Recent Posts

Flooded Basement

3/18/2024 (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 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 

Sound the Alarm: Being Prepared for Spring Storms | SERVPRO of New Center/Highland Park

3/1/2024 (Permalink)

heavy rain pouring down on an outdoor metal roof in a storm Let SERVPRO of New Center/Highland Park help you get from April showers to May flowers.

The spring season is here, which means that spring storms will start popping up around our community. Thunderstorms with rumbling thunder and lightning, gentle rainstorms and severe storms with heavy rain and high winds are to be expected any day now!

The later it gets into the spring season, the more severe they can become, so it is crucial that you are prepared and ready to weather through whatever Mother Nature throws our way this season.

The first thing you need to do is make sure you have reliable ways of being alerted to a developing storm or emergency situation. Our team explains some easy, but effective, ways of staying connected and informed when severe weather comes to town.

The Power of the Internet

We are all on our phones and connected to screens throughout the day, so this is naturally one of the most common ways of staying connected when looking for a forecast or weather alert. Wireless Emergency Alerts can be issued automatically depending on the situation, or you can download a reliable weather app so you can receive alerts automatically based on where you are located.

Apps can be great, just be sure you are choosing a trusted source. Avoid the apps and websites that tend to exaggerate for likes or engagement and only stick with nationally recognized organizations. If you haven’t already, now is a great time to sign up for Detroit Alerts 365.

News stations on television are also trusted sources, so tune into our local weather reports if a system is forecasted and you can get real-time updates that can help you determine your travel plans or when you need to be finding shelter.

Non-Electronic Options

You should always have at least one backup alert system ready to use in case of a major power outage. Phones, TVs and laptops will only work as long as we have power or until they run out of battery, which can put you in danger if another system is on the way. This is where non-electronic alerts can come in handy.

Weather sirens that are positioned around town can be a great way to learn of different alerts without having to rely on power, but their effectiveness can depend on how close you are located to the nearest tower.

An NOAA weather radio is another great option. Hand-crank or solar-powered radios are really great choices as they will work even if the power is out. Having a weather radio on hand is one of the best ways to stay connected because you can take it with you wherever you go, whether you are sheltering in place or checking out your property after the first wave of a storm system rolls through.

Being prepared is essential to staying safe, but that doesn’t always mean your home or property will emerge unscathed after a serious storm or weather disaster. Call us right away so we can tackle any repairs or restoration needs so you can recover faster and more efficiently. We will help you get back to your regular life as soon as possible.

Serious storms can cause serious property damage. Call SERVPRO® 247 for immediate restoration assistance.

Tackling Your Recovery After a Workplace Disaster | SERVPRO of New Center/Highland Park

2/15/2024 (Permalink)

business man in office talking to female SERVPRO rep SERVPRO of New Center/Highland Park is here for your business every step of the way, from ERPs to disaster recovery.

Planning for disasters is simple part of the job when it comes to being a business owner. While your staff are busy taking care of your daily duties, it is your responsibility to be planning for the big picture things and the unexpected! After all, when disaster strikes, your staff will turn to you for guidance and direction.

Overcoming disaster situations can be really overwhelming, but not when SERVPRO of New Center/Highland Park is ready to help! Our crew will help you overcome any sort of disaster situation that you are faced with.

The Steps for Preparation

The best way to navigate disasters is by having a plan that encompasses multiple different disaster scenarios. If your team knows ahead of time what to do when disaster strikes, you have a better chance of making a quicker recovery or even avoiding catastrophic damage.

Start by outlining your communication strategy and creating a strong chain of command for who will notify the team and who is in charge of what when the situation is developing.

In addition, you should also be communicating where your emergency items and shut-off valves are located. Take a tour of your building and show your team where your fire extinguishers, emergency exits and water pipes and valves are.

Do you know where your employees could and should go after a disaster occurs at your business? Now is the time to figure it out! Set up your team ahead of time to be able to work remotely if possible, or have a backup location scouted out that you can move to in the meantime if in-person work is necessary.

The Recovery

Having a plan in place will set you up for long-term success, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you will escape without any sort of damage to your property. That’s where we come in! Our restoration team will respond quickly and will help you rebuild and restore your building.

We are a full-service restoration company, which means we can handle your entire recovery no matter what kind of damage you have experienced. While we are working, you can focus on your staff and customers to keep them informed throughout the process. The more communication, the better!

In certain situations, it may even be possible to work in your space while we are cleaning and rebuilding your property. If you keep an open mind and are able to be flexible temporarily, we can work together to help you recover with minimal disruption.

The key to success lies in a good plan, and the key to a complete recovery lies in SERVPRO®. Give us a call day or night and we will make sure that your property is restored so you can get back to business as usual.

Has your business experienced a disaster, or do you want help building an emergency plan? Contact us to find everything you need.

Need Restoration? We Handle It All | SERVPRO of New Center/Highland Park

2/1/2024 (Permalink)

heavy rain pounding down on a blacktop surface SERVPRO of New Center/Highland Park is Here to Help® when any disaster strikes!

Disasters happen. That’s unfortunately just a fact that we can’t escape. Mother Nature can be incredibly destructive, accidents can happen in the blink of an eye and even something as simple as a slowly dripping washing machine can have a serious impact over time.

While we can’t always control the situations around us, we can control how we react to them. Reacting quickly in the face of a home disaster is crucial to your recovery timeline!

SERVPRO of New Center/Highland Park is proud to be your answer when it comes to disaster recovery. We are here to help you overcome whatever damage situation you are faced with.

Disasters in All Shapes and Sizes

Different disaster scenarios can take various tolls on our community and can leave us scrambling for answers and even support when the disaster is widespread enough.

Minor rainstorms can quickly turn serious when the rain becomes unexpectedly more intense and your basement starts to flood. A small house fire can quickly burn out of control or lead to smoke or soot damage in levels where the fire never even touched.

Over time, simple home damage situations can devolve into more serious damage like mold growth or structural damage, which makes your recovery timeline even more important.

That’s where we come into play! Our team will react quickly and will prioritize your recovery to help you overcome your situation confidently.

A Single Team for All the Work

When it comes to disaster recovery, every minute matters! We are proud to offer 247 emergency services to all of the homes and businesses in our community. We will help you recover from any sort of water, fire or storm damage disaster that you are faced with.

We are highly trained and ready to work, and we will get started as soon as you call us. Our team is locally owned and operated, which allows us to arrive at your home faster and ready to work whenever you need us to.

Our crew can do everything from laying tarps over your roof to protect your home from further damage to delicately removing smoke odors from your soft or fragile possessions. Our industry-leading equipment and skilled technicians will step up to the plate to take care of you every single time.

This also means that we will truly take care of everything! Our crew is a one-stop-shop for all of your restoration needs, so you don’t need to worry about navigating multiple contracts or agreements with other confusing companies.

We are ready to help you overcome disaster, all you have to do is call. Our team is proud to help you find the light at the end of the tunnel.

Have you experienced a disaster and need restorations? Make one call to our office to start recovery fast.

Mold Damage Tips

1/22/2024 (Permalink)

Mold in the corner of a wall. If you have a mold problem in your home or business, consider the following facts.

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. 

March 2024 CE Courses for Insurance Agents

1/22/2024 (Permalink)

Person's hand typing on a laptop. Calling all insurance agents!

Calling all insurance agents! SERVPRO® is hosting a complimentary CE course webinar on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. If you need continuing education credits, our team is Here to Help®!  

The following webinar will be held on March 6, 2024: 

 
9:30 AM - 11:30 PM: Biohazard Cleanup Webinar (2 Credits – Course Number: 85805) 

Registration for the class begins at 8:30 AM and goes on until 9:30 AM. Attendees who sign up for the webinar will be required to have their web camera and microphone on throughout the entirety of the class. The webinar link to access the class will be sent via the provided email the week of the class. 

All attendees are required to register for the courses by Friday, March 1, 2024. Class space is limited. Email marketing@rdmhc.com to learn more about registering! 

Preparing to Stay Warm in a Fire-Safe Way | SERVPRO of New Center/Highland Park

1/16/2024 (Permalink)

brick chimney with lit fire logs Fire safety is a top priority for us at SERVPRO of New Center/Highland Park this winter. Keep your home safe with these helpful tips!

This winter season has been a unique one so far! With warmer-than-average temperatures and less snow than normal, it’s ramping up to be a winter to remember. However, just because the winter started that way, it doesn’t mean it will stay that way.

When the temperature plummets, we all head inside to start cranking on our furnaces, stoke our fireplaces and pull out our space heaters. Unfortunately, this also means that the number of house fires in our community will start to rise. Staying fire-free is always your ultimate goal, so read on to learn some helpful fire safety tips while you focus on staying warm this winter.

Keeping a Clean Fireplace

Fireplaces are one of the coziest parts of any winter season, but they can be serious fire hazards if you are not careful. Take the time to clear away any ash buildup from previous fires before lighting a new one, and routinely scrub down your chimney walls to remove creosote.

Limit the flammable items near your fireplace, and keep your mantle decorations to a minimum. Electric or gas fireplaces can also be convenient ways to stay warm, but prioritize checking your gas lines often for any signs of dangerous leaks. It is also a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher close by and make sure your smoke alarm batteries are always fresh.

Setting Up Space Heaters Safely

The portability of space heaters is one of the best things about them! However, this ease of use is also what makes them potentially so dangerous.

Space heaters can be tipped over relatively easily, so find a location to set yours up that has a level ground on a nonflammable surface. Once set up, make sure the cord is lying flat or secured somehow to reduce the risk of a tripping hazard.

Enforce a three-foot barrier around your heater so kids and pets can’t get hurt or knock it over, and keep it far away from flammable materials like cushions or curtains. Never leave your space heater unattended, and always unplug it before going to bed every night.

Safety Measures for Heaters

It is important to do your research with anything that you buy, but especially for something that could potentially be a hazard in your home. Check reviews, ask friends and family and remember that just because something is cheap or on sale, it doesn’t always mean that it is a good purchase.

Check to make sure the company that sells the heater is reputable and has passed the necessary safety certifications. You should also check to see if it has any additional safety features, like an emergency shut-off switch. Some heaters have them, and they can be programmed to shut off after a certain period of use. This feature can be great if you are busy and have trouble remembering to turn yours off every night.

Finally, you should make sure that the heater is well-made. The cord should be sturdy and not coming loose from the back of the heater, and it shouldn’t be dented or compromised in any way.

We hope you have a fun and safe winter season in the Detroit area! Our fire damage restoration team is here for you no matter what happens, so call us 247 if you suffer a house fire. We will clean, sanitize and restore your home with confidence.

A quick fire damage restoration is just a phone call away. Call SERVPRO® for immediate assistance.

Tracking Down Water Leaks With Confidence | SERVPRO of New Center/Highland Park

1/2/2024 (Permalink)

close up of condensation on window pane and ledge Water damage can happen anywhere in your home. Call SERVPRO of New Center/Highland Park Counties to restore water damage on your property 24/7, 365.

Water is flowing all around us all of the time! It runs through our gutters when it rains, it flows through our pipes to help us wash clothes and dishes and it even sits silently on our roofs in the dead of winter when it snows.

Since we are surrounded by water, the risk of suffering water damage is always constant. Once a leak starts in your home, it can lead to some pretty significant damage in a short amount of time. While we can’t always prevent water leaks from occurring, knowing where they often start can help you track down the source faster so you can recover quicker.

Checking Your Sinks

How many sinks do you have in your home? Each tap that you turn on throughout your house is connected to a water line that could leak at any point. As your home ages, water lines, connections and seals can start to experience wear and tear. Over time, that unsuspecting damage can spring a leak that can cause chaos underneath your sinks.

That water can quickly seep into your cupboards, under your floors and behind your walls, which can be really hard to dry out on your own. Get into the habit of checking your water lines every time you open up the cupboard to put something away or when you are cleaning each space. Tighten loose connections and replace old seals as necessary.

Beneath Your Appliances

We all rely so heavily on our appliances these days, and they are used often in our homes. Dishwashers, water heaters, washing machines and even your ice maker in your fridge need water to function, which means water leaks are almost inevitable at some point with one of your machines!

These types of leaks are usually unexpected and start behind or beneath your appliance, so try to make a habit of pulling your appliances away from the wall to check for damage whenever you are cleaning. If the leak has been occurring for a while, you could be met with significant water spots or even a stubborn mold infestation.

Beneath Floors and Behind Walls

Water pipes are located all over your home and are constantly bringing water in and out behind your walls. Unfortunately, that also means that water leaks can happen behind your walls at any point! Water leaks in hard-to-reach areas are particularly troublesome because there is no way of knowing what happened until the damage has occurred and you are alerted to the problem.

Once water starts leaking behind your walls, it can seep down your drywall and get into your floors as well. If you start to smell a musty odor or discover that a part of your wall is darker in color than it used to be, it’s time to do some investigating.

Around Windows and Exterior Doors

Condensation can form on our windows when there are drastic temperature swings or when it gets really cold out. If that condensation lingers on your windowsills, it can easily start to swell the wood or warp the surrounding area, making the problem significantly worse.

Moisture can also infiltrate your home through the smallest gaps and cracks around window casings or door jambs. Once inside, it can leak down your walls and compromise your home’s structural integrity.

Not all water damage can be prevented, no matter how diligent you are in addressing issues quickly. If you do suffer damage, call SERVPRO of New Center/Highland Park for a quick and reliable restoration. We will make sure to remove all lingering moisture and address repairs right away so you can get back to your regular life faster.

Don’t ignore signs of water damage! Call SERVPRO® for a quick restoration.

Secure Your Home from Water Damage in the New Year

12/27/2023 (Permalink)

Gutters and pipes outside a house while it's raining. As you make goals to better yourself, you might as well throw the well-being of your home into the mix!

The new year provides us with a fresh start to make adjustments in the areas of our lives where we want to improve. As you make goals to better yourself, you might as well throw the well-being of your home into the mix! This year, prioritize the protection of your home and take action to prevent water damage. 

Water damage can be catastrophic, and it has a lot of power, considering it only takes an inch of water to devastate your home. Safeguard your home from this common threat and avoid disaster in the new year. 

What Causes Water Damage? 

Learning the main sources of water damage is the first step to take as you waterproof your home. Water leaks can occur inside or outside. 

  • Gutters clogged with debris and torrential rain are two examples of water damage that begins outside, while household appliances and bathroom equipment frequently lead to leaks inside. 
  • Damaged pipes or degrading caulk can quickly welcome excess moisture into your home. If leakage isn’t treated right away, mold growth and damaged infrastructure could ensue. 

Since water damage is a time-sensitive issue, it’s vital to catch leaks early on. Inspecting for leaks often could save you from an expensive problem in the future! 

How to Prevent Damage 

Avoiding water damage is easy as long as you make an effort to keep up your home’s maintenance and do a little sleuthing on the side. Early detection is without a doubt the most effective way to protect your property from substantial water damage. 

  • When searching for hidden water damage, keep an eye out for puddled water and mold growth around your rooms, like your kitchen and bathroom. When it’s raining, feel around your windows to check for excess moisture. You can even use your nose to sniff around for musty odors brought on by water damage. 
  • Maintaining your roof often (and after any major wind events) for signs of damage and loose or missing shingles. You can also clear your gutters of debris to keep water flowing smoothly. 
  • Severe weather is a prevalent source of devastating residential water damage. If you don’t prepare, hazards like heavy rain and flash flooding could send water straight into your home. 

Winter Water Damage

12/19/2023 (Permalink)

Icicles hanging from the gutters of a house. With below freezing temperatures, snow, and ice, your home or business could be in jeopardy of water damage.

Michigan winters are known to be brutally cold and large amounts of snow are always expected. With below freezing temperatures, snow, and ice, your home or business could be in jeopardy of water damage. It is crucial that you are aware of the hazards and can prepare, prevent or act quickly if faced with winter water damage.  

FROZEN PIPES  

A frozen pipe can burst at the point where the ice blockage inside the pipe is located, but typically the rupture is caused by the backflow pressure between the water source and the blockage. A burst pipe can cause considerable damage to your property if not addressed quickly.  

ICE DAMS  

Ice dams can be a major problem during the winter season. They form when heated air melts roof snow downward into water dammed behind still-frozen ice. When the trapped water cannot safely flow or run into the gutter system, it can backflow under the roof ’s shingles and into the structure’s interior areas.  

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. Our team has winter storm experience, expertise, and the resources to remediate damage caused by winter weather. If disaster strikes your home or business during the winter months, know that SERVPRO® has your back.