Recent Posts

Flooded Basements

3/18/2024 (Permalink)

Flooded basement. A basement can flood at any time, although flooding most often occurs during heavy rainfall.

A basement can flood at any time, although flooding most often occurs during heavy rainfall. Basements are inherently prone to flooding because they are at the lowest level of a building and are normally built partly or entirely below ground level. There are a number of reasons why your Michigan basement could flood, including:  

  • A blocked or failed sewer lateral pipe 
  • Heavy rain causes surface water to pool around your home 
  • Storm sewer backup 
  • Sanitary sewer backup 
  • Foundation drainage failure 
  • Water supply-line break or hot-water tank failure 
  • And many more 

If flood water is not handled quickly and properly, it can jeopardize your health and safety, and cause severe damage to your home’s structure. Remember, the longer you wait, the worse the problem will get. 

The bottom line: a flooded basement can jeopardize your health, safety, and your home’s integrity. Let our trained, professional crews handle the situation safely and correctly. We have earned the trust of hundreds of homeowners, business owners, and property professionals. 

Why Choose SERVPRO® 

  • We are available 24 hours/7 days per week 
  • We’re a preferred vendor to many national insurance companies 
  • We bill the insurance directly – one less thing for you to worry about 
  • Our technicians are highly trained in water restoration techniques 
  • We use s500 IICRC Restoration standards 
  • Advanced inspection and extraction equipment 

Mold Damage Tips

1/22/2024 (Permalink)

If you have a mold problem in your home or business, consider the following facts: 

  • Significant mold growth can occur in 48-72 hours. 
  • Mold may present a greater risk to children, the elderly, and anyone with respiratory problems. 
  • A strong, musty odor may indicate hidden mold behind drywall or under carpeting. 

What to Do: 

  • Stay out of affected areas. 
  • Turn off the HVAC system and fans. 
  • Contact SERVPRO® for mold remediation services. 

What Not to Do: 

  • Don’t touch or disturb the mold. 
  • Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth. 
  • Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself. 
  • Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold. 

If you suspect that your home or business has a mold problem, SERVPRO® has the training, equipment, and expertise to handle the situation. 

March 2024 CE Courses for Insurance Agents

1/22/2024 (Permalink)

Person's hand typing on a laptop. Calling all insurance agents!

Calling all insurance agents! SERVPRO® is hosting a complimentary CE course webinar on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. If you need continuing education credits, our team is Here to Help®!  

The following webinar will be held on March 6, 2024: 

 
9:30 AM - 11:30 PM: Biohazard Cleanup Webinar (2 Credits – Course Number: 85805) 

Registration for the class begins at 8:30 AM and goes on until 9:30 AM. Attendees who sign up for the webinar will be required to have their web camera and microphone on throughout the entirety of the class. The webinar link to access the class will be sent via the provided email the week of the class. 

All attendees are required to register for the courses by Friday, March 1, 2024. Class space is limited. Email marketing@rdmhc.com to learn more about registering! 

Sump Pump Maintenance Matters

12/27/2023 (Permalink)

Flooded basement. If your sump pump does fail, call the trained and certified SERVPRO® technicians.

You probably don’t think about your sump pump often, but conducting simple regular maintenance can help prevent flood disasters. 

Once a year, disconnect the pump from the power source and remove the unit. Flush it thoroughly with water to remove impurities and debris. While you have the pump out, also clean debris from the sump pit.  Reinstall the pump and reconnect the power source. Test the unit by pouring a bucket of water into the pit and making sure the pump starts. 

If your unit has backup battery power, replace the battery every two to three years, or as directed by the manufacturer. Always refer to your pump’s instruction manual for specific information about maintenance and operation. More information about sump pumps is available from the Sump and Sewage Pump Manufacturers Association. 

If your sump pump does fail, call the trained and certified SERVPRO® technicians. Our mitigation crew will come out and dry any affected areas and perform any other cleanup to get your home back to preloss condition. 

Safety Tips for Holiday Lighting

12/27/2023 (Permalink)

Christmas themed decorated fireplace. Keep your holidays bright and your home and family safe by following these tips.

To help keep your holidays bright and your home and family safe, use common sense with candles and tree placement and follow home decorating guidelines. 

In addition to exercising caution with candles and heat sources, it is important to follow manufacturers’ guidelines for holiday lighting. According to the National Fire Protection Association, electrical distribution, or lighting equipment was involved in 44% of home Christmas tree fires. Though Christmas tree fires may not be common, they can be devastating to more than the house itself. They can destroy irreplaceable photos, mementos, and family heirlooms and even cost lives. 

  • Only use decorations that are flame-retardant or not flammable.  
  • Check holiday lights each year for frayed wires or excessive wear.  
  • Don’t link more than three strands of holiday lights.  

In recent years, when so many of the things we take for granted have changed, we know people will still come together – in person or virtually – to celebrate family and holiday traditions. 'Stay safe' has become a common expression in the context of public health, but this holiday season, we urge all Mid-Michigan home and business owners to think about ‘staying safe’ in their homes as they prepare for and enjoy the holiday season. 

SERVPRO® Has All Your Commercial Needs

12/27/2023 (Permalink)

Three men wearing hard hats in front of multiple trucks. Ever wonder what SERVPRO® can do for your commercial business?

Ever wonder what SERVPRO® can do for your commercial business? No matter the disaster, we can make it “Like it never even happened.” 

  • Fire, Smoke, and Soot Cleanup and Restoration: Pretesting helps SERVPRO® determine what type of fire has taken place. Knowing the types of smoke and their behavior patterns are vital to proper restoration. 
  • Water Removal and Dehumidification: Our franchise professionals identify the source and type of water which determines the proper course of action. Drying equipment controls temperature and humidity, minimizing secondary damage. 
  • Air Duct and HVAC Cleaning: Our franchise professionals can inspect your HVAC system and ductwork. Cleaning services can be provided to help restore peak energy efficiency, eliminate offensive odors and improve indoor air quality. 
  • Carpet and Hard Floor Cleaning and Care: SERVPRO® franchise professionals use the latest IICRC training as well as state-of-the-art equipment to remove entrapped soils from deep within your carpet’s pile and backings. 
  • Crime Scene, Biohazard and Vandalism Cleanup: Our franchise technicians are trained to safely and effectively clean biohazardous substances and prepare waste for proper disposal according to OSHA, EPA and state and local health regulations. 
  • Stain Removal, Stain Resistance Applications: Using IICRC standards for carpet as a guide, our Franchise Professionals will show you what cleaning option would be best for your carpet’s level of soiling and explain the benefits of soil protection. 
  • Mold Mitigation and Remediation: SERVPRO® works to control and remediate mold contaminants while protecting your health and safety. 
  • Odor Identification and Deodorization: SERVPRO® franchise professionals will find the source of the odor and determine the best methods to neutralize and eliminate it. 
  • Contents Claim Inventory Service: Accurate inventory helps keep costs low and reduces job completion time. We can provide an itemized, area-by-area loss inventory. 
  • Upholstery and Drapes: Wet or Dry-Cleaning Methods: Fabrics are inspected and tested to determine the safest and most effective cleaning method. 

When you need commercial work done right and done fast, do not hesitate to call SERVPRO®. 

The Right Equipment for a Commercial Fire

12/27/2023 (Permalink)

Warehouse burned with everything covered in soot. SERVPRO® understands that using professional equipment makes a measurable difference in reducing claims loss expense.

SERVPRO® understands that using professional equipment makes a measurable difference in reducing claims loss expense. When time matters, technology and equipment must be counted on to perform. We will answer your call with fast reaction, exceptional equipment, and trained, uniformed personnel. Certainly, the right tool for the job is vital to timely mitigation and restoration, but perhaps more important, our fire damage professionals are thoroughly trained in fire cleanup and restoration. For instance, knowing the different types of smoke and their behavior patterns is vital to proper restoration.  

Different Types of Smoke 

  • Wet Smoke – Plastics and Synthetics 
  • Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary.  
  • Dry Smoke – Paper and Woods 
  • Fast burning, high temperatures, dry, powdery, no smeary residues.  
  • Protein – Virtually invisible 
  • Discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.  
  • Fuel Oil Soot – Furnace puff backs 
  • Other Types – Tear gas, fingerprint powder and fire extinguisher residue.  

Pretesting determines the proper cleaning method and allows us to focus on saving your precious items. Isn’t that what really matters?  

Deodorization Equipment  

  • Ultra-Low Volume (ULV) Foggers will atomize liquid deodorizing agents, producing a fine mist that easily penetrates sites where odor-causing residues accumulate. The device can also be used to apply fungicides and disinfectants.  
  • Thermal Foggers dispense solvent-based products in large volume, dense fog suitable for confined areas. The fog consists of tiny particles of deodorant solution that pair with and neutralize odor-causing particles.  

You have so much invested in your commercial property. Trust the SERVPRO® professionals to protect your most valuable asset! 

Winter Water Damage

12/19/2023 (Permalink)

Icicles hanging from the gutters of a house. With below freezing temperatures, snow, and ice, your home or business could be in jeopardy of water damage.

Michigan winters are known to be brutally cold and large amounts of snow are always expected. With below freezing temperatures, snow, and ice, your home or business could be in jeopardy of water damage. It is crucial that you are aware of the hazards and can prepare, prevent or act quickly if faced with winter water damage.  

FROZEN PIPES  

A frozen pipe can burst at the point where the ice blockage inside the pipe is located, but typically the rupture is caused by the backflow pressure between the water source and the blockage. A burst pipe can cause considerable damage to your property if not addressed quickly.  

ICE DAMS  

Ice dams can be a major problem during the winter season. They form when heated air melts roof snow downward into water dammed behind still-frozen ice. When the trapped water cannot safely flow or run into the gutter system, it can backflow under the roof ’s shingles and into the structure’s interior areas.  

Cold weather, snow, and ice storms can cause severe damage to your home or business. When these types of disasters strike, immediate action is necessary to prevent additional damage to your property. Our team has winter storm experience, expertise, and the resources to remediate damage caused by winter weather. If disaster strikes your home or business during the winter months, know that SERVPRO® has your back. 

Unexpected Fire Hazards in Your Home

8/31/2023 (Permalink)

Dust and lint in a home Some of the most dangerous fire hazards in your home are things you might not think about on a daily basis.

Not all fire hazards are so predictable like leaving a candle unattended or smoking inside your house. Some of the most dangerous fire hazards in your home are things you might not think about on a daily basis. Here are some unexpected fire hazards in your home that you should pay attention to:  

  • Dryer Lint – Excessive heat and lint buildup is just asking for trouble. It is important to clean the dryer vent and exhaust duct regularly.  
  • Dust – Dust can be a fire hazard if it collects near floor heaters, electronics, and sockets. If sparks fly, dust piles can ignite and start a house fire. Be sure to look under appliances and remove dust buildup.  
  • Gas Water Heater – Clothes piled too close to a gas water heater can ignite when the water heater comes on.  
  • Laptops – Laptops running for long periods of time tend to get hot. A hot laptop that is left on a bed, couch, blanket, or other soft surfaces can prevent air flow in and out of the cooling vents. This can produce enough heat to ignite and start a fire.  
  • Crumbs in the Toaster – Have you checked your toaster crumbs recently? As crumbs pile up on the bottom, a spark can easily catch fire and start a flame that catches on to items surrounding the toaster.  
  • Leaves in Gutters – Allowing leaves to gather up in your gutters or bushes to over grow can cause a major fire risk. Be sure to clean your gutters and your lawn regularly to reduce the risk of a fire.

Removing Odors Yourself After a Flood

8/31/2023 (Permalink)

Man in white plastic suit working In some circumstances, odors will need professional help to fully be removed.

Any water damage that occurs when your home floods can often come with odors and mold growth that continue to seep into your residence long after the water has subsided. You can take care to eliminate odors and preserve the safety of your dwelling with the following measures:  

  • Air Things Out - Open all doors and windows to allow air to circulate in your residence. This should help dissipate any lingering smells that remain and will also facilitate drying of the affected areas.  
  • Dry the Wet Areas - You may install dehumidifiers to speed up the drying process. Removing moisture from porous and absorbent surfaces such as carpet and upholstery can greatly reduce the chance of foul aromas remaining after the flood and can mitigate the appearance of mold.  
  • Deodorize Your Home - There are natural and inexpensive methods that you can utilize to expedite the deodorizing process in your house. Baking soda sprinkled into carpets or other absorbent surfaces can be vacuumed up and can get rid of foul odors. On less porous surfaces, vinegar applied liberally can aid in combating persistent smells.  

In some circumstances, odors will need professional help to fully be removed. That’s where SERVPRO® of West Sterling Heights can step in. If you need assistance with odor removal, our team has the training and the equipment that can get the job done right.