Recent Why SERVPRO Posts

SERVPRO of Marshalltown Is the Right Choice, Right Away

6/27/2023 (Permalink)

When you experience a disaster such as flooding or fire, you don’t have time to research restoration companies to be sure they’re the most qualified for the job. Your choice may come down to reputation or a recommendation from a trusted source.

Our Reputation for High-Level Training and Certification

SERVPRO has a long-standing reputation for training employees to meet the highest industry standards in fire restoration, water restoration, and mold remediation. In addition to training at the regional level, we developed our National Training Center to expand skill instruction to more franchise owners and insurance industry employees.

Certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC)

SERVPRO of Marshalltown technicians is IICRC-certified, which means they are “trained to operate at a higher standard within their designated certification.”

The IICRC describes its rigorous requirements for certification like this:

“Just as certified accountants, plumbers, and mechanics project a higher level of competency in their fields, and just as members of the American Medical Association and American Bar Association set themselves apart through training, experience, and comprehensive examination — IICRC Certification helps to immediately identify the cleaning, restoration, and inspection Industry’s most skilled and dedicated technicians and businesses.”

An Insurance Industry Partner

We partner with many insurance companies to handle restoration for disaster claims, and we’ve earned their trust as a recommended company for their clients. We understand the requirements of a disaster insurance claim, so we can work closely with your insurance company to help your claim progress as smoothly as possible. 

Faster to Any Size Disaster

SERVPRO of Marshalltown is a local business. Our staff is ready 24 hours a day, seven days a week to quickly respond and restore your Marshall, Hardin, Grundy, or Tama County residence, school, or business back to its original condition after a disaster of any size, “Like it never even happened.”

Call us right away at (641) 758-9746 if you experience any kind of water, mold, or fire damage. 

You can be sure you’re making the right choice with SERVPRO of Marshalltown.

SERVPRO of Marshalltown Invests in the Best Equipment for Restoration

6/27/2023 (Permalink)

We really enjoy what we do, and one big reason is that we like watching our equipment do what it does. It’s satisfying to see our extractors pull water up through a wood floor or carpet. And it’s pretty cool to use infrared cameras to detect water or use huge diesel-powered heaters to dry out a basement. 

SERVPRO has a reputation for investing in the very best restoration equipment available, and that’s one reason we have such confidence that we can restore your Grundy Center, Reinbeck, Iowa Falls, Wellsburg, or Eldora home or business back to its original condition after a disaster. Here’s a list of some of the high-level equipment and technology we use:

Detection and Measurement 

Airborne Mold Testing Air sampling with a 24-hour turnaround on lab results and reporting to determine whether mold is present.

Infrared Camera: Based on the temperature difference of water and moisture compared to dry areas, detects the location of water, including inside walls or other hidden areas.

Water Extraction

Submersible and Gas-Powered Pumps: Used for continuous and powerful removal of high-level water.

Wood Floor Water Extractor: Suctions water from the subfloor through the wood planks and dries the subfloor, saving the wood floor from being ruined. 

Rover Water Extractor: Using the weight of the operator who stands on and steers the rover, this extraction machine pulls water up from the pad deep beneath the carpet and saves both the pad and carpet from being destroyed.

Drying 

High-Speed Air Mover: Evaporates moisture at a faster pace with powerful fans.

Desiccant Dehumidifier: Unlike refrigerant dehumidifiers that use condensation and only work between 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit, desiccant dehumidifiers use a silica gel wheel to pull moisture out of the air like a sponge and work at temps as low as 32 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Indirect-Fired Portable Heater: Safe for indoor operation, these powerful diesel heaters blow hot dry air into areas such as basements to evaporate all moisture, even during the winter.

Contaminant Removal

HEPA Vacuum: Captures 99.9% of particles to .3 microns to prevent contaminants such as bacteria, mold spores, or dust from disseminating into the air.

HEPA Negative Air Machine: Filters and removes contaminated air from a sealed area by exhausting it outside to create a vacuum effect that replaces contaminated air with clean air.

Knowing how much confidence we have in our equipment (and training) should also give you the confidence that we can make your home or office look “Like it never even happened.”

Give us a call at (641) 758-9746, anytime day or night. We are a local business and can be there quickly. And if you just need more information about our services, we’re available to answer your questions. You can also check out our website at SERVPROmarshalltown.com.

Protect Property Immediately After a Disaster With Our Board-Up Services

6/27/2023 (Permalink)

What should you do right after a fire or tornado partially damages your home or commercial business? Call SERVPRO of Marshalltown and ask for emergency board-up service. 

What Is Board Up Service?

Board-up service, also called “temping” service, should happen immediately after a disaster like a destructive windstorm or partial fire (once you have the “all clear” from fire officials). It secures your property against theft and protects it from more weather damage by covering vulnerable openings like broken windows, open roofs, and missing parts of your property’s structure. 

Why Is Our Board Up Sevice So Good?

If you live in Reinbeck, Dysart, Alden, Melbourne, or anywhere in Marshall, Hardin, Grundy, or Tama counties, we guarantee we’ll have your property completely secured within 24 hours of your call, if not much sooner. Using foam core, plywood, tarps, and other materials, we’ll weather-proof and theft-proof your home or business and be sure not to cause additional damage. We never hammer nails or drill into your property’s structure to attach materials, as this creates more weak spots for water or cold air to get in or for theft to occur. 

We are experienced with insurance claims and recommend asking your agent or adjuster for permission to contract with us before you call for board-up service. Many insurance companies are familiar with us and our reputable services. 

How Can You Save Yourself Hassle?

Unlike some companies that only provide board-up services, we are a one-stop shop for all restoration services, from initial board-up all the way through to final renovation. This saves you the hassle of using multiple companies and people to complete your entire restoration. From start to finish, we’ll make it look “Like it never even happened.”

Give Us a Call!

Doesn’t matter what time of day or night you need us, we can be there. Call (641) 758-9746 anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we’ll answer.

Differences Between Sanitize, Disinfect & Clean

6/27/2023 (Permalink)

As businesses and stores continue to navigate their way through operating differently in the last two years, we’re all experiencing a new kind of normal. The expectations of visitors, customers, and employees who come into establishments have most definitely evolved, and staying safe and healthy is a top concern. The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed what it means to be clean, safe, or healthy. Due to previously unforeseen times such as these, SERVPRO has developed an antipathogen program to help businesses meet the new higher standard of cleaning that is now expected.

Do you know the difference between Disinfect, Sanitize & Clean?

Clean: General surface cleaning, physically removes visible dirt, organic matter, viruses, fungi, and bacteria while using water, detergent, and physical scrubbing of the surface.

Sanitizing: Reduces but does not eliminate all the bacteria on a treated surface. To be a registered sanitizer, the test results for a product must show a reduction of at least 99.9% in the number of each type of bacteria tested.

Disinfecting: Disinfecting works by using chemicals to kill, destroy, or inactivate infectious or other microbes.

If you would like to have your commercial property or offices sanitized and/or disinfected, call the team at SERVPRO of Marshalltown. We are offering a proactive clean that is Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned!

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned means our professionally trained technicians perform the requested cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfection services according to proprietary SERVPRO protocols and recognized industry and CDC standards with EPA-approved cleaning products to deliver a SERVPRO-certified cleaning experience.

For any further questions or concerns, contact SERVPRO of Marshalltown anytime by phone at (515) 233-4544 or you can find us on Facebook at SERVPRO of Marshalltown. 

SERVPROs 1-4-8 Response Guidelines

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Marshalltown works hard on bring the 1-4-8 experience to every customer.  The service is our promise to every customer that we will come to help each disaster in a timely manner. With any disaster time is a very important factor. Within 1 hour from notice of loss, one of our trained employees will contact you to arrange for service. Within 4 hours of loss notification, members of SERVPRO of Marshalltown will be onsite to start mitigation services. Within 8 hours of onsite arrival, a verbal briefing of the scope will be communicated to the appropriate person. Since we started service within 4 hours, we can stop further damage and get you back to your home "Like it never even happened." Once the job is complete a trained employee will do a final walk through with you to make sure everything is complete. Thanks to our 1-4-8 response we can get homeowners and businesses back to the way they were before the disaster. SERVPRO of Marshalltown is available 24/7 every day of the year.

We are cleaning experts

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is here to help during this time of need.

During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.

Specialized Training

We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

The CDC encourages cleaning of high touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC's guidance for commercial spaces include:

  • Kitchen/Food Areas
  • Bathrooms
  • Schools/Classrooms
  • Offices
  • Retail Spaces
  • Water Fountains
  • Shelving/Racks
  • Sales Counters
  • Carpets and Rugs
  • Stair Handrails
  • Elevator Cars
  • Playground Equipment
  • Fitness Equipment

Specialized Products

The CDC recommends usage of labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities. 

Call today for a proactive cleaning from the experts at SERVPRO Marshalltown at 641-758-9746

SERVPRO 24/7

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Of Marshalltown possesses professional restoration technicians that are highly trained and certified in order to mitigate whatever loss your home has suffered. Whether it be a fire, water, or mold loss, SERVPRO maintains immediate response times and specialized equipment to minimize damages and focus on restoring the home/business back to preloss conditions. SERVPRO works in conjunction with various insurance companies and strive to maintain open lines of communication to help make the claims process run seamlessly.

SERVPRO of Marshalltown also possesses a team of specialized technicians that can perform additional services such as duct cleaning to keep your heating and air conditioning systems running more efficiently, as well as carpet cleaning to provide longevity to your carpets and upholstery.

When a disaster strikes, choosing a mitigation company can be daunting, but know, SERVPRO is here to help. 

Why Is Attic Ventilation Important?

5/5/2022 (Permalink)

 

You might be wondering why you would want cool air to come in and heat to escape. After all, attic insulation is designed to keep air out and keep heat in. 

The problems attic ventilation addresses are excess heat and moisture. While attic insulation will do an excellent job of locking in heat, your roof can be negatively affected if that heat starts to become too much or if contractors installed the insulation improperly.

The summer sun can blast your roof with heat throughout the afternoon, transferring that heat into the attic. With large amounts of heat on both sides, your roof sheathing can distort, and your shingles will age prematurely. 

Ice damming becomes an issue during winter, especially in locations where snow is likely to pile up on rooftops. Warm air will rise from inside your home to the attic. That warm air will heat your rooftop just enough to melt snow. 

The melted snow will run toward the eaves, where it’s cooler. The runoff will freeze, creating an ice dam. This damming causes future runoff to pool up and back up under your shingles.

When the air in your attic is cooler, but heat rises from the rest of your home or comes in from the outside, condensation starts to form. That condensation can affect your roof, causing mold and mildew growth, as well as wood rot inside your attic. 

 

For more info visit atticprojectsseattle.com

SERVPRO of Marshalltown Belongs On Your Roster

10/26/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Marshalltown is the logical choice SERVPRO of Marshalltown is available round-the-clock for all your restoration needs. We can't wait to see you!

If you watch a lot of football, you’ve probably heard of a triple threat. That’s a player who can run, pass and punt—someone who’s an all-around athlete. Versatility makes for a valuable team member. And at SERVPRO of Marshalltown, we’re nothing if we are not versatile!

We’re a triple threat because we combine technical expertise, solid teamwork (which includes our customers) and round-the-clock availability when you need us. 

The Science of Safe Cleaning

There’s more to cleaning and disinfecting than meets the eye. Our professionals have to know which chemicals are best to use against specific pathogens while ensuring a safe environment for the people using the residential or commercial business space.

For example, we select from a list of EPA-approved products to fight COVID-19. And we clean according to CDC guidelines to keep your home or business safe!

Your Dream Team

At SERVPRO of Marshalltown we’re ready for the tough work restoration jobs require. To make it easier, we all do our part to communicate well with each other so that the work runs smoothly and efficiently.

We also communicate well with you, our customers, by consulting with you before and after every job to make sure our cleaning and restoration efforts meet your approval.

Round-the-Clock Availability

Disaster doesn’t always strike at convenient hours, and the sooner we arrive, the more we can help prevent additional damage. That’s why our staff is ready to respond quickly to emergency calls no matter what time they come in, day or night.

If your home or commercial business is located in Reinbeck, Dysart, Alden, Melbourne or anywhere in Marshall, Hardin, Grundy or Tama county, SERVPRO of Marshalltown can help with your damage restoration or cleaning needs. Contact us at any hour for a consultation or immediate assistance.

Whether by phone, or through our new social media messaging call-in format, where customer service is available round-the-clock, just like our previously mentioned restoration services, we are looking forward to making your SERVPRO experience a good one. 

If You Think You Have Mold, Don’t Take Care Of It Yourself!

7/28/2020 (Permalink)

white mold growing on the wall of a home If you see something like this growing in your home or business, don't touch it! Give us a call to make sure it's treated safely.

We often get calls from Marshall, Hardin, Grundy and Tama county homeowners who’ve tried treating a mold problem with a store-bought spray or with bleach, only to have the mold come back. What they don’t realize is that they’ve spread potentially toxic mold spores inside their home and used the wrong kind of cleaner for the type of material where the mold is growing. The result is a situation much worse than if they had called us first. 

It’s Best Not to Mess With Mold

If you think you have mold, the best thing to do is leave it alone and call us to come take a look. We’ll be there right away. If it’s not mold, which is sometimes the case, we’ll let you know, and we won’t charge you anything for the visit. It’s a courtesy our customers really appreciate. 

If we do suspect you have mold, we’ll offer the option to pay for mold sampling and testing to determine if the mold is toxic or a low-risk type that doesn’t present a serious health risk. Depending on the results, we’ll create a mold remediation plan and cost estimate for you to consider.

We’re Certified to Safely Remediate Mold

Once a customer approves the plan and estimate, we go straight to work. We’re trained and certified to remediate mold from homes and commercial businesses in the safest way possible. If the mold is toxic, we seal off contaminated areas from the rest of your house or business so spores do not spread. Using special HEPA vacuums and air scrubbers, we clean and disinfect the entire area. We carefully remove affected materials, dispose of them properly and replace damaged areas with new materials, restoring your home or business back to its previous condition “Like it never even happened.”

Call SERVPRO of Marshalltown Before You Touch That Mold

Just one quick phone call can save you from possible health risks and spreading more mold in your home or business. We deal with mold constantly and are well-trained to handle it, so you can trust us to do the job right. Because we’re a local business, we can be there quickly to give you an evaluation and recommendations for moving forward. Call (641) 758-9746 anytime, day or night.