SERVPRO Insider – January 2023

1/13/2023 (Permalink)

Our newest issue of our quarterly newsletter is here!

Our newest issue of our quarterly newsletter is here! The SERVPRO Insider gives an inside look at what SERVPRO Team Miller has been up to!   

Hurricane Ian left behind flooding and destruction as it made its way across Florida in October 2022. The Team Miller Disaster Recovery Team was dispatched to help the locals start the process of rebuilding their homes, businesses, and livelihoods. Check out some great pictures of our teams and commercial projects! 

We are highlighting some of our team members with fun photos of our Halloween costume contest and the winner of our employee customer service winner! Also featured are articles with helpful tips for preventing winter water damage with a focus on ice dams, snowmelt, and frozen pipes.  

Each newsletter comes with a special feature on the services that SERVPRO offers. The service of this quarter: Commercial Water Damage Restoration. SERVPRO specializes in large loss restoration services. Water can be especially destructive. Whether a commercial facility faces water damage from a storm or a pipe break, SERVPRO has the training and experience to provide emergency mitigation services and get your property back to preloss condition as quickly as possible. 

If you’d like to subscribe to receive our full quarterly newsletters, send us a request at marketing@rdmhc.com. 

Tips for a Leaking Roof

11/1/2022 (Permalink)

When it comes to a leaking roof, you will need a professional not only to fix the exterior but to repair your attic and ceilings.

A major storm in Michigan can do serious damage to many properties, including the roof of your home or business. When it comes to a leaking roof, you will need a professional not only to fix the exterior but to repair your attic and ceilings. A roof leak may seem small, but it can potentially cause severe damage to your property. Here is what you can do once a leak has been discovered:  

• Check the Roof - If your property has a shingled roof, check for missing shingles. That may give you an indication of how water is getting in. If water is coming through, puncture a small hole that will allow the water to flow out freely. If you leave it intact, water will spread over the ceiling which could cause it to sag and possibly collapse. A hole gives the water somewhere to go. Put a bucket underneath to catch the water and move furniture and other items out of the way.  
• Move Wet Items - Once belongings are wet, they need to be dried and disinfected. If there are no electrical dangers, launder furniture covers, bedding, and other washable items. Air out and clean furniture and rugs. Check for irreparable damage. If something is in poor condition, throw it away.  
• Dry Everything Well - From the attic on down, everything needs to be as dry as possible. Run fans or heaters or open windows to get air circulating through the area. Once everything is completely dry, restoration work for the roof leak can be started by our SERVPRO team.  

Get Your Emergency Kit Ready

11/1/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO wants to give you tips on a basic emergency kit in case the unpredictable happens. 

Cold weather, snow, and ice storms can cause severe damage to your home or business. When these types of disasters strike, immediate action is necessary to prevent additional damage to your property. SERVPRO of Shiawassee/West Saginaw Counties is always “Here to help” and want to give you tips on a basic emergency kit in case the unpredictable happens.  

Basic emergency supply kit should include these recommended items:  

• Water (one gallon per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation)  
• Food (at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food)  
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert  
• Flashlight  
• First aid kit  
• Extra batteries  
• Whistle (to signal for help)  
• Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)  
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)  
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)  
• Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)  
• Manual can opener (for food)  
• Local maps  
• Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery  

Also look at ready.gov for more ideas on emergency kits!   

SERVPRO Insider – October 2022

11/1/2022 (Permalink)

Our newest quarterly newsletter is here!

Our newest quarterly newsletter is here! The SERVPRO Insider gives an inside look at what SERVPRO Team Miller has been up to!   

In this issue, we’re helping you prepare for the holidays! Follow our fire safety tips to safely deep fry your Thanksgiving turkey and learn about the potential fire hazards that can come with holiday decorations.  

Get an inside look at our storm damage restoration projects in Fort Wayne, Indiana, learn about a few of our dedicated team members who services residential and commercial large loss projects, and help us celebrate our amazing employee Bob who has been working for SERVPRO Team Miller for the past 25 years!  

Each newsletter comes with a special feature on the services that SERVPRO offers. The service of this quarter: Fire Damage Restoration. Fire and smoke damage is especially destructive to properties and belongings. The SERVPRO team specializes in restoring versus replacing smoke and soot damaged contents and can perform restoration services to get fire-damaged buildings back to pre-fire condition.  

If you’d like to subscribe to receive our full quarterly newsletters, send us a request at marketing@rdmhc.com. 

Electrical Fires

10/19/2022 (Permalink)

Most electrical fires are caused by faulty electrical outlets and outdated appliances.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, the second leading of cause of house fires in the U.S. is from electrical failures or malfunctions. Most electrical fires are caused by faulty electrical outlets and outdated appliances. The following are the most common reasons why electrical fires happen:  

• Old Electrical Sockets and Unsafe Appliances - Appliances that are old and overused and those that fall short of modern safety standards are the worst culprits. Frayed electrical cords, self-jointed wires, and worn-out sockets that are not properly grounded are major causes of fires. They become ready outlets for directing heat and fire to carpets, rugs, curtains, and combustible plastic. Older appliances draw more power than the wall sockets can handle.  
• Using Light Fixtures that Exceed the Permissible Wattage - A very common cause of fires is plugging lights, lighting appliances, and bulbs into electrical sockets that cannot handle higher wattage levels. Antique lighting appliances may have defective wiring that makes the appliance unstable by overheating. Decorating lights with colored paper and cloth shades can increase the risk of fire when the material or fabric heats up.  
• Using Multiple Appliances Plugged into an Extension Cord - Unrestricted use of extension cords are a major fire hazard. The risk of fire increases when your TV, home theatre, computer, and other appliances are all plugged into a single extension cord. This creates excessive power load on a single socket which may not be designed to handle that load. So, there is a social and economic cost to damaged wiring. 

Fall Weather Can Be Destructive

10/19/2022 (Permalink)

In these wetter months, we all must consider the possible damage that can happen to our structures during this time of year.

Since we are now in the fall season you may have noticed a lot of rain. In these wetter months, we all must consider the possible damage that can happen to our structures during this time of year. Fall weather may not be as destructive as winter, but it is better to prepare for water damage before it is too late.  

For homeowners, some concerns due to fall weather can be:  

• Eroded landscaping  
• Rutted driveways, especially those that are graded either up or downhill  
• Moldy siding, windowsills, doorjambs, windowpanes, and roofing  
• Rotting wooden fencing and decking  
• Leaking roof  
• Puddles and pooling  

For business owners, some concerns can be:  

• Potholes and eroded surfaces in public parking areas  
• Eroded walkways or damaged, buckling sidewalks and public walkways  
• Leaking roofs  
• Damaged materials and machinery that have not been stored properly  

If your home or business property is affected due to fall storm weather, SERVPRO of Shiawassee/West Saginaw Counties is able to help with any storm water cleanup needs. 

Prepare for Storms

9/8/2022 (Permalink)

Storms can be dangerous weather events that leave destruction to your property as well as cause injuries.

Storms can be dangerous weather events that leave destruction to your property as well as cause injuries. Below is a checklist to make sure your home and family are best prepared for any storms, so that you, your loved ones, and your home can stay safe.  

• Prepare a storm shelter. Include essential supplies such as food, water, a first aid kid, flashlights, and batteries to last a few days in the case of a severe storm or tornado.  
• Clear branches and dead trees around your home. The high-speed wind of storms can send dead branches or even trees crashing through your windows, siding, and roof. Clearing these objects away from your house is an easy way to make sure they do not cause any damage.  
• Secure outside objects.  If a bad storm is coming up, move large outdoor objects inside to prevent damage to your house and those objects.  
• Document your valuable items. Take pictures of valuable items that you can use to show to your insurance provider. If they are damaged or lost in the storm, you have better luck with your claim if you have documentation. Include date of purchase and purchase amount if you have that as well. Bonus points for saving receipts!  
• Protect your pets. When preparing for storms, pets’ needs can be forgotten about. Make sure to have a plan in place for your pets, whether that is in your storm shelter or if that means having them in a separate safe location for when the storm hits.  

Emergency Fire Response Guidelines

9/6/2022 (Permalink)

Fire and smoke damage can be especially destructive.

Fire and smoke damage can be especially destructive. SERVPRO has service response guidelines set in place to assure our clients of a timely response to emergency residential fires.  

• One Hour - Within one hour from notice of loss, we will contact you to arrange for service. You will know help is on the way!  
• Four Hours - Within four hours of loss notification, we will be on-site to start mitigation services. The key to reducing damage and saving money is responding quickly to your damage.  
• Eight Hours - Within eight business hours of on-site arrival, a verbal briefing of scope will be communicated to the appropriate person, normally your adjuster or property manager.  

With our emergency fire response guidelines, we can get your property back to pre-fire condition “Like it never even happened.” 

Be Prepared for a Fire

9/1/2022 (Permalink)

House fires come when you are least expecting it and can spread quickly throughout your home with little time to escape.

House fires come when you are least expecting it and can spread quickly throughout your home with little time to escape. That is why it is important to create a fire safety plan for you and your loved ones. The National Fire Protection Association has very useful tips to help you be prepared if you have a house fire.  

Escape Planning Tips  

• Get everyone in your household together to plan. Inspect all possible exits and escape routes in your home. If you have children, consider drawing a floor plan of your home, marking two ways out of each room, and marking the locations of smoke alarms.  
• Install smoke alarms in each bedroom, outside of each bedroom, and on every level of your house.  
• When walking through your plan, check to make sure your escape routes are clear, and doors and windows can open easily.  
• Choose an outside meeting place that is a safe distance from your home.  
• Make sure your street number is clearly visible from the road. If it is not, paint it on the curb or install house numbers to make sure that emergency responder can find your house.  
• Have everyone in your household memorize the fire department's phone number.  
• If you have infants, older adults, or family members with mobility limitations in your household, make sure that someone is assigned to help them in a drill and the event of an emergency.  
• Inform visitors about your fire plan.  
• Be prepared for a real fire, once you hear smoke alarms, get out immediately.  
• Once you are out of the house, DO NOT go back in.  

It is always better to be safe than sorry. It is also important to be prepared in the event of a fire. For more information on how to create your fire plan, visit nfpa.org. 

The Right Equipment for a Commercial Fire

9/1/2022 (Permalink)

Trust the SERVPRO professionals to protect your most valuable asset!

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

Different Types of Smoke 

• Wet Smoke – Plastics and Synthetics 
  • Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary.  
• Dry Smoke – Paper and Woods 
  • Fast burning, high temperatures, dry, powdery, no smeary residues.  
• Protein – Virtually invisible 
  • Discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.  
• Fuel Oil Soot – Furnace Puff Backs 
• Other Types – Tear gas, fingerprint powder and fire extinguisher residue.  
• Pretesting determines the proper cleaning method and allows us to focus on saving your precious items. Isn’t that what really matters?  

Deodorization Equipment  

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

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