Water Damage in Winter

12/11/2023 (Permalink)

Modern plumbing systems have made accessing running water in homes a straightforward task. It allows residents to engage in everyday activities like bathing, washing, or enjoying a glass of iced tea directly from the tap. Despite these conveniences, unexpected plumbing incidents can turn this luxury into an unanticipated problem.

Whether residing in a house or a condominium, harsh winter conditions, especially during extreme temperatures, pose a significant risk of water damage. Failing to address frozen pipes in cold weather can lead to cracks and ruptures, causing water to overflow into different areas of the home.

The consequences of water damage unfold swiftly, causing floorboards to warp and infiltrating porous materials like sheetrock and drywall. Addressing the issue promptly is crucial to prevent further damage. In the unfortunate event of such damage, seeking professional help is recommended. Companies like SERVPRO have the expertise to mitigate both structural and cosmetic water damage efficiently.

SERVPRO® Technicians take necessary precautions to ensure the safe execution of their work. Properly assessing the damage involves considering factors like the extent of moisture and the types of materials involved, such as carpet, insulation, wood floors, and baseboards. Additionally, the layout of the room, including walls, windows, cabinets, and closets, is taken into account to determine the optimal placement and number of air movers. The correct angle of equipment is also crucial, ensuring that air effectively carries away moisture without bouncing off walls.

The mantra "We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster" is not merely a slogan for SERVPRO; it defines their commitment. With technicians available 24/7, ready to respond promptly, residents experiencing water damage in their homes are encouraged to contact SERVPRO without delay.

Deodorization

11/18/2023 (Permalink)

Interesting fact about SERVPRO® of Branch and South Calhoun, we can deodorize your home and business of the toxins that come from substances such as cigarette smoke!

Tobacco smoke is composed of numerous types of gasses as well as carcinogens and heavy metals, like arsenic, lead, and cyanide. Sticky, highly toxic particulates, like nicotine, can cling to walls and ceilings. Gases can be absorbed into carpets, draperies, and other upholsteries.

Many times hotels or realtors will call on us to come in and clean rooms that have been inhabited by heavy smokers. Your basic cleaning service is not going to have the expertise to effectively deodorize your home.

Take advantage of SERVPRO’s residential cleaning services to remove unwanted odors (including animal smells such as skunk and wet dog). Call us today 517-278-5261

Your Home is Your Biggest Investment

11/18/2023 (Permalink)

Your home is more than likely the biggest investment that you will ever make and one that holds a lifetime of memories.

What happens if you wake up to see 2 inches of water in your kitchen?  What would you do?  Do you know who you would call?

We are SERVPRO® of Branch and South Calhoun and we have been serving homeowners and businesses like you since 1967.  

As a leader in the field of water damage repair and restoration, our crews are trained to help you when disaster strikes, they will help walk you through the drying process and help to make it #LikeItNeverEvenHappened.

If disaster strikes your home, be sure to remember to call SERVPRO® of Branch and South Calhoun at 517-278-9561

#SERVPRO9451 #NoWorries #SERVPRO

Focus on Fire

11/18/2023 (Permalink)

Fall and winter weather, coupled with seasonal holiday heating, cooking and decorations, typically brings about an increase in residential fire frequency.  SERVPRO® of Branch and South Calhoun County fire damage restoration experts realize that people have as little as two minutes to escape a burning home before it's too late to get out.  In a matter of moments, a small flame can become a major fire, making it critical to be prepared with an escape plan in place.  Once a plan is developed, it is critical everyone in the home understands the plan; the best way to do this is by practicing the escape plan at least twice a year.

Working smoke detectors along with building and practicing a home escape plan increase your chance of surviving a fire.  The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) promotes steps to help you develop an emergency escape plan.  Simply having a plan for your home or business is not enough.  Your family and employees must be fully aware of the plan and practice it on a regular basis.

When You Need Storm Damage Restoration

11/18/2023 (Permalink)

Ice damage, hail damage, storm damage, hurricane damage, flooding and wind damage all have the potential to cause far-reaching damage when they strike. However, not all is lost. Storm restoration can help salvage most of the items in a house. Homeowners count their losses too quick before engaging the services of storm restoration experts.

The services of home restoration can be enlisted for damages such as river flooding, hail damage, flood water damage, ground water damage, ice damage, flooding, hurricane damage and wind damage. No calamity is too big or small for them. In light of the recent storm damages that have rocked the country, it is prudent for homeowners to have contacts of water restoration experts on storm remediation.

It is important to know the effects of harsh weather so that homeowners understand the need for storm remediation. Wind damage, for instance, can cause heavy roof damage. Roof damage is mainly from loose tiles or shingles. Wind damage after winter can also cause moisture from ice damming or formation of ice dams to sip through the roof. Homes with wooden roofs can experience wood swelling. This leads to further roof damage necessitating immediate repair.

Ice damming and ice dams should be professionally handled because of the risk they pose. A simple leak can advance into a huge crack. It is ill-advised to stay long before conducting roof repair. Ice damming also exert weight on the roof. The ice dam pools should not be left to stay on the roof for too long.

There are various strategies that homeowners can take as measures of storm remediation. For instance, those who live in areas more prone to winter damage or wind damage can consider installing roofs with a higher slope. This goes a long way in reducing the cost of regular roof leak repairs. It also minimizes roof leaks.

Postponing roof repair especially from ice dams and ice damming only leads to more costs. A simple roof leak repair can turn into a roof replacement if not handled immediately. It is also crucial to conduct roof inspection, especially after a storm warning. This minimizes the costs to be incurred in roof repair after the storm damage happens. A roof inspection will identify all the damaged places, and the roof repair will be handled in time. All roof leaks are also sealed to ensure that the roof is able to withstand the coming weather damage.

Hurricane damage, flood water damage, hail damage, wind damage, ice damage, storm damage and river flooding experts are trained to handle such harsh weather conditions. The water restoration arrive at the scene of the damage immediately. Water restoration efforts must be done promptly so as to prevent further damage. These activities are done after an assessment of the extent of flooding, ground water levels, and the flood water. An assessment is what informs their actions to deal with the storm damage, ground water, and flooding.

It is important to note that ice damage, hurricane damage, roof damage, flood water damage and hail damage all have different methods of water restoration and storm remediation. The team, therefore, needs to come up with the right storm restoration strategy based on the type of damage at hand.

Homeowners need to explain the type of damage so that the home restoration experts can come with the right tools and gear to carry out storm remediation. One such tool is a flood pump. These flood pumps are used to drain water after a flooding or water damage. A flood pump can also work automatically. It can be left in a room to drain the ground water. The pumps are able to handle the ground water even as it rises. Commercial flood pumps are also available to deal with massive flood water situations such as river flooding. In a home application, the flood pumps can be used with vacuums.

Another common issue is frozen pipes, especially after a winter damage. Frozen pipes prevent a free flow of water through the pipes. If the temperatures are still low, it may take time before the frozen pipes unfreeze. It is not advisable to apply heat to the frozen pipes. Handling of these frozen pipes should be left to the storm restoration or home restoration experts.

Vandalism's Dos and Don'ts

8/16/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Professionals are recognized as leaders at helping property owners quickly recover from fire and water damage. They also provide general cleaning and deodorization services for situations resulting from vandalism including graffiti, egg, spoiled foods and human or animal waste. If you ever encounter an act of vandalism to your home or building, here are some tips on what to do until SERVPRO arrives:

DO:    

Hose or wash egg damage from building exterior as soon as possible.  

Blot freshly spilled food from carpets and fabrics with a dampened cloth or sponge (but don’t over wet). Scrape and blot (don’t rub: it may damage fibers).

Carefully vacuum glass particles from carpets and upholstery     Save containers, which reveal the composition of spilled inks, cosmetics and paints.    

Record all damage and photograph when possible.

DON’T:   

Attempt to remove ink, paint or cosmetic stains.

Operate damaged lamps or appliances.

Discard wood chips, broken pieces from furniture, porcelain or other art objects.

Why SERVPRO of Branch and South Calhoun is the best for commercial Cleaning and Commercial Damage Restoration

8/16/2022 (Permalink)

Did you know SERVPRO is not just for disasters such as floods, water damage, or fires in the home?  We also help Commercial Businesses!

SERVPRO of Branch and South Calhoun employees are certified to clean and sanitize: Upholstery, Carpeting, Flooring, and other hard surfaces.  SERVPRO of Branch and South Calhoun is even certified to remove bio-hazard contaminants such as blood, urine, feces, and other things no one else wants to clean.  Refresh your carpeting and office cubical- we also specialize in odor removal and deodorization!   Additionally, SERVPRO is available after hours if services are needed when customers and/or clients are not present.

SERVPRO means reliable, certified professionals will show up at your door and handle any cleaning or restoration needs you may have.

Give us a call today- we will be happy to help (517)-278-5261

Why SERVPRO? We are the service professionals!

7/23/2022 (Permalink)

Professional carpet cleaners are the only people who should be trusted to do the job. Anyone with less experience or certification will likely not do the job correctly. And their carelessness could end up costing a lot more in the end. 

Carpeting is typically one of the most long-term investments in the home. Most people associate high-cost flooring with tile, marble or hardwood, but carpet can carry a high price tag as well. There are various fibers and matting to choose from, as well as the padding beneath it. When it’s all said and done, it can cost just as much if not more than some other options. Once that investment is installed, great care should be taken to keep it in the best condition possible. This will mean regular vacuuming in high-traffic areas and regular maintenance from professional carpet cleaners.

Why should someone always hire professional carpet cleaners?

Professionally trained technicians have certification in all types of fibers and construction, so they know which products and equipment to use and how to employ them properly. The technician can assess the area for any spot treatment that may be necessary and will know which tools and specialized products to use. They will also be aware of the correct methods to complete the job effectively. Technicians will also inform the customer of ways that they can prolong the life of their carpeting and how to properly treat spills and accidents should they occur.

What can happen if someone doesn't use professional carpet cleaners?

A lot of damage can occur if a certified technician or firm is not hired to do the job. They can over-saturate the fibers and promote an environment that may foster mold and other microbial growth in time. If using improper equipment, the fibers can be damaged, which would result in replacement being required much sooner. If the wrong cleansing agents are used, or they are not properly rinsed out, they may damage the fibers or make future soil adhere quicker, which will require cleaning more often than would otherwise be necessary.  

What should a customer expect when they hire professional carpet cleaners?

Upon arrival, the technician will assess the carpeting. Once that is complete, the process can begin. First they will vacuum the floor during a process called dry soil removal. This removes any loose items in the flooring. Then soil suspension and extraction will take place. The technician uses a preconditioning agent that is mixed to separate the soil from the fibers. Various methods are employed to extract the soil from the flooring. Grooming may also be done to improve the fiber piles, matting, and to equally disperse protectors or conditioning agents. Then the drying process can begin. Carpets that have been professionally cleaned should be dry in less than 24 hours. Homeowners can assist in this process by ensuring the right temperature is maintained, and there is adequate ventilation. 

When hiring a carpet cleaning technician, make sure that they have received their certification through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). The IICRC is a globally-recognized organization that is the leader in certifying technicians and firms in the restoration, cleaning, and inspection industry.

Locally Owned Company with Valuable Resources

As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Branch and South Calhoun Counties is strategically located to respond quickly to your water damage emergency and your mold cleanup. When there is mold in a home or business, we have the resources and personnel to help get your home or business back together. Call us today!

Minor Floods Have Potential To Cause Major Damage

5/24/2022 (Permalink)

There is always potential for flood damage no matter where you live. According to the American Red Cross floods cause more damage in the United States every year than any other weather related disaster. The American Red Cross offers these flood safety tips:

-Stay away from floodwaters. If you come up on a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.

-If you approach a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are riding rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.

-Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water. 

If a flood occurs and affects you, call SERVPRO of Branch and South Calhoun.  Even minor floods have potential to cause major damage. We are faster to ANY size disaster. Let us help you get your life back in order. 

It Takes More Than Soap To Clean Up Soot or Smoke Damage

5/24/2022 (Permalink)

Dry Cleaning - Removes light to medium nongrease-based soils.  

Wet Cleaning - Removes moderate to heavy residues. The process involves cleaning using water, with or without a cleaning agent.   

 Spray and Wipe - Apply a cleaning product using a spray bottle. After spraying, wipe the surface with a clean white towel. This method is effective for materials possibly damaged if saturated with cleaning product.  

Foam Cleaning - Effective for light residues or delicate materials. Clean with the foam of a cleaning agent rather than the liquid    

Abrasive Cleaning - Agitates the surface being cleaned. Apply a cleaning product containing abrasive ingredients   

Immersion Cleaning - Dipping contents items into a bath of cleaning product. This bath is an ultrasonic tank filled with water and cleaning solution. High-frequency sound waves then create high temperatures and microscopic jet streams of fluid to agitate and scrub contents. SERVPRO recommends that you

DO NOT attempt to clean smoke-damaged surfaces or contents yourself.

 Call the professionals! SERVPRO of North Calhoun (269)-963-3033