Recent Posts

Don’t let a wet floor stress you out in Austin & Albert Lea

8/1/2023 (Permalink)

Dealing with damage inside a house can be a real headache. Among the most stressful situations is a residential flood, which can leave you feeling overwhelmed and unsure about what to do next. That's where SERVPRO® of Austin & Albert Lea can help. We're experts in property damage restoration, particularly when it comes to water damage. Here are some steps you should follow if you find yourself dealing with a flooded home or room:

- Check that the floor is stable before walking through the water or wet areas.

- Avoid walking in areas with exposed plugs underwater, as electricity can travel through the water.

- Call SERVPRO of Austin & Albert Lea to help clean up the flooded area.

- Be careful on wet floors, which may be slippery.

Walk slowly to avoid falling and getting injured. Our goal is to make things as easy as possible for homeowners in Austin & Albert Lea and to reduce the stress you may be feeling. If you experience a disaster, don't hesitate to call us at 507-396-6644. Please note that SERVPRO of Austin & Albert Lea is independently owned and operated.

Link: https://www.ready.gov/floods

Tips to Put Out Fires in the Kitchen Safely in Austin & Albert Lea

8/1/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Austin & Albert Lea recognizes that over half of home fires start in the kitchen. Some kitchen fires start out small enough that you might be able to put them out easily. By being proactive, you can save yourself and others from fire and smoke injuries in your Austin & Albert Lea home. 

Remember that fire is fast. If you cannot contain a fire immediately, leave and bring everyone with you. Call 9-1-1 from outside the home.

SERVPRO of Austin & Albert Lea  has these tips to offer for handling a small cooking fire:

    • If the fire is on the stovetop or in a pot, put a lid on the fire to smother the flames. Turn off the burner  
    • If a cloth on the stovetop is on fire, put a lid on the fire to smother the flames.  Turn off any burners  
  • Do not use water on a gas fire or a grease fire. Potlids will smother a fire. You can also use (a lot of) baking soda. Pour a box of baking soda on the fire
  • If the fire is in the oven, turn off the heat. Close the oven door.    

IMPORTANT:

Never leave fire-fighting to chance. SERVPRO of Austin & Albert Lea knows that objects can be replaced.  People and pets cannot.

SERVPRO of Austin & Albert Lea is independently owned and operated. 

Links:

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/ 

https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Top-causes-of-fire

We Repair Storm Damage to Commercial Businesses in Albert Lea

8/1/2023 (Permalink)

Property Damage Happens

Weather can wreak havoc on your home or business at any time. Storms, flash floods, hail, rain, lightning strikes, tornadoes, high winds, snow, and even mudslides can cause damage that can become costly if not mitigated quickly. Austin and Albert Lea residents can rest easy knowing that SERVPRO® of Austin Albert Lea has a team of highly trained technicians ready to respond to your emergency 24 hours a day, seven days a week. From the moment you call, we will be on-site in four hours or less to immediately begin the cleanup and restoration process. We can even help with the insurance paperwork and will follow the entire restoration process through to completion. We offer many restoration services for fire, water, storm, mold, and biohazard damage emergencies to minimize disruption to your business. For instance, some repairs may require offsite storage of equipment and furniture, document drying and restoration, or cleaning, deodorizing, and sanitization services. We are equipped to work on jobs of all sizes including:

  • Small Office Buildings
  • Large Office/High-Rise Office Buildings
  • Apartment Buildings
  • Restaurants
  • Hotel/Motels
  • Small Retail Stores
  • Large Retail/Big-Box Stores
  • High-Rise Residential
  • Manufacturing & Industrial
  • Government/Military

Call Us Today

We take pride in the extraordinary customer service and professionalism we bring to every job, and  SERVPRO® of Austin Albert Lea is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 507-396-6644. We’ll take care of all of your commercial restoration needs in Albert Lea “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO® of Austin Albert/Lea is Independently Owned and Operated.

Highly Trained Technicians in Albert Lea?

8/1/2023 (Permalink)

Highly Trained Property Damage Restoration Technicians

Did you know that our SERVPRO employees are required to undergo a fifteen-day training course at the SERVPRO Corporate Training Facility and pass an exam when they begin working for us? SERVPRO® of Austin Albert Lea wants the residents and commercial business owners of Austin to know that we take pride in our commitment to training education to provide our community with the highest level of service. We also encourage team members to become certified in:

  • Crew Training
  • Fire Restoration
  • Water Restoration
  • Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

E-Learnings and Continuing Education

Our staff can continue their education through web-based training modules we provide that are designed to be self-paced and are followed by a knowledge test at the end of each module. We adhere to guidelines set by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and follow industry standards. We also hold credit and non-credit training sessions open to insurance agents and adjusters and real estate professionals.

Call Us Today

If you find your home or business has experienced water or fire damage, has a mold issue, or if you are in need of deep cleaning and sanitization services outside the scope of a routine janitorial service in Austin, SERVPRO® of Austin Albert Lea wants to help. Call us today at 507-396-6644. We’ll clean and restore your property damage “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO® of Austin Albert/Lea is Independently Owned and Operated.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES

9/26/2022 (Permalink)

The driving force behind SERVPRO Restoration Services is offering quality work and going above and beyond what is expected from our customers.  We rely on our reputation to bring us the work we need to maintain a strong momentum throughout the day, week, month, and year.  When the phone rings, we need to be ready to take on any size disaster, even when the caller is an owner or management at a local business or franchise serving the community, as we do, in their own way. 

                Commercial properties can range in size and extent of damage, and sometimes the work that needs to be performed is not comparable to some residential jobs.  However, there are times when a commercial structure needs all our attention, and sometimes even more.  That is why a SERVPRO franchise needs to have open communication with neighboring franchises and connections to teams structured through the corporate level that are prepared to take on high stakes, high-demand jobs that a locally owned and operated franchise might not have the assets and ability to handle. 

                SERVPRO has designed its services to be open and flexible to take on any task, no matter what size the damage or structure is.  Our franchises in Mason City and Austin and Albert Lea are prepared and have been for quite some time, to take on “the big one” whenever that job appears.  We have connections to a Storm Team, a Large Loss Team, and an Extreme Team that can help get us what we need to produce quality work in a timely fashion at any size disaster.  This is what makes being a SERVPRO franchise better; our commitment to finding a way to address fire, water, sewer backups, mold, and several other losses in a way that will benefit each party involved.  When catastrophe strikes, SERVPRO of Mason City, Austin, and Albert Lea will find a way to get your business or property back to normal and exceed your expectations.  Let us help you in your time of need to make it “Like it never even happened.”  We are just a call away at 507-396-6644. 

SERVPRO of Austin & Albert Lea is independently owned and operated.

Ease your Burden when Disaster Happens in Austin & Albert Lea

7/29/2022 (Permalink)

When disaster strikes…

For many, your home in Austin & Albert Lea represents a lifetime of hard work and a place where roots are important. It is where the family gathers, and where your most endearing and important memories are made. When a disaster strikes; whether it be fire, storm, mold, or other water damage/flooding, it will likely be one of the most traumatic experiences of your life. When these things happen and stress is high call us. Our professionalism and rapid response time, as well as our nonintrusive clean-up and exit, should do much to ease the burden you are bearing. SERVPRO of Austin & Albert Lea really does want to help you carry the load.

…we’ll be there to ease your burden.

Sharing a load to SERVPRO of Austin & Albert Lea means our work makes your situation more bearable. Twenty-four hours a day/seven days a week we are on call with equipment that is up-to-date, and people who are professional and efficient. Our goal is to keep you moving forward with as little worry as possible in Austin & Albert Lea. Please contact us online or at (507) 396-6644.

Austin & Albert Lea Area Businesses Rely On Us for Proactive Cleaning and Sanitization Services!

7/29/2022 (Permalink)

We Are Specialty Trained

We are living in historic times. Keeping our businesses and homes disinfected and sanitized has never been more critical to protecting our health and welfare. SERVPRO® of Austin & Albert Lea wants Austin commercial businesses and homeowners to know that we have the specialty training and years of experience dealing with biological pathogens - including strains of coronavirus similar to the new coronavirus, COVID-19. Our technicians are required to attend initial, demanding training and continuing education courses to stay current on technological advances and industry standards.

We Use EPA-approved Products

The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommends the use of a labeled, EPA-approved, hospital-grade disinfectant with claims for use on organisms similar to COVID-19. The CDC also recommends that all high-touch surfaces be routinely cleaned and disinfected as COVID-19 can remain on surfaces for up to three hours depending on the surface type. 

Call For a Proactive Cleaning Today

When your facility or home requires cleaning and disinfecting outside the scope of a routine janitorial service, we want to help. We are on call 24 hours a day and can be on-site within four hours of your first call to us. SERVPRO® of Austin & Albert Lea is also equipped to respond to any fire or water emergency in Austin. Call us today at 507-396-6644. We’ll take care of all of your emergency cleaning needs “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO® of Austin & Albert Lea is Independently Owned and Operated.

Things to do for Water Damage until Help Arrives in Austin & Albert Lea

7/29/2022 (Permalink)

If your home or business in Austin & Albert Lea has water damage, you can do some things before help arrives.

Make sure that the building or home is safe.

SERVPRO of Austin & Albert Lea Wants You to Remember:

  • Waterlogged materials are very heavy
  • Wet surfaces are slippery
  • Make sure electrical power is off before you handle devices
  • Make sure you are standing in the dry area before you turn on the electric power

SERVPRO of Austin & Albert Lea suggests that you:

  • Remove excess water with mops and/or towels
  • Wipe water from wood furniture or other items
  • Remove wet cushions. Prop them upright to dry
  • Hang up rugs to dry
  • Place foil or blocks between furniture and wet carpeting
  • Turn on dehumidifiers or air-conditioning if it is safe
  • Move colored items from wet carpeting
  • Move artwork to a safe, dry place
  • Move loose items from the floor or counters
  • Start drying items ASAP
  • Remember that mold starts growing within 24 hours
  • Stay away from rooms that have sagging ceilings

If disaster strikes your home, call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 507-396-6644. 

SERVPRO® of Austin & Albert Lea is Independently Owned and Operated.

Links:

www.fema.gov

Smoke Detectors can Save Lives in Austin & Albert Lea

7/29/2022 (Permalink)

Fire spreads fast once it is started so SERVPRO of Austin & Albert Lea wants to remind you that smoke detectors (smoke alarms) can help save lives in your Austin & Albert Lea home. An alarm alerts you that danger is presently giving you time to get out.

SERVPRO of Austin & Albert Lea wants you to remember:

  • Closed doors can slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire.  That is good for reducing smoke damage and fire damage. That is also why you should have a smoke alarm in every sleeping room in the home
  • Install smoke alarms on every level of the home
  • Large homes might need extra smoke alarms
  • Some companies make alarms that are interconnected. When one sounds, they all sound
  • Do not turn off smoke detectors when cooking
  • Test the smoke alarms at least once a month.  There is a test button on the alarm
  • When the alarm sounds, get everyone outside and stay outside
  • Replace all smoke alarms every 10 years

If your Austin & Albert Lea home is not properly protected by a smoke detector, please install one. If you experience a fire, immediately vacate the home and then contact your fire department once you are outside the home. For fire clean-up or for more information please call us at 507-396-6644. 

SERVPRO of Austin & Albert Lea is independently owned and operated. 

Links:

https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Smoke-alarms

https://www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/smoke-alarms/safety-messages-about-smoke-alarms

A force to be reckoned with.

5/10/2022 (Permalink)

Mother nature. She is powerful. It doesn’t matter what you have planned for the day, she calls the shots. With little to no warning, she can bring floods, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, and blizzards. Over the last 5 years, there have been over $742.1 billion in damages. 2021 was a record-breaking year, and there has been an increasing trend in high-cost disasters. The aftermath of catastrophic weather events can be overwhelming. It is important to keep safety in mind. There are many risks involved with attempting to regain access to your property after a major storm event. The property and the surrounding areas have to be deemed safe from downed wires, live electricity, contaminated water, and structural hazards. After safely regaining access to your property, it is important to board up openings and tarp roofs to prevent further damage. Turning off the water in the event an internal water leak is indicated will also help prevent any further internal or structural damages. SERVPRO of Austin and Albert Lea is ready to respond to our community in their time of need, offering emergency storm response services. After SERVPRO is dispatched to your location, we provide a scope of work for your home or business and begin to execute a plan to get your home or business back to preloss condition. We expertly extract excess water using pumps and our extraction equipment. Specialized drying equipment and dehumidification begin to take place to help stabilize the moisture in the environment. We use expert drying science and thorough documentation and monitoring to execute the restoration process quickly and safely, making it “Like it never even happened.”