Recent Posts
Spring Cleaning
3/9/2023 (Permalink)
Before and after photos of a finished basement after technicians cleaned up.
Spring is right around the corner here in Michigan and for most that means spring cleaning! Maybe you finally cleaned out the catch all closet and need it scrubbed down floor to ceiling? Or you hauled all that old unused furniture to the curb and the carpet underneath was disgusting? Well, the typical homeowner will probably cover the basics with dusting, mopping, vacuuming, throwing things away here and there, making the infamous ‘donate’ pile and wiping down surfaces and furniture. However, sometimes your spring-cleaning needs go a little deeper than that.
Our SERVPRO of Farmington and Farmington Hills technicians can do the dirty work for you no matter how bad the situation. Here are just a few ways we can help you:
- We have specially formulated SERVPRO chemicals
- We use green products safe for pets
- HEPA vacuuming
- Carpet Deodorization and cleaning
- Ozone Machine for strong odors
- Using reach poles to clean tall ceilings
- Washing walls/moldings/baseboard etc.
- Floor cleaning
- Trash out/de-cluttering services
Get a head start on your spring cleaning today and call us at (248) 427-1500
Emergency Fire Damage Restoration Process
2/21/2023 (Permalink)
Black soot from fire damage
1. A SERVPRO of Farmington and Farmington Hillsprofessional will contact you within one hour to arrange for service.
- We understand the importance of letting you know help is on the way, right away.
2. Within four hours, a trained professional will arrive on-site prepared to begin emergency mitigation services (if necessary).
- Timely response is key to preventing further damage.
- Timely mitigation can mean the difference between restoring property and replacing it.
3. The loss site will be reviewed with you, and your questions and concerns will be addressed. A SERVPRO of Farmington and Farmington Hills Professional will:
- Identify the source of loss.
- Identify the source of your concerns.
- Identify the types of residue present.
- Identify safety issues.
4. A SERVPRO professional will begin pretesting for restorability. By pretesting, four key questions are answered:
- What is unable to be restored?
- What is restorable and what methods of restoration will be most effective?
- What areas and items are unaffected?
- What areas need to be reviewed by the Adjuster or Property Owner?
5. The scope of the project will be communicated to you or your adjuster if a claim has been filed.
6. The structure and contents will be cleaned and restored by SERVPRO of Rochester Professionals.
7. After the work has been completed, a final work through will be conducted with you to help ensure your satisfaction.
SERVPRO of Farmington and Farmington Hills has trained and certified technicians to help you in the event of fire damage to your home or business.
Call us at (248) 427-1500!
How to Get Rid of a Bad Odor in Your Car
11/29/2022 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Farmington and Farmington Hills was called out by a local car dealership to clean the inside of this car before starting repairs
A bad odor in your car can become extremely bothersome because more than likely you drive your car every single day. There are endless causes for a bad smell in your car, however, when getting rid of the odor there are less possibilities.
Common suggestions for getting rid of an odor in your car are to vacuum the upholstery, sprinkling baking soda on the are where the smell seems to be coming from, leaving a chunk of charcoal in there for a few days, or using a natural deodorizer. If none of those take care of the odor, that is when you need to call in a professional cleaning company like us and let our SERVPRO of Farmington and Farmington Hills technicians take care of your vehicle.
We use specific machinery and chemicals to safely and effectively remove odors after identifying the source. We have many methods of deodorizing a space including ozone machines, chemical solvents, and even as far as professional upholstery and carpet cleaning.
If you have an odor in your home, business, or vehicle call us at (248) 427-1500
Financially Planning for Emergency Disasters
9/21/2022 (Permalink)
September is National Preparedness Month
One of theme of National Preparedness Month in 2022 is the focus is on getting financially prepared for an emergency disaster. Ready.Gov highlights some ways that homeowners can get prepared at either no cost or a low cost. In addition to the resources listed on Ready.Gov, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers a plethora of resources that can be shipped directly to your home.
At SERVPRO of Farmington and Farmington Hills, we are able to work directly with your insurance company to ease the stress during emergency disasters. It’s important that homeowners make sure they are adequately covered for emergencies that the region is prone to. For example, if your home is in a flood zone, flood insurance should be a priority. Likewise, if your home is in an area where wildfires are prevalent, insurance for wildfires is a must. The Red Cross has an interactive map that shows common disasters across the United States by region and what you should be prepared for.
To get started, here are a few tips you should consider in order to get financially prepared for an emergency disaster:
- Gather financial, medical, personal, and household information and keep them in an accessible safe space.
- Keep small amounts of cash in your home for items such as food, gas, or other supplies in the event that you cannot get to an ATM. In addition, consider opening a savings account and saving up money for potential disasters.
- Keep on top of your homeowners or renters, health, and life insurance. Consider purchasing flood insurance from the national flood insurance program as well as reviewing your policy to make sure you’re adequately covered.
For more information, click on any of the links in this blog or contact us at (248) 427-1500.
How to Prevent Damage Before a Big Storm
9/14/2022 (Permalink)
Fallen tree on a home in Metro Detroit due to a major wind storm
Even a wind storm can have disastrous effects on your property. That’s why it’s important to make a plan in advance to limit storm damage. Follow these tips so you know what to do before, during, and after a wind storm.
What To Do In Advance:
Wind damage comes from a variety of storms and each has its own ways to prepare. Be sure that everyone in your home or business knows what to do in case of the most likely storms for your area. If you operate a store, restaurant, or other business that deals with many members of the public at once, be sure your staff knows how to escort them to shelter.
- Stock up on emergency supplies. Be sure the first aid kit is stocked and the flashlights have working batteries. A generator can power a house and costs a few hundred dollars - which may be well worth your money when you are without it for an extended amount of time. Solar panels that can charge cell phones are available online for under $50 as well.
- Know how to turn off utilities or override electronics. Depending on any wind or flood damage, you may need to turn off the water or circuit box. If the power goes out, cars will be stuck inside a garage with an electric opener unless you know how to use the manual override.
- Give the roof a checkup. Be sure there aren’t any loose or missing shingles that could blow away during a storm or let in rain. It’s better to make repairs during good weather than to try to get a tarp over a hole in the roof during a thunderstorm.
- Check the perimeter. When you know a storm is on the way, do a quick check outside if there’s enough time. Put lawn furniture in the shed, pick up toys, put cars and bicycles in the garage, and fasten loose items, like patio umbrellas. Not only will these items blow away in a storm, but they can cause a great deal of damage in the process. A lawn chair can shatter a window, while a bike can put a huge dent in a car. Be sure to close any awnings too; even a mild wind storm can tear fabric from the frame.
- Back up your computers frequently. If your electronics suffer flood damage or any kind of storm damage, you’ll be glad you took the time to back up your files. Cloud backup services are available for free from Dropbox, Google, and other providers for a set amount of data and extra amounts of storage can be purchased for a nominal fee. The advantage of a cloud backup service is that you can access them from anywhere; if your home or business is damaged, you can use a computer or smart device anywhere that has internet access.
- Be sure you have a weather app on your smartphone and enable severe weather alerts. You won’t be near a TV or computer for every storm, so you need a way to check on the severity of storms and know when to take cover.
We do experience heavy thunderstorms in Michigan with very strong winds. so make sure you take the time to go over these precautionary steps. If you do suffer damage to your home or business call at SERVPRO of Farmington and Farmington Hills at (248) 427-1500
Cleaning Up Mold in the Basement
9/8/2022 (Permalink)
Your nose knows. One of the first indicators that mold or water damage is present is a musty or stale smell. Contact SERVPRO for restoration help.
Basements have the possibility of water seeping in from outside. Many homeowners use their unfinished basements for storage. Basements provide some of the most ideal conditions for mold to form. They are cool, damp, and dark. When ugly stains appear on the lower portion of a foundation wall it could be a sign of larger problems.
As seen in this before and after, dark black/gray stains are a sign of mold. Mold typically thrives in damp, humid areas. If you suspect mold in your basement, the first step is to identify and correct the source of the water problem. If you have mold in an area in your basement that is larger than 10 square feet, you should not attempt to clean it up yourself. The best way to remove mold is to call SERVPRO to inspect the area and develop a plan of action to remove the mold safely.
What to Do:
What Not to Do:
- Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
- Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
- Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
- Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.
If you have any questions about Mold, do not hesitate to Contact Us directly.
Tips to Prevent Water Damage From Summer Storms
8/29/2022 (Permalink)
Regular maintenance is key to protecting your home from water damage
1. Keep trees trimmed
- Regularly trimming trees will prevent tree limbs from potentially damaging your roof during a storm with high winds or heavy rain.
2. Keep gutters clean
- Making sure your gutters are clear of debris year-round is essential to preventing major damage to your home.
- If gutters are full, water may not be able to flow away from your house causing water damage or mold.
3. Keep your sump pump in working order
- Checking on your sump pump regularly can prevent flooding during heavy rains.
4. Replace missing or damaged shingles
- During a storm with heavy rain, water will try hard to find a way into your home. In order to avoid the headache of a roof leak, check the integrity of your shingles.
5. Repair loose siding
- Just like shingles, loose or damaged siding can allow water to get into your home and potentially cause mold.
Following these basic home maintenance tips can help prevent damage from storms, however, things can still happen and if they do we are Here to Help.
The Importance of HVAC When Dealing With Fire, Smoke, and Soot
8/16/2022 (Permalink)
Air filter that caused a fire damage
Ventilation systems are often the biggest culprit in poor indoor air quality, however, the biggest culprit of fires is your furnace. In fact, according to FEMA, heating appliances were the second highest cause of residential building fires in 2014- specifically furnace flame rollout.
Flame rollout happens when flames escape and “roll” outside of the closed combustion area.
If those open flames come into contact with insulation or nearby flammable objects, you will be dealing with a dangerous house fire.
Flame rollout happens when there isn’t enough oxygen to “feed” your furnace. Your furnace needs a mixture of oxygen and fuel to create heat, but if there’s not enough ventilation to provide oxygen, the furnace flames will “roll out” in search of oxygen elsewhere.
Tips on how to keep your furnace safe from flame rollout include:
- Regularly check and change your air filter- A clogged air filter can cause a buildup of soot inside the flue (the tunnel where combustion gases exit outdoors). And when soot buildup blocks the flue, this also restricts your furnace’s oxygen supply.
- Check for obstructions in your furnace flue- Your furnace flue connects to the outside, so obstructions like a bird’s nest, leaves, or other debris are very likely and can prevent your furnace from getting oxygen.
- Install a rollout switch- These devices detect and shut off power to the furnace when the burner area exceeds normal and safe temperatures. This prevents rollout from happening in the first place.
- Schedule annual furnace maintenance- Annual maintenance allows our techs to spot any issues early on that could lead to flame rollout. We’ll make sure everything is working properly to avoid the abnormal situations that lead to flame rollout.
SERVPRO of Farmington and Farmington Hills will make recommendations about the best way to address any indoor air quality concerns. This can save you money and provide peace of mind on the health of your system.
It May Not Look Like Much, But The Clean-Up May Be Way Over Your Head
8/11/2022 (Permalink)
Water Damage in the storage room of a Commercial Building
A mop and common household cleaning products may not be enough for black water intrusions. SERVPRO of Farmington and Farmington Hills technicians are trained to safely clean and restore your customer's home, utilizing the following procedures:
-Identify the Source/Type of Water
-Measure Temperature and Humidity for Drying Analysis
-Survey the Extent of Damage and Inspect the Premises
-Perform Emergency Water Extraction
-Move and Block Furniture
-Provide Floor Service
-Inspect Carpet pad/Carpet and Provide Service
-Apply Necessary Treatments (Disinfectants/Deodorization)
-Utilize Drying Equipment and Monitor Drying
-Dispose of Debris
Emergency Mitigation means that under normal circumstances, SERVPRO technicians are on-site within four hours to begin drying and decontaminating your customer's home and restorable contents.
Abiding by OSHA guidelines and all applicable health regulations, SERVPRO technicians remove moisture, sewage, and contaminants, disinfecting and deodorizing as they safely clean your customer's home and restorable belongings.
We make it "Like it never even happened."
What to do About Mold in Your Attic
8/11/2022 (Permalink)
Before and after a mold clean-up in a Lake Orion attic
Any home or business attic can fall victim to mold if a source of water is present. All it takes is a small water leak or excess humidity for mold to form in your home or business attic. During Michigan’s rainy season leaky roofs are very common, however, the important thing is to not let them go unaddressed. Mold can spread throughout your property in as little as 48 hours, so it is imperative that you frequently check your attic for signs of moisture or a leak in your roof. Mold can produce allergies and irritants to not only humans but pets as well, so if you suspect an issue, have an odor, or see visible growth call SERVPRO of Farmington and Farmington Hills to inspect your attic.
The mold remediation process we use is quick and efficient to make sure we stop the spreading as soon as we can. Here is a breakdown of the steps we use during mold remediation:
- Connect with the home or business owner and their insurance company
- Inspection and mold damage assessment of the structure and belongings
- Mold Containment (to prevent spreading to unaffected areas)
- Air Filtration & HEPA Vacuuming
- Removal of mold and mold-infested materials
- Spraying area with Antimicrobial (which is safe for humans and animals)
- Cleaning the contents in the space
If you believe you have a mold issue, call the trained technicians of SERVPRO of Farmington and Farmington Hills at (248) 427-1500
24/7 Emergency Service