An Evergreen Debate: Real or Fake Christmas Tree

11/27/2023 (Permalink)

As we’re still feeling the effects of the Thanksgiving food coma, we begin to shift our attention to one of the next major holidays of the year, Christmas!

With Christmas underway, we look towards one of its most debatable topics.

Are we using a real or fake Christmas tree this year?

While both options have their merits, one critical consideration is often overlooked: fire safety.

It's essential to make an informed choice. We’ll explore the differences between the two regarding fire safety.

Real Christmas Tree Fire Safety Concerns

When purchasing a real tree, choose a freshly cut one. To check the freshness of the tree, perform a pull test. First, gently pull on a shoot (any above-ground portion of a tree directly bearing leaves) with your thumb and fingers; if the tree is fresh, you should not have any needles come off in your hand.

If you are not displaying your tree right away, keep it in a cool area to prevent as much drying as possible since brittle and dry trees ignite more easily.

You must water your Christmas tree and check its water level daily to keep it from drying out. Make sure your tree is inside a sturdy stand.

If not done, and a fire was to occur on your tree, a dried-out tree will burn entirely within seconds versus a well-hydrated tree that will still have a fire, but there will be more time to react.

Remember to keep your real tree safely away from heat sources, such as fireplaces, radiators, and heating vents. Doing so will help prevent the tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.

When decorating your tree, use UL-listed lights. Ensure to check them for damage or exposed wires. Turn off the lights when you're not at home or before going to bed.

Finally, when the holiday is over, discard your tree promptly. Just because the holiday is over does not mean the tree is no longer a fire hazard.

Fake Christmas Tree Fire Safety Concerns

Fake Christmas trees, typically made from materials such as PVC, metal, or polyethylene, are generally considered safer in terms of fire risk. These materials are less flammable and do not dry out over time, reducing the potential for ignition.

Just know that as time goes by, certain materials may need replacing as they get worn out.

While fake Christmas trees are inherently safer in terms of fire risk, it's essential to ensure you maintain proper fire safety measures when decorating and lighting them.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when decorating your tree.

Use UL-Listed Lights: When decorating your fake tree, use lights that are UL-listed for safety. Check lights for damage, exposed wires, or fraying.

Safe Electrical Connections: Ensure all electrical connections are secure and avoid overloading circuits. Unplug the lights when you leave home or go to bed.

No Open Flames: Avoid using real candles on or near your fake tree to prevent the risk of ignition.

Proper Placement: Keep your fake tree away from heat sources, just as you would with a real tree. Doing so prevents any potential heat damage to the materials and ensures safety.

When choosing between a real or fake Christmas tree, it's important to weigh the fire safety considerations along with other factors.

Whichever you choose, celebrating safely and responsibly should be the top priority during this festive time of year.

Ensure that your decorations, lights, and electrical connections are in good condition, and follow safety guidelines to keep your home and loved ones protected.

Have a wonderful holiday!

P.S – If your home suffers fire damages over the holiday, know that SERVPRO of Lake Elsinore / Perris / Menifee Northwest has 24/7/365 emergency fire restoration services for the aftermath. Our team is always ready and nearby to help! Keep our number on file at 951-674-4006. 

17th Annual Christmas Tree Lane at the Promenade Temecula

11/13/2023 (Permalink)

Flyer for the 17th Annual Christmas Tree Lane at the Promenade Temecula

It’s the 17th Annual Christmas Tree Lane at the Promenade Temecula hosted by Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley! Stop by to see the beautiful, amazing 20 custom-designed Christmas trees, each with its own theme. Each tree will be raffled off at a drawing ceremony taking place on December 17th, 2023 at 7 PM at the Promenade Temecula. The proceeds will go to helping families, veterans, and seniors that Habitat for Humanity serves.

The event’s theme is Candyland and the event is going to be sweet! With the display now open to view, come take a look at all the trees! Our SERVPRO tree’s theme this year is the Grinch. We sponsored this tree as our way of giving back to the community. As we know, helping out the community whenever possible will always leave a positive impact on one’s life.

Raffle tickets are $1 each, $20 for 25 tickets, or $50 for 60 tickets. Those who buy 60 tickets for $50 will receive a $20 off coupon for Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley’s ReStore Design Center.

You can purchase the tickets in person at the Promenade Temecula located at 40820 Winchester Road, Temecula, CA, United States, 92591.

We look forward to embracing the spirit of giving back and helping the community! We hope to see you there at the drawing.

Visit Habitat for Humanity’s website to learn more about what they do and how you can become a volunteer and see what you can do for your community.

https://www.habitativ.org/

Why You Should Get Fire Damage Estimates

11/9/2023 (Permalink)

After a house fire, getting fire damage estimates is critical. Without knowing the full extent of the damage, you may end up overspending on repairs or restoration. Either your homeowners’ insurance company or a third-party restoration company can provide the fire damage estimates for you. After a devastating event like a house fire, it is helpful to know just how much money you have to repair or restore your home to its former state. Since you should hire a restoration company anyway, fire damage estimates make the task of doing so much easier.

Discrepancies in Fire Damage Estimates

If your insurance company and third-party restoration company have a discrepancy in their fire damage estimates, one of two things are likely to happen: they can agree to a middle ground or begin arbitration. Choosing the middle ground option is a compromise of sorts and may include any number of outcomes, which are all dependent on the specifics of your situation. The other option involves including a third party, having them inspect and formulate an appraisal of the damage, and present that as an acceptable value. All of this depends heavily on your insurance company, the restoration company, applicable state laws, and the circumstances surrounding the fire.

What Fire Damage Estimates Do

Fire damage estimates allow you and your hired full-service restoration company to plan the restoration of your home. By having an effective budget, the company can do their best for you and make sure that they can return your home to its former. Most importantly, fire damage estimates include services that restoration companies do that you are unable to, such as removing smoke odors from your home or rebuilding any structures that the fire has damaged. Other costs that require professional help, such as special dry-cleaning of your garments and fabrics, may also be included. Additionally, if you attempt the repairs and accidentally cause more damage, chances are that the insurance does not cover the extra damage, whereas with a restoration company, it is covered.

Fire damage estimates allow a professional full-service restoration company to restore your home to its former state in the most effective manner possible. With a clear plan on which services you need, how much they cost, and how the company implements them, they can cater to your individual needs. After a devastating event such as a fire, money should not be your primary concern. A full-service restoration company can take care of all aspects regarding the remediation of the fire damage so you can concentrate on other things. For more information about fire damage estimates for your home, contact your insurance company.

If you have damage from a fire or smoke from a fire. Call SERVPRO of Lake Elsinore, we will work directly with you and your insurance directly "Like it never even happened." 951-674-4006

Types of Water Damage

11/8/2023 (Permalink)

Assessing the severity of the damage is important for determining what is needed to start water damage repair and water removal. There are several different categories assigned to water damage. Category 1 refers to clean water, or water that does not pose a threat to humans. Possible causes of this type of damage include broken appliances or sink overflows. Category 2 water is also called gray water. This means that the water is contaminated and may cause sickness of ingested. This type of water contains microorganisms. Broken toilets, broken sump pumps, and seepage may cause category 2 water damage. Category 3 water is known as black water. This type of water is unsanitary, as it contains bacteria and other organisms that cause sickness. The possible sources of black water damage include sewage problems and contamination of standing water.

Hard Water Stains

11/7/2023 (Permalink)

Cleaning companies that have customers in hard water areas, which includes over 85% of the United States, sometime find it difficult to get rid of those nasty hard water stains on windows - especially large office or warehouses with large amounts of windows. The first step begins with understanding hard water and how it affects the buildings we clean, so our cleaning technicians can choose the best solutions to remove it.

Rain contains no minerals as it falls to earth. When it passes through the ground, it absorbs minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, which transforms it from “soft water” into “hard water.” Although hard water is not normally harmful to our health, it can wreak havoc on plumbing, fixtures, appliances, glass, showers, or pretty much anywhere water is used.

Once hard water evaporates, what's left behind are the minerals. These nasty mineral deposits cause crusty scale, stains, film, and mineral rings. This build up can become problematic and permanent if not addressed immediately.

Hard Water Cleaning Solutions for Removing Those Ugly Stains

Cleaning companies go directly to their cleaning chemical and tool inventory when confronted with hard water stains. Acidic and non-acidic, abrasive, natural or manufactured, there are a number of cleaners that have the ability to remove mineral deposits and scale. Make sure the cleaner you choose is the right one for the job, surface or fixture you plan on cleaning. Check the manufacturer's label or test the cleaner in an inconspicuous place first if you are not sure. The last thing you want to do is cause damage to your customers' building.

Usually removing mineral deposits such as calcium, magnesium, and iron requires an acidic product. Most hard water staining can be removed with a combination of the right cleaner, cleaning tool and of course, good old fashioned “elbow grease” for those really tough jobs.

Cleaning tools such as white scrubbing pads, scrub brushes, and steel wool, can be used with the cleaning chemical of your choice to assist in removing difficult deposits. Just remember that none of these tools should be used alone, as they can permanently scratch the surface of the window. Only use these tools when the surface of the window is wet with water or cleaning chemical.

We recommend starting your cleaning process with less harmful chemicals, tools, and methods first, then ramp it up to more aggressive methods should deposits persists. It may take several attempts to remove stubborn deposits.

Beware; strong acidic chemicals are very corrosive and damaging to certain types of surfaces such as stainless steel and chrome and will “eat” through them, so never attempt to use such chemicals without the proper training and testing.

Call the professionals at SERVPRO of Lake Elsinore at 951-674-4006

Effects of Water Damage

11/6/2023 (Permalink)

Water damage is a problem that most property owners dread. When it rains heavily or snow melts quickly, the risk of this type of damage increases. Water can cause thousands of dollars’ worth of damage by damaging wood furniture, upholstery, electronics, household appliances, and plumbing equipment. Water damage also increases the risk of mold growth, which is a very expensive problem to remediate. Hiring a water damage restoration company can make the cleanup process easier to handle, as these companies employ experienced workers who know the best ways to repair or replace damaged items and help with water damage cleanup. SERVPRO of Lake Elsinore has a vast array of products and highly skilled and trained water damage technicians who can make it "Like it never even happened."

Why SERVPRO of Lake Elsinore / Perris / Menifee Northwest?

11/3/2023 (Permalink)

Our Flood Damage Restoration Teams are prepared to remove, restore, remodel, and replace whatever is damaged as needed. Whether it is ceilings, walls, flooring, furniture, appliances…we’ll pack and haul everything out of the damaged area, repair and restore if possible, and replace the contents to their original pre-flood locations. If remodeling is needed, our expert carpenters and craftsmen are trained to provide superior remodeling services.

Our quick response and turnaround help minimize water exposure to walls, ceilings, floors, and contents. Because we are local and Our 24-Hour Service allows us to offer this rapid response even in the worst of times. When we are done it will be "Like it never even happened."

Call SERVPRO of Lake Elsinore / Perris / Menifee Northwest today! (951)674-4006

What is Mold?

11/2/2023 (Permalink)

Mold (or mould) is a term used to refer to fungi that grow in the form of multicellular thread-like structures called hyphae. Fungi that exist as single cells are called yeasts. Some molds and yeasts can cause health effects and food spoilage, others play an important role in biodegradation or in the production of various foods, beverages, antibiotics and enzymes.

Mold is also found in damp building materials where it often appears like stains and comes in a variety of colors. A must smell is an indication of microbial growth even when there is no visible growth. 

Mold growth requires moisture. The sources of moisture could be washing, cooking, air humidifiers, condensation or leaks from plumbing or from the outside. Poor ventilation contributes to higher humidity levels and leads to condensation, which also allows mold growth.

Call Us Today!  (951) 674-4006

5 Things You Need To Know About Water Damage

11/1/2023 (Permalink)

When a pipe bursts, a drain backs up, or a flood occurs in your home, it can be hard to see past the mess. A million questions will run through your mind. Has water damage happened to you? Here's what to do next to keep it from getting worse.

What do I do now?

What’s going to happen?

Is my stuff ruined?

And the most important question of all: Will my homeowner’s insurance cover the damage?

There’s no doubt about it. Water damage is extremely stressful, and the more you know about it, the better you’ll be able to decide how to address it. Here are five things that every homeowner needs to know about water damage.

1. There are different insurance policies for flood damage and water damage.

You might think that water is water, whether it’s from flooding or a burst pipe, but flood damage is not covered under homeowner’s insurance. When you report the claim to the insurance company, make sure to specify whether the claim is for water damage or for flood damage, so they can begin adjusting your claim correctly.

2. Not all water damage is covered by your insurance.

It is a good idea to look over your insurance policy and familiarize yourself with any exclusion to your water damage coverage. For instance, most policies cover sudden damage, like water damage from a really bad storm or from an overflowing washing machine. On the other hand, any water damage that happens because you didn’t maintain the property may be excluded, as well as gradual leaks that caused water damage over time.

3. Once water damage has happened, the clock is ticking before it gets worse.

When your property has been water damaged, you don’t have the luxury of waiting around for a convenient time to start the cleanup. Secondary damage from mold growth can present serious health effects associated with mold in the living environment.

Mold spores are everywhere, but they need moisture and a nutrient source to grow. And that is exactly what your wet carpet or drywall offers.

There is a 24 to 48 hour window from the time something gets wet until mold can begin to grow. After that time, mold will multiply rapidly. When mold growth is widespread, you may need the services of a professional mold remediation service to safely treat and remove the mold.

To prevent mold growth, you will need to get your property completely dry again within that 48-hour window. To do this, you’ll need to contact a company that specializes in water damage restoration and emergency water extraction such as SERVPRO of Lake Elsinore / Perris / Menifee Northwest. They will have the professional water removal equipment and drying equipment to get the job done as quickly as possible. 

4. Your insurance company needs to know right away.

It’s a good idea to call your insurance company right away when you discover water damage. Your insurance agent can start the claims process immediately, as well as guide you through the first steps you will need to take to protect your property from more damage, like stopping the source of the water at the main water turnoff.

Your insurance company may also direct you to a water damage restoration company that they have worked with in the past. Keep in mind that you do not have to call the company that they recommend. 

5. The pollution level of the water is important.

Water damage is categorized as one of three levels by how polluted the water source was that caused the damage.

Category 1: Water from a clean water source, like a fresh water line for a dishwasher. 

Category 2: Water that may have bacteria in it.

Category 3: Water that is highly contaminated. Think sewage backup, an overflowing toilet, or storm waters.

Even though water may start out as Category 1, that doesn’t mean it will stay that way. Any contamination that the water touches, such as dirty carpeting or soil from the ground, can change water damage Category to 2 or even Category 3. And since standing breeds bacteria, the longer the water is around, the worse the contamination of your property.

SERVPRO of Lake Elsinore / Perris / Menifee Northwest has all the tools and resources necessary to help with and water, mold or fire damage you may have.

Give us a call! (951) 674-4006

Don't Miss Out on the Annual Turkey Giveaway!

11/1/2023 (Permalink)

The spirit of kindness and giving is in the air! It’s that time of year to celebrate the blessings everyone has received and to pass them forward.

Save the Date! On November 18, 2023, from 10 AM to 2 PM, Holt Ministries and CenterPoint Church are hosting a TURKEY GIVEAWAY.

SERVPRO of Lake Elsinore / Perris / Menifee Northwest has teamed up with other local sponsors to meet this year’s goal of giving out turkeys and fixings to 1,000 families. This year will be the highest amount given away.

Why don’t you help us meet our goal and stop by?

The location is 33700 Mission Trail Rd, Wildomar, CA 92592

Please note it’s DRIVE-THRU ONLY.

There will be music and prayer for those who want to join in!

Here’s a picture to show our set-up last year. As we said, it’s going to be bigger than ever!

Why do we participate in this giveaway?

Everybody enjoys that good feeling of helping others. Everyone helping out at this event values giving back to the community. Knowing that everyone we helped can have a great Thanksgiving feast provides us with that satisfaction. 

It allows us to understand the community we serve, create connections, and fulfill a purpose.

This giveaway not only helps strengthen the community and make it a better place but also makes a positive impact on people’s lives.

Making a positive impact on people’s lives is the essence of giving back to others.

We recommend you give time to reflect and appreciate those who helped you in your life and that you should pave the way for others. We hope to see you at the giveaway and help us celebrate the spirit of giving!

For more details, contact SERVPRO at (951) 674-4006 or Holt Ministries at (909) 921-3513