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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived General Blog Posts

Spring is almost here!

3/15/2022 (Permalink)

First signs of spring are here!   We have seen robins and the first spring flowers popping through the ground.  It's time to step outside and breathe in the fresh springtime air.   This is a great time to get your house ready for spring and repair any of winter's marks.   It's also a great time to check out your house and get it ready for April Showers.   The April rain storms can cause flooding in yards and basements.   A few tips from SERVPRO of White Plains to help keep the showers out of your showers.

Clean up any debris in your yard, branches etc.

Clean your gutters and redirect drain pipes that the heavy snow may have moved or damaged.

Clear debris away from the side of your house and check basement windows for sealing and cracking.

Keep an eye on the weather.  The spring storms have become a bit nastier over the years and being prepared is always a plus.

If you do end up with any rain water (or any other kind of water) in your basement, call SERVPRO of White Plains at 914.684.1560  We work to make it  "Like it never even happened."

PROTECT YOUR PIPES FROM FREEZING

2/7/2022 (Permalink)

Protect your Pipes from Freezing 

It’s that time of year again.  Old Man Winter is upon us and the long cold days of January and February are upon us.   This year we are facing freezing temperatures here in the Northeast and with these temperatures come the danger of freezing pipes in your home.  While we can’t do anything about the weather, we can offer a few tips to prevent your pipes from freezing and potentially cracking which of course can lead to flooding in your home.  The headache from having a pipe burst and flood your home is not something anyone ever needs to deal with anytime of year.    

All pipes are at a potential risk.   It’s not just the pipes in areas that are not usually heated, such as basements, garages, attics and crawl spaces, but also pipes on exterior walls, underneath bathroom or kitchen sinks.  

Here are a few tips that we have picked up from some experts when the temperatures outside are below frigid 

Insulate your pipes- you can purchase insulation for pipes very inexpensively at your local hardware store or big box store.    You can use pipe insulation on any pipe.   

Keep your garage door closed – Often water supply lines are in the garage, insulate these and keep the door closed 

Allow a little bit of water to drip from the faucet, a small amount of water trickling through a faucet can help prevent freezing pipes 

Keep the temperature in your house consistent.   Maintain same day and night temperature in your house. 

Keep cabinet doors opened in your kitchen and bathroom to allow the warm air to envelope the pipes exposed under your sink or where there are exposed pipes. 

Taking precautions is your best bet! If however, you have a pipe freeze and burst, turn off the main water, call a plumber to fix the pipe, then call us. Keep us in your contact. SERVPRO of White Plains 914.684.1560. We are 24/7 Emergency Service and strive to make it “Like it never even happened.”

What Goes Up Must Come Down

12/27/2021 (Permalink)

What goes up must come down.     

Sadly, it’s time to start thinking about taking down the Christmas Tree.  Deep in tradition, the tree de-decorating, takes place on the twelfth night after Christmas or Jan. 5th.  Historically, it signifies the end of Christmas and was celebrated by the Victorians with games, music and cake. 

Nowadays, it is often a matter of convenience and safety as well. 

If your tree has stopped drinking water and the needles are falling off like a bad set of false eyelashes, then it’s time to kick that tree to the curb!   

Most local municipalities will pick up your tree sans lights and decorations, and will mulch it to be spread around your community.   

Here are a few tips on when the tree should come down and the best ways to do so 

  1. If the tree is drying out, unplug the lights and move it away from any heating source or electrical outlet 
  1. Remove all lights and ornaments.  Grab a tarp or and old sheet and wrap it or drag it out  to prevent those needles from going everywhere!  We’ve all found a needle months later and wondered how it got there!. 
  1. How many treasured ornaments didn’t make it on your tree this year because they were broken?   Finding the time before Christmas to repair them is just about impossible.   Repair them now, before wrapping and storing away, to ensure they will be happily swinging from a small branch next year. 
  1. Try to sweep the needles away, many vacuum cleaners don’t do well with pine needles.  
  1. Take batteries out of flameless candles, lights and other ornaments for storage. Extreme temperatures can cause the batteries to corrode,  potentially damaging your treasure 

Finally, take many pictures!  The memories you created this holiday season, will sustain until it’s time to do it all again next year.