How fast should you address a water loss?

2/4/2025 (Permalink)

How fast should you address a water loss? From disaster to starting the cleanup process, how long is too long?

Typically after a water loss occurs it is very important to begin the mitigation process as soon as possible. There are a few different reasons for this such as the possibility of mold growth and secondary damage.

Secondary damage occurs when the initial spread of the loss has damaged as much as it possibly can directly and is left alone without intervention, causing high humidity in the space as water evaporates and begins to condense on unaffected materials. This can make ceilings wet in basement floods with only inches of water, wrinkle paintings or pictures on the wall, and can even contribute to mold growth.

Mold growth will typically start growing within 24-48 hours after a water loss. Initially growing on organic materials such as paper or wood, it can spread farther than it seems possible in just a few days’ time. Having mold growth occur can drastically increase the cost of any type of remediation if allowed to cultivate and spread. Having a professional come out to begin to stabilize the loss environment quickly is crucial to prevent the growth of mold.

So to prevent bigger issues down the road, you should start the mitigation process as soon as you can. Call SERVPRO to help you with any emergency situation you might have to not only help prevent further damage but to make it, Like It Never Even Happened!

What purpose does an air scrubber serve?

1/3/2025 (Permalink)

If your are ever having mold remediation done we may let you know we are setting a machine called an air scrubber. These can be somewhat loud and you may wonder what these are doing to help the process along.
The main reason we use these is air filtration. An air scrubber will pull air through about 3 different filters to ensure there are no particulates remaining in the air exiting the machine. Doing this will trap any mold spores on the filters as they linger through the air while we may be doing demolition or cleaning.
Another reason we may use them is to pull air from inside of containment and duct it outside of the containment to create a negative pressure of air, ensuring that no mold spores can escape the containment through the air scrubber filters as well as in the case that it is breached or there may be a gap.
The air scrubber is an important tool to use for mold remediation and one that we rely on to keep the air clean and safe in your home. If you ever need mold remediation be sure to call SERVPRO to make it “Like It Never Even Happened”!

Tornado Damage

9/26/2024 (Permalink)

Tornadoes aren’t something you usually think you must worry about. Typically, you think they mostly occur in places like tornado valley, but they can happen all over the country. In 2024 Michigan has had a total of 11 tornadoes so far, that may not seem like many but the overall property damage that these caused totaled over 50 MILLION Dollars. Overall, the state has had over 1200 recorded tornadoes causing over 1.3 billion dollars!

The most common ways homes get damaged by them is when the wind pushes up shingles and water is allowed to enter the home, or when flying debris damages gutters or siding when they make impact. Trees are also known to uproot and fall onto homes causing holes in the roof.

The question then becomes, “What happens if my home is damaged by one of these terrible twisters?” The answer is to call SERVPRO®! We can help with any water intrusions due to storm or tornado damage and make it, "Like it Never Even Happened!"

Cold Weather Ahead

9/19/2024 (Permalink)

With the seasons changing and cold weather approaching it may be a good idea to check a few things to make sure that there aren’t any issues during the winter months. Winter brings many challenges to keep your home safe when such things as freezing pipes, ice dams, roof leaks, and flooding happen.

Frozen pipes occur when a pipe is exposed to cold enough air while it still has water in it. This will crack the pipe when the water expands as it freezes causing it to leak into your home and possibly cause mold growth. The best way to prevent this is to have your pipes winterized and all water removed from them if exposed outside as well as make sure your home is well insulated and kept at a warm temperature.

An ice dam happens when melting water from snow melting on your roof gets under the shingles and re-freezes. As the snow melts in the sun and freezes overnight repeatedly, the ice will make the gap in shingles bigger and bigger until there is a sheet of ice underneath melting into your home. A good way to prevent this is to make sure your home is well insulated to keep the heat from your home from melting snow on your roof. You can also clear the snow from your roof and keep your gutters and downspouts clear of debris and leaves this fall.

Flooding can happen in your basement for many reasons during the winter. Several causes include cracked or faulty foundation, a faulty or frozen sump pump or even melting snow overwhelming the drain systems. These are things that should be checked and repaired before the weather gets too cold to ensure they are working properly.

Unfortunately things can happen even with preparation, Luckily if they do SERVPRO® can help.
Call the SERVPRO of Oak Park/Ferndale (248)246-0790 if you have any issues these coming months.

Be Ready!

9/18/2024 (Permalink)

Is your company ready for any type of loss?

Whether is be a roof leak, basement flood, small to large fires, mold, or even if you just need a good cleaning, SERVPRO has you covered with our Emergency Ready Profile!

With an ERP you can be prepared for any unforeseen problems that happen, You will know exactly what to do. It provides all the information you would need such as where your water shut offs are, access points, and who you should call in the event of an emergency such as a plumber.

So Be Ready! Call the SERVPRO of Oak Park/Ferndale (248)246-0790 to set up an ERP today to make sure you have everything you need to tackle any emergency. 

WATER DAMAGE AND THE EFFECTS IT CAN HAVE ON YOU AND YOUR HOME

8/30/2024 (Permalink)

Water Loss Causes

Broken pipes, Clogged toilets, overflowing washing machines, leaky roofs and foundation problems are just some examples of water damage causing problems. Water can cause major damages to appliances, upholstery, plumbing, household items, and more. Starting water remediation right away if a water loss occurs with a team of professionals like SERVPRO® can help to try and minimize these problems, and increase the potential of saving these household items.

Water Damage Hazards

Water clean-up right away is very essential in the saving of our hard earned possessions. However, there is a major underlying issue of why immediate water extraction and clean-up is important. The issue is to try to prevent/stop the growth of mold, and any other organisms that can grow. Mold growth exposure can cause many health hazards especially in young children, or people with immune deficiencies. Mold exposure can also cause risk for those with medical issues such as respiratory diseases, along with aggravating allergy and asthma symptoms.

If you ever fall victim of a water loss give SERVPRO of Oak Park/Ferndale a call at     248-246-0790. Let us take the stress of a water loss off your back. We work directly with any insurance company. All you have to do is make the claim, and let us do the rest!

Metro Detroit Water Damage ??

7/31/2024 (Permalink)

Metro Detroit Water Damage

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO®  provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including holidays.

Faster To Any Size Disaster

Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more.  SERVPRO of Oak Park/Ferndale arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – 248-246-0790

Water Damage Timeline

 1 - 24 Hours:

• 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, wood flooring, and studs swell and warp.
• Metal begins to rust and corrode.
• Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
• Paint begins to blister.
• 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.

About SERVPRO of Oak Park/Ferndale

SERVPRO of Oak Park/Ferndale specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. "Like It Never Even Happened"

Storm Damage Resources

7/31/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.  Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit Metro Detroit, SERVPRO of Oak Park/Ferndale can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of over 2,000 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today 248-246-0790

Smoke and Soot Damage

7/31/2024 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate numerous cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. With SERVPRO® our smoke/fire damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.

We are a Nationally Preferred Vendor for most large insurance companies. We will work directly with your Insurance carrier for you. 

Smoke and soot facts:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Oak Park/Ferndale will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions.  We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damaged property to its preloss condition.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care. Like It Never Even Happened

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call SERVPRO of Oak Park/ Ferndale Today at 248-246-0790

Mold Facts To Know

7/31/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® is a Nationally recognized Leader in the Emergency Restoration Industry for over 65 years, specializing in Fire, Smoke, and Water damage. Oftentimes a water loss can lead to a mold situation.

While some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, this is a fallacy. Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere, both outdoors and indoors. This makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Therefore, mold remediation reduces the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level.

Consider the following mold facts:

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
• Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.
• Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
• Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.

SERVPRO of Oak Park / Ferndale is available 24/7, ready to help you with your mold issues. Call us at (248) 246-0790