Educating Kids About Fire

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) reports the children of all ages set more than 35,000 fires annually, including an estimated 14,5000 structure fires. Figures show that each year about 150 people are killed with more than $200 million worth of property is destroyed in fires started by children.

You can educate your children about fire to prevent tragedy:

·   Keep matches and lighters in a secured drawer or cabinet

·   Have your children tell you when they find matches and lighters

·   Develop a home fire escape plan, practice it with your children and designate a meeting place outside.

·   Supervise young children closely. Do not leave them alone even if for short periods of time.

·  Take the mystery out of fire by teaching children that fire is a tool, not a toy.

·   Teach children the nature of fire. It is FAST, HOT, DARK, and DEADLY.

· Demonstrate how to stop, drop, and roll if their clothes catch on fire.

· Show children how to crawl to on the floor, below the smoke, to get of the house and stay out in case of fire.

·   Do not use lighters, candles and matches as a source of amusement. Children often imitate the actions of their parents.

·  Remember, no lighter is child-proof. Some are merely child-resistant.

·  Teach your children what your smoke alarm sounds like and walk them through the escape plan several times a year.

Prevent Water Damage While on Vacation

        The chance of a flood happening in your home while you are on vacation is small. However, in the event that it did happen, the damage would be large. The most simple way to prevent water damage while you are away is to shut off the water main to your home.
      The key to preventing further damage from a water loss, such as mold growth, is fast response. Fast response cannot happen if no one is home to call for clean-up. To prevent water damage and worse, colstly and health-threatening mold growth, shut off your water before leaving on vacation.
      Most water shut offs can be found in garages, ulitility closets, and sometimes crawl spaces. In older homes, the water shut off may be difficult to find and could be located in the ground that needs a key for access.
     If you have water damage and need cleanup- trust SERVPRO of Grand Junction to make it, "Like it never even happened."
SERVPRO of Grand Junction: 970-241-8181

A water shut off valve in a crawlspace

Shockingly Static Carpet?

Do you experience light shocks after walking across your carpet? This static is formed by the friction of your shoes against fibers in the carpet. Usually there us enough moisture or humidity in the air to carry off the static charge as it is formed, but when the weather turns dry and the humidity is low, watch out!

     The tendency to generate a static charge at low humidity varies from carpet to carpet. Some of the new carpets have anti-static agents built into the fibers. Other carpets use very fine metal wires or even conductive latex within the carpet to carry off the static. Anti-static protection of this type usually lasts for the life of the carpet,

      If your carpet has none of these innovations and acquires static in dry weather, it may still be possible to obtain some relief through increasing the humidity or by the use of anti0static agent sprayed on the face of the carpet. Many home products of this type are available from your local store. These, however are not permanent and generally become less effective after a period of time.

      SERVPRO can apply an anti-static agent to your carpet that will last through an entire heating season. 970-241-8181.

Removing Furnitire Depressions

     Furniture legs may cause depressions in your carpet if allowed to stay too long in one position. If furniture is moved, the carpet will spring up in time, but often can take weeks or even months.
      For immediate care, cover the furntiure depression with a damp cloth, steam with a warm iron and then brush the briskly with a coin or a kitchen butter knife that is not sharp. Correct professional cleaning will usually remove carpet depressions.
    If you need professional help with your carpet, give us a call at 970-241-8181

Mold, Mildew and Mitigation

We have all seem mold before. Mold is common and occurs naturally in a variety of envirments; even dry places such as deserts climates.  Getting rid of small amounts of mold can be simple if a  biocide, or anti-microbial is used.

There is a common misconception that bleach kills mold; however, this is not true. Bleach simply takes the color out of mold. If you have continually cleaned the same moldy spot with bleach over and over again, this statement proves ture.

    Small amounts of common mold can be easily cleaned by a homeowner. However, is you suspect a larger mold problem, it takes a professional to correctly clean the mold and prevent regrowth.

     If you suspect mold growth or have questions, email lauren@servproofgrandjunction.com.

Leaky Roof?

     After the day's burst of hail and rain, some Grand Junction residents may need water resetoration done in their home or busniesses. SERVPRO of Grand Junction is avaialable 24/7 and ready to help you may your water leak, "Like it even happened."

     Our technicians are certified by the Clean Trust and can help you restore your home or busniess back to normal. Call 970-241-8181 to have a technician dispatched to your emergency.

Skunk Season Starts in Spring

     As the weather warms, little critters become active. Skunks are nocturnal animals but will come out from their dens as it becomes warmer outside.  Because they do not feed very much through the winter, they are now in search of food.
     Their activity will result in unpleasant odors. If you have encountered a skunk, SERVPRO of Grand Junction can help with odor detection and removal.

     

Swamp Coolers Cause Stream of Stress In Spring

     In dry desert climates, such as the Western Slope, swamp coolers are efficient and cost effective to cool a home. Because water runs through copper pipes for the coolers to work, it is important that home owners completely drain the cooler of water to prevent burst pipes during the winter.
When water is not drained, when freezing outside temperatures arrive in the winter, the water inside the pipes expands and can cause the copper pipes to burst.
The damaged pipe usually remains undetected until a homeowner turns on their swamp cooler for the first time of the year. Soggy drywall, sunken or fallen ceilings and many other  problems can be a result of a pipe burst in a ceiling or wall. The damage can be catastrophic if not caught early on.
Here are some important tips you should follow if you or someone you know experiences water damage in their home:

1. Shut off the water source to stop the flow of water to the broken pipe

2.Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the house to prevent electric shock

3. Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting 

4. Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing lamps and tabletop items

5. Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying.

6. Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpet.

7. Move valuables or electronics to a dry, safe area to prevent damaging them.

8. Hang draperies with coated hangers up to avoid contact with wet flooring

9. Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.

NEVER USE A HOUSEHOLD VACUUM TO REMOVE WATER- DOING SO WILL RESULT IN ELECTRIC SHOCK.

SERVPRO of Grand Junction is available 24/7 to help with water clean up. We can be reached at 970-241-8181 and will help you with water cleanup as soon as possible.

Candle Fire in Grand Junction

This fire started after a candle ignited a curtain

In 2005-2009, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 12,860 home structure fires that were started by candles according to the National Fire Prevention Association. At SERVPRO of Grand Junction, one of many jobs is to clean such fires.
Last week, we responded to a fire that had created very little structure damage, but heavy soot and smoke damage throughout the entire home. The fire was started when the family left for school and work and forgot to extinguish the candle before leaving. At some point while they were gone, the candle ignited curtains that were directly above the candle. The family returned home to a thick soot and smoke throughout the home. The soot left behind was very oily due to the synthetic fabric of the curtains. This soot can be hazardous to breath  from the chemicals used to create the curtains.

Soot particles and webbing on the ceiling and wall.

SERVPRO of Grand Junction wants to remind you to never never candles unattended. Here are simple some candle safety tips to keep you safe:

• Never leave your home with candles burning

• When using candles, place them in a sturdy container such as metal, glass or ceramic.

• Place in-use candles out of reach of children and pets
•  Keep candles away from any material that is likely to burn.

Are you smarter than a 2nd grader?

     If you came home and there was a pool of water in your home from a leak, would you know what to do? Many of Grand Junction's second graders would thanks to the Mesa County Safety Council's Safety Fair. At the fair, many vendors and volunteers shared with students about many hazards that exist in Western Colorado from wildlife to crossing railroad tracks.
     SERVPRO of Grand Junction taught students how to safely determine if water needs to be shut off in the event of an emergency. At the booth, it was stressed that electricity and water do not mix. Students than ran a relay to shut off a water valve that they were asked to find the location of in their own home. Students were given tools to locate the shut off and were asked to have their parents find it with them.

Save Yourself a Headache- Create an Inventory

     After a disaster in your home or place of business, your insurance company will require an itemized list of your belongings and contents. To ensure fair and accurate compensation, it is important that you keep your list up to date and document valuable items.
There are several methods to completing a list and each household or business will have their own preference.
Though time consuming, the most thorough and accurate method is to keep an itemized list, either on paper or electronically, of all items purchased. Document the serial number, the make, the model number, and purchase price and date if available. Including all of this information will insure that you will be fairly compensated for any damage to your belongings and will reduce stress in a typically high-stress situation should you suffer from a disaster.
Another method is to take photographs or videos of your property: wall to wall, ceiling to floor. Update your photo-documentation annually or as changes are made within and on your property. When doing this method, be sure to pan in on or zoom in on more valuable items and making clear through the images the significance of the item. Save your inventory in a safe place and make it easily accessible. Some insurance agents suggest placing a copy your document, whether on a CD, DVD, jump-drive, memory card, etc in a safety deposit box or in a safe place. Providing a copy to a relative could be helpful as well should you experience a disaster.
SERVPRO of Grand junction is providing assistance for inventory and kits at no cost. Visit ReadyGJ.com have a free home emergency kit shipped directly to you.

Grand Junction Crawl Space Checklist

In Western Colorado, many of our homes have crawl spaces. Because they are  not areas of our home that we frequent, costly problems can go undetected. 

You want to check your crawlspace for moisture to avoid mold growth, which can be a health hazard. Excess moisture may be sign of a larger problem such as a pipe leak that would need to be addressed. 

The tips in the video will help make sure your crawl space is properly maintained. 

-Check the foundation walls and make sure there are no cracks where water can enter. Also make sure there are no holes in the ceiling of your crawlspace. 

- Check for adequate veneration. Fresh outside air will help reduce the levels of moisture in your crawl space and the incoming air will also dilute and reduce mold present in the crawlspace.

-Check for missing or sagging insulation. Sagging insulation is often a sign of excess moisture. 

-If you do not have a vapor barrier in your crawl space, have one installed. (SERVPRO can do this for you-970-241-8181) If you currently have a vapor barrier, make sure it goes up a few inches along the foundation walls. 

-Check for leaks around HVAC ducts and plumbing pipes. 

- Your dryer vents should vent outside and not directly into the crawlspace.

Vapor Barrier Application

If you suspect moisture in your crawlspace, call 241-8181 to have it checked out. If excess moisture is found, we can help dry out your crawlspace and remove mold.

Stuck in a muddy crawlspace

If you find your crawlspace looking like this one, give us a call at 970-241-8181

Save Your Business in an Emergency

Example of how an emergency ready profile identifies key locations

       Of businesses that suffer from a disaster, such as fire and water, roughly fifty percentage of those businesses are never able to reopen their doors. Of the businesses that survive, an overwhelming majortiy of them had a preparedness plan in place. Disaster can strike at any time. According to FEMA, in 2010 there were 362,100 structural fires with a result of a 6,646,900,000.00 dollar loss.  At SERVPRO, we offer a free, comprehensive preparedness plan to help prevent more damage than necessary.

    A water loss can be a very costly disaster. The amount of time that a structure is exposed -to water is directly related to amount of damage that is created. With an Emergency -Ready Profile in place, all occupants of a structure would have knowledge of where the water shut off is located and potentially save the structure from damage and potentially save lives.
    In addition to clearly photographing, describing location, and providing access information, the gas and water shut off locations are clearly marked with large and easy to read tags. The profile includes any clear descriptions that would be worth noting.
    Key information such as utility providers, HR information, maintenance personal, and more would be clearly documented along with contact information for each.

Water Tag used to mark shut off

    Because each building or business or home has specific needs, the Emergency Ready Profile can be tailored to fit the needs of each prospective business. For more information about creating a free Emergency Ready Profile, contact SERVPRO of Grand Junction at 970-241-8181.

Flooded Crawl Space Disaster made "Like it Never Even Happened"

Lance stuck in the mud of the Bohl Family Crawlspace

When Julius and Shirley Bohl noticed that moisture was gathering on  their high grade windows, from the inside of their home, they knew something in their home just was not right. When Julius accessed their crawl space, their suspicions had been confirmed. In their crawlspace, they discovered four inches of water as a result of two broken pipes. They called their insurance agent who provided a list of vendors and the Bohls chose SERVPRO because of the company's reputation. They had used SERVPRO before in Denver, and though they knew that SERVPRO of Grand Junction had an entirely different crew, they knew that SERVPRO had high industry standards and was very reputable.
      When Lance and Dallas arrived on the scene they placed thick blankets through out the traffic areas in the home that they would be using to protect the carpet and flooring. After they pulled the vapor barrier, which had not withstood the 4 plus inches of water and needed replaced, water still remained in the the crawl space. Julius described the water leaving the pumps from the crawl space as a faucet of running water.
     With the crawlspace still very moist, the Bohl's heard a shout for help. When they got to the source of the call for help, they found Lance stuck in mud to his knees in their crawlspace. That goes to show the amount of moisture that was in the crawl space.

Dallas and Lance applying the new vapor barrier

      Though the equipment was noisy, the Bohls found the drying process with SERVPRO a favorable one. "The guys were very professional," said Mr. Bohl of Dallas and Lance. Mrs. Bohl was pleased and summed it up when she said, "It would take an expert to know that anything had ever happened."
     If you suspect moisture in your crawlspace, call SERVPRO of Grand Junction at 970-241-8181. Excess moisture can cause mold, a very costly problem and can have health implications for you and your family. 

Here is the video testimonial the the Bohl family provided:

Understanding Asbestos in Colorado

There are many misconceptions about asbestos and you may be surprised to find the many products that are manufactured with asbestos today. In the restoration industry we are constantly faced with asbestos. We must issue tests to ensure that the restored areas are asbestos free or face hefty fines. Here is some information to help you understand what exactly asbestos is and how to protect yourself.

Q: What is asbestos?
A: The Colorado Department of Health and Development states that, "Asbestos is the name given to a number of naturally occurring minerals that have been mined for their useful properties such as thermal insulation, chemical and thermal stability, and high tensile strength. The types of asbestos that are regulated are: Chrysotile, Amosite, Crocidolite, Anthophyllite, Tremolite, and Actinolite. Asbestos deposits can be found throughout the world and are still mined in Australia, Canada, South Africa, and the former Soviet Union"

Q: Why is Asbestos a Hazard?

whatisasbestos.net

A:  According to The Colorado Department of Health and Development ,"Asbestos is made up of microscopic bundles of fibers that may become airborne when distributed. These fibers get into the air and may become inhaled into the lungs, where they may cause significant health problems. Researchers still have not determined a "safe level" of exposure but we know the greater and the longer the exposure, the greater the risk of contracting an asbestos-related disease. Some of these health problems include:
• Asbestosis - a lung disease that cases scarring of the lungs. Eventually, this scarring may become so severe that the lungs cannot function. The latency period (meaning the time it takes for the disease to become developed) is often 25-40 years.
• Mesothelioma - a cancer of the lining of the lung and chest and/or the lining of the abdominal wall. This form of cancer is peculiar because the only known cause is from asbestos exposure. The latency period for mesothelioma is often 15-50 years.
• Lung Cancer – can be caused by asbestos. The effects of lung cancer are often greatly increased by cigarette smoking (by about 50%). Cancer of the gastrointestinal tract can also be caused by asbestos. The latency period for cancer is often 15-30 years."
Asbestos becomes a hazard when it is airborne. Otherwise, when left alone, asbestos poses very little threat. 

Asbestos Bans:

Products that contain asbestos:

For more information and downloadable content about asbestos laws in Colorado follow these links:
Asbestos Bans
General Asbestos Information
Renovating and Demo Information