Archived General Blog Posts
Stay Prepared for Anything: Create an Emergency Plan for Your Family | SERVPRO of Westfield
10/2/2024 (Permalink)
Use these helpful tips from SERVPRO of Westfield to assemble an emergency kit to keep your family safe when disaster strikes.
In our part of Texas, natural disasters can strike at any time, from intense thunderstorms to flash floods and even hurricanes. Protecting your home and family means being prepared for anything. Having an emergency plan in place is essential, and it’s something you can easily create with your family.
Why an Emergency Plan is ImportantWestfield, like much of Texas, is vulnerable to several types of natural disasters. Severe thunderstorms can bring heavy rain, damaging winds, and the risk of flooding. Hurricanes from the Gulf of Mexico can also impact the area, bringing widespread damage and disruption. Tornadoes, though less common, are still possible, and their unpredictable nature makes preparedness crucial.
By creating a solid emergency plan, you and your family can respond quickly and safely, no matter the type of disaster. SERVPRO of Westfield encourages families to make preparation a priority, ensuring you know how to react when severe weather hits.
Steps to Create an Emergency Plan1. Identify the RisksStart by understanding the natural disasters most likely to affect your area. In Westfield, TX, thunderstorms, flooding, and hurricanes are top concerns. Research these risks and discuss them with your family to ensure everyone understands the dangers and how to stay safe.
2. Assign Roles and ResponsibilitiesEnsure each family member knows their role during an emergency. Assign tasks like gathering emergency supplies, taking care of pets, or ensuring all doors and windows are secure. Everyone should know how to shut off the electricity and water in case of flooding.
3. Create a Communication PlanDuring a disaster, cell networks may be unreliable. Create a communication plan that includes alternative ways to contact each other, such as through a designated family meeting spot or an out-of-town relative who can relay messages.
4. Prepare an Emergency KitPrepare an emergency kit with essential supplies such as water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, and important documents. Be sure to include items specific to your family’s needs, like pet food or baby supplies.
Practice Your Plan RegularlyAn emergency plan is only effective if everyone knows it well. Practice your emergency plan at least once a year, making updates as your family’s needs change. This ensures that everyone remains familiar with their roles and can respond quickly in an actual emergency.
When a disaster strikes, you want to be ready. SERVPRO of Westfield is Here to Help® you recover quickly after the storm passes. Taking time to create and practice an emergency plan is a smart, proactive step toward protecting your loved ones.
For more expert advice and services on disaster recovery, visit SERVPRO of Westfield today!
Preferred Vs Non-Preferred Vendor
5/18/2020 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Westfield is a preferred vender for most insurance companies. We have been on some programs for over 16 years.
I have heard people say you don't want to use a program vendor. That preferred vendors only do the bare minimum and they only do what the insurance company says to do. Those are not true statements.
As a trusted vendor for many carriers if I can justify something they will pay for it on any covered claim. In 18 years I have never had an insurance company or home owner come back to me for something that was not justified.
Insurance companies want you to renew your policy. They know you need to been taken care of. They only want good qualified companies representing them as a preferred vendor. Price is not the insurance companies number one motive.
Would you consider going out of network on your health insurance? Probably not, simply because the carrier may not or will not pay for your doctor visit. I am not suggesting your carrier won't cover your claim because you don't use a program vendor, but you may run into challenges if a non program company does something your carrier doesn't approve of. As a trusted vendor I can get approvals on questionable concerns very quickly.
Water Damage, Fire or smoke, a preferred vendor really can make the claim process go much smoother.
IICRC Certified Firm
5/14/2020 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Westfield is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.
IICRC Certified Firms must
• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.
• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.
• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.
• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.
• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.
The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry
The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.
Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.
About SERVPRO of Westfield
SERVPRO of Westfield specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.
Housewarming Tips For The Winter Months
12/19/2018 (Permalink)
In Houston, we are used to having really hot summers. But our winters can get pretty frosty at times too. Most of us don’t really know how to properly maintain a comfortable temperature in our homes.
6 Mistakes to Avoid While Heating Your House This Winter
Six mistakes homeowners commonly make when heating their homes can possibly help you avoid these pitfalls in the coming months, to not work your thermostats overtime or possibly incur high heating costs:
- Turning Up a Thermostat Too High to Quickly Heat a Cold House
When coming home to a cold house, it might be tempting to turn the heater up into the 80s to try to heat it faster. But thermostats don’t work like an accelerator on a car, turning the heat up to blistering levels won’t warm your home faster. Allow the time that’s needed to build up to comfort, it may save you money.
- Turning the Thermostat Way Down at Night
It’s best to avoid extremes with your thermostat. If you let the temperature in your house fall dramatically overnight, it’s going to require a lot of work from your heating system to warm the home in the morning. That could really cost you more than you want to pay.
- Overworking a Thermostat That Has Its Limits
If you want the house to be 70 degrees and your thermostat is only reaching 66 degrees, turning the thermostat up to 74 degrees in an attempt to make up the difference could be a huge mistake. The furnace could be forced to work beyond its capability. Instead, find out what’s causing the problem and fix it. Heat could be escaping somewhere in your home, or you may need to replace a faulty furnace.
- Heating an Empty House
In this day and age of modern day technology, controlling everything from a phone app, one of the easiest ways to save money is to install a system that can be adjusted remotely. Heating an empty home is one of the easiest ways to waste money, so a programmable thermostat can save hundreds of dollars every year. Giving your thermostat a break every day – but don’t overdo it.
- Leaving Curtains Closed on Sunny Days
While your home is vacant, open the curtains to allow as much heating sunlight into your dwelling as possible. Solar warmth can go a long way not only in heating a house, but also in helping to give the furnace a break during the warmest hours of the day.
BONUS TIP: Keep all windows clean. Dusty, dirty windows don’t allow as much sunlight into your home, which could cost you valuable heating power.
- Not Locking Your Windows
In the summer, it’s common for homeowners to have a constant tango between opening the windows and keeping them closed to let the air conditioner do the hard work of keeping a home cool. Before the cold season, take the time to ensure all windows are locked and sealed to keep warm air from escaping.
Call SERVPRO of Westfield (281) 907-0018.
http://www.SERVPROwestfield.com
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Extending The Life Of A Candle
6/25/2018 (Permalink)
Tips to extend the life of your candle for smell or survival.
We burn candles for a variety of reasons, whether for the aroma or to light the home due to a power outage. Did you know that you could actually assist them in burning longer?
Tip 1: Freeze your candle. Yes, put it in the freezer! By doing so, you are hardening the wax, which makes it melt more slowly and therefore last longer. It may not be feasible to store all of your candles in your freezer, so simply slip your next-up-to-burn candle into the freezer on the morning or night before you’re planning to light it.
Tip 2: After letting the candle burn long enough for a pool of wax to collect around the wick, blow out the flame. Then, quickly sprinkle table salt into the liquid wax. If necessary, use a toothpick to ensure that the salt actually mixes into the wax and doesn’t just sit on the surface. Then re-light the candle. Adding salt serves the same purpose as putting the candle in the freezer—it slows down the rate at which the wax melts, giving you a longer, more economical burn. What matters most is how long you let the candle burn the first time you light it. Try not to extinguish it until the pool of wax has extended across the diameter of the candle. Blow it out too soon, and you may cause the candle to leave excess wax; if it doesn’t melt on the first lighting, the dry, hard wax around the outside edge will almost never burn.
Tip 3: It can also be helpful to keep the candle wick trimmed to about a quarter inch in length, because longer wicks tend to burn faster. Leftover wax is a sign that the candle didn’t burn to its full potential. To get the most bang for your buck, make sure that the candle burns both evenly and completely. Finally, remember not to leave the candle near a door or window or in any similarly drafty spot; not only is such a location unsafe, but it can also result in uneven burning.
Our Highly Trained Restoration Specialists can restore your Houston Home
5/25/2016 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Westfield is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.
IICRC Certified Firms must
• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.
• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.
• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.
• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.
• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.
The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry
The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.
Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.
About SERVPRO of Westfield
SERVPRO of Westfield specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.
Certifications
- WRT - Water Damage Restoration Technician
- CDS - Commercial Drying Specialist
- IICRC Certified Firm
- SRT - Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician
- ASD - Applied Structural Drying Technician
- CCT - Carpet Cleaning Technician
- HST - Health and safety Technician
- OSHA - 10-hour General and/or Construction Industry Training Program
- ECTP - Employee Certification Training Program
- OSHA - Other Training
- RRRP - Lead-Based Paint Activities and Renovation
For Immediate Service, Call SERVPRO of Westfield in Houston, TX
3/7/2016 (Permalink)
Houston and Spring residents: We provide fast service day or night!
SERVPRO of Westfield provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster in Houston and Spring, TX. We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.
- 24-Hour Emergency Service
- Faster to Any-Sized Disaster
- Highly Trained Restoration Technicians
- A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
- Locally Owned and Operated
- Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment
Have Questions? Call Us Today – (281) 907-0018
Residential Services
Whether your Houston and/or Spring home needs emergency flood damage or your upholstery cleaned, you can depend on us. Our technicians have extensive cleaning and restoration training and can make your property look its best. Learn more about our residential services:
- Water Damage Restoration
- Fire Damage Restoration
- Mold Remediation
- Storm Damage Restoration
- Cleaning Services
- Building/Reconstruction Services
Commercial Services
There's never a convenient time for fire or Water damage to strike your Houston or Spring commercial property. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services we has the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business. Learn more about our commercial services:
- Commercial Water Damage Restoration
- Commercial Fire Damage Restoration
24/7 Emergency Service
