Recent General Posts
Fire Up the Grill, Not Your House: 7 Grill safety Tips Everyone Should Know
7/17/2023 (Permalink)
Stay safe this summer with these 7 grill tips
Gas grills are involved in an average of a little under 10,000 house fires each year, don’t let your house be one of them! Follow these steps to keep the fire on the grill and not in your house.
- Choose a safe location for your grill
Location is key! Right off of the house on the deck is a common spot to put a grill, but it isn’t a safe one! Grilling in close proximity to the house is a fire hazard. It’s a good rule of thumb to place your grill at least ten ft away from all structures. When choosing a spot make sure the surface is level and away from any overhanging branches and anything flammable.
- Keep a spray bottle on hand
When fat from whatever you’re cooking begins to drip, it’s common for the grill to flare up and cause a section of the grill to catch fire. Keep a spray bottle filled with water near your grill so you can quickly extinguish flames and prevent further spread.
- Never leave an in-use grill unattended
As goes for anything with flames, a lit grill requires constant supervision. It’s wise to stay close to the grill so you can easily see or smell signs of danger such as excessive smoke, flames shooting up higher than usual, or the scent of gas.
Strategically place your grill in a spot that is out of the way and not tempting for small children to go to. Enforcing the 3 foot “kid-free” is a great way to ensure safety and that no accidents occur.
- Clean your grill regularly
When not cleaned regularly, grease buildup on your grill can become a serious fire hazard. It’s a good idea to clean your grill with a grill brush after each time you use it and empty the grease tray as soon as you notice it filling up.
- Store propane tanks away from your house
Keep propane tanks outdoors in a well-ventilated area. To ensure safety, always keep the tank upright and check the valves are turned off fully.
Closed-toed shoes, oven mitts, and an apron are good protective measures to wear. Avoid loose-fitting clothing, dangling jewelry, and tie your hair back if it is long.
Our integration of Docusketch: a state-of-the-art 3D documentation technology
6/8/2023 (Permalink)
We use the best technology so we can offer you the best best services!
SERVPRO® uses AI? Yes, we do! SERVPRO Team McCabe is always looking for ways to enhance our services, so integrating cutting-edge technology is a natural choice for us. We use Docusketch, a 3D documentation tool to get precise digital floor plans to create estimates for scopes of work.
Docusketch helps us capture 360-degree panoramic photos of every room. These sketches serve multiple purposes, being valuable for our team’s reference and frequently utilized by insurance companies, sub-contractors, and even customers!
So how exactly does it work? Docusketch uses AI software to perform an automated review process that analyzes the compliance and completeness of a scope. This process ensures the information we use to create estimates is as accurate as humanly (or not humanly in this case!) possible.
The primary role of our on-site estimator is to gain a clear understanding of the specific tasks and volume of work necessary to restore an area to its preloss conditions. While AI helps with that process, our real-life estimator picks up on issues/concerns AI can’t. Our estimator prioritizes the safety and comfort of customers and promptly addresses any general, safety, or financial concerns.
With the help of Docusketch, our estimator creates an estimate for the job, taking into account the severity of the damage, area dimensions, and many other factors to produce with the final price.
If you're dealing with a loss, give us a call today and we'll get you an estimate as soon as possible!
24/7, 365, We’re here for you!
Sold on Old? What to Watch for Living in/Buying an Older House
5/11/2023 (Permalink)
What's lurking behind your walls?
It’s been said that old structures are full of charm, rich history, and memories of what once was, but what else may still be lurking in the walls and halls? Not every part of a home will and should stand the test of time. It’s important to be aware of the structural and safety issues that come with an old house. Depending on what year your home was built, here’s what to look out for:
Before 1989:
The EPA issued a final rule banning most asbestos-containing products this year, no new products containing asbestos are to be manufactured. Asbestos exposure can cause several different types of cancer,
so it’s crucial to know what to look for.
Before 1980:
Cast-iron pipes were popular before 1980 for their durability and longevity. One of the reasons cast-iron pipes are no longer used is their susceptibility to corrosion and rust.
Before 1978:
Lead paint in exterior and interior paint is likely to have been used if it was built before this year.
Before 1970: It’s likely your home doesn’t have any mitigation system in place since radon gas was not considered a serious threat until the 1970s. Unlike newly constructed homes, older homes don’t have the proper ventilation to direct radon gas out of living space.
Between 1960- mid-1970s:
Aluminum wiring on its own isn’t considered a hazardous material. When connected to a terminal made from copper or another metal a corrosive chemical reaction could occur, leading to an electrical fire.
Between 1890s-1930s:
Knob and tube wiring do not have a ground wire, making them incapable of servicing any three-pronged appliances. This type of wiring is far more likely to have unsafe modifications than modern wiring. The age alone of knob and tube wiring is the main reason it can be so unsafe.
Don’t let this information scare you! Most of these problems can be dealt with and resolved if handled properly. SERVPRO® Team McCabe has the resources and skills to help you with these issues, so feel free to reach out!
Calling all Landlords- Three Hacks to Make Life Easier for You and Your Tenants
4/14/2023 (Permalink)
You hold the key to a good landlord-tenant relationship!
Whether you manage one property or one hundred, follow these simple steps to ensure smooth sailing in the roaring sea of real estate!
- Communicate with tenants- The most obvious and perhaps most overlooked step of them all: clear communication between landlord and tenant helps everyone stay on the same page, ergo eliminating room for gray areas and misunderstandings. While communicating directly with each individual tenant is necessary for some instances, don’t shy away from mass communication. Chances are if one tenant has a question, others are likely thinking the same thing! Facebook groups are a great place to share helpful tips and updates with current and potential tenants.
- Give emergency contact info- In the event of an emergency, it’s crucial for tenants to know who they should contact. Get specific, and provide the names of the preferred vendors for any emergency. It will help put you both at ease knowing there’s a game plan in place.
- Have a written rental agreement- A written document signed by both parties ensures accountability and protection. Written agreements may include anything from who to pay when something breaks, to timeline stipulations, snow removal requirements, and anything in between. Expectations should be made clear in this agreement to prevent confusion down the road.
To simplify these steps further, use SERVPRO Team McCabe’s ERP! Our emergency-ready program enables you to keep all of your vital property information in one place. Our ERPs clearly map out what to do in an emergency. To learn more about SERVPRO’s ERP please contact marketingstaff@SERVPROupperbucks.com
Think Before you Toss: The Do’s and Don’ts of Disaster Cleanup
3/13/2023 (Permalink)
The easy way isn't always the best way!
While it’s understandable to want to cleanse your space of debris/ damage after a disaster you might want to think twice before tossing that soggy document or dumping that couch! You would think it’s in your best interest to quickly purge all things damaged but SERVPRO Team McCabe is here to say: resist the urge! Our team of highly trained professionals can help you restore the right and safe way.
DON'T Frantically toss important documents
DO Check to see if you have digital copies, take photos, and then if you do want to dispose of the documents shred them so no one can access any personal information
DON'T Try to restore severely damaged items on your own
DO Leave it to the professionals, as direct contact with certain types of damage such as mold and sewage can cause severe health issues
DON'T Panic
DO Remain calm, take it one step at a time
DON'T Stay if the condition of the house is negatively affecting you and or making you unwell
DO Prioritize your health and, if necessary, seek medical attention from your healthcare provider
DON'T Wait to call your insurance company and or SERVPRO because “it might get better on its own”
DO Make your calls ASAP, the sooner you make the call the sooner you can get help
DON'T Start clean up and repairs before notifying insurance
DO Allow insurer to inspect the property before any repairs take place
DON'T Have the “what I can’t see can’t hurt me” mentality
DO Bring in professionals whose expertise allows them (us!) to notice areas of damage you may not have been aware of, especially when it comes to water and mold damage.
Real Talk: What Determines the Cost of a Restoration Job?
2/10/2023 (Permalink)
You're in good hands with SERVPRO Team McCabe!
Real talk: what determines the cost of a restoration job?
Time is money when it comes to restoration services. The sooner you call SERVPRO the sooner we can assess the situation and prevent the occurrence of further damage. Whether you’re dealing with fire, mold, water, or any damage in between, we can help!
Along with a variety of factors, severity of damage determines the pricing. If you are an insured homeowner, talk with your insurance about your specific coverage to be sure that in an emergency they will cover most if not all of your restoration costs.
Insurance coverage, in times of disaster, is a real concern for homeowners. The last thing you need after a disaster is more uncertainty. Insurance agencies need evidence, depreciation of items, and estimates; all of which SERVPRO Team McCabe can assist with! We can advocate for you during the claims process to help you recover your property with as much of your insurance money as possible.
Conditioned upon what insurance plan you have, certain kinds of damage may or may not be covered. For instance, it’s common for damage from pipe bursts and sink overflows to be covered but less common for damage from groundwater to successfully receive a claim.
SERVPRO Team McCabe can help you decide if you should move forward with submitting an insurance claim on the damaged property. While many claims are resolved within two to six weeks, It can sometimes take longer. To ensure a smooth and quick restoration process it’s a good idea to call SERVPRO right away so we can start helping you as soon as possible.
After customers decide upon a payment method, it’s time to repair and rebuild. Depending on the type of damage to items and the property, SERVPRO Team McCabe can either repair on-site or take items back to our shop. Our team will keep records of each item for the insurance company and for your sake, in case you need them in the future.
SERVPRO Team McCabe is here to support you throughout the entire restoration process.
How businesses can ensure a quick recovery after disaster strikes
1/23/2023 (Permalink)
We all hope that disaster never strikes, but if it does, it’s a good idea to have a plan in place so that life can get back to normal as quickly as possible.
Time is money. SERVPRO Team McCabe can help you and your business not only recover but recover quickly. Our services can be the key to getting your business back on track in a timely manner. Staying afloat after an emergency isn’t easy, but here are a few simple steps you can take to prepare for a smooth recovery after a loss:
- Carefully review insurance policies; see what your business’s damage coverage is, find out if you have flood insurance, and decide if it’s necessary to invest in additional coverage
- Secure important records and priority documents in a waterproof container and/or store copies at a safe off-site location.
- Create a communication plan to easily stay in touch with customers, suppliers, and employees
- If it is safe to do so, document any visible damage to the facility for future reference
By planning ahead, businesses can protect against and minimize the effects of an emergency. SERVPRO Team McCabe provides fire, water, storm, and mold damage relief services. In the event of an emergency, SERVPRO Team McCabe is just a phone call away. Our team is ready to make any disaster look "Like it never even happened." No matter the day or time, we have the trained professionals, materials, and equipment to respond to any size restoration emergency.
Still not sure where to begin? Consider downloading our SERVPRO Ready Plan app https://ready.SERVPRO.com/ to keep all your emergency information and plans in one spot, and feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns!
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