Vacation Season - Home Planning

12/9/2024 (Permalink)

If an event is to occur while you are gone, SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake will be ready to help! We are available 24/7! Reach us at (651) 212-2333!

Essential Things To Do Before Leaving For Vacation

It is that time of the year when everyone wants to escape the cold, and head to warmer weather. You have booked the trip, found the must-see attractions, and charged the electronics! It is time to head to the airport.

However, before you leave one must make sure their house is ready for them to leave.

See below for tips to help ensure that your house is going to be the way you left it when you return.

Tips Checklist:

1. Turn off main water supply

One should turn this off to avoid water damage if a leak is to occur while on vacation.

2. Unplug electronics

Unplugging the electronics that will not be in use while you are gone will save you money on your electricity bill - will also help prevent an electrical fire.

3. Adjust thermostat

Cooler Climate: Turn it down between 50 - 60 degrees F

Warmer Climate: Turn it up 5 degrees F higher than normal

4. Pour baking soda down drains and toilets

By pouring this it will help with clear clogs and keep a fresh smell.

5. Check insurance

Knowing what your insurance policies are will save you the headache when you get home if something does occur.

Once your checklist is all checked off, head out and enjoy that warmer weather on vacation!

All of these are tips that can help prevent matters from occurring, but are not a guarantee.

If an event is to occur while you are gone, SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake will be ready to help! We are available 24/7! Reach us at (651) 212-2333!

Ice

11/21/2024 (Permalink)

Call us at (651) 212 - 2333!

When the winter weather gets more extreme, so do the consequences of not preparing for the worst. Small issues like an overhanging tree can turn into a tree in the living room after a cold-snap and strong winds. Pipes can burst in winter which could leave you without hot water or flood damages. Both which can be incredibly dangerous in cold weather. Regardless what kinds of damages you face, a disaster restoration plan is something that no homeowner should be without.

Below are some of the risks that you could encounter and ways to cope effectively.

Ice & Snow
Ice storms can lead to the formation of ice dams that tear roof shingles apart or make gutters fall. Also, they can have impact on the trees and power lines around your property. When these matters collapse, the aftermath may cause damages. 

In some cases, snow buildup can damage homes. This can be very concerning with older properties that may not be quite as structurally sound as they once were. Heavy snow that causes your roof to bend or warp can create weaknesses. That is why one should take needed precautions to help prevent damage. 

When it comes to the winter season, rapid emergency restoration needs to be one of your primary concerns.

If you experience any disasters or damages, contact SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake at (651) 212 - 2333.

We are always here to help!

Commercial Properties

4/8/2024 (Permalink)

Our crew is ready 24/7 to ensure that we are ready to help! Contact us at (651) 212 - 2333!

Call SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake

Commercial properties always have a lot of matters going on at one time. The last thing that they want to be thinking about is water, fire, or mold damage. That is why SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake is always prepared to begin the job in a timely manner.

The crew at SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake understands that a closed business, means no business. Therefore, we will work closely with your commercial needs in regards to fire, water damage, or mold to get your business back in full operation as soon as possible. We have experience in working with small business owners as well as large retail malls and have even partnered with our large loss division through SERVPRO to expedite the restoration process. 

We hope your commercial building never goes through these damages, but if it does know that you have a friend in the restoration business. Contact SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake to assist you through this difficult time.

Our crew is ready 24/7 to ensure that we are ready to help! Contact us at (651) 212 - 2333!

Winter Weather

12/7/2023 (Permalink)

We are available 24/7/365, and here to help you! We can be reached at (651) 212 - 2333!

Damages

When the cold winter weather gets more extreme, so do the damages and disasters. That is why it is important for all homeowners to be prepared in the event of any damages or disasters. SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake is always here for you, and here to help.

We Are Here To Help You

In the cold winter weather, emergency restoration needs to be a priority to all homeowners. SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake is a local company that has been in the business for several years, as well as the construction business. All of these expertise will be shown through the quality of work that will be conducted in your home by SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake. Our crew is always ready to help you and our community in any time of need.

Contact SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake!

If you are to experience any damages or disasters from the cold winter weather, call your local restoration crew at SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake. We are available 24/7/365, and here to help you! We can be reached at (651) 212 - 2333!

How To Test Your Smoke Detector & Fire Alarm

12/7/2023 (Permalink)

If an event does occur, SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake will be ready to help! We are available 24/7! Reach us at (651) 212 - 2333!

Important To Keep Family Safe

Testing smoke detectors and fire alarms is one of the most important items to help keep your family safe. They are meant to be early warning devices to alert your family of a fire or dangerous smoke. To ensure proper function, these items need to be tested periodically.

Why Do it?

Electronic devices can have batteries that die and other parts that the wear out overtime. By testing them periodically and replacing the batteries, it will help to ensure that your family will have those warning devices in place.

How Often?

U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), suggest that smoke detectors be tested at least once a month and batteries should be replaced at least once or twice a year.

Two Types of Smoke Detectors-

Battery-powered: This type can be susceptible to worn-out or defective batteries.

Hardwired: This type is powered by your home’s electrical system, but typically has back up batteries.

Tip Time: Change your batteries when you change your clocks for daylight savings time – when you spring forward and fall back!

How Do You Test It?

Check the manufacturer’s instructions for the proper method of testing your smoke detector and fire alarm.

Step 1: Alert family members and friends that you will be testing the alarm.

Step 2: Press and hold the test button on the smoke detector. You should hear a loud siren noise, this may take a few seconds. If it is weak or nonexistent, you should replace the batteries. Also, make sure that the smoke detector is clean.

All information and steps above are to help prevent matters from occurring, not a guarantee.

If an event does occur, SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake will be ready to help! We are available 24/7! Reach us at (651) 212 - 2333!

Potential Commercial Building Damages

11/6/2023 (Permalink)

If your commercial building is to experience any water, fire, or mold damage contact SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake at (651) 212 - 2333.

Commercial Water Damage  

SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake specializes in water damage whether it be in a residential or commercial building. They specialize in both residential and commercial buildings because water damage can be experienced in both types of buildings. Our crew at SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake will work in a fast and efficient manner to make the process go as smooth as possible. We understand that time is an important fact when it comes to water damage. Whether it be standing water or a flood. 

Understanding the factors that can cause water damage can be helpful in certain instances when dealing with the damage. Here are some causing factors:

1. Frozen Pipes

Temperatures are known to fall in Minnesota for a handful of months. Throughout this time, there are chances for frozen pipes. When the pipes freeze it causes the water inside to expand as it turns into ice, which can cause the pipe to burst. 

2. Corroded Pipes

Most corroded pipes occur due to the high levels of oxygen that they are exposed to. This is a very common occurrence which is why it is known as the second largest leading cause of damaged pipes. These damaged pipes can then lead to water damage. 

3. Sewage Back - Up

There are three common causes of sewage back - up that can occur in one’s commercial building. The three common causes are blockage, clogs, and broken lines. All of these can cause water coming up or being pushed into your building. 

4. Leaking Roof 

Roofs can begin leaking due to a large amount of causes. Some of the causes that the leak can be from are hail damage, clogged gutters, broken/missing shingles, and soffit damage. These are some common causes, but there a number of different causes.

If your commercial building is to experience any water, fire, or mold damage contact SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake at (651) 212 - 2333. 

Contact our crew 24/7 at (651) 212 - 2333!

Winter is Near

11/6/2023 (Permalink)

If you suffer any damage from a frozen pipe, contact the crew at SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake!

Chilly Minnesota Weather

Winter has been making its return to Minnesota. With colder temperatures and the buckets of snow that the Minnesota winter season can bring, one needs to be prepared for what could happen. These types of conditions can lead to a chance of frozen pipes throughout the winter season. This occurs when the frozen water in pipes starts to build pressure between the ice blockage and the closed faucet at the end of a pipe. Due to this type of pressure, it can lead to pipes bursting near their weak points.

To keep water in the pipes from freezing try taking these following precautions:

• Fit exposed pipes with insulation sleeves or wrapping to slow the heat transfer
• Seal cracks and holes in outside walls and foundations near water pipe with caulking
• Keep cabinet doors open during cold spells to allow warm air to circulate around pipes
• Keep a slow trickle of water flowing through faucets connected to pipes that run through any unheated or unprotected space
• Drain the water system especially if your house will be unattended during cold periods
• Keep house heated even when gone for periods at a time

These precautions cannot guarantee that the pipes in the house will not freeze over, but taking these steps will help prevent it.

If you suffer any damage from a frozen pipe, contact the crew at SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake! We are available 24 hours a day at and are here to help. Reach us at (651) 212 - 2333!

SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake Know Best!

6/19/2023 (Permalink)

Fun Facts

SERVPRO of Anoka & Forest Lake deals with numerous water damage cases a year. They specialize in the restoration and re-builds of these cases.

Here are some water damage facts:

• Water is capable of dissolving a variety of different substances. That is why water is known as the “universal solvent” because it dissolves more substances than any other liquid.
• A sheet of drywall standing upright with its edge sitting in a ½” of water can wick water up to 6 inches in less than three hours.
• Mold is known for beginning to grow in 24 to 48 hours in an untreated moist environment.

All of these facts are proof to show that one should call SERVPRO of Anoka & Forest Lake as soon as they experience any water damage. This will help to ensure that the matter is taken care of in a timely manner.

If you are to ever experience any water, fire, or mold damage call SERVPRO of Anoka & Forest Lake.

Fire Damage Tips!

6/14/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO your fire damage experts

Fire damage is something not to take lightly. People call SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake frequently to ask for advice on how to clean after a fire. Here are four of the best tips we give people who ask about fire damage restoration. 

Consider whether you want to try these ideas on your own or whether you would be better off hiring highly trained restoration specialists who will guarantee their work.

1. Remove Smoke Damage

With any fire you will have a degree of smoke damage to your walls, wallpaper and paint. If the smoke damage is not too serious, you should be able to scrub it clean with detergents and bleach. Soot from smoke damage is greasy, so always try to dust as much of it off from a surface before trying to scrub the surface clean. 

2. Get Rid of Mold & Mildew

When the fire is gone, mold and mildew enter into houses as a result of the water used to extinguish the fire. SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake highly recommends you hire fire damage restoration professionals to deal with mold and mildew. It is difficult for a nonprofessional to know for certain if he has cleaned up all the areas affected by the mold and mildew. 

3. Replace Carpets. Clean And Dry Your Floors

The floors and carpets end up absorbing the worst of the damage from all the water used to put out a fire. Depending on the severity SERVPRO recommends that you pull up any carpets that have water damage and replace them.

Keep in mind that water can seep underneath vinyl flooring and into the cracks in hardwood. This needs to be addressed to prevent future issues.

4. Scrub, Soak & Cleaning Dishes

Dishes are also important items to clean thoroughly after a fire because they will be in contact with your food. Scrub all dishes, let them soak in a solution of bleach and water (2 tablespoons of bleach per gallon) for at least 20 minutes and scrub some more for safety. Some items may need to be thrown out.

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, chemical cleanup and natural disaster cleanup.

SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake is available for all fire damage needs! Call (651) 212-2333!

Storm Damage?

6/12/2023 (Permalink)

Flood or storm damage? Call SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake at (651)212-2333

Storms Damages? Call SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake at (651) 212-2333!

SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake is known for their specialization in flood and storm damage. When they are presented with flood or storm damage they have the adequate training and skills to begin the repair and/or restoration. Our crew’s main goal is to make sure that the process goes as smooth as possible for those affected by the damage. 

Due to the flood and storm damage restoration and experience that our crew has, SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake is able to repair or restore the home or business back to pre-storm condition. 

Our crew at SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake will respond in a quick manner due to being locally owned and operated. The advantage of our quick response correlates to the damage that is done. The fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces costs. 

When Should I Call SERVPRO of  Anoka and Forest Lake?

• Flood Damage
• Hail Damage
• Wind Damage

Calling SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake should be done whenever there is any damage from a storm that hits. 

Why Call SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake?

• We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster
• We’re Highly Trained Storm Damage Specialists
• We Have the Resources to Handle Storms and Disasters 

Flood or Storm Damage? Call SERVPRO of Anoka and Forest Lake at (651)212-2333!