Tips

Spring has sprung - I think...  Well, it's trying to and its time to think about sprucing up your home after a very long winter.

Here are some tips to make Spring Cleaning more manageable. 

Make a list of projects you want to accomplish.

Set a timeline and break the projects down into manageable pieces.  Sometimes it's better to have a plan - "one room at a time from the top to the bottom" is one example.


Be prepared - check supplies before starting.  It can be so frustrating to start on a project and then discover you are out of one of the items you need to complete it.  When purchasing your supplies, try something new - a floor cleaner with a new scent or a new set of bins to organize a cupboard. 

De-clutter! Get rid of items that you just always seem to be moving from place to place or not really using anymore.  While you are at it, check expiration dates on cleaners, medications and food items and throw away anything expired or about to expire. 

Have back-up help - give kids small projects to make them feel that they are contributing.

Make it fun - start on a sunny day, put on your favorite dancing music and open the windows.

Celebrate the small victories.  I always like to reward myself with a new pair of shoes when I clean out my closet (provided I have gotten rid of at least 2-3 old pairs that are worn out, salt stained or that I just don't wear.)






Call in the pros for the big jobs.  Hiring window washers, pet waste picker-uppers or professional carpet cleaners can make a huge difference in how your home looks (and smells) and will motivate you to keep moving on the rest of your projects. 

 

As an incentive to get you moving on your Spring Cleaning, Restoration Professionals is offering special packages that are available if you mention this article:

Get 3 rooms (up to 600 sq ft) cleaned for $99 + tax ($240 value) or

5 rooms (up to 1000 sq ft) cleaned for $159 + tax ($400 value).

Also - Get one item of upholstery cleaned and get a 2nd item cleaned at 50% off. (equal or lessor value).  Some restrictions apply - call 651-379-1990 for details and to schedule.

Please call between 8 AM - 5 PM Monday-Friday.

 

Insurance Fraud Awareness Week

This week is Insurance Fraud Awareness Week in Minnesota and caps off a nine-month study during which some Minnesota state legislators have been looking at the issue and will be presenting suggested reforms to the public and the full Legislature later this week.  Insurance fraud affects all of us by causing higher premiums.  

In the disaster restoration industry, shady contractors account for a significant amount of insurance fraud.  Many times after a large storm or natural disaster, unlicensed contractors will canvass damaged neighborhoods looking to make a quick buck.  They may demand a large down payment and then disappear without finishing the work or they inflate or invent damage to pad their billings.  

When hiring a disaster restoration contractor, check with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry  to see if a contractor is licensed.  You can find the license look-up tool here: MN License Look-up.  Licensed business contractors in Minnesota are required to carry the proper insurance and part of the licensing fee we pay goes into a Contractor Recovery Fund.  This fund compensates property owners who have suffered a loss due to a licensed contractor's fraudulent, deceptive or dishonest practices, conversion of funds or failure of performance. Another good resource to find out information about contractors is the Better Business Bureau.  Here is a link to our BBB profile: Restpro Profile

For more information about insurance fraud and what you can do to prevent it, check out the MN Insurance Federation website at MN Insurance Federation and the Stop Fraud MN Facebook Page.

Meet our EMS crew!

It has been an extremely busy couple of weeks here at Restoration Professionals.  The frigid temperatures followed by intermittent warm-ups has wreaked havoc on pipes, sprinkler systems, boilers and radiators.  Our crews have been out 24/7 cleaning up water damage caused by burst pipes and water supply lines.

We have been featured in several newspaper and TV news stories about the consequences of this crazy winter weather - Check out our Facebook page for links to some of these stories -https://www.facebook.com/RestorationProfessionals.

We would never be able to provide the awesome customer service and 24/7 attention without the hard work and dedication of our EMS (emergency service) technicians.

Here are profiles of some of these dedicated employees:

 

Scott has been with RestPro since 2003 and is IICRC-certified in Carpet Cleaning, Commercial Carpet Maintenance, Water Damage Restoration, Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration and Odor Control.  In his free time, he enjoys woodworking and detailing automobiles.

Tony has been in the restoration industry for 3 years and is an IICRC-certified Water Damage Restoration Technician.  When he's not working, he enjoys being a dad, playing video games and doing outdoor activities.  He also likes paintball, skydiving and playing pool.

Nick has been part of the RestPro team since 2011.  He is an IICRC-certified Water Damage Restoration Technician.  Nick is also a volunteer at the Ronald McDonald house and likes four-wheeling, hiking and taking road trips with his fiance.

Rodney is a demolition specialist and has worked in the restoration industry for 10 years.  He is IICRC-certified in Water Damage Restoration and Carpet Cleaning.  He enjoys fishing, dancing, shopping, painting and spending time with his kids.

Bob has been in the restoration industry for three years.  He is currently working on renewing his Water Damage and Fire Damage Restoration certifications.  When not at Restpro, he likes to golf and rollerblade.  He also enjoys horseracing and spending time with his wife.




These are just of few of the hard-working team members that keep the Restoration department rolling along. We will be  presenting more of the EMS technicians and our other departments as well so keep checking back.  And in the meantime, try and stay warm and dry!

Happy New Year!

New Year's Eve is always a time for reflection -

 looking back over the good, the bad and the ugly of the past year. 

As for the good, we are grateful for all our customers, employees, vendors and business partners who have been part of our success this past year. Every contact and relationship is important to us.
Here are just a few of the good memories this year with our employees:

Halloween Party

Summer Picnic

Of course, when we talk about the bad, it is always the situations in which many of our clients find themselves that leads them to contact us.  This is an inherent part of working in the field of disaster restoration.  However, it is our mission to take the bad and turn it into something good for our customers.  Here is a picture that a customer sent to our company owner on Christmas morning.  They are living in temporary housing while their house is being repaired after a fire.  The day before Christmas eve, she asked if someone could find their stockings which were packed away and stored in our warehouse while their house is being restored.  One of our contents technicians was able to find them and get them to the family in time to be filled with Christmas treats.

Last but not least, we must discuss the ugly.  Or better yet - let's just take a look:

1. Ron Burgundy: Mmmmm... I look good. I mean really good.

Have a Safe and Happy New Year!

From all of us at Restoration Professionals,

May Peace, Joy, Hope and Happiness 

be yours during this Holiday Season 

and throughout the New Year

The Ice Dam Cometh...

Brrr - It's cold out there.

When it gets this cold outside, it is important to protect yourself against the elements but it is also important to protect your home from damage that frequently accompanies this type of weather.  The most common cause of water damage that we see this time of year is from frozen burst pipes.  When water freezes, it expands.  As it expands, it can cause pipes and other water conduits to burst.  However, you may not realize you have a broken or leaky pipe until it warms up a little and the ice thaws and water starts flooding your home.

Here are a couple of things you can do to prevent or minimize costly damage to your property:
By this time, you should have put away garden hoses and turned off  the water supply to all outside faucets. You should also check crawl spaces and other boxed-in areas where water pipes are located to make sure there is adequate heat supply and good warm air flow around pipes.
When planning to be away from home for more than a day, have someone check your house to make sure the furnace is working properly.  We had many calls from property owners who return from vacation to find their furnace stopped working and their entire home is an icy disaster.

If you do suspect you have a frozen pipe, your best bet is to call a plumber.  Attempting to thaw the pipe yourself can result in more damage.  Open flames and torches can cause further damage to pipes and are a fire hazard.  The plumber can also check to see if there are leaks before the ice melts and starts causing more problems.

If you have a burst pipe, Restoration Professionals provides 24 hour emergency water damage mitigation. We can extract the water, set-up drying equipment and also check walls, ceilings and floors for moisture and further water intrusion.
Most homeowners insurance polices will cover water damage from burst pipes. Restoration Professionals has the knowledge and expertise to assist with your insurance claim.  Put the Pros on your side!