When a State Vehicle Needs Cleaning

1/26/2023 (Permalink)

Fully Equipped in PPE for any biohazard

Here are SERVPRO of Brighton/ Howell and Greater Highland/ White Lake/Commerce North, we understand that Michigan State owned vehicles can also sustain damages when transporting patients or prisoners to their destinations.  That is why we are registered as a preferred cleaning vendor for police patrol cars, ambulances, buses, fire emergency response vehicles, transport vans and transport cars on your State of Michigan Bio-hazard list.  We can clean any catastrophic issue from bodily fluids to blood borne pathogens.  No vehicle or clean-up is too big or too small, we have the training and know-how to tackle any job.  While you are protecting our safety, let us protect you by using proper personal protection equipment and specially designed cleaning products to tackle the job and get your vehicle back to a safe and clean condition.  We even have special products and techniques to tackle any odor that may be associated with the damages

Flooding in Livingston County Homes

9/9/2022 (Permalink)

Here is a photo of sitting water in a customer’s home prior to SERVPRO pumping it out!

Basement and crawlspace flooding from sump pump failure is a common problem in Michigan.  If you live in an area that's prone to flooding or if you lose power during a storm, you need a sump pump to protect your home from the damages of standing water that could infiltrate your home.  Flood waters can destroy the structural integrity of your home and create an environment for mold and mildew to thrive.  SERVPRO of Brighton/Howell will complete an inspection of the damages and then the extraction process will begin.  The amount of standing water will determine the type of extraction necessary.  We use powerful submersible pumps, truck mounted extraction systems, and industrial strength wet/ dry vacuums to quickly remove hundreds or thousands of gallons of water from your property.  Prompt and efficient removal of the water helps reduce drying time and helps prevent secondary water damage and mold and bacterial growth. 

The Dry Out Process

9/9/2022 (Permalink)

Depending on the water damage, SERVPRO will come in inspect the damage and determine which type of drying process will be best for the flooring, homeowner and insurance company. Three different drying techniques we use are: 

Inject Floor Drying System: 

Inject-dry floor drying system is used to dry hardwood and ceramic tile flooring. It directs airflow down along the floor, drying floors faster. With proper placement of the mats, it easily adapts to any floor plan. Placing a containment or "tenting" the affected area is sometimes used in conjunction with the inject-dry floor drying system. 

Usage of Air Movers in Drying: 

Evaporation will occur when the water moves from a liquid state to a vapor state in the air. This is achieved by rapid and direct air flow. Evaporation does not remove the moisture; it just moves it from the materials to the surrounding air. 

Usage of Dehumidifier in Drying: 

Dehumidification is the removal of moisture in the air. In some cases, a containment is placed over an affected area ceiling to concentrate the dehumidification specifically on this area. 

Prepping For Storms

9/8/2022 (Permalink)

Here's a photo from a local home that was not prepared prior to a storm.

Fall in Michigan is a beautiful time of year. Prior to our long winters we all get excited with the mild temperatures and changing trees. Fall time can also bring storms as the weather changes. From strong windstorms, thunderstorms and tornadoes, these storms can cause a lot of destruction. It's important to be prepared for these storms. While mother nature is difficult to predict, here are a few helpful tips: 

• Trim any dead or rotting branches near the home or any vehicles. 
• Know how to shut off the power to your home as well as gas and water shut off if needed. 
• Tie down or bring anything inside that can blow around or cause destruction. For example, trash cans, patio furniture, children's outdoor toys. 
• Set your refrigerator to the coldest setting. If you lose power your food will stay cooler, longer. 

Flooding

9/7/2022 (Permalink)

Here is a local Livingston County home which was flooded by one of our Michigan Storms this past summer after the sump pump malfunctioned.

Basement and crawlspace flood from sump pump failure is a common issue in Michigan. If you live in any area prone to flooding or if you lose power during a storm, you need a sump pump to protect your home from the damages of standing water. Flood waters can destroy the structural integrity of the home and can create an environment for mold and mildew to thrive. 

If you experience flooding SERVPRO will complete an inspection of the damages and the extraction process will begin. The amount of standing water determines the type of extraction process our crews will use. We use power submersible pumps, truck mounted extraction systems and industrial strength wet/dry vacuums to quickly remove hundreds of gallons of water from your property. 

Seasonal Storm

9/6/2022 (Permalink)

Here is a photo of a Brighton residents living room. A tree had fallen through the roof and came right into their living space.

As Michigan residents, we all know we can experience all four seasons in just one day. Whether were hit with 50 mph windstorms, four feet of snow, torrential rains, or a tornado- SERVPRO of Brighton/Howell is prepared to help you! 

Frozen pipes, down trees, or a flooded basement. Storms can create a very scary time for Michigan residents, but remember, SERVPRO of Brighton/Howell is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Even when the largest storms hit, we have the availability to bring in crews from different SERVPRO locations, allowing us to properly serve our community, quickly and safely. 

Let us be your real-life hero! If you are affected by storm damage, call SERVPRO of Brighton/Howell today: 810-220-3711 

Extent of Water Damage

9/6/2022 (Permalink)

Here is a home that experienced a major water loss.

When a homeowner deals with a water loss, its often a surprise to the customer the extent of damage that is caused. SERVPRO of Brighton/Howell will come to the home, evaluate the damage, and begin the dry out process and repairs. Our crews often must remove dry wall due to damaged installation, we might have to remove flooring, furniture, essentially anything that is affect by the water. 

It’s important to have SERVPRO to come out to evaluate the home to find how much the water spread, and what needs to be done to properly get your home back to normal! Our production leaders have top of the line equipment, to test areas that are wet, and they can see what has been affected. Our SERVPRO crews are educated and trained to know how to handle each home depending on the job.

Frozen Pipe Damage

9/1/2022 (Permalink)

Michigan is known for our harsh winters with extreme temperature drops in the months of January, and February. This means homeowners are susceptible to frozen pipes. Water expands when it freezes- putting additional pressure on the pipes, which can ultimately cause them to burst. Pipes that freeze are those that exposed to extreme cold, such as exterior spigots, water sprinkler lines, and water supply lines in unheated areas. Basements, crawl spaces, attics and garages often have exterior pipe lines as well. To aid in freeing pipes make sure to keep your home to at least 55 degrees or warmer and leave interior doors open to increase air flow into the cooler areas of the home. Also, if you leave your home during these months make sure a trusted neighbor or friend is watching over your home! 

Tree Damage

9/1/2022 (Permalink)

Here is a photo of a tree that fell on a local home. Our crews were able to help with the cleanup and repairs of the roof and home!

The trees in our yard not only provide shade and privacy, but they are also good for the environment! However, we often underestimate how tall or heavy they are until they fall during a storm.  Falling trees during bad weather can result in downed power lines and costly damage to homes, fences, and outbuildings.  That is why we remind homeowners to have any dead or damaged branches or diseased trees removed. SERVPRO of Brighton/Howell can help you avoid this danger by coming out to your home to remove any branches or limbs that could be a potential danger when high winds occur. 

Have you recently had a branch or limb fall causing damage to your home or garage? Remember SERVPRO of Brighton/Howell is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! 

Commercial Water Damage

8/8/2022 (Permalink)

COMMERCIAL Water Damage: Regardless of the cause, when catastrophe strikes a commercial property, the damages can be crippling to a business and even bring operations to a complete halt. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost productivity and revenue.  SERVPRO has highly trained technicians that are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to mitigate the damages properly and efficiently. 

Ask about SERVPRO's Emergency Ready Plan (ERP), a useful tool to prepare a business for the "worst-case scenario".  The ERP is a data collection source, storing all your important and vital information such as where to find shut off valves for both water and gas, where electrical panels are located and who to contact in the event of an emergency.  This information is compiled into one neat folder and is ready for anyone in your business to use in one place at your fingertips.