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

Trust When It Says "Certified Clean" By SERVPRO

5/24/2022 (Permalink)

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, and we’ve developed a program to help your business meet the new higher standard of clean that is now expected.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is a defensive cleaning program we’re offering to businesses and commercial locations to address the current COVID-19 pandemic. This proactive viral pathogen cleaning program goes well beyond janitorial or carpet cleaning. By choosing Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you, your employees, your customers, and your community can rest assured that you’ve selected a higher cleaning standard – you are 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, 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 – until life is back to normal in the communities we all call home.

Call SERVPRO of Branch and South Calhoun Counties today at  517-278-5261 for your Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation.

The Importance of Hiring Professional Carpet Cleaners

3/22/2022 (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 & 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!

Cleaning Up Raw Sewage On Your Own Is Not A Good Idea, Call SERVPRO Immediately

3/19/2022 (Permalink)

If you’re like most homeowners, when faced with a task or question you probably head to the internet for answers…that’s how you found this article! And if you’re dealing with backed-up sewage, it only takes a few seconds of searching to find hundreds of articles describing how to clean-up sewage.

It goes like this:

** Put on some rubber gloves

** Scoop out the waste

** Take some water and bleach solution and apply it to the affected areas

** Let it dry

Most articles will throw out a warning saying “if you’re not sure whether you can do it, or don’t have the proper equipment, it is best to call a professional”. That’s where you would call SERVPRO.

We’d like to throw out another warning!

Cleaning up raw sewage on your own is something you should never do! 

Here’s why:

#1 – It can be hidden. – Any SERVPRO crew member can tell you stories about customers that decided to clean-up their own feces only to call in weeks or months later complaining about smells and disfigured walls, cabinets, and floors. Sewage will find its way into any and all porous surfaces. Even things like drywall and cabinetry aren’t safe. And it’s not as simple as just spotting the sewage with your eyes. It requires state of the art equipment, which SERVPRO has, to identify areas that have been damaged by sewage. So unless you have an infrared detection system handy and know how to use it, call SERVPRO.

#2 – It can be costly. – Times are difficult for everyone and money is tight. It’s easy to justify doing it yourself instead of paying to have SERVPRO  clean and disinfect for you. But today’s shortcut is tomorrow’s nightmare! Again, you’re dealing with a toxic situation that if not handled properly can create very real health dangers for you and your family. Not only that, if not properly mitigated, you could be looking at a serious mold issue in the not so distant future on top of all of the other issues described above. And if you think sewage cleanup is costly, wait until you’re stuck with a bill for mold remediation services! At least your sewage clean-up is covered by insurance…that’s not typically the case if you’ve got mold and it’s the result of you not taking appropriate measures when dealing with the sewage issue that created the mold!

So, if you’ve stumbled upon this article due to a sewage back-up that’s spilled into your home or office, do yourself a favor and call us, SERVPRO. Our technicians are certified to perform raw sewage cleanup and can provide you with peace of mind knowing the area affected is professionally cleaned.

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.

When It Comes To Biohazard Remediation, You Can Count On SERVPRO (Part 1 of 2)

3/14/2022 (Permalink)

Dissecting Biohazard Cleanup: Understanding the Process and Reducing Risk

When compared to a fire or water loss, property damage resulting from a suicide, murder or unattended death poses greater risk and complexity for the adjuster, the biohazard cleanup company, and of course, the policyholder. Many cleaning and restoration companies will offer bioremediation services, but only those that specialize in this area, like SERVPRO truly understand the science and intricacies of the bioremediation and decontamination process. In order to minimize risk for the insurance carrier and ensure the safety of the policy holder, it’s important to realize the inherent challenges of bioremediation and the processes and standards that every biohazard cleanup professional must adhere to.

Am I liable for an improper biohazard cleanup?

At some point in their careers, insurance professionals may have experienced sticker shock from a bioremediation claim. How could the biohazard cleanup of a single room cost more than recovering an entirely flooded home? It might be tempting to retain a trusted property damage restoration company at a lower cost, but doing so may put the insurer at risk for a lawsuit.

Consider a recent case where a general cleaning company was hired to sanitize a home after 600 pounds of deer meat rotted in a family’s garage due to a power outage. Following the cleaning, the homeowners reported that the rotting stench still remained throughout the house and that some family members became ill. Experts who were brought in to investigate the situation determined that the enduring smell and sickness resulted from inefficiencies in the cleaning process, such as the failure to seal concrete surfaces.

Why is bioremediation so complex?

Many biohazard situations pose grave health risks to policy holders and cleanup companies because of the potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens. One out of every 24 people has Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or HIV and these pathogens can survive in a deceased person for a considerable amount of time – up to 16 days after death, depending on the temperature and surrounding environment. Exposure to bloodborne viruses can occur due to direct contact with non-intact skin, accidental injury from biological fragments, inhalation and exposure from splashes of blood or bio fluid to the eyes, nose, or mouth. Considering the health risks, bioremediation specialists must follow stringent employee safety regulations and meticulous decontamination procedures that most cleanup crews are not accustomed to.

Separately, biohazard situations can lead to hidden dangers that an average property restoration technician might not even consider. For example, in a water damage emergency, floor boards and drywall might be removed because they are visibly warped and unsalvageable. Then the rest of the structure can be dried out. In contrast, blood can seep through grout and in-between floorboards, even through subflooring. There is no other way to clean the damage but to remove all affected materials – if new wood floors are installed over the blood spill or if tiles are simply wiped down, the remaining bio matter can spread disease, release odors and further damage the property.

When It Comes To Biohazard Remediation, You Can Count On SERVPRO (Part 2 of 2)

3/14/2022 (Permalink)

How do I evaluate a bioremediation provider?

To determine whether or not a company is qualified to handle a biohazard situation, insurance professionals need a deeper understanding of proper bioremediation standards and what it takes to fully decontaminate a property. These are the key things to inquire about when choosing a vendor for a biohazard cleanup:

OSHA Compliance – These regulations are in place to protect the biohazard company employees and to prevent injury and potential liability for all involved. All supervisors and field technicians should be trained in the following OSHA programs: Bloodborne Pathogens, Personal Protective Equipment, Hazard Communication, Asbestos Awareness, Heat Illness, Fall Protection, Lift Safety, Lock Out – Tag Out, and Power Tool Safety. A common misstep among restoration companies is that they only comply with the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standards, instead of all the aforementioned areas.

EPA and State Environmental Agency Compliance – The disposal of medical waste must be in accordance with federal, state and/or local regulations. Not all biohazard remediation companies are licensed to transport or store medical waste so it’s essential to understand if/how they comply with the local and national standards. The cleaning company can incur hefty fines if medical waste is not disposed of properly. Also, employees need to be trained in the proper use of cleaning agents – this can be more complicated than it seems, as many agents will become inactive if not measured and diluted properly.

Reporting/Testing – A reputable company should be able to deliver a detailed report which catalogs every step of the cleanup process. This should include photos of the entire process as well, so the policy holder and adjuster understand why some structural materials needed to be removed, what was disposed, why the employees went through a certain amount of protective equipment, etc. They should also have equipment available to check for non-visible but active biological fluids and other contaminants so that it is certain when an area is considered disinfected.

Sensitivity Training – Dealing with a flood or fire can be extremely traumatic, but it does not compare to the loss of loved one. During these traumatic situations, the family members often stay at home so it is imperative that the workers in their home are compassionate and considerate. The biohazard cleanup specialists at SERVPRO understand the need for the family to deal with only one point person in order to avoid confusion or conflicting updates. They have been trained to eliminate alarming language from their vocabulary and speak empathetically with the policyholder.

When it comes to biohazard remediation, there is no quick solution. The fact that there are no laws protecting policy holders through a biohazard cleaning process puts the responsibility on the insurance carrier to work with bioremediation specialists who follow strict safety standards and cleanup procedures. If the insurance carrier directs the cleanup process and even one of the above points is neglected, they might be held liable for any further health and property damages resulting from the improper cleanup. It is important to remember that you can’t put a price tag on the peace of mind that a policy holder needs after a traumatic crime or death occurred in their home or place of business.

By Tim Reifsteck

Candle Safety in Your Coldwater Home

2/16/2022 (Permalink)

When fire damage occurs in your Coldwater home, call SERVPRO of Branch and South Calhoun. We’ll help make it “Like it never even happened.”

Did you know that roughly 2% of house fires are caused by candles? Ultimately, candles exist to help make your house feel like home and to make your home smell wonderful. Here at SERVPRO, we strongly advise that you follow the basics of candle safety and practice safely burning. Follow these tips to help extend the life of your candles and help keep you, your family, and pets safe.

The three basics of candle safety:

1. Never leave a burning candle unattended.
2. Never burn a candle on or near anything that might catch fire.
3. Keep candles out of reach of children and pets.

The Proper Way to Burn a Candle

Before Lighting

• Trim the wick
• Always use a candleholder
• Burn candles in a well-ventilated room
• Keep the wax pool clear

While Burning

• Never touch or move the candle
• Do not burn the candle all the way down
• Extinguish candle if the flame becomes too high or flickers repeatedly
• Always keep your candle within eyesight

When Extinguishing

• Use a candle snuffer
• Never use water to put out a candle
• Don’t touch or move the candle until it has completely cooled

When fire damage occurs in your Kalamazoo home, call SERVPRO of Branch and South Calhoun Counties. We’ll help make it “Like it never even happened.”

if You're a Victim of Storm Damage - Do You Know What To Do Next?

2/7/2022 (Permalink)

The best way to do that is to get a storm restoration and water restoration company to take care of your storm remediation.

Storm damage can occur to anyone. It can happen in any climate. Storms cause river flooding and other forms of flooding. They cause wind damage, hail damage, and hurricane damage. Winter storms bring ice dams and ice damming, which cause roof leaks, forcing you to get roof repairs done. Ice damage also comes in the form of frozen pipes. Groundwater and flood water can ruin your basement and home. You need to take steps towards home restoration. The best way to do that is to get a storm restoration and water restoration company to take care of your storm remediation.

Make sure to make an emergency call to the storm restoration and water restoration company right away. 
The first thing that the storm restoration and water restoration company will do is assess the extent of the storm damage, wind damage, roof damage, roof leaks, and any other sort of damage. They will create a plan of action for your home restoration needs.

Next, they will start fixing and removing the cause of the damage. Often, there will be hidden moisture under tiles or behind walls. They will use equipment that removes this water from your home.

The next step, after your home is completely dry, is to repair things that are broken. This starts with roof repair. If there are roof leaks and roof damage, they will do a roof repair job to repair those leaks. If wind damage caused your walls or ceiling to cave in, they will repair that as well. They may need to replace certain items. For example, they may need to use new boards or tiles for your ceiling, floor, and walls. If there is ice damage, such as a frozen pipe, they will repair that as well. Home restoration, or bringing your home back to livable conditions again, is a vital part of storm remediation. 

SERVPRO Is Here To Help When Fire Damages Your Home or Business

1/30/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Branch and South Calhoun Counties has what it takes to restore your home back to pre loss condition.

A fire can be devastating to your home or business. After the fire trucks leave, your property will likely suffer from not only fire and smoke damage, but also widespread water damage and flooding from firefighting efforts. SERVPRO has specialized fire and water damage restoration training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home to pre-fire condition. They also can remove the pervasive smoke odor and deep-clean soot from upholstery and carpet.

Board-ups - In some cases firefighters may break windows and cut holes in the roof in order to vent the fire. It is extremely important to secure openings to your home or structure using sturdy, durable materials designed to protect it from both weather intrusion and intrusion by outsiders.

Types of Fire/Smoke/Soot

Wet Smoke – Plastics and Synthetics; Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood; Fast burning, high temperatures, dry, powdery, non-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.

What to do after a fire:

• Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
• Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
• Clean and protect chrome with light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
• Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.

What NOT to do after a fire:

• Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting SERVPRO 
• Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
• Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat or water.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged.
• Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may damage garment further.

SERVPRO of Branch and South Calhoun Counties has what it takes to restore your home back to pre loss condition.

When You Need SERVPRO The Most - We Are Here 24/7/365

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

Give us a call and we'll help you in any way that we can, whether that be by offering our carpet cleaning services or just answering any questions!

Carpet cleaning is important to maintaining the overall comfort and monetary value of a property. Any type of flooring is an investment for the property owner. Keeping the investment in the best shape takes a professional, but without proper certification, the consumer cannot be guaranteed of proper education and training on updated techniques used in maintaining the value of the flooring. There are health concerns that can arise from any unsanitary environment, and it can be surprising to learn what survives in and under the flooring. Allergens that are left behind can lead to serious health problems for family members and even household pets. Proper techniques can reduce or eliminate allergens in the environment, improving the health of the occupants. Great strides have been made in technologies used in carpet-care. Today there are only a few basic wet and dry methodologies accepted by the industry leaders. Ensuring consistently high standards means understanding how the certifying body works to guarantee better results at lower costs. Proper maintenance begins with regular vacuuming using a high-powered machine.

Over time normal wear and tear leads to a dull, soiled appearance. Proper maintenance by the occupants can help keep the flooring looking good, but there comes a time when a certified technician has to be called to get to the really deep grime a normal household vacuum can miss.

While regular maintenance is beneficial to the healthfulness and attractiveness of a home or office, a certified technician is necessary to take care of the really deep jobs regular vacuuming misses. Consumers often find it difficult to choose a professional company for those important household chores. The benefits of carpet cleaning are numerous, but knowing who can be trusted is not always easy.

That's where we come in....Just give us a call @ (517) 278-5261 and we'll help you in any way that we can, whether that be by offering our carpet cleaning services or just answering any questions you may have.

First Step: Fireproof Safety Box

1/10/2022 (Permalink)

Our expertise and “restore” versus “replace” mentality can help you save money while preserving precious keepsakes that can’t be replaced.

We know how important it is to keep your belongings safe. The first step to take in keeping your valuables and important documents safe is purchasing a fireproof safety box. This box will make sure your items stay secure in case of a fire.

Items you might store in your safety box include: 

• Birth certificate
• Social Security cards
• Property titles
• Spare keys
• Digital hard drives containing family photos
• Jewelry  

What SERVPRO Can Do

If your home does suffer from a fire, SERVPRO can help make it “Like it never even happened.” SERVPRO of Branch and South Calhoun specializes in restoring contents that have been damaged by fire. Our expertise and “restore” versus “replace” mentality can help you save money while preserving precious keepsakes that can’t be replaced. 

You Can Count ON SERVPRO - No Matter The Size Of The Disaster!

1/10/2022 (Permalink)

You can depend on us to get the job done right and get it done quickly!

Residential Services

Whether your Branch & South Calhoun County home needs emergency flood damage or your upholstery cleaned, you can depend on us.  Our technicians have extensive cleaning and restoration training and can make your property look its best. Learn more about our residential services:

• Water Damage Restoration
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Mold Remediation
• Storm Damage Restoration
• Cleaning Services
• Building/Reconstruction Services

Commercial Services

There's never a convenient time for fire or Water damage to strike your Branch & South Calhoun County commercial property. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services we have the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business. Learn more about our commercial services: http://www.SERVPRObranchandsouthcalhouncounties.com/commercial-restoration-cleaning

• Commercial Water Damage Restoration
• Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

Did You Know - Not All Smoke Damage Can Be Cleaned With Soap!

1/7/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO recommends that you DO NOT attempt to clean smoke-damaged surfaces or contents yourself, and call the professionals!

Here is a quick description of each method of content cleaning:  

Dry Cleaning - Removes light to medium non-grease-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, and call the professionals!

Water Damage Cleanup & Hot Water Repairs

1/6/2022 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO today! We are faster to any disaster and we can make it "Like it never even happened."

Wet spots on the floor or a rusted tank may signal a problem. Your hot-water heater could have a leak or a busted valve. If you are having a problem with your hot-water heater, contact a qualified plumbing contractor right away.

Once you have called a plumbing contractor then contact SERVPRO of Branch & South Calhoun Counties to provide an inspection utilizing advanced technical equipment. Upon inspection if damages are determined SERVPRO of Branch & South Calhoun Counties will address the water damage and provide a full repair service estimate. SERVPRO  has a 24 hour emergency service team that is highly trained and ready to help you at your home or business.

Contact SERVPRO today! We are faster to any disaster and we can make it "Like it never even happened."

Call SERVPRO When It Comes To Cleaning & Protecting Your Carpets

1/5/2022 (Permalink)

The benefits of carpet cleaning are numerous, but knowing who can be trusted is not always easy.

Carpet cleaning is important to maintaining the overall comfort and monetary value of a property. Any type of flooring is an investment for the property owner. Keeping the investment in the best shape takes a professional, but without proper certification, the consumer cannot be guaranteed of proper education and training on updated techniques used in maintaining the value of the flooring. There are health concerns that can arise from any unsanitary environment, and it can be surprising to learn what survives in and under the flooring. Allergens that are left behind can lead to serious health problems for family members and even household pets. Proper techniques can reduce or eliminate allergens in the environment, improving the health of the occupants. Great strides have been made in technologies used in carpet-care. Today there are only a few basic wet and dry methodologies accepted by the industry leaders. Ensuring consistently high standards means understanding how the certifying body works to guarantee better results at lower costs. Proper maintenance begins with regular vacuuming using a high-powered machine. Over time normal wear and tear leads to a dull, soiled appearance. Proper maintenance by the occupants can help keep the flooring looking good, but there comes a time when a certified technician has to be called to get to the really deep grime a normal household vacuum can miss.

While regular maintenance is beneficial to the healthfulness and attractiveness of a home or office, a certified technician is necessary to take care of the really deep jobs regular vacuuming misses. Consumers often find it difficult to choose a professional company for those important household chores. The benefits of carpet cleaning are numerous, but knowing who can be trusted is not always easy.

That's where we come in....Just give us a call (517) 278-5261 and we'll help you in any way that we can, whether that be by offering our carpet cleaning services or just answering any questions you may have.

SERVPRO Can Help Get Control Over Hidden Water Damage

1/4/2022 (Permalink)

Our technicians At SERVPRO of Branch and South Calhoun are always ready to check out problems and offer solutions.

Getting control over hidden damages

Do you know that water leaks can highly affect the sale of your home? What's more, they can be a concern for new home buyers. However, most homeowners are usually unaware of the hidden leaks. With cracked pipes, leaking spigot and broken seals water will easily creep into some places it isn't meant to go. The end results will be more visible damages which include rot, damaged flooring, and blistered paint.

A minor water leak can increase your repair bills. But the good news is that you can easily prevent such situations. Noticing a sagging ceiling above your dining room table is easier. When looking for water damages you have to remember that these damages rarely turn up at the water source.

Some damages to expect

- Mold and mildew growth. With water leaks, you should also expect an unhealthy environment.

- Permanent water damages to carpets, wood, wallpapers, furnishing and paint. 

- Contaminated systems – including the ductwork. 

- Insulation and drywall which need replacement and removal. 

- If there is water trapped somewhere in your house, poor airflow will become a major problem.

But don't worry, our technicians At SERVPRO of Branch and South Calhoun are always ready to check out problems and offer solutions.

SERVPRO Commercial Cleaning Services (Part 1 of 2)

1/3/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can work around your regular business hours so there will be no disruption or downtime for your office.

Spending extra time and resources to clean and disinfect your office or warehouse space is something you don't always have time to do. Turn to the professionals and let us handle the everyday wear and tear that gradually soils your office. When dirt, odor, and moisture problems go beyond the scope of your regular janitorial staff, you need to call SERVPRO for prompt service.

We specialize in all commercial cleaning services, from removing an odor problem to deep cleaning flooring and carpets, you can rely on us to make your workspace look its very best. SERVPRO can work around your regular business hours so there will be no disruption or downtime for your office. From general cleaning of workspaces to heavy cleaning of warehouse walls and ceilings, we have specialized training, products, and equipment to get your commercial property clean and safe. A clean office promotes employee health and safety, production and overall happiness. A clean business keeps customers coming back.  

SERVPRO wants to help keep your facility clean and a place where people want to work and buy from. We have service agreements that range from weekly cleaning services, quarterly, or by the call. We'll work with you and around your schedule and cater our services around your needs. 

Our commercial cleaning services include:

Biohazard and Sewage

SERVPRO is trained to safely remove biohazards and dispose of them properly following OSHA and health regulations. Water from sewer system backups should be considered very dangerous and is best left to the professionals. Equipped with the necessary safety apparatus and cleaning products, we can help transform these unhealthy environments back into clean and safe workspaces. 

Trauma and Crime Scene Cleanup

Accidents and crime scenes often have blood or other biohazard contaminants that may pose a severe health risk. Our highly trained service professionals will respond immediately and safely clean and disinfect any trauma or crime scene with empathy and respect.

SERVPRO Commercial Cleaning Services (Part 2 of 2)

1/3/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can work around your regular business hours so there will be no disruption or downtime for your office.

Carpet and Upholstery

 A good rule of thumb is to have your carpet and upholstery professionally cleaned every 12 months. Protect your investment by calling us to clean and maintain your carpet and upholstery. Ceilings, walls, and floors are exposed to dirt, dust and other contaminants from inside and outside. Whether they need general maintenance cleaning, or heavy cleaning from smoke or fire damage, SERVPRO has the expertise to do the job right the first time. 

Odor Removal and Deodorization

 We have several different types of deodorization techniques. One of our Project Managers will discuss with you the method that will be most beneficial for your property. Masking the odors and other shortcuts are not what we do. We fully address the source of the odor so it doesn't return. 

Vandalism and Graffiti

 SERVPRO offers emergency services for board up due to broken windows or damaged structure. Often simple acts of vandalism, like breaking a window, can cause significant water and mold damage if not addressed promptly. In addition to removing spray-painted graffiti from exterior walls, we also clean driveways, sidewalks, asphalt, metals, glass, wood, plastic and masonry.

SERVPRO Is Here For You When Water Attacks Your Business

12/29/2021 (Permalink)

We are faster to any disaster and are here to help make things "Like it never even happened."

Water damage in your warehouse can be devastating, no matter how it started. It can cost quite a bit for repairs, plus slow or even shut down your daily operations for a while. It does not take a lot of water to cause extensive damage to your building. It can weaken your foundation, create easy pathways for water to enter in and cause cracks.

If water has entered your building for any reason, water cleanup services from a professional remediation company are needed right away. At SERVPRO, we realize that we must move quickly in these situations to prevent further damage to your structure, such as mold growth.

Roofing can be a significant source of water damage which comes from the outside elements. Although you cannot control the wind and rain, you can make sure that the roof is up to par with condition and code requirements. Make sure that you regularly inspect the roof to check for any missing shingles or damage where rain could seep through and damage contents inside your warehouse.

Your HVAC system also needs to receive maintenance regularly from a qualified HVAC technician. The drain lines, drip pains, and other areas of moisture need to be clear and clean. Otherwise, water can build up and flow over into your structure.

When this happens, SERVPRO techs can use our truck-mounted pumps to get the standing water out. Industrial fans and dehumidifiers are then used to complete the drying process. We monitor these machines daily so we can move them around if needed to achieve the shortest drying time possible.

Even when you are careful, water damage can still occur. There are tools you can get to help you detect the water and perhaps stop further damage. Active leak detection systems typically generate an alarm and also perform a function that stops the water flow. Most of them have moisture sensors to detect a leak. A passive lead detection system, or water alarm, are created to alert you to a possible water leak. They generate an audible alarm tone and may feature a flashing light.

SERVPRO is always standing by to help you restore your building from any water damage emergency. Reach out to us today! We are faster to any disaster and are here to help make things "Like it never even happened."

Did You Know? SERVPRO Is IICRC Certified

12/29/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Branch & South Calhoun is an IICRC firm.

What is IICRC?

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

SERVPRO Is Here To Help When Water Damage From Contaminated Water Happens!

12/29/2021 (Permalink)

If you're not sure if it's contaminated water please call SERVPRO to check it out instead of inspecting it yourself. Call today 517-278-5261

Sewage back-ups can happen to anyone! Here are a few Do's and Don'ts to keep you safe until SERVPRO can get there to assist you with cleanup.

  DO:

• Avoid all contact with sewage and items contaminated from sewage.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after contact with contaminated items.

DON’T:

• Spread contaminated water by walking unnecessarily on damaged or wet areas.
• Turn on the HVAC system if there is a possibility of spreading contaminated air.
• Use household fans to dry the structure and spread contaminants.
• Use products for personal hygiene and cleanliness if exposed to the contaminated areas.

Toilets are not the only source of a sewage back-up, back-ups can also happen in bath tubs and drains in the basement. If you're not sure if it's contaminated water please call SERVPRO to check it out instead of inspecting it yourself. Call today 517-278-5261

SERVPRO Is Here When You Need Smoke and Soot Cleanup

12/29/2021 (Permalink)

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage? Call Us Today – (800) 630-7119

Smoke and soot facts:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Branch & South Calhoun will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions.  We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – (800) 630-7119

You Can Count ON SERVPRO - No Matter The Size Of The Disaster!

12/29/2021 (Permalink)

You can depend on us to get the job done right and get it done quickly!

Residential Services

Whether your Branch & South Calhoun County home needs emergency flood damage or your upholstery cleaned, you can depend on us.  Our technicians have extensive cleaning and restoration training and can make your property look its best. Learn more about our residential services:

• Water Damage Restoration
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Mold Remediation
• Storm Damage Restoration
• Cleaning Services
• Building/Reconstruction Services

Commercial Services

There's never a convenient time for fire or Water damage to strike your Branch & South Calhoun County commercial property. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services we have the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business. Learn more about our commercial services: http://www.SERVPRObranchandsouthcalhouncounties.com/commercial-restoration-cleaning

• Commercial Water Damage Restoration
• Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

Did You Know That SERVPRO of Branch & South Calhoun Have The Following Certificates?

12/29/2021 (Permalink)

Our mission is to help you get back to a normal life after disaster strikes. We want to make it look "Like it never even happened."

Certifications

• IICRC Certified Firm
• CCT - Carpet Cleaning Technician
• WRT - Water Damage Restoration Technician
• LCT - Leather Cleaning Technician
• SRT - Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician
• RRT - Carpet Repair & Reinstallation Technician
• OCT - Odor Control Technician
• FCT - Floor Care (Hard Surfaces) Technician
• RCT - Rug Cleaning Technician
• AMRT - Applied Microbial Remediation Technician
• UFT - Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician
• ASD - Applied Structural Drying Technician
• CMT - Commercial Carpet Maintenance Technician

The technicians at SERVPRO of Branch and South Calhoun are up to date in all the certificates listed above. We pride ourselves in being the very best at every aspect of our job to make your loss move along as smooth and quick as possible. Our mission is to help you get back to a normal life after disaster strikes. We want to make it look "Like it never even happened."

What Is Your Plan For An Emergency?

12/28/2021 (Permalink)

While each situation is unique, your organization can be better prepared if you plan carefully, put emergency procedures in place, and practice!

Develop a Business Continuity Plan
Your organization's risk needs will vary depending on the specific industry, size, scope, and location. Begin by reviewing your business process flow chart, if one exists, to identify operations critical to survival and recovery. Carefully assess your internal and external functions to determine which staff, materials, procedures, and equipment are absolutely necessary to keep the business operating. You should also establish procedures for succession of management.

Review Insurance Coverage
Inadequate insurance coverage can lead to major financial loss if your business is damaged, destroyed, or simply interrupted for a period of time. Insurance policies vary; check with your agent or provider about things such as physical losses, flood coverage, and business interruption. Understand what your policy does and does not cover.

Prepare Your Emergency Plan
Your employees and co-workers are your businesses' most valuable asset. Communication is central before, during, and after a disaster. Include emergency information in newsletters, on your company intranet, in periodic employee e-mails and/or other communication tools.

Practice the Emergency Plan
Some disasters will require employees to leave the workplace quickly. The ability to evacuate workers, consumers, and visitors effectively can save lives. If your business operates out of more than one location, establish evacuation procedures for each individual building. If your company is in a high-rise building, an industrial park, or even a strip mall, it is important to coordinate and practice with other tenants or businesses to avoid confusion and potential gridlock.

Secure Your Facility and Equipment
Install fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and detectors in appropriate places. Secure all entry and exit points and plan for mail safety. Plan what you will do if your building, plant, or store is not usable. Secure valuable equipment.

Improve Cyber Security
Protecting your data and information systems may require specialized expertise, but even the smallest business can be better prepared. Use anti-virus software and keep it up-to-date. Don't open emails from unknown sources. Use hard-to-guess passwords. Protect your computer from intruders by using firewalls. Back up your computer data and download security protection updates known as patches regularly.

Hire the Commercial Restoration Pros After The Storm

12/28/2021 (Permalink)

Check out these steps you can take to prepare your business for the unexpected so that you can reduce your downtime and losses.

When it comes to natural disasters in Indiana, we tend to think of floods, tornadoes and damaging storms. Unlike natural disasters like hurricanes, Hoosiers tend not to have any time to prepare for the natural disasters that occur in their backyard. But even though we don’t have days to board up our businesses, there are things we can do to prepare if a disaster should strike our business.

In this blog, we will cover steps you can take to prepare your business for the unexpected so that you can reduce your downtime and losses.

Protect Your Data

If you are like most businesses, you have a lot of data or information saved on your computers. You may have billing, contacts, payroll, taxes, and other documents saved on your computers. You may have CAD files or photos or other data for your clients’ projects. Needless to say, you probably would some money and perhaps lots of money if the data on your computers were destroyed.

While you may not be able to save everything that you and your staff do on your computers, you can save and recover most of it if you save your data in the cloud at an offsite server facility. There are many companies out there that provide backup and recovery services for businesses. It’s important that once you do choose a backup provider, that you use it. Many businesses learn too late that they weren’t backing up their data on a regular basis.

Plan for Loss of Power

Is your business capable of operating if you lose power? It’s not uncommon for Indiana businesses to lose power after big storms. If your business requires power to operate, you may want to have generators available to provide emergency power. You may just need them for lights or you may need them to power heaters or air conditioners in order to protect your inventory from extreme temperatures.

It’s important to create a plan of what to power in order to ensure you have enough generators and enough fuel to keep the emergency power going for a few days. You don’t want to not have enough power or run out of fuel after 6 hours.

Plan to Work Off Site

If your business is flooded or destroyed by a tornado, can it operate elsewhere? If your business works mainly online, then operating your business from laptops at home or elsewhere may not be too much of an inconvenience. If you rely on equipment or materials that are stored at your business, operating remotely may be a little more difficult. Still, it is a good idea to consider creating a contingency plan in the event that your business site is inaccessible. Are there other locations that your business could operate in an emergency? Are there jobs that can be done while your business site is closed? Having these plans planned in advance can help your business avoid any long down times.

Develop An Emergency Plan

As discussed in the previous section, having an emergency plan can save you time and money. Your emergency plan should be available and shared with all of your employees. It needs to contain phone numbers and/or a phone tree so everyone can be kept up to date. It needs to include what to do in case the office is closed. It should include what steps to take if your business is damaged. If you are a large business, you may want to delegate critical recovery roles to certain team members. An effective emergency plan should be thorough and precise and leave no one guessing what to do next.

After The Storm - Hire the Commercial Restoration Pros

One of the first steps you should take after your business has been damaged by flood waters, storms, and/or a tornado is to call the commercial restoration professionals at SERVPRO. They have the tools and expertise to handle any size disaster. Whether it is water damage, fire damage, or other storm damage, they can get to work right away so you can get back to business as usual as soon as possible. Give them a call the next time your business suffers the unexpected from a natural disaster.

SERVPRO Is Your 24 Hour Emergency Water Damage Service

11/29/2021 (Permalink)

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help Call Today (800) 630-7119

SERVPRO of Branch & South Calhoun is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help
Call Today (800) 630-7119

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 of Branch & South Calhoun has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

About SERVPRO of Branch & South Calhoun

SERVPRO of Branch & South Calhoun specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

When The Need Arises For Professional Cleaning - Call SERVPRO!

11/29/2021 (Permalink)

Whether your Branch & South Calhoun County home needs emergency flood damage or your upholstery cleaned, you can depend on us.

Residential Services

Whether your Branch & South Calhoun County home needs emergency flood damage or your upholstery cleaned, you can depend on us.  Our technicians have extensive cleaning and restoration training and can make your property look its best. Learn more about our residential services:

• Water Damage Restoration
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Mold Remediation
• Storm Damage Restoration
• Cleaning Services
• Building/Reconstruction Services

Commercial Services

There's never a convenient time for fire or Water damage to strike your Branch & South Calhoun County commercial property. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services we have the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business. Learn more about our commercial services: http://www.SERVPRObranchandsouthcalhouncounties.com/commercial-restoration-cleaning

• Commercial Water Damage Restoration
• Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

When The Need Arises For Professional Cleaning - Call SERVPRO!

11/29/2021 (Permalink)

Whether your Branch & South Calhoun County home needs emergency flood damage or your upholstery cleaned, you can depend on us.

Residential Services

Whether your Branch & South Calhoun County home needs emergency flood damage or your upholstery cleaned, you can depend on us.  Our technicians have extensive cleaning and restoration training and can make your property look its best. Learn more about our residential services:

• Water Damage Restoration
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Mold Remediation
• Storm Damage Restoration
• Cleaning Services
• Building/Reconstruction Services

Commercial Services

There's never a convenient time for fire or Water damage to strike your Branch & South Calhoun County commercial property. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services we have the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business. Learn more about our commercial services: http://www.SERVPRObranchandsouthcalhouncounties.com/commercial-restoration-cleaning

• Commercial Water Damage Restoration
• Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

SERVPRO Is Your #1 Biohazard Clean Up Team!

8/10/2021 (Permalink)

Biohazard emergencies don’t always occur during regular business hours, and that’s why SERVPRO Professionals are available 24 hours a day, 365 days.

Exposure to biological and chemical contaminants can pose serious health consequences for building occupants, employees, customers, and owners. A failure to properly handle and safely remove such hazards can contribute to unhealthy and even dangerous environments.

Here are some quick Do’s and Don’ts if you ever  encounter a situation where you might be exposed to a biohazard or trauma situation:

Do:

• Stay out of affected areas, you do not want to track any fluids by stepping in it.
• Call emergency service personnel if the situation is life-threatening.
• Treat all bodily fluids as if they are contaminated.

Don’t:

• Attempt to do any clean up yourself.
• Touch or handle items that might be contaminated with bodily fluids.

SERVPRO of Branch & South Calhoun is trained to safely and effectively remove bio hazardous substances and prepare waste for proper disposal according to OSHA, EPA, and state and local health regulations.

Have You Ever Heard Of Biohazard Remediation? SERVPRO Is Here To Help!

8/10/2021 (Permalink)

You can expect an immediate response time, day or night!

Biohazard remediation is not a very common call that we receive and is something that rarely occurs, but if it does occur, it is something that SERVPRO of Branch & South Calhoun can handle.

We come in to make sure that the biological matter and dangerous odors are eliminated all together so that those contaminates do not spread.

Biohazard damages can include: offensive odors (such as skunk), trauma scenes, human decomposition, hoarding removal, and gross/filth removal. None of these are pleasant things that you want in your home. These issues are also something that you should not plan on cleaning up yourself.

SERVPRO of Branch & South Calhoun is professionally qualified to come in and get rid of the issues that biohazard damage can cause. Call us @ (517) 278-5261

Ask The Experts: Do I Need A Professional For Sewage Cleanup?

7/15/2021 (Permalink)

The Dangers of DIY Sewage Cleanup

If you’re like most homeowners, when faced with a task or question you probably head to the internet for answers…that’s how you found this article! And if you’re dealing with backed-up sewage, it only takes a few seconds of searching to find hundreds of articles describing how to clean-up sewage.

It goes like this:

** Put on some rubber gloves

** Scoop out the waste

** Take some water and bleach solution and apply it to the affected areas

** Let it dry

Most articles will throw out a warning saying “if you’re not sure whether you can do it, or don’t have the proper equipment, it is best to call a professional”. That’s where you would call SERVPRO.

We’d like to throw out another warning!

Cleaning up raw sewage on your own is something you should never do! 
Here’s why:

#1 – It can be hidden. – Any SERVPRO crew member can tell you stories about customers that decided to clean-up their own feces only to call in weeks or months later complaining about smells and disfigured walls, cabinets, and floors. Sewage will find its way into any and all porous surfaces. Even things like drywall and cabinetry aren’t safe. And it’s not as simple as just spotting the sewage with your eyes. It requires state of the art equipment, which SERVPRO has, to identify areas that have been damaged by sewage. So unless you have an infrared detection system handy and know how to use it, call SERVPRO.

#2 – It can be costly. – Times are difficult for everyone and money is tight. It’s easy to justify doing it yourself instead of paying to have SERVPRO  clean and disinfect for you. But today’s shortcut is tomorrow’s nightmare! Again, you’re dealing with a toxic situation that if not handled properly can create very real health dangers for you and your family. Not only that, if not properly mitigated, you could be looking at a serious mold issue in the not so distant future on top of all of the other issues described above. And if you think sewage cleanup is costly, wait until you’re stuck with a bill for mold remediation services! At least your sewage clean-up is covered by insurance…that’s not typically the case if you’ve got mold and it’s the result of you not taking appropriate measures when dealing with the sewage issue that created the mold!

So, if you’ve stumbled upon this article due to a sewage back-up that’s spilled into your home or office, do yourself a favor and call us, SERVPRO. Our technicians are certified to perform raw sewage cleanup and can provide you with peace of mind knowing the area affected is professionally cleaned.

Locally Owned Company with Valuable Resources

As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Branch & South Calhoun County 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.

Ask The Experts: What All Goes Into Getting My Business Up And Running Again?

7/15/2021 (Permalink)

There's nothing quite as difficult for a commercial establishment as dealing with water damage. However, knowing what to do when disaster strikes can prevent you from experiencing unnecessary emotional upsets for yourself, your employees, and your customers and mitigate the economic strain of lost business. There are many steps you'll need to take to get your commercial property back in order following a water damaging event. Contacting a team of skilled water damage restoration experts from SERVPRO is a good first step.

Quick Water Removal Mitigates Monetary Loss 

The longer excess water remains on your commercial property, the more likely you are to suffer from costly water damage repairs to structural properties like ceiling tiles, insulation, drywall, and flooring. Then there is the concern of water damage to your capital investments: inventory, furniture, carpeting, electronic equipment and paper documents. Having a team of skilled water damage restoration experts like SERVPRO to begin immediately removing standing water can prevent you from spending unnecessary money on repairs.

Quick Remediation Prevents Secondary Water Damage.

Another benefit of a quick reaction to the pressing problem of water intrusion is that fast extraction helps prevent secondary water damage. Unfortunately, water damage creates a moist, wet environment within your business. Moisture and high humidity offer mold an opportunity to grow and spread throughout structural materials and wood furniture and fabrics. If your business deals with food distribution, high inventory loss may be a costly negative effect. For this reason, it's critically important to have standing water removed as quickly as possible. SERVPRO can arrive, usually in about one hour, with water removal equipment to meet any problem. 

Fast Restoration Helps You Get Back In Business

If the water intrusion, by way of a storm, flood, leak, or the aftermath of fire extinguishing causes severe water damage to your commercial business, you may have to relocate temporarily while water damage restoration work is being completed. Closed doors affect customer traffic, employee earnings, and your bottom line.  Insurance companies normally work hand-in-hand with SERVPRO to come to a working agreement allowing the water extraction process to commence immediately. 

Contact SERVPRO Today

If your commercial property has been subjected to water damage, getting fast, effective water damage restoration services is a must. Here at SERVPRO, we specialize in optimizing and expediting each component of the restoration process to ensure that you can get your business back in business. Moreover, each of our IICRC-Certified technicians will provide you with the personable care and excellent customer service that keeps you in the loop throughout the water damage restoration process. We can quickly reopen your doors "Like it never even happened."

Commercial Building Restoration Services

SERVPRO of Branch & South Calhoun County responds quickly to a water or fire, or mold damage emergency, 24 hours a day. Whether the damage occurs in a small business building or a big box store, we have the training, experience, and equipment to handle the situation. Our national network of 1,650 Franchises gives us access to personnel and resources. Call us for assistance today!

Flooding Facts Everyone Should Know...

5/24/2021 (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.  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.

How to Keep Your Valuables Safe From Fire Damage

5/24/2021 (Permalink)

Fireproof Safe

First Step: Fireproof Safety Box. We know how important it is to keep your belongings safe. The first step in keeping your valuables and important documents safe is purchasing a fireproof safety box. This box will make sure your items stay secure in case of a fire. Items you might store in your safety box include:   

• Birth certificate
• Social Security cards
• Property titles
• Spare keys
• Digital hard drives containing family photos
• Jewelry  

What SERVPRO Can Do. If your home does suffer from a fire, SERVPRO can help make it “Like it never even happened.” SERVPRO of Branch and South Calhoun specializes in restoring contents damaged by fire. Our expertise and “restore” versus “replace” mentality can help you save money while preserving precious keepsakes that can’t be replaced. 

If You Have to Ask - It's Time to Check Your Homes Alarms

5/24/2021 (Permalink)

Power Check

First, you want to make sure all your detectors have power. The power source depends on the type of smoke detector you have in your system:

• Battery-operated detectors (9-volt batteries) should have the batteries replaced every year.
• Battery-operated detectors (lithium batteries) should be completely replaced every ten years.
• Hardwired systems should have the backup battery replaced yearly, and the detectors replaced every ten years.
  
  

Regardless of the replacement for the battery or detector, fire remediation experts recommend that you test each smoke alarm every month to make sure it's working. Don't rely strictly on a schedule. Replace faulty alarms whenever necessary.

Age Check

No matter where your detectors get their power, all of them must be replaced every ten years to keep the system in shape for detecting fire damage. Checking the age of the devices in your system is easy. Remove each detector from the ceiling or wall and turn it over. The date of manufacture should be printed on the back. As long as the date is within the last ten years and the device is still working, it does not need to be replaced. Return it to its designated spot and make sure that it is linked with the rest of the system.

Testing your smoke alarm system once a month is a crucial part of home maintenance. If you have outdated detectors or your power source is not properly supporting the system, prompt maintenance can help keep you safe during a home fire.

So give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and ready to put our expertise to work for you! 

Why SERVPRO? Building your business is hard!

3/23/2021 (Permalink)

There's nothing quite as difficult for a commercial establishment as dealing with water damage. However, knowing what to do when disaster strikes can prevent you from experiencing unnecessary emotional upsets for yourself, your employees, and your customers and mitigate the economic strain of lost business. There are many steps you'll need to take to get your commercial property back in order following a water damaging event. Contacting a team of skilled water damage restoration experts from SERVPRO is a good first step.

Quick Water Removal Mitigates Monetary Loss 

The longer excess water remains on your commercial property, the more likely you are to suffer from costly water damage repairs to structural properties like ceiling tiles, insulation, drywall, and flooring. Then there is the concern of water damage to your capital investments: inventory, furniture, carpeting, electronic equipment and paper documents. Having a team of skilled water damage restoration experts like SERVPRO to begin immediately removing standing water can prevent you from spending unnecessary money on repairs.

Quick Remediation Prevents Secondary Water Damage.

Another benefit of a quick reaction to the pressing problem of water intrusion is that fast extraction helps prevent secondary water damage. Unfortunately, water damage creates a moist, wet environment within your business. Moisture and high humidity offer mold an opportunity to grow and spread throughout structural materials and wood furniture and fabrics. If your business deals with food distribution, high inventory loss may be a costly negative effect. For this reason, it's critically important to have standing water removed as quickly as possible. SERVPRO can arrive, usually in about one hour, with water removal equipment to meet any problem. 

Fast Restoration Helps You Get Back In Business

If the water intrusion, by way of a storm, flood, leak, or the aftermath of fire extinguishing causes severe water damage to your commercial business, you may have to relocate temporarily while water damage restoration work is being completed. Closed doors affect customer traffic, employee earnings, and your bottom line.  Insurance companies normally work hand-in-hand with SERVPRO to come to a working agreement allowing the water extraction process to commence immediately. 

Contact SERVPRO Today

If your commercial property has been subjected to water damage, getting fast, effective water damage restoration services is a must. Here at SERVPRO, we specialize in optimizing and expediting each component of the restoration process to ensure that you can get your business back in business. Moreover, each of our IICRC-Certified technicians will provide you with the personable care and excellent customer service that keeps you in the loop throughout the water damage restoration process. We can quickly reopen your doors "Like it never even happened."

Commercial Building Restoration Services

SERVPRO of Branch and South Calhoun Counties responds quickly to a water or fire, or mold damage emergency, 24 hours a day. Whether the damage occurs in a small business building or a big box store, we have the training, experience, and equipment to handle the situation. Our national network of 1,650 Franchises gives us access to personnel and resources. Call us for assistance today!

When Pipes Freeze, SERVPRO Is Here For You!

2/22/2021 (Permalink)

Cold weather brings with it a litany of issues. Icy roads, frozen locks, blustery blowing snow, and possibly one of the worst; frozen pipes. So what should you do if frozen pipes hit your home or business? Call SERVPRO! We not only have the expertise, equipment, and experience to get get you back to preloss condition, we are faster to any disaster and are ready to serve you! 

Interested in knowing more about frozen pipes? Check out this blog from the IICRC! 

Ask The SERVPRO Experts: What Damage Is Most Common After A Fire?

1/3/2021 (Permalink)

It’s usually not the actual fire that does the most damage to a home from a house fire. What causes the most damage to homes that suffered a fire is the smoke from the fire and the water from the firefighters. Below we will cover common damages that occur in a home after a fire.

Where You’ll Find Most Damage from a Fire

Obviously, you’ll find the most damage to a home at the source of the fire. In the case of a stovetop fire, this would be around the range hood, back wall, and ceiling above. In the case of a space heater igniting a curtain, the damage would be around the curtain and on the ceiling above the curtain.

While there will be flame damage right near the source, the majority of the damage will be from the smoke of the fire. If you’ve ever blown out a candle or roasted marshmallows over an open fire, you’ll know that smoke rises. When a fire occurs in your home, the smoke will also rise up and to the ceiling. If the fire is near a wall you might see discoloration up the wall with most of the discoloration right above the source of the fire on the ceiling.

As the fire continues to create more smoke, the smoke will spread across the ceiling and look for a place to escape and go higher. This could be up a stairwell or through ceiling vents. If the smoke has no place to go any higher, it will start to build up and start to come down closer to the floor like a fog. With smoke having the tendency to go up, this is why they say to get nearest to the ground when escaping a fire since there is usually less smoke.

The last area where you’ll most of the smoke damage from a fire is around windows and doors. As the smoke builds up in a house, it looks for the easiest place to escape outside. While this could be a chimney, smoke will also slip out through any cracks or drafts in windows and doors. In homes that suffer a lot of damage, you’ll usually find heavy discolorations around drafty doors and windows.

The Two Variables That Can Spread the Smoke Even Further

While we’ve discussed the typical behavior of smoke from a fire and where you’ll typically find the most damage, there are two variables that can change the behavior of the smoke and help carry it and the damage it causes even further throughout your home. The two things that can help spread the smoke even further are your ceiling fans and your central HVAC system. If your ceiling fans are on or your HVAC blower is on, then the smoke can be blown and carried throughout the house.

If your HVAC system is running then the smoke will most likely enter through the return vents and be spread throughout the duct system. This will not only carry the smoke and the smoke damage throughout the house, it will also cause smoke damage to your ducts. Your ducts might have dust throughout the system which can absorb the smoke meaning every time your air conditioner or heater turns on, you’ll smell the residual smoke for weeks and months after the fire. To remove the smoke from your ducts and HVAC system, you’ll need to have them professionally cleaned.

Battling Discoloration and Odor from Smoke

As you’ve read above, the most damaging part of a fire is usually the smoke. Smoke can discolor any surfaces it comes into contact with. This can include ceilings, walls, and floors but also furniture, clothes, toys, and other household objects. The smoke can seep through every little tiny crack and space discoloring everything in its path.

The second thing that smoke can do to many surfaces of your home is leave an odor. While surfaces that are smooth and not porous can be cleaned easily, the smoke odor can easily embed into porous surfaces like fabric furniture, clothes, curtains, carpets, sheets, electronics and non-sealed wood.

How to Clean Up Fire and Smoke Damage

Cleaning up after a fire, even a small one, isn’t as easy as cleaning up a spilled glass of liquid off the floor. Due to the chemical properties of fire and smoke, removing the discoloration can be difficult if not impossible in some situations. Removing the smoke odor can be even more difficult especially when dealing with electronics, fabric furniture, carpeting, and clothes.

The best step to take if you should regrettably experience a fire in your Indianapolis-area home is to call the fire damage repair and restoration experts at SERVPRO have the knowledge and equipment to remove all the fire and smoke damage and restore your home to how it was prior to the fire. They are a trusted leader in the restoration industry that business owners and homeowners have turned to for years restore and repair their property.

When Your Home Has A Fire It Can Be Devastating, but SERVPRO Is Here For You!

1/3/2021 (Permalink)

In the article below we will go over statistics on house fires as reported in the U.S. Fire Administration's National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) by the fire departments throughout the country. The stats come from the residential fire incident reports from 2013-2015.

Residential Fires are the Second Most Common Fire

Residential fires, which include single-family homes, apartments, and condos, account for 30% of all fires reported. Businesses account for 8% and vehicles account for 15%, while outside fires (forest fires, grass fires, etc.) accounted for 41% of all fires. While home fires accounted for only 30% of all fires, they resulted in the most injuries, deaths, and dollar loss from property damage.

The Leading Cause of House Fires

Have you ever left something on the stove for too long that resulted in a small confined fire? Apparently, many of us have by the stats from the U.S. Fire Administration’s report. Cooking fires accounted for an astounding 50% of all house fires that occurred between 2013-2015. Cooking fires originated in ovens, on stovetops, and in microwaves. Most of these fires were contained to the food container (skillet, pot, cooking sheet) and were extinguished before the fire had time to spread.

The second leading cause of house fires is from heating equipment. Heating equipment includes space heaters, furnaces, fireplaces, wood stoves, and radiators. These fires account for close to 12% of all house fires. These fires, like cooking fires, can be easily prevented by not leaving a fire in a fireplace or wood stove unattended and keeping flammable objects at least three feet away from heat sources. If you use space heaters, be sure to turn them off before leaving the room or going to sleep.

Other leading causes of house fires include appliance fires, candles, smoking, and electrical malfunctions. All of these together only account for 16% of all fires. Fires from smoking and candles are usually due to carelessness while appliance and electrical fires are due to damaged equipment or overloaded circuits. With appliances and electronics, it’s always good to check the cords for damage or frays. Also, never overload a wall outlet with an excessive amount of appliances and equipment.

The Spread of Fires in Homes

Fortunately, most fires in homes are discovered quickly and extinguished before they spread. Around 55% of all fires are contained to the object that the fire originated at. This could be a pot or an appliance or a piece of fabric like a table cover or chair. While the fire damage is usually limited to the object, the smoke damage can still be substantial. Fires that take over a whole room account for 20% of all fires while fires that take over a whole home account for 17% of all fires. These fires are the most devastating to property and to the health of the occupants.

Be Safe in Your Home with Working Smoke Alarms

One of the keys to catching a fire early and extinguishing it before it has caused extensive damage is to have properly working smoke alarms located throughout your home. According to the report, smoke alarms were only present in 43% of nonconfined house fires. Nonconfined fires are fires that spread from their original confined source i.e. cooking pot. While smoke alarms will not prevent a fire, they serve as an early warning device to alert the occupants that a fire is occurring. A smoke alarm gives them time to either extinguish the confined fire or evacuate and call the fire department if the fire is nonconfined.

It a Fire Should Occur at Your Indiana Home, Call the Fire Restoration Professionals

Even a small little kitchen fire can cause a lot of smoke damage. Whether you have experienced a small fire or an extensive fire, the fire restoration experts at SERVPRO can help clean up, repair and get your home back to normal as quickly as possible. They have the tools, equipment, and know-how to handle smoke damage, water damage, mold damage and fire damage -- all of which can occur from a house fire. Whether a fire happens during the day or in the middle of the night, you can call SERVPRO 24/7 to handle your home’s emergency.

SERVPRO Tips: The Seriousness of Storms

12/29/2020 (Permalink)

A serious storm can cause major problems for your business. Roofs are especially vulnerable to damage, and a roof leak can result in damage to other areas of the structure.
Knowing what to look for after a storm can help you spot any problem areas and repair them quickly. The following are some common forms of roof damage that you may encounter:

-Cracked, dented or missing shingles
-Damaged sealant
-Peeling or curling shingles

If your business suffers a damaged roof, the problems can compound quickly. A roof leak, in particular, can lead to water damage and mold growth in other areas of the building. After a storm, it is important to inspect the roof of the building. After taking photos of the damage to submit to your insurance company, use plywood or tarpaulin to patch any weak spots in the roof temporarily. Then call a trusted roofing contractor to repair or replace the roof.

All roofs are going to be exposed to the elements every day and night for the life of the roof. While a strong storm can damage a roof in a very short period, long-term exposure to heating/cooling cycles and rain will degrade roofing materials over time. As the roof ages, it becomes more vulnerable to storm damage. Regular inspections by a trusted roofer can help keep your roof in good shape for years. Metal roofs, in particular, are very sturdy and may last up to fifty years. Asphalt shingles, however, generally last less than twenty years.
A certified restoration company can help you with all your storm damage needs. In addition to treating any water damage inside the building, they may be able to tarp over your damaged roof and recommend a reputable roofing contractor to help with a roof leak and other damage.

So give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and are here to help make things "Like it never even happened."

Three Types of Contaminated Water: Yucky, Yuckier & Yuckiest!

12/29/2020 (Permalink)

Did you know that SERVPRO also cleans up sewage backups?

Sewer backups should be considered an emergency since the water may contain viruses, bacteria, and other microbes that cause serious illnesses. SERVPRO has specialized training and equipment to quickly and safely clean contaminants like sewage.

Water damage can be classified by the three types of contaminated water. SERVPRO technicians will inspect your home or business to determine the appropriate plan of action for the type of water encountered.

The three types of contaminated water:

Category 1: "Clean Water"

Category 1 water is from a clean source like a broken water supply line or leaking faucet. If not treated quickly, this water can turn into category 2 or 3, depending on length of time, temperature, and contact with surrounding contaminants.

• Water from a clean source like a broken water line
• If left untreated, can degrade into category 2 or 3

Category 2: "Gray Water"

Category 2 water is contaminated and could cause discomfort or illness. Examples include washing machine overflow; toilet overflow with some urine, but no feces; or dishwasher overflow.

• May contain bacteria and viruses
• Can quickly degrade into category 3 if left untreated

Category 3: "Black Water"

Category 3 water is grossly contaminated and could cause severe illness or death if ingested and any contact should be avoided. Examples include flooding from rivers or streams, water from beyond the toilet trap, water from the toilet bowl with feces, or standing water that has begun to support microbial growth.

• May contain untreated sewage, harsh chemicals, and microbes
• Water from flooding rivers or sewer backup

24 Hour Emergency Service

Water contaminated with sewage backup should be considered an emergency situation and dealt with as quickly as possible. SERVPRO is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our specialists are always here with specialized training, equipment and protective gear to safely restore your home or business.

Why SERVPRO? Getting Your Business Back As Fast As Possible

12/29/2020 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO, in addition to offering services to homeowners, we specialize in emergency cleaning and restoration for commercial businesses in these counties, too.

Unfortunately, there's never a convenient time for damage to strike your business. Whether it’s fire, water, or mold damage, every hour you spend cleaning up yourself is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. Call the experts – we’re available 24/7 and because we are locally owned and operated, we’ll get there fast and start helping you immediately.

We specialize in the following types of emergency services:

• Commercial Water Damage Mitigation & Restoration
• Commercial Fire Damage Restoration
• Commercial Mold Remediation
• Commercial Storm Events

We Have What It Takes To Restore Your Commercial Property

At SERVPRO, we know that cleaning and restoring commercial properties requires a unique blend of the right training, hands-on experience, and specialized equipment. We have the resources and expertise to give you excellent results while minimizing the disruption to your clients and your business.

We service the following types of commercial businesses:

• Large Office/High-Rise Office Buildings
• Large Retail/Big-Box Stores
• Manufacturing & Industrial
• High-Rise Residential
• Hotels & Motels
• Restaurants
• Small Office Buildings
• Apartment Buildings
• Small Retail Stores

Our Specialty Commercial Cleaning Services

Whether you need to remove a pesky odor problem or you need to deep-clean flooring or carpets, you can depend on SERVPRO to get the job done right – the first time. We’ll respond to your call quickly and get to work immediately – making your business look its very best.

We offer a wide range of commercial cleaning services. From removing biohazard contaminants to removing lingering odors like cigarette smoke, SERVPRO has the specialized training and products to get your property back to business as soon as possible. We will help make it “Like it never even happened.”

Some of our commercial cleaning services include:

• Ceilings, Walls, and Hard Floors
• Odor Removal and Deodorization
• Biohazard and Sewage
• Trauma and Crime Scene
• Carpet and Upholstery
• Drapes and Blinds
• Vandalism

So give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and will make things "Like it never even happened."

Why SERVPRO? Stoms Can Be Nasty, But SERVPRO Is Here To Help

12/29/2020 (Permalink)

Storms can cause severe damage to your home—potentially even making them unsafe! 

What You Should Do After a Flood

Even if you were properly prepared for the flood and weathered the storm until it passed, your home could still have sustained heavy damage. Now that the sky is blue once more, how do you proceed? Here’s a look at what to do after a flood:

Be Cautious

Just because the sun is shining, and the flood waters have receded, that doesn’t mean all danger has passed. Exercise caution by doing the following:

• Tune into local alerts and warning systems to stay up-to-date with current information and receive expert, informed advice about the flood. After all, additional flooding could still occur.
• Stay away from rushing water. Moving water only 6 inches deep can sweep you off your feet.
• Avoid walking through large areas of standing water, which may be electrically charged by downed power lines. The water could also be hiding broken glass or dangerous animals.
• Unless you are specifically asked for help by the police, fire department, or relief workers, keep out of damaged areas.
• Help emergency workers by staying off the roads in and out of the damaged neighborhood or region.
• If you’re caught in a stalled car during a flash flood, abandon the car and get to higher ground immediately.
• Heed barricades and find an alternate route if you encounter one blocking your way. Crossing bridges even after the water has receded could be dangerous if the structural integrity has been jeopardized.
• Return home only when the authorities permit it. Even then, stay out of the building if it’s surrounded by flood waters and exercise extreme caution when you do enter.

Stay Safe and Healthy

Take care of you and your family as cleanup efforts begin. To stay safe and healthy, remember the following:

• Turn off the home’s electricity at the main breaker box, even if the power is out. Only turn the power on when your home is dry.
• Avoid floodwater, which may be contaminated with sewage, gasoline, or oil.
• Fix damaged sewer systems as soon as possible.
• Don’t drink water from the tap. Listen to news reports to learn when the community’s water is safe to drink again.

Clean and Repair Your Home

• Use the information in the Repairing Your Flooded Home PDF from the Red Cross to learn how to enter your home safely, protect your belongings from future damage, record damage for insurance claims, check for gas leaks, and begin the cleanup process.
• Contact your insurance agent to discuss your claim.
• Hire a professional water damage mitigation company as soon as possible. It’s important that the company is qualified for the services you need. SERPVRO is available 24/7 to help when you need it most. Not only are we a local command center, but we also have the resources of 1,600 franchises nationwide—meaning no disaster is too big.

Get Help After a Flood

SERVPRO is prepared and ready to help you when you and your family need it the most. We’re here to help you get back on your feet and make it look "Like it never even happened."

Ask The Experts: After the flood, SERVPRO is here for you

12/20/2020 (Permalink)

After a flood damage experience, it is essential to work with professionals to restore and clean up your property. Shelves, closets, floors, and walls are some of the areas that need thorough washing and disinfection. We follow a specific order during the cleanup process, which means some areas or items have to wait until certain places or contents have been restored.
 
The procedures that our SERVPRO technicians use when cleaning the walls during flood damage restoration depends on the type of wall. In some cases, we may be forced to remove the plaster or wallboard before the cleaning process starts. After that, we wash the sills and studs and disinfect them to reduce the chances of mold growth.
 
When we are cleaning your furniture, we are careful not to force open swollen drawers and doors. We first let the furniture dry for easy opening. In most cases, wood veneer warps and separated, though it is possible to repair and clean solid wood furniture. We may also recommend a replacement when we come across upholstered furniture that is heavily soaked up with contaminated floodwaters.
 
Some electrical appliances such as radios and TV sets may present unexpected dangers such as electrical shock even when they are unplugged. It is a possibility for some of their parts store electricity - our SERVPRO technicians understand this and are careful when handling such items during the cleaning process. We can grease moving parts such as pulleys and motors - which is applicable when cleaning washing machines, vacuum cleaners, and dishwashers. With the help of moisture displacement sprays, we can clean electrical switches and contacts. We watch out of damaged or stripped wire insulation and make sure all appliances are correctly grounded.
 
SERVPRO offers 24-hour emergency services that make it “Like it never even happened.” Call us when your property experiences mold, storm, fire, or water damage and allow us to restore it to its earlier condition. We are faster to any disaster and are ready to use our expertise to help get you back to preloss condition.

Ask The Experts: What to do when your attic floods

12/20/2020 (Permalink)

While lately,homeowners are no stranger to severe weather systems that can do unspeakable damages to homes, it is not always something as dramatic as hurricanes or gale force storms that allow for disasters like flooding to occur. Damage to the roof of your home is a common contributor to flooding, as homeowners often do not realize that the exterior of their home has gotten compromised until the water damage is leeching through the ceiling areas below attic spaces.

Depending on the dimensions of the attic, and the severity of the damage to your roof, flood damages could be widespread throughout your Dallas home. While our SERVPRO technicians can respond quickly to get to work on restoring the damage that your home faces from this substantial amount of water, certain precautions are necessary to preserve the contents of your home before restoration can officially begin.

A great example of a job that often must happen with flooded homes to protect its contents and aid in the restoration process is move-outs. This service that our SERVPRO team provides packages up the contents of affected areas in your house and moves them to a nearby facility. Some of these items require concentrated cleaning and restoration of their own before they get moved back into the restored home.

The vacated rooms provide unabated access for our professionals and the equipment necessary to successfully restore the home via extraction and drying efforts. Once the area is thoroughly dried, and any repairs or remodeling has completed, the items that had gotten removed to prevent further damages can get returned to their original locations within the house.

Flooding of the attic can cause widespread damage to your home that seemingly comes with no warning. You need a crew that can respond quickly when you need them the most, and our SERVPRO team of water restoration specialists are ready 24/7 to help. Give us call anytime you need us! We are faster to any disaster and are ready to serve you! 

Ask The Experts: The Cost of Water Damage Repair

12/19/2020 (Permalink)

If you live in an area that is prone to adverse weather conditions like water damage is a real possibility. If this happens, repairing it right away is a must. Finding the underlying cause of water damage and addressing the problem is just half the battle.

The other half of this is mitigating the damages that have occurred. Sometimes, the extent of the water damage is misleading when looking at the outside surface but, in some cases, the water will seep into the deeper materials in your home or building. Because of the unique nature of water, the damage that occurs can result in costs that range from high to low. Some of the top factors that affect the price of water damage mitigation can be found here.

Understanding the factors that impact water damage will help you know what to expect when it comes to restoring your property.

1. The Size of the Area Affected

Just as you may expect, the bigger the damaged area is, the more costly it will be to fully repair. It will take more time, manpower, and materials to fix a whole room that is flooded compared to just a few square feet of damage. However, this is not the only factor that impacts the cost of the process. Some of the other factors found here will begin to add up. This may result in even a small area coming with varying costs.  

2. If Water is Still Present in the Area 

If water is still present, it should be removed right away to prevent additional home deterioration. This can be achieved by using both truck-mounted and portable extraction units, sump pumps and once all of the standing water is removed air movers and dehumidification equipment will help complete the drying process. Removing the excess water reduces the time needed to complete the drying process as there is less moisture to evaporate.  Once the bound moisture within the building materials is dry, reconstruction can begin. can begin.

3. Damaged Materials

Depending on what was affected by the water, the mitigation costs will vary. For example, sometimes porting holes behind the baseboard vs. removing the affected drywall can save time and money to get you back into that area of your home and business.  Removing drywall unnecessarily can be more costly as it requires additional services to be performed and a longer time to reoccupy the space.  Another important factor to consider that will impact the mitigation cost is the materials that must be repaired or replaced.

4. The Type of Water Present

The water that caused the damage also comes into play. The varying classifications of the category of the water are always important to understand as with some types of water such as a sewer back up many materials have to be replaced for health and safety reasons. This also results in a higher cost. The worst-case would be black water, which is sewage water that has come in contact with human waste. Greywater is water that has been used for dishes or showering, but not sewage. Mitigating issues related to black and grey water than a clean water source is usually more expensive because the area must be treated for contaminants.

As you can see, there are several factors that may impact the cost of water mitigation and repairs. The best way to know for sure is by getting in touch with the professionals at SERVPRO! They will mak things "Like it never even happened."

Ask the experts: Do I need a scheduled cleaning?

12/19/2020 (Permalink)

We were out early on a Sunday morning visiting a commercial client for a monthly facility cleaning. This particular client requires we clean the premises outside of their regular business hours when they are closed and there are no employees in the building. Did you even know SERVPRO provides scheduled cleaning services? Most people are not aware of this service and assume we only handle disaster restoration clean-up after a flood, storm or fire. But our general cleaning services are second to none. Our technicians are professionally trained and have access to a vast array of SERVPRO equipment, cleaning solutions and techniques. If your business is in need of a weekly, monthly, annually or even one-time cleaning services we can help! Our professionally trained cleaning technicians can handle any industry, such as commercial, industrial, service businesses, warehouses, government buildings and more. Schedule your cleaning today!

What you need to know about fire extinguisher safety

12/19/2020 (Permalink)

All of us at SERVPRO hope you never have a fire. If the worst happens, we are experts in cleaning the damage left by smoke and fire in your home or office.

Fire extinguishers may help prevent fire damage or smoke damage, but only if you know how to use them.

SERVPRO wants to share these tips from FEMA. You can try to fight a small fire only if:

• You have alerted others in the building that there is a fire
• Someone has called the fire department
• You are physically able to use a fire extinguisher
• The fire is small and contained (like a wastebasket)
• You are safe from the fire’s smoke
• You have a clear escape route

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher: SERVPRO suggests you remember PASS:

Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you and release the locking mechanism.

Aim at the base of the fire.

Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.

Sweep the nozzle side to side.

If you see a small fire at your place of business or home, and you think you can take care of it yourself, use these tips above. If you have any worries, you and everyone should leave the building and call 9-1-1 when you are safe, outside.

Links:

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/extinguishers.html

The Devastating Effects Of Smoke Damage

12/19/2020 (Permalink)

Smoke is a common issue when homes contend with fire loss incidents. While smoke is not always the first symptom addressed, especially in situations where severe structural damage has occurred, it is still a challenging obstacle for even seasoned restoration specialists to overcome to return your property to preloss condition. Our technicians have unique training and experience in this department, both receiving training to obtain accreditation from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) organization and years of hands-on experience in the field recovering fire loss situations.

We understand that there is no time to waste when mitigating and restoring fire damage in homes, and that is why our professionals stay prepared for these emergencies 24 hours a day. With advanced equipment to address smoke damages, we can clean up both residues and remove lingering odors permanently that exist in open spaces and what has permeated into materials near to the ignition site.

Fabrics are naturally absorbent to smoke odors and charring scents that exist after fires have gotten extinguished in your house. The Contents Department of our SERVPRO team can go through the property in our initial inspection and remove many of these at-risk items and belongings to better protect them from these harsh odors and lingering effects like soot and smoke residues. Additionally, this process can help to introduce these removed items to efficient deodorization processes to thoroughly remove these smells from the items.

For fabrics and soft materials that must remain in place, we can both protect these areas from direct exposure with containment, but also have effective solutions to remove harsh smells that already exist. From our UV and thermal foggers to our ozone machines, we have advanced tools to address odors on site. We can also utilize dry cleaning equipment and processes to clean soot/smoke residues and help to reduce the presence of these odors.

While there are many effects to contend with after a fire moves through your home, our SERVPRO professionals have the training and tools to handle it. Give our professionals a call! We are faster to any disaster and we will make things  “Like it never even happened.”.

Ask The Experts: When Do Plumbing Issues Require A Professional?

12/17/2020 (Permalink)

As a homeowner you should never underestimate the seriousness of drainage issues. Plumbers have weighed in and have given their expert opinion on what causes these issues and some tips on how to avoid them. Here are the four things to look for.

1. Recurring Clogs- If a clog returns, chances are that there is a deeper clog. 
2. Multiple Clogged drains-If you have several clogged drains, you may have a clog in your main drain.
3. Foul odor-Persistent sewer odors coming from your drain or drains can be a major sign of a drainage issue. 
4. Flooding-One of the worst problems associated with clog drains is sewage backup. Getting a professional on the site as soon as you can will help you avoid a big problem.

Routine maintenance is key to keeping those drains open. Use drain catchers or less toilet paper. Also make sure that you run plenty of water into the garbage disposal after use. Just those few things help a lot. If you ever do have water damage, call SERVPRO with your water needs. We will be there to clean up the mess those clogged drains made. 

Again, we hope you never need these expert services but if you do, give us a call! We have helped hundreds of families recover from water loss damages. We are faster to any disaster and are ready to help you! 

Ask The Experts: The Do's and Do Not's of Water Damage

12/17/2020 (Permalink)

These Emergency Tips will assist you in taking the proper action until SERVPRO professionals arrive. Please follow these DOs and DON'Ts to help reduce damage and increase the chances of a successful restoration. Here are the DOs and DON'Ts for Water damage from Contaminated Water.

DOs 

• Call SERVPRO immediately 
• Avoid all contact with sewage and items contaminated by sewage. This includes damages incurred by a sewage backup.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after contact with contaminated items.

DON'Ts 

• Spread contaminated water by walking unnecessarily on damaged or wet areas.
• Turn on the HVAC system if there is a possibility of spreading contaminated air.
• Use household fans to dry the structure and spread contaminants.
• Use products for personal hygiene and cleaniness if exposed to contaminated areas.

Note: If exposed to harmful waste, OSHA recommends a post-exposure medical evaluation. Consult with your local health department or physician.

SERVPRO specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a sewage backup or a contaminated water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Ask The Experts: What To Do When Disaster Strikes a Commercial Setting

12/17/2020 (Permalink)

One definition of a disaster is a serious disruption, occurring over a relatively short time, of the functioning of a community or a society involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental loss. When we talk to people in the commercial setting they think of a disaster as a major weather-related event. 

A disaster in a commercial setting is anything that causes disruption to business or causes damage to services or goods that negatively impact profitability. 

Failed Plumbing: Just like your home, a commercial building is just as susceptible to failed plumbing. Frozen pipe bursts are common in the winter because people may times try to cut cost and may not keep the property from freezing. The strain on plumbing because of everyday harsh use also can weaken the plumbing and make it vulnerable.

Appliances & Equipment: From a simple water heater malfunction to major machinery using high water pressure. Appliances and equipment, even with the best maintenance sometimes fail. Evaluate the equipment in your commercial building. If you are a restaurant or food service provider you may be more at risk.

Sprinkler System Malfunction: Have regular maintenance performed on your sprinkler system annually. This the best way to prevent malfunctions.

Roof Leaks: Okay this one is kind of weather-related. But it doesn’t take a huge thunderstorm to leave water in your building if you have roof issues. A regular shower can do a great amount of damage if the roof allows it to leak inside.

At any point, your commercial property is faced with a disaster call SERVPRO and let our trained professionals take the hassle off your hands. We are faster to any disaster and ready to take our expertise and put it to work for you! 

Ask The Experts: What Do I Do When Disaster Strikes My Business?

12/14/2020 (Permalink)

When disaster strikes a business or commercial property, SERVPRO has scored high ranks with our clients, we understand the importance of ensuring a business or commercial is in operation as soon as possible. In many cases we are able to isolate the area where the disaster has struck and the business can remain in operation. Recently we were called to a disaster at a hotel where water from persistent rains flooded the lobby. Upon arrival our first goal was to clean and restore as much of the lobby as possible. We knew that by doing so we could allow the hotel to operate and service their customers as we continued to mitigate and dry the public areas of the business. Our team built temporary barriers to block the view of the equipment and the crew as the mitigation work was underway, 24/7 until the lobby was 100% recovered.

So if disaster strikes, give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and will make things "Like it never even happened."

When Your Sump Pump Just Isn't Right, Call The Experts At SERVPRO

12/14/2020 (Permalink)

If you have a sump pump, most of the time you don't realize how important it is until it stops working.  Power outages, failure and a sump pump that cannot handle the capacity are common problems.  Another is knowing how old is your sump pump?? Avoid potential problems by doing routine inspections or replacing your old sump pump. Usually, sump pumps should be replaced every 5 years or according to manufacturers guidelines and each year the sump, switch and float should be inspected as well.  Pay attention to how often the sump pump is running and if it runs regularly or there is a higher water table, consider a sump pump with higher horsepower.  

Another way to increase the pump's efficiency and prolong life is to clean your sump pit, remove any dirt, sand, gravel and other debris routinely. Ensure that the discharge line opening is free of obstructions so that water can be pumped through the line and out of your basement or crawlspace and also be aware in the winter the discharge line may freeze bringing the water back into your house.  Regular checks can make sure you don't ever get surprised by your sump pump!

So give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and here to help you make things "Like it never even happened."

The Importance Of Being Fire Prepared

12/14/2020 (Permalink)

Fires at your home or business can be a very difficult and stressful experience. In most cases the fire starts without notice. Each year more than 2,500 people die and 12,600 are injured in home fires in the United States. This number could drop significantly if we would prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

A big problem that we see, is that the average person has the attitude that it will never happen to them. Which is the worst attitude to have when it comes to any form of disaster. Here at SERVPRO we urge the people in our community to prep homes and businesses for any type of unannounced disasters, especially fires. They come on quickly, with hardly any warning and can destroy everything if not properly put out by your local fire department. Here at SERVPRO of we strive to make it "Like it never even happened."   

So give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and are here ready to put our experience to work for you! 

Having A Plan In Place For A Power Outage

12/14/2020 (Permalink)

Extended power outages may impact the whole community and the economy. A power outage is when the electrical power goes out unexpectedly. A power outage may:

Ask The Experts: The Skinny On Cat 3 Water Damage

11/11/2020 (Permalink)

When floodwater affects your business in category 3 water damage can be time-consuming to remove. Having a thorough understanding of category 3 water, or water that is contaminated with hazardous materials can help you know what to expect during your business’s restoration.

What Are Common Causes?

Water that has debris and hazardous materials in it is classified as category 3 damage. This category of water damage can occur as the result of several events, which can include:

• Sewer lines breaking
• Toilet overflow
• Floods that carry in debris
• Clean water or gray water that is not quickly and appropriately removed, causing it to turn into black water
  
  

What Damage Can It Cause?

Category 3 water can cause affect various aspects of a building, though the source of the water can affect the amount of damage present in a building. Common types of damage from category 3 water can include:

• Mold growth in areas that are damp
• Substantial structural issues
• Decreases the air quality throughout the building
• Damage to items in or around the flood water
  
  

What Is Involved in Restoration?

After the cause of the damage has been identified and there is no longer water flowing into the building, the process of restoration can begin. Since category 3 water contains hazardous materials, many business owners find it helpful to contact experts in water damage restoration to expedite the process of removing the water. After the water is removed, the area that was flooded is dried and items that are destroyed are removed from the building and items that aren’t destroyed are cleaned. Finally, the building is restored.

Whether it is caused by a toilet overflow or a flood, category 3 water damage can devastate a business. Understanding the causes of category 3 water, the damage it can cause and what restoration entails can help you prepare for the effects of floodwater.

So if disaster strikes, give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and are here to help get things back to "Like it never even happened."

Ask The Experts: Do I Need Commercial Flood Coverage?

11/11/2020 (Permalink)

Your business owners' policy for your commercial property protects your building and its contents in a variety of situations. It's important, though, to have flood insurance, too. Having this coverage can help you pay for flood mitigation services after the next big storm comes through and causes damage to your building. Here are a few reasons why purchasing a separate flood policy is a good idea.

1. Legal Requirement

If your building is in an area that is in a flood plain, you are probably legally required to carry flood insurance on your property. Business owners in flood-prone areas who have federally insured loans on their properties must protect those properties with commercial insurance designed to cover flood damage. This not only protects your building but also lowers the risk for your lender.

2. BOP Exclusions

Any business can sustain damage from a heavy rain. If there is a weak spot in your roof, water can seep in, and your BOP policy likely covers the cost of repair. When a hurricane floods the area where your building is located, however, your standard commercial plan is not designed to cover the subsequent flooding. You need flood insurance to pay for damage remediation.

3. Secondary Damage

Ideally, all flood damage would be able to be cleaned before further damage can happen, but special circumstances can keep this from happening. The widespread destruction of a storm often taxes local resources so much that secondary damage such as mold makes the problem in your building worse. Flood coverage can not only pay for the original damage but also any related issues that occur.
It can cost a lot to repair flood damage from a storm. Purchasing a flood insurance policy for your commercial building can give you the peace of mind that, if your building is damaged during the next big flood, you are covered.

If a disaster does strike, give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and are here to help get things back to "Like it never even happened."

When Storms Damage Your Property, SERVPRO Is Here For You

5/24/2020 (Permalink)

Although no one can stop the rains, there are ways to limit flooding in your home. Overland flooding or backups due to overwhelmed storm sewage systems are but two of the sources of floodwaters in the lower levels of your home. Regardless of the source of the water, we have the technicians and the equipment to help you recover.
 
Even though the water causing flood damage to your home may be drawing your eyes down as it seeps into the foundation or lower levels, the problem often is at the roofline. Clogged gutters and damaged downspouts cause water to pound down near the perimeter of your home, saturating the soil and ultimately invading through the slab, poured, or cinder block foundation. We can respond to and restore the damage but expect suggestions from our managers or production crew to minimize or even eliminate future flooding.
 
The grading and landscaping around your home can also contribute to the seepage of floodwaters into the foundation. Over time even correctly graded ground can erode and shift, encouraging rainwater to drain into your home rather than away from it. SERVPRO crews also see scenarios where plantings surrounding your home contribute to excess water moving into the porous materials making up the base and protecting the lower levels of your house. Irrigation systems or merely an overdone watering of foundation gardens have the unhappy result of a wet home.
 
SERVPRO evaluates the characteristics of the water flooding into your home to determine whether it needs to be contained and disposed of according to local regulations. The sooner you get our team to your home the more likely that the water checks out as Category 1. If the soil around your home is loose, dirt particles can flow in with the water. Lawn chemicals, fertilizers, and even pet wastes can taint the water, requiring careful handling. Gutter overflow can also contain bird and animal waste and mold, threatening the flooded area with microbial growth if not disinfected and dried out after the flood water evacuates.
 
Submersible pumps and water extractors pull most of the flood water out of your home. If Category 1 we can drain it outside, but take care to deposit far from the house to prevent it from flooding again. We use moisture meters and infrared scanners to locate hidden pockets of moisture and to set a baseline for drying goals. SERVPRO crews position air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers to dry out the affected space. The moisture numbers are monitored to ensure we achieve standard levels.
 
The team at SERVPRO of Branch and South Calhoun Counties has the necessary training and experience to remediate seepage-based flooding. Do not hesitate to call us if we can help!

SERVPRO of Branch and South Calhoun are here to help in this time of need

3/23/2020 (Permalink)

During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.

Specialized Training

We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:

• Kitchen/Food Areas
• Bathrooms
• Schools/Classrooms
• Offices
• Retail Spaces
• Water Fountains
• Shelving/Racks
• Sales Counters
• Carpets and Rugs
• Stair Handrails
• Elevator Cars
• Playground Equipment
• Fitness Equipment

Specialized Products

The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.

Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning

If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts at SERVPRO of Branch and South Calhoun at 517-278-5261.

Cold temps bring frozen pipes, but don't worry...SERVPRO can help

12/29/2019 (Permalink)

The new year often brings temps that are below freezing, causing pipes to burst all over the area.  Although our crews are often super busy responding to numerous calls, have no fear, because this is our expertise! Faster to any size disaster, our crews bring the latest equipment and training to help make your water damage “Like it never even happened.”

We understand if not addressed quickly, a burst pipe can cause considerable damage to your property. So, it’s very important, if you have a pipe burst, call our office immediately. They will start off by gathering some information about your situation and then send a team over to start the restoration process.

So give us a call! We love taking our expertise to help you navigate situations that can be stressful. We do these types things every day and love helping our customers breathe a little easier! 

SERVPRO Tips: The Smoke Damage After the Fire

12/23/2019 (Permalink)

When a fire happens to your commercial property there's a lot to handle in the aftermath. One aspect that is not immediately obvious is the task of smoke cleaning. This is an important step that should not be skipped, so be sure to add it to your to-do list.

What It Harms

Smoke damage doesn't just mean seeing some dark smudges on the ceiling. Smoke and soot spread quickly and can manifest on almost everything in your building. It will affect different items and surfaces in different ways. Some common problem areas can include:

• electronics
• documents
• furniture
• fabric materials
  
  

How It's Cleaned

Depending on what needs cleaning, there can be a method for every scenario. Specific items, such as those listed above, each require their own customized type of smoke cleaning, that should be conducted by a qualified remediation specialist. Surfaces such as walls and solid furniture can handle a process of dry to wet cleaning. For upholstery and fabric than will shrink if exposed to wet cleaning, there is an option called foam cleaning. Immersive cleaning is a form of wet cleaning in which smaller objects can be totally sunk into a cleaning solution. The list goes on for many more categories.

How It's Reported

If you've hired a smoke odor and cleaning service, they most likely can help you with your insurance claim, as well. You will probably need to inventory all your content that has been damaged by fire or smoke, and gather all you can to verify each item's value. Then you can contact your insurance to determine your coverage. If you don't already have coverage, this moment would also be a good time to consider adding it.

Fire damage is a dynamic problem that needs to be approached from multiple angles. One of these angles that shouldn't be dismissed is that of smoke cleaning. Smoke damage can hinder functionality and cause a strong odor. Give it proper attention for a complete rehabilitation of your commercial property.

So give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and ready to put our experience to work for you! 

Storms Will Come, But SERVPRO Is Here To Help!

11/20/2019 (Permalink)

Although no one can stop the rains, there are ways to limit flooding in your home. Overland flooding or backups due to overwhelmed storm sewage systems are but two of the sources of floodwaters in the lower levels of your home. Regardless of the source of the water, we have the technicians and the equipment to help you recover.
 
Even though the water causing flood damage to your home may be drawing your eyes down as it seeps into the foundation or lower levels, the problem often is at the roofline. Clogged gutters and damaged downspouts cause water to pound down near the perimeter of your home, saturating the soil and ultimately invading through the slab, poured, or cinder block foundation. We can respond to and restore the damage but expect suggestions from our managers or production crew to minimize or even eliminate future flooding.
 
The grading and landscaping around your home can also contribute to the seepage of floodwaters into the foundation. Over time even correctly graded ground can erode and shift, encouraging rainwater to drain into your home rather than away from it. SERVPRO crews also see scenarios where plantings surrounding your home contribute to excess water moving into the porous materials making up the base and protecting the lower levels of your house. Irrigation systems or merely an overdone watering of foundation gardens have the unhappy result of a wet home.
 
SERVPRO evaluates the characteristics of the water flooding into your home to determine whether it needs to be contained and disposed of according to local regulations. The sooner you get our team to your home the more likely that the water checks out as Category 1. If the soil around your home is loose, dirt particles can flow in with the water. Lawn chemicals, fertilizers, and even pet wastes can taint the water, requiring careful handling. Gutter overflow can also contain bird and animal waste and mold, threatening the flooded area with microbial growth if not disinfected and dried out after the flood water evacuates.
 
Submersible pumps and water extractors pull most of the flood water out of your home. If Category 1 we can drain it outside, but take care to deposit far from the house to prevent it from flooding again. We use moisture meters and infrared scanners to locate hidden pockets of moisture and to set a baseline for drying goals. SERVPRO crews position air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers to dry out the affected space. The moisture numbers are monitored to ensure we achieve standard levels.
 
The team at SERVPRO of Branch & South Calhoun Counties has the necessary training and experience to remediate seepage-based flooding. Do not hesitate to call us if we can help!

When Storms Hit Branch And South Calhoun

11/20/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Branch & South Calhoun specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.  Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

When storms hit Branch & South Calhoun, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today (800) 630-7119. We are faster to any disaster and are here to make things "Like it never even happened."

A SERVPRO Announcement: Play it safe this Fireworks Season!

6/18/2019 (Permalink)

Mold in Insulation

12/27/2018 (Permalink)

About a year ago, a terrible natural disaster hit. SERVPRO responded and headed down south. After SERVPRO responded to calls of storm and water damage, they addressed evidence of mold in multiple locations. Initially, one thinks that a bad storm is going to cause destruction due to heavy winds, rains and flooding. However, the average customer doesn't even think about the mold until the rain water and flooding has done it's damage.

SERVPRO responded to several jobs with mold issues after the long hours they put into storm repair. 

By this time, SERVPRO had been out of state for almost three weeks helping with the aftermath. They were going to stay longer if it meant addressing more issues such as mold.

This picture shows water damage in a customer's ceiling, which has insulation. Since insulation has to be removed for the drying process, the SERVPRO team could take the steps needed to address the mold issue. No job is too big or too small for SERVPRO.

Mold In Your Home

12/27/2018 (Permalink)

If you see visible mold, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores which become airborne and can circulate inside your home.

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.

About Our Mold Remediation Services

SERVPRO specializes in mold cleanup and restoration. Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely. If you are in need of mold remediation please call our office today! 

Water Damage: Commercial Basement Edition

12/13/2018 (Permalink)

Last week a local commercial building suffered a large water loss. In this particular instance, the SERVPRO team was called after hours to respond to the unpleasant surprise for the local building. The SERVPRO team responds day and night and is always "faster to any disaster". 

In this case, the water affected a large portion of the basement in a massive building. The basement had concrete and carpet floors that were affected by the water. Unfortunately, some of the area was an office building. Luckily, the SERVPRO team responds very quickly and they were able to minimize the water seeping into the carpeted area. 

The first night the SERVPRO team responded, the water level was higher than expected. But in just a few short hours SERVPRO had the water drained and were beginning to clean the area. After the water was drained, they could begin the drying process. Luckily, our team has all of the necessary equipment and we were out of there in just a few days! 

SERVPRO Helps Commercial Businesses

12/11/2018 (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

Mold Doesn't Care How Clean You Are!

12/11/2018 (Permalink)

Even if you are a clean person, that doesn’t guarantee that you won’t have an issue with mold.Unfortunately, mold, like bed bugs, doesn’t care about your level of cleanliness, level of income, or where you went to college. Anyone can have a mold problem in their home or business at any time.

The scary thing is that mold can be growing for quite a while before it becomes noticeable, your professional at SERVPRO of Branch and  South Calhoun County has compiled this handy list of some do's and don’ts you should follow when it comes to mold removal:

24/7 support - (517)-278-5261

Do:

• Examine your home or business regularly. Most types of mold share some obvious warning signs. For example, a musty smell in a damp basement usually means there’s mold around. Black, gray, brown, or even white clusters of mold on walls, carpeting or flooring are easy to spot with the naked eye. Be observant about your home and check it regularly for mold.
• Call us 24/7 - (517)-278-5261. A professional can determine which type of mold you might have, where it originates from, and how to safely perform mold removal.

Don’t:

• Try the DIY approach. Because some molds are toxic to pets and humans, it’s not safe to tackle this problem on your own. The money you think you might save by DIY-ing this isn’t worth your health.
• Wait. Mold can grow quickly and can be dangerous. If you suspect a problem, call it in ASAP!
• Make the mold feel unwelcome. Mold likes the darkness and warm, moist air. Don’t roll out the red carpet with their favorite things! Fix the leaks, install dehumidifiers and don’t ignore the warning signs of more mold growth.

For more mold do's and don’ts, contact our trusted mold removal professionals at SERVPRO Branch of South Calhoun County today.

Certified To Be Mold's Worst Nightmare!

12/11/2018 (Permalink)

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

Storms Will Come, We Can Help!

12/11/2018 (Permalink)

Storm damage can occur to anyone. It can happen in any climate. Storms cause river flooding and other forms of flooding. They cause wind damage, hail damage, and hurricane damage. Winter storms bring ice dams and ice damming, which cause roof leaks, forcing you to get roof repairs done. Ice damage also comes in the form of frozen pipes. Groundwater and flood water can ruin your basement and home. You need to take steps towards home restoration. The best way to do that is to get a storm restoration and water restoration company to take care of your storm remediation.

Make sure to make an emergency call to the storm restoration and water restoration company right away. 
The first thing that the storm restoration and water restoration company will do is assess the extent of the storm damage, wind damage, roof damage, roof leaks, and any other sort of damage. They will create a plan of action for your home restoration needs.

Next, they will start fixing and removing the cause of the damage. Often, there will be hidden moisture under tiles or behind walls. They will use equipment that removes this water from your home.

The next step, after your home is completely dry, is to repair things that are broken. This starts with roof repair. If there are roof leaks and roof damage, they will do a roof repair job to repair those leaks. If wind damage caused your walls or ceiling to cave in, they will repair that as well. They may need to replace certain items. For example, they may need to use new boards or tiles for your ceiling, floor, and walls. If there is ice damage, such as a frozen pipe, they will repair that as well. Home restoration, or bringing your home back to livable conditions again, is a vital part of storm remediation.

Floods: Why SERVPRO Can Help!

12/11/2018 (Permalink)

Floods are one of the most common and widespread natural disasters in the United States.

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. 

Hide & Seek: Water Damage Edition

12/11/2018 (Permalink)

Getting control over hidden damages

Do you know that water leaks can highly affect the sale of your home? What's more, they can be a concern for new home buyers. However, most homeowners are usually unaware of the hidden leaks. With cracked pipes, leaking spigot and broken seals water will easily creep into some places it isn't meant to go. The end results will be more visible damages which include rot, damaged flooring, and blistered paint.

A minor water leak can increase your repair bills. But the good news is that you can easily prevent such situations. Noticing a sagging ceiling above your dining room table is easier. When looking for water damages you have to remember that these damages rarely turn up at the water source.

Some damages to expect

- Mold and mildew growth. With water leaks, you should also expect an unhealthy environment.

- Permanent water damages to carpets, wood, wallpapers, furnishing and paint. 
- Contaminated systems – including the ductwork. 
- Insulation and drywall which need replacement and removal. 
- If there is water trapped somewhere in your house, poor airflow will become a major problem.

But don't worry, our technicians At SERVPRO of Branch and South Calhoun are always ready to check out problems and offer solutions.

Your Home is Your Most Expensive Asset: Why SERVPRO Should Be On Speed Dial!

12/11/2018 (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

HVAC: Keeping It Clean At Home & Work

12/7/2018 (Permalink)

Your HVAC unit has to do with cooling and heating your home. Maintenance for your HVAC system is essential if you want your unit to run correctly for a substantial amount of time. Cleaning your HVAC system also entails duct maintenance as well.

Cleaning the ducts and vents means that they will be cleaning separate elements in the HVAC unit. It is important to clean multiple areas in the unit because it is unknown what lurks in your ducts. So, when turning on the air conditioning unit, those who have allergies may react from the dust, dander, or mold in the unit.

There are many advantages of cleaning your ducts/ HVAC unit. One benefit is having a more efficient system which will result in lower utility bills. Another benefit is having a healthier living environment. Keeping up with the system will also keep up the longevity of the unit, just like a “tune up” with a vehicle would improve its life span.

Your local SERVPRO franchise is offering a HVAC/duct cleaning special. The special is for $450 per unit. If interested in the benefits of keeping up with your HVAC unit, contact your local franchise today.

Mold In Your Home

12/7/2018 (Permalink)

If you see visible mold, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores which become airborne and can circulate inside your home.

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.

About Our Mold Remediation Services

SERVPRO specializes in mold cleanup and restoration. Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely. If you are in need of mold remediation please call our office at (517) 278-5261.

Water Damage From Contaminated Water

12/6/2018 (Permalink)

Sewage back-ups can happen to anyone! Here are a few Do's and Don'ts to keep you safe until SERVPRO can get there to assist you with cleanup.

  DO:

• Avoid all contact with sewage and items contaminated from sewage.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after contact with contaminated items.

DON’T:

• Spread contaminated water by walking unnecessarily on damaged or wet areas.
• Turn on the HVAC system if there is a possibility of spreading contaminated air.
• Use household fans to dry the structure and spread contaminants.
• Use products for personal hygiene and cleanliness if exposed to the contaminated areas.

Toilets are not the only source of a sewage back-up, back-ups can also happen in bath tubs and drains in the basement. If you're not sure if it's contaminated water please call SERVPRO to check it out instead of inspecting it yourself. Call today 517-278-5261

When Vandals Strike

12/6/2018 (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.

Stormy Weather & Your Carpets

12/6/2018 (Permalink)

Carpet cleaning is important to maintaining the overall comfort and monetary value of a property. Any type of flooring is an investment for the property owner. Keeping the investment in the best shape takes a professional, but without proper certification, the consumer cannot be guaranteed of proper education and training on updated techniques used in maintaining the value of the flooring.

There are health concerns that can arise from any unsanitary environment, and it can be surprising to learn what survives in and under the flooring. Allergens that are left behind can lead to serious health problems for family members and even household pets. Proper techniques can reduce or eliminate allergens in the environment, improving the health of the occupants.

Great strides have been made in technologies used in carpet-care. Today there are only a few basic wet and dry methodologies accepted by the industry leaders. Ensuring consistently high standards means understanding how the certifying body works to guarantee better results at lower costs.

Proper maintenance begins with regular vacuuming using a high-powered machine. Over time normal wear and tear leads to a dull, soiled appearance. Proper maintenance by the occupants can help keep the flooring looking good, but there comes a time when a certified technician has to be called to get to the really deep grime a normal household vacuum can miss.

While regular maintenance is beneficial to the healthfulness and attractiveness of a home or office, a certified technician is necessary to take care of the really deep jobs regular vacuuming misses. Consumers often find it difficult to choose a professional company for those important household chores. The benefits of carpet cleaning are numerous, but knowing who can be trusted is not always easy.

That's where we come in! Just give us a call at (517)-278-5261 and we'll help you in any way that we can, whether that be by offering our carpet cleaning services or just answering any questions you may have.

Preventing Fires

12/6/2018 (Permalink)

October is Fire Prevention Month, and it is a perfect time to examine emergency preparedness plans for your home and business.  The 2016 theme for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is "Don't Wait - Check the Date!  Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years." 

According to the NFPA in 2014 fires caused 2,745 deaths, 11,825 injuries and $6.8 billion in property damage.  Roughly half of home fire deaths occur in fires reported between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.  Smoke alarms save lives!  In fact, having a working smoke alarm cuts the chances of dying in a reported fire, in half!  When smoke alarms fail to operate, it is usually because batteries are missing, disconnected or dead.  Check your smoke alarms today to ensure your safety!

When Mold Hits Your Home

11/20/2018 (Permalink)

Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere, both outdoors and indoors. This makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Therefore, mold remediation reduces the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts:

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.

• Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.

• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.

• Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.

• Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.

• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.

If you see signs of mold, call us today! We are faster to any disaster and we will make it "Like it never even happened."

Why SERVPRO? When It Comes To Storm Damage

11/20/2018 (Permalink)

Although no one can stop the rains, there are ways to limit flooding in your home. Overland flooding or backups due to overwhelmed storm sewage systems are but two of the sources of floodwaters in the lower levels of your home. Regardless of the source of the water, we have the technicians and the equipment to help you recover.
 
Even though the water causing flood damage to your home may be drawing your eyes down as it seeps into the foundation or lower levels, the problem often is at the roofline. Clogged gutters and damaged downspouts cause water to pound down near the perimeter of your home, saturating the soil and ultimately invading through the slab, poured, or cinder block foundation. We can respond to and restore the damage but expect suggestions from our managers or production crew to minimize or even eliminate future flooding.
 
The grading and landscaping around your home can also contribute to the seepage of floodwaters into the foundation. Over time even correctly graded ground can erode and shift, encouraging rainwater to drain into your home rather than away from it. SERVPRO crews also see scenarios where plantings surrounding your home contribute to excess water moving into the porous materials making up the base and protecting the lower levels of your house. Irrigation systems or merely an overdone watering of foundation gardens have the unhappy result of a wet home.
 
SERVPRO evaluates the characteristics of the water flooding into your home to determine whether it needs to be contained and disposed of according to local regulations. The sooner you get our team to your home the more likely that the water checks out as Category 1. If the soil around your home is loose, dirt particles can flow in with the water. Lawn chemicals, fertilizers, and even pet wastes can taint the water, requiring careful handling. Gutter overflow can also contain bird and animal waste and mold, threatening the flooded area with microbial growth if not disinfected and dried out after the flood water evacuates.
 
Submersible pumps and water extractors pull most of the flood water out of your home. If Category 1 we can drain it outside, but take care to deposit far from the house to prevent it from flooding again. We use moisture meters and infrared scanners to locate hidden pockets of moisture and to set a baseline for drying goals. SERVPRO crews position air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers to dry out the affected space. The moisture numbers are monitored to ensure we achieve standard levels.
 
The team at SERVPRO of Branch & South Calhoun Counties has the necessary training and experience to remediate seepage-based flooding. Do not hesitate to call us if we can help!

Dangerous Mold

12/11/2017 (Permalink)

Even if you are a clean person, that doesn’t guarantee that you won’t have an issue with mold.Unfortunately, mold, like bed bugs, doesn’t care about your level of cleanliness, level of income, or where you went to college. Anyone can have a mold problem in their home or business at any time.

The scary thing is that mold can be growing for quite a while before it becomes noticeable, your professional at SERVPRO of Branch and  South Calhoun County has compiled this handy list of some do's and don’ts you should follow when it comes to mold removal:

24/7 support - (517)-278-5261

Do:

• Examine your home or business regularly. Most types of mold share some obvious warning signs. For example, a musty smell in a damp basement usually means there’s mold around. Black, gray, brown, or even white clusters of mold on walls, carpeting or flooring are easy to spot with the naked eye. Be observant about your home and check it regularly for mold.
• Call us 24/7 - (517)-278-5261. A professional can determine which type of mold you might have, where it originates from, and how to safely perform mold removal.

Don’t:

• Try the DIY approach. Because some molds are toxic to pets and humans, it’s not safe to tackle this problem on your own. The money you think you might save by DIY-ing this isn’t worth your health.
• Wait. Mold can grow quickly and can be dangerous. If you suspect a problem, call it in ASAP!
• Make the mold feel unwelcome. Mold likes the darkness and warm, moist air. Don’t roll out the red carpet with their favorite things! Fix the leaks, install dehumidifiers and don’t ignore the warning signs of more mold growth.

For more mold do's and don’ts, contact our trusted mold removal professionals at SERVPRO Branch of South Calhoun County today.

We are Certified to Remediate Mold

12/11/2017 (Permalink)

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

Fire Prevention Month

11/29/2017 (Permalink)

October is Fire Prevention Month, and it is a perfect time to examine emergency preparedness plans for your home and business.  The 2016 theme for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is "Don't Wait - Check the Date!  Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years."  According to the NFPA in 2014 fires caused 2,745 deaths, 11,825 injuries and $6.8 billion in property damage.  Roughly half of home fire deaths occur in fires reported between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.  Smoke alarms save lives!  In fact, having a working smoke alarm cuts the chances of dying in a reported fire, in half!  When smoke alarms fail to operate, it is usually because batteries are missing, disconnected or dead.  Check your smoke alarms today to ensure your safety!

What Causes Mold?

11/29/2017 (Permalink)

While mold damage can happen at any time of the year, certain months and seasons are more likely than others to produce cases of mold growth in Michigan. Mold is hardy and adaptable, but also tends to favor certain key conditions when it grows most profusely. In some states, these conditions exist year-round, and they consequently experience more overall mold damage cases than our local area. In Michigan, however, weather and conditions are highly seasonal, and you may be more likely to develop mold damage in your home in the spring or summer for a few reasons.

Wetness Wetness is a key factor in how at-risk an area is for mold damage. In the spring, snowmelt produces a lot of runoff and even some amount of flooding. This tends to get into homes and properties, and moisture in generally dry areas is one of the most important causative factors in mold growth. Also, relative humidity increases once the days grow longer, and the land gets warmer, which can sharply increase the rate at which mold matures and reproduces.

Temperature The second key factor in accelerated mold growth is temperature, and in Colorado, warm temperatures suitable for mold growth are a seasonal occurrence. Typically, it is too cold in autumn through mid-spring for mold to grow rapidly, and only the summer months provide warmth desirable for the mold. When combined with the wetness of that period, late spring and early summer end up being the times when we receive the most mold damage calls.

Whether your mold damage has happened in spring, summer, autumn, or winter, SERVPRO of Branch & South Calhoun is a local and accessible restoration and remediation company available 24/7 to help you deal with any mold damage on your property. Call us at (517) 278-5261 for our services or a quote.

Mold can spread through a home in as little as 48 hours

9/22/2017 (Permalink)

Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere, both outdoors and indoors. This makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Therefore, mold remediation reduces the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts:

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
• Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.
• Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
• Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – (800) 630-7119

Get Control Over Odor

9/22/2017 (Permalink)

Getting control over hidden damages

Do you know that water leaks can highly affect the sale of your home? What's more, they can be a concern for new home buyers. However, most homeowners are usually unaware of the hidden leaks. With cracked pipes, leaking spigot and broken seals water will easily creep into some places it isn't meant to go. The end results will be more visible damages which include rot, damaged flooring, and blistered paint.

A minor water leak can increase your repair bills. But the good news is that you can easily prevent such situations. Noticing a sagging ceiling above your dining room table is easier. When looking for water damages you have to remember that these damages rarely turn up at the water source.

Some damages to expect

- Mold and mildew growth. With water leaks, you should also expect an unhealthy environment.

- Permanent water damages to carpets, wood, wallpapers, furnishing and paint.
- Contaminated systems – including the ductwork.
- Insulation and drywall which need replacement and removal.
- If there is water trapped somewhere in your house, poor airflow will become a major problem.

But don't worry, our technicians At SERVPRO of Branch and South Calhoun are always ready to check out problems and offer solutions

Does Your Home Have A Mold Problem?

9/22/2017 (Permalink)

Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere, both outdoors and indoors. This makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Therefore, mold remediation reduces the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts:

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
• Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.
• Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
• Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent. Call us now! (517) 278-5261
• If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.