How to Deal With Frozen Pipes in Winter Weather | SERVPRO of Jefferson, Franklin & Perry Counties

1/11/2024 (Permalink)

Frozen pipes? Call SERVPRO of Jefferson, Franklin & Perry Counties today

At SERVPRO of Jefferson, Franklin & Perry Counties, we often see an increase in water losses during the winter. A major culprit of these losses are frozen pipes. 

When the water inside the pipes freeze, its molecules expand, which causes a blockage of ice that prevents unfrozen water from passing through. When the frozen pipe begins to thaw, the pressure from the water can cause the pipe to burst. 

How Can I Tell My Pipes Are Frozen? 

One of the most common signs that you are dealing with frozen pipes is when you turn on your faucet and no water comes out (similarly, if you flush your toilet and it doesn’t refill). If this happens, you should check your water source to make sure it’s still turned on and that a leak isn’t occurring. 

Another tell-tale sign of frozen pipes is when your water line is coated in frost or is bulging.

If you know that your pipes are frozen, you can either choose to address the issue yourself or call in professionals. 

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes cause an estimated $400-$500 million in damage annually. To avoid adding to that total, there are several steps you can take.

When the weather gets cold, you should drain water from pipes that are likely to freeze, such as sprinkler and swimming pool water supply lines. Outside hoses should also be disconnected and drained, and indoor valves supplying these access points must be closed.

On frigid days, let your faucets drip cold water. Having the water drip out will make it harder for the water in the pipes to freeze. Your thermostat should also be kept around the same temperature at all times, and your house temperature should never fall below 55 degrees. Garage doors should also be kept shut to protect water lines. 

If you are worried about your pipes freezing, you can also place a 60-watt bulb in the areas you’re concerned with. Just make sure none of the materials near the bulb are combustible. 

What If My Pipes Are Already Frozen? 

If you realize your pipes have frozen, the first step is to keep your faucet open. This will help with thawing and allow for moving water to flow through the pipe. 

You can also apply heat to the specific area of the pipe that is frozen. You can do this by wrapping an electronic heating pad around the pipe or heating the area with a hair dryer. Using towels soaked in hot water can help, too. 

Keep applying heat until water flow returns to normal. After the pipe has been thawed, turn on other faucets around the house to make sure you don’t have any more frozen pipes. 

If the pipe is inside an exterior wall, you should immediately call a professional contractor. It is likely that a hole will need to be cut in the wall toward the inside of the house to allow the pipes to be exposed to warmer air. 

Frozen pipes can be a catastrophic problem for your home, but taking proactive measures can help you address the problem before it even starts.

Summertime Storms in Mount Vernon, IL

7/19/2021 (Permalink)

Summer time weather always brings a lot of uncertainty with regard to severe weather. It's always critical to have an emergency plan in place for those storms and the damage they may cause. For damage after the storm rest easy knowing SERVPRO of Jefferson, Franklin and Perry Counties is there to take care of you.

Having a proper emergency plan in place helps to allow family members know where to go or where to be located, if following a storm communications are knocked out. It is also important to safely store non-perishable food items and plenty of fresh water.

If you have any damage following the storm, call SERVPRO to get them onsite as soon as possible. From board-ups, roof coverings and water mitigation we’ll get to work as quickly as possible. 

If you have any questions please contact your local office at 618-435-8200 and find out more on how SERVPRO can help you weather the storm.

How Can SERVPRO Help You After The Storm

6/13/2021 (Permalink)

Storm season is in full swing with complex storm systems moving across our area. It's always important to have the number ready for storm repair from SERVPRO of Jefferson, Franklin and Perry Counties.

SERVPRO of Jefferson, Franklin and Perry Counties has the staff and equipment to handle any sized disaster.  From professionally trained staff to the latest in technology, SERVPRO has you covered to get your home or business back to like new condition. 

Your local SERVPRO office can handle Fire, Water and Mold damage, we also handle full reconstruction as well as full service laundry specialized for smoke odor removal.

The advantage that sets SERVPRO of Jefferson, Franklin and Perry Counties apart is the strength of staff and the ability to handle 100% of the claim to help keep it simple during a stressful and chaotic time.

Call us today for free estimates at 618-435-8200

Tornado Damage in Perry County Illinois

5/29/2021 (Permalink)

Last year our area was hit with a short lived tornado that did quite a bit of damage in Perry County. SERVPRO of Jefferson, Franklin and Perry Counties were on site immediately to help protect those homes and begin the process to get residents back home again. 

From broken windows and siding and roofs that were torn off or had trees fall on them, SERVPRO was there. First task after the storm was to get roofs covered to prevent any more precipitation from coming in. Next we started inside the structure drying out as much of the structure as possible and taking out parts that could not be saved due to high saturation levels or extended damage. 

From there our Reconstruction Division took over, fixing damaged areas and getting them back to the way it was prior to the damage, from flooring, walls and cabinets and vanities. 

It's no wonder SERVPRO is famous for making it, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of Jefferson, Franklin and Perry Counties has you covered from storm damage. Call us today at 618-435-8200 or tell your Insurance agent or adjuster you prefer SERVPRO.

Why SERVPRO After A Storm

5/19/2021 (Permalink)

The trained professionals at SERVPRO of Jefferson, Franklin and Perry Counties have the necessary training and experience to get your home or business repaired following a storm.

What does that mean? It means that no one will get to a disaster than SERVPRO. With professionally trained and certified staff, we are able to handle any fire, water or mold damage to residential or commercial structure. 

Having the right equipment matters as well. Utilizing the best and most current industrial strength equipment sets us apart from our competition and often requires less time on-site with equipment proven to handle anything that it faces. 

SERVPRO of Jefferson, Franklin and Perry Counties does more than just homes or businesses from water damage. Call us today at 618-435-8200 or tell your Insurance agent or adjuster you prefer SERVPRO.

Storm Damage In Mount Vernon, IL

5/4/2021 (Permalink)

When spring storms hit our area, look for the professionals at SERVPRO of Jefferson, Franklin and Perry Counties to help clean up damage done to your home. With high winds and heavy precipitation it's a recipe for water damage throughout your home.  SERVPRO has the equipment and trained technicians to make sure water damage is handled correctly the first time. 

No power, no problem. Even after storms take power out to homes we have secondary power units to be able to allow our equipment to run and trucks mounted water extraction units that can run without electricity.  After water damage we make sure to disinfect the flooded spaces to prevent future mold growth.

Though storm season can be scary, know that SERVPRO of Jefferson, Franklin and Perry Counties can help make it, “Like it never even happened.”

Difference Between Weather Warnings and Watches

4/13/2021 (Permalink)

While you’re in your home or business in the Benton, IL area and you hear the weather warning on the radio or television be sure you know the differences between weather warnings and watches.

These warnings and watches apply to the seasonality of storms from winter, summer, spring and fall, as well as can be used for precipitation alerts.

A weather WATCH means that there are elements that exist for the potential development of severe weather. When this weather alert happens, it's a good idea to refresh yourself on your emergency evacuation or safety plans but you don’t need to act on them during this alert. 

A weather WARNING indicates that severe weather is in your area or it is already occurring based on either the severe weather has been spotted or is showing on weather radar. It is during this weather alert it's important to act on your emergency plans to ensure safety. 

For any severe weather event, you can count on the Professionals at SERVPRO of Franklin, Jefferson and Perry counties to assist you if your home is damaged in any weather event. Give them a call today at 618-435-8200

What to do After the Storm

4/22/2020 (Permalink)

Research has shown the majority of storm related deaths occur within the first three hours following the passing of the storm cell. A quick search of the internet will lend plenty of advice on how to prepare prior to and during the storm.

For most individuals following a storm, we want to survey the damage that our community sustained. More often than not, by going out during these moments following the storm we are elevating the danger for emergency personnel.

Follow these three steps to ensure the safety of yourself and other following a storm:

1. Remain inside until it has been deemed safe to go out
2. Standing water and downed powerlines should be avoided at all cost
3. Buildings may have incurred structural damage and should be entered cautiously

The above steps will increase the safety of yourself and those around you. If in doubt, do not go out!

Storm Damage Customer Service

4/20/2020 (Permalink)

If you have ever suffered through a storm that created wide spread damage in your area then you more than likely understand what it is like to feel helpless. Our office provides support to our storm teams within the SERVPRO franchise system and travels to affected areas to offer help and support to the many victims that are affected by the storms. Our office are constantly watching weather patterns and are put on alert or stand by when major storms are about to make landfall. By watching the weather patterns and having our own meteorologist on staff we are able to prepare to travel to the areas affected when we are called.

We send our teams and technicians to your areas to begin the process of mitigation. We know that the longer these damages sit the more likely there is to be secondary damage. Unfortunately, most storm damage is widespread and therefore it is difficult to assist everyone with the damages to their homes. Our offices and on the ground teams attempt to help as many people in one day as possible. 

Our office staff is trained to obtain certain information regarding the damage to your home, but also additional information such as accessibility and power. We know that when you have a damage such as this you emotions are heightened and you are ready to begin the mitigation and repair process to ensure that things return to normal as soon as possible. Our office staff tries to remain empathetic and reassuring while still collecting all of the pertinent information needed to schedule services to begin. We are happy to help in any way possible and our main objective is to service your damage as soon as we possibly can.

If you find yourself in a storm situation call SERVPRO of Jefferson, Franklin, & Perry Counties at (618) 435-8200. The friendly staff will get you on your way to normalcy as soon as possible.

Storm Damage In Southern Illinois

10/7/2019 (Permalink)

Storm damage can be one of the most challenging types of damage for most communities. When a large storm comes through town it affects so many people, homes, and businesses. 

Most damage comes in small phases, a home or business here and there. But when a huge storm comes through a community-a large number of people are then affected. Which means a large number of people are now in need of help.

This is where SERVPRO of Jefferson, Franklin, & Perry Counties comes in. We have a large enough team that we can not only handle the small damage but we can handle the largest size disasters as well. We have relationships with all of our neighboring SERVPRO's that can get to us quickly and start putting peoples lives back together. We are proud to be part of a large company that can team up at any time to serve those in need. 

We are proud to offer fire and water clean up and restoration along with storm damage to many communities surrounding Jefferson, Franklin, & Perry Counties. 

We are Ready for Storms!

10/6/2019 (Permalink)

Did you know that SERVPRO of Jefferson, Franklin, & Perry Counties travels all over the United States to help those in need after a storm. We clean up after anything from hurricanes to tornadoes. 

Our team is prepared and ready to take on any size disaster including the huge ones. When a large storm is rolling in, our crews know to pack their bags and get ready to head out to help those in need. 

We are proud to serve people in our community, but we are also thankful that we are able to travel and serve others all over the United States. 

We never know when a storm is going to hit but we do know that we are trained and ready to hit the road as soon as it happens. 

What Should You Do Before a Storm?

10/6/2019 (Permalink)

Preparing for a storm can be intimidating, let us give you some tips to make the process a lot easier for you.

Before The Storm:

1. Build an emergency supply kit and make a family communication plan.
2. Remove dead or rotting trees and branches that could fall and cause injury or damage during a severe thunderstorm.
3. Postpone outdoor activities.
4. Remember the 30/30 Lighting Safety Rule: Go indoors if, after seeing lighting, you cannot count to 30 before hearing thunder. Stay indoors for 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder.
5. Secure outdoor objects that could blow away or cause damage.
6. Get inside a home, building, or hard top automobile (not a convertible). Although you may be injured if lighting strikes your car, you are much safer inside a vehicle than outside.
7. Remember, rubbed-soled shoes and rubber tires provide NO protection from lighting. However, the steel frame of a hard-topped vehicle provides increased protection if you are not touching metal.
8. Shutter windows and secure outside doors. If shutters are not available, close window blinds, shades or curtains.
9. Unplug any electronic equipment well before the storm arrives.

Storm Damage Clean Up

10/1/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Jefferson, Franklin, & Perry Counties is a family owned and operated business and we are proud to serve our community along with other communities after storms hit cities all across the United States. 

All large loss teams are supervised by a commercial operations manager to help ensure seamless communication and timely mitigation.

At SERVPRO, the difference between us and the other companies...is our ability to dispatch trained production professionals and cut costs through the strategic placement and oversight of temporary labor. 

SERVPRO as a whole has served clients in the commercial industry in some of the following areas:

• The Hospitality Industry
• Property Managers
• Universities
• Municipalities
• The Pentagon

Here at SERVPRO of Jefferson, Franklin, & Perry Counties we are ready to serve any area that has experienced storm damage. SERVPRO has teams across the United States ready to tackle any size disaster. Our training, technology, and equipment is next to none and our crews are the best out there.

Give us a call today to tarp your roof or board up your windows.

618-435-8200