2024 Fire Prevention Week - Smoke Alarms: Make Them Work For You!

10/6/2024 (Permalink)

Make sure your smoke alarms are in working order today!

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Week since 1922. It is observed every year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire which caused devastating damage over 100 years ago. During Fire Prevention Week, and the whole month of October, firefighters provide lifesaving education to children, adults, and teachers, in an effort to drastically decrease casualties caused by fires.

This year's campaign focuses on the importance of having working smoke alarms in your home. The following are key smoke alarm safety tips and guidelines:

• Installation - install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (like a hallway), and on each level of the home, including the basement.
• Testing - test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.
• Replacement - replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or stop responding when tested. 

In the unfortunate event of a fire in your home, call SERVPRO of Lapeer and SERVPRO of Grand Blanc at 810-664-1000. Our expert team is ready to take the necessary steps to safely restore your property to its pre-fire condition.

Sanitizing, Disinfecting, Sterilizing - Is There A Difference?

9/6/2024 (Permalink)

Call today for a professional cleaning

With school back in session, germ season is upon us, so we thought we would talk about these terms that are often used interchangeable by ordinary people. Sanitizing, disinfecting, and sterilizing are three different types of antimicrobials. According to the EPA, antimicrobials are products that "destroy or suppress the growth of harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi on inanimate objects and subjects." Let's dive into the differences of each term:

Sanitizing - describes the act of reducing bacteria on a surface. It is commonly used in kitchens and food preparation areas, and is the weakest type of public health antimicrobial.

Disinfectants - much stronger and will kill and prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi. Some, but not all, types of disinfectants can kill viruses like HIV, respiratory syncytial virus, and coronavirus varieties. They are most commonly used in the medical industry and should not be used on surfaces that come in contact with food.

Sterilizers - the strongest of the antimicrobial category. In addition to killing live fungi and bacteria, they can also reduce the spores that create new microbes. Training and certification are usually required to handle and use these products.

Hybrids - some products are combine sanitizer and disinfectant, which are useful when you not only need to disinfect an area, but also need to clean away material and residue that provide breeding grounds for new bacteria and viruses.

At SERVPRO®, we are fortunate to have our own chemist on staff to develop professional-grade products such as SERVPROXIDE. It is designed to kill harmful bacteria, viruses, and mold on hard surfaces, and is also effective for sanitizing soft surfaces. It is formulated for everyday use because it meets the lowest toxicity rating approved by the EPA. It may be used around children, infants, pets (dogs and cats), and food preparation.

SERVPRO of Grand Blanc and SERVPRO of Lapeer have the training and professional-grade products to get the job done right. Calls us today, 810-664-1000

Is Your Business Ready for a Disaster? Participate in Preparedness Month This September

8/29/2024 (Permalink)

Make sure you're ready for whatever happens.

No one anticipates a disaster, but you can be prepared for it. With National Preparedness Month upon us, now is the time to ask yourself, "Are you ready for whatever could happen to your business?" The SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile® (ERP) provides peace of mind by offering the critical information needed to start mitigation and recovery services, while also serving as a quick reference for essential building and contact details.

The SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile Advantage:

• A no-cost assessment of your facility.
• A concise Profile Document with only the essential information needed in an emergency.
• A guide to help you swiftly re-enter your building after a disaster.
• Establishes SERVPRO of Lapeer and Grand Blanc as your go-to disaster mitigation and restoration provider.
• Clarifies the chain of command for authorizing work to begin.
• Provides facility details, such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas, and key contact information.

In recognition of National Preparedness Month, call SERVPRO of Lapeer and Grand Blanc today at 810-664-1000 to get started and be ready for whatever happens.

Water Damage Timeline

9/26/2023 (Permalink)

What happens when water is left unattended..... 

Within Minutes

• Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
• Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
• Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
• Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.

Hours 1 - 24:

• Drywall begins to swell and break down.
• Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
• Furniture begins to swell and crack.
• Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
• A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

• Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
• Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
• Metal begins to rust and corrode.
• Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
• Paint begins to blister.
• Wood flooring swells and warps.
• Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 Week:

• Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
• Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants

Water Damage from Contaminated Water

9/15/2023 (Permalink)

What to DO:

-Avoid all contact with sewage and items contaminated by sewage.

-Wash your hands thoroughly after contact with contaminated items.

What NOT TO DO:

- Spread contaminated water by walking unnecessarily on damaged or wet areas. 

- Turn on the HVAC system in there is a possibility of spreading air.

- Use household fans to dry the structure and spread contamination.

-Use products for personal hygiene and cleanliness if exposed to the contaminated areas. 

          Harmful Waste 

(Sewage, bloodborne pathogens, etc.)

What to DO:

- Stay out of effected areas.

- Call emergency service personnel if the situation is life threatening.

- Treat all bodily fluids as if they are contaminated.

What NOT TO DO:

- Attempt cleanup of any kind.

- Touch or handle items that might be contaminated with bodily fluids. 

If you're in a situation where you need a professional, give the team at SERVPRO of Lapeer a call at 810-664-1000!

How to Prevent Further Damage After a Disaster

9/11/2023 (Permalink)

Disasters can happen at any time, and they can cause a lot of damage to your home or business. If you're unfortunate enough to experience a disaster, it's important to act quickly to prevent further damage.

Here are some tips on how to prevent further damage after a disaster:

• Turn off the utilities. This will help to prevent further damage from water, gas, or electricity.
• Secure your property. This includes boarding up windows and doors, and removing any loose debris.
• Remove any standing water. This will help to prevent mold and mildew growth.
• Ventilate the area. This will help to remove moisture and prevent mold and mildew growth.
• Clean and disinfect any affected areas. This will help to prevent the spread of bacteria and other contaminants.
• Contact a professional restoration company. If the damage is extensive, you may need to hire a professional restoration company to help you get your home or business back to normal.

SERVPRO of Lapeer is a trusted leader in damage restoration. We have over 20 years of experience and a proven track record of success. We're committed to providing our customers with the best possible service, and we'll do everything we can to get your property back to normal as quickly as possible.

If you've experienced a disaster, don't wait. Call SERVPRO of Lapeer to get started with the prevention process. We'll be there quickly to help you keep your property safe and prevent further damage.

Here are some additional tips for preventing further damage after a disaster:

• Take pictures of the damage before you start cleaning up. This will help you document the damage and file an insurance claim.
• Keep receipts for all of your expenses related to the disaster. This will help you get reimbursed by your insurance company.
• Be patient. It may take some time to get your property back to normal.

By following these tips, you can help to prevent further damage after a disaster and get your home or business back to normal as quickly as possible.

Contact SERVPRO of Lapeer today at 810-664-1000 to learn more about our prevention services.

The Latest Technology

9/5/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Lapeer and Grand Blanc has all of the latest and greatest restoration technology. 

Moisture Detection

Scientific drying principles rely upon specialized equipment to detect, measure, and monitor a property’s moisture levels. Recent advances, like infrared cameras, can help us detect water through a wall, ceiling, or floor.

Water Extraction Equipment 

Powerful equipment is key when it comes to the drying process and removing the majority of standing water you may have in your home or business. 

•  To meet this demand,      SERVPRO has gas-powered pumps for continuous pumping of high level water. our truck-mounted and portable extraction units make for fast and efficient water removal.

Drying Equipment

Industrial strength air movers and dehumidifiers are needed to remove the remaining moisture from your home or business. Proper drying helps to prevent swelling and warping of floors, walls, and furniture.

• High-speed air movers causes moisture to evaporate at a faster pace and Industrial grade dehumidifiers pull the water vapor from the air.

Odor Removers 

Air scrubbers and thermal foggers are used to remove the intense smells that accompany fire and water damage. These machines remove air-borne contaminants while controlling the air quality. 

Should you find your self in need of a highly recommended restoration company, call SERVPRO of Lapeer today.

810-664-1000

You Can Clean Your Home With The Same Products as SERVPRO Professionals

9/2/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technicians have been developing and cleaning with the most advance products around. For over 50 years SERVPRO has been at the forefront of extreme fire and water disaster clean ups and restoration. In addition to offering our Certified SERVPRO Cleaned program, where our franchises perform a professional pathogen cleaning on your site, we are now proud to offer SERVPRO's certified disinfectant, SERVPROXIDE. This single product kills most viruses and bacteria and has an extremely low EPA toxicity rating, making it safe for everyday use.

SERVPROXIDE vs COMPETITION

SERVPROXIDE

-kills 99.999% of bacteria

-Requires no dilution

-Non bleach formulated

-No harsh chemicals or fumes

-NSF certified (safe around food)

-Lowest toxicity rating by EPA. 

COMPETION

- Kills 99.999% of bacteria

The facts speak for themselves. Add this to your daily cleaning protocol today!

Long Term Effects of Storm Damage

8/17/2022 (Permalink)

What You Need to Know About the Long-Term Effects of Storm Damage

Do you think that post-storm water damage dries without help? If you do not treat this potentially serious issue immediately, take a look at what you need to know about the long-term effects of water damage.

Flooring Failure

Water that seeps into your home and floods your flooring can sink through carpets and padding. The result is a damp rug that is slow to dry. But what happens if the rug feels dry to the touch?

In some cases, you can dry and restore storm-damaged or flooded carpeting. This does not mean you should attempt to save your carpets without help. Failure to properly dry the carpets or the padding underneath can cause additional problems for what lies underneath.

Your regular home vacuum can't pull water from under the carpet's surface. Likewise, a fan or other type of similar drier will not reach beneath into the padding. This means what may feel like a completely dry carpet can hide a wet, moldy, or dirty pad. If you have wood flooring under your carpets, a damp pad could cause serious damage over time.

The longer the moisture sits on the wood floor, the more likely the cellulose fibers in the material will soak up excess water. This can warp the wood and cause permanent damage. While other types of flooring, such as tile, may not warp, the constant presence of water can still cause problems.

To prevent warping and other related issues, contract a professional storm damage restoration company as soon as possible. If you do wait, the professional may still have ways to treat the area and restore your home's flooring.

Faulty Furniture

Your flooring is not the only part of your home that is subject to the long-term effects of storm-related water damage. If water sits on your furniture, it can also cause permanent damage. The type of damage your furniture sustains after a flood or storm depends on what it is made from.

Hard, non-porous plastic surfaces are relatively easy to clean and dry. Provided no evidence of mold growth or bacterial contamination exists, you can wipe the item with your choice of household cleaner and dry it with a towel. But if the furniture in question is made of wood or is upholstered, you will need a professional restoration expert's help.

What happens if you wait to call this professional? Like with carpeting, the water could soak through upholstered items and into the padding underneath. This can result in internal mold growth or damage wooden support frames. This destroys the integrity of the item and can cause complete failure.

Again, like with wood floors, wooden furniture can soak up water and warp. Water can also cause spotting on the surface or swelling. Even though the initial water damage may have happened days or weeks ago, a storm damage professional may still have the ability to restore these items.

Weak Walls

Water damage can extend from the floors and furniture to the walls of your home. Like with other types of water damage, the longer moisture sits on your walls, the higher the likelihood that your home will have permanent problems such as mold growth, warping, or other similar issues.

Like with flooring, a dry wall surface does not always mean everything underneath is free from moisture too. Long-term water exposure can result in seepage through drywall or plaster. The underlying wood and other building materials can warp or rot. This can cause serious or extensive structural issues. A restoration professional can evaluate the situation and create a treatment plan.

The Difference Between a CAT 1, CAT 2, AND CAT 3 Water Loss

8/16/2022 (Permalink)

CAT I

A category I loss is when the water is coming from a clean water source and will not cause harm if inhaled or ingested. Examples of this would be a broken supply line or a tub overflow.

CAT II

A category II loss is when the water poses a minimum threat. For example, a toilet overflow with only urine or a dishwasher overflow. 

CAT III

A category III loss involves water that is highly contaminated and may contain pathogenic, toxigenic, or other harmful agents. For example, water containing silt, pesticides, toxic organic substances, or metals, are all CAT III losses. 

SERVPRO Professionals are highly trained for any category of water loss you may have. Our team is ready and available day or night, 24/7.