A Timeline of Water Damage

9/27/2023 (Permalink)

Have water damage? Don't wait for the damage to get worse, call us today!

SERVPRO of Milwaukee North 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.  We arrive quickly and start the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.  Here is some information on the timeline of a water damage event.

Within Minutes

Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.

Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.

Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.

Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.

Hours 1 - 24:

Drywall begins to swell and break down.

Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.

Furniture begins to swell and crack.

Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.

A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

Mold and mildew may grow and spread.

Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.

Metal begins to rust and corrode.

Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.

Paint begins to blister.

Wood flooring swells and warps.

Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 Week:

Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.

Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.

In the event you sustain water damage for any length of time, SERVPRO of Milwaukee North is here to help.

Grilling Safety Tips

6/22/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Milwaukee North is your trusted fire damage restoration company!

Grilling season is in full swing here in the Midwest! Here are some helpful tips to keep your family safe this summer:

1.) Only use grills outdoors and away from the home. Grills that are used to close to the home or even indoors (yikes!), can heat up adjacent building materials and could start a fire.

2.) Make sure your grill is placed on a flat, level surface. A grill that is on uneven ground could easily tip over and start a fire.

3.) Check your propane grills for leaks. Check the gas lines to make sure that they are free of leaks before using your grill, and always open the lid of your barbecue before lighting.

4.) Clean your grill after every use. Frequent BBQing will allow grease to build up and over time will act as a fuel that will start a fire.

These are just a few tips to help keep you, your family, and home safe while enjoying grilling all summer long! 

Should disaster strike and you find yourself facing fire damage, trust the professionals of SERVPRO of Milwaukee North to make it "Like it never even happened."

June historically brings the most storms to WI

6/14/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Milwaukee North is your trusted storm damage restoration company.

According to the National Weather Service, June is typically the month that tornadoes and severe storms hit the Upper Midwest. When storms hit your area, trust the professionals at SERVPRO of Milwaukee North to restore your home should the rain become too much!
We are available 24/7/365 for all of your water damage mitigation needs!

Do you own a commercial property that has experienced a disaster??

5/2/2023 (Permalink)

When disaster strikes a commercial property, the impact can be devastating. From water damage to fire damage, commercial properties can suffer significant losses that can affect their operations, reputation, and bottom line. That's where SERVPRO of Milwaukee North comes in. As a trusted leader in the restoration industry, SERVPRO of Milwaukee North has the expertise and resources to handle any commercial disaster. Our team of trained professionals is available 24/7 to respond quickly to any emergency, minimizing downtime and restoring your property to preloss condition. Here are some of the commercial services we offer:

• Water and Fire Damage Restoration
• Mold Remediation
• Specialty Cleaning
• Biohazard/Crime Scene
• Document Restoration
• Board Up Services
• Odor Remediation
• Vandalism/Graffiti
• Emergency Ready Profiles (ERP)

At SERVPRO of Milwaukee North, we understand the importance of minimizing downtime and restoring your property as quickly and efficiently as possible. That's why we offer 24/7 emergency services and work closely with your insurance company to ensure a smooth and stress-free restoration process. If your commercial property has suffered damage, don't hesitate to contact SERVPRO of Milwaukee North. With our expertise and resources, we can help you get back to business as usual in no time!

Milwaukee Fire Restoration 101: Reconstruction Services

4/3/2023 (Permalink)

Property fires are devastating events. At SERVPRO of Milwaukee North, we guide our customers through the complete process of restoring their property

Once the process of cleaning and restoring the structure and contents of your home or business that are salvageable has begun, it is time to plan the final phase of fire restoration which is the reconstruction and refinishing of structural elements that were not cleanable.  Depending on the damage sustained, there may be a little or a lot of work to accomplish.

Some common items that may need attention are:

Drywall, Sealing, and Painting

Flooring

Hardwood flooring and/or trim refinishing

Cabinetry repair or replacement

Exterior refinishing such as siding or roofing

Driveway repair (damaged from fire trucks)

Plumbing

Electrical

And more.  Every project is unique.

SERVPRO of Milwaukee North is uniquely positioned to work with our customers until the final completion of their fire reconstruction.  Our team has decades of experience in construction and understands what it takes to bring you home back to its preloss condition.  Only licensed professionals or direct employees are allowed into your home to perform work, and our standards are high.  

If you are in need of reconstruction after fire or other damage, don’t hesitate to call SERVPRO of Milwaukee North at 847-838-2954.  We are here to truly make it "Like it never even happened."

Providing an Outstanding Customer Experience in Glendale, WI

2/15/2023 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Milwaukee North, it is our goal to exceed customer expectations.

At SERVPRO of Milwaukee North, great customer service is of the utmost importance to us.  We work hard to train our emergency personnel to exhibit excellent customer service. When one of our customers is experiencing a water damage or fire damage emergency, we want to be there to help them recover their home or business to preloss condition with as little disruption as possible. 

One such example of this comes from a Google review written by a customer in Glendale, WI who experienced a flood in his home. Ben R. writes:

"Kevin was the best! He made our unfortunate water damage experience so much better. He really looks out for your best interests and went far and beyond in order to help us the most. Never a fun thing to have a fish tank explode but at least SERVPRO has the best crews to help you when you really need them. When disaster happens call these guys right away, don’t even think or give consideration to another company! 5 stars"

Here at SERVPRO of Milwaukee North, there is nothing that makes us prouder than knowing our customers are satisfied with a job well done.  We are here for your emergencies 24/7/365. Give us a call for help at 414-354-7566.

Milwaukee Fire Restoration 101: Methods of Content Cleaning

2/1/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Milwaukee North uses Ultrasonic technology to clean soot from delicate items such as this porcelain figurine.

When a home or business sustains damage from a fire, much of its contents can often be saved and restored.  The experienced professionals at SERVPRO of Milwaukee North are trained in multiple methods and technologies which can be used to restore your belongings. The following are specific systems and methods available at our facility. 

ULTRASONIC CLEANING

Ultrasonic technology uses a spectrum of sound frequencies, water, and cleaning solutions to remove debris and soot from non-porous items.  These frequencies range from 20,000-100,000 cycles per second, with various frequencies performing separate applications.  Lower frequencies can be used on sturdier items with heavy soil, and higher frequencies are safer for more delicate items.

ESPORTA WASH SYSTEM

The Esporta Wash System uses hydraulic action to force organic and inorganic contaminants out of items to be cleaned.  Commonly, these items are clothing, linens, and shoes.  The force applied is comparable to the force of waves crashing against a beach.  Esporta restores 90% of soft contents  damaged by odor, soot, grime, mold, and mildew to food-grade clean using sustainable, phosphate-free detergents.  

OZONE CHAMBER

Ozone generation is a process that removes smoke odor molecules by releasing additional oxygen into the air.  While ozone is often used in open air to deodorize a home, there are some safety concerns.  Ozone is most effective when utilized in a controlled environment such as an ozone chamber.  Contents and furniture that cannot fit into either the Ultrasonic system or Esporta are first cleaned by hand and then often placed into an ozone chamber to remove any lingering odors of smoke by eliminating the microorganisms that cause them.  Our dedicated ozone chamber is utilized for items with stubborn embedded odors that would otherwise be impossible to remove.  

SERVPRO of Milwaukee North is an industry leader in fire restoration.  We have the technology needed to restore your home and belongings to their original state, reducing the amount of personal or sentimental items that would otherwise be unsalvageable.  We are here to help and here to answer your questions 24/7/365.  Give us a call at 414-354-7566.

Preventing Water Damage from Frozen Pipes in Your Milwaukee County Home

1/5/2023 (Permalink)

Frozen pipes are one of the biggest risks of property damage when the temperatures drop.

When temperatures dip during the winter, frozen pipes could be a concern for your home – but there are ways to prevent your property from disaster.  Here are some helpful facts from the American Red Cross:

To Prevent Frozen Pipes

• Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
• When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.
• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
• If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.

To Thaw Frozen Pipes

• If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.
• Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.
• Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.
• Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you can not thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
• Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.

In the event you suffer water damage from frozen plumbing fixtures or ice damming, SERVPRO of Milwaukee North is here to help 24/7/365 at 414-354-7566.

A Happy Customer in New Berlin, WI

12/15/2022 (Permalink)

There is no greater compliment here at SERVPRO of Milwaukee North than a 5 star recommendation from one of our customers!

At SERVPRO of Milwaukee North, great customer service is of the utmost importance to us.  We work hard to train our emergency personnel to exhibit excellent customer service. When one of our customers is experiencing a water damage or fire damage emergency, we want to be there to help them recover their home or business to preloss condition with as little disruption as possible. 

One such example of this comes from a Google review written by a customer in New Berlin WI who experienced damage in their home. Paul D. wrote:

"Judson and his SERVPRO Team were very professional, responsive, and diligent with their Water Damage Cleanup at our house. He gave us timelines of when each part of the project would be completed, He worked closely with our insurance claims adjuster to make sure communication between all of us was seamless. During the wood refinishing stage, when we couldn't walk on our floors. We knew by Judson's timetable, exactly what nights we were going to be spending in a hotel, and what nights our dog was going to be spending at a dog sitter. After our project was completed, they even had a professional cleaning crew come in and clean any part of our house (floors, nearby carpet, windows, cabinets) that were in the vicinity of the water damaged area. I would absolutely recommend Judson and his SERVPRO Team to anyone who needs this type of help."

Here at SERVPRO of Milwaukee North, there is nothing that makes us prouder than knowing our customers are satisfied with a job well done.  We are here for your emergencies 24/7/365. Give us a call for help at 414-354-7566.

Milwaukee Fire Restoration 101: Structure Cleaning Methods

12/5/2022 (Permalink)

Our trained professionals use specialized methods to ensure that your home is restored completely from soot residue and odors.

In a study of 2018 fire activity published by the National Fire Protection Association, it is estimated that property owners experienced over $11 billion in fire losses across nearly half a million structures.  All of these events are unique in circumstance and severity.  Before a structure cleaning can begin, it is important to understand the cause and type of the fire as well as the materials affected.   The professionals at SERVPRO of Milwaukee North are experienced in these scenarios and have the training necessary to restore your property fully to its pre-fire condition.

Here are some types of fires and subsequent methods of cleaning:

High Oxygen

High oxygen fires create a dry soot residue, so they are cleaned by first using a dry chemical sponge method.  Introducing moisture to a dry soot environment can further lodge the soot into building materials, so removing as much soot as possible before wet cleaning with a low-alkaline detergent and rinsing is crucial.

Low Oxygen

Due to the wet soot this type of fire causes, it must be cleaned with a wet method.  We use a high-alkaline detergent to wash walls and structural components. 

Kitchen/Grease

Often the most difficult fire to clean, kitchen fires present a soot residue that is often harder to detect.  Cabinets, drawers, appliances, etc. must often be removed for full access to all residue so that it may be properly removed to eliminate lingering odors.

Remember that SERVPRO of Milwaukee North is available 24/7/365 to restore your home or business after damage from fire.  Our professionals are highly trained and experienced in this type of cleaning, and will work hard to take the worry out of your restoration process.  Call us today at 414-354-7566.