Preparing Your Business for Restoration After a Disaster

3/1/2023 (Permalink)

It’s crucial to have a plan in place to help you deal with more common types of disasters that business owners can face.

Our team wants to ask business owners a powerful question: What is the most important lesson you learned in the past two years? 

Many business owners say they learned that it’s not always possible to plan for the future—or to see an event that will impact your business coming. Others will say that they’ve had to find new ways to engage with their customers and continue providing services.  These are essential lessons that will carry on to other parts of the business, too. While none of us saw a pandemic coming, it’s crucial to have a plan in place to help you deal with more common types of disasters that business owners can face, like fires, flooding or severe storms. 

Because our SERVPRO team wants to be a resource for business owners in our area, we’ve put together some powerful advice to help you if you ever need commercial restoration services. 

What You Need to Know About Starting a Restoration Project 

The majority of business owners can open their doors again after a fire or flood damages their business. It’s possible to not only open again but also to be more successful. 

Here’s how we recommend you start the process: 

• Your disaster plan is a crucial component. Invest in a disaster plan before you need it and do everything you can to follow it in the aftermath of a fire, flood or another type of natural disaster. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when your business is damaged, so knowing what you will do in advance helps. You may want to think about moving your business to a backup location so you can continue operating. 
• Document all your damage. You’ll want to take plenty of pre-cleanup photos of your property to show your insurance company. It’s smart to inventory the items inside your business that were damaged, compromised or destroyed. Include the values of these items on your inventory list. 
• Don’t forget to update your community. Providing your suppliers, your employees, your customers and your wider community with regular updates about your progress, a temporary location or your reopening is essential. 

If a fire, flood or any other cause damages your business, you can always count on us for restoration assistance. We have crews who are available 24/7 in the event of an emergency.  

Count on Our Team When Minutes Matter

2/1/2023 (Permalink)

If you need restoration services this year, it’s vital to choose a team to work with ready to start the process quickly.

The reasons people in our community will seek help with restoration services in 2021 are as varied as the homeowners themselves. But there are a few common reasons that homeowners will need restoration help. People reach out to SERVPRO for reasons that include severe weather issues, such as wind, hail and rain. Accidents and appliance malfunctions are also common reasons people need help from home restoration professionals. 

If you need restoration services this year, it’s vital to choose a team to work with ready to start the process quickly. Why does that matter? Because when it comes to restoration work, all projects have one thing in common. Timing is everything. 

Why Timing Matters 

Damage to your home can grow worse, much faster than you might think. For example, the water damage that starts as a minor inconvenience can quickly begin to warp the wood in your home and stain or fade expensive, upholstered fabrics. It can also start the mold damage process in your home—in as little as a few hours. 

How SERVPRO Can Help You 

Our team understands how important it is to get the restoration process started quickly, so we’re available to help you 24/7. We’re here when you need us, and if you have an emergency, we can start the process fast. 

There are other good reasons to choose SERVPRO, too. Here’s what makes us different: 

• Our highly skilled technicians are using the best available technology. When you partner with us, you can be certain that the team coming to your home has the most up-to-date certifications, training and technology backing them. We can do this because we’re affiliated with SERVPRO’s national brand. 
• Our business is local. All SERVPRO locations are locally owned and operated by people in your community. That means when you call us, you’re connecting with friends and neighbors. We want to help you restore your home to its original state. 

Simple Steps to Prevent House Fires

2/1/2023 (Permalink)

More house fires happen during the winter than at any point during the year.

Staying warm is a top priority for most families in Michigan during the winter. It’s essential, though, that you keep safety at the top of your mind. Why? Because more house fires happen during the winter than at any point during the year. Not only do these winter fires cause property damage, but they also can cause injuries and deaths. Experts in the industry estimate that about 890 Americans die in winter house fires every year. 

Some of the best fire prevention tips experts have to offer won’t cost you much time or money to incorporate into your daily life. Plus, they address some of the most common causes of house fires in the winter. 

Easy Ways to Prevent Fires in Your Home 

• Be sure you’ve had your furnace inspected. Even furnaces that seem to be working well can have issues. It’s smart to have a professional check it for maintenance issues. These inspections can find dirty, clogged vents or rusted blades that can signify a fire hazard. 
• Be careful with how you burn candles. Candles are one of the most common causes of house fires at any time of year. They don’t look like they could cause issues, but candles can be hazardous if left to burn long-term or unsupervised. 
• Don’t use extension cords for space heaters. The safest way to use these items is to plug them directly into the wall. If you need to rearrange your furniture a little, it’s a smart move and makes your home safer. 

Fire Risk During the Winter

1/18/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is here to help you and your family if your home suffers fire damage.

House fires are common in the United States—something millions of Americans will deal with over the next year. And that number likely includes members of the community here. SERVPRO is here to help you and your family if your home suffers fire damage. Our team is prepared to help you remediate and repair in the aftermath of a fire. 

Why Your Risk Is Higher During the Winter 

Fires can happen at any time, but they’re more common during the colder winter months—especially where residents may need to use furnaces, space heaters and more to heat their homes. Here are some household risks during the winter. 

• Space heaters without automatic shutoff functions can topple over.  
• Candles left burning can fall over if a family member or guest knocks on the wrong table.  
• Kitchen fires happen more often, as many home chefs are creating special treats for the holidays.  
• Christmas tree accidents cause numerous fires every year.  
• Broken furnaces and issues with appliances can also happen throughout cold winter months. 

SERVPRO Insider – January 2023

1/13/2023 (Permalink)

Our newest issue of our quarterly newsletter is here!

Our newest issue of our quarterly newsletter is here! The SERVPRO Insider gives an inside look at what SERVPRO Team Miller has been up to!   

Hurricane Ian left behind flooding and destruction as it made its way across Florida in October 2022. The Team Miller Disaster Recovery Team was dispatched to help the locals start the process of rebuilding their homes, businesses, and livelihoods. Check out some great pictures of our teams and commercial projects! 

We are highlighting some of our team members with fun photos of our Halloween costume contest and the winner of our employee customer service winner! Also featured are articles with helpful tips for preventing winter water damage with a focus on ice dams, snowmelt, and frozen pipes.  

Each newsletter comes with a special feature on the services that SERVPRO offers. The service of this quarter: Commercial Water Damage Restoration. SERVPRO specializes in large loss restoration services. Water can be especially destructive. Whether a commercial facility faces water damage from a storm or a pipe break, SERVPRO has the training and experience to provide emergency mitigation services and get your property back to preloss condition as quickly as possible. 

If you’d like to subscribe to receive our full quarterly newsletters, send us a request at marketing@rdmhc.com. 

How to Protect Your Home from Water Damage

1/6/2023 (Permalink)

Serious leaks call for professionals to do remediation work to prevent property damage.

A growing number of homeowners are filing water damage claims every year. And even before that growth, water damage claims were the most common type homeowners filed. Did you, a family member, or friend have to file one of these claims last year? If so, that claim was one of literally millions that were filed. 

Statistics from homeowners' insurance companies note that the number of fire damage claims are dropping.. At the same time, homeowners are filing more and more water damage claims. 

Like many homeowners, you may not be clear about when you need professional help to clean up the aftermath of a leak and when you can do it yourself. Many homeowners have the tools ready to handle a minor leak (like a mop and bucket), but more serious leaks call for professionals to do remediation work to prevent property damage. 

What to Look for When Evaluating Water Damage 

You might notice these signs when you’re dealing with water damage that requires professional remediation service: 

• You can smell the beginnings of mold. Does your home have a musty odor? The smell is one of the first signs you’ll notice when water has done serious damage to your home. If you notice a peculiar odor, you’ll want to schedule a professional evaluation. 
• Your floorboards or furniture are starting to warp. Many people don’t realize that wood will become warped and misshapen within a few days of a water event. That’s why it’s important to call in restoration technicians as soon as you notice it. 
• You see changes to your windows or walls. Like your floors, your windowpanes and walls can start to warp if the water damage is severe enough. Depending on how severe your water issues are, this can be a sign of a major problem. 

SERVPRO Insider – October 2022

11/1/2022 (Permalink)

Our newest quarterly newsletter is here!

SERVPRO Insider – October 2022 

Our newest quarterly newsletter is here! The SERVPRO Insider gives an inside look at what SERVPRO Team Miller has been up to!   

In this issue, we’re helping you prepare for the holidays! Follow our fire safety tips to safely deep fry your Thanksgiving turkey and learn about the potential fire hazards that can come with holiday decorations.  

Get an inside look at our storm damage restoration projects in Fort Wayne, Indiana, learn about a few of our dedicated team members who services residential and commercial large loss projects, and help us celebrate our amazing employee Bob who has been working for SERVPRO Team Miller for the past 25 years!  

Each newsletter comes with a special feature on the services that SERVPRO offers. The service of this quarter: Fire Damage Restoration. Fire and smoke damage is especially destructive to properties and belongings. The SERVPRO team specializes in restoring versus replacing smoke and soot damaged contents and can perform restoration services to get fire-damaged buildings back to pre-fire condition.  

If you’d like to subscribe to receive our full quarterly newsletters, send us a request at marketing@rdmhc.com. 

Preventing a Kitchen Fire

11/1/2022 (Permalink)

More home fires start in the kitchen than anywhere else.

More home fires start in the kitchen than anywhere else. Every year, cooking was involved in an estimated 156,300 home fires that caused:  

• 470 deaths  
• 5,390 injuries  
• $1 billion in property damage  

These numbers could be greatly reduced if people paid more attention when they cooked and practiced simple fire safety behaviors.  

• Unattended Cooking is The Leading Cause of Kitchen Fires  
  • Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling, or broiling food  
  • Check food regularly – use a timer to remind you the stove/oven is On  
  • If you must leave – turn the oven Off  
• Stay Alert to Avoid Stirring Up Trouble  
  • Don’t use the oven or stovetop if you are sleepy, have consumed alcohol or are using drugs.  
• Hot Tips  
  • Keep pot handles turned in  
  • When you microwave food, open the container slowly to let steam escape and let food cool before eating  
  • Cool a burn under water for 3 to 5 minutes and cover it with a clean dry cloth  
  • If the burn is bigger than your fist, seek immediate medical assistance  

If you do have a problem in the kitchen or any other room in the house give SERVPRO of Romulus/Taylor a call.  Our team can clean up all fire, smoke, and water damage. 

How Can I Keep My Family Safe from a Fire?

11/1/2022 (Permalink)

Practicing good habits surrounding fire safety is a great way to keep your home protected.

Having a house fire occur in your home is never ideal, but are you making sure you are doing everything you are able to prevent one? It can take less than a minute for a fire to begin spreading through the home, so making sure you know exactly what to do can help you be certain you can keep your family safe.  

It is not difficult to implement fire safety efforts in your home and doing so will give you the assurance that you are as safe as possible. Practicing good habits surrounding fire safety is a great way to keep your home protected.  

Practicing Good Fire Safety Habits at Home  

• Check your smoke detectors. It is always wise to make sure you have the right number of smoke detectors and that they work as you start boosting your fire preparedness. You should have them on every floor and near every bedroom, and they should be checked monthly to make sure they work.  
• Create a fire escape plan. Knowing how to exit the home quickly in case the smoke detectors sound an alarm is key to getting everyone out of the house safely. It should take a max of two minutes for everyone to escape and get to a designated meeting place outside of the home. It is recommended that you have two exits for every room to make this easier.  
• Limit your fire risks. There are little things you can do every day to lessen your fire risk as well. Simple things make a big impact, such as never leaving the room when a candle is lit, keeping a safety buffer around your grill when cooking and storing chemicals correctly so they do not combust.  
• Keep a fire extinguisher handy. Just in case a flare-up does occur, having a fire extinguisher handy can make the difference between a small incident and a large emergency. Make sure you know how to operate one and always have it within arm’s reach when cooking, grilling or performing other activities that involve open flames.  

Winter Water Damage

11/1/2022 (Permalink)

Our team has winter storm experience.

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.