Common Causes of Damage to Commercial Properties

6/16/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Sioux Falls is your local commercial disaster team. Contact us to learn more about our commercial damage restoration services.

Our country thrives on small businesses, and it always has. We all likely visit several every day between work, play and supplying our homes with the things we need.

When you own a business, you carry a heavy load with the ins and outs of daily operations. If a disaster strikes, it can have devastating consequences not only on your building but on your business as a whole.

The cost of damages from natural disasters has been on a steady incline in the United States recently. Actually, in the last five years, there has been as estimated $153 billion worth of damages done annually. This represents a large increase from previous periods and is quite alarming.

Here in Sioux Falls, we know to anticipate cold, snowy winters and warm summers with lots of clouds year-round. Along with our high amounts of snowfall, we can also experience severe thunderstorms, floods and even the occasional tornado in the warmer months.

In May of this year, we saw a round of storms that created a good deal of damage across the Midwest, including in our own neighborhoods. These widespread storms brought straight-line winds, heavy rain and a tornado touching down in the Castlewood area that left the high school with roof and wall damage.

This round of scary storms was a strong reminder of why we should always be prepared. The more we can learn about the ways our businesses can be damaged, the more we can do to protect them.

Sioux Empire Home Show 2022

3/2/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Logos and memorabilia displayed for a trade show

Another year, another home show in the books! The Sioux Empire Home Show was held on the last weekend of February. The show is an opportunity for vendors such as ourselves to promote our services to the many current and future homeowners of the Sioux Falls, South Dakota area. 

A great opportunity to get potential customer eyes on your business, the Sioux Empire Home Show is help annually by the Sioux Empire Home Builders Association. The Home Builders Association is a fantastic organization that brings together the many home service providers, such as SERVPRO of Sioux Falls, that comprise the Sioux Falls area. 

Not only does the home show provide us with an opportunity to meet new potential customers, it gives us a chance to network with businesses adjacent to ours such as realtors, insurance agents, and potential subcontractors. 

Teapot Days 2021

6/22/2021 (Permalink)

Our Marketing department taking a selfie to show the crowd at the Teapot Days parade!

After taking last year off due to the global pandemic, residents and businesses all over Tea were able to celebrate Teapot Days again in 2021! Teapot Days is a multi-day celebration of everything this wonderful community of ours has to offer. An opportunity for businesses such as SERVPRO of Sioux Falls to be able to promote their services while having fun with community members.

Festivities kicked off mid-week with a blood drive and community picnic. An excellent opportunity to catch up with people we hadn’t seen in quite some time, while also donating blood and giving back to the community.

Friday brought the carnival for all ages to town. It was great to see so many smiling and laughing faces. In the evening a section of downtown was blocked off for a street dance.

On Saturday, our team got lined up to throw candy to the hundreds of citizens lining the streets of tea for the parade. What a turnout! After the parade, the community got to enjoy the carnival, food trucks, live music, and the end of the evening fireworks display!

SERVPRO of Sioux Falls was so happy to be back celebrating our wonderful community!

SERVPRO at the Home Show!

3/2/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Sioux Falls display at Sioux Empire Home Show.

We look forward to the last weekend in February every year. Not only does it signify that Spring is near, but the Sioux Empire Home Builders Association hosts its annual Sioux Empire Home Show. The home show provides businesses such as SERVPRO of Sioux Falls the opportunity to get in to direct contact with as many area homeowners as possible. It is a wonderful event that allows us to not only showcase the services we provide, but how we are able to differentiate ourselves from our competitors in the area.

We always get plenty of great questions from homeowners and we look forward to helping them understand why choosing SERVPRO is the way to go! If you did not make it this year, we hope to be able to see you next year! 

SERVPRO gives back

1/15/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Sioux Falls team presenting donation to Tea Volunteer Fire Department

This past fall the Tea Volunteer Fire Department had to put off hosting their annual dueling pianos community fundraiser. To show our appreciation for the hard work and selflessness these volunteers provide, we decided to put together a fundraiser. 

We partnered with a local realtor to solicit donations from local businesses in the community as well as some generous private donors. The support from the community was overwhelming! We had over twenty local businesses donate an item to be raffled off. We also partnered with six different local businesses to act as host locations for the community to purchase tickets at. 

The support from the community went beyond our wildest dreams! We were able to present the Tea Volunteer Fire Department with over $11,000 in donations from the Tea Community! 

The whole process was very rewarding for the whole SERVPRO of Sioux Falls team and we look forward to helping out the community in the future!

Summer Safety Series: Fireside Safety

7/16/2020 (Permalink)

Fire at camp site.

One of the best summer pastimes is sitting outside by the fire, enjoying a beautiful night. The familiar smells, marshmallows for s’mores slowly roasting over the flames, maybe a cold beer, and some good company. Whether you are out camping or you’ve got a fire pit in your backyard, the comfort of sitting around a warm fire with friends and family is a real treat. While you are out enjoying your time, its important to remember some basic fire safety tips to keep your friends and family safe.

What to have on hand:

Ideally, they safest way to start a fire is to use small kindling and rolled up newspapers. A starter log is also another safe bet. Try to avoid using lighter fluid. If you are finding yourself in need of an accelerant, it may mean your wood is too wet, or the conditions are too windy. Never start a fire if the conditions are too windy. It is very easy for embers to get picked up in high winds and spread to areas that could catch fire. We recommend having a bucket of water or a garden hose on hand at all times when building and enjoying a fire.

What to avoid:

Never use an accelerant such as kerosene or gasoline. They are too volatile to be used around open flames. Even pouring a little gas in the bottom of the pit and dropping a match from a distance is very dangerous, as the fumes will ignite first, potentially blowing hot air or flame at your person.

Make sure your fire pit is far enough away from any structures and is not covered by low hanging tree branches.

Make sure you and your guests are seated a safe distance from the fire pit.

When you are finished with the fire for the evening, be sure to properly extinguish it. Stir the ashes and douse thoroughly with water.

From all of us at SERVPRO of Sioux Falls, have a safe and fun summer!

Storm Watches Vs. Warning

6/17/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO storm ready image

Severe weather season is underway so it’s a good time to review the difference between tornado and severe thunderstorm watches and warnings.  A WATCH means that the potential exists for severe thunderstorms or tornadoes to develop.  A tornado watch does not mean that a tornado has been seen, it just means that conditions are favorable for one to develop.  The same applies to a thunderstorm watch.  Conditions are conducive for the development of severe weather.  When watches are issued there is no immediate action for you to take, but do keep up to date on the current weather situation.

WARNINGS on the other hand need to be taken seriously and demand action.  A severe thunderstorm warning indicated that severe weather is imminent in your area or already happening.  Severe refers to wind gusts exceeding 58 mph and hail greater than 1” in diameter.  A tornado warning means that a tornado has been indicated by radar or spotted by a human observer.  Take cover immediately when a tornado warning is issued for your area as the likelihood of you beingdirectly impacted by a tornado is at a heightened risk.

With this knowledge of watches and warnings, you will be better prepared the next time severe weather threatens your area.  Remember too that SERVPRO of Sioux Falls is here to help the Sioux Falls area during severe weather events if you should have any damage.  We provide services from start to finish to get you and your family back to pre-storm condition.

Cruisin for a Cause

4/13/2020 (Permalink)

Residents of Tea lined up in their vehicles to meet the Easter Bunny.

As our community adjusts and adapts to social distancing, we still find ourselves wanting to see and make contact with our friends and family. The community of Tea has come up with a great idea to help us see our friends in the community. Every Saturday evening from 7-8 PM, Tea residents load up in to their vehicles and hit the roads through Tea for a leisurely cruise. Each week the town picks a theme to follow and the participants decorate their cars and dress up. An inventive solution to a new a problem we haven’t had to deal with before. It’s great to see the community finding ways to stay connected. Look for our SERVPRO green vehicles weekly during the Tea Cruise! Drive Safe!

We are all in this together

3/26/2020 (Permalink)

Photo of dog and cat - we are all in this together

How to manage stress during these unprecedented times

We live in a world where news and information are available with just a few taps on our keyboard.  Often times, that news and information isn’t always good news and lately, with the pandemic of Covid 19, it seems that uplifting stories are few and far between.  So what can we do to manage the stress most of us are feeling during these times of either self-confinement, sickness or possibly job loss or job cutbacks or all of the sudden we are faced with having your kids home and now you have had to add teacher to your job description?

First thing I would highly recommend is becoming educated on the virus, the do’s and don’ts of what to do, however, don’t become obsessed with it.  Limit the time you spend watching tv coverage about the virus. 

You can also take this time to reconnect as a family.  For years we have been glued to our phones and other obligations that seem to have chipped away at the time we spend with our families – and sitting in the same room doesn’t count as spending time together.  Put the phones down – find out what’s going on with your spouse and your kids.  How and what are they thinking about what is going on?  If they are feeling scared or down, this is a perfect time to come up with some ideas that you can all do together and lighten the atmosphere in your home.  Below are a few suggestions to start you out:

• Play games as a family
• Put together that 500 piece puzzle you bought twenty years ago and it’s still in the original wrap
• Make a list of fun self care ideas – i.e. take a long bath, work out to your 1980’s Sweatin’ to the Oldies Richard Simmons tape
• Cook together or have everyone take a night to put their favorite meal together
• Light some candles and read a good book
• Learn how to make your own cleaning supplies
• Put a care package together for an elderly person in your neighborhood and put it outside their door
• Look through old family pictures together
• Do projects around the house that you have wanted to do for some time but haven’t gotten the chance to

Remember – in time, this too shall pass and we can and will make it through this time.   Be vigilant to what you are asked to do – such as practice social distancing, home confinement, proper hand washing techniques, etc.   If we all do what we are suggested to do, this will be a memory sooner rather than later. 

We here at SERVPRO of West Sioux Falls care about our customers and our community and we are wishing you all good mental health! 

SERVPRO at the Home Show

2/24/2020 (Permalink)

Photo of SERVPRO booth at local home show

SERVPRO of West Sioux Falls had the pleasure of running an exhibit at the local Sioux Empire Home Show over the weekend. It was a great opportunity for us to promote brand awareness and showcase how our services can be helpful to local homeowners. 

We had a great time explaining the value of our services to interested homeowners. A trade show like this, with thousands of attendees, was a great opportunity to show local homeowners and the businesses who cater to them how SERVPRO’S fire, water, and mold cleaning and restoration services stand out from our competitors. 

Extreme cold conditions

2/13/2020 (Permalink)

Outside faucet frozen over with ice.

If you live in the Sioux Falls area, we don’t have to tell you how cold it was this morning. What we do want to talk about in regards to the freezing temps is the risk of frozen and burst pipes. Extreme temperature swings like the one we are currently experiencing can wreak havoc on your home.

The general cut-off temperature point to be on alert for frozen pipes is around 20 degrees Fahrenheit. At this point pipes can begin to freeze. You may not think that would be a big concern as the internal temperature of your home is well above that. While you may be comfortable in your home, pipes that run along the outside of the house or say a kitchen sink that is against an outside wall of the house. These areas typically have less insulation.

Unfortunately it is not always possible to tell if your pipes have been frozen until they thaw and burst. This is why precaution is the best course of action. Some possible courses of action include:

• Setting taps to run on cold at the slowest possible rate of flow. Even a tiny amount of water moving through the pipes can prevent freezing.
• Set your thermostat higher than normal and open cabinets that contain pipes so they are exposed to warm air circulating throughout the house.
• Another option is to add insulation to pipes that are in un-heated areas.

Stay warm and stay safe! Should you experience any damage related to frozen and burst pipes, call SERVPRO of West Sioux Falls at 605-213-3303 and our team of water damage experts will help restore your home "Like it never even happened."

Ribbon cutting ceremony for SERVPRO of West Sioux Falls

1/30/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of West Sioux Falls and community members celebrating ribbon cutting.

On January 24th, 2020, SERVPRO of West Sioux Falls celebrated a ribbon cutting ceremony for our marketing department office in Tea. 

As we continue to grow as a company, we also want to grow within the communities that we serve. We appreciate the welcoming embrace we have received and hope to return that appreciation. 

Our staff was joined by members of the Tea Chamber for Development as well as some of our local business partners. 

Benefits of scheduling a regular dryer vent cleaning

1/16/2020 (Permalink)

Dryer vent well overdue for a cleaning.

At SERVPRO of West Sioux Falls, we know the value of a good dryer vent cleaning. As we handle textile cleaning and drying after a water loss or home fire, we know the importance and benefits of having a clean dryer vent.

If you’re noticing your dryer takes more than one cycle to dry your clothes, this is a good indicator that you may be due for a dryer vent cleaning. Another indicator of a clogged dryer vent is a musty smell on clothing items after they have been dried.

Getting your dryer vent cleaned will greatly improve the effectiveness and efficiency of your dryer, saving you both time and significant money on your electrical bill. Regularly cleaning of your dryer vent will also help your dryer last longer.

Most importantly, regularly cleaning your dryer vent and removing clogged lint can help prevent a house fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association, 17,000 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year, causing upwards of $230,000,000 damage.

If you are experiencing issues with your dryer or you can’t remember the last time you had your dryer vents cleaned, do not hesitate to call SERVPRO of West Sioux Falls at 605-213-3303 and set up your appointment today!

Teapot Days 2019

6/14/2019 (Permalink)

Join us for Teapot Days!

June is one of our favorite times of the year. Celebrating Teapot Days in Tea, SD! The four days of events are full of fun, family, and celebrating our amazing town!

SERVPRO of West Sioux Falls is located in Tea, SD. In addition to operating locally our leadership team and two members of crew also call Tea home. We are fiercely proud or our Titans, schools, churches, First Responders and entire community. 

We are excited for the carnival rides provided by Mighty Thomas Carnival. This is always an amazing time to spend with the family. 

We love participating in the parade. We enjoy seeing the kids' eyes open wide seeing our green SERVPRO vehicles and then the sweet candy flying out the windows and hands of our own SERVPRO family. 

The festivities wind down on Saturday with an outstanding fireworks display followed by a night of dancing in the streets. 

Teapot Days 2018

6/11/2018 (Permalink)

Our family is proud to be part of the Tea community.

Don't forget to watch for our SERVPRO vehicles in the Teapot Days parade again this year.  Here's a schedule of this year's events. 

We're so proud to be a part of this amazing community.

Source: teasd.com

TEAPOT DAYS JUNE 13-16, 2018

SCHEDULE (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

NO COOLERS ARE ALLOWED IN THE PARK AT ANY TIME

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2018

CommuniTEA BBQ at Trinity Lutheran Church Parking Lot - 335 W. 1st St. 

• 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
• Free Hamburgers, hot dogs & drinks
• Inflatables! 
• Meet community members. 
• Tour a Tea Fire Truck, Tea Police Car and a Bus
• Bloodmobile
  
  

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2018

• The Mighty Thomas Carnival - 5:00 pm to dusk - 105 E. Brian St.

• Crowning of Ma & Pa Teapot - 7:00 pm Tea Community Hall, 200 W. Maple St.

FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 2018

• The Mighty Thomas Carnival - Noon - dusk - 105 E. Brian St.
• Free Kids Pedal Pull - Registration begins at 6:30 pm - Pulling starts at 7:00 pm.  Ages 3-11, Tea Park Picnic Shelter, 105 E. Brian
• Teafest Hot Rod Show & Shine - Tea Athletic Park - Registration at 5:00 pm.  $10 registration fee includes t-shirt.
              Car Show from 6pm to 9pm - Concessions and beverages by Squealers Smoke Shack  -
              Music from 6pm - 9pm by Weston Frank 
• Tea Steak House Dance featuring Driven - 9:00 pm -1:00 am - Main Ave.

SATURDAY, JUNE 16, 2918

• Pancake Breakfast - 7:00 -9:30 am - Tea Community Hall, 200 W. Maple St. - Free will donation 
• Junior Achievement 5K Bacon Run - 8:00 am start at Tea Athletic Complex.  For more information and to register go to  https://secure.qgiv.com/for/2tbr/
• Parade - 10:00 am Start - Line up at Tea Area High School from 9:00 to 9:45 am.  
• Northern Plains Boxer Recue Poker Run - 
• The Mighty Thomas Carnival - Noon -10:00 .
• Food Vendors - 10:00 am - 10:00 pm - Tea Park
• Beer Garden - Noon - 10:30 pm
• Vendors - 10:00 am - 4:00 pm - Tea Park 
• Bean Bag Tournament - 1:00 pm - 2 person teams - Check in from 11:45-12:20 pm  - Must pre-register - $40.00 per team - Late registration $50.00 per team.  Proceeds benefit TAPPS.  Bring Lawn chairs.  CLICK HERE FOR AN APPLICATION
• Tea Lions Pork Feed - 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm - Tea Community Hall - 200 W. Maple
• Free Music - Guilty Pleasures Orchestra - 11:30 am - 3:30 pm
                       Working Class Hero - 6:30 pm - 10:30 pm
• Fireworks - 10:30 pm - viewing from the Tea Park
• Sky Lounge Street Dance featuring Too Drunk to Fish from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm and Bad Hamster from 9:00 pm - 1:00 am - 2nd St. & Main Avew.

Sioux Empire Home Show

3/11/2016 (Permalink)

Adam and Jessica at the Sioux Empire Home Show.

We had a lot of fun participating in the Sioux Empire Home Show last weekend.  Thank you to all who stopped by the booth to learn more about SERVPRO.