Fire Threats Around the Holidays

11/14/2023 (Permalink)

It is as important to keep safety top of mind with a small family gathering as it is with a large holiday party.

SERVPRO® fire restoration specialists say to use common sense and caution to help control risk of holiday season home fires!  

In times when large holiday gatherings may not be possible, fire damage restoration specialists at SERVPRO® of Romulus/Taylor say the focus on family decorating traditions and more intimate celebrations may take on extra significance. It is as important to keep safety top of mind with a small family gathering as it is with a large holiday party. We all enjoy bringing the glow of the holiday season to our homes with Christmas trees or menorahs and candlelight, but these statistics from the U.S. Fire Administration show how easy it is for home decorating to turn into a home disaster.  

• The top three days for home candle fires are Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and New Year’s Eve.  
• More than half of the home decoration fires in December are started by candles.  
• A heat source too close to the Christmas tree causes one in every four winter fires.  
• On average, one of every 52 reported home Christmas tree fires resulted in death.  

SERVPRO® is an industry leader and provider of fire damage restoration services. For more fire prevention and fire safety tips and information about fire and water damage restoration services, call us at 734-992-3138. 

Preventing a Kitchen Fire

11/7/2023 (Permalink)

Unattended cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires.

More home fires start in the kitchen than anywhere else. Every year, cooking was involved in an estimated 156,300 home fires that caused:  

• 470 deaths  
• 5,390 injuries  
• $1 billion in property damage  

These numbers could be greatly reduced if people paid more attention when they cooked and practiced simple fire safety behaviors.  

Unattended Cooking is The Leading Cause of Kitchen Fires  

• Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling, or broiling food  
• Check food regularly – use a timer to remind you the stove/oven is On  
• If you must leave – turn the oven Off 

Stay Alert to Avoid Stirring Up Trouble  

• Don’t use the oven or stovetop if you are sleepy, have consumed alcohol or are using drugs.  

Hot Tips  

• Keep pot handles turned in  
• When you microwave food, open the container slowly to let steam escape and let food cool before eating  
• Cool a burn under water for 3 to 5 minutes and cover it with a clean dry cloth  
• If the burn is bigger than your fist, seek immediate medical assistance  

If you do have a problem in the kitchen or any other room in the house give SERVPRO® of Romulus/Taylor a call.  Our team can clean up all fire, smoke, and water damage. 

How Restoration Saves You Time and Money

10/29/2023 (Permalink)

With our restoration-focused mindset, you can be certain that we will do everything we can to restore your home and your belongings.

Sustaining any type of household damage, whether it be from a fire, flood or other incident, can be a frightening experience. In addition to the damage, there are the emotional effects to consider for you and your family throughout the healing process. As you work to regain a sense of normalcy, getting help with the recovery process can make everything go much more smoothly so you can return home.  

With our restoration-focused mindset, you can be certain that we will do everything we can to restore your home and your belongings to their pre-damaged condition. We have the technology and the expertise to be able to restore many types of items, so you can focus on emotional healing instead of physical rebuilding.  

Let Us Handle the Restoration of Your Home After Damage  

• We can help you save money on your insurance. Many types of damage will be covered by the insurance policy on your home, but there are caveats to making claims. The expense of these claims can be quite high, causing your insurance to increase your rates if there is total liquidation. Fortunately, going the restoration route can save you money by reducing your insurance claim amount.  
• We can protect your sentimental items. For all emergencies, the safety of you and your loved ones is the most important thing—which is why when you have to evacuate, you must leave sentimental objects behind. We know how hard this can be, which is why we have invested in the best technology available, allowing us to restore objects like photographs, heirlooms and other precious things that could never be replaced.  
• We make sure your home feels like home again. It is emotional to go back home after a disaster has caused damage, but we can help make sure your house still feels like home. We handle all the cosmetic considerations, such as paint, flooring and more, and put your belongings where they go in your house to ensure it feels like home.  

Can You Trust Your Restoration Company?

10/23/2023 (Permalink)

Deciding on a restoration provider in advance can be helpful in case of an emergency.

Whether your home has been minimally damaged by a random act of nature or majorly damaged by a cooking mistake, life can abruptly change. When this happens, it will require you to make a quick decision as to who you will contact to help you restore your home. Deciding on a restoration provider in advance can be helpful in case of an emergency. Ask these questions about potential vendors: 

Are They Legit? 

Sometimes in life, you learn lessons the hard way! But the saying “not everyone is your friend” is fitting during a trying time in your life. When your home is damaged, not everyone who shows up has your best interest in mind. Most times, storms bring in scammers who follow storms from city to city to find people to prey on. They tend to have everything you need, promise you something that sounds amazing, then they take your money and leave! 

We are no scammers; in fact, we are proud to say we are quite different. We have been in the national landscape for over 50 years, and we have earned a reputation for being good at what we do. We not only fix your home, but we work hard to make sure you are completely satisfied before we are finished. 

Are They Readily Available? 

When your home isn’t in full working status, you are willing to do anything to get it back to normal and do it quickly! That’s why you need to be sure you have someone that you can count on. We know this, and that’s why we have someone on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week! Timely action can end up saving you a lot of money in the long run, since the longer damage sits, the more damage occurs. 

What If It’s a Big Emergency? 

SERVPRO® of Romulus/Taylor is locally owned and operated, which means our community is our family. We’re here to help whenever your family or business needs us. And if major storms occur and affect multiple neighborhoods, we have a nationwide network of other SERVPRO® franchises that will back us up. When we call for help, we can tap into additional resources and support. 

Commercial Cleaning Made Easy

10/13/2023 (Permalink)

That’s right, like the services we provide for homeowners, we do the same for business owners.

At SERVPRO®, we are well known for the custom solutions that we provide to homeowners. But what some people don’t realize is that we are also passionate about taking care of business owners. 

That’s right, like the services we provide for homeowners, we do the same for business owners. Along with our restoration services, we also offer specialized services specifically for the commercial setting. One of our services is helping you to keep your facility in top condition! Because we are business owners ourselves, we know that the state and presentation of your facility matters. 

Commercial Services for Businesses of Any Kind or Size 

All business owners are busy! That’s why we strive to make it our priority to keep your business clean and sanitized so that you can remain focused on the more important things. We will provide you with professional cleaning and sanitation for all types of businesses, including: 

• Retail facilities, such as supermarkets, home decor stores and malls. We work with everyone from small business owners to CEOs of multimillion dollar businesses and provide them with the same satisfactory service that they expect. 
• Educational facilities, such as schools, daycares and tutoring places. Thanks to the pandemic, teachers have made the conscious effort to regularly clean, but it only gets about half the bacteria from desks. The reality is many things don’t get cleaned on a regular basis and the numbers for those are quite scary. 
• Health facilities, including hospitals, assisted living centers and doctors’ offices. We work to ensure that your customers know your facility is thoroughly cleaned and you have made the effort to keep their well-being in mind. 
• Foodservice facilities, such as restaurants, distribution centers and wholesale markets. At these types of facilities, cleanliness is crucial, and while you work hard on your job, we will work hard on ours. We will ensure that your facility is well-cleaned. 
• Property management facilities, including apartment complexes, commercial buildings and sky-scrappers. These types of facilities are judged as soon as a customer walks through the doors, which is why we provide environmental and sanitation care. 

Hidden Water Damage in Your Home

10/9/2023 (Permalink)

In most cases, undetected water damage can cause the most damage and be quite a headache.

Water damage does not only come from burst pipes or flooding to damage your home. In most cases, undetected water damage can cause the most damage and be quite a headache.  

There are five indicators that there’s water damage going hidden in your home:  

• Stains on walls and ceilings: Nobody purposefully looks up at their ceiling. However, it is important to thoroughly check the ceilings in your home for stains. There might be a bathtub or shower leak from one floor to the next, or your attic could leak into the ceiling.  
• Musty or unpleasant smells: Do you smell something musty, or even earthy, in your home? Hidden water can cause mold to grow, and a nasty smell is a good signal that something is wrong.  
• Peeling paint: Not only can water stain your walls, but it can also cause the paint to lift. If you see your paint starting to peel, quickly find the source of the problem, or call a professional to fix it.  
• Mold Growth: Just like with ceilings, we do not exactly pay attention to the corners of our homes, but often these small hidden areas can tell us about potentially harmful leaks or spills. Check to see if there are any discolored or fuzzy looking spots in isolated corners or hidden areas.  
• Flooring: When allowed to flow, water naturally reaches the lowest level. Therefore, rivers flow downstream. Water can seep under your flooring and collect – damaging your sub-floors. Check for and warping or deformation to make sure there is no water hiding beneath the floorboards. When this happens, it is important to act as quickly as possible, so we can restore your flooring to good as new.  

Here at SERVPRO® of Romulus/Taylor, we are water damage restoration specialists and are ready to restore your home back to pre-water damage condition. Whether water damage sneaks up on you or not, we are available 24/7 to make it “Like it never even happened.” 

The Qualities That Make SERVPRO® Different

9/28/2023 (Permalink)

As adults, we work hard in making sure that everything goes according to plan, but life certainly doesn’t always stick to plan.

As adults, we work hard in making sure that everything goes according to plan, but life certainly doesn’t always stick to plan. Disaster strikes and accidents happen at the times we least expect and often when we are the least prepared.  

When things like this happen, our stress levels can increase dramatically. That’s when you can count on us. We help you deal with things that aren’t in your wheelhouse—disaster recovery is what we know best.  

24/7 Service  

We know that disaster doesn’t pick “business hours” to strike. That’s why we are standing by, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We can spring into action as soon as you call. When a crisis calls, we don’t have to get ready; we stay ready.  

Fast and Efficient  

When a disaster strikes your home or business and you don’t get help promptly, it allows for more mold growth, more smoke smell or more water damage. Responding quickly is essential, and this is when it pays to have someone local on your side.  

Home or Business  

Disasters strike both homes and businesses. That’s why we offer custom solutions for any situation. We work to provide you the best services that you need in order to get your home or business back to “normal” operation.  

Making It "Like It Never Even Happened." 

We pride ourselves on seeing a restoration project to the end. We work hard to stay up to date on the most innovative training and equipment so that we can always provide you with the best service possible. We want you to be satisfied with your results, and we won’t stop until you are!  

Adaptive to Changes  

Life as we all knew it has dramatically changed, and disease prevention is valued now more than ever. Because we know this is now a huge part of business’ success, we offer cleaning services that go beyond traditional janitorial services. As a business you want to provide a customized clean so that your employees and customers know that you care for them.

Stormy Season Is Here

9/22/2023 (Permalink)

Even though storms are a common part of summer, you still have to consider each one as potentially dangerous.

With the crazy heat, it’s safe to say that summer is here. While summer does bring beautiful, hot days, it’s also known to bring summer thunderstorms and related damage. While there is a saying that April showers bring May flowers, rain is actually even more common during the summer months.  

The moisture and warm air present during summer create ideal circumstances for summer storms. As you know, here locally, the summer months prove time and time again that storms happen more often. During these warmer months, our average precipitation jumps up by almost a full inch.  

Be Storm-Ready  

• Even though storms are a common part of summer, you still have to consider each one as potentially dangerous. If you know that heavy storms are predicted, it’s important to stay aware and prepared should anything serious happen.  
• You can listen to your local news and radio stations to stay up to date on weather information, but it is also smart to invest in an NOAA Weather radio so that if you lose power, you can still be in the know.  
• During storms, it’s important to remember that there is always a possibility of flooding. If you know that flooding is likely, you should make arrangements to stay off the roads.  
• When you encounter extreme storms, you also have a chance of taking on more damage to your home and vehicles. Make sure you are keeping up with lawn maintenance and taking precautions with yard art to ensure there is less debris that can be picked up by wind and water during a storm.  

Many people die every year from storm-related incidents, so you must think safety-first when experiencing severe storms.

Commercial Biohazard

9/19/2023 (Permalink)

If you ever have a biohazard, follow these tips to keep you and everyone in your commercial building safe.

At SERVPRO® of Romulus/Taylor, we understand that any type of exposure to biological and chemical contaminants can pose some serious health threats and consequences. In a commercial setting, any type of sewage backup, blood cleanup or even chemical spill can place YOU and all the occupants of the area at risk. Upon recognizing the situation, your primary focus should be safety. If you ever have a biohazard, follow these tips to keep you and everyone in your commercial building safe.  

What to Do After a Contamination  

• Stay out of affected areas.  
• Call emergency service personnel if the situation is life-threatening.  
• Treat all bodily fluids as if they are contaminated.  
• Turn off the HVAC system if there is sewage damage.  

What Not to Do After a Contamination  

• Do not leave wet fabrics in place. Hang furs and leather goods.  
• Do not leave books, magazines, or other colored items on wet carpets or floors.  
• Do not use a household vacuum to remove water.  
• Do not use television or other appliances.  
• Do not turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.  

Whether it is blood, fluids, or tissue, our technicians have the tools and equipment to detect every spot, splatter, or shard. Biohazard cleanups are the hardest cleanup sites we face as industry experts. But rest assured that when SERVPRO® of Romulus/Taylor has completed the cleaning, your property will be restored to a safe and healthy environment. 

Fall Brings Changing Leaves...and Fire Hazards

9/14/2023 (Permalink)

Fall is some people’s favorite time of year—time for talks around campfires, tailgates, and holidays on the horizon.

With chillier evenings starting up, you can recognize that fall is right around the corner. 

Fall is some people’s favorite time of year—time for talks around campfires, tailgates, and holidays on the horizon. Fall also brings about hazards that we want to get you ready for. So, curl up and give these safety tips a review. 

Campfire Safety 

When you go on a hike or you’re sitting in your backyard, something about a burning fire seems to make the night even more perfect. While some of these things might come as second nature, sometimes we need a simple reminder to bring safety tips to the forefront. 

Knowing where and how to build a campfire is step one. You should keep it away from anything flammable and only use dry wood. As you are trying to get it started, you should never use an accelerant like kerosene or lighter fluid. 

The last step is that once you are done enjoying the fire, you must make sure that your campfire has been completely extinguished. You can slowly douse it with a bucket of water to ensure that all embers have been put out. It doesn’t take much to reignite a fire. 

Space Heaters 

When it becomes chilly in the evenings, sometimes it’s easier to use a portable space heater to warm your area rather than turning on your heater. But space heaters are a common cause for house fires in the fall and winter, so before using one, refresh your memory on the safety tips. 

When using a space heater, first and foremost, it’s important to make sure you keep it on a level surface. While most heaters now come equipped with an automatic shutoff capability in case of a tip-over, you still can’t be too safe. 

Keep it up and out of the way of heavy traffic areas, making sure to keep it on something level and steady so that it can’t be knocked over. 

Halloween 

Fall festivities and the holidays are right around the corner. The best part of fall and the holidays is decorating your home so that you can help get yourself in a more festive mood, or to help others feel welcome. 

But when decorating, it’s best to remember that candles, costumes or décor are all potential fire hazards. It’s smart to stay attentive to your décor when you are putting it out, but also throughout the season.

Preventing Water Damage in Your Home Starts Here

9/10/2023 (Permalink)

First up, educate yourself about home systems that are designed to prevent water from entering your home.

The perks of owning your own home are great—after all, homeownership has also been referred to as the American dream. Along with all the good that homeownership brings, 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. There are several things you can do to reduce the opportunity for water damage.  

First up, 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 sink are places to check for leaks. Over time, the rubber gaskets in faucets can degrade and begin to leak. 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 disposal is a great invention. But disposals are also 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 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. There are a significant number of moving parts in a sump pump, so check out these tips for troubleshooting and repair.  

Staying on top of home systems that prevent water from intruding on your home should be a priority. If you can locate an “about to fail” component, you can save yourself time and money, not to mention stress.

Floods Strike Everywhere

8/10/2023 (Permalink)

Whether you live near a coastline, along city streets, in the mountains, near a river or even in the desert, there is a potential for suffering flood

Floods ranks as one of the most common and widespread natural disasters in the United States. Whether you live near a coastline, along city streets, in the mountains, near a river or even in the desert, there is a potential for suffering flood damage. In fact, nearly 25% of last year’s claims paid by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) were for policies in moderate to low-risk communities. According the NFIP, houses in the United States have a 26% chance of being damaged by a flood during the course of a 30-year mortgage, while businesses face similar risks by flooding. On average, flood cost $6 billion in annual losses in the U.S. The following are a few more little-known flood facts:  

• Flood kills an average of 140 people per year in the U.S. making flooding the deadliest disaster.  
• More than half of all fatalities during floods are auto related, often the result of drivers misjudging the depth of water on a road and being swept away in a swiftly moving current.  
• The principle causes of floods in the eastern United States are hurricanes and storms.  
• The principle causes of floods in the western United States are snowmelt and rainstorms.  
• Underpasses can be some of the most dangerous places during a flash flood – especially at night, when it is difficult to see.  

With over 45 years of experience, SERVPRO® has restored flood-damaged homes and businesses from coast to coast. Our Disaster Recovery Team is trained and equipped to handle the largest storms and the highest flood waters. 

Keep Up with Your Business Carpet Cleaning

7/27/2023 (Permalink)

Call us for a commercial carpet cleaning today.

Being a local independently owned franchise, we understand the challenges of owning a small business. Keeping a commercial space clean can be a big challenge but it needs to be done. First impressions are very important, and you don't want to turn customers off because your store has filthy carpets. Nobody wants to eat in a restaurant that has dirty carpets or upholstery or see years’ worth of stains. 

We can take care of those things for you. Cleaning your carpets at least twice a year can help preserve the life of your carpets and keep your building looking clean and smelling fresh. We have cleaned several businesses throughout the local area already. Churches, nursing homes, senior living communities, and apartment complexes use us regularly to keep the carpets in their property looking nice and you should too! Call us for a commercial carpet cleaning today. 

Easy Tips to Remember When Sudden Storms Start Up

7/20/2023 (Permalink)

Read some quick tips for storm safety anywhere you go.

When you are having fun and enjoying summer, a sudden storm may seem impossible when the skies are clear. However, storms can pop up suddenly when the heat and humidity begin to rise, creating a dangerous environment with little notice.  

Because these storms can catch you at inopportune times, we have put together some quick tips for storm safety anywhere you go.  

Quick Tips for Storm Safety Anywhere You Go  

• Know your options for shelter. If an alert about severe weather is issued and you can get home quickly, that is your best option for seeking shelter. However, if you are out and about, turning your car into a storm shelter is actually the next best thing you can do to stay safe. Pull over safely, turn off the engine and avoid coming into contact with any metal surfaces as you wait it out.  
• Practice electrical safety. When lightning strikes a structure, it is looking for the easiest route to get to the ground—which is oftentimes the electrical system. As the current travels through these wires, the charge can transfer to any electronic that is plugged in, potentially ruining it. If you are in a building and a storm is on the way, you can unplug everything to be as safe as possible, and in general, it is best to use surge protectors on every outlet.  
• Avoid direct contact with concrete. Concrete structures are so sturdy in part because of how they are built. As concrete is poured around metal, it creates a great structure—but also causes a concern if there is lightning nearby. The metal in concrete can disperse electricity if the building is struck by lightning, so avoid touching these surfaces directly if possible.  
• Stay indoors for at least 30 minutes. When summer activities are interrupted by severe weather, getting back to the fun is a high priority. Because of how far lightning can travel from the storm’s center, it is best to exercise caution. After the thunder starts to wane, set a 30-minute timer and reset it with every thunderclap, making sure it goes off before you go back outside.  

If your home sustains damage due to a storm, you can count on SERVPRO to help.  

Tips on Driving in the Rain

7/11/2023 (Permalink)

Rainy roads can be dangerous.

Did you know nearly half (47%) of all weather-related car accidents — more than 700,000 a year — are due to rain? Here are a few tips to help you drive safely in the rain:  

• Exercise caution. Engine oil and grease build-up on roads and highways over time, and when combined with precipitation, you’ve got the equivalent of an automotive Slip ‘N Slide.  
• Slow down. Wet pavement causes tires to lose traction and vehicles become more difficult to handle.  
• Use headlights. Always use headlights in the rain – even if it’s just a sprinkle. Headlights help you see and be seen in wet weather.  
• Keep your windshield wipers in tip-top shape. Summer can wreak havoc on your blades, so get them checked before fall’s showers arrive.  
• Defog your windows. Precipitation can cause your windshield to quickly fog up, so use the front and rear defrosters to maximize visibility.   

By employing these safe driving techniques, you can keep yourself and your passengers safe during spring drizzles and downpours. Rainy roads can be dangerous, but if we all slow down and use extra caution, rainy days might actually be a little brighter. 

We Cover All Your Commercial Needs

7/8/2023 (Permalink)

When you need a commercial job done right and done fast, call SERVPRO.

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.  
• 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.  
• Mold Mitigation and Remediation - SERVPRO works to control and remediate mold contaminants while protecting your health and safety.  

When you need a commercial job done right and done fast, call SERVPRO®.

Storm Damage Services

6/21/2023 (Permalink)

When water damage strikes, a fast response is critical.

Heavy rainfall causing floods and storms can lead to unwanted water damage to your home or business in no time. SERVPRO wants local residents to know that when a storm damages your home or business, 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  
• 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, homeowners and business owners can expect our team to respond immediately to any storm emergency. 

Fire Safety and the Warmer Months

6/6/2023 (Permalink)

Did you know that summer sees more daily fires on average than any other time of year?

In the summer, people typically look forward to all the extra free time with family. It’s a reminder that the days are long—and an invitation to go outdoors. With summertime comes barbecues and camping trips with roasting marshmallows, but it also means an increase in fire activities. 

Did you know that summer sees more daily fires on average than any other time of year? Just by paying attention, though, you can do your part in preventing fires this summer. 

What to Pay Attention To 

• Fire pits. Fire pits create the best ambiance for friends to gather, laugh and tell stories. But it is also important to play it safe. Remember not to ever leave your kids unattended around a fire. Keep a bucket of water near the fire pit or drag a water hose close to the pit. You should also never add leaves or pine needles to the fire, and finally, put the fire out slowly to avoid scattering embers. 
• The grill. BBQ, hot dogs, hamburgers…they all remind us of a hot summer day, but the grill is also the biggest risk for fires. The combination of flames, heat, grease and gas can make things escalate quickly. Before you start the grill up, check to make sure the grill is in proper working order, is placed at least three feet away from everything, and is cleaned before each use. Cleaning the grill before use is the best tip there is, because almost 20% of grill fires are due to poor cleaning. 
• Chimneys and dryer vents. Have your chimney inspected and cleaned out rather than waiting until winter. This helps avoid a dangerous buildup of ash and coal. Clean your dryer vent pipes as a once-a-year checkup for trapped lint. This also helps maintain your dryer and helps it last longer! 

Facts About Thunderstorms

5/9/2023 (Permalink)

How much do you know about thunderstorms?

How much do you know about thunderstorms? These storms are so common that many of us rarely think about them, but they can actually be very dangerous. 

While many thunderstorms cause little to no damage—and probably don’t even disrupt daily life—the high winds, lightning, hail, flooding and other issues of thunderstorms can cause damage to property and be hazardous to people and pets. 

What is a thunderstorm, anyhow? Just what it sounds like! A thunderstorm is defined as any storm that contains thunder. A thunderstorm is recognized as severe when it contains hail that is one inch or larger and straight-line winds of 58 miles per hour or more. 

How Thunderstorms Cause Damage 

• Damage and injury from lightning strikes. Did you know that where there is thunder there is always lightning? That’s because the booming noise of thunder is actually caused by a lightning strike! These strikes can be dangerous, and it is reported that they cause around 300 injuries every year. Beyond injuries, lightning strikes can also cause fires and damage to your home or other property due to fallen tree branches. 
• Property damage due to hail. When you think of hail, damage to cars probably comes to mind. But while hail does commonly damage cars, it can also cause damage to other property and even people. These frozen pellets vary in size, and when they’re larger, they can negatively impact your home’s roof or siding, leading to leaks and water damage. 
• Harm from flash flooding. Flash floods can occur any time there is heavy rain for a plethora of reasons—even if storm drains back up or small ditches become filled with water, heavy rain can quickly turn these things into a life-threatening flooding scenario. And these dangerous floods can occur anywhere, not simply in places where there’s a known flood plain. If flash flood conditions are present, it’s important to stay off the roads. Even an inch of flood water can be dangerous and even deadly. 

Preparing Your Home for Floods

5/9/2023 (Permalink)

If your home is prepared, the damage can be minimized.

As Michigan residents, we know that flood water can easily rise, turning your home into a flooded mess that needs extensive repairs. Although flooding from a burst pipe or flash flood can come quickly, if your home is prepared, the damage can be minimized. Here are tips to prepare your home for flooding:   

1. Install a Sump Pump  
   Sump pumps are installed in a pit in the lowest part of the home, such as the basement or crawlspace, and are designed to prevent water from entering the home. They automatically work to pump water out when it rises to a certain level.   
2. Raise Electric Components  
   Along with water damage, flooding also creates potential fire hazard situations. It is recommended that wiring, outlets, sockets and other electrical components be at least 12 inches above the structure’s projected flood elevation. A licensed electrician can raise them to meet those requirements.   
3. Waterproof Basements  
   An easy way to keep basements dry is to regularly maintain the outside of your home. Along with keeping gutters and drains free of debris, verifying the property slopes, and properly diverting water can keep water flowing away from the home.   
4. Keep Supplies On-hand  
   Flood water can come on fast and rapidly rise. If you know you have foundation issues or haven’t cleaned the gutters yet, keeping supplies, such as sandbags and tarps, on-hand can minimize the amount of water entering the home.   
5. Maintain a Checklist  
   Even if you are prepared, sometimes Mother Nature doesn’t care. When that happens, it is important that everyone in the home knows what to do and precautions are taken to minimize damage. The checklist should be easily accessible and include items such as disconnecting appliances and turning off the main power, gas line, and water supply.   

24/7 Emergency Water Damage Service

5/9/2023 (Permalink)

There is never a convenient time for flooding or water damage to strike your business.

SERVPRO can respond immediately to your commercial water damage emergency regardless of the size or scope of the damage.   

There is never a convenient time for flooding or water damage to strike your business. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So, when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.   

• 24 Hour Emergency Service   
• Faster to Any Size Disaster   
• A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry with over 2,000 Franchises   
• Highly Trained Water Damage Restoration Specialists   

 We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO has specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it is the cornerstone of our business.  If you have a fire or water emergency, call us anytime, day or night. 

Don’t Let Heavy Rains Damage Your Home

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

You may be surprised to hear heavy rain can cause serious damage to a home.

Our SERVPRO team sees a lot of damaged homes so we have in-depth knowledge of some of the ways water can damage a home. When asked how the water damage happens, homeowners cite various problems like severe floods and storms or problems in the home, like a burst pipe. 

But we notice other reasons people need water damage restoration, too. You may be surprised to hear heavy rain can cause serious damage to a home. This is especially true after a long period of time. Water damage from rain compounds if a home isn’t maintained the right way. 

Preparing Your Property for Wet Weather 

Basic home maintenance can help you stay safe from water damage. These projects will help you get moving in the right direction. 

• Learn how your yard drains. A yard that drains correctly protects your home. If you notice that your yard is draining toward your home, then you might want to get in touch with a landscaping expert to look for ways to protect your yard. 
• Plant helpful landscaping. Landscaping can help protect your home from water damage. Native plants, trees and bushes can be vital in protecting your home from water damage. Talk with landscaping experts in the area or visit a native plant sale for tips and ideas. 
• Consider sealing your roof. Sealing your roof can help protect your home from wind and water damage. In fact, experts estimate that almost 95% of water damage is caused by water seeping through gaps in your roof and shingles which can be prevented with this step. 

Experienced Restoration Technicians Are Here to Help You

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

Have you put a lot of thought into what you would do if your home was impacted by a fire or flood?

Have you put a lot of thought into what you would do if your home was impacted by a fire or flood? If you haven’t, it might be a good idea to start considering it. While no homeowners like considering it, disaster claims are much more common than you probably would like to think. 

Not every incident with an associated claim will need restoration in order to get their home back to its original state. But many homeowners find themselves in need of professional services. 

Home Disaster Numbers in America 

Experts explain that homeowners' insurance claims are common. According to the Insurance Information Institute, about one in 20 homeowners will file home damage this year. The statistics include all causes of damage and doesn’t separate the claims based on whether they need restoration services. 

We also have some statistics about individual types of disasters and issues, though. About one in 50 homeowners will file a water damage claim. And about one out of every 350 American homeowners have to file a claim for fire damage. Fire damage claims can include everything from lightning strikes to appliance fires. 

When you think about the United States’ entire population, that statistic translates to millions of families. Some of these people will need to get help from a professional team. That’s when choosing a quality restoration company will make all the difference for you. 

Training and Education for Technicians Matter 

When you trust us with your home’s restoration work, you can be confident that you are going to receive exceptional service from highly trained professionals. 

Beyond the training offered by SERVPRO at a national level, our technicians earn valuable certifications through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification. This non-profit group provides various certifications to ensure restoration and cleaning technicians can use the latest proven techniques when restoring your home.