Recent Why SERVPRO Posts

3 Mold Prevention Steps for Your Bathroom

8/31/2022 (Permalink)

Three Steps to Prevent Mold in Your Bathroom

Even if you scrupulously clean your bathroom, there is still a possibility for mold growth. This is primarily because bathrooms are often areas of high humidity. The good news, however, is that once you recognize that humidity is the top source of bathroom mildew, you can take steps to reduce the excess moisture. (If you've already noticed mold or mildew, contact water damage cleanup and repair professionals right away.)

Ventilation

One of the best ways to reduce humidity levels in the bathroom for mold prevention is to provide proper ventilation. Many homes are equipped with fans in in the ceiling that carry away the moisture-heavy steam from hot showers. Make sure your ventilation fans are equipped to handle the amount of humidity in the room. For example, if there is still condensation on the surfaces of the room when the fan has been running, you know that you need more ventilation. It may be necessary to open doors and windows to compensate for the lack of other airflow.

Daily Cleaning

Once you have adequate ventilation in the room, turn your attention to towels and floor mats. These surfaces are often damp and could easily become home to mold spores. You may notice that your bathroom décor smells musty or looks dusty. These are two signs of mold in the bathroom. Replace and launder towels and rugs regularly.

Comprehensive Maintenance

Ongoing maintenance is a vital component of mold prevention. This refers to replacing deteriorating caulk around the tub to replacing the wax ring under your toilet on a regular basis. The moisture from steamy showers can make its way past gaps in tile grout. Pooling water under the base of the toilet can host an entire colony of mold before you notice any water damage. The steps you take to keep your bathroom in top repair are essential to preventing mold.
Remember, water damage isn't the only source of mold in your bathroom. Prevent new growth by adding ventilation, removing sources of moisture, and focusing on appropriate maintenance. These steps can prevent a lot of expensive and trouble in your Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, home.

24 Hour Emergency Restoration

6/22/2022 (Permalink)

Floor has been removed, dehumidifier placed on a hallway. Storm damages a building in Grosse Pointe Woods, MI.

24 Hour Emergency Restoration 

When disaster strikes, it is crucial to respond quickly. Storms, floods, and fire can damage commercial property that is vital to the functioning of your business, and having a plan in place can help you mitigate the damage from such events. 
When considering professional restoration services in Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, availability is one of the most important factors. A restoration company with 24-hour emergency service will help you recover from any disaster in a prompt and thorough manner.
These are some of the main reasons to prioritize 24-hour service.

1. Fast Response No Matter What
If a storm damages the windows or the structures of your building in the middle of the night, the inside of the building may be exposed to water damage. To ensure that commercial property is protected from mold or further degradation, you need a professional restoration company that can respond quickly.
SERVPRO is a 24-hour company that can be reached at any time. They will respond to your call within 1 hour. A team will be on-site within 4 hours, and you will receive a verbal briefing of the situation within 8 hours. These response times are crucial to the success of the restoration process. In many cases, you cannot afford to wait until morning.

2. Comprehensive Service
In the aftermath of a disaster, you might be overwhelmed by the damage the building has suffered. You might not know how to proceed in the best way. A restoration team that can respond to your call at any time will be able to evaluate the situation and let you know what services are required. This allows you to protect any sensitive documents or equipment inside.
The kinds of events that require restoration services are often unpredictable. You never know when a storm or fire may occur. For this reason, it is vital to find a restoration company that is always open.

Water Damage Requires a Fast Response

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

Drying equipment in the hallway of a building Commercial water damage in Grosse Pointe Farms, MI.

A Quick Response Is Required When Water Damage Occurs

An emergency situation can arise in a Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, commercial property at any time. Whether faced with water, mold or fire damage, a fast response is imperative to ensure the problem doesn’t spread to minimize losses and claims. That is why it is important to rely on a restoration company that has 24-hour availability and a trusted network of certified professionals to back it up.

Timeline for Help

Whether it’s the middle of the night or Sunday morning, you need reliable help that is always open. The right company will have a 24/7 call center that can dispatch help fast. When choosing an established company with 1,700 franchises nationwide, you can expect a fast response regardless of the disaster.

Within one hour of making the call, the client will be contacted to coordinate an on-site visit.
In under four hours, a certified professional will arrive on location to begin the process. This will include an assessment and inspection of the losses, as well as pretesting the restorability of the structure and damaged contents.
After the initial consultation, the insurance provider will be contacted within eight hours and be given an overview of the damage and a plan to address it.

Trusted Service

When choosing a provider that has 24-hour availability, you also want the expertise to back it up. A company dedicated to serving insurers and their clients will be certified and adhere to IICRC standards. It will also be up to date on the latest tools and techniques through ongoing training. After the plan of action is approved, a team of professionals will get to work. The process includes:

Water removal and extraction using high-grade pumps and vacuums.
Fast-drying through the use of industrial-strength air movers and dehumidifiers.
Salvageable items will be itemized and taken to a safe, secure location for proper cleaning.
Structural components will be repaired or replaced, ensuring the property is returned to preloss condition.

While no one wants a water emergency to happen, it is a relief to know that 24-hour help is available to quickly stop and fix the problem.

Tips for Restoration After a Large Storm

2/25/2022 (Permalink)

long hallway, a dehumidifier, flood cuts performed on drywall If your commercial experiences storm damages, let SERVPRO of Grosse Pointe be your restoration company.

Tips for Restoration After a Large Storm

After a large storm, many homes and businesses can experience a catastrophic loss, especially in Grosse Pointe Woods, MI. Fortunately, a professional restoration team, such as SERVPRO, can help if your clients experience damage. Here are a few things many experts recommend in this situation.

1. Follow Safety Protocols

When it comes to flooding, there's a potential for contaminated water which can present a safety hazard. This is why it's important to follow any safety guidelines, including turning off all electricity to the area and wearing protective gear.

2. Use a Restoration Service

In the case of a large catastrophic loss, it may be best to have your client contact a professional restoration service. A company like SERVPRO is trained to deal with large-scale damage and a variety of restoration techniques. They also have the means to work with insurance companies to help with claim information. Common services offered include drying the area of any flood damage, document restoration, item restoration, mold remediation, and building repairs. SERVPRO even offers an electronic inventory system to help insurance companies keep track of claim data.

3. Protect the Building

When it comes to storm damage, it's important to protect the property against any further problems that may come from leaving any damaged areas exposed. Your chosen restoration team can board up or tarp over any potential problem areas. This will protect against further weather damage, animal intrusion, and may even be required by the insurance policy.

When dealing with catastrophic loss in Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, there are a few recommendations to consider following. There are many safety protocols designed to keep you, your clients, and any restoration experts that are working on the property safe. If a professional team has been hired to perform the restoration, they may already be familiar with these guidelines. It's also important to protect the property from any further damage. In the event there are any questions, restoration experts may be able to help.

Mold Growth: Your Responsibilities as a Landlord

1/31/2022 (Permalink)

Prevent Mold Growth From Becoming Larger

One of the challenges of owning rental property in Harper Woods, MI, is that you must often depend on the vigilance of your tenants to know there is a problem that needs to be addressed. Once you have been notified that mold cleanup is needed, however, you should respond quickly to prevent the issue from becoming larger. This not only helps you serve your customers better but also makes you less likely to become party to a lawsuit.

Quick Response

The hallmark of a great landlord is that he or she is readily available to tenants. While it is not necessary for you personally to be on call 24/7, responding to complaints in a timely manner can foster a great relationship with them. Consider making multiple reporting tools available:

  • Office phone with reliable receptionist
  • Email response within 24 hours
  • Form posted on website
  • Online portal where maintenance process can be tracked
  • 24-hour emergency line

Preventative Measures

The need for mold cleanup can often be avoided by taking care of leaks and water damage as soon as they occur. Ideally, your tenants will report problems like this as soon as they notice them. Since mold can start to grow quickly once excess moisture is present, you should consider it a high-priority issue. By fixing it before mold contamination has a chance to infest your property, you serve your tenants well.

Outside Help

If a problem does persist long enough for mold spores to settle and grow on a surface, it is in your best interest to hire mold remediation experts to get rid of the growth. These certified contractors have the specialized skills and equipment necessary to thoroughly mitigate mold issues. Regular cleaning methods will not be sufficient to remove the growth.

Fast response and resolution are the keys to mold cleanup. Both are necessary to provide great service to your tenants.