Since 2004, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has designated September as National Preparedness Month, an initiative launched in response to the tragic events of September 11, 2001. The goal is to raise awareness about the importance of being prepared for disasters and emergencies that can strike at any time.
For business owners, being proactive can make all the difference when unexpected events occur. Having a plan in place before disaster strikes can be the key to recovery rather than closure. Businesses that thrive after an emergency are often those that took the time to prepare in advance. That's where SERVPRO's Emergency Ready Plan (ERP) comes in. The ERP provides peace of mind for you, your employees, and your customers by ensuring that any disruption to your daily operations is minimized.
With our ERP, your business can significantly reduce interruptions by knowing exactly what steps to take and what to expect when disaster hits. This preparedness is vital for timely mitigation, helping to lessen the impact of water, fire, or other damages to your business.
Contact SERVPRO of Port Huron today for a no-cost assessment of your facility, 810-966-7900.
Disasters can happen at any time, and they can cause a lot of damage to your home or business. If you're unfortunate enough to experience a disaster, it's important to act quickly to prevent further damage.
Here are some tips on how to prevent further damage after a disaster:
Turn off the utilities. This will help to prevent further damage from water, gas, or electricity.
Secure your property. This includes boarding up windows and doors, and removing any loose debris.
Remove any standing water. This will help to prevent mold and mildew growth.
Ventilate the area. This will help to remove moisture and prevent mold and mildew growth.
Clean and disinfect any affected areas. This will help to prevent the spread of bacteria and other contaminants.
Contact a professional restoration company. If the damage is extensive, you may need to hire a professional restoration company to help you get your home or business back to normal.
SERVPRO of Port Huron is a trusted leader in damage restoration. We have over 20 years of experience and a proven track record of success. We're committed to providing our customers with the best possible service, and we'll do everything we can to get your property back to normal as quickly as possible.
If you've experienced a disaster, don't wait. Call SERVPRO of Port Huron today at 810-966-7900 to get started with the prevention process. We'll be there quickly to help you keep your property safe and prevent further damage.
Here are some additional tips for preventing further damage after a disaster:
Take pictures of the damage before you start cleaning up. This will help you document the damage and file an insurance claim.
Keep receipts for all of your expenses related to the disaster. This will help you get reimbursed by your insurance company.
Be patient. It may take some time to get your property back to normal.
By following these tips, you can help to prevent further damage after a disaster and get your home or business back to normal as quickly as possible.
Contact SERVPRO of Port Huron today at 810-966-7900 to learn more about our prevention services.
Owning your own home can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be expensive. Not only do you have to constantly maintain your home, but there are risks you can't control, such as flooding and fire. For this reason, if you own a home, you need homeowners insurance, which will cover some or all costs of covered disasters. To better protect your home, check out these four insurance terms you need to know.
1) Peril A peril is anything that could risk damage to your home, and it's one of the main reasons to have homeowners insurance because the insurance company may pay some or all repairmen/replacement costs. Not all perils are included in most homeowners insurance policies. In general, however, they cover the most common types of perils, such as theft or fire.
If you live in an area with frequent flooding, you may be able to purchase additional insurance to protect against flood damage. Most general policies exclude flood damage unless the damage was sudden and unexpected, such as a new washing machine that fails and floods your laundry room.
2) Catastrophe Flood insurance is actually a type of catastrophe insurance. A catastrophe is a disaster (man-made or natural) that causes significant damage. It can be one major event or a handful of events that devastate your property. Catastrophes are not usually covered under your standard insurance policy, but they may be necessary if you live in an area with lots of earthquakes, flooding, tornadoes or hurricanes.
Catastrophe insurance comes in many forms. If you really want to protect everything you own from flooding or terrorist attacks, you can get a policy that will cover the property and everything inside. For a cheaper premium, however, you can also choose a policy that only covers the house and nothing inside.
3) Actual Cash Value When your insurance carrier reimburses you, they may give you the actual cash value (sometimes referred to as market value). This will provide money to repair or replace the damage after considering depreciation. For example, if your deck is destroyed, but it was getting old anyway, the insurance carrier will take the age into account. In other words, they may not give you enough to actually cover the total replacement.
If the deck was brand new, however, there is less depreciation, so you may not have to pay any out-of-pocket expenses. In this case, the insurance carrier would give you the replacement value. Regardless of what type of coverage you have, however, they will only provide money for similar materials and quality. You can't have the insurance carrier replace your damaged asphalt roof with a tile shingle roof.
4) Exclusion Every insurance policy has exclusions. Exclusions are disasters and instances when the insurance carrier will not reimburse you. Exclusions usually include any damage that was related to maintenance issues or damage that was easy to control. Even if you take great care of your home, parts need to be replaced. Insurance will not cover these routine repairs.
In most cases, the policy will have an actual section detailing all the exclusions (all-risk policies), so you can immediacy know what is and what is not covered. A peril-specific policy, which only covers a handful of disasters, will list what is covered. Anything else is considered an exclusion.
Don't gamble with your property by neglecting to purchase or have enough homeowners insurance. It can be the difference between losing your home and repairing it after a disaster.
Mold remediation is a process in which we take very seriously. Here is a look at our step-by-step process that we take.
It begins with initial contact from a customer requiring emergency services.
An assessment of damage and inspection is required.
Next, we take control of the mold so it doesn't spread.
Then air scrubbers are used to further stop the spread.
Removal of mold and infested materials is a priority.
We clean any belongings affected by the mold.
And lastly, we restore anything that has been damaged from the mold infestation.
Mold is not something you should just set aside and deal with later. If you think you have mold in your home or business call SERVPRO of Port Huron today.
Spontaneous Combustion From Improper Grease Rag Disposal
Did you know that a grease rag thrown into a waste basket can catch on fire?
"Spontaneous combustion of oily rags occurs when rag or cloth is slowly heated to its ignition point through oxidation. A substance will begin to release heat as it oxidizes. If this heat has no way to escape, like in a pile, the temperature will rise to a level high enough to ignite the oil and ignite the rag or cloth"
Fires that ignite in this manner can spread quickly to other combustibles and cause great loss.
To prevent this from happening, you need to dispose of the rags in a metal container with a proper sealing lid. Fill the container with water and close the lid. This step prevents the oils from oxidizing.
If your home or business has a fire, call SERVPRO of Port Huron today!
When disaster strikes your business, having a plan in place ahead of time for what you will do can make all the difference in whether your business survives the event. The majority of businesses that come out stronger on the other side of an emergency are the ones that pre-planned for one. That’s where SERVPRO’s Emergency Ready Plan (ERP) can help give you, your employees and customers peace of mind. You can trust that whatever might happen to disrupt daily business will only be temporary. With our Emergency Ready Plan, your business will be able to minimize interruption because you’ll know what to do and what to expect if any-sized disaster strikes. This is important to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business.
Top Benefits to Having The Carpets in your Business Professionally Cleaned
Clean carpet is essential in your home. Your carpet can trap many things that can be toxic. Contact us at 810-966-7900 to schedule a cleaning today.
You likely schedule daily or weekly office cleaning service to keep your business tidy. However, even with regular sweeping and vacuuming, your carpets can accumulate stains. To ensure your office is presentable, SERVPRO of Port Huron offers expert carpet cleaning service, including spot removal and upholstery stain removal, to get rid of stains that sweeping and vacuuming miss. We also offer dry cleaning service for areas where color-fastness is crucial. Below, we reveal some of the most valuable benefits of regularly having your carpets professionally cleaned.
4 Reasons to Schedule Commercial Carpet Cleaning Services
1. To Improve Air Quality
Carpeting collects a wide variety of air contaminants, including dust, pollen, mold spores, and bacteria, that can cause allergy symptoms and exacerbate asthma and other respiratory problems. If not removed, these particles could end up back in the air you and your employees breathe, resulting in a lot of downtime and loss of productivity.
2. To Remove Stubborn Stains
Some stains are extremely persistent and cannot be removed without professional attention. For stubborn, unsightly carpet blemishes, contact the experts at SERVPRO of Port Huron for help. We use powerful cleansers and state-of-the-art techniques and equipment to remove even set-in soils and spatter.
3. To Look Professional
Carpet stains simply don't look professional, and if you invite clients into your offices, they could well be turned off by the dirty, grimy appearance. Moreover, even if your customers never enter your premises, the untreated stains could signal that sloppy work or carelessness is acceptable. To avoid sending that type of message, contact a professional carpet cleaning service.
4. To Extend Carpet Life
Deep-down dirt and grime can damage carpet fibers and cause the rug to wear out more quickly than it should. Regular carpet cleaning removes contaminants that cause damage and discoloration and extends the useful life of your office carpeting.
Commercial carpet cleaning offers some important benefits for your business. To schedule service, contact SERVPRO of Port Huron. We also specialize in water extraction and mold remediation, and offer 24/7 emergency services. Call 810-966-7900 to request a quote.
Have you noticed an earthy or musty smell in your bathroom lately, even after giving it a good cleaning? Don’t ignore this crucial sign of a potential water leak. Keep looking for the hidden water leak, from inside your cabinets to behind your faucet, until you find the source.
Mildew or Mold
Mold thrives in moist, dark areas. Pipes, which are typically hidden in a wall or under flooring, provide the perfect breeding ground.
Damaged Paint or Wallpaper
If you see blistering paint or water stains on your walls, you could have a leak in the bathroom. Pay attention to the floorboards as well, when wet they tend to suck up the moisture and swell.
Damaged Walls
Another sign of a hidden bathroom leak is wall damage. When drywall is exposed to moisture, it becomes soft and begins to bubble. Eventually, it will warp and break into pieces.
Wetness in the Cabinet
Finding water or moisture in your cabinets is a sign of a hidden leak. It might be an easy fix, like tightening a nut, but it could also be a sign a valve needs replacing.
Damaged Flooring
If your bathroom floor is buckling, cracking, or beginning to stain—and you didn’t let the bathtub overflow—odds are you have a leak. The water could be from a pipe directly underneath the floor, or it could have traveled there from another area.
Rocking Toilet
A toilet shouldn’t wobble. If it starts to move when you sit down its likely the wax ring that keeps a water-tight seal between the base and the pipe below is worn. This will eventually lead to wastewater coming out under the toilet and an obviously foul smell.
Faucet
If the bathroom faucet is loose in your hand, it can allow water to seep into the gaps. To fix the issue, it might be as easy as applying new caulking to make it water-tight again.
Stains on Ceilings
If you have a bathroom on a second floor, check the patch of ceiling in the room directly beneath it for stains and signs of water damage. However, because water can travel a long distance, it's possible to find water stains on the ceiling further away.
SERVPRO professionals responded to a fire claim at a local laundromat. A customer of the business washed and dried a "dry clean" only garment causing the clothes to catch fire inside of the dryer. When the dryer was opened, black smoke entered the room staining the walls and leaving behind an overwhelming smoke odor. First the source of the fire (the dryer) was removed and then specialized equipment was set up to remove smoke and soot from the ceilings, walls, and other surfaces. Next our technicians cleaned all of the restorable items and structure that was damaged, to there pre-fire condition. The smell was removed using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment. After everything had been cleaned and sanitized a fresh coat of paint was added to the entire store.
Improves the Overall Health of Employees and Clients.
SERVPRO of Port Huron Professionals offer a wide variety of cleaning services for your business.
Biohazard
Carpet and Upholstery
Ceilings, Floors, and Walls
Document Restoration
Drapes and Blinds
Odor Removal
Sewage
Trauma and Crime Scene
Vandalism
Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned
Our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned defensive cleaning program gives your business a way forward to provide your employees and customers ongoing safety as you operate after the COVID-19 pandemic. As America’s #1 cleanup and restoration brand, we have developed a program that is grounded in our 3 C’s – Consult, Clean and Certify.
Shutting down your business because of a disaster can really put you in the negative. That is why SERVPRO of Port Huron has specially trained professionals who will arrive on site within hours and minimize the disruption to you and your customers.
Let SERVPRO of Port Huron help with any fire, water and mold needs you have.
Small office buildings
Large office/High rise buildings
Apartment Buildings
Restaurants
Hotel/Motels
Small Retail Stores
Large retail/Big Box-Stores
High Rise Residential
Manufacturing and Industrial
Government/Military
If your business has not been affected by a catastrophic event and you simply just need some deep cleaning done in those hard to reach areas we have a specialized team for that as well.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the definition of clean and has 89% of consumers nervous about returning to the retail world.
SERVPRO cleaning specialist in Flint, recommends paying attention to four key things as businesses reopen.
1. Look for "signs" of clean
When you first walk into the building you should immediately look for signs that the space has been cleaned recently. A clean space will be free of visible dirt and trash. Fingerprints in high traffic areas are a good sign that cleaning is not high priority. Standalone sanitation stations are a good sign that disinfecting is a priority. Many businesses are also hanging signage to remind guests to use proper social distancing protocols.
2. What adjustments have staff made?
Everyone has a responsibility to stop the spread of coronavirus. The staff of retail businesses, restaurants, or community centers should be properly trained in CDC-approved cleaning methods. If employees are not using proper techniques or products, it might be due to a lack of proper training. Look for staff who are wearing gloves and masks and are practicing safe distancing when interacting with customers.
3. What adjustment has the business made to the physical space?
Many businesses and facilities have made physical changed to their buildings to help reduce the risk of spreading illness. The business may adjust to traffic flow of patrons to prevent congested areas. Contactless point-of-sale are becoming more common, and many businesses are constructing barriers between employees and guests. Some have even added markers on the floor to indicate the safe 6-feet distance. One good way to help prevent the spread of infection is to reduce the number of touch points, such as propping doors open and opening windows to increase airflow. Some of the businesses are going a step further and reducing the number of customers allowed inside the space at one time.
4. Does it look like " business as usual?"
in the same way that the country changed following 9/11, what we once knew as "normal" may change forever. If a facility is still operating gin the way it did before the coronavirus pandemic, there is a good chance the managers or staff are not taking the illness seriously and are not prioritizing the health of their employees and guests. many have reduced there hours of operation or offered times when they are open only for at-risk individuals, such as senior citizens or those who are immune-compromised. Before stepping out of your door, check the company's social media pages or their website for communications about their hours and the steps they are taking to protect patrons. These locations should be following federal, state, and local mandates with regard to safety.
Reopening America requires all of us to move forward together by practicing social distancing and other daily habits to help reduce the risk of exposure to the coronavirus.
SERVPRO specializes in disaster restoration, cleanup, and repair services, helping to remediate damage, making it "Like it never even happened," for both commercial and residential customers.
Does your business need a deep cleaning now that winter has come to an end? Let SERVPRO of Port Huron take care of your dust bunnies and dirty carpet, leaving you with more time to enjoy this beautiful warm weather.
You don’t have time to worry about the common wear and tear that gradually soils your office. When grime, odor, and moisture challenges go beyond the scope of your regular janitorial staff, call SERVPRO of Port Huron. Whether it’s removing an odor problem or deep cleaning flooring or carpets, you can rely on SERVPRO of Port Huron to make your workspace look its very best.
SERVPRO of Port Huron will get the job done right and get it done quickly, because the SERVPRO Advantage includes these benefits:
Award-winning training
Over 40 years’ experience in the industry
More than 100 exclusive cleaning products
When your business needs more than an "everyday" clean, Call SERVPRO of Port Huron
We know we're headed back to some type of new normal - are you ready? Is your business ready? SERVPRO of Port Huron can help get you there.
Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned
Our 3 C's........
Consult: Not all businesses are the same, so we’ll tailor a bespoke cleaning program based on the unique needs of each facility.
Clean: Based on the agreed plan, an expert deep clean is initiated using our proprietary EPA-Approved Hospital-Grade cleaning solutions and always adhering to the leading level of cleaning and decontamination standards set by the CDC.
Certify: You’ll know a business is Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned by the shield posted on their front window. Along with digital emblems and other collateral, this beacon represents their commitment to the comfort and security of their employees, customers and community.
Any type of disaster at a medical facility needs to be handled with extreme care and caution, especially when it comes to handling medical waste. The team at SERVPRO of Port Huron has specialized training for both small medical facilities and large hospital losses.
We understand that time is precious to both you and your patients. With the help of SERVPRO of Port Huron, you will be back to helping your patients quicker and with ease knowing that every health guideline was followed and every standard was met.
24/7 Emergency Service
Is your business prepared?