Recent Posts

Winter Weather

12/7/2023 (Permalink)

Snowflake and says ' Minnesota Winter is Near'. We are available 24/7/365, and here to help you! We can be reached at (320) 248-5400!

Damages

When the cold winter weather gets more extreme, so do the damages and disasters. That is why it is important for all homeowners to be prepared in the event of any damages or disasters. SERVPRO of St. Cloud is always here for you, and here to help.

We Are Here To Help You

In the cold winter weather, emergency restoration needs to be a priority to all homeowners. SERVPRO of St. Cloud is a local company that has been in the business for several years, as well as the construction business. All of these expertises will be shown through the quality of work that will be conducted in your home by SERVPRO of St. Cloud. Our crew is always ready to help you and our community in any time of need.

Contact SERVPRO of St. Cloud!

If you are to experience any damages or disasters from the cold winter weather, call your local restoration crew at SERVPRO of St. Cloud. We are available 24/7/365, and here to help you! We can be reached at (320) 248-5400!

How To Test Your Smoke Detector & Fire Alarm

12/7/2023 (Permalink)

Says 'smoke detector and fire alarm' and a picture of one. If an event does occur, SERVPRO of St. Cloud will be ready to help! We are available 24/7! Reach us at (320) 248-5400!

Important To Keep Family Safe

Testing smoke detectors and fire alarms is one of the most important items to help keep your family safe. They are meant to be early warning devices to alert your family of a fire or dangerous smoke. To ensure proper function, these items need to be tested periodically.

Why Do it?

Electronic devices can have batteries that die and other parts that the wear out overtime. By testing them periodically and replacing the batteries, it will help to ensure that your family will have those warning devices in place.

How Often?

U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), suggest that smoke detectors be tested at least once a month and batteries should be replaced at least once or twice a year.

Two Types of Smoke Detectors-

Battery-powered: This type can be susceptible to worn-out or defective batteries.

Hardwired: This type is powered by your home’s electrical system, but typically has back up batteries.

Tip Time: Change your batteries when you change your clocks for daylight savings time – when you spring forward and fall back!

How Do You Test It?

Check the manufacturer’s instructions for the proper method of testing your smoke detector and fire alarm.

Step 1: Alert family members and friends that you will be testing the alarm.

Step 2: Press and hold the test button on the smoke detector. You should hear a loud siren noise, this may take a few seconds. If it is weak or nonexistent, you should replace the batteries. Also, make sure that the smoke detector is clean.

All information and steps above are to help prevent matters from occurring, not a guarantee.

If an event does occur, SERVPRO of St. Cloud will be ready to help! We are available 24/7! Reach us at (320) 248-5400!

Potential Causes of Damages in Commercial Buildings

11/6/2023 (Permalink)

Commercial buildings and says 'Commercial Damages'. Contact our crew 24/7 at (320) 248-5400!

Commercial Water Damage  

SERVPRO of St. Cloud specializes in water damage whether it be in a residential or commercial building. They specialize in both residential and commercial buildings because water damage can be experienced in both types of buildings. Our crew at SERVPRO of St. Cloud will work in a fast and efficient manner to make the process go as smooth as possible. We understand that time is an important fact when it comes to water damage. Whether it be standing water or a flood. 

Understanding the factors that can cause water damage can be helpful in certain instances when dealing with the damage. Here are some causing factors:

1. Frozen Pipes

Temperatures are known to fall in Minnesota for a handful of months. Throughout this time, there are chances for frozen pipes. When the pipes freeze it causes the water inside to expand as it turns into ice, which can cause the pipe to burst. 

2. Corroded Pipes

Most corroded pipes occur due to the high levels of oxygen that they are exposed to. This is a very common occurrence which is why it is known as the second largest leading cause of damaged pipes. These damaged pipes can then lead to water damage. 

3. Sewage Back - Up

There are three common causes of sewage back - up that can occur in one’s commercial building. The three common causes are blockage, clogs, and broken lines. All of these can cause water coming up or being pushed into your building. 

4. Leaking Roof 

Roofs can begin leaking due to a large amount of causes. Some of the causes that the leak can be from are hail damage, clogged gutters, broken/missing shingles, and soffit damage. These are some common causes, but there a number of different causes.

If your residential or commercial building is to experience any water, fire, or mold damage contact SERVPRO of St. Cloud at (320) 248-5400!

Contact our crew 24/7 at (320) 248-5400!

Winter is Near

11/6/2023 (Permalink)

Snowflake and says ' Minnesota Winter is Near'. If you suffer any damage from a frozen pipe, contact the crew at SERVPRO of St. Cloud! Reach us at (320) 248 - 5400!

Chilly Minnesota Weather

Winter has been making its return to Minnesota. With colder temperatures and the buckets of snow that the Minnesota winter season can bring, one needs to be prepared for what could happen. These types of conditions can lead to a chance of frozen pipes throughout the winter season. This occurs when the frozen water in pipes starts to build pressure between the ice blockage and the closed faucet at the end of a pipe. Due to this type of pressure, it can lead to pipes bursting near their weak points.

To keep water in the pipes from freezing try taking these following precautions:

  • Fit exposed pipes with insulation sleeves or wrapping to slow the heat transfer
  • Seal cracks and holes in outside walls and foundations near water pipe with caulking
  • Keep cabinet doors open during cold spells to allow warm air to circulate around pipes
  • Keep a slow trickle of water flowing through faucets connected to pipes that run through any unheated or unprotected space
  • Drain the water system especially if your house will be unattended during cold periods
  • Keep house heated even when gone for periods at a time

These precautions cannot guarantee that the pipes in the house will not freeze over, but taking these steps will help prevent it.

If you suffer any damage from a frozen pipe, contact the crew at SERVPRO of St. Cloud! We are available 24 hours a day at and are here to help. Reach us at (320) 248 - 5400!

5 Frequently Asked Questions

10/9/2023 (Permalink)

Water and says 'Water Damage'. Experience water damage? Contact our crew at (320) 248 – 5400!
  1. What causes water damage?

Water damage can occur from natural disasters, pipe bursts, appliance malfunctions, roof leaks, foundations leaks, septic tank overflows, poor drainage and the list continues.  Flash flooding, pipe bursts, and sewage backups are especially dangerous as they can produce several inches of water in less than a day. 

  1. Why can water damage be dangerous?

Floodwater that comes from outside and from sewage backups can contain dangerous contaminants such as viruses and bacteria.  If the water is not drained within 24-48 hours, structural damage and mold growth can occur.

  1. What should I do after a flood, sewage, or water leak?

Contacting a professionally trained company, SERVPRO of St. Cloud, is one of the first steps. Waiting to complete this step can cause irredeemable and mold damage to the wood, walls, and carpet.

  1. How do the certified technicians handle water damage?

SERVPRO of St. Cloud wants to be sure to answer all questions in hopes to help put your mind more at ease. The crew will then determine which items can be restored. If items cannot be restored, they will be removed. The drying out and disinfecting of all areas will then begin.

  1. Will my homeowner’s insurance cover water damage?

It is important to notify your insurance company to determine your insurance coverage. The crew at SERVPRO of St. Cloud will work with your insurance company to help meet your needs. 

Experience water damage? Contact our crew at (320) 248 – 5400!

Importance of Time

10/9/2023 (Permalink)

White and black clock and says 'Importance of Time'. Contact SERVPRO of St. Cloud at (320) 248-5400.

Water Damage

Many home and business owners don’t realize the time factor when dealing with water damage. After the initial damage, water invades and creeps into the home structure as time progresses. With each minute that passes, the water may affect carpet padding, the walls, hardwood floors, and even grout lines in tiles. Unattended water damage in the ceiling is even more damaging because this can lead to the collapse of the ceiling.

Aside from structural damage, water damage can lead to serious problems like poor air quality, growth of mold and mildew, humid atmosphere, and an unpleasant smell that permeates walls, floors, and ceilings. These conditions result in health effects. More than that, when water sits for a long time, total reconstruction is often the only option left for homeowners and business owners.

In order to avoid further problems, it is important that you act quickly on a water damage problem and control the environment within the affected home or building.

Call in a Water Damage Expert

The first thing you need to do is to call in a water damage restoration expert to do assessment of the affected area. SERVPRO of St. Cloud can fully determine the extent of the damage. After the inspection and assessment, we can develop a comprehensive restoration plan. The plan shall include determining which items are worthy of restoration.

Control the Home or Building Indoor Environment

As water damage results in poor indoor environment, it is very important that you attend to this problem to avoid health effects. You can limit the bad effects of water damage through controlling temperature, airflow, and relative humidity. An effective way to control these conditions, high moisture environment in particular, is to use damage restoration drying equipment like air movers and dehumidifiers.

Drying the structure using drying equipment often eliminates the necessity of replacing walls, carpet, hardwood floor, and other affected area, which can be expensive. More importantly, you remove the bad odor and stain caused by mold and mildew. If drying the structure is not properly done, these problems will come back after few weeks.

Should your home or business suffer water damage as a result of a toilet leak, dishwasher leak, sump pump backup or from any other source, please contact SERVPRO of St. Cloud at (320) 248-5400. 

We are available 24/7 and always here to help!

Smoke Alarms

10/9/2023 (Permalink)

Flames and says 'SERVPRO'. If you are ever to experience a fire, contact our crew at SERVPRO of St. Cloud. We are here to help you through every step of the process.

Fire damage? Contact SERVPRO of St. Cloud!

When a fire is occurring, the smoke begins to expand and travel rapidly throughout the area. The rapid travel of the smoke causes the smoke alarms to go off. The smoke alarms are an early warning sign to everyone near the fire that they need to evacuate the area. 

Important Safety Tips:

Install smoke alarms in every room, outside all sleeping areas, and on all levels.

Have the appropriate amount of smoke alarms for your size area.

Interconnected smoke alarms are recommended.

Test all alarms once a month. 

Smoke alarms should be placed in a high area, it is recommended they go on the ceiling. 

They have strobe lights or bed shaker alarms for one's that are hard of hearing or deaf. 

Replace all alarms after ten years. 

Interesting Facts:

Closed doors may slow the spread of heat, smoke, and fire. 

Roughly 3 out of 5 fire deaths happen in homes that have no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. 

Fire extinguishers are often used to control fires by discharging water, foams, carbon dioxide, dry chemicals or other substances.

All of the above are recommendations and cannot guarantee. 

If you are ever to experience a fire, contact our crew at SERVPRO of St. Cloud. We are here to help you through every step of the process.

Our crew can be reached at (320) 248-5400!

We are available 24/7!

Fire Damage Tips!

6/14/2023 (Permalink)

Fire Damage SERVPRO your local fire experts

Fire Damage

Fire damage is something not to take lightly. People call SERVPRO of St. Cloud frequently to ask for advice on how to clean after a fire. Here are four of the best tips we give people who ask about fire damage restoration. 

Consider whether you want to try these ideas on your own or whether you would be better off hiring highly trained restoration specialists who will guarantee their work.

1. Remove Smoke Damage

With any fire you will have a degree of smoke damage to your walls, wall paper and paint. If the smoke damage is not too serious, you should be able to scrub it clean with detergents and bleach. Soot from smoke damage is greasy, so always try to dust as much of it off from a surface before trying to scrub the surface clean. 

2. Get Rid of Mold & Mildew

When the fire is gone, mold and mildew enter into houses as a result of the water used to extinguish the fire. SERVPRO of St. Cloud highly recommends you hire fire damage restoration professionals to deal with mold and mildew. It is difficult for a nonprofessional to know for certain if he has cleaned up all the areas affected by the mold and mildew. 

3. Replace Carpets. Clean And Dry Your Floors

The floors and carpets end up absorbing the worst of the damage from all the water used to put out a fire. Depending on the severity SERVPRO of St. Cloud recommends that you pull up any carpets that have water damage and replace them.

Keep in mind that water can seep underneath vinyl flooring and into the cracks in hardwood. This needs to be addressed to prevent future issues.

4. Scrub, Soak & Cleaning Dishes

Dishes are also important items to clean thoroughly after a fire because they will be in contact with your food. Scrub all dishes, let them soak in a solution of bleach and water (2 tablespoons of bleach per gallon) for at least 20 minutes and scrub some more for safety. Some items may need to be thrown out.

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of St. Cloud has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, chemical cleanup and natural disaster cleanup.

SERVPRO of St. Cloud is available for all fire damage needs! Call (320) 248-5400!

Stay Ahead of the Game

12/12/2022 (Permalink)

Flooded basement and says stay ahead of the game. If you experience any water damage, contact SERVPRO of St. Cloud at (320) 248-5400! We are available 24/7, and here to help YOU!

Water Loss & Damage

With all the rainy storms we get in Minnesota, one should always be one step ahead of the game to prepare for any amount of rain or melting snow. If one does not have the proper set up around their home, it could lead to water damage.

An example of a set up that can be in place to help avoid water damage is a drain tile system. While some homes may never have need for a drain tile system, it is a good feature to have since you never know when a period of heavy rain or rapid snow melt might cause catastrophic water damage in your basement or crawl space.

SERVPRO of St. Cloud understands that water damage to your home may not just be a disruption in your life, but if not treated properly, can cause lingering effects. Lingering effects can be created from untreated mold damage.

SERVPRO of St. Cloud has trained employees to address the water damage that has occurred. We determine the source of loss, clean up the immediate damage, and assess if materials can be saved. It is our goal to restore your home by drying out the materials.  If not, we are able to remove the affected materials such as flooring or drywall. As we have over 20 years of construction experience, that expertise is carried on in the job at your home.

If you experience any water damage, contact SERVPRO of St. Cloud at (320) 248-5400! We are available 24/7, and here to help YOU!

Interesting Fire Facts

12/12/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage in a home. Fire, water, or mold damage? Reach us 24/7 on (320) 248 - 5400!

Fire Damage Can Occur in 30 Seconds

Combustion or burning, in which substances combine chemically with oxygen from the air and typically give out bright light, heat, and smoke is known as a fire. Fires can occur in homes and outdoors, due to many causes.

Some interesting facts:

  1. There is a house fire every ten seconds in the U.S.
  2. Home fires can spread in as little as thirty seconds
  3. Cooking is the leading cause of house fires
  4. More than 15,000 fires a year are started by clothes dryers
  5. 21% of fires are caused by arson

It is very important that if there is ever a fire GET OUT, STAY OUT, and CALL FOR HELP! 

Fires can cause severe damage; it is important to practice safe steps when preparing for a potential fire.

If you ever are presented with fire damage, call SERVPRO of St. Cloud at (320) 248 - 5400. Our crew will be there in a timely manner to help!

Fire, water, or mold damage? Reach us 24/7 on (320) 248 - 5400!