The Leader in Advanced Restoration Technology

12/1/2022 (Permalink)

Check this out!

As a leader in property restoration, SERVPRO of Minot uses the newest tools and technology to get the job done right. From advanced drying equipment to latest restoration software programs. 

Mold Testing Technology

When faced with mold, we have a testing system to guarantee that mold is in the area. With lab analysis, we can know within 24-36 hours whether or not there is mold in an area that needs remediation. 

Testing for mold allows us to save homeowners and property managers money and time. A post-test also allows us to certify that our remediation efforts were successful and removed the mold from the property. 

DryBook™ Job Tracking Software

Using our trademarked restoration software, we can log job details, know how much equipment we use, and have customers fill our forms electronically on site. Electronic documentation also allows easier communication with insurance representatives and our office staff. 

Matterport™ 3D Model Camera

Our Matterport™ 3D Model Camera is unlike anything other restoration companies have! Using this, we can map the job site and create virtual 3D walkthroughs of the property. This helps with creating estimates, communicating with insurance representatives and documenting the progress of the job from start to finish! 

We strive to be the leader in cleaning and restoration. Finding and using the latest in restoration materials helps us to make every disaster "Like it never even happened". 

SERVPRO of Minot: Faster to Any Size Disaster

8/23/2022 (Permalink)

Residential and Commercial Restoration and Cleaning Services

SERVPRO of Minot is dedicated to providing 24-hour emergency service. We have highly trained experts in not only water mitigation and fire restoration, but also mold remediation and emergency storm clean up. We pride ourselves on being faster to any size disaster. Our expertly trained technicians can respond immediately to your small residential or large commercial emergency. We work hard to arrive promptly and work efficiently to properly restore your property! 

Your Minot home is our priority! When it comes to disaster clean up we are certified and experienced and "here to help". Give us a call and we'll be ready to clean up your home or business and make it "Like it never even happened".  

Golfing with SERVPRO

8/22/2022 (Permalink)

On August 18 through 21, SERVPRO of Minot sponsored hole 4 at the Vardon Golf Club for the annual Western North Dakota Charity Professional-Amateur Golf Tournament. The tournament gave back over $53,000 for local charities and was a great way to meet and chat with new people in the community. This year, the club hosted over 50 pros coming from California, all the way to Vermont, and everything in between! There were over 70 local amateurs playing with the pros, lots of whom have used SERVPRO of Minot in the past with great success. We got lots of compliments for coming out and being a part of this awesome tournament. We hope to be back next year to do it all again! Thank you Vardon! 

Three Natural Cleaning Ingredients To Use in Your Home

8/17/2022 (Permalink)

Today there are a wide variety of cleaning products available in our stores. Products designed to clean specific items and areas of our homes. Rather than have your cupboards overflowing with different spray bottles, here are three simple, natural ingredients you can use to clean up your home.

Baking Soda

One of the most versatile products for cleaning, baking soda can be used on almost anything to get rid of odors and clean up stains. Sprinkle some at the bottom of the garbage can to get rid of the odors. Use half a cup of baking soda in two quarts of water to scrub down appliances, inside your fridge, and other surfaces like tiles, toilets, and showers. You can also use a heavy amount of baking soda on your carpets, leave for a few hours and vacuum up late for a refreshed new smell and feel to your carpets.

Lemons

Lemons are great for cleaning, they are a natural smell and air freshener, which is why a lot of cleaning products have some sort of “lemon” scent to them. To perfume the air indoors naturally, cut a lemon in half and set the cut halves in an inconspicuous place, such as behind plants or table ornaments, just remember to throw them away after a few days. Lemon juice is also a great addition to a water solution used to wipe down tables and counter tops.

Coffee Grounds

Although most people enjoy their cup of coffee. Many do not think of coffee ground as a natural cleaning solution. You can use coffee grounds to clean up vomit from your pet or toddler, sprinkle liberally and allow the grounds to soak up the mess, then just sweep or vacuum up the rest. As an air freshener, you can place new or used coffee grounds in a bowl or container and place in cupboards, car trunks, or the refrigerator for a fresh smell.

Although it is easy and relatively cheap to buy cleaning products today, here are some natural solutions you can use to bring a new fragrance into your home.

SERVPRO in the Community

8/4/2022 (Permalink)

The SERVPRO of Minot Team at the NDSF

This year, SERVPRO of Minot showed its support of the North Dakota State Fair by cruising down South Broadway all the way to the fair grounds in our iconic green vehicles in the parade to kick off the fair. While candy is always a big hit, it wasn't the only thing being handed out... 1,500 SERVPRO drink cozies were given away! That's a lot of drinks being kept ice cold on a hot North Dakotan afternoon! It was a great day for us, and we were glad to show our support for our local community. SERVPRO of Minot is happy to participate in fun events like this, and showing that we're always "here to help", no matter what it might be! 

Meet our Team: Steven Bovia

7/11/2022 (Permalink)

Steven Bovia is from Alamogordo, NM and move to Minot 3 years ago. He enjoys cars, motorcycles, music, and singing. He enjoys being part of the Minot community and appreciates the close proximity of retail stores, restaurants, and grocery stores for his basic needs.

Steven is a Production Technician here at SERVPRO of Minot and is highly motivated to help out customers when disaster strikes. He specializes in fire and water clean up and restoration. His attention to detail and willingness to help has made him a true asset to our company.

He hopes to one day become a production manager for the company and continue to grow in his career and level of service he provides to his customers. Continuous improvement and his positive outlook are very important traits that Steven contributes to our SERVPRO team. 

Keep up the great work and thanks for being a part of our team!

Warning Signs of Mold in Your Home

7/14/2021 (Permalink)

As summer weather continues to heat up our area, you may begin to notice signs of mold in your home. Read below to get a step ahead of these signs and stop mold growth before it becomes a major, and costly problem.

Smell

If you notice a musty odor, especially one coming from a basement or crawlspace, this is a very good indicator of mold. Even if you can’t see any discoloration, the smell could be coming from behind the flooring or walls where you can see it. By the time you can smell it, steps should be taken to inspect for mold and then clean or remove and affected materials.

Leaks or Past Water Damage

If you have experienced recent or past water damage, or if you notice there is a current leak in your home, mold growth may have taken place. Mold grows in dark; moist environments and a leak can provide enough moisture for mold growth. Additionally, past floods can contribute to mold growth. To prevent water damage from turning into mold, act quickly to dry up any leaks or spills and if it is major damage, contact a professional remediation company, such as SERVPRO, to clean it up fast.

How SERVPRO Gave Back to Minot Firefighters

5/19/2021 (Permalink)

This past year, Minot’s local firefights stepped up to the challenge. From battling the COVID-19 pandemic to responding to a series of wildfires that occurred early in a dry spring, on top of dealing with all the normal emergencies we expect of our first responders. To wanted to give them a show of our appreciation, and we were able to do just that, with the help of Big Time Bistro.

We donated dozens of gourmet sandwiches from Big Time Bistro to all stations and all shifts of fire fighters in the Minot Fire Department. The firefighters were ecstatic to receive food from this local Minot brand which had just recently returned to the community after a hiatus for a few years.

Our first responders are essential to keeping our community safe and saving lives, properties and homes that would otherwise be lost. We cannot thank all of our first responders enough, and hope by providing them lunch for a day we were able to show a small sliver of the thankfulness we have for them.

How SERVPRO uses Technology to stay ahead of our competition.

5/18/2021 (Permalink)

In an effort to constantly strive for improvement, SERVPRO of Minot tries to stay on the leading edge of new technologies to help us improve our work. We provide our employees the latest available tools to improve our overall efficiency and quality. Here are a few examples of technology we use.

Xactimte

Xactimte is a national estimating software used by insurance adjusters. We use this software to make sure we have standardized, competitive prices as well as ease of communication when working with adjusters.  

Matterport

Matterport is a 3D modeling and sketching software. This allows us to use 3D virtual models to document job sites. Using this, we can more accurately create estimates, enable quicker communication with insurance professionals and property owners. 

Infrared Cameras

We use infrared cameras to detect moisture in  walls, floors, and ceilings.  These handheld cameras allow us to find water that is being held in walls, flooring, or ceilings. With a better idea of where the water is being trapped, we save time when extracting wet affected materials wall also having to replace less materials when we restore the site.

Moisture Meters

Moisture meters are handheld detection devices that, like infrared cameras, can be used to find the source of moisture or where water has spread. The difference between these and infrared cameras is that infrared cameras are used 2 scan an area where there is no known leakage 2 find a possible leak, while moisture meters are used to determine the spread of an already known leak.

These are just a few examples of some technology we use to be on the leading edge of restoration companies in North Dakota. Follow our Facebook page @SERVPROMinot to see what other tools we use to stay ahead of the competition.

Our 3D Matterport Camera.

4/20/2021 (Permalink)

Our New Matterport Camera

Continuing to strive to improve our service, SERVPRO of Minot recently purchased a 3D Matterport camera. This new technology will provide property owners and insurance companies with incredibly accurate measurements and 3D images for all property losses while we work to restore the damaged property. 

Using Matterport, we are going to have accurate, updatable documentation throughout the entirety of the job duration. From our initial inspection until final walk through.

This will ensure the most comprehensive preloss asset documentation and risk management with the digital twin that allows for more informed and accurate underwriting practices.

• Unbeatable documentation accuracy for higher quality assessments.
• Add policy, work approvals, and claims notes directly into the 3D model.
• Complete detailed measurements of affected area with 3D imaging to ensure quality. 

With 3D models, timelines for completing jobs will decrease exponentially. This will allow quicker communication between the property owner, their Insurance company and us here at SERVPRO of Minot. Allowing for the work to be done quicker, better, and with everyone on the same page. 

Along with the 3D images model, Matterport also can create an accurate floor plan sketch. This sketch can then be uploaded to Xactimate® to send out estimates with all the information needed right in the sketch and models. This will speed up time for claims to be paid out and job losses to be processed. 

 SERVPRO of Minot is excited to begin training on Matterport programs and systems. We expect to begin implementing Matterport in our work later this month and look forward to using it to help our North Dakota communities recover from whatever disaster they may experience.

3 Ways to Save Heat in Your Home this Winter

11/3/2020 (Permalink)

As winter is fast approaching, all North Dakotans know that saving heat is important. Between saving money on energy bills and increased home comfort, these tips below are well worth the time and effort to get your home prepared for winter.

• Turn fans on. Circulate air throughout your home during the cold months. We tend to turn our fans off when it gets cold but turning them on can actually have benefits. As your furnace heats the air, that warm air eventually rises to the ceiling and cools off or escapes through windows and imperfections in the roof. Turning fans on, and if angling them towards the ceiling if possible, forces that trapped warm air back down and heats your home.

• Use a humidifier. Moist air retains heat better than dry air, so running a humidifier can save money in heating cost while also adding many health benefits.

• Sealing leaks. The easiest and best way to retain heat in your home, and save energy costs, is through sealing leaks. Your home releases hot air through imperfections in building materials and construction design. Common areas to find leaks include around doors, windows, near the attic, where wires and cables enter your house, and around electrical outlets. Seal gaps around any pipes, wires, vents or other openings with caulk or weather stripping. This costs as little as $5 and can save up to 10-20% of your heating bill.

Four tips for Fireworks Safety this 4th

6/30/2020 (Permalink)

The Fourth of July is one of the biggest holidays of the year. It perfectly captures summer season activities with hiking, boating, barbecuing, being out in the sun, and shooting off fireworks. This upcoming weekend is sure to be full of fun outdoors and with friends and family, even as we are still in the midst of COVID-19. To make sure it stays full of fun, here are four safety tips to enjoy the holiday to the fullest.

Keep Sparklers Away from Children

Although they are advertised as the perfect children’s firework, sparklers are not safe for children to be waiving around. As they burn at over 2,200 degrees they are susceptible to light clothing on fire and severely burn anything that is accidentally touched. Over 25% of all emergency visits from fireworks are caused by sparklers and for children under 5 they account for almost half of all injuries.

Be Prepared for the Worst

There is an assumption that an accident caused from fireworks are from mishandling or from a lack of common sense and that “It would never happen to me.” This is a dangerous mindset to have as fireworks are extremely unpredictable and even the best experts in the world have malfunctions occasionally. This is why you should have equipment ready and waiting in case a firework does lead to an accident.

Materials to gather before lighting off the first rocket should include:

A bucket of water and/or garden hose, remember to soak used fireworks before disposal

• Shovels and rakes
• Fire Extinguisher
• First aid kit
• Burn cream

Use Your Best Judgement

Never forget, fireworks at their core are explosives and that means they should be taken seriously at all times. Don’t let someone who is consuming alcohol to handle fireworks. Likewise, don’t use any fireworks without clear instructions and only buy from legitimate fireworks dealers.

The Fourth of July should be a celebration and making sure fireworks are handled safely is the best way to make sure it is enjoyable.

Take Precautions for COVID

Independence day is a great holiday to have fun with health precautions. Having an outdoor celebration will allow natural social distancing, flow of air, and UV protection from sunlight. Enjoy the weekend, but make sure to keep everyone safe.

Have different people and groups prepare their own food. Don’t have a buffet style setup where everyone is touching and sharing the same food.

Pack cleaning supplies to make sure any high touch spots can be sanitized quickly.

Utilize the outdoors. Avoid long periods of time inside homes or garages and try and spend time in parks, backyards, and out on the water.

We hope everyone stays safe and has a wonderful 4^th of July weekend!

Odd Places You Find Mold Growth in Your Home

6/22/2020 (Permalink)

Where to check for mold in your house

Mold can be found in many unusual spots in your home. If left to grow, mold can become a dangerous problem for your home’s value, your health, and as a cosmetic eye sore. Here are some places to check and clean to avoid these problems.

Your Toothbrush Holder

While your toothbrush gets replaced every few months (hopefully), your toothbrush holder is in an ideal location for mold growth. The moist environment of the bathroom combined with the wide array of germs from your mouth create the perfect location for mold growth. A few times a year, you should clean and disinfect your entire toothbrush holder.

Your Appliances

Specifically, your dishwasher and clothes washer are susceptible to mold growth. Check behind and underneath them to see if the darkness and moisture has caused growth. You can then clean the area before it grow into the walls and flooring, which is more costly to remove and repair. Also check INSIDE your appliances. Look under coverings and around rubber moisture seals to expose mold which has developed inside the machine where the cleaning process does not reach.

Potted Plants

If you overwater your plants there is a tendency for mold growth underneath where the sunlight does not reach. While this may actually be good for your plant, it is not worth the risk. Be careful not to overdue the watering and if you notice mold, try repotting the plants and putting it in direct sunlight for a few days

Outdoor Rugs and Floor mats

Floor mats invite mold buildup underneath as the organic material from the rug, when wet, creates a dark, moist environment with enough air flow to sustain mold growth but not enough to dry it out. By regularly cleaning your rugs or simply flipping them over and leaving them in the sun for a day, you can prevent mold buildup which can spread throughout your entry ways, steps, and porches.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned

5/18/2020 (Permalink)

Let's Get Back to Business!

Let us help you get back to business

As our communities re-open, we’re all moving back toward a new kind of normal. The expectations of visitors, customers, and employees who come into our establishments have evolved, and staying safe and well is a top concern. The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed what it means to be clean, even here in North Dakota, and we’ve developed a program to help your business meet the new higher standard of clean that is now expected.

We are proud to launch Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, a cleaning and disinfecting program that SERVPRO offers to commercial locations to address the current COVID-19 pandemic. This is a level of clean that goes way beyond janitorial or carpet cleaning. This is proactive viral pathogen cleaning. When businesses chose SERVPRO, their employees, customers, and community can rest assured that they’ve selected a “higher standard of clean”—Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned

Extensive training and specialized products

As the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration*, we stand on more than 50 years of experience and expertise to help your business become Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.  Beyond fire & water, SERVPRO professionals are trained and experienced in biohazard decontamination and chemical spills – always adhering to the cleaning and decontamination standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local authorities. 

From formulating and creating our proprietary cleaning products, like SERVPROXIDE, at our headquarters in Gallatin, TN, to taking the utmost care while disinfecting our local businesses in Minot and the surrounding areas, we will ensure you and your business are set up to inspire consumer confidence as the economy continues to reopen.

3 C’s – Consult, Clean, and Certify

When the stakes are this high, you want a partner who has developed an industry leading, proprietary training program, cleaning solutions, and remediation processes over decades. We’ve cleaned up some of the most challenging biohazards imaginable. Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned reflects our unique experiences and capabilities. The program is grounded with our unique 3 C’s: Consult, Clean, and Certify.

• Consult – Every business is different, which is why you’ll be assigned a Cleaning Protocol Consultant who understands your business and will create a cleaning program to meet your specific needs. This program will be developed based on your business type, size of space, amount of high frequency touchpoints, foot traffic and congestion points.
• Clean – Based on your specific business needs, your location will undergo a thorough, deep clean, using exclusive cleaning products, according to protocols set forth by the CDC. Our employees have years of experience, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform. Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for cleanup process, and disposal of hazardous materials.  In the event of a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 event, we will be there cleaning within 24 hours to ensure you get back to business as quickly as possible. 
• Certify - Once your business location has been Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you will gain access to proprietary signage, digital emblems, and other collateral that communicates that you’ve selected a higher standard of clean available to help protect your employees and customers. And because we add the day, month, and year to that proprietary stamp of clean, your guests will know that not only did you choose Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned,but that your location is being cleaned regularly at this standard.

Call today for a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation

We’re Here to Help – 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

* #1 Choice in cleanup & restoration based Commercial Attitude & Usage Tracking study. Polling 816 commercial business decision makers on first choice for future needs related to cleanup & restoration work. Study conducted by C&R Research: October 2019

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned means professionally trained SERVPRO franchises perform the requested cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection services according to proprietary SERVPRO protocols and recognized industry and CDC standards with EPA approved cleaning products to deliver a SERVPRO certified cleaning experience.  Each SERVPRO franchise is independently owned and operated.

Meet Our Team: Ryan and Lance

3/18/2020 (Permalink)

Ryan and Lance, Owners

In 2018, Ryan Conklin and Lance Larson were given an opportunity to purchase the SERVPRO of Minot franchise and took over operations in September of 2019.

Ryan was born in Minot and graduated from Garrison High School in 1999. He attained a degree in Applied Science in 2002 from Bismarck State College. He worked for MDU from 2005-2009 where he met Lance and they decided to start Absolute Comfort. In 2019 the pair bought the SERVPRO of Minot franchise and Ryan has been operating it since.

Ryan enjoys hunting and fishing, spending time with his wife Marci, and his two kids Logan and Hailee.

Lance was born in Minot, graduated from Minot High in 1994. He became a Master Plumber and started Absolute Comfort with Ryan in 2009. Lance enjoys being outdoors, golfing, and spending time with his three kids.

As owners of Absolute Comfort in Minot, their business model aligned similarly with SERVPRO services and they saw an opportunity to extend their management philosophy to a new field in their industry. Their commitment to quality, honesty, and bringing peace of mind to those facing emergency home problems has now been combined with the SERVPRO brand. 

Being local owners, Ryan and Lance want to contribute to the community. They do this by not only offering 24/7 service, but by giving back through youth sporting activities. This includes sponsoring programs such as: Minot Hockey Boosters, Minot youth baseball, Minot youth basketball, Bishop Ryan Girls Basketball team, and a variety of other youth sports. They believe in improving the quality of life within our community and helping out whenever a homeowner is in crisis.

Meet our Team: Brandi Kraft

3/17/2020 (Permalink)

Brandi Kraft, Administrative Assistant

Brandi is the Administrative Assistant and joined our team in December 2019. Her daily duties consist of helping Jess with administrative duties and helping the Production crew to achieve their goals.

Brandi was born in Minot and graduated from Minot High School in 2005. 

Brandi enjoys all the traditional hobbies of a North Dakotan including being outside, camping, hunting, and playing with her two dogs.

Brandi's favorite part of working at SERVPRO of Minot is the people she works with and helping the community. Brandi plays an important role in helping to deliver on SERVPRO of Minot's mission to be the best restoration company in North Dakota. 

Here at SERVPRO of Minot we take pride in all of our work and Brandi is an integral part of our team in our success. 

SERVPRO Mission Statement

3/21/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Minot Mission Statement

As new owners, Ryan Conklin and Lance Larson pride themselves on striving to be the best restoration company in North Dakota.

To develop a team of quality people who focus on excellent service, fairness and mutual respect.

With every water, fire, or flood comes a flood of emotions. There is a certain amount of uncertainty, and a loss of control. It can be your home, business or your belongings that have  become damaged you don't just want things to be clean. You want your life back, as well. You look to us, SERVPRO of Minot, to handle the situation.

And that is where SERVPRO of Minot comes in. We are a franchise system with over 40years of leadership in the cleanup and restoration industry. 

Our team takes to the streets, every hour of every day. Proving that wherever there's a house full of water, or an office filled with smoke, there is also a van full of clean. SERVPRO of Minot can make it "Like it never even happened."