Frozen Pipe Tips and Tricks

2/5/2021 (Permalink)

picture of a busted pipe

Our long, cold, and dreary winter months lead to many emergency water losses caused by frozen pipes that burst. Generally, for your home's water pipes to freeze, the outside temperature needs to be below 20 degrees, for a total of at least six consecutive hours. The following are some helpful tips to help combat the cold this winter:

• Insulate your pipes – Buy some pipe sleeves, UL-listed heat tape or a heat cable, and insulate the pipes in the unheated areas in your home (attic, basement, crawl space, garage, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets).
• Keep faucets dripping (just barely) – This tip is only for the coldest of nights! Dripping faucets keep the water in your pipes moving, which prevent your pipes from bursting if they do become frozen.
• Provide an extra power supply – If your power goes out on a cold night, the chances of your pipes freezing rises significantly. Buy a reliable backup power source, like a generator, to ensure continuous power to your home.
• Keep your garage door closed – This will keep more of your home’s heat inside and help prevent any exposed pipes from freezing.
• leaving cabinet doors open at night to allow the heat to reach the pipes inside the home you can but you don't need it. 

Step 1) Turn on your water faucets. When you start thawing your pipes, your faucets will leak water, letting you know that you have found the frozen pipes and are melting the ice. Also, moving water speeds up thawing process.

Step 2) Find the frozen pipes. They are usually in an outside wall, under a sink or in an unheated crawl space.

Step 3) Safely apply heat to the frozen pipes. A few ways to safely heat frozen pipes include using:

• Electric heat pads
• Electric hair dryers
• Portable space heater
• Towels soaked in hot water

Whatever you do, DO NOT use a blowtorch or anything that projects an open flame to thaw the pipes.

The certified water restoration technicians at SERVPRO of Limestone and Lawrence Counties are here to help you with all your emergency water damage needs. Call 256-233-4033 and speak with a trained professional who can help!

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned Victory

7/23/2020 (Permalink)

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned

Below is one of our local victories with our new cleaning program. SERVPRO takes a whole new level of professionalism when it comes to the term clean. 

Green Means Clean

3/16/2018 (Permalink)

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Remember on this St. Patrick's Day weekend that Green means Clean. We are here to help 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

What do I do if I have a water damage?

3/16/2017 (Permalink)

Water Damage

If you have a water damage from a clean source such as water supply lines, sink overflows, tub overflows, or appliance malfunctions, here are some things to do before SERVPRO arrives.

• Shut off the source of the water.

• Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the building if the access panel is safe from electrical shock.

• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting.

• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing lamps and tabletop items.

• Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying.

• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.

• Remove to a safe, dry place any paintings, art objects, computers, documents and other materials that are valuable or sensitive to moisture.

• Use wooden clothespins to keep furniture skirting off damp floors.

• Hang draperies with coated hangers to avoid contact with wet carpeting or floors.

Are you Prepared for a power outage?

3/6/2017 (Permalink)

Emergency Readiness Kit!

You may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least 72 hours. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours or it might take days. Depending on the nature of the disaster road conditions may prevent help from arriving in a timely manner. 

Additionally, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment and telephones may be cut off for days or even a week, or longer. Your supplies kit should contain items to help you manage during these outages.  If the power goes out keep your pipes from freezing by shutting off the valve that allows water to come into your home. Then, open any drain valves and all faucets and let them run until the pipes are empty (it's helpful to identify these valves in advance). Next, flush all toilets and pour denatured alcohol into toilets and sinks to prevent water in the traps from freezing. Do NOT use automotive antifreeze in case there's trouble with your water system; you don't want the antifreeze to contaminate your drinking water. You may, however, use nontoxic antifreeze that's made for winterizing motor homes.

Be prepared for a power outage by keeping necessary items centrally located in your home. Take the time to ensure that everyone in your family is aware of the "kit." Periodically check your kit to see that batteries operate properly. The following is a list of items that are suggested to keep on hand:

1.     Flashlights for each family member

2.     Battery-operated radio and clock

3.     Extra batteries

4.     Containers of bottled water

5.     Canned, freeze-dried or dehydrated food, powdered milk, baby supplies for infants

6.     Non-electric can opener

7.     List of important phone numbers

8.     First-aid kit

Following a disaster, there may be power outages that could last for several days. Stock canned foods, dry mixes and other staples that do not require refrigeration, cooking, water or special preparation. Be sure to include a manual can opener and eating utensils. The following items are suggested when selecting emergency food supplies. You may already have many of these on hand.

•Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.

•Choose foods your family will eat.

•Remember any special dietary needs.

•Avoid foods that will make you thirsty.

•Choose salt-free crackers, whole grain cereals and canned foods with high liquid content.

•Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables and a can opener

•Protein or fruit bars

•Dry cereal or granola

•Peanut butter

•Dried fruit

•Nuts

•Crackers

•Canned juices

•Non-perishable pasteurized milk

•High energy foods

•Vitamins

•Food for infants

•Comfort/stress foods

These and many other helpful tips are available at ready.gov Here is the link to winter tips for before during and after a winter storm http://www.ready.gov/winter-weather When winter weather strikes the Winston Salem area knowing what to do until SERVPRO of Limestone and Lawrence Counties arrives will make a difference.  Call us directly at 256-233-4033!

Are you Prepared for a power outage?

2/20/2017 (Permalink)

Emergency Readiness Kit!

You may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least 72 hours. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours or it might take days. Depending on the nature of the disaster road conditions may prevent help from arriving in a timely manner. 

Additionally, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment and telephones may be cut off for days or even a week, or longer. Your supplies kit should contain items to help you manage during these outages.  If the power goes out keep your pipes from freezing by shutting off the valve that allows water to come into your home. Then, open any drain valves and all faucets and let them run until the pipes are empty (it's helpful to identify these valves in advance). Next, flush all toilets and pour denatured alcohol into toilets and sinks to prevent water in the traps from freezing. Do NOT use automotive antifreeze in case there's trouble with your water system; you don't want the antifreeze to contaminate your drinking water. You may, however, use nontoxic antifreeze that's made for winterizing motor homes.

Be prepared for a power outage by keeping necessary items centrally located in your home. Take the time to ensure that everyone in your family is aware of the "kit." Periodically check your kit to see that batteries operate properly. The following is a list of items that are suggested to keep on hand:

1.     Flashlights for each family member

2.     Battery-operated radio and clock

3.     Extra batteries

4.     Containers of bottled water

5.     Canned, freeze-dried or dehydrated food, powdered milk, baby supplies for infants

6.     Non-electric can opener

7.     List of important phone numbers

8.     First-aid kit

Following a disaster, there may be power outages that could last for several days. Stock canned foods, dry mixes and other staples that do not require refrigeration, cooking, water or special preparation. Be sure to include a manual can opener and eating utensils. The following items are suggested when selecting emergency food supplies. You may already have many of these on hand.

•Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.

•Choose foods your family will eat.

•Remember any special dietary needs.

•Avoid foods that will make you thirsty.

•Choose salt-free crackers, whole grain cereals and canned foods with high liquid content.

•Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables and a can opener

•Protein or fruit bars

•Dry cereal or granola

•Peanut butter

•Dried fruit

•Nuts

•Crackers

•Canned juices

•Non-perishable pasteurized milk

•High energy foods

•Vitamins

•Food for infants

•Comfort/stress foods

These and many other helpful tips are available at ready.gov Here is the link to winter tips for before during and after a winter storm http://www.ready.gov/winter-weather When winter weather strikes the Winston Salem area knowing what to do until SERVPRO of Limestone and Lawrence Counties arrives will make a difference.  Call us directly at 256-233-4033!

For Immediate Service in Athens, AL Call SERVPRO

11/8/2016 (Permalink)

Athens, AL Residents: We provide immediate service day or night! 

SERVPRO of Limestone and Lawrence Counties provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster in Athens, AL. We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

• 24-Hour Emergency Service
• Faster to Any-Sized Disaster
• Highly Trained Restoration Technicians
• A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
• Locally Owned and Operated
• Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment 

Have Questions? Call Us 24/7 – 256-233-4033

Residential Services

Whether your Athens, AL home needs emergency flood damage or your upholstery cleaned, you can depend on us.  Our technicians have extensive cleaning and restoration training and can make your property look its best. Learn more about our residential services:

• Water Damage Restoration
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Mold Remediation
• Storm Damage Restoration
• Cleaning Services
• Building/Reconstruction Services

Commercial Services

There's never a convenient time for fire or Water damage to strike your Limestone County commercial property. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services we have the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business. Learn more about our commercial services: 

• Commercial Water Damage Restoration
• Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

What is it that we do at SERVPRO?

8/4/2016 (Permalink)

Fire, Water, Mold.... Call SERVPRO 256-233-4033

When your home or business has been damaged by fire, water, or storm damage, the immediate concern should be temporary protective measures such as placing roof tarps to prevent additional damage, and boarding up to secure the building and remove water and debris.

After protecting and securing the structure, professionals at SERVPRO of Limestone and Lawrence Counties can begin the restoration process. Your home or business may need reconstruction work to get your property back to its pre-loss condition.

The professionals at SERVPRO of Limestone and Lawrence Counties can simplify the restoration process by handling both the initial damage mitigation and rebuilding the affected areas. Having one qualified company for the entire process can save time and keeps costs low.

SERVPRO of Limestone and Lawrence Counties can provide this continuity by supervising a full range of restoration services that will bring a building back to full functionality.

 Call Now! (256) 233-4033

Be Ready For Whatever Happens

10/28/2015 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO to get your Emergency Ready Plan Today! (256) 233-4033

Our Emergency READY Program and the American Red Cross Ready Rating program are perfect partners. Call us today to schedule an assessment of your facilities.

SERVPRO (256) 233-4033