Prepare for Storms

7/9/2024 (Permalink)

Storms can be dangerous weather events that leave destruction to your property.

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’ll 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. 

Storm Damage Services

4/1/2024 (Permalink)

When water damage strikes, a fast response is critical.

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

Here are Some of the Services We Provide:   

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

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

Flooded Basements

3/18/2024 (Permalink)

A basement can flood at any time, although flooding most often occurs during heavy rainfall.

A basement can flood at any time, although flooding most often occurs during heavy rainfall. Basements are inherently prone to flooding because they are at the lowest level of a building and are normally built partly or entirely below ground level. There are a number of reasons why your Michigan basement could flood, including:  

• A blocked or failed sewer lateral pipe 
• Heavy rain causes surface water to pool around your home 
• Storm sewer backup 
• Sanitary sewer backup 
• Foundation drainage failure 
• Water supply-line break or hot-water tank failure 
• And many more 

If flood water is not handled quickly and properly, it can jeopardize your health and safety, and cause severe damage to your home’s structure. Remember, the longer you wait, the worse the problem will get. 

The bottom line: a flooded basement can jeopardize your health, safety, and your home’s integrity. Let our trained, professional crews handle the situation safely and correctly. We have earned the trust of hundreds of homeowners, business owners, and property professionals. 

Why Choose SERVPRO® 

• We are available 24 hours/7 days per week 
• We’re a preferred vendor to many national insurance companies 
• We bill the insurance directly – one less thing for you to worry about 
• Our technicians are highly trained in water restoration techniques 
• We use s500 IICRC Restoration standards 
• Advanced inspection and extraction equipment 

Protect Your Pipes from Cold Weather

1/25/2024 (Permalink)

Extremely cold weather can cause pipes to freeze and burst.

In winter, it is important to take the proper steps now to protect our homes from busted pipes and prevent the stress associated with a major water loss. Extremely cold weather can cause pipes to freeze and burst. In general, pipes are more likely to freeze when the temperature is below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. The resulting water damage can be extensive. Outdoor pipes and pipes in unheated areas of the home can freeze if they are not properly insulated or if temperatures are severely cold. 

Outdoor pipes most likely to freeze include: 

• Outdoor hose bibs 
• Swimming pool supply lines 
• Water sprinkler lines 

Pipes in unheated or partially heated areas are also at risk of freezing, including: 

• Basements 
• Crawl spaces 
• Garages 

If your pipes do freeze or burst, immediate action is necessary to prevent additional damage to your property. SERVPRO® has the winter storm experience, expertise, and the resources to remediate damage caused by winter weather.

Preventing Frozen Pipes

11/16/2023 (Permalink)

Frozen pipes are actually very preventable.

With frigid temperatures and winter storms coming, now is the time to learn more about how to avoid frozen pipes and water damage that can occur if those pipes expand and burst. Frozen pipes are actually very preventable. SERVPRO® offers the following tips for preventing frozen pipes and mitigating potential damage that they can cause.   

To prevent frozen pipes and avoid any potential damage:  

• Insulate all exposed pipes in your property. Pay close attention to where pipes may be unheated, such as the basement, attic, garage, crawl space, and under cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom.  
• Maintain a consistent temperature throughout your house day and night.  
• Close any valves located inside that supply water outdoors and open outside valves to properly drain any excess water remaining in the pipes.  
• Remove, drain, and store hoses used outdoors.  
• In especially freezing temperatures, let your faucet trickle; running water is less likely to freeze.  
• If your home will be unoccupied for an extended period, leave the heat on and set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.  

Thawing Out a Frozen Pipe:  

• If you turn on a faucet and only a few drips come out, you may have a frozen pipe. Typically, frozen pipes are found along exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.  
• Leave the faucet on while treating any frozen pipes, as flowing water will help melt the ice.  
• Apply heat to the frozen section of the pipe by using an electric heating pad, an electric hair dryer, or wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, or other open flame devices.  
• Check all other faucets in your home to see if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze too.  

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 Saginaw / Bay City has the winter storm experience, expertise, and the resources to remediate damage caused by winter weather.