gutters and downspouts are clear for the spring thaw.

SOURCE