Avoid Frozen Pipes this Winter

11/30/2023 (Permalink)

Frozen pipes in your home can cause major damage and unnecessary stress. Pipes that freeze the most frequently are those that are exposed to extreme cold, such as outdoor hose bibs, water sprinkler lines, and water supply pipes in unconditioned areas like basements, crawlspaces, garages, and kitchen cabinets. Pipes that run against exterior walls with little to no insulation are especially susceptible. Before freezing weather sets in, follow these tip and tricks to help prevent frozen pipes in your home.

• Drain water from swimming pools and sprinkler systems for the winter.
• Remove outdoor hoses and allow the hose bib to drain completely. Keep the valve open so that any remaining water in the pipe can expand with no damage.
• Check for home for pipes located in unheated areas. Both hot and cold water pipes in these areas should be insulated.
• If you live in an especially cold area consider installing specific products made to insulate water pipes.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the pipes.
• When the weather is very cold, let cold water trickle through the pipes.
• If you are traveling for a extended period during cold weather, leave your thermostat set a no lower than 55 F.

We hope these tips help you to avoid frozen pipes all together but if you do happen to need our help we are available 24/7. Call our office at 859-225-3193. 

Water Loss after a Winter Storm

4/21/2022 (Permalink)

A few weeks ago, the entire east coast was hit with a massive cold front. The eastern part of the United States didn't just feel the below freezing temperatures, but almost the entire area experienced a massive snow fall. Even areas in the southern part of the country experienced a large amount of snow. In Kentucky, we had a little snow. However, SERVPRO received a great deal of frozen pipes and water loss. 

In this picture, it shows the water loss in this building from frozen pipes. This was a large commercial building with quite a bit of area affected. Typically, when pipes freeze, they warm up within a few days. When the warming process starts, the pipes begin to burst. After that, the building typically suffers a large water loss. There are ways to lower the chances of a burst pipes. However, the cold weather hit the area so quickly, most of the properties affected could not take preventative measures.  

We Traveled to Baton Rouge to Restore Homes... We Ended up Restoring Lives.

12/20/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Lexington traveled to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to help the many people that were devastated and misplaced from their homes by the historic flooding.  When the record breaking flooding occurred we promptly dispatched our SERVPRO of Lexington teams to assist in the unprecedented recovery efforts. We were happy to help many grateful business and home owners during their time of need. Our highly trained technicians are water and storm damage specialists. The goal is always the same, to return your commercial or residential property back to pre-storm condition. Using scientific drying techniques and advanced equipment, we document the drying process to insure the business or home is ready to return to.  When water damage happens, a quick response is very important. Night or day, Lexington business owners and residents can expect our local team of professionals to respond immediately to your water emergency. Our SERVPRO team will do their best to make it "Like it never even happened." 

The SERVPRO Team Travels to Houston

11/11/2021 (Permalink)

During this time a few years ago, from August 25th through September 2nd, a part of the United States went through an awful natural disaster. Hurricane Harvey hit a portion of southern Texas and some of Louisiana as well. With all that damage done, the SERVPRO team packed their bags and headed south to help those in need. Our guys traveled to Houston, the most populated city in the area affected. 

Hurricane Harvey was the first major hurricane to hit the United States since 2005. The hurricane turned tropical storm caused extensive flooding among the affected region. The natural disaster has resulted in severe tragedy. Over 300,000 people were left without electricity, there are billions of dollars in property damage and there have been several fatalities reported. 

There were several SERVPRO teams around the United States that traveled to Houston to help to best they could. SERVPRO is always there to help at a time of need.

SERVPRO Helped Houston Heal

10/6/2021 (Permalink)

Houston took quite a long time to heal after Hurricane Harvey tore through Texas. Our SERVPRO team stayed in Houston and surrounding cities helping them rebuild. One of our SERVPRO teammates took this picture of the flooding on a highway two weeks after the hurricane hit. It took a very long time for water to evaporate in Houston. It was reported that Houston received 51 inches of rain. That amount of water would be disastrous to any place in the world. It took a lot of recovery time for Houston and surrounding counties in Texas.  

Our SERVPRO team was in Texas for over two weeks. This truly shows the dedication of our employees. They have been mainly focusing on residential jobs but some commercial businesses as well. There were an incredible amount of people affected by this terrible storm and SERVPRO tried to do everything they possibly could to help out. 

Flooding in Southern Wisconsin

10/5/2021 (Permalink)

Two years ago, our SERVPRO of Lexington team went to Southern Wisconsin to help with the aftermath of the strong storms and heavy rain. The areas most affected were Lake Geneva, Kenosha and Trevor. The southern region of the state was hit the hardest due to the lakes and water surrounding the area. 

SERVPRO of Lexington is always here to help the local community but is also happy to travel to assist other parts of the United States. The goal of our SERVPRO team is to always make your damaged home or business look "Like it never even happened." 

Not only is SERVPRO of Lexington happy to help, but our team is the best at what they do! Each team member is highly trained in storm and water damage clean up. We use specialized drying equipment and techniques to ensure premium results. We are always ready to help in a time of need! 

The Mold after a Storm

10/1/2021 (Permalink)

A little while ago, SERVPRO of Lexington traveled to another city to repair some storm damage. While storm damage was the main priority, we also had some other issues to address in the area. Unfortunately, when there is storm and water damage, sometimes it causes mold to grow. This is what happened in this instance. Luckily, SERVPRO quickly tackled the part of the ceiling affected by mold. Before too long, our customer was able to get back to business.

A lot of the time, it can be confusing what exactly causes mold. One might question- Why would it arrive on your ceiling in the aftermath of a storm? Well, the most common causes of mold happen when water meets cold surfaces. Mold has tiny spores. These spores begin to reproduce and grow when landing on moist surfaces. Any moisture at all will help the growing process of mold.  

However, it is nice to know, if you ever run into a "mold problem" call SERVPRO. We are happy to help! 

Storm Repair in Missouri

9/1/2021 (Permalink)

Two years ago, the town of West Plains, Missouri had a terrible storm. The heavy rain and severe storms caused the water to rise way higher than the average spring storm. The town of West Plains, Missouri is tucked away in the middle of the Ozark mountain range. So, they have experienced their fair share of weather damage. 

This time around, SERVPRO of Lexington was called over to help a commercial business in West Plains. The store helped by our team was just one of many businesses in the area affected by the strong storm. The aftermath included knocked over vehicles and damaged property in the local area. 

SERVPRO of Lexington was happy to travel to Missouri to help with the damage in the ceilings of the store and the large warehouse. Our team is specially trained for these exact circumstances we experienced and happy to travel anywhere to get the job done! 

Flood Facts

6/11/2021 (Permalink)

There is always potential for flood damage no matter where you live. According to the American Red Cross floods cause more damage in the United States every year than any other weather-related disaster. The American Red Cross offers these flood safety tips:

-Stay away from floodwaters. If you come up on a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.

-If you approach a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are riding rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.

-Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water. 

If a flood occurs and affects you, call SERVPRO of Lexington.  Even minor floods have potential to cause major damage. We are faster to ANY size disaster. Let us help you get your life back in order.

Mud Slides and Water Damage in Virginia

6/1/2021 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO Storm Team went to Roanoke, Virginia to help people impacted by the flood damage. The flood has caused extensive water damage to a large area in Virginia. The flood is also affecting Maryland and North Carolina as well. 

Floods are among the Earth's most common natural disasters. Thunder storms can escalate into a flood. This happens when rivers, lakes or streams overflow. It surges into a floodplain after racing across to adjacent land. Floods take hours and sometimes days to develop. This usually gives residents enough time to evacuate. 

In this case, some of the results of the floods are mudslides. Mudslides can fall down their steep pathways and do some serious damage. Since the heavy rains began last week, there have been reports of mudslides running down into highways. This can be extremely dangerous.  

The impact of this flood can be extremely severe, so please take caution if in the area. 

Summer's Natural Disasters

5/21/2021 (Permalink)

Every summer, the U.S. goes through an “active weather” season. The middle of spring through summer is a prime time for hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, thunder storms, and fires. Here at SERVPRO, we’ve already begun to see the impact of the severe weather. In Kentucky, we have already experienced a massive amount of rain. Luckily, our SERVPRO team is here for any natural disaster. We respond to water, wind and fire damage! Here are some weather events to look out for during the spring and summer months:

• Hurricanes–Hurricanes, with the accompanying wind, water, and flood, cause a lot of destruction in areas where they hit. When hurricanes gather strength, buildings, trees, and water infrastructures are commonly destroyed. The storms can also knock down power lines, posing a risk of electrocution.
• Tornadoes– Tornadoes are characterized by whirling winds and debris and can endanger life and property. They are common from spring until the middle of summer but can occur any time of the year.
• Floods– Floods are becoming more common in the U.S., with flash floods as the top weather-related killer. A few inches of water could bring extensive damage to homes and buildings. Heavy rains, levee breaches, and tsunamis cause floods. Many floods occur in areas that cannot absorb rainwater.
• Fires– The heat of the summer and the years of drought experienced in many parts of the country can precipitate massive forest fires that, in many instances, affect dwellings. Spontaneous combustion, volcanic eruption, and faulty electrical wires are other common causes of fires.

 Call SERVPRO if you are ever in need after a natural disaster!