Recent Posts

Speed matters when it comes to water damage!

8/7/2023 (Permalink)

Flooding and water emergencies don't wait for regular business hours and we are here to help!  SERVPRO of Vigo provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day 7 days a week, including all holidays.

Leaks from the piping, roof and other water sources can cause water damages that can go unnoticed for weeks, even months.  Attempting to clean up water from a leak can lead to further damage and contamination if not handled properly.  SERVPRO of Vigo County is trained and is equipped with a full line of cleanup and restoration services to handle water damage caused by leaks and excessive moisture.  SERVPRO can and will help you protect your business and property from further damage and get you back to normal business functions.

 An immediate response helps to minimize the damage and restoration cost. We are faster to your disaster and are here to help make things "Like it never even happened."

Fire can happen Anywhere, Anytime.

8/3/2023 (Permalink)

Fires can happen anywhere, including when you leave your home unoccupied. A quick trip to the store can end terribly when you return to see fire trucks swarmed around your house. This scenario does not put you and your family in the same risks families experience when a fire starts during the night. While your smoke detector hopefully wakes you, the smoke can make escaping extremely difficult. Flames can take over your entire house when no one is there to call for help.

Our goal is to help families prevent fire damage, and where it affects homes, to mitigate the situation, so those properties become safe to live in again. The best way to deal with fire damage is by preventing it from happening.

During the summer months, many families enjoy outdoor cooking on the grill or fire pit. Grills put away when still holding hot coals can cause stored chemicals in the garage to ignite. Fireworks stored for Independence Day celebrations can turn into problems when young children locate them and then mishandle them inside the home by trying to light them. Electrical hazards develop when using tools outside with the cords laid in the driveway can later create hot spots when using the tool inside the house.

Waiting until your grill cools off completely before rolling the unit into the garage keeps combustible liquids from getting hot enough to burn. Keeping combustible liquids in a cabinet or shelving area away from other items can also help. Installing a smoke detector in the garage can also alert you of a fire before it grows too large.

Explaining to children about lighters and matches and their inherent dangers can help prevent fires caused by curious youngsters. However, placing both fire starters and fireworks well out of reach and out of range even if chairs get pushed up against tall cabinets can work wonders at avoiding tempting situations.

Keeping cords in good condition and replacing damaged ones effectively stops fires and electrical shocks from hurting anyone. Always check the gauge of the wires before replacing them to avoid damaging the tool.

SERVPRO of Vigo wants to remind families to install smoke alarms in strategic locations in your house and check the batteries monthly. You should choose a family member's birthday or anniversary as the date to install new batteries, to keep them fresh. When fire damage does happen, call us and we will send out qualified mitigation specialists.

We are faster to any disaster and we will make things "Like it never even happened."

Odor Removal and Deodorization

8/2/2023 (Permalink)

As experts in deodorization, SERVPRO of Vigo, Clay, Parke, Sullivan and Vermillion Counties is trained to identify and eliminate offensive odors. These odors can come from a number of sources both inside and outside a structure.

SERVPRO teaches IICRC technical classes in the proper removal of odors. Masking and other shortcuts don't work when your odor problem is serious or persistent.

 We have the training and equipment to identify and eliminate these offensive odors. By identifying the cause of the odor, and determining the conditions where it contacts surfaces, the odor can often be removed over time without a trace. Our technicians have access to several odor removal products capable of penetrating surfaces to neutralize an unpleasant odor thoroughly.

The science of identifying and eliminating odors can be a tricky thing, so give us a call, and leave the restoration to us.

Common Causes for House fires

8/2/2023 (Permalink)

House fires are devastating and often tragic to human and pet life, in addition to causing smoke and water damage to property. But house fires are traditionally caused by just a few very common scenarios, which means they are highly preventable. Make sure you and your family stay safe from the potential dangers of a house fire.

According to statistics from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there are more than 350,000 home fires each year in the U.S., leading to more than 2,600 deaths.1 Fires can be started in a number of ways, but they generally fall into one of two categories: fires caused by heat igniting combustible materials, and those caused by chemical reactions.

Your home is full of objects and materials that can combust under the right conditions. Some of the common causes of house fires are familiar to everyone, while others may surprise you. Identifying and lowering these risks help you lower your chance of house fire, keeping your family and property safer.

Cooking fires are among the most common types of house fires, causing around 49 percent of all residential fires. They are very often caused by greases that becomes overheated on a stove or in an oven. Grease is highly flammable when it gets hot enough (about 600 degrees Fahrenheit, on average), and when it reaches that point, it can combust spontaneously, even without direct flame contact. Once grease is ignited, it is very difficult to smother the flames.

Never leave the kitchen unattended when cooking in oil or when cooking a food that produces grease, such as bacon. Most kitchen fires start because when a homeowner leaves food cooking unsupervised on a stove or in an oven. By the time the fire is discovered, it’s usually too late. Thoroughly clean your cookware to prevent grease from building up over time.

Portable cooking appliances, such as toasters and electric griddles, can also be a source of fires. Never leave these portable appliances unsupervised, and make sure they are cool to the touch before storing them away. Toasters should be regularly cleaned of crumbs that might ignite if they build up inside the appliance.

During the outdoor cooking season, barbecue grills left unattended on a wooden deck or near the exterior walls of a home can also be a source of fire. A heated grill next to a wooden fence can easily cause fire, and grills have been known to ignite the exterior walls of a home or garage if positioned too close.

Small grease fires can be extinguished quickly by turning off the heat and smothering the fire with a metal lid. Sprinkling baking soda or salt on the fire will also put it out, as well. A class-B or class-K fire extinguisher is also recommended, although the chemicals can create a notable cleanup issue.

With serious fires, make no attempt to put out the fire. Instead, call the fire department immediately. Under no circumstances should you dump water over the grease fire, as this can cause the hot grease to explode and throw burning grease over the area.

Home space heaters and baseboard heaters can cause fire when fabrics and other combustibles are left too close to them. Heating and cooling appliances of various types are the second leading cause of residential fires, responsible for over 12 percent of all home fires. According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), some 25,000 home fires caused more than 300 deaths in the U.S. each year (2104 to 2016) as a result of space heaters.2

Heaters that require fuel such as kerosene are especially dangerous, as they can ignite or blow up if not properly watched. Electrical heaters can cause fires if the electrical wiring is faulty, or if draperies or other fabrics overheat when they come in contact with the coils.

Always follow the instructions on any heating device you use and inspect it regularly to ensure it is in good condition.

Never leave the house with a heater running. Space heaters almost always have instructions warning against unsupervised use, but thousands of house fires each year can be attributed to such appliances left running when homeowners are absent. Make sure flammable materials are kept well away from space heaters.

Various types of electrical faults in home wiring cause about 51,000 fires each year, accounting for nearly 500 deaths, 1,400 injuries, and about $1.3 billion in property damage. according to the EFSi (Electrical Safety Foundation international).3 Most typically, electric fires occur because of short circuits or loose connections causing arcing (sparking) that ignites building materials, or from circuits that are overloaded with current, causing wires to overheat.

Electrical problems account for about 10 percent of all residential fires, but this type of fire is often deadly, accounting for about 18 percent of deaths due to home fire, according to the NFPA Home Structure Fires report.1 This is likely because electrical fires often ignite in hidden locations and build into major fires before residents are aware of them. And such fires frequently may ignite while residents are sleeping.

Properly installed electrical systems are very safe, with a number of built-in protective features, but old, faulty wiring systems can be susceptible to short circuits and overloading. It's a good idea to have your wiring checked out by a professional electrician, especially if you live in an older home. And don't perform your own electrical repairs or improvements unless you understand the principles of electricity and have experience doing such work.

Smoking is hazardous to your health in many ways—including the potential for igniting fires from cigarette butts dropped on carpeting, furniture, or other flammable materials.

Fires from cigarettes and smoking materials cause nearly 600 deaths and over 1,100 injuries each year in the U.S., according to the National Fire Protection Association. While cigarettes and other smoking materials account for only about 5 percent of home fires, these are particularly deadly fires, responsible for about 23 percent of all fire deaths—the single most common cause.4 This is likely because these fires often ignite when a resident falls asleep.

Smoking in bed is especially dangerous and should always be avoided at all cost. All it takes is a single stray ash to ignite a mattress, blanket, carpet, or piece of clothing. If you must smoke, do it outside whenever possible, or smoke over a sink while using an ashtray to help reduce your fire risk.

The National Fire Protection Association says that between 2014 and 2018, candles caused an estimated average of just over 7,600 fires, with and average 81 deaths and 677 injuries for each of those years.5 The matches and lighters used to light candles are equally dangerous if left in a place where children can reach them. Keep matches and lighters locked in a secure place if you have kids, and never leave a candle burning in a room that is unattended.

New Year's Day, Christmas, and New Year's Eve are the prime time for fires caused by candles. Candles can add a wonderful touch to family dinners and holiday celebration, but always extinguish them before leaving the room. Keep candle flames at least 12 inches from any materials that might ignite.

Consider other options for decorative lighting effects. There are very good battery-powered flameless luminaries that are remarkably realistic, right down to flickering in the same way that candles do.

Although fires caused by chemical reactions are more common in industrial/commercial locations, they are also a common cause of home fires. Residential chemical fires occur most commonly when volatile vapors from gasoline and other petroleum liquids reach a flash-point temperature or when the fumes contact a source of open flame. Another common type of chemical fire is spontaneous combustion—the reaction of chemicals combining with oxygen in the air to produce enough heat to reach a flashpoint and ignite in flame.

Chemical fires of various types cause approximately 14,000 fires each year, according to the NFPA, and while a relatively small number of these are residential fires, they can be especially deadly because they are so unexpected.

Store all fuels and other chemicals in their proper containers and keep them in locations that are protected from heat. A common source of this kind of fire is the gasoline or other fuel used to power lawn equipment. Tips for safely storing gasoline.

Use an approved container. The best storage container for gasoline is a red plastic container that is printed with labeling identifying it as an approved container.

Fill the container no more than 95 percent full. This allows a space for vapors to expand without rupturing the container.

Keep containers tightly sealed to prevent gas vapors from escaping and possibly reaching a source of flame or spark.

Store the container at least 50 feet away from pilot lights and ignition sources, such as the heat, sparks, and flames from a water heater, space heater, or furnace. A detached garage or shed is an ideal spot to store these fuels. If no such space exists, then store fuel containers on the outside wall of an attached garage, as far as possible from living spaces.

Another cause of chemical fires is when oily rags spontaneously heat up. Never store oil-soaked or chemical-soaked rags after they are used. And, especially never stack them in a pile, because heat can be spontaneously generated as the fumes combine with oxygen. Oily rags should be spread out in an outdoor location until the oil evaporates. Once thoroughly dry, they can be washed for reuse.

If possible, store paint thinners, mineral spirits, and other flammable liquids in a fireproof cabinet is a location well separated from living spaces. Make sure individual containers are kept tightly sealed.

Christmas trees are a holiday tradition for many families, but they come with some risks. Real evergreen trees tend to dry out over time, and by the end of the holiday season, they can pose a very serious danger of flash fire. A hot light or a spark can immediately set the tree aflame, and such fires spread incredibly fast, engulfing a room in a matter of seconds.

While fires caused by Christmas trees are much less common than other causes (about 160 cases annually in the U.S., according to the National Fire Protection Association), such fires can be deadly. They account for two deaths and 14 injuries each year.

Artificial trees made with vinyl or plastic needles are safer in this regard, but an electrical fire from a bad wire in the light-bulb string or an overloaded outlet is still a risk. Never leave Christmas tree lights plugged in when you are not at home or when you are sleeping, no matter if the tree is natural or artificial. Check natural trees regularly to ensure they are not too dry. Make sure the water reservoir is kept full, which will prevent the tree from becoming tinder-dry.

Older Christmas tree lights that use incandescent bulbs can generate quite a lot of heat and are best replaced by lights using LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs, which are considerably cooler to the touch. But all light bulb strings should be regularly inspected and discarded if they show bare wires or other problems.

Holiday lights are sometimes used elsewhere in the home, such as around windows. These light strings can also cause draperies or other materials to ignite if they are faulty or if they are used improperly.

SERVPRO of Vigo County is a locally owned and -operated leader in restoration and cleaning needs, so we are part of this community, too. We have the training, equipment, and expertise to handle your restoration and cleaning needs following disasters and accidents that occur in your home and business. We offer 24-hour emergency service and are faster to any disaster. Call us at (812) 242-9611 when you need help getting your property back in order and looking its best. We are part of SERVPRO, a trusted leader in the restoration industry with over 1,700 franchises in the United States and Canada.

Emergency Readiness Plan

9/20/2022 (Permalink)

It isn’t always possible to be prepared for unexpected events such as a sprinkler system malfunction or a burst pipe. The damage caused reaches beyond the obvious initial extraction and repairs; it can have resounding impact on your operations and even put a halt on business altogether affecting everything from your employees and clients to your profits.

The best way to lessen the impact is to have a readiness plan in place just in case. With a plan the response is faster and when dealing with the flow of water, this can make a huge difference between minor damage and major reconstruction.

SERVPRO of Vigo offers such a plan for your business.  We collect your information and prepare an Emergency Ready Profile that is tailored to your unique needs. The ERP includes valuable information at your fingertips in a moment’s notice.

  • Emergency Action Checklist
  • Emergency Contacts
  • Utility Information (shut off locations, contact information)
  • Primary Contact Information (work authorization contact)
  • Insurance Contact Information
  • Property Overview
  • Building Access Information

This information is documented in your ERP and provides photos and instructions to help locate main shut offs and navigate the points in your business that you rarely even access until there is a problem.

Contact SERVPRO of Vigo at 812-242-9611 to schedule an appointment, review your business needs, and allow us to create your personalized Emergency Ready Profile

Restoring Commercial Properties Is One Of The Services SERVPRO Is Great At!

9/20/2022 (Permalink)

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

Flooding and water damage at commercial properties in Terre Haute 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.

About SERVPRO of Vigo County 

SERVPRO of Vigo 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.  

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.

Call SERVPRO of Vigo 812-242-9611

Faster To Any Size Disaster

9/19/2022 (Permalink)

24 Hour Emergency Service

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Vigo provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays. You can expect an immediate response time, day or night.

Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – (812)242-9611

Faster to Any Size Emergency

In many cleaning and restoration situations, immediate action is needed. With over 2010 U.S. and Canadian Franchise locations, SERVPRO is strategically positioned to be faster to any size emergency. An immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Water is particularly invasive, quickly spreading throughout your property and being absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, etc. SERVPRO of Vigo arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately.

Water Damage Timeline

Within Minutes

  • Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
  • Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
  • Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
  • Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.

Hours 1 - 24:

  • Drywall begins to swell and break down.
  • Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
  • Furniture begins to swell and crack.
  • Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
  • A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

  • Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
  • Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
  • Metal begins to rust and corrode.
  • Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
  • Paint begins to blister.
  • Wood flooring swells and warps.
  • Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 Week:

  • Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
  • Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.

When Sever Storms Bring Damages - Count On SERVPRO To Help!

9/19/2022 (Permalink)

How to Prevent Storm Damage to Your Business

When a storm affects a business, business owners may wonder what they could have done to prevent the damage. Performing exterior maintenance and inspecting your property prior to a storm, however, may make it easier to prevent storm damage.

1. Obvious Signs of Damage

When inspecting a building, there are certain issues that may be quite obvious. For example, mold growth on a building can be highly visible, and damaged siding can also be easy to spot. Visible signs of exterior damage may also be an indicator that your building has sustained interior damage, and it is sometimes useful to employ water and mold restoration professionals if you suspect your business has existing damage that could become worse if a storm occurs.

2. Loose, Cracked or Worn-Down Materials

Thoroughly examining building materials and areas that are prone to damage before a storm can also be helpful. If you know there are building materials, such as old roof shingles, that may be prone to damage, it can be helpful to check that the materials aren’t loose, dented or otherwise damaged before a storm. Perform frequent exterior maintenance in these areas can help to keep your building maintained.

3. Potential Sources of Damage

When inspecting the exterior of your business, it may be easy to forget to examine your environment. However, even you don’t see any visible indications of a problem and you don’t notice any worn-down materials, it can be important to look around your property for debris or other materials that could damage your business during a storm. You can also use landscaping to your advantage by planting shrubs, flowers or trees that are able to absorb excess water, which may be able to prevent floodwater from affecting your building.

By performing exterior maintenance before a storm can prevent your building from sustaining damage. In your building inspection, it can be helpful to look for obvious signs of damage, worn-down materials and potential sources that could cause damage to your property during a storm.

Give SERVPRO of Vigo a call if a storm does hit your business! We are faster to any disaster and are ready to put our expertise, equipment and experience to work for you!   (812)242-9611

Fire Damage Restoration Process

9/19/2022 (Permalink)

After the fire trucks leave, your home likely suffers from fire and smoke damage and extensive water damage from firefighting efforts. SERVPRO of Vigo has the specialized fire restoration training needed to restore your home to pre-fire condition.

Have Questions About Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage? Call Today – (812)242-9611

Every fire damage event is a little different, and requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. The steps listed below illustrate our process for the “typical” fire damage emergency.

Step 1: Emergency Contact

The restoration process begins when you call us. Our representative will ask questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us respond immediately with the appropriate equipment and resources. 

Step 2: Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment

We carefully inspect and test adjoining rooms of your property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action. 

Step 3: Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service

Fire damage can often compromise windows, walls, and roofs. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, we can board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs. 

Step 4: Water Removal and Drying (if water damage is present)

The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. We then use dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining water and complete the drying process. 

Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces

We use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces. 

Step 6: Cleaning and Sanitizing

We clean, sanitize, and disinfect all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to pre-fire condition. We’re also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

Step 7: Restoration

Restoration is the final step—getting your home or business to its pre-fire condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

House Fire in Terre Haute Indiana

9/19/2022 (Permalink)

Have you had a fire damage recently?

If you have experienced a fire damage in your life, you will have a different perspective from those whom have not. A house fire can be life altering. 

Imagine experiencing a fire in your home. The thought alone is devastating. But when you imagine living it..it's not something you would wish on anyone. For us, we want to be that phone call of hope on the other line. "Yes, we can help you. We are sorry that you are experiencing this, but we are going to help you through this tragedy hand in hand."

SERVPRO of Vigo is here to serve you.

Our team is trained and ready to clean up whatever size fire you have. We are ready to serve you and serve you well. We are ready to listen and communicate. We are ready to provide you, your family, your home, and your items with the utmost respect. 

Give us a call today if you have fire, smoke, or soot damage (812)-242-9611