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Reconstruction Services are now Available / SERVPRO of Gillette/Sheridan

10/21/2024 (Permalink)

Two men Standing and looking at building plans SERVPRO can handle your loss from beginning to end.

Did you know that in addition to water mitigation, fire cleanup, and mold remediation, SERVPRO of Rapid City also offers reconstruction services? After our team is done with drying out your home/business or removing smoke-damaged materials, we can put your home/business back together "Like it never even happened." The convenience and savings of working with one company to assist with mitigation and repairs can be significant. In addition to reconstruction, we also do general home remodeling. Have you been considering remodeling your kitchen? We can help. Does your bathroom need an update? We do that too. From start to finish, we can manage your reconstruction project!

Here are just some of the reconstruction services SERVPRO offers:

  • Drywall repair and installation
  • Floor repair and replacement
  • Kitchen and bath installation and remodeling
  • Cabinet and trim replacement
  • Insulation installation
  • Ceiling repair
  • Fixture replacement
  • Painting and texturing
  • Plumbing
  • Electrical
  • Framing
  • Finish Carpentry 
  • Setting/hanging doors

SERVPRO of Rapid City is Here to Help make your life easier!

Setting Up Your Backyard Grill for Success and Fire Prevention This Summer - SERVPRO of Gillette/Sheridan

8/2/2024 (Permalink)

fire on a grill Gather around the grill, but don't forget about fire safety! Follow these tips from SERVPRO of Rapid City to ensure a fun and safe night.

As the warm weather arrives, there’s nothing quite like firing up the grill and enjoying a delicious meal in your backyard. However, grilling comes with its own set of safety concerns, particularly the risk of fire.

To ensure a safe and enjoyable grilling experience this summer, here are some tips for setting up your backyard grill for success and fire prevention.

Choose the Right Location

Selecting the proper location for your grill is crucial for both safety and convenience.

Keep it Away from Structures: Position your grill at least ten feet away from your home, garage, deck railings, and overhanging branches. This distance reduces the risk of fire spreading to nearby structures.

Ensure Good Ventilation: Grill in an open area with good ventilation to prevent the buildup of smoke and carbon monoxide. Avoid using your grill indoors or in enclosed spaces, as this can lead to dangerous fumes.

Use a Stable Surface: Place your grill on a stable and level surface, away from any potential tripping hazards. Avoid setting it on grass, which can be a fire hazard, and opt for concrete or gravel instead.

Clean and Maintain Your Grill

Regular cleaning and maintenance are essential for both the performance and safety of your grill.

Clean the Grill Grates: Before each use, scrub the grill grates with a wire brush to remove any leftover food residue. This not only prevents flare-ups but also ensures that your food cooks evenly.

Empty the Grease Trap: Keep the grease trap or pan beneath the grill clean and empty to prevent grease buildup, which can ignite and cause a fire.

Inspect for Damage: Check your grill regularly for any signs of damage, such as rusted or corroded parts. Replace worn-out or damaged components promptly to maintain the safety and functionality of your grill.

Practice Safe Grilling Techniques

Follow these tips to grill safely and prevent fires:

Keep a Fire Extinguisher Nearby: Have a fire extinguisher rated for grease fires within reach whenever you’re grilling. Familiarize yourself with how to use it before an emergency arises.

Never Leave the Grill Unattended: Stay vigilant while grilling and never leave it unattended, especially when children or pets are nearby.

Be Prepared for Emergencies: Have a plan in place in case of a fire. Know how to safely extinguish a grease fire and when to call the fire department.

By following these tips for setting up your backyard grill and practicing safe grilling techniques, you can enjoy delicious outdoor meals without the worry of fire hazards.

If you experience fire damage or need assistance with fire cleanup and restoration, don’t hesitate to contact SERVPRO of Rapid City.

Tips for Storm Planning With Your Family - SERVPRO of Gillette/Sheridan

8/2/2024 (Permalink)

family watching lightning storm from inside home with candles due to power outage Don't be left in the dark about storm damage.

Storms can be a scary experience for anyone, but especially for children and pets. The sound of thunder, lightning and tornado sirens can leave you feeling unsure of where to start when it comes to your response. However, with proper preparation, you can keep your family calm and collected during storm situations.

Our team has put together some simple tips to help you incorporate storm planning into your family routine, ensuring everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency. By following these steps, you can take control of the situation and make sure your loved ones stay safe during severe weather.

Learning the Sky Signs

We can all easily tell the difference between a cloudy day and a sunny one, but recognizing when severe weather is approaching can be a bit trickier. Teach your kids to keep an eye on the sky when they are outside and to look for rotating clouds, a dark or green sky, or rumbling thunder and lightning.

In addition, your kids should know what a tornado siren sounds like and when one might be activated. A great time to do this is during a testing day! Have your kids simulate a regular day and then time them to see how long it takes to get to your safe shelter location once the test siren goes off.

Preparing for Incoming Weather

Has your family discussed your storm emergency plan? Doing so can help everyone understand what is expected of them during a true emergency. Locate your safe shelter location and work together to prepare your emergency kit.

Once you choose your safe sheltering area, keep it free of clutter and consider moving a heavy object like a table or desk into the room to act as additional protection. Have a little fun by building a fort under the table with your kids and huddle together inside.

You should also let your kids help pack up your emergency kit! Start by gathering the essentials and then let your kids pick some special snacks to go into the bag. Let them each choose a durable water bottle as well.

Let your kids add a flashlight into the bag for themselves and let them label theirs with their own name. Don’t forget extra batteries, matches and any necessary medications. Finally, let your kids add games or activities into the bag that will keep them entertained while they have to shelter in place. It may seem unnecessary during an emergency, but we promise that you will be grateful for the distraction if you are stuck inside for a long period of time.

Keeping the Kids Calm

When severe weather strikes, it’s natural for children to feel scared and apprehensive. As a parent, it’s important to ease their fears and help them feel more confident during these situations. One way to do this is by educating them on the actual probability of experiencing severe destruction or being directly hit by a tornado. In most cases, damage is usually limited to the roof, siding and surrounding areas and doesn’t result in total devastation.

Reassure your children that they are safe, and remind them of the steps you have taken to prepare for the storm. To keep their minds off of the weather, engage them in fun activities and try to narrate the events in a lighthearted manner. For example, you could turn the storm into a game of “indoor camping” and encourage them to build a fort in your safe shelter location.

By incorporating these tips into your severe weather plan, you can help your children feel more prepared and confident during storms.

Storm damage should always be addressed quickly. Contact SERVPRO® day or night for the restoration services you need.

Insurance Claims Made Simple - SERVPRO of Gillette/Sheridan

8/2/2024 (Permalink)

SERVRPO crew responding to disaster SERVPRO of Rapid City is Here to Help® with your business' disaster recovery!

Disaster situations can be overwhelming for anyone, especially if there is an element of danger to them. While the emergency is happening, safety becomes your top priority and you focus on keeping your family close and protected until the situation is under control.

However, once the initial emergency is over, it certainly doesn’t mean that there is nothing left to do. Recovering after a disaster takes work and that in itself can seem insurmountable.

SERVPRO of Rapid City is thankfully here to take over your entire recovery! We can handle your reconstruction and repairs as well as the more confusing aspects of disaster recovery, like navigating insurance claims.

Starting the Recovery

Fires, floods and severe storm situations can cause a lot of damage in a really short amount of time, and they can cause chaos really easily if you aren’t prepared or don’t have a plan in place ahead of time. Focus first on keeping everyone calm and safe before turning your attention to your recovery.

Even if the situation itself is really overwhelming, it is unfortunately crucial to start on your recovery efforts immediately. The longer you wait, the worse the situation can become, and the lingering damage can cause further problems. Once you have determined that your family is safe, give us a call so we can get started on your restoration.

Take photos of the damage while you wait for us to arrive. The more you can document, the better!

Your insurance company will want fresh images of the situation, so taking photos right away will give them the best possible information. You should also take a look around and see if there is anything small that you can do to help, like turning off a water valve or opening windows for ventilation.

Leaving the Rest to Us

The good news is that once we arrive, we take over every aspect of your recovery! Our team will secure your home to prevent further damage by boarding up windows, securing roofs and pulling possessions out of the damaged area. We are highly trained in the restoration techniques needed, and we will also work on starting the necessary steps for submitting your insurance claim.

We will put together an itemized list of your losses while also making sure to meet insurance inspection standards to lower your potential costs. Once this list is compiled, we will combine that with the images you took and the professional shots that we took and then we will use all of that to report your damage to your insurance agent. Our team will work hard to restore rather than replace as much of your property as possible.

When you leave your recovery to us, good things will happen. Call us day or night and our crew will help you navigate your restoration and your insurance claim with ease.

When a disaster strikes, call SERVPRO® to make your recovery process—insurance claims and all—simple.

Keeping Your Commercial Property Dry and Free of Damage | SERVPRO® of Gillette, Sheridan

3/9/2023 (Permalink)

img src =”mold” alt = "corner of interior wall showing signs of black mold from water damage” > Experienced water damage in your commercial building? SERVPRO of Gillette, Sheridan can help you get dried out quickly.

Water damage is always a threat to your business. Whether you own a small family-owned storefront or run a large warehouse, water damage can make your entire business grind to a halt.

In addition to the frustration that damage can cause, it can also be costly to recover from if the damage is widespread. Thankfully, SERVPRO of Gillette, Sheridan is here to help!

Common Locations For Water Issues

You never want to close your business if you don’t have to for any reason. The lost revenue, wages and expensive repair bill can be detrimental to everyone involved.

One of the best ways to stop a problem before it becomes a large issue is to regularly check these locations throughout your building. Oftentimes, water issues will give off signs of a problem, giving you the time you need to respond quickly:

1. The roof. Your roof is an invaluable part of your business! It offers your business and employees protection from the elements every day. It is important to get on your roof and look for damage on occasion, and especially after a heavy rainstorm, snowstorm or any sort of severe weather. Cracked shingles or a fallen tree can lead to water getting into your attic or top level, which can leak down your walls.

2. Bathrooms. Our sinks and toilets use water constantly, so it should be no surprise that water troubles commonly start in the bathroom. Even the tiniest of leaks can lead to unnecessary water loss and widespread damage. Check the pipes around your fixtures and make sure your caulk lines aren’t old or deteriorating.

3. Water heaters/HVAC/boilers. We rely on our large appliances like our boilers and HVAC systems to get us through every day. That is why it is so important to prioritize caring for these systems! A clogged drain, loose pipe connection or a faulty appliance can all lead to a water disaster. Your maintenance team should be performing regular maintenance and cleaning in your utility room often, and any mysterious puddles or drop in water pressure should be investigated right away.

What to Do to Prevent Water Damage

The best offense is a good defense when it comes to water damage! Other than natural disasters, most water damage can be prevented with simple steps and dedication to routine maintenance.

Start by creating a plan for how you will address any routine cleaning and inspections of your building. This can ensure your commercial property runs smoothly every day!

It is also important that you have a plan in place that outlines how to handle an emergency situation. Our team at SERVPRO of Gillette, Sheridan can help you come up with the best comprehensive plan that fits your building’s needs.

Now that your plans are made and you are ready to tackle anything that comes your way, just keep up with your routine inspections! It is also a good idea to make sure all management staff know how to shut off your water valves in an emergency. If you do suffer water damage, just remember that SERVPRO of Gillette, Sheridan can be there fast and we will help you fully recover in no time.

Experienced water damage in your commercial building? Contact us to get dried out quickly.

We Can Help You Recover After a Fire | SERVPRO® of Gillette, Sheridan

2/11/2023 (Permalink)

img src =”fire” alt = "a small house completely engulfed in flames” > For quick repairs following a fire, get in touch with our team at SERVPRO of Gillette, Sheridan.

Any sort of house disaster can be overwhelming and hard to fully understand in the aftermath. If you are a homeowner, you certainly understand that worry! House fires in particular can be especially destructive and can make a large impact on your family’s lives.

Dealing with the cleanup and restoration on your own can be hard, but thankfully you don’t have to do that! Your SERVPRO of Gillette, Sheridan team is here for you to help guide you through the process and take over the restoration for you.

Our Initial Contact

During and immediately following a fire, prioritize making sure that your family is safe. Once you are sure that your loved ones are OK, it’s time to turn to us for help with the cleanup.

The first phone call you make to us will include many questions, just to ensure we fully understand the extent of the fire. This allows us to pack up the right gear and tools for your unique situation. Once the trucks are packed and a team is assembled, we are out the door and on our way to you.

The First Cleaning

Once we arrive, we do a full walkthrough to better understand your home’s layout and the damage. Next, we secure areas of your home that are vulnerable to further damage, like boarding up windows and doors or laying tarps over exposed areas.

Now that your home is secure, we start by removing all of the debris and giving your home a deep-clean to remove residual soot and smoke. This also includes removing fragile possessions to avoid damaging anything else in your home! After the surface damage has been cleaned up, we sanitize the entire area and use our odor-removing techniques to remove any lingering smoke smells from your carpets, furniture and walls.

The Restoration

Now comes the best part! Our restoration process involves full structural repairs to minor ones, and we can rebuild entire sections of your home, lay new carpet or hang new drywall for you.

We have the tools necessary for whatever your project requires, so you can rest easy knowing that when we are through, you would never know a fire tore through your home. Call us at SERVPRO of Gillette, Sheridan! We are ready to help you recover today.

For rapid repairs following a fire, get in touch with our team at SERVPRO of Gillette, Sheridan! We will work as quickly as possible to return you to a safe and fully restored property.

Keep Your Home Warm and Fire Safe This Winter | SERVPRO® of Gillette, Sheridan

1/26/2023 (Permalink)

img src =”heater” alt = "a small electric heater in a living room” > Call SERVPRO of Gillette, Sheridan if you experience any smoke, soot or fire damage.

We are in the throes of the winter season here in Wyoming! With the subzero temperatures and a few snowstorms under our belts already, we are all definitely relying on our home’s heat sources to stay warm every day. House fires are more common in winter because of our increased reliance on our furnaces and fireplaces.

It is possible to reduce your risk of experiencing a house fire this season, though! It just takes some extra cleaning and precautions, which we have laid out below.

Your Furnace Upkeep

The winter season is your furnace’s time to shine! Your furnace and HVAC system work hard every day to heat your home, but they are often overlooked when it comes to maintenance.

Inspect your furnace regularly for issues, and give it a good cleaning in and around the mechanisms to remove any dust or debris buildup.

If you haven’t already done so this season, change your furnace’s air filter! It is recommended that all air filters be replaced at least every 90 days, so the change in season is the perfect time to do it. If you have a larger family or you have pets in your home, try to swap out your filter even more often.

While this task is simple to do, it can actually help extend the lifespan of your HVAC system and can keep your air cleaner throughout your entire home.

Clean Out Your Fireplace

Having a fireplace can be such a luxury at this time of year! It is an efficient way to quickly heat up a space and can provide your home with a cozy feel. However, your fireplace needs to be cleaned and maintained as well to ensure your family’s safety.

If your fireplace is artificial, remove the glass and clean the logs and surrounding walls to remove dust and other debris. For wood-burning fireplaces, regularly remove leftover ashes and ensure that your chimney isn’t blocked or damaged. Finally, wipe down the bricks to remove soot buildup.

Portable Heat Sources

Space heaters can come in handy for small rooms or particularly chilly parts of your home. But it should be no surprise that they are fire hazards, too! Always keep your space heaters at least three feet away from flammable materials or furniture, and be sure to turn them off before going to sleep.

Before you turn yours on, plug it directly into a wall, not an extension cord. It should also be on a level surface to avoid it tipping over.

Whenever you turn on your space heater or utilize your fireplace, keep a close eye on your pets and children. Accidents can happen at any point and could leave you vulnerable to a widespread disaster!

If you experience fire damage this season, give us a call at SERVPRO of Gillette, Sheridan for immediate assistance. We’re here 247 when you need us!

Keep Your Home Dry This Season | SERVPRO® of Gillette, Sheridan

1/16/2023 (Permalink)

img src =”water” alt = "water failing from a sink do to a clogged drain” > Have water damage in your home? Contact SERVPRO of Gillette, Sheridan for quick and professional restoration.

The start of a new year is such a refreshing time. New goals and a brand-new outlook on the season can feel so motivating! In addition to your personal resolutions, adopting some new homeowner strategies can help you avoid the perils of water damage.

Since water damage can occur out of many different accidents or natural disasters, it is important to be prepared for a variety of scenarios.

Catching Water Leaks

If you can, preventing water leaks before they even begin can save you precious time and money. Take the time to keep your gutters clear, clean off your roof on occasion and encourage water to flow farther away from your home with long downspouts.

Inside your home, it is important to address any issues with rusty pipes or old caulking. These areas can spring a leak at any time! Even if the water itself doesn’t cause damage, any lingering moisture can cause mildew or mold growth over time.

Your appliances are also vulnerable to the dangers of unwanted water exposure! If water gets into the parts of the machine that aren’t waterproof, it could lead to rust or a full system malfunction. This could leave you with an even bigger water issue.

Steps to Prevent Water Damage

Early detection is key to preventing a large-scale problem from occurring. While you are doing your routine cleaning, do a thorough check of the areas of your home that utilize water to check for visible water, mold or water staining.

In your kitchen, pull back your appliances on occasion to check behind them for water damage. Also, open up your kitchen cabinets under your sink to check for condensation or water line leaks.

If your windows often condense when it gets really cold, wipe them down often and consider reducing the humidity levels in your home.

It is also crucial to check your roof often for damage or missing shingles. Any damage to your roof could introduce water into your attic that could eventually leak down your walls or cause a mold infestation.

We are always at risk of experiencing snow storms during the winter season, so it is crucial to prevent damage to our roofs if we get a lot in a short period of time. Snow can be heavy, and extra weight on your roof can impact its structural integrity.

While it may be too late for this step in the season, consider grading your yard when the ground thaws in the springtime. A professional grading can ensure that any rain that falls will flow down and away from your foundation.

Have water damage in your home? Contact us for fast, professional restoration back to preloss condition.

What’s That Smell? | SERVPRO® of Gillette, Sheridan

1/4/2023 (Permalink)

< img src =”cleaning.jpg” alt = "a SERVPRO crew setting up machines to clean a kitchen " > If you experience an odor or any other damage inside your home, call SERVPRO of Gillette, Sheridan day or night.

Recovering from a disaster is easy when you call SERVPRO of Gillette, Sheridan! We can handle any home damage you encounter, and we work hard to ensure your project is completed to your satisfaction. In addition to our restoration services, we can also provide your home or business with odor removal!

In the aftermath of a home disaster, it can be easy to overlook any lingering odors. Some may be mild, and others may be hard to place, which makes them that much harder to successfully remove.

Regardless of the odor problem you have, your SERVPRO team is up to the task. Learn more about our odor removal process below!

Possible Odor Removal Techniques

Home disasters can produce a wide variety of odors from airborne chemicals, gasses or tiny particles in the air. In order to successfully remove the odor, our team tackles it with a few different approaches.

Some of these include:

Masking agents. While we work on identifying the source of the odor and focus on creating a plan, we can apply a masking agent that helps make the environment more pleasant for all of us.

Filtration agents. We can also use our filtration compounds that can actually suck the smell right out of your carpets, furniture and even the air you breathe.

Disinfectants and sanitizers. We can also tackle the smell with professional disinfectants to ensure that the space is free of bacteria or fungus that could encourage the smell to return.

The Steps of Our Odor Removal Process

1. Remove the source. We can only remove the entire odor if we know exactly where the odor is coming from! Once we locate the source, we remove it from your home and also take out anything that it affected.

2. Clean residue from surfaces. The job is not complete without sanitization! Any part that is not fully cleaned could introduce bacteria back into the area and start the smell all over again.

3. Recreate the odor-causing conditions. This thorough step allows us to recreate the original environment that caused the smell in the first place. We employ deodorizers that help indicate if we have left any particles behind.

4. Seal exposed surfaces. Troublesome projects might require this step if the odor is really extensive or our other methods are not cost-effective. We can completely seal off the affected area to prevent the scent from traveling.

No matter what your odor problem is, we are here for you! No job is too big or too small for your SERVPRO of Gillette, Sheridan team. Give us a call today to make sure your home returns to its cozy, fresh scent.

If you experience an odor or other damage inside your home or business, call us at any time, 247. We have the training and equipment to quickly get your property back in operation.

The Effects of Water Seepage in Your Home | SERVPRO® of Gillette, Sheridan

12/9/2022 (Permalink)

< img src =”tree.jpg” alt = "roof white leaking from water damage " > the water damage can happen anytime, give us a call if you need help!

Water, water, everywhere! We are constantly surrounded by the threat of water damage in our homes, and sometimes it can be hard to pinpoint.

Some signs that you are experiencing water damage in your home include a musty smell, peeling wallpaper or bubbling paint. However, some water damage doesn’t show any signs at all right away.

Spotting a water leak in your home can be tricky if you aren’t sure where to look! We explain what to watch out for when it comes to water issues below.

<h3bathrooms">Your Bathrooms

Bathrooms are common culprits when it comes to water damage. Your sinks, bathtubs and toilets all use water every day in order to function. That leaves a lot of opportunity for water troubles to begin!

Routinely check the water supply lines to each of your fixtures and inspect the water seals frequently. Even just a minor amount of wear and tear on your seals could spring a water leak.

<h3threat-of-your-appliances">The Threat of Your Appliances

We all know that appliances can cause major headaches as well. Faulty mechanisms, malfunctions or blockages can all cause your appliances to leak all over the floor.

Being proactive can help you stop a water problem in its tracks! Routinely unplug water-using appliances like your refrigerator, washing machine and dishwasher and pull them away from the wall. If you notice water damage, stains or mold growth, call us right away so we can help remedy the situation.

<h3damage-from-weather">Water Damage From Weather

Water damage doesn’t just exist within our homes, unfortunately. We can also experience water troubles caused by Mother Nature.

Any instances of heavy rain during the spring and summer time can create flooding problems or soggy basements. We are also at risk of winter storms any time from now until mid-spring that can bring wind, rain, ice, snow or sleet. Sometimes, we are lucky enough to experience all of these elements in a single storm!

In order to prevent water damage from the elements in your home, work on controlling the moisture in your home. If you don’t, you could struggle with condensation issues or even mold growth.

Do your part in preventing water damage from even occurring by keeping your gutters free of debris and your roof clear of any dead vegetation or leaves. You should also do a routine check of your windows and doors to catch any gaps or drafts before the temperature cools down. This can save you time and money on your electricity bill if you are able to seal any gaps up right away.

If you experience water damage inside your home or business, call us 247. We have the experience and equipment to get your property back in working order fast.