Recent Posts

Livestock Barn Cleaning

2/20/2024 (Permalink)

Man cleaning turkey barn Is your barn in need of a deep clean? Give SERVPRO a call today!

Did you know we offer livestock barn cleanings? We clean barns across Minnesota and North Dakota, regularly making sure that they are up to standards.

Cleaning a livestock barn is a lot of work! Tackling it on your own can feel daunting. Our crew of professionals can take that stress off your back. When hiring us to clean a livestock barn, we will ensure that your barn will be left clean, safe for the animals, and smelling fresh. Well… as fresh as a barn can smell! Whether you raise cattle, turkeys, swine, or any other type of livestock, we can do it all.

House Fires Can Happen Any Season

2/20/2024 (Permalink)

house fire Follow the safety precautions listed to help avoid a house fire.

It’s officially winter so furnaces are turned on and we are spending more time indoors. Sometimes we forget that winter house fires happen, and sometimes more frequently than other seasons. Each year fires affect around 375,000 homes a year. House fires can be devastating and will cause over 7 billion dollars in damages each year.

Take some time to review these important safety measures to ensure that you are reducing your risk of experiencing a house fire:

  •       Avoid smoking while laying down. Surprisingly enough, people fall asleep while smoking and it is continuously a leading cause of fire related deaths.
  • Unplug appliances that are not in use. Some appliances have automatic features that will keep the appliance on at all times so they can be turned on right away. These appliances should always be unplugged when not in use!
  •  Make sure that nothing is laying on top of power strips.
  • Always unplug hair dryers, curling irons, and flat irons. Make sure these hair tools are always placed on a flat, hard surface. Soft surfaces or cloth can catch fire.
  • Make sure portable heaters are 3 feet away from any object. Portable heaters are the second leading cause of house fires.
  • When cooking food, do not leave the stovetop or oven unattended. Make sure to keep all pot and pan handles facing towards the wall and out of reach from children.
  • Use baking soda to extinguish grease fires, as water will make them spread.
  • Keep batteries in your smoke detectors and test them frequently.

What is a Sump Pump?

3/13/2023 (Permalink)

Sump pump For water damage services, call SERVPRO.

Sump pumps are small pumps that will drive water away from sump basins. There are two different types of sump pumps:

  • Submersible Sump Pump, which is hidden within sump basin
  • Pedestal Sump Pump, which is mounted above floor level and is able to be seen outside the sump basin

They have been around since 1946. In 1987, the U.S. Federal Clean Water Act made sump pumps mandatory in most new builds. Sump pumps help prevent groundwater from entering into a home or building and can also be helpful if you ever experience flooding. 

When groundwater starts building up outside a building’s foundation, it will flow through a drain pipe and into the sump basin. After reaching a certain level, the sump pump will be activated and start working to draw water away from the building. 

Do I Wait to Clean Up Until an Adjuster Comes to Document the Damage?

2/15/2023 (Permalink)

Storm brewing Never forget to document your property damage as soon as possible.

After experiencing storm damage you may wonder, do I wait for an adjuster to come and assess the damage before I can start cleaning up and moving my things?

The answer is NO. 

An insurance adjuster does not need to witness the damage to process a claim, but will require you to document the damage if you decide to begin cleaning up. Take extensive photos and videos, while also listing damaged property and recording their condition and value. 

Adjusters are Likely Busy with Multiple Claims

If your property was affected by a storm, it is likely that neighboring properties are as well. This will result in a number of claims for insurance companies and it may take adjusters awhile to actually follow up on your claim. 

Further Damage Can Happen the Longer You Wait

The longer you allow damage to sit, the worse it can get, especially water damage. If you let the water sit too long it can result in mold issues. Mold damage can emerge between 24 and 48 hours after water or moisture is present. Make sure to take action as soon as possible to avoid this outcome. 

Safety Checks for Commercial Buildings

1/16/2023 (Permalink)

Commercial Building When is the last time you did a safety check for your commercial building?

When owning and operating a commercial building, there are many different safety checks that should be followed monthly. We deal with commercial losses on a regular basis and let us be the first to tell you, it is NOT something you want to go through. Here are a few safety checks you can conduct once a month to lessen your chances of experiencing a large commercial loss:

Smoke Alarms

You may think this is a no brainer, but you would be surprised how many times smoke alarms go months without testing. It is so important to ensure that all of your smoke alarms are working properly, as they could save lives and your commercial building.

Sprinkler Systems

Another important safety check is your building’s sprinkler system. Not only is it important to check to ensure everything is okay in case of a fire, but sprinkler systems can also be a cause of water loss. Always make sure that your sprinkler system is free of any damage or leaking.

Security Cameras

One of the leading causes of property damage from vandalism is lack of security. If your building does not have security cameras, we strongly advise installing them. If you already have cameras, make sure to check them regularly in case of vandalism or break ins.

There are still many other safety checks that you should be conducting, but these are a few we recommend to avoid having to call us. If you do ever need these restoration services, we are always “Here to help”!

Icicles: Pretty, but Dangerous

12/12/2022 (Permalink)

Icicles on house Ice dams can cause great damage to your property if not taken care of properly.

Icicles may look pretty on your house, but despite the dangers of the icicle itself, they are a sign that you have ice dams on your roof. Ice dams are the result of ice build-up on the eaves of sloped roofs. They can cause a number of problems if they are not taken care of properly.

Tips on avoiding ice dams and what to do if they form

  • Avoid ice dams by making sure your roof vents are cleared off regularly.
  • Shovel the roof, or hire a company to remove snow 6-8 feet back from the edge.
  • If you find yourself with an ice dam, call us today to ensure proper removal. Do not try to hammer the ice dam or use salt, this can result in damage to your roof.
  • If the ice dam has caused interior damage to the home, give your insurance agent a call to see if your insurance covers ice dam property damage. Then give us a call and we can make it “Like it never even happened.” 

What Customers Are Saying About SERVPRO of Fargo

10/24/2022 (Permalink)

5 stars Check out what real customers are saying about SERVPRO of Fargo!

We work hard every day to ensure that our customers are getting the highest quality of work in the area. At SERVPRO of Fargo-Moorhead, we want to be the best in the business and most of our customers agree that we are!

Here are some recent testimonials from real customers:

“Mike and his team were responsive to our needs and within 24 hours of the phone call they were at the house. Thanks for the fast response and clean up! Much appreciated. SERVPRO will be promoted to all my friends! Highly recommend Mike and his team.”

                      - Rochelle R. in Fargo, ND

“We experienced an unexpected sump pump failure in our basement last week. Mike Olson and his team with SERVPRO came out and cleaned up the water, removed the carpet pad and dried out the carpet. He also inspected every wall to see if there was water damage and marked any suspicious areas for us to repair. Every SERVPRO worker was courteous, knowledgeable and extremely professional in every aspect of this process. We appreciate Mike and his SERVPRO Team and will not hesitate to contact them again. We highly recommend SERVPRO of Fargo!”

    - Wendy F. in Fargo, ND

“After the dishwasher leaked overnight - SERVPRO came in and quickly assessed the issue. They quickly assigned a team to mitigate water issues upstairs AND downstairs. Staff has been here daily checking on the drying process. If you have a situation like this - don’t wait - call SERVPRO. You will be happy you did!”

                          - Dawn M. in Fargo, ND

Flash Flood Emergency vs. Flash Flood Warning

9/15/2022 (Permalink)

Flood warning sign Do you know the difference between a flash flood warning and flash flood emergency?

Flooding is something the Fargo-Moorhead area knows too well. Have you ever wondered, what is the difference between a flash flood emergency and a flash flood warning? The difference is important to know. Although it is unlikely to experience a flash flood emergency in the midwest, we do experience flash flood warnings.

Flash Flood Emergency

A flash flood emergency is a rare situation in which there is a severe threat to human life and catastrophic damage to the affected area. It should be known that when a flash flood emergency is issued, any person in that threatened area should seek a safe place to shelter and sometimes will be required to evacuate.

Flash Flood Warning

The more commonly known, flash flood warning, is issued when there are dangerous floods happening or will happen soon. This warning lets people in the affected area know that some roads will be flooded, as well as homes and businesses. It is important to NEVER drive through a flooded road during these conditions.



Contaminated Water Categories

9/8/2022 (Permalink)

Overflowing sink Do you know the contaminated water categories?

If you are a home or business owner, you have most likely been affected by some sort of water damage. Depending on the source of the damage, that water may be contaminated and require extra safety precautions. The most common types of water contaminants are:

  • Sewage
  • Food residue
  • Grease or oils
  • Bodily waste
  • Cleaning solutions such as chemicals or bleach

At SERVPRO, we use an expert led system to categorize water. Our team of experts know the correct way to determine the water contamination category by finding out the source, talking with the property owner, and observing the contaminated water.

Category 1: Clean Water

A Category 1 type of water loss is normally caused from a faucet overflow, household appliance malfunction, or broken water supply line. Although typically not harmful, it is important to call your local water restoration company as soon as possible to clean up the damage. If the water sits for too long, the environmental conditions can worsen the water contamination to a Category 2 or 3. 

Category 2: Gray Water

Sources that can cause a Category 2 contamination are broken sump pumps, appliance discharge, or toilet water mixed with urination. Proceed with caution during these water losses. Bacteria and mold growth happen rapidly during this type of a water loss and can quickly turn into a Category 3 if not taken care of in a timely fashion.

Category 3: Black Water

Category 3 is the worst kind of water contamination. This type of contamination is normally sourced from sewage backup containing human or animal waste. It can also be sourced from rivers, streams, and oceans, where bacteria and unsanitary chemicals are often found. Call a water cleanup service immediately after finding this type of water loss!

How to Prepare Your Home for a Storm

8/29/2022 (Permalink)

Stormy skies How do you prepare?

If there is a storm in the forecast, you may want to do some preparing beforehand. Preparing your home before a storm can minimize the risk of damage and reduce chances of needing restoration work. Follow these steps to protect your home:

  • Ensure Doors and Windows are Shut

Before a storm make sure that your windows and doors are shut. If there are any cracks or openings, properly insulate them so that water or debris does not come into the home.

  • Check Exterior of Home

If you have siding that is damaged or weathered, a storm can cause even greater problems for you. Check around the exterior of your home for any holes or cracks. Water could enter the walls through the damaged exterior, causing damage to the inside of a home.

  • Clean Out Your Gutters

Gutters are often overlooked when preparing for a storm. It is so important to make sure that your gutters are clean from debris so that water can drain properly. Backed up water can lead to leaks and damage to the roof and walls of the home.