Canal & Irrigation Ditch Safety

6/15/2022 (Permalink)

Stay out of irrigation ditches and canals during warm weather. They may look refreshing but are actually extremely dangerous

When temperatures rise, any body of water seems like a great place to cool off, but irrigation ditches and canals are ones you should stay away from.  They may look inviting and refreshing, but they are actually extremely dangerous to enter.  That’s why most canals have fences around them.  Be sure not to climb on the fence and don’t ever go fishing in a canal.   

Canals typically have fast underwater currents that can sweep away even the strongest swimmer, leaving them helpless to escape.  Additionally, many canals have steep, slippery sides that are nearly impossible to crawl out of.  

Canals are manmade structures that are used to transport water for irrigation and other human uses. Many canals were originally constructed in areas without a huge population, but as an area surrounding the canal becomes urbanized, the canal ultimately can run through neighborhoods, making it particularly dangerous.

Irrigation ditches are not as large, but are equally dangerous because they can contain trash and other debris such as rocks, glass or barbed wire that you cannot see from the surface.  Pesticides, herbicides and other pollutants can be found in irrigation ditch water and it is definitely not safe to drink or swim in.

The water in irrigation ditches can move fast enough to sweep a person downstream with little chance of getting out safely.  Some ditches have undertows.  If you are caught in one of these, you can be pulled underwater and your chances of getting out are very slim.  

Here's a few tips on keeping you and your family safe near irrigation canals and ditches:

*Never swim in or play around canals or irrigation ditches

*Never walk closely along the edge of a canal or irrigation ditch

*Never jump in to rescue a pet or object.  Instead call 911 for help.

We all want to try to beat the heat this summer, but SERVPRO of Vacaville/Fairfield/Dixon/Davis wants to help you stay safe by knowing these tips for irrigation canal safety.

Which Phone to Use in an Emergency

2/12/2022 (Permalink)

In the event of an emergency, we have been told to call 911.  This patches us through to our local emergency responders who are dispatched to a specific location.  But with the introduction of cell phones into our daily lives in the 1980’s, a crinkle was added to the 911 dispatch system. 

Previously, all 911 calls coming from cell phones were automatically routed to the California Highway Patrol 911 dispatch centers, which overloaded the call centers and slowed down responses to potential victims.  Now cell phones use either GPS or cell tower triangulation so that a dispatch center can be identified and the call is routed to the proper location. 

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) does have jurisdiction over state freeways and handles emergency calls on these roadways.  So some cell calls made from city streets that are near a freeway will be routed to the CHP.

One way to ensure that a 911 operator can pinpoint your location is to use your landline to make a 911 call whenever possible.  A landline is plugged into a specific address, so an Emergency Response Team will know exactly where to respond. 

However, if you find yourself in an emergency situation and you only have your cell phone, use it to call 911.  Your call will be routed to an emergency response team who will send help to your location no matter how you place your call.

Call SERVPRO in Case of Emergency

2/3/2022 (Permalink)

You never know when a disaster may strike, but be assured that the professionals at SERVPRO of Vacaville/Dixon/ airfield/Davis are ready!  We specialize in storm and flood damage restoration. Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage and reduces the restoration cost.

Handling Floods and Storms

If storms hit Vacaville or any of the surrounding areas, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

If you have storm or flood damage, call us at (707) 724-8977.  We are faster to any disaster and will make it “Like it never even happened.”

Check Your Home After A Storm

1/12/2022 (Permalink)

Now that winter is here, it’s important to remember to check your house after a large storm.  An over-abundance of rain water can overwhelm your home’s gutters and downspouts and saturate the soil around your foundation.  An easy way to remember how to inspect your home is to “Start From the Bottom and Work Up.” 

1. Start in the Basement – The first thing you should check after a heavy rainstorm is your basement or crawlspace.  Make sure there is no standing water.
2. Pull Back Carpets, Rugs and Floors – If any of these items are wet, remove them from your floors immediately and begin to dry these areas as soon as possible.
3. Check Your Walls – Look for stains or discoloring on your walls, bubbling paint or peeling wallpaper. These are all signs of moisture leaking into areas where it shouldn’t be. 
4. Inspect Your Attic – Make sure that your shingles are all secure and that there is no structural damage. Also check to be sure that your insulation is dry. 
5. Check Gutters/Downspouts – Leaves and other debris can clog gutters and lead to drainage issues. Be sure to inspect these areas after a big storm to avoid this problem.  

Your home should be a haven from a storm.  Use these tips to make sure you keep the water outside and the warmth in. 

If you do experience flooding or water where it shouldn’t be, call the experts at SERVPRO of Vacaville/Dixon/Fairfield/Davis to help rid your home or business of unwanted water.  We can be reached 24 hours a day 7 days a week at (707) 724-8977. We are Here To Help.

How SERVPRO Can Help In A Storm

11/10/2021 (Permalink)

When a Storm event occurs in your area, whether it be a fire or severe rain storm, the professionals at SERVPRO of Vacaville/Dixon/Fairfield/Davis are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to your emergency.  We have trained professionals on call day and night who are available to respond to whatever emergency may arise at your home or place of business.  Whether it be water in your basement, a fire in your kitchen or a bathtub that leaked spreading water throughout your home, we have the expertise of how best to remedy your situation and the personnel to respond immediately to your home or business.  If you find yourself with a fire or water emergency, call us anytime at (707) 724-8977.  We are Here To Help.

SERVPRO Helps During Storms

10/8/2021 (Permalink)

Residents in Solano and Yolo Counties have a distinct advantage when it comes to Restoration Services because there is a local SERVPRO franchise that services these counties. SERVPRO of Vacaville/Dixon/ Fairfield/Davis has been providing water, fire and mold restoration services to both residential and commercial customers in these counties for several years.  The company has added quite a bit of biohazard remediation work specifically including cleaning for the COVID-19 virus. 

As we head into fall and the winter months of the year, naturally our attention turns to the weather and the damage it can cause to our homes and residences.  But foul weather isn’t something that is reserved only for the wintertime.  In fact, storm events can happen any time of the year throughout different parts of our Country.  Whether it be windstorms in the mid-west or flooding along the coast of Florida, there is no telling when Mother Nature will wield her mighty powers and damage can occur in a blink of an eye.  In some areas, there are warnings, as with tornadoes or hurricanes, but in others, as is the case of earthquakes that commonly occur along the fault lines that run throughout the state of California, they are swift and without warning and leave behind devastating results. 

In the restoration industry, these devastating events are labeled as “Storm Events” and for SERVPRO, there is a specific and coordinated response that is set immediately into place to service the individuals who are affected in the areas where damage has occurred.  So while SERVPRO of Vacaville/Dixon/Fairfield/Davis’ first priority is the residents within the communities we immediately serve, we are also part of a broader and coordinated effort of 1,700 franchises across the country that make up an elite Disaster Recovery Team.  Just like your local SERVPRO, our Disaster Recovery Team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to your emergency.  And our professions are prepared for the unpredictable.  Although most of our work involves fire or water restoration, SERVPRO Storm Teams have responded to tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards and floods.  On a National Level, SERVPRO crews have aided customers in the following events: 2017 California wildfires, 2017 Hurricane Irma, 2017 Hurricane Harvey, 2016 Hurricane Matthew, 2015 Carolina floods, 2014 Polar Vortex, 2012 Hurricane Sandy, 2010 Nashville floods, 2008 Hurricane Ike, 2007 Chicago floods, 2007 Ohio floods, 2007 California Wildfires and 2005 Hurricane Katrina.

Rest assured, your local and nationwide SERVPRO franchises are always Here To Help.

Canal & Irrigation Ditch Safety

6/18/2021 (Permalink)

Stay out of irrigation ditches and canals during warm weather. They may look refreshing but are actually extremely dangerous.

With temperatures over the 100 degree mark in Solano and Yolo counties recently, any body of water seems like a great place to cool off, but irrigation ditches and canals are ones you should stay away from.  They may look inviting and refreshing, but they are actually extremely dangerous to enter.  That’s why most canals have fences around them.  Be sure not to climb on the fence and don’t ever go fishing in a canal.   

Canals typically have fast underwater currents that can sweep away even the strongest swimmer, leaving them helpless to escape.  Additionally, many canals have steep, slippery sides that are nearly impossible to crawl out of.  

Canals are manmade structures that are used to transport water for irrigation and other human uses. Many canals were originally constructed in areas without a huge population, but as an area surrounding the canal becomes urbanized, the canal ultimately can run through neighborhoods, making it particularly dangerous.

Irrigation ditches are not as large, but are equally dangerous because they can contain trash and other debris such as rocks, glass or barbed wire that you cannot see from the surface.  Pesticides, herbicides and other pollutants can be found in irrigation ditch water and it is definitely not safe to drink or swim in.

The water in irrigation ditches can move fast enough to sweep a person downstream with little chance of getting out safely.  Some ditches have undertows.  If you are caught in one of these, you can be pulled underwater and your chances of getting out are very slim.  

Here's a few tips on keeping you and your family safe near irrigation canals and ditches:

*Never swim in or play around canals or irrigation ditches

*Never walk closely along the edge of a canal or irrigation ditch

*Never jump in to rescue a pet or object.  Instead call 911 for help.

We all want to try to beat the heat this summer, but SERVPRO of Vacaville/Fairfield/Dixon/Davis wants to help you stay safe by knowing these tips for irrigation canal safety.

Which Phone Should You Use In An Emergency - Landline or Cell Phone?

2/15/2021 (Permalink)

Which phone is best to use in an emergency? The answer is different than just a few years ago.

In the event of an emergency, most people know that they should call 911.  This patches us through to our local emergency responders who are dispatched to a specific location.  But with the introduction of cell phones into our daily lives in the 1980’s, a crinkle was added to the 911 dispatch system. 

Previously, all 911 calls coming from cell phones were automatically routed to the California Highway Patrol 911 dispatch centers, which overloaded the call centers and slowed down responses to potential victims.  Now cell phones use either GPS or cell tower triangulation so that a dispatch center can be identified and the call is routed to the proper location. 

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) does have jurisdiction over state freeways and handles emergency calls on these roadways.  So some cell calls made from city streets that are near a freeway will be routed to the CHP.

One way to ensure that a 911 operator can pinpoint your location is to use your landline to make a 911 call whenever possible.  A landline is plugged into a specific address, so an Emergency Response Team will know exactly where to respond. 

However, if you find yourself in an emergency situation and you only have your cell phone, use it to call 911.  Your call will be routed to an emergency response team who will send help to your location no matter how you place your call.

Remember, don't delay calling 911 in the event of an emergency.  The professionals who are answering the phone will find you help whether you are calling on a landline or a cell phone.  Reach out, call and stay safe.

Call SERVPRO in Case of Emergency

2/1/2021 (Permalink)

You never know when a disaster may strike, but be assured that the professionals at SERVPRO of Vacaville/Fairfield/Dixon are ready!  We specialize in storm and flood damage restoration. Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage and reduces the restoration cost.

Handling Floods and Storms

If storms hit Vacaville or any of the surrounding areas, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

If you have storm or flood damage, call us at (707) 724-8977.  We are faster to any disaster and will make it “Like it never even happened.”

Tips for Checking Your Home After a Rain Storm

1/13/2021 (Permalink)

Don't let water damage your home. Use these tips to avoid problems and call SERVPRO of Vacaville/Fairfield/Dixon if you do experience a water loss.

Now that winter is here, it’s important to remember to check your house after a large storm.  An over-abundance of rain water can overwhelm your home’s gutters and downspouts and saturate the soil around your foundation.  An easy way to remember how to inspect your home is to “Start From the Bottom and Work Up.” 

1. Start in the Basement – The first thing you should check after a heavy rainstorm is your basement or crawlspace.  Make sure there is no standing water.
2. Pull Back Carpets, Rugs and Floors – If any of these items are wet, remove them from your floors immediately and begin to dry these areas as soon as possible.
3. Check Your Walls – Look for stains or discoloring on your walls, bubbling paint or peeling wallpaper. These are all signs of moisture leaking into areas where it shouldn’t be. 
4. Inspect Your Attic – Make sure that your shingles are all secure and that there is no structural damage. Also check to be sure that your insulation is dry. 
5. Check Gutters/Downspouts – Leaves and other debris can clog gutters and lead to drainage issues. Be sure to inspect these areas after a big storm to avoid this problem.  

Your home should be a haven from a storm.  Use these tips to make sure you keep the water outside and the warmth in. 

If you do experience flooding or water where it shouldn’t be, call the experts at SERVPRO of Vacaville/Fairfield/Dixon to help rid your home or business of unwanted water.  We can be reached 24 hours a day 7 days a week at (707) 724-8977. We are Here To Help.

SERVPRO is Prepared to Help!

11/11/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Vacaville/Fairfield/Dixon is ready if disaster strikes. Call us anytime at (707) 724-8977.

You never know when a disaster may strike, but be assured that the professionals at SERVPRO of Vacaville/Fairfield/Dixon are ready!  We specialize in storm and flood damage restoration. Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.  We have expensive experience in Storm response and have responded to many recent storms, such as the LNU, Glass and Paradise Fires.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources or Handle Floods and Storms

If storms hit, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

If you have storm or flood damage, call us at (707) 724-8977.  We are faster to any disaster and will make it “Like it never even happened.”

Responding to Storm Events

10/13/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Vacaville/Fairfield/Dixon has been busy responding to various storm events such as this derecho in Iowa and the LNU Fire in Vacaville.

Residents in Solano and Yolo Counties have a distinct advantage when it comes to Restoration Services because there is a local SERVPRO franchise that services these counties. SERVPRO of Vacaville/Fairfield/Dixon has been providing water, fire and mold restoration services to both residential and commercial customers in these counties for several years.  This year, the company has added quite a bit of biohazard remediation work specifically including cleaning for the COVID-19 virus. 

 As we head into fall and the winter months of the year, naturally our attention turns to the weather and the damage it can cause to our homes and residences.  But foul weather isn’t something that is reserved only for the wintertime.  In fact, storm events can happen any time of the year throughout different parts of our Country.  Whether it be windstorms in the mid-west or flooding along the coast of Florida, there is no telling when Mother Nature will wield her mighty powers and damage can occur in a blink of an eye.  In some areas, there are warnings, as with tornadoes or hurricanes, but in others, as is the case of earthquakes that commonly occur along the fault lines that run throughout the state of California, they are swift and without warning and leave behind devastating results. 

In the restoration industry, these devastating events are labeled as “Storm Events” and for SERVPRO, there is a specific and coordinated response that is set immediately into place to service the individuals who are affected in the areas where damage has occurred.  So while SERVPRO of Vacaville/Fairfield/Dixon’s first priority is the residents within the communities we immediately serve, we are also part of a broader and coordinated effort of 1,700 franchises across the country that make up an elite Disaster Recovery Team.  Just like your local SERVPRO, our Disaster Recovery Team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to your emergency.  And our professions are prepared for the unpredictable.  Although most of our work involves fire or water restoration, SERVPRO Storm Teams have responded to tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards and floods.  On a National Level, SERVPRO crews have aided customers in the following events: 2017 California wildfires, 2017 Hurricane Irma, 2017 Hurricane Harvey, 2016 Hurricane Matthew, 2015 Carolina floods, 2014 Polar Vortex, 2012 Hurricane Sandy, 2010 Nashville floods, 2008 Hurricane Ike, 2007 Chicago floods, 2007 Ohio floods, 2007 California Wildfires and 2005 Hurricane Katrina.

 In 2020, SERVPRO of Vacaville/Fairfield/Dixon has aided in two Storm events so far this year, along with a local catastrophe.  On August 10, 2020 a derecho caused widespread high winds and an outbreak of low-class tornadoes in the Midwest.  A derecho is classified as a band of storms that have winds of at least 30 miles per hour along the entire span of the storm front, maintained over a time span of at least six hours.  Although a derecho can produce destruction similar to the strength of a tornado, the damage typically is directed in one direction along a relatively straight line.  The derecho that hit Iowa had gusts of wind that were recorded at 126 miles per hour that lasted 14 hours!  It traveled 770 miles from South Dakota to western Ohio and strengthened as it moved through Iowa without a great deal of advanced warning for residents there.  The hardest hit and most notably-affected area was Cedar Rapids, Iowa and the surrounding region.  Quite obviously, it left destruction in its wake, with trees being hurled through homes and buildings destroyed.  With it came catastrophic rainfall and power being cut off to 400,000 people.  Once the wind and rain subsided, this left homeowners with the arduous task of ridding their homes of rainwater that had been flooding in through gaping holes in their roofs and walls.  As is common in that part of the country, many homes had basements that were now flooded with rainwater and needed to be pumped out.  A call was put out by our National Response Team for franchises who were willing to travel to Iowa to assist the residents who had been through this devastating event and SERVPRO of Vacaville/Fairfield/Dixon immediately stepped up to the plate to volunteer.  Within a few days of the event, a crew was assembled and on the road to Iowa to help the residents there.  While they made their way by car, our coordinators here made personal contact with customers in Iowa and set up appointments, gathered information and assured those residents that help was on the way.  Our team was committed to staying until the job was done and those customers were served.  But Mother Nature wasn’t done just yet, because just a few days into our Iowa Storm response, tragedy struck again but this time in our own backyard.  

On August 19, 2020 the LNU Lightning Complex fire which started several days before in the Lake Berryessa area, quickly merged with smaller fires in the area due to high winds and dry conditions and charged towards our community of Vacaville in the middle of the night.  Some residents were given only 20 minutes to evacuate and lost everything; others were able to stay and fight the fires.  Ultimately, 154 homes were burned and our community will be forever changed.  Given the extenuating circumstances, we immediately brought our crews home from Iowa and began helping the residents whose homes survived but sustained fire and smoke damage.  We were contacted by a total of 110 fire victims who asked for our help with estimates and cleaning.  Although it pains us all to see the devastation in our own community, we are so thankful for how few individuals suffered personal loss of life in such a devastating event.

As we are still servicing our Vacaville community, the Glass Fire stretched into the Santa Rosa community and the SERVPRO Storm Response Team requested our assistance, and SERVPRO of Vacaville/Fairfield/Dixon answered the call again.  We are currently assisting many residents in the Santa Rosa, Calistoga, St. Helena and Napa communities with their fire restoration needs and will continue to do so as long as the need exists. 

SERVPRO of Vacaville/Fairfield/Dixon…helping our own communities and helping those who need us wherever the need arises.  Call us anytime at (707) 724-8977.  We’re Here to Help. 

Canal & Irrigation Ditch Safety

6/12/2020 (Permalink)

Don't let water temp you near canals and irrigation ditches. Stay out of them to stay alive and call 911 if you see someone fall in.

With temperatures hitting the 100 mark in Solano and Yolo counties recently, any body of water seems like a great place to cool off, but irrigation ditches and canals are ones you should steer clear of.  They may look inviting and refreshing, but they are actually extremely dangerous to enter.  That’s why most canals have fences around them.  Be sure not to climb on the fence and don’t ever go fishing in a canal.   

Canals are manmade structures that are used to transport water for irrigation and other human uses. Many canals were originally constructed in areas without a huge population, but as an area surrounding the canal becomes urbanized, the canal ultimately can run through neighborhoods, making it particularly dangerous.

Canals typically have fast underwater currents that can sweep away even the strongest swimmer, leaving them helpless to escape.  Additionally, many canals have steep, slippery sides that are nearly impossible to crawl out of.  

 Irrigation ditches are not as large, but are equally dangerous because they can contain trash and other debris such as rocks, glass or barbed wire that you cannot see from the surface.  Pesticides, herbicides and other pollutants can be found in irrigation ditch water and it is definitely not safe to drink or swim in.

The water in irrigation ditches can move fast enough to sweep a person downstream with little change of getting out safely.  Some ditches have undertows.  If you are caught in one of these, you can be pulled underwater and your chances of getting out are very slim.  

Here's a few tips on keeping you and your family safe near irrigation canals and ditches:

*Never swim in or play around canals or irrigation ditches

*Never walk closely along the edge of a canal or irrigation ditch

*Never jump in to rescue a pet or object.  Instead call 911 for help.

We all want to try to beat the heat this summer, but SERVPRO of Vacaville wants to help you stay safe by knowing these tips for irrigation canal safety.

Cell Phone or Home Phone - Which One Do I Use In An Emergency?

2/28/2020 (Permalink)

Does it matter which phone you use when making a call to 911?

In the event of an emergency, we have been told to call 911.  This patches us through to our local emergency responders who are dispatched to a specific location.  But with the introduction of cell phones into our daily lives in the 1980’s, a crinkle was added to the 911 dispatch system. 

Previously, all 911 calls coming from cell phones were automatically routed to the California Highway Patrol 911 dispatch centers, which overloaded the call centers and slowed down responses to potential victims.  Now cell phones use either GPS or cell tower triangulation so that a dispatch center can be identified and the call is routed to the proper location. 

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) does have jurisdiction over state freeways and handles emergency calls on these roadways.  So some cell calls made from city streets that are near a freeway will be routed to the CHP.

One way to ensure that a 911 operator can pinpoint your location is to use your landline to make a 911 call whenever possible.  A landline is plugged into a specific address, so an Emergency Response Team will know exactly where to respond. 

However, if you find yourself in an emergency situation and you only have your cell phone, use it to call 911.  Your call will be routed to an emergency response team who will send help to your location no matter how you place your call.

Tips for Checking Your Home After a Storm

1/24/2020 (Permalink)

Now that the winter storms are here, it’s important to remember to check your house after a large storm.  An over-abundance of rain water can overwhelm your home’s gutters and downspouts and saturate the soil around your foundation.  An easy way to remember how to inspect your home is to “Start From the Bottom and Work Up.” 

1. Start in the Basement – The first thing you should check after a heavy rainstorm is your basement or crawlspace.  Make sure there is no standing water.
2. Pull Back Carpets, Rugs and Floors – If any of these items are wet, remove them from your floors immediately and begin to dry these areas as soon as possible.
3. Check Your Walls – Look for stains or discoloring on your walls, bubbling paint or peeling wallpaper. These are all signs of moisture leaking into areas where it shouldn’t be. 
4. Inspect Your Attic – Make sure that your shingles are all secure and that there is no structural damage. Also check to be sure that your insulation is dry. 
5. Check Gutters/Downspouts – Leaves and other debris can clog gutters and lead to drainage issues. Be sure to inspect these areas after a big storm to avoid this problem.  

Your home should be a haven from a storm.  Use these tips to make sure you keep the water outside and the warmth in. 

Tips for Checking Your Home After a Storm

1/24/2020 (Permalink)

Now that the winter storms are here, it’s important to remember to check your house after a large storm.  An over-abundance of rain water can overwhelm your home’s gutters and downspouts and saturate the soil around your foundation.  An easy way to remember how to inspect your home is to “Start From the Bottom and Work Up.” 

1. Start in the Basement – The first thing you should check after a heavy rainstorm is your basement or crawlspace.  Make sure there is no standing water.
2. Pull Back Carpets, Rugs and Floors – If any of these items are wet, remove them from your floors immediately and begin to dry these areas as soon as possible.
3. Check Your Walls – Look for stains or discoloring on your walls, bubbling paint or peeling wallpaper. These are all signs of moisture leaking into areas where it shouldn’t be. 
4. Inspect Your Attic – Make sure that your shingles are all secure and that there is no structural damage. Also check to be sure that your insulation is dry. 
5. Check Gutters/Downspouts – Leaves and other debris can clog gutters and lead to drainage issues. Be sure to inspect these areas after a big storm to avoid this problem.  

Your home should be a haven from a storm.  Use these tips to make sure you keep the water outside and the warmth in. 

SERVPRO of Vacaville is Ready in Case of Emergency

11/1/2019 (Permalink)

You never know when a disaster may strike, but be assured that the professionals at SERVPRO of Vacaville are ready!  We specialize in storm and flood damage restoration. Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources or Handle Floods and Storms

If storms hit Vacaville or any of the surrounding areas, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

If you have storm or flood damage, call us at (707) 724-8977.  We are faster to any disaster and will make it “Like it never even happened.”

Getting the Most Out of your Air Conditioning Unit

8/6/2019 (Permalink)

Using your air conditioner during the summer months increases your electricity bill significantly.  If you don’t clean the unit often enough, debris will block the airflow and the unit will release cool air more slowly.  Then, the air conditioner will take longer to cool your home, forcing you to turn the temperature lower and lower.  Here’s a few tips to help the unit operate at its’ fullest potential, which can help save you some money.

• Rake any leaves and debris away from your outside air conditioner unit.
• Cut back branches and plants so that everything is at least two feet from the air conditioner. This will ensure optimal air flow surrounding your unit.
• Getting your air conditioner professionally cleaned is expensive, but you can do it yourself to save money.

It’s a good idea to completely clean your outdoor air conditioner once in the spring and once in the summer.  Since you’re probably using your air conditioning unit the most heavily during these seasons, its worth it to clean the unit to make sure you aren’t wasting money running the air conditioner excessively just because it isn’t clean enough to operate at its fullest potential. 

That's One Clean Boat

7/22/2019 (Permalink)

Dustin did a great job cleaning our customer's ski boat when a loose boat cover allowed dirt and water inside.

Owning a boat offers its own set of unique challenges.  One of those challenges is keeping the boat clean during the off season, as one of our SERVPRO of Vacaville customers learned.  We were contacted recently after a boat owner learned that their boat cover was not secured tightly over the winter months, which allowed dust and water to accumulate inside the boat.  Unfortunately, they didn’t find the leak until they took the cover off for the summer and found that the excess water and heat from the sunshine caused mold to grow.  So instead of hooking up their boat and hauling it to the lake, they brought it to our warehouse in Vacaville, where the professional staff gave it a good cleaning and eradicated any trace of mold.  The next stop was the lake!

If you find dirt or mold that’s difficult for you to clean, call the professionals at SERVPRO of Vacaville and we will come help you with your most difficult cleaning problems.  Give us a call at (707) 724-8977 anytime. 

Summer Power Outages

6/14/2019 (Permalink)

With summer temperatures inching higher each day, PG&E has announced that it may turn off power to some grids in Northern California in high risk areas in order to mitigate possible fire danger.  Here's a few tips to keep you cool and safe in case your home or place of business loses power.

Keep your refrigerator closed.  Inside of the refrigerator should stay below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and freezers need to be below zero degrees.  Use ice bags or dry ice to keep the inside of the unit cool.

Keep windows and doors closed and block the sun by closing blinds and shades.

Back up your files and install surge protectors.  Take the time to back up your files before the hot weather hits and install surge protectors from your local hardware store to protect your electronics if the power surges when it is turned back on.

Using these easy tips will help make any electrical power outage a bit more tolerable.

Stay Out and Stay Alive

6/12/2019 (Permalink)

With temperatures hitting the 100 mark in the Solano County area recently, any body of water seems like a great place to cool off, but irrigation ditches and canals are ones you should steer clear of.  They may look inviting and refreshing, but they are actually extremely dangerous to enter.

Irrigation canals typically have fast underwater currents that can sweep away even the strongest swimmer, leaving them helpless to escape.  Additionally, many canals have steep, slippery sides that are nearly impossible to crawl out of.  

Irrigation ditches are not as large, but are equally dangerous because they can contain trash and other debris that you cannot see from the surface.  

Here's a few tips on keeping you and your family safe near irrigation canals and ditches:

*Never swim in or play around canals or irrigation ditches

*Never walk closely along the edge of a canal or irrigation ditch

*Never jump in to rescue a pet or object.  Instead call 911 for help.

We all want to try to beat the heat this summer, but SERVPRO of Vacaville wants to help you stay safe by knowing these tips for irrigation canal safety.

Challenges in Paradise

5/13/2019 (Permalink)

Tristan is hard at work cleaning a home in Paradise.

Cleaning homes in Paradise brought unique challenges for the many different contractors who were working to repair homes after the Camp Fire.  SERVPRO of Vacaville had to bring pressure washers with self-contained, extra-large water tanks with them to several properties because some parts of the City were still without a water system six months after the fire.  We used this pressure washer to clean soot off the outside of homes and to help get residents whose homes had survived get back living in their homes.  It was also necessary to bring generators in order to produce our own power, since some areas of the City were still without power while we were working. 

But amazingly, all of the residents SERVPRO of Vacaville has come in contact with share a very positive outlook.  They were all extremely grateful for their great fortune in surviving such a devastating fire, and were very appreciative for the work so many people are doing to try to return their homes and the community to the way they were prior to that fateful November day when the Camp Fire ravished their lives.

SERVPRO of Vacaville is grateful to have the opportunity to help these customers and hopes they all are able to return to their homes and community soon.

If Storms or Floods Hit, SERVPRO of Vacaville is Ready

11/19/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Vacaville specializes in storm and flood damage restoration. Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources or Handle Floods and Storms

If storms hit Vacaville, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today at (707) 724-8977