What SERVPRO Stands For

5/2/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® Team McGinnis supports the communities we live and work in. We are here to help!

Why SERVPRO®?

SERVPRO® stands for many different things, and it makes us very happy to be able to serve our community with all their restoration needs. SERVPRO® works to help people restore their damages and make the restoration process as smooth as possible. We will make your home safe for you and your whole family.
SERVPRO® Team McGinnis is all about serving our community and serving people; we want to be a resource, and to be helpful to others. That is why we do business, and the WHY we do business is the most important thing, in our minds. So, obviously people know what we do, but we want to be out in our Community. We want to be involved and to be there when people need assistance. That is our number one focus, our number one mission: to serve the people of our Community in their time of need and help restore peace of mind.
If you need help restoring damage in your home or business, call SERVPRO® today. We specialize in water, fire, biohazard, mold and so much more. We always want you to be happy with the job we do for you.

Rely on the professionals at SERVPRO® Team McGinnis to make it ”Like it never even happened.” If you have any questions please call 541-745-2097

Fire Risks at Work

5/2/2024 (Permalink)

Paying attention to your surroundings can help reduce the risk of a fire at your workplace!

Many of us have an Emergency Plan in place for our homes – especially an evacuation plan in the event of a fire. While there are many reasons why a fire can start, many fires at a Business start as a result of not paying attention to many different fire hazards in the workplace. 

While every workplace is different, there are some common fire hazards to watch for in your business.

Heat Generating Machinery

Hot machinery and heavy equipment can pose a fire risk. Be sure material that is combustible is kept away from sources of heat and are unplugged when not in use. Never leave equipment on overnight.

Broken Electrical Equipment

Fires caused by faulty equipment are the most common type in the workplace. Be sure to look out for loose or damaged wires. They need to be replaced immediately. Also keep your equipment checked and up to date. 

Faulty Fire Alarms

Be sure to check fire alarm systems and equipment often to make sure they are still in working order. If batteries run out your fire alarms will not sound in the case of a fire or smoke. It is important to make sure you have functional fire alarms in your office. 

Overloaded Sockets

Having too many things plugged in the same socket can be dangerous. Be sure to put one plug per socket and do not exceed 300 watts in the entire socket. This can reduce the risk of a fire in your workplace. 

Improper Disposal of Used Cigarettes

Many fires are caused, both indoors and outside, due to improper disposal of burning cigarettes. If you choose to smoke, please make sure your cigarette is completely extinguished before disposal. Dry grasses or discarded paperwork can easily ignite even from a small heat source such as a cigarette.

Most importantly, simply being familiar with and aware of your surroundings is the best defense against a fire at your workplace. Be aware of posed risks, but also pay attention to anything out of the ordinary. Report any unusual ‘hot’ smells, such as burning plastic, or smoke of any kind.  And gently remind any employees you might see unintentionally causing a fire-risk.

If a fire ever does happen at your place of business, know that the Fire Restoration Specialists at SERVPRO® Team McGinnis are here to help, 24/7/365! Or if you need help putting together an Emergency Response Plan, do not hesitate to call us today at 541-745-2097.

How a storm can impact your home

5/2/2024 (Permalink)

Storms can bring down large branches and even entire trees onto your home!

Storms affect your home more than you may realize. At first glance a storm may look like high winds, just some rain, maybe some snow and sleet. When you look closer, storms and what all they bring, you begin to notice how it may greatly affect your home. 

Large trees 

Trees near your home can get weakened by storms causing branches to bend and possibly break causing damage to your home or roof. Now is a good time to get your trees trimmed and looked at. 

Heavy Rain 

Rain is pretty common in the Northwest but if there is a leak in your roof or windows the heavy rains will find their way in through these spots and cause water damage to the interior of your home. Get these spots taken care of before heavy rains. 

Chimney Maintenance

Your chimney can become packed with debris during a storm causing a blockage, this is also a place for animals to build their nest creating a bigger problem. Get your chimney cleaned out in preparation for the stormy season.  

Flooding

High winds mixed with rainfall can bring down small branches and leaves, as well as garbage, to fill your gutters and clog the storm drains on your street. This causes the continuously falling water to back up and rise. In your gutters, this can feed water back into any access/opening into your roof to cause flooding from the ceiling, Debris with heavy rains can also cause water to pool up against your home’s foundation, and feed back into your basement or crawl space.  Debris blocking a storm drain can cause the street and sidewalk to overflow, and risk damaging your home or property.  It is important to pay attention on dryer days an clear any debris that may have gathered during previous wind or rainy days.

Paying attention to your environment/surrounding BEFORE the storm hits, can help prevent a major loss to you and your family.  But if disaster strikes, do not hesitate to call your Water Remediation Specialists at SERVPRO® Team McGinnis today at 541-745-2097.

Emergency Water Damage Tips

2/20/2024 (Permalink)

Helpful tips if you experience a water loss!

Emergency Water Damage Tips

After a storm passes, it is important to stay safe while waiting for help to arrive. Here are some tips to help prevent further damage after a storm, especially if your property has some water damage:

Shut Off Water Source

Shut off the water source if possible or contact a qualified party to stop the water source.  

Turn Off Circuit Breakers

Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the business when access to the power distribution panel is safe from electrical shock.   

Move Important Objects

Move any paintings, art, objects, computers, documents, or other sensitive valuables to a dry place.  

Don't Enter Affected Areas

Do not enter affected areas if electrical outlets, switches, circuit breakers or electrical equipment are exposed to water. Always avoid electrical shock hazards!   

Stay Away From Structural Damage

Stay away from visible structural damage. Close and rope off the affected area if possible.  

Have Insurance Available

Have your insurance policy available and know the name of your insurance company and broker. Call SERVPRO® today at 541-745-2097! A professional will come out and assess damage and provide necessary mitigation services.

SERVPRO® has the heart to help

12/6/2023 (Permalink)

Our team members not only assist our clients, but we take the time to give back to our Community!

SERVPRO® Salem West is a company that strongly believes in giving back to our Community.  We are involved in many charitable events during the year. Our Team goes above and beyond to give back. Even after assisting customers during the business week, our team still finds time to go above and beyond when the call arises. We have even participated in two fundraisers back to back in one day! These organizations that provide assistance to those in need mean so much to our SERVPRO® family.

Our Team has proudly participated in the Polar Plunge for the Special Olympics in both Salem and Corvallis for the past few years, which benefits our local Special Olympic athletes. The event in Corvallis also combines with Run Off Your Tutu for Furniture Share, a Walk/Run 5k which helps local in-need families with beds and furniture. Both of these organizations impact our community in such a positive way.  SERVPRO® is proud to participate and assist these, and many other charitable groups, as our mission is to give back whenever we can. That’s why when you're looking for a company to work on your home or business for your restoration needs, SERVPRO® has the heart to help our community!

Certfied: SERVPRO® Clean

12/5/2023 (Permalink)

Dont let the spread of the Flu or COVID-19 disrupt your business. Count on the Cleaning Professional at SERVPRO®

As we heading into Cold and Flu Season - and COVID-19 hasn't gone anywhere, we need to look to a NEW standard in Commercial Cleaning.

Starting in 2005, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) established the National Influenza Vaccination week “to highlight the importance of continuing flu vaccination through the holiday season and beyond.” In 2017, by the end of November only about 41% of the recommended US population had been vaccinated. And in 2020, we saw the tremendous toll COVID-19 on families and businesses across the country.

If you’ve already gotten the flu or COVID you can still get vaccinated to protect you against other strands of the flu, according to the CDC. People with high risk of complications from the flu include young children, pregnant women, people with certain chronic health conditions and people over the age of 65, and should get vaccinated. Although anyone is at risk of getting the flu, for high-risk people, hospitalization or death is more likely than for others.

According to the CDC, flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations. Get a flu or COVID shot today to protect yourself, your loved ones and your place of business.  And Certified: SERVPRO® Clean brings a higher standard of clean to business across our Communities if the Flu or COVID impact your place of business.

Cell Phone Fire Risk

12/5/2023 (Permalink)

Know the fire risks charging cell phones can pose to help keep your and your family safe!

SERVPRO® has responded to multiple home fires that were caused by cell phone chargers. Now days it’s hard to find a home that doesn’t have a cell phone in it, and if there is a cell phone then there will be charger.  Our phones are major part of our day, and we have them will us all the time. I personally have mine on me 24/7, and I charge it on my night stand next to my bed.  Did you know that chargers produce a large amount on energy? One fire we responded to the cell phone charger caught a mattress in a child's bedroom on fire. He are some tips to help keep you safe from a cell phone charger fire.

1. Only buy and use devices that are listed by a quality testing laboratory.
2. Make sure to always follow the manufacturer’s instruction.
3. Only use the battery and charging cord that’s designed for you specific device.
4. Do not charge your device under a pillow, on your bed, on a couch or in a location that’s exposed to direct sunlight.

Your Fire Professionals here at SERVPRO® are always here to help if your home or business has experienced a fire. We are ready to help 24/7.

When a storm hits, call SERVPRO®

11/1/2023 (Permalink)

Here at SERVPRO®, we are ready for the storm!

8/2/2017

SERVPRO of Salem West technicians maintain certifications from the IICRC this allows our team to handle weather related damages to residential and commercial properties.

A snow storm in Bend, Oregon caused property damages and our team was dispatched to the area.

Here is an example of the certifications our team members have;

• Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT)

Technicians learn techniques and procedures to deal with water losses, sewer backflows, and contamination such as mold.

• Applied Structural Drying Technician (ASD)

Technicians learn to dry water-damaged structures efficiently and effectively. 

• Carpet Cleaning Technician (CCT)

• Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT)

Technicians with AMRT certification learn safety practices and mold/ sewage remediation techniques. 

Let our trained and qualified employees take the stress and worry away from storm damages by keeping you up to date with the process, with our fast and efficient work to get your home or business back in order, and with our courteous and polite employees.

SERVPRO of Salem West is "Faster to Any Size Disaster". Call (503) 393-9999 for an inspection.    

For more training and certification requirements check out our website.

What makes SERVPRO different?

10/18/2023 (Permalink)

The Character and Dedication of your local SERVPRO Team makes them stand out above the rest!

Whether it’s drying out a water loss, cleaning and reconstructing post a fire, or remediating mold in an attic. In our industry, dedication and character are everything. Once you begin a difficult job, it’s easy to hit a wall, get overwhelmed, feel stressed, and make the choice to throw your hands up and quit.
What is it that is going to get someone in a crawlspace full of sewage?
What is it that is going to get us to leave our warm snuggly beds at 2am, and drive across town to provide water extraction and stabilization at a loss?
What is it that drives us to voluntarily spend all day in the woods, cleaning up bio-hazardous abandoned homeless encampments?
What is it that motivates a person to put a customer, a team, and a job first?
Dedication and Character.
Dedication can be trained, learned, and achieved. It can even be faked.
Character can’t.
Character is what is going to take a person out of there bed at 2am to help someone.
Character is going to give someone the mental strength to set aside the “ew” factor, and clean up that sewage riddled crawlspace.
Character is going to take you into the woods, to piles of abandoned garbage that accumulate to tons, and it is going to give you the visualization of what those trees, moss, earth, and landscape will look like once you have finished clearing the job…and you roll up your sleeves.
Character is going to make you ask yourself questions like these:
How is my customer feeling? How can I serve this customer to the best of my ability?
How is my team working together? Am I doing my best to contribute to the success of my team?
How can I get the best possible outcome at this job for my customer? How am I going to get there?
Character: The trait that means everything.
I think it’s this trait in SERVPRO® technicians that makes them passionate and proud about the job and services they provide.
It's this trait that takes a newly hired technician from viewing restoration work as “A Day Job” or a “A Temporary Job” and gets them thinking about it as something they can be proud of for being a part of, and something they want to continue to be a part of.
The SERVPRO® values that our team is given as a standard. It sets them on a path to being a success in the industry. Character is the most valuable tool a SERVPRO® team member can have.
If you suffer a loss and your life is turned upside down, it takes a certain kind of person to navigate that loss and provide the knowledge, guidance, and dedication to serve the customer.
SERVPRO® prides itself on seeking out employees that can exemplify the values SERVPRO® is about, and add character and dedication to our team. When the need arises, call us today at 541-745-2097, and we will make it "Like it never even happened.®"

Why SERVPRO® for your Commercial Needs?

10/6/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® has professionally trained Technicians to handle all your Commercial Loss needs!

Why choose SERVPRO?

A commercial loss is much different than a residential loss. When it comes to SERVPRO® responding and mitigating a commercial loss, we have to take into account that there are many more parties of interest involved, and documentation of the job and proper communication about job progress and emergency response efforts may have to be distributed to multiple owners, managers, and insurance companies throughout the process.

SERVPRO® has worked within commercial buildings for over 20 years. We are used to navigating the delicate balance between communications with multiple owners, while also working with multiple vendors, to bring the structure back to preloss condition.

Experience really is key to when it comes to responding to a commercial loss. We prioritize what is most important to our customers and we get to work stabilizing the building as soon as possible. Each day a commercial property isn’t operating it is costing our customer money. As a longtime restoration vendor, we know that getting the facility/structure operational as soon as possible is key for customer satisfaction.

A large part of handling a commercial loss is efficient and frequent communication with the right parties at the right time. Our team at SERVPRO® keeps communication and customer satisfaction at the forefront of our job responsibilities at all times.

So when your business or facility has a loss, you can feel confident calling SERVPRO®. We will be able to respond to the disaster and get the situation under control faster than any other restoration company in the Willamette Valley.

We have the experience, the knowledge, the connections, and the communication and dedication to see commercial restorations come to a smooth and timely completion.  Give us a call today at 541-745-2097.