Preventing Water Damage in Your Home Starts Here

5/3/2024 (Permalink)

It’s important to educate yourself about home systems that are designed to prevent water from entering your home.

The perks of owning your own home are great but it also brings a lot of responsibility. Homes are built in a way to provide maximum protection from water intrusion but sometimes those methods fail. 

It’s important to educate yourself about home systems that are designed to prevent water from entering your home. Here are some of the most common points of failure in a home that could allow water to go where it shouldn’t:  

• Faucets and Sinks. Faucets and sinks are places to check for leaks. Over time, the rubber gaskets in faucets can degrade which can lead to leaks. Sink drains are usually sturdy unless you have a clog and use too much plunger pressure to remove it. Too much pressure from plunging can damage seals, so always use caution.  
• Disposals. Garbage disposals are one of the hardest working appliances, and they can spring a link. If you believe you have a leak, check out these tips for finding it.  
• Gutters and Downspouts. Gutters and downspouts should be clean and free flowing. They should be inspected regularly and cleared of obstructions and debris. Downspouts should move water at least 30 inches away from the home, and the soil should also flow away from the home.  
• Roof Damage. Falling limbs from trees are a real risk to roof systems. They can perforate the roof and damage or clog gutters. Shingles are especially susceptible to falling tree damage. Newer shingles are designed and constructed to be impact-resistant, hopefully reducing the need for expensive roof repairs. But shingles degrade over time, and a falling tree or limb can easily damage an aged shingle.  
• Sewer Line Obstruction. This is a serious issue and usually takes a professional plumber to resolve it. Sewer lines can clog for a number of reasons, but two of the most common are root intrusion and grease buildup.  
• Sump Pump Defect. A sump pump is designed to move water from a basement or crawlspace to outside the home into a drainage system. When a sump pump fails, water backups can affect your home quickly.  

Protecting Your Garden During Rainstorms

4/18/2024 (Permalink)

Although our gardens love a nice rain shower, too much rain can be harmful to all the plants.

Although our gardens love a nice rain shower, too much rain can be harmful to all the plants. After all the hard work you have done to manage your garden, do not let heavy rainstorms ruin it! Follow these tips to protect your garden during heavy storms:   

Before Rainstorm:   

• Remove damaged limbs and shoots – Removing dead limbs and shoots from your plants will help make them more streamlined and will reduce snapping and tangling.   
• Add compost and mulch – Adding a couple of inches of compost to the top 8 to 12 inches of soil will help with drainage.   
• Support taller plants – Push wooden or metal support into the ground and tie taller plants to it. This will help keep them stable against rain and strong winds.   
• Drainage – Make sure there is a proper runoff that tilts away from your garden and make sure it is not blocked. Water collecting in your garden can be damaging to your plants, possibly drowning them.   

During Rainstorm:   

• Cover your most delicate plants – Use a waterproof tarp to cover your most fragile plants during heavy rainstorms. Make sure that the covering is not blocking water from draining because it can cause other plants to drown.   

After Rainstorm:   

• Check your vegetable roots – Once the rainstorm has stopped, make sure there are no exposed roots following soil erosion. If there are exposed roots, cover them with soil or compost before they dry out.   
• Check your pots and planters – Pots and planters can easily become flooded if the drainage is blocked. Check them before, during and after rainstorms. You can always cover pots and planters if necessary.   
• Pull weeds up by hand – The moist soil after rain means you are much more likely to retrieve the whole root without it snapping or breaking.   

Need more tips? Go to The Plant Guide for more information on maintaining your garden during severe weather. 

Always Prioritize Safety as You Grill

4/9/2024 (Permalink)

Grilling dangers are something many people do not discuss, but as with any open flame, the risk of a grill fire is present every time you use it.

For us, enjoying summer is all about getting outside with family and firing up the grill, but safety is key to making sure this stays a fun activity. Grilling dangers are something many people do not discuss, but as with any open flame, the risk of a grill fire is there every time you light yours up. Fortunately, a bit of prevention goes a long way.  

It is reported by the U.S. Fire Administration that grill fires occur at least 5,700 times every year, making them more prevalent than many realize. But grilling can be a fun and safe activity if you follow the proper fire safety protocols when you do it.  

Keep Grilling Fun, Safe and Fire-Free  

• Create a safe zone around your grill. It is convenient to place your grill in a spot close to your home but giving yourself plenty of surrounding space is important in case of flare-ups. Three feet is the recommended distance to have around your grill, free from wood, siding or any other flammable materials.  
• Clean your grill grates often. By keeping your grill grates clean, you can keep the temperature inside your grill steadier and reduce the chances of a sudden fire starting. Built-on food particles can get extremely hot when the grill is in use, even suddenly igniting in some cases. A quick scrape after each grill session can go a long way in reducing this danger.  
• Never leave the grill unattended. There is no safe way to ever leave a grill unattended, even if the lid is closed. Fires only take a second to start, so your best bet to circumvent damage is by always being nearby with a fire extinguisher just in case. Even for a quick break, it is best to have someone take over your grill station to keep a vigilant eye out.  
• Inspect the grill regularly. The components of a grill are not made to last forever, and even if you are using yours regularly, you never know when something could finally give out. Before you ever light your grill, do a visual inspection to make sure everything looks like it is in good shape and there are no areas that could lead to a gas leak on your connectors. 

Storm Damage Services

4/1/2024 (Permalink)

When water damage strikes, a fast response is critical.

Severe storms can cause heavy rainfall which can lead to flooding which can lead to unwanted water damage to your business in no time. SERVPRO® wants local residents to know that when a storm damages your commercial property, our highly trained professionals will respond to cleanup and restore your property to pre-damage condition. Our ability to immediately respond to a storm emergency helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.   

Here are Some of the Services We Provide:   

• Emergency Contact 24/7/365   
• Inspection and Damage Assessment   
• Water Removal and Water Extraction   
• Drying and Dehumidification Services   
• Cleaning and Repair   
• Odor Removal   
• Restoration   

When water damage strikes, a fast response is critical. Day or night, business owners can expect our team to respond immediately to any storm emergency. 

Flooded Basements

3/18/2024 (Permalink)

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. 

Sump Pump Maintenance Matters

12/27/2023 (Permalink)

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)

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)

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)

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!