Here to help 24/7

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

When storm damage occurs, know that SERVPRO is only a phone call away.

Storms can be unpredictable and take a toll on your home or commercial space, which can cause damage to both the interior and exterior of your property. SERVPRO of Lake of the Ozarks understands that these disasters can come at any time and provides emergency services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have trained, on-call professionals to respond to your loss, and our teams make it a priority to be faster to any size disaster. This immediate response time can lessen damage, cleaning time and costs as further damage will be prevented. So, if your property is ever impacted by storm damage, do not hesitate to call SERVPRO of Lake of the Ozarks, at any time, day or night. We are always Here to help. 

Member of SERVPRO’s Disaster Recovery Team®

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

Our professionals are prepared and ready for the call to help another location during their significant loss needs.

Not all of the SERVPRO family of franchises are part of the Disaster Recovery Team, and it’s something that our family of franchises prides itself on. Being a part of this group means that if a national disaster strikes, our team would be deployed to help the local SERVPRO franchises in the affected area.

This means that we are “the backup” or the calvary in the time of need for our SERVPRO team. It also means that we can help the recovery and restoration process to help expedite the recovery time. In 2020, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was devastated by a storm system called a Derecho, an inland hurricane. The local SERVPRO of Lake of the Ozarks needed our help. So we dispatched teams from all of our franchise locations to help this city recover.

Our team is truly honored to be a part of this group. We hope that your town will never need our Disaster Recovery Team, but if you do, SERVPRO of Lake of the Ozarks is Here to help.

Tornado Shelter is a Safe Shelter

2/22/2022 (Permalink)

You have minutes from the time you see the tornado touchdown to find shelter to ensure your safety.

The sheer power that a tornado can create is strong enough to rip homes off of their foundation. Tornadoes are harder to predict as conditions have to be just right to produce one. You can ensure your family is safe during a potential tornado by following the listed tips. 

Being Prepared for Whatever Happens.

As a family, you should find the designated tornado shelter area in your home each spring. This area should be free of any windows and should have the following: batteries, battery-operated radio, food, water, medications, and blankets. By drafting up a tornado plan, you ensure that your family is prepared if disaster strikes, which could save their lives. 

Pay Close Attention to Development Outside.

People will often go outside to seek a thrill of storm watching during a storm. If conditions get worse, we ask that you move inside to stay safe to protect yourself from the element. If you notice the sky changing into a dark or green color or you see a low-hanging cloud, we ask that you immediately go to the designated tornado shelter area. 

Perfect Shelter Conditions.

Tornadoes do not discriminate on what homes they destroy or the people it kills. The only way to stay safe during a tornado is by knowing where your tornado shelter is located. If you own your home, you should have an area in mind, but if you live in a mobile home, we suggest you have arrangements already made to ensure you a safe location if need be. You should find an area free from windows and a spot in a basement in your home. 

By creating a plan, you ensure that you and your family stay safe during a natural disaster. 

Protecting your Devices with a Surge Protector

2/22/2022 (Permalink)

Lighting Bolt can hit your home's electrical system, which causes a power surge that can fry your devices.

There are multiple ways to create energy surges, wreaking havoc for your electronics, appliances, and outlets. The most common way a power surge can be made is when lighting strikes a home’s electrical system, which causes a surge of extra energy, which fries the systems. When people over plug each plugin which exceeds the amperage of what is intended for the circuit.

These are just a few preventable measures you can take to ensure you prevent a circuit from experiencing a power surge.

Unplug Everything During a Storm

By unplugging appliances, computers, or gaming systems, you ensure there isn’t anything for a power surge to fry. 

Distribute your Appliances

We suggest unplugging any unnecessary appliances during a storm, which could help spread out the charge instead of overwhelming the outlets. The remaining devices should be spread out through all wall plugs to ensure the outlets aren’t dominated. 

Purchase A Surge Protector

A power surge follows a power outage, with the cause being a large jolt of electricity getting shoot back. A surge protector absorbs the jolt, protecting the appliances from the energy surge. 

By following these steps, you can ensure you keep your structure and appliances safe from a power surge. 

Winter Maintenance Checklist Importance:

2/1/2022 (Permalink)

Be prepared for cold weather by following these simple SERVPRO tips.

WINTER MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST IMPORTANCE:

The winter months can be a demanding time for you and your home. Bitter cold, wind, sleet, storms, and more can happen during this season!

Fortunately, several tasks can be performed at the start of the winter season to maximize your energy usage and lower your costs! Make a checklist and perform these tasks each winter season.

OUTSIDE MAINTENANCE

Go outside and check around your house for proper seals on doors, windows, and garages—seal leaks with weatherstripping or caulk application.

Also, make sure you inspect the roof, gutters, and downspouts for damage or potential for damage/loss.

Winter storms can cause damage to your roof. After storms, check for broken or missing shingles.

Inspect and clean your chimney to prevent fires in the winter. You can also cover your air conditioning and grill units.

INSIDE MAINTENANCE:

Inside the home, take a look at cleaning several critical components of household appliances, etc. You can dust and vacuum refrigerator/freezer coils, as well as clean and empty drip trays. Take a look at cleaning and removing debris in your drains in sinks, dishwashers, tubs, showers. This can include built-up hair, toothpaste, soap, etc. These items can cause unneeded blockage and buildup in these pipes.

Take a minute to dust and vacuum bathroom exhaust van grills and vents.

Go into your basement and check for leaks during and after thaws. These may have been overlooked and need attention immediately if you have water infiltration. Make sure you have proper sealing around exit points. Animals seek shelter, and many smaller critters can get in through minor gaps. You do not want to spend a winter’s night with Mickey Mouse at your side unknowingly!

TECHNOLOGY UPDATES:

A programmable thermostat is an uncomplicated way to save on heating costs. You can set the settings to turn the heat down when sleeping or away from home. You can even access most programmable thermostats now through a phone app to make changes as needed.

You should also check your technology inside and outside the home to ensure proper usage of automated lighting systems, security systems, etc.

TAKEAWAYS:

Simple maintenance and prevention methods can go a long way to avoid significant and expensive problems at your home.

If you find yourself in a winter mess, please reach out by CALLING SERVPROat 888-886-5195 or the local SERVPRO of Lake of the Ozarks at (573)346-7200.

Stranded Car Precautions

2/1/2022 (Permalink)

Winter Storms Car Preparedness

STRANDED CAR PRECAUTIONS

It’s that time of year again. Storms can happen and we all need to be prepared for issues. Winter storms can cause HAVOC for drivers and stranded cars.

Here are some must-haves to keep in your car if you get stranded on the side of the road.

SNOW REMOVAL TOOLS

When you get stuck on the side of the road you will want to try and get yourself out of the mess. Try to keep these tools in your car during the Winter months: 

• ICE SCRAPER / SNOW BRUSH
  • These tools are invaluable to remove ice, snow and debris in the winter weather off of your windshield and vehicle. 
• SHOVEL
  • With the use of this tool, you can clear the snow under and around the car to help get more traction for movement. We advise that you start by making a clear and direct path to get you back on the road. Take some time and clear off the car so it is apparent that you require assistance if you are “stuck in the snow.” Oftentimes, cars go unnoticed due to not being cleared off and others assuming no one is in the vehicle. You should also ensure that you have dug out the tailpipe to allow a path for the exhaust to escape.
• KITTY LITTER / SAND
  • It is recommended to throw down sand/kitty litter on the path you have cleared as well as under the tire to help the tires gain traction on the snow-covered ground. 

STRANDED in YOUR CAR TOOLS

If you cannot “free the car” you need to make the decision to stay in the car and wait for help. This is when you need to hunker down and wait for someone to help rescue you. You need to ensure that you can stay warm during what could be hours of waiting. 

• EXTRA SET OF CLOTHING
  • When you get stuck you have to conserve the gas to ensure that you can drive away once rescued. It will get cold in the car, so packing extra gloves, clothes, hats and blankets can help ensure you stay warm. 
• EMERGENCY FLARES
  • When stuck in the snow, you will be surprised at how fast your car can get completely covered. Suppose you notice a snow truck or any other form of an emergency vehicle. In that case, you will need to capture their attention as your location might be hard to see. An emergency flare will capture their attention, and you can be rescued faster. 
• JUMPER CABLES
  • If you have your car sitting on the side of the road while you have the engine running, it will cause your battery to die in most cases. Therefore, make sure you are keeping emergency jumper cables in your car that can help start your vehicle.
• FOOD / WATER
  • You don’t know how long you will be stranded and keeping food/water in the car will be vital for your survival. 

Make sure you COMMUNICATE with others about your leaving and arrival time IF you are driving somewhere when there is a projected winter storm. Therefore, they will know when to expect you and can contact the appropriate parties if you do not arrive on schedule. Also make sure you adjust your time to allow extra travel time when traveling through winter weather. *If you find yourself stuck on the side of the road, please call these emergency road services:

Emergency Police Number: Call 911

Missouri State Patrol: Call *55 or 800-525-5555