Recent Posts

6 Reasons to Get Your Air Duct Cleaned

9/29/2023 (Permalink)

There are many steps that homeowners need to take in the maintenance of their property, but air duct cleaning is one of the most essential. What is it about this service that makes it so vital for people in the Omaha, NE area? Check out some of the reasons that you should have your air ducts cleaned:

6 Reasons to Get Your Air Duct Cleaned

1. More Effective Cooling

When air ducts aren't properly cleaned, dirt and other debris can build up and prevent air from circulating. This leads to less effective results and a less comfortable home. Beat the heat more efficiently by having your air ducts cleaned regularly so no obstructions prevent them from circulating the air in your home.

2. Fight Against Mold

Damp, dirty conditions in an air duct that is overdue for cleaning can create one of the biggest headaches that homeowners face: mold. Not only is this substance unsightly and foul-smelling, but it can also be a health risk to certain people who are vulnerable to its effects. Keep your property mold-free by having regular cleanings to prevent it from forming.

3. Extend the Lifespan of the System

As with many other things, getting your HVAC unit serviced regularly will help it last longer than it would without preventative maintenance. By getting regular cleanings for your air ducts, you'll prevent more extensive problems from happening, allowing you to get the most value from the unit as possible.

4. Reduce Odors and Allergens

If you don't clean your air ducts regularly, you may smell odd, unpleasant odors coming from them. Anyone on the property with sensitivity to airborne allergens may also notice worsening symptoms if the air ducts aren't cleaned. Scheduling regular cleanings can help to alleviate both of these problems.

5. Prevent Pest Infestations

The environment that unclean air ducts create is home to the conditions that common household pests such as insects or rodents thrive in. You're at a greater risk of a pest infestation occurring if you don't regularly clean your air ducts. Have service performed regularly to avoid this unpleasant issue.

6. Breathe Healtheir Air

We spend a lot of time in our homes, so the air present inside has a big impact on our overall health and well-being. Scheduling regular cleanings for your air ducts will help to improve the air quality in your home, allowing you and everyone else on the premises to be as healthy as can be.

Air Duct Cleaning in Omaha, NE

For all these reasons and more, we see that cleaning your air ducts regularly is essential. Do you need to have this service performed at your home? You can trust the professionals on our team to give your air ducts the thorough cleaning they need so that you can enjoy better air quality in your home.

Don't delay in getting this necessary service any longer. Contact SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest today and let us help you with your home's maintenance!

Top Causes of Water Lose

9/29/2023 (Permalink)

It's crucial to take care of any signs of water damage immediately. Commercial restoration services can be more challenging than residential. The size and structure of the property, the extent of the water damage, and the number of occupants will greatly affect the restoration process. Two commercial spaces with the same square footage could have completely different mitigation plans. While some issues are inevitable, many issues leading to water damage are preventable. 

1. Damaged pipes/plumbing- look for drippy, or leaking pipes. Check ceiling for dark areas indication water damage. Toilets also seem to be a major cause of commercial water damage.  

2. Poorly sealed windows and doors: Rain and snow can easily enter your business through poorly fitted windows. 

3. Roof leak: The roof is the main defense against mother nature. Check often for damaged or missing shingles. 

4. Appliances: Check appliances such as a dishwasher, refrigerator,  and commercial coffee maker to ensure the plumbing is correct and not leaking.

5. HVAC: The heating and cooling unit is a major culprit of commercial water damage. Make sure to inspect it regularly for any signs of water leaks or damage.

If you need commercial restoration services, call the professionals at SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest. 

SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest Services

9/29/2023 (Permalink)

Do you know the services SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest offers?

1. Water Damage Repair and Restoration: Whether the damage is from heavy rains or flooding, a burst pipe, or an appliance malfunction, our techs are highly trained and certified in water damage restoration. We have specialized high tech equipment to efficiently dry out your property.

2. Fire Damage Repair and Restoration: Each fire situation is unique and requires a specific cleaning and restoration process. We have high tech equipment that allows to restore contents instead of having to replace. 

3. Mold Remediation and Restoration: From setting containment to using negative air, our techs are trained in proper mold remediation. 

4. Storm Damage Cleanup and Restoration: We have the resources and personnel to quickly respond to any storm or disaster. With over 1800 franchises, SERVPRO is close by and ready.

5. Commercial Cleaning Services: SERVPRO offers commercial COVID cleaning and disinfecting, along with proactive cleaning. We follow protocol set by the CDC, and use a hospital grade EPA registered disinfectant. 

6. Bio-hazard Cleanup: Crime scene cleanup, sewage backup, and suicide cleanup are a few of the bio-hazard cleanup services we offer.

7. Vandalism and Graffiti Removal: The media blaster can clean almost any surface. We can seamlessly remove graffiti or cleanup after a break-in.

8. Air Duct and Carpet Cleaning: Cleaning your HVAC unit can extend the life of the equipment. This can save you money, and give you cleaner air to breathe. Carpets act as a filter trapping contaminants. Regular cleanings can extent the life span of your carpet.

9. Odor Removal: Our techs are trained to identify and quickly eliminate offensive odors. 

Call SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest for all your restoration and cleanup needs.

Why SERVPRO Over the Other Guys?

9/29/2023 (Permalink)

Aren't all restoration companies the same? What sets SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest apart from the rest? 

Education: We know that knowledge is power! We have invested in all of our techs to take specialized training in water restoration. All of our techs are WRT (Water Damage Restoration Technician) certified. This is specialized certification through the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) that gives techs a better concept of water damage, it's effects and techniques for drying of structures. Our leadership team has several years of experience in water mitigation as well as reconstruction. Lathe leads the team with several certifications and years of cleanup, restoration and construction experience. 

Equipment: We have invested in specialized state-of-the-art drying and cleaning equipment. The trailer mounted desiccant dehumidifier can remove 500+ gallons of water from a large space in a 24 hour period. It can dry spaces 50,000 + sq ft. This saves you time and money when it matters most. The complete ultrasonic cleaning system can be used to restore personal belongings instead of the cost to replace. The media blasting machine can remove soot and smoke damage, mold, and even graffiti from property. SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest has also invested in a brand new duct cleaning machine. We take pride in our arsenal of specialized drying equipment. 

Customer Service: We value our reputation. The techs are there to explain the process in full, address any questions or concerns, and help to get your property back to pre-damage condition. We strive to make the restoration process seamless for the customer. At the end of a job, we want to make sure the customer is happy with our services and would recommend us in the future.

Faster to Any Disaster: We know when you have an emergency, you need someone there fast! Flooding and water emergencies don't wait for regular business hours, and neither do we. Our crews are on call and ready to help 24/7- including all holidays.  The faster we can start the initial assessment process, the faster the water extraction process can start. Timing is essential to prevent any secondary damage.

When disaster strikes, call the team with the knowledge and experience, the state-of-the-art equipment, and compassion at each step of the process. SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest proudly serving Omaha, NE and surrounding communities.

Electrical Safety

9/29/2023 (Permalink)

Consumer electronic products are more prevalent than ever. Research indicates that the average household owns more than twenty-five consumer electronic products. With all of today’s technology, it can prove challenging to safely maintain power to all of our electronic devices. Electrical outlets are easy to overload and as a result, may become hazardous. While adding a power strip or extension cord seems like an easy solution to a lack of electrical outlets, the wiring in some buildings often isn’t capable of supporting too many high-powered electronic appliances.

Older office buildings and homes, in particular, often suffer from lack of electrical outlets. The temptation is to simply add a power strip or plug in an extension cord from across the room. Even in newer office buildings and homes, it can be all too easy to overload a single outlet with power hungry machines such as computers, printers, scanners and monitors.

When an employee or resident overloads an electrical outlet, that means more current is running through the outlet than it can handle. This causes the outlet to overheat, which may lead to an electrical fire. According to a 2008 National Fire Protection Association study, electrical distribution and lighting equipment are involved in more than 24,000 home structure fires per year. These fires resulted in an average of 320 deaths per year and an estimated $700 million in property damage per year.

If an electrical fire should occur, get safely away from the fire and call your fire department. If you choose to use an extinguisher on the fire, never let the fire get between you and a safe exit, and never let use water to extinguish an electrical fire. Class C fire extinguishers use a non-conductive extinguishing agent and should not cause electrical shock.

To help prevent this and other electrical hazards, refer to the list below (provided by Electrical Safety Foundation International).

  • If you must use a power strip, use a name brand product from a reputable retailer. Low-quality or counterfeit power strips may contain wiring that isn’t adequate to carry the load.
  • Place power strips where there is plenty of air circulation to disperse the heat.
  • Never attempt to plug grounded (three-pronged) cords into an ungrounded (two-pronged) outlet.
  • Do not bind, kink or know electrical cords.

Mold is Everywhere

9/29/2023 (Permalink)

Mold can spread rapidly after water damage, and cause many problems.

Some Facts About Mold: 

Mold is everywhere – in the air and on many surfaces. Molds have been on the Earth for millions of years. Mold grows where there is moisture. Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all. Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, molds can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation. People with mold allergies may have more severe reactions. Immune-compromised people and people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may get serious infections in their lungs when they are exposed to mold. These people should stay away from areas that are likely to have mold, such as compost piles, cut grass, and wooded areas.

Mold is found both indoors and outdoors. Mold can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold in the air outside can also attach itself to clothing, shoes, bags, and pets can and be carried indoors.

Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.

MOLD PREVENTION TIPS

  • Keep humidity levels as low as you can—no higher than 50%–all day long. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep the level low. Bear in mind that humidity levels change over the course of a day with changes in the moisture in the air and the air temperature, so you will need to check the humidity levels more than once a day.
  • Be sure your home has enough ventilation. Use exhaust fans which vent outside your home in the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside your home.
  • Fix any leaks in your home’s roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.
  • Clean up and dry out your home thoroughly and quickly (within 24–48 hours) after flooding.
  • Add mold inhibitors to paints before painting.
  • Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.
  • Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried promptly. Consider not using carpet in rooms or areas like bathrooms or basements that may have a lot of moisture.

If you have a mold problem or would like to prevent mold after you have experienced water damage, SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest can help with both! Call us today 402-408-0134

Safe Home Heating

9/29/2023 (Permalink)

The change in season means an increase in the use of supplemental home heating, and an increase in home heating fires.  An October 2013 report from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) using date from 2007-2011 reveals some sobering statistics:

    • Space heaters accounted for 33% of home heating fires and 81% of home heating deaths.
    • The leading factor contributing in home heating fires was failure to clean (primarily creosote) from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys.
    • The leading factor contributing to ignition in 53% of fatal home heating fires was having flammable items too close to heating equipment.

With these statistics in mind, here are some tips for safe home heating:

Fireplaces:

    • Always use protective screens to keep sparks and embers inside the firebox.
    • Ensure the air inlet is free from debris and obstructions.
    • Keep combustible decorations or furniture away from heat source.
    • Burn only seasoned wood, never rubbish or scraps of treated lumber.

Woodstoves:

    • Check the iron and steel components for cracks or degradation from the fire's heat and replace those that are bad.
    • Close a dollar bill in the door at various spots around the frame.  If you can pull it out easily the gaskets are won and should be changed.
    • Set woodstoves on hearth rugs made of spark resistant material.

Space Heaters:

    • Plug heaters directly into a wall socket and not into extension cords.
    • Unplug heaters when they are not in use.
    • Do not place heaters in walkways or in locations where they could be easily knocked over and ensure heaters are equipped with a tip-over switch.
    • Keep clothing, furniture, draperies, paper and other items at least three feet away from the space heater.
    • Use only electric heaters equipped with a thermostat or an automatic shut off switch.
    • Do not hide cords under rugs or carpets.  Placing anything on top of the cord could cause the cord to overheat, and can cause a fire.
    • Leave appropriate and recommended amount of space surrounding a space heater.

The trusted professionals at SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest are here to help with any of your fire cleaning and restoration needs.

If you have questions or need help, please call us 24x7 at 402-408-0134

My Home is Flooded, Now What?

9/29/2023 (Permalink)

There are so many questions after your Omaha home is flooded due to a storm. What Should I do now? Who should I call? Follow these steps to assure your taken care of: 

  1. AVOID ADDITIONAL RISKS-Disconnect all the Electronics in your home, these can start fires if left on. Check for any visible structural damage of your home such as warping, loosened or cracked foundation elements, cracks, and holes. Contact utility companies if you suspect damage to water, gas, electric, or sewer lines.
  2. TAKE PICTURES-Before you remove any water or make repairs, fully document the damage of your home by taking photos or videos. Digital photos are best so they can easily be transferred and shared.
  3. PROTECT YOUR HEALTH-Even if the water in your home is clear, it could be contaminated by sewage or household chemicals. Wear gloves when removing water-damaged possessions, throw away any food that may have come in contact with the flood water, and boil water until authorities declare the water supply is safe to drink. 
  4. CALL YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY-Call your insurance agent as soon as possible after the flood. Always have their number on hand in your emergency bag. Document the damage, communication, and notify them of any repairs. 
  5. REMOVE WATER/MITIGATE MOLD DAMAGE- Have a Restoration Company like SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest Remove the Water, extraction of water helps with the drying process and will save your home from future problems. Mold can also develop within 24-48 hours after a flood. SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest can mitigate the mold by our cleaning/drying processes.  

Call SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest today at 402-408-0134. If your home or business has been affected by water damage our team is here to help! We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, including holidays.

Bathroom Appliances Can Cause Fires

9/29/2023 (Permalink)

Bathrooms should have specialized outlets that trip a tiny built-in breaker should a shock hazard develop. These protect people if an appliance should ever get wet by either water splashed on it or through accidental submersion in a sink or tub. Problems can still happen if someone uses one of these electrical items later because water can corrode internal components and cause them to get too hot.

Using curling irons or hair dryers with corroded contacts can put your Omaha home in danger, melting plastic can ignite and help spread and strengthen any flames, helping the fire get around the room. Shower curtains can become a path to the ceiling, leaving dense layers of blackened soot. Residents with this kind of damage need professionals like the ones at SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest to get such disasters mitigated, and the area restored "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest has extensively learned how to clean up such areas. Mitigation includes discerning between truly damaged materials that require removal and replacements and those that we can revitalize, saving our customers as much as possible while restoring their property to a safe, livable condition again.

We use several different tools to clean surfaces after fire damage compromises their appearance. Dry sponges that pull soot off mirrors and fixtures protect them from the fine lines that ruin the sheen and make achieving a shiny appearance impossible. Waiting to remove soot can leave property owners wanting to replace such items, resulting in lost rental deposits or additional costs related to court-awarded damages. SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest wants to help you recover completely from the consequences of fire damage and with as little stress as possible.

SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest's goal is to provide all our customers with a thorough job, from start to finish, including odor control. Our team knows how to do the work efficiently, letting you put the fire damage behind you so you can get back to your normal activities. Contact SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest today at 402-408-0134

Faster to your Omaha Disaster

9/29/2023 (Permalink)

Faster to your Omaha water disaster!

Flooding and water disasters don't wait for regular business hours, and neither do we. SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all emergency cleaning and restoration, including all holidays. 

Faster To Any Size Disaster

Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more.  SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – (402)408-0134

About SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest

SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.