Recent Posts

Storm Safety Tips 

3/24/2023 (Permalink)

Dark storm clouds over a landscape. Follow these tips to stay safe during a severe storm.

We may all love watching a good thunderstorm, but it’s important to know that storms can always be potentially dangerous. Follow these tips to stay safe during a severe storm: 

  • Remember that all thunderstorms all have lightning, so it’s best to stay indoors. Just because you don’t see lightning doesn’t mean it’s not there; when there’s thunder, lightning always follows.  
  • During storms, stay away from windows and avoid bathing or showering. In the case of severe thunderstorms or tornadoes, make sure that you have an emergency kit prepared for your family. It’s also important to know your evacuation plan as well.  
  • Remember the saying “turn around, don’t drown” anytime you see possible flooding. Never attempt to drive through moving water, because it doesn’t take much to carry your car away.  
  • Flood waters can also cover roads so much that they could be completely washed away, yet you would never know until it’s too late.  

There are a number of dangers that can come into play in a thunderstorm. It’s always best to be cautious and put things on hold until storms safely pass. If storms cause damage to your home or business, the SERVPRO team is ready to respond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. 

Fire Damage in Your Commercial Property

3/22/2023 (Permalink)

Fire damaged building. Fire damage is especially devastating for a business or commercial property.

Fire damage is especially devastating for a business or commercial property. No one expects a fire to happen in their business but it’s important to be prepared if a fire does occur. You can alleviate some of the stress and confusion during a fire by knowing to call SERVPRO. Our team at SERVPRO has trained technicians and equipment to specialize in the following commercial fire services: 

  • Fire and Smoke Restoration 
  • Facility Board-Ups 
  • Odor Control  
  • Structural Cleaning 
  • Upholstery and Fabric Cleaning  
  • Contents Cleaning 
  • Water Damage Restoration  

Our team is committed to providing superior service while restoring your fire damaged property. If your commercial facility experiences a fire, the team at SERVPRO can restore your property back to pre-fire condition. 

Grease Fires

3/14/2023 (Permalink)

Grease stained stove top. Grease fires are the most dangerous when it comes to cooking fires.

Grease fires are the most dangerous when it comes to cooking fires and are responsible for 1 in every 5 home fire deaths. Below are some tips on how to put out grease fires. These tips could help save your or a loved one's life. 

Putting Out a Grease Fire  

  • Turn off source of heat  
  • Do NOT pour water on it. Water and oil do not mix and when you add water it will sink right to the bottom and evaporate instantly, spreading flaming oil everywhere.  
  • Attempt to remove all oxygen from the flame. Cover with another pot or baking pan.  
  • If you cannot cover it, dump lots of baking soda on it. 

If you do experience fire damage from a grease fire in your home, the team at SERVPRO are fire restoration specialists.  

Mold Damage Tips

3/13/2023 (Permalink)

Mold in the corner of a wall. If you suspect that your home or business has a mold problem, SERVPRO has the training, equipment, and expertise to handle the situation.

If you have a mold problem in your home or business, consider the following facts: 

  • Significant mold growth can occur in 48-72 hours. 
  • Mold may present a greater risk to children, the elderly, and anyone with respiratory problems. 
  • A strong, musty odor may indicate hidden mold behind drywall or under carpeting. 

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. 

If you suspect that your home or business has a mold problem, SERVPRO has the training, equipment, and expertise to handle the situation. 

Water Damage Tips

3/6/2023 (Permalink)

Team member and client using water meter. Follow these tips to learn what you should and should not do before trained professionals are on site.

If your property experiences unexpected water damage, wanting to take action is a common response, but not everything you do can be safe or helpful. Follow these tips to learn what you should and should not do before trained professionals are on site. 

What To Do After Water Damage 

  • Remove excess water by mopping and blotting. 
  • Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items. 
  • Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions. 
  • Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting. 
  • Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in summer. 
  • Remove colored rugs from wet carpeting. 
  • Remove art objects to a safe, dry place. 
  • Gather loose items from floors. 

What NOT To Do After Water Damage 

  • Don't leave wet fabrics in place. Hang fur and leather goods. 
  • Don't leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpet or floors. 
  • Don't use your household vacuum to remove water. 
  • Don't use television or other household appliances. 
  • Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging. 

When you have extreme water damage in your home or business, the trained professionals at SERVPRO can get your property back to preloss condition.  

The SERVPRO Disaster Recovery Team

3/1/2023 (Permalink)

Semi truck in front of a court house. If you’re a commercial property manager, you can count on the SERVPRO Disaster Recovery team to handle any size commercial loss.

The SERVPRO Disaster Recovery Team can provide help whether it’s a tornado, hurricane, blizzard, or flood. Storms and inclement weather can be devastating to any business. Wind damage, heavy rain, and flooding can occur suddenly and cause substantial damage in a matter of minutes. SERVPRO has the training, experience, and equipment to handle large commercial storms or water damage emergencies. Regardless of your property type or size, our team members will respond quickly to clean the property and manage the restoration project through to its completion. 

Our team’s elite large-loss specialists are prequalified and strategically positioned throughout Michigan and Indiana to handle any size disaster your commercial property may face. If you’re a commercial property manager, you can count on the SERVPRO Disaster Recovery team to handle any size commercial loss. 

Choose SERVPRO to Handle Your Flood Damage

3/1/2023 (Permalink)

Green SERVPRO desiccant. Dealing with flood water can be a time-consuming mess.

Dealing with flood water can be a time-consuming mess. While total prevention may not be possible, being prepared can minimize damage.   

Indiana is known for its constant changes in weather, making our homes an easy target for storm damage. That’s why our team at SERVPRO are ready to help 24/7. Whether your home or business is affected by flood damage, your property needs specialized equipment and techniques to restore it back to its pre-damaged condition.  

Our technicians have been specially trained to handle these sorts of unique situations to help get your life back to normal as soon as possible. Storm damage can include not only water damage but mold damage, too. It may seem like a daunting challenge to overcome, but SERVPRO has the resources and tools to restore your property and make it “Like it never even happened.” 

Potential Fire Hazards in Your Home

3/1/2023 (Permalink)

Range hood being cleaned. Fire hazards come in all shapes and sizes.

Fire hazards come in all shapes and sizes. Below are a few common but overlooked potential hazards that could cause a house fire. 

  • Improperly storing batteries: Storing 9-volt batteries in your kitchen junk drawer might be putting your home and family at risk. When loose batteries roll around with other metals such as paper clips or screws, the two terminals could short out, possibly generating enough heat to ignite flammables nearby. If storing the batteries in the original package is not an option, place a piece of electrical tape over the terminal to prevent this possibility.  
  • Unwanted guests: Rodents like mice and rats like to chew on electrical wires to control the length of their teeth. Over time, they can remove the sheathing, this leaves the wires exposed. The electrical current travelling through the wire generates heat and if the wire is exposed this could lead to sparks, which in turn could ignite the surrounding surface. Call an exterminator if you suspect you have rodents.  
  • Forgetting the chimney sweep: There are common causes of chimney fires, such as dead birds, raccoon nests, cracked mortar and built-up creosote. The National Fire Protection Association recommends professional chimney sweep at least once a year. Also, when building a fire in your fireplace, never light it with kerosene. Always use an approved fire starter.  
  • Overlooking the range hood: Ovens and cook tops are the most common sources of kitchen fires. But range hoods are also a potential threat. Grease builds up over time and can drip down onto the cook top, possibly starting a fire. These flames could easily reach your cabinets and before you know it your kitchen could be engulfed. Regularly clean and maintain your range hood to keep your kitchen out of harm’s way.  
  • Furniture arrangement: Furniture placed too close to a wood stove could spontaneously ignite. Pyrolysis is the chemical decomposition of a combustible item. This occurs when an object is continually exposed to a heat source and dries out. This leading-yet seldom considered cause of fires does not even require a direct flame. It only takes heat and time. 

If you experience fire damage in your home, the trained professionals at SERVPRO can get your property back to pre-fire condition.  

Flooded Basement Cleanup

2/27/2023 (Permalink)

Flooded basement. 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 the lowest level of a building and are normally built partly or entirely below ground level. There are several reasons why your 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  

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: if you have a flooded basement, it’s worth making a call to SERVPRO. 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. 

Smoke and Soot Cleanup

2/23/2023 (Permalink)

Soot covered walls. Smoke and soot are very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home.

Smoke and soot are very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allow us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.    

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 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.  

  • 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.  Our SERVPRO team will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.