If you have a fire or water emergency, please call us now at (218) 568-6923

To have the optimal experience while using this site, you will need to update your browser. You may want to try one of the following alternatives:

Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived General Blog Posts

SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids is an IICRC Certified Firm

4/22/2022 (Permalink)

We are an IICRC Certified Firm

Our Highly Trained Restoration Specialists can restore your Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard, and Wadena county Homes.

SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids 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 Brainerd and Park Rapids

SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids 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.

SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids Certifications:

  • AMRT - Applied Microbial Remediation Technician
  • ASD - Applied Structural Drying Technician
  • CCT - Carpet Cleaning Technician
  • ECTP - Employee Certification Training Program
  • FSRT - Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician
  • HST - Health and safety Technician
  • IICRC Certified Firm
  • RRRP - Lead-Based Paint Activities and Renovation
  • WRT - Water Damage Restoration Technician

2020 PRODUCT SHOWCASE

2/6/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids Marketing Manager in the Educational Booth at the MMBA/GLAR at Breezy Point Convention Center.

PRODUCT SHOWCASE 2020

On Thursday, January 30, 2020 SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids had the pleasure to display and educational booth at the Breezy Point Convention Center.

This Product Showcase was hosted by the Mid-Minnesota Builders Association (MMBA) and the Greater Lakes Association of Realtors (GLAR).  This industry specific trade show exhibited the latest and greatest products/services to local builders, remodelers, appraisers, realtors and home inspectors.

SERVPRO's focus at this event was to educate the local contractors on our Emergency Response Time Program.

TIMELY ASSIGNMENT

  • (1) - Within one hour from notice of loss, a SERVPRO Franchise Professional will contact the homeowner or business to arrange a service time.
  • (2) - Within four hours of loss notification, a SERVPRO Franchise Professional will be on-site to start mitigation services.
  • (3) - Also, within eight business of on-site arrival, a verbal briefing of the scope will be communicated to the adjuster.

This response time is designed to remove the fears of homeowners during this stressful time.  It is also in place to alleviate and possibility of secondary damage.  Having these standards in place also reduces claims loss expense.

If your home or business requires emergency service, don't hesitate to give us a call at 218-568-6923.  SERVPRO Professionals will arrive quickly to help you regain control of your structure.

With any leak, IT'S THE WATER YOU DON'T SEE that may cause the most damage.

3/1/2019 (Permalink)

Slow refrigerator water-line leak, caused extensive damage Pillager, MN

4 Common Causes of Water Damage

Whatever the cause, water damage that occurs to your home in Crow Wing County can be incredibly stressful and costly to deal with. Especially severe cases can damage the structure of your house, completely destroy furniture, ruin personal belongings, and cause mold to grow. The key to avoiding water damage is by ensuring there is no excess water in your home due to leaks, puddles, or too much moisture in the air. Here are four common causes of water damage to be aware so you can prevent them from ever happening in the first place.

1. Plumbing Issues

Issues with your plumbing can cause extreme water damage before you even realize that anything went wrong, which is why prevention is key. Make sure to check your bathrooms and sinks regularly to observe for any leaks, musty smells, or a problem with your toilet. Avoid a major pipe cleanup by replacing old, rusty pipes if you notice any.

2. Appliance Leaks

Watch out for the four appliances that leak the most by checking for leaks, faulty connections, or cracked hoses:

  • Washing machine
  • Refrigerator
  • Dishwasher 
  • Water heater

3. Issues With Your HVAC System

HVAC systems are prone to leaking or freezing due to dirty coils, a broken pipe, or temperature issues. Make sure to perform regular maintenance and inspections on your HVAC and address any concerns before leaving your home on vacation to avoid leaking water in your home while you’re away.

4. Lack of Ventilation

One easy but important way to avoid having to call in a water restoration specialist is to ensure your home is well ventilated. This is especially true in your bathroom. When you take a shower, make sure to turn on your exhaust fan, crack open a window, and leave the door open.

Undiscovered leaks and moisture build-up can cause damage to the floors, walls and ceilings of your home, leading to soft drywall, warped floors and ceilings, or worse problems.  This damage may go unnoticed for an extended period of time, proper cleanup is important to the restoration of your property, possibly reducing the cost of repairs needed.

Be Safe with Your Holiday Decorations

12/13/2018 (Permalink)

Here to Help!

Holiday Lights and Electrical Decorations Safety Tips

by ESFi.org

Now that Thanksgiving is over, many of us will be decorating our hoes for Christmas.  While decorative lights and other electrical decorations add to the magic of the season, they can increase the risks of fire and electrical injuries if not used safely.

  • Always purchase electrical decorations and lights from reputable retailers.
  • Use lights approved for safe use by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
  • Never connect more than three strands of incandescent lights together.
  • Consider purchasing LED lights, which use less energy and run cooler than traditional incandescent lights.
  • Before decorating, determine how many outlets are available and where they are located. Plan your displays accordingly.
  • Carefully inspect each  electrical decoration.  Cracked or damaged sockets, loose or bare wires, and loose connections may cause a serious shock or start a fire.
  • Follow the manufacturer's use and care instructions that accompany electrical decorations.
  • Avoid overloading electrical outlets with too many decorations or electrical devices.  They can overheat and cause a fire.
  • Make sure that cords are not pinched in doors, windows or under heavy furniture, which could damage the cord's insulation.
  • Do not mount or support light strings in a way that might damage the cord's insulation.
  • Always unplug electrical decorations before replacing bulbs or fuses.
  • Turn off all indoor and outdoor electrical decorations before leaving home or going to sleep.

Remember SERVPRO of Brainer and Park Rapids is Here to Help @ 218-568-6923.

Happy Thanksgiving

11/21/2018 (Permalink)

Don't get too Stuffed!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Be safe this Thanksgiving.  Cooking is the leading cause of fires in the home and of fire injuries, so please follow these safety tips:

  • Make sure your oven is empty before turning it on.
  • Wear short or tight-fitting sleeves when cooking.
  • Turn pot handles inward over the stove.
  • Remember to "stand by your pan" and stay in the kitchen when boiling, frying or broiling.
  • Use a timer when baking or roasting and never leave the house with the oven cooking.
  • The best way to respond to a stovetop fire is to "put a lid on it" and turn off the heat.
  • The best way to respond to an oven or broiler fire is to keep the doors closed and turn off the heat.
  • If the fire is not quickly snuffed out, leave the house and call 911 from outside.

Remember SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids is always Here to Help at 218-568-6923.  Save our phone number to your phone so that you can be Hero Ready if disaster strikes you home or business.

We are "HERE TO HELP"