Fall Home Maintenance: Prepare Your Property for Winter

9/17/2024 (Permalink)

A man and a women standing outside a home with a SERVPRO vehicle in the background. He is in a black shirt and she is wearing a orange shirt.

As temperatures drop and leaves begin to fall, it's essential to prepare your home for the upcoming winter months. While spring cleaning often gets the spotlight, fall is just as critical for preventative maintenance. By integrating seasonal upkeep into your routine, you can address potential hazards and fortify your property to handle whatever Mother Nature throws your way.

At SERVPRO of Milwaukee North, we specialize in helping homeowners protect their properties from fire, water, and storm damage. By following these fall maintenance tips, you can prevent costly issues before they arise and ensure your home is ready for the winter months ahead:

1. Inspect Your Heating System

Have your heating system cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified technician. Regular maintenance can prevent unexpected breakdowns and ensure your system is running efficiently throughout the winter.

2. Replace Furnace Filters

Make sure to replace your furnace filter according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Clean filters improve air quality and reduce the risk of furnace issues, especially during high-use seasons.

3. Insulate Water Pipes

Water damage from burst pipes is one of the most common winter issues. Insulate any water pipes in unheated areas to prevent freezing and potential water damage.

4. Clean and Inspect Gutters

Clogged gutters can lead to water damage as snow melts. Clear your gutters and downspouts to ensure water flows away from your home properly. Check for damage and make sure they’re securely fastened.

5. Caulk Windows and Doors

Examine caulking around windows and doors for any signs of deterioration. Properly sealed windows and doors help maintain energy efficiency and prevent drafts, which can strain your heating system.

6. Schedule Chimney Cleaning

If you have a fireplace, it’s essential to have your chimney cleaned and inspected by a professional before winter. Creosote buildup can lead to chimney fires, so regular cleaning is key for fire prevention.

7. Clean Dryer Vents

Lint buildup in your dryer vent can pose a fire risk. Clean the dryer exhaust duct and the area behind the dryer to prevent lint from accumulating, which can cause overheating.

8. Check Electrical Outlets

Inspect your home’s electrical outlets for loose plugs or potential overloads. Overloaded outlets can cause electrical fires, so it's essential to distribute power safely.

9. Maintain Fire Extinguishers

Keep a multipurpose fire extinguisher accessible, especially near the kitchen or fireplace. Ensure it’s fully charged and ready for use in case of emergencies.

10. Test Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors are your first line of defense against house fires. Test all smoke detectors monthly and change their batteries at least once a year. Make sure each bedroom and hallway has working smoke detectors, as well as each level of your home, including the basement.

Protecting Your Home from Winter Damage

By taking these preventive steps during the fall, you reduce the risk of damage and the need for emergency repairs when winter hits. From heating system failures to water and fire hazards, SERVPRO of Milwaukee North is here to help when the unexpected happens. If you need professional assistance or emergency restoration services, we're just a call away at 262-250-1101.

New Employee Profile

1/22/2020 (Permalink)

New Employee Announcement!

Meet Stephanie Kirsch she is our newest team member in the office. She is filling the role of Commercial Administrative Assistant and is enjoying a change of pace reentering the workforce after being a Stay-at-Home Mom for the last 8 years. (Which we know is truly a job title to honor!) She has previous experience in Property Management & is becoming a true asset to our Commercial side of the business. Her duties include fielding phone calls, scheduling, logging commercial projects & assisting the Commercial Sales team.

In her free time Stephanie runs a Non-Profit Organization for children with illnesses. She also has true SERVPRO spirit, as she owns an "orange" cat as well as a "green" tortoise.

Help us Welcome her to the SERVPRO family!

Employee Profile - John Szyjewski

10/9/2019 (Permalink)

John Szyjewski is our Commercial Marketing Representative, he is new to our SERVPRO family as of earlier this Spring but has jumped right in & easily become one of our team. On a daily basis, John takes charge of Building Customer Relationships, he is the face of our Mass Marketing Department, Association Events & Company Awareness. Not to mention his new found talent for YouTube as our Master of Web Presence & all things social media!

In his spare time John is a family man with a love for motorcyles & concerts. When not riding or rocking out he can be found running a Non-profit Charity and is well known in WI bridal scene as the Rockin Rev. We are proud at SERVPRO of Milwaukee North to have him on our team!

Storm Safety

9/19/2019 (Permalink)

No matter where you live or work, you will experience severe storms at one time or another. It is important that you are prepared and educated in advance of this so you are best able to handle the circumstance. Whether you live in Tornado Alley, along the coasts, on a fault line, or in fire prone locations, the following is a lists of preparation steps you should take.

• Keep a battery powered radio at your residence
• Have a flashlight accessible
• Unplug electrical appliances from your home when gone for extended periods
• Ensure roof shingles are well secured and nailed down
• Employ a lightning protection system to avoid strikes on your home
• Board up windows and doors in advance of a major storm

These are just a few of many important steps to take to be prepared for a storm. Call SERVPRO of Milwaukee North at (414) 354-7566 with questions regarding storm safety and preparedness.

Springtime Check List

4/26/2019 (Permalink)

Springtime is upon us in Wisconsin. It’s time to start thinking about planting some flowers and getting your lawn mower ready to start the long mowing season. There are lots to look forward to in the Springtime, but there are also lots of things that need to be done to make sure your home is up for the season. Below we cover five things to check in your home to make sure it is free of water damage and mold damage - and ready for Springtime. 

#1 Check Your HVAC System

 As the warm weather approaches, you need to make sure your air conditioner is ready. The first thing to check and most likely replace is the air filter. The air filter catches allergens and reduces the buildup of dust in your home’s air ducts. It would help if you also made sure that there is no standing water or dirty air coils where mold can grow and then be pushed through the air ducts.  

#2 Check Around Your Windows & Doors

 During the winter, water can seep into cracks around your windows and doors and freeze. The frozen water will expand causing tiny cracks to grow to allow more water to enter into your home. Check around the outside and inside of all your windows and doors. Look for cracked or missing caulking. If you find any cracks where water could enter your home, be sure to caulk or seal the holes. 

#3 Check Your Roof for Damage

 When it’s nice out and your roof is dry, if you're comfortable climb up there and do an inspection, or call a qualified specialist to help you. Check to make sure your gutters are clear. Otherwise, water could run over the gutters and cause water to enter through your foundation and into your basement. Also, check to make sure there are no missing shingles. If you have exhaust pipes or chimneys, check around them to make sure they are sealed and there are no signs of cracking. 

#4 Check Attics, Basements and Crawl Spaces for Mold

 As the ground thaws out from the Winter, water will find its way into your crawl spaces and basements. If you have any roof damage, it could seep into your attics. Make sure to check all these areas for any signs of water. This could be standing water or water stains. If your basement or crawl space smells musty, then you may want to get a dehumidifier to remove the excess moisture from the area before it leads to mold growth. If you do find mold growth or water that you can’t remove, then call the professionals at SERVPRO of Milwaukee North to help remediate the mold damage. 

#5 Check Exposed Water Pipes

 If you have water pipes in your basement or crawl space that you can see, make sure to check them for any drips around the joints and connections. During the Winter, these pipes could have frozen causing the plumbing to expand and crack. Even a small drip can lead to extensive water damage and mold growth. It’s also a good idea to check any external faucets for cracks or leaks. If you find any sign of leaks, make sure to have it fixed before it leads to even worse damage. 

Enjoy a Stress-Free Spring

 While you can’t ultimately reduce the risk of water damage to your home, you can lower the risk by following the five steps mentioned above. If you should experience water damage or find mold growth when inspecting your home, contact SERVPRO of Milwaukee North online or call them at (414) 354-7566 to help clean up the damage and restore your home.

Chemical Drain Cleaners: Should You Use Them?

4/17/2019 (Permalink)

Chemical Drain Cleaners

Most people, when dealing with a clogged drain, will go out and purchase a chemical drain cleaner from their local big box store. While this is standard practice, are you actually resolving the issue or compounding it? For more modern homes with updated plumbing, these cleaners may be OK, but for older homes, the chemicals in these cleaners may create more problems.

1. Older Metal Pipes

If a pipe is completely clogged when you pour drain cleaners into the drain, then that cleaner will buildup at the clog and settle in. For newer pipes, this is not a significant issue, but for older metal pipes that are thinner and less resilient, these cleaners can begin to eat away at the metal, breaking it down even more than it was and potentially leading to leaks and breaks.

2. Plastic Pipes

Chemical cleaners help clear a clogged drain through a process that heats the clog, essentially melting any grease or grime so that it flows freely through the pipe. For plastic pipes, this chemical reaction can cause the pipe to melt and deform. Therefore, these types of cleaners should rarely, if ever, be used.

3. Complete Blockage

Again, cleaners are useful in partial blockages, but should not be used in complete blockages. The chemical reaction required to melt away a clog can be damaging to all types of piping. If you suspect that your drain is completely blocked, then use an alternative to chemicals.

4. Alternatives to Chemicals

Chemical cleaners are not your only option for clogs. You can use a drain auger or snake, which is a tool with a cleaning or clearing head attached to a long cable stored in a drum. You push the snake through the drain until you reach the blockage, and then, turning the handle, work your way through the clog. However, if you are more interested in sewage cleaning or have a clog that is especially difficult, you can call a plumbing specialist in the Milwaukee Metropolitan area.

A clogged drain is a nuisance, but chemical cleaners may not be your solution. Consider the age of your home and plumbing materials before using any chemical cleaners.

SERVPRO of Milwaukee North

1/15/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Milwaukee North has over 20 years of experience responding to damage situations and are available 24/7.  We are one of over 1600 franchises nationwide that are locally and independently owned and operated. Local & family owned out of Menomonee Falls, WI, we work hard to restore your property and contents to make it "Like it never even happened." with our great mitigation crews and fantastic rebuild department.

- We rely on our quick response which may help avoid revenue loss for property owners and minimize inconvenience to tenants. 
- Restoration services can help business owners resume normal business functions quickly while avoiding costly construction downtime.
- Professional equipment and industry-approved techniques can save you time and money.
- We work with your insurance for a stress free claims process.
- Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration by SERVPRO corporate and IICRC-industry certification classes. 

Employee Profile - Andy Webber

5/9/2017 (Permalink)

Andy Webber

Andy is one of our Mitigation Project Managers at SERVPRO of Milwaukee North.  Andy is busy daily with inspections, estimates, overseeing jobs, talking with adjusters and customers and driving all around the Milwaukee area attending to all these things.

Andy has 8 years of experience responding to water, fire, mold, and specialty cleaning projects. He has certifications from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification in Water Damage Restoration Technician and Applied Microbial Remediation Technician.  

Andy lives in Slinger and enjoys golfing,  snowboarding, spending time outdoors especially with family including his fiancé and her son.  He especially enjoys braving the elements as a Soccer Parent.  

If you ever need SERVPRO of Milwaukee North and Andy Webber shows up, you are in good hands.  We are proud to have him representing us!

Employee Profile - Christina Schrubbe

4/17/2017 (Permalink)

Christina Schrubbe

Christina is our Production Administrator and one of the wonderful people who might answer your phone call here at SERVPRO of Milwaukee North.  Along with providing great customer service she tackles some very tough and intricate software in her daily activities and always has a willingness to dive in and try new things.  You can always count on her cheerful attitude in the office even when she is filing!

When she is not at work Christina is planning a wedding for 2018, enjoying the outdoors, camping, spending time with her fiancé and son and like most moms is busy with her son's activities.  Maybe included in these activities she is also daydreaming of her next trip to Colorado.  We are very lucky to have Christina!

Employee Profile - Andy Geiger

3/24/2017 (Permalink)

Andy Geiger

Andy is one of our Mitigation Project Managers at SERVPRO of Milwaukee North and logs many miles a day going from jobs to inspections, back to the office and then out again into the field.  If you see a tall, bearded man driving a green SERVPRO Scion, that is Andy!

He has 8 years experience responding to water, fire, mold and specialty cleaning projects.  Andy has recently taken on more responsibilities as Mitigation Project Manager and like always is reliable, hardworking and great with our customers.

Andy hails from scenic Waukesha and in his spare time he dotes on his young daughter, cheers on the Packers, plays video games and finally rescues and adopts bearded dragons from dumpsters.  We are lucky to have Andy!!

Employee Profile - Russ Maki

2/14/2017 (Permalink)

Russ Maki

Russ Maki is one of our Project Managers in our Rebuild Department and has been handling multi-faceted rebuild projects for SERVPRO of Milwaukee North for 3 years.  On a daily basis, Russ is coordinating repair schedules, working with our subs, and consulting homeowners with their selections to replace parts of their home damaged by water or fire.  He builds a great rapport with homeowners by keeping in contact with them, giving them updates on how everything is proceeding and in general just being an even-tempered guy even when dealing with the toughest jobs. 

In his spare time Russ likes to trap shoot, go fishing, play volleyball and ride his motorcycle when Wisconsin weather allows.  We are very lucky to have Russ as a part of our SERVPRO of Milwaukee North team!

Employee Profile: Etta Llanas

1/2/2017 (Permalink)

Etta Llanas

If you call SERVPRO of Milwaukee North with a water loss, fire loss or cleaning need, chances are you will get to talk to Etta at some point.  If you ask Etta about anything that goes on here she will either know or know where to go to get the answer.  She is the go-to for pretty much everyone in the company and tackles everything with a smile, which means she has to work extra hard to get stuff done with all the interruptions!  Whether it be tracking down payments, coordinating schedules, cleaning up files that get dumped on her desk, following up with our people in the field, being on-call (I could go on forever), we are not sure what we would do without Etta!