Recent Storm Damage Posts

Start With What You Know: Preventing Flood Damage | SERVPRO of New Center/Highland Park

4/1/2024 (Permalink)

rain water pooling on a hardwood floor after a storm with a man in work boots walking through it SERVPRO of New Center/Highland Park is ready to help in a moments notice after spring showers leak in to your home or business.

When you get stumped with a problem, how do you tackle the situation? Do you jump in without having all of the details or do you break it down to the basics to make sure you have all your bases covered?

Of course you take the time to make sure you are getting it right! This concept applies to all kinds of scenarios, but especially when it comes to preparing for and preventing home damage. Starting with the basics can help your home avoid some pretty significant damage.

Unfortunately, situations like floods can happen unexpectedly, so doing these tasks below right now will help keep your home dry and your family safe no matter what is in store for you this season.

Knowing the Zones in Detroit

Flooding is often associated with Mother Nature, but that isn’t always the case when water begins pouring down from your ceilings or leaking onto your floors. Flooding conditions can also happen when water lines burst in the streets or if your washing machine finally gives out mid-cycle.

Even though we live in a relatively urban area, we can still experience flooding situations due to the weather. Strong storms and high water levels in the waterways around us can cause trouble unexpectedly. Knowing the risk level for your own home can help you stay in control as the conditions change around us.

You should still be on high alert even if your property hasn’t necessarily flooded in the past. If you live in a low-lying area or your yard slopes even a little bit toward your house, you could wind up with water where you don’t want it. Extend your downspouts if you can, add extra drainage to your yard or consider adding a rain garden to help give all that water a more productive place to go.

If you live in a neighborhood with trees, check your gutter system regularly to remove potential leaf buildup and consider installing gutter covers to help keep that debris out of your system.

Further Prevention Tips

While it is important to know your home’s specific risk ahead of time, dealing with flooding issues can actually teach you about your home so you can take measures to prevent the flooding from happening again.

For example, if your basement door lets water in often, it would be worth having your yard evaluated to see if a professional grading can help encourage the water to flow somewhere else.

If one of your window panes gets wet every time it rains, you can address this issue easily with some fresh caulk to seal off any gaps. Finally, having your sump pump inspected regularly can help alert you to any emerging issues so you can address repairs before the next time it rains.

When you start with what you know, you can set yourself up for success no matter the season or weather situation. Enjoy the spring weather and give us a call if you are in need of any home damage repairs.

Do you have water damage in your home? Contact us at SERVPRO® for fast recovery.

Storm Damage Services

4/1/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO truck in a flooded road. 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 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® 24⁄7 for immediate restoration assistance.

The Most Common Causes of Home Damage

12/15/2023 (Permalink)

residentail home with roof destroyed and debris falling down If you discover damage in your residence, call SERVPRO right away.

We rely on our homes to keep us comfortable and cozy no matter what. They protect us from severe weather and outside threats day in and day out. However, our homes can suffer serious damage if the threat is substantial enough. 

While it may be overwhelming to think about the possibility of suffering home damage, you can’t focus on it every day! By knowing how to prepare and what to do if damage does occur, you can stay calm and recover faster. 

SERVPRO® is here to make sure you recover as efficiently as possible. Read on to learn more about the most common causes of home damage in our area. 

The Biggest Risks to the Highland Park Community 

The winters are brutally cold and snowy here and the summers are hot and muggy, which means we experience all kinds of severe weather no matter the season. Strong thunderstorms can lead to basement flooding or wind damage and heavy snow can cause structural damage or even collapse roofs. 

In addition to weather threats, common issues like burst pipes or house fires could also impact your home in the blink of an eye. 

Storms can be predicted in advance, but they are not entirely predictable. Water damage and fire damage can be caused by a strong storm if it brings heavy rain or lightning to the area. These two types of damage can also occur from manmade sources. House fires are often started by accident, and water leaks can occur when an appliance malfunctions or a water line leaks. 

The Reality of Compounding Damages 

Suffering through a home disaster is frustrating enough, but it can also lead to more serious issues over time if you don’t tackle your restoration in a timely manner. For example, if you leave lingering moisture in your home after suffering a water disaster or flood, the risk of mold increases that can start to break down your foundation or structural supports in your home. 

Fire can also cause compounding damage. Smoke and soot can spread to all areas of your home, leaving stained walls and stinky odors. In addition to the sheer amount of fire damage, water damage is also a possibility wherever the firefighters used their hoses. 

Whether your disaster occurred naturally or was manmade, recovering quickly should always be your priority. That’s where SERVPRO® comes into play! 

Our team gets to work on a variety of recovery strategies right away. If you suffer a water disaster, we will clean up the residual moisture, clean and sanitize against mold growth, and then address any and all repairs that need to be done. 

If a house fire occurs, we will quickly remove burned debris and then we will tackle the cleaning and sanitizing part of your restoration. This includes soot and smoke removal as well as a deep-clean of your damaged area. If part of your home was destroyed by the flames, we can rebuild it to exactly the way you want it. 

Choosing SERVPRO® to handle your restoration is key because then you won’t have to work with multiple different contractors! We are talented and knowledgeable enough to handle your entire recovery from start to finish. 

Does your home need restoration and you don’t want to make more than one call? Contact us to get everything handled by one team. 

Preparing for Strong Winter Storms

12/15/2023 (Permalink)

snowy highway with vehicles driving in a squall The winter season is almost upon us! SERVPRO has your back with these helpful tips.

The winter season is a different beast around the Midwest, and the Detroit area is certainly vulnerable to strong winter storms and debilitating conditions from time to time. Subzero temperatures, strong wind and heavy snow can create dangerous situations for all of us at this time of year. 

Regardless of the strength of the storm, preparing ahead of time and knowing what to do afterward can help you avoid more serious damage to your home and property. 

Getting Ready Around Your Home 

The road conditions can quickly deteriorate around our community, so we always advise avoiding travel when a storm is in the area. Ice, sleet and heavy snow can make travel really difficult or even impossible. 

Stay home and get your emergency kit ready to weather the storm. Heavy snow and blizzard conditions can cause power outages for hours or even days, so preparing ahead of time can help you stay safer and warmer. 

Track down your extra flashlights, first-aid supplies, blankets and safe drinking water and food and store it all in an easily accessible area. You should also have a reliable way of keeping you warm in case the power goes out, like a fireplace on standby. 

While these measures may be helpful in the short term, it simply may just become too cold in your home to remain there while you wait for the power to come back on. Have a few different locations in mind as backups to head to if you get too cold at home, like a friend’s home or a local warming center. 

Assessing Your Home 

Once the storm has blown on and it is safe to move about your home, it is time to take a look at your property. Strong wind and heavy snow can cause all sorts of issues for your home. 

If we get a lot of snow, grab your roof rake or a shovel and pull the snow off of the edges of your roof. Heavy, wet snow can weigh up to 20 pounds per cubic foot, which can certainly build up over time and cause serious cave-in concerns. 

If the storm that came through brought strong wind, you should also be checking on your vents around your home. Drafts can build up along the side of your home and block important vents from working properly. Clear away these drifts and chip away any ice buildup to ensure any carbon monoxide can safely escape your home. 

Recovering After Storm Damage 

Storms can cause all sorts of damage to your property, which can lead to further issues if it isn’t taken care of right away. Ice dams can eventually lead to water damage or serious structural damage can occur if a part of your roof suffers damage due to the weight of excess snow. 

However, if your home damage happens, we can help you recover. Our team will secure your home, address any immediate cleaning needs and then tackle your repairs. We will help you recover faster and more efficiently! 

Our team is always ready for anything! Contact us at SERVPRO® for a quick restoration after suffering damage from a winter storm. 

Don’t Let Strong Winds Blow You Away

11/28/2023 (Permalink)

Trees bending over from wind. At its most severe, wind can leave a trail of devastation that cannot be evaded.

On a terribly hot day, a cool gust of wind can offer a refreshing break from the warm summer sun. Wind, while you can’t really see it, is a dependable force that we can rely on, but it can cause serious problems when it’s at its worst. 

At its most severe, wind can leave a trail of devastation that cannot be evaded. Even on days with clear skies, severe winds wreak havoc out of nowhere. These winds can create major damage and leave a destructive mark on entire communities. 

To safeguard both yourself and your property from the dangers of strong winds, it is essential to take the appropriate measures, even on days you might not expect them. 

The Different Kinds of Wind 

Roughly half of the most hazardous wind occurrences are brought on by strong thunderstorms, making them a risk worth preparing for. Thunderstorm-related winds have the potential to be just as catastrophic as tornadoes. 

At times, thunderstorms can generate winds that can reach speeds of 60 miles per hour, which can lead to expensive damage and a lasting impact on entire communities. 

Thunderstorms can produce straight-line winds, which are not associated with rotation and can cause damage even in areas without rainfall. These winds can reach speeds of up to 100 miles per hour, making them a devastating hazard. 

It is the combination of different types of winds generated by tornadoes that makes them so dangerous to encounter. Tornadoes have caused some awful winds in Highland Park in the past, and they’ve only gotten more devastating. When tornadoes aren’t causing severe winds, thunderstorms do, and the effects on our neighborhoods can be considerably greater. 

Wind Damage and Prevention 

When winds exceed 80 miles per hour, even the most secure mobile homes can be easily picked up. Severe winds can also lead to toppling trees, thrown debris and downed power lines all over Highland Park. 

Taking early precautions, such as being able recognize weather alerts and securing loose outdoor items, can help prevent wind damage and ensure your safety during severe weather events. 

Take steps to maintain your trees, such as pruning and removing any overhanging branches, to minimize the risk of damage during high winds. Be sure to secure any loose objects outside and consider installing storm shutters or other protective measures to protect your home. 

Go out and take a stroll around your property to assess any damages after the winds have died down. Climb up on your roof and correct any misplaced or loose shingles, to prevent water from leaking into your home. If you do face severe storm damage, get in touch with SERVPRO®, and we’ll restore your losses in a flash! 

Faster To Any Size Disaster

11/6/2023 (Permalink)

Green trucks and trailers in front of a commercial building. Storms and inclement weather can be devastating to any business.

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. There is never a convenient time for flooding or storm damage to strike your business. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. SERVPRO® provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, seven days a week—including all holidays. You can expect an immediate response time, day, or night.  

Why Choose SERVPRO®?  

  • We are Faster to Any Size Disaster: Floods and storms do not wait for normal business hours, and neither do we. You can depend on an immediate response from our highly trained technicians, who are available 24 hours, seven days a week.  
  • We're Highly Trained Storm Damage Specialists: As leaders in the storm and water damage industry, we have advanced training and expertise, not to mention a tremendous amount of hands-on experience. We use this training and experience to quickly dry your home and restore it back to pre-storm condition.  
  • We Have the Resources to Handle Storms and Disasters: In addition to our own resources, we can access equipment and personnel from over 2,000 franchises across the country. We can even call upon strategically located Disaster Recovery Teams for catastrophic storms and major events.