We are the Fire Damage Restoration Professionals

7/23/2022 (Permalink)

The fire trucks may be gone but without proper immediate response, the real damage and the costs are just beginning. To return your residential or commercial property to its preloss condition requires professional restoration. This is not the job for a do-it-yourself property owner.

For results you can have confidence in, the IICRC recommends hiring a certified restoration firm. Restoration to a property can be complex. Proper smoke and odor removal are tasks that require technicians certified in these specific areas.

When selecting a certified restoration firm several factors must be considered:

• Formal and up-to-date specialized training
• Health and safety certifications
• Experience in a wide range of restoration projects
• Proof of proper insurance and licenses

SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo has all of the above. Call us today!

Do You Know How To Fix A Leaky Sink?

6/28/2022 (Permalink)

So give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and are ready to get you back to "Like it never even happened."

Contact SERVPRO Right Away If Your Water Heater Needs Repair

6/17/2022 (Permalink)

Water Heater Repairs & Water Damage Cleanup

Wet spots on the floor or a rusted tank may signal a problem. Your hot-water heater could have a leak or a busted valve. If you are having a problem with your hot-water heater, contact a qualified plumbing contractor right away.

Once you have called a plumbing contractor then contact SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo to provide an inspection utilizing advanced technical equipment. Upon inspection if damages are determined SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo will address the water damage and provide a full repair service estimate. SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo has a 24 hour emergency service team that is highly trained and ready to help you at your home or business. Contact SERVPRO today!

We are faster to any disaster and we will make it "Like it never even happened."

Water Damage In Your Kitchen Can Really Slow You Down

6/3/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO was called out to assess water damage at a home. It was discovered that a refrigerator had a leak from a water supply line to the ice maker.  This led to a slow leak that went for days without being found. Upon arrival of the SERVPRO professional, it was determined that the beautiful hardwood floor was beyond repair. 

In the photo you can see that the floor has buckling. SERVPRO worked with the home owner and adjuster to develop an action plan to mitigate the damage.  In this case, it required the affected hardwood flooring to be tore out and replaced with new. It also required that all continuous hardwood flooring be sanded and refinished.

The water damage started in the kitchen but because it was not discovered right away it affected room underneath the kitchen. There was drywall and cabinets that were affected. SERVPRO brought in fans and dehumidifiers to dry the structure. If you have water damage,  call SERVPRO as we have trained professionals to handle this type of loss. 

We are faster to any disaster and ready to help get things back to "Like it never even happened."

For Proactive Cleaning - Call SERVPRO!

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.

Specialized Training

We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:

• Kitchen/Food Areas
• Bathrooms
• Schools/Classrooms
• Offices
• Retail Spaces
• Water Fountains
• Shelving/Racks
• Sales Counters
• Carpets and Rugs
• Stair Handrails
• Elevator Cars
• Playground Equipment
• Fitness Equipment

Specialized Products

The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.

Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning

If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts at SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo at 269-342-2911.

SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo Does What It Takes To Get Your Home Back To Preloss Condition After A Fire

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

A fire can be devastating to your home or business. After the fire trucks leave, your property will likely suffer from not only fire and smoke damage, but also widespread water damage and flooding from firefighting efforts. SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo has specialized fire and water damage restoration training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home to pre-fire condition. They also can remove the pervasive smoke odor and deep-clean soot from upholstery and carpet.

Board-ups - In some cases firefighters may break windows and cut holes in the roof in order to vent the fire. It is extremely important to secure openings to your home or structure using sturdy, durable materials designed to protect it from both weather intrusion and intrusion by outsiders.

Types of Fire/Smoke/Soot

Wet Smoke – Plastics and Synthetics; Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood; Fast burning, high temperatures, dry, powdery, non-smeary residues.

Protein – Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.

Fuel Oil Soot – Furnace Puff Backs. Other Types – Tear gas, fingerprint powder and fire extinguisher residue.

What to do after a fire:

• Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
• Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
• Clean and protect chrome with light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
• Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.

What NOT to do after a fire:

• Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo.
• Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
• Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat or water.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged.
• Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may damage garment further.

SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo has what it takes to restore your home back to pre loss condition.

When It Comes To Flooding - Why Pick SERVPRO!

3/29/2022 (Permalink)

Although no one can stop the rains, there are ways to limit flooding in your home. Overland flooding or backups due to overwhelmed storm sewage systems are but two of the sources of floodwaters in the lower levels of your home. Regardless of the source of the water, we have the technicians and the equipment to help you recover.

Even though the water causing flood damage to your home may be drawing your eyes down as it seeps into the foundation or lower levels, the problem often is at the roofline. Clogged gutters and damaged downspouts cause water to pound down near the perimeter of your home, saturating the soil and ultimately invading through the slab, poured, or cinder block foundation. We can respond to and restore the damage but expect suggestions from our managers or production crew to minimize or even eliminate future flooding.

The grading and landscaping around your home can also contribute to the seepage of floodwaters into the foundation. Over time even correctly graded ground can erode and shift, encouraging rainwater to drain into your home rather than away from it. SERVPRO crews also see scenarios where plantings surrounding your home contribute to excess water moving into the porous materials making up the base and protecting the lower levels of your house. Irrigation systems or merely an overdone watering of foundation gardens have the unhappy result of a wet home.

SERVPRO evaluates the characteristics of the water flooding into your home to determine whether it needs to be contained and disposed of according to local regulations. The sooner you get our team to your home the more likely that the water checks out as Category 1. If the soil around your home is loose, dirt particles can flow in with the water. Lawn chemicals, fertilizers, and even pet wastes can taint the water, requiring careful handling. Gutter overflow can also contain bird and animal waste and mold, threatening the flooded area with microbial growth if not disinfected and dried out after the flood water evacuates.

Submersible pumps and water extractors pull most of the flood water out of your home. If Category 1 we can drain it outside, but take care to deposit far from the house to prevent it from flooding again. We use moisture meters and infrared scanners to locate hidden pockets of moisture and to set a baseline for drying goals. SERVPRO crews position air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers to dry out the affected space. The moisture numbers are monitored to ensure we achieve standard levels.

Dealing With Backed-Up Sewage Is A Job For SERVPRO

3/19/2022 (Permalink)

If you’re like most homeowners, when faced with a task or question you probably head to the internet for answers…that’s how you found this article! And if you’re dealing with backed-up sewage, it only takes a few seconds of searching to find hundreds of articles describing how to clean-up sewage.

It goes like this:

** Put on some rubber gloves

** Scoop out the waste

** Take some water and bleach solution and apply it to the affected areas

** Let it dry

Most articles will throw out a warning saying “if you’re not sure whether you can do it, or don’t have the proper equipment, it is best to call a professional.” That’s where you would call SERVPRO.

We’d like to throw out another warning!

Cleaning up raw sewage on your own is something you should never do! 

Here’s why:

#1 – It can be hidden. – Any SERVPRO crew member can tell you stories about customers that decided to clean-up their own feces only to call in weeks or months later complaining about smells and disfigured walls, cabinets, and floors. Sewage will find its way into any and all porous surfaces. Even things like drywall and cabinetry aren’t safe. And it’s not as simple as just spotting the sewage with your eyes. It requires state of the art equipment, which SERVPRO has, to identify areas that have been damaged by sewage. So unless you have an infrared detection system handy and know how to use it, call SERVPRO.

#2 – It can be costly. – Times are difficult for everyone and money is tight. It’s easy to justify doing it yourself instead of paying to have SERVPRO  clean and disinfect for you. But today’s shortcut is tomorrow’s nightmare! Again, you’re dealing with a toxic situation that if not handled properly can create very real health dangers for you and your family. Not only that, if not properly mitigated, you could be looking at a serious mold issue in the not so distant future on top of all of the other issues described above. And if you think sewage cleanup is costly, wait until you’re stuck with a bill for mold remediation services! At least your sewage clean-up is covered by insurance…that’s not typically the case if you’ve got mold and it’s the result of you not taking appropriate measures when dealing with the sewage issue that created the mold!

So, if you’ve stumbled upon this article due to a sewage back-up that’s spilled into your home or office, do yourself a favor and call us, SERVPRO. Our technicians are certified to perform raw sewage cleanup and can provide you with peace of mind knowing the area affected is professionally cleaned.

Locally Owned Company with Valuable Resources

As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo is strategically located to respond quickly to your water damage emergency and your mold cleanup. When there is mold in a home or business, we have the resources and personnel to help get your home or business back together.

Your Carpets Deserve To Be Cleaned Professionally!

3/19/2022 (Permalink)

The Importance of Hiring Professional Carpet Cleaners

Professional carpet cleaners are the only people who should be trusted to do the job. Anyone with less experience or certification will likely not do the job correctly. And their carelessness could end up costing a lot more in the end. 

Carpeting is typically one of the most long-term investments in the home. Most people associate high-cost flooring with tile, marble or hardwood, but carpet can carry a high price tag as well. There are various fibers and matting to choose from, as well as the padding beneath it. When it’s all said and done, it can cost just as much if not more than some other options. Once that investment is installed, great care should be taken to keep it in the best condition possible. This will mean regular vacuuming in high-traffic areas and regular maintenance from professional carpet cleaners.

Why should someone always hire professional carpet cleaners?

Professionally trained technicians have certification in all types of fibers and construction, so they know which products and equipment to use and how to employ them properly. The technician can assess the area for any spot treatment that may be necessary and will know which tools and specialized products to use. They will also be aware of the correct methods to complete the job effectively. Technicians will also inform the customer of ways that they can prolong the life of their carpeting and how to properly treat spills and accidents should they occur.

What can happen if someone doesn't use professional carpet cleaners?

A lot of damage can occur if a certified technician or firm is not hired to do the job. They can over-saturate the fibers and promote an environment that may foster mold and other microbial growth in time. If using improper equipment, the fibers can be damaged, which would result in replacement being required much sooner. If the wrong cleansing agents are used, or they are not properly rinsed out, they may damage the fibers or make future soil adhere quicker, which will require cleaning more often than would otherwise be necessary.  

What should a customer expect when they hire professional carpet cleaners?

Upon arrival, the technician will assess the carpeting. Once that is complete, the process can begin. First they will vacuum the floor during a process called dry soil removal. This removes any loose items in the flooring. Then soil suspension and extraction will take place. The technician uses a preconditioning agent that is mixed to separate the soil from the fibers. Various methods are employed to extract the soil from the flooring. Grooming may also be done to improve the fiber piles, matting, and to equally disperse protectors or conditioning agents. Then the drying process can begin. Carpets that have been professionally cleaned should be dry in less than 24 hours. Homeowners can assist in this process by ensuring the right temperature is maintained, and there is adequate ventilation. 

When hiring a carpet cleaning technician, make sure that they have received their certification through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). The IICRC is a globally-recognized organization that is the leader in certifying technicians and firms in the restoration, cleaning and inspection industry.

Locally Owned Company with Valuable Resources

As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo is strategically located to respond quickly to your water damage emergency and your mold cleanup. When there is mold in a home or business, we have the resources and personnel to help get your home or business back together. Call us today!

SERVPRO Has Various Methods Of Repairing And Restoring Damage Caused By Storms

3/14/2022 (Permalink)

We have many methods of repairing and restoring damage caused by storms, such as seepage, leaks, dampness, or flooding. The work done by our professionals goes way beyond simply cleaning up. It begins with water removal and ends with ensuring that your home is protected from further damage.

Here’s a brief look at what procedures are involved in our water restoration services:

• Water Removal:The restoration process begins with pumping out excess water.
• Deodorization:Foul odors can be eliminated by applying techniques such as ozone treatment, crystals, dry fogging, and wet fogging. The materials and equipment for these techniques are only available to professional water restoration service companies.
• Mold and Mildew Removal:To achieve long-term results, this procedure must be performed by an expert restoration services provider. Using scientific technology, technicians can kill and remove developing mold and mildew.
• Drying and Dehumidifying:These processes are necessary to remove moisture in the air and on walls, floors etc.
• Content Restoration:This procedure involves cleaning, deodorizing and disinfecting clothing, draperies, furnishings, beds, mattresses, carpets, sofas etc. These items can be successfully restored, but prompt action must be taken because harmful microbes, mildew and mold grow very fast in a damp environment.
• Decontamination:Water restoration services also decontaminate and clean any items that are restorable, and dispose of those that are not.

SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo will respond quickly to your water damage emergency.  24/7 - (269) 342-2911

SERVPRO Is Here When The Fire Is Out

3/14/2022 (Permalink)

A fire can be devastating to your home or business. After the fire trucks leave, your property will likely suffer from not only fire and smoke damage, but also widespread water damage and flooding from firefighting efforts. SERVPRO of has specialized fire and water damage restoration training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home to pre-fire condition. They also can remove the pervasive smoke odor and deep-clean soot from upholstery and carpet.

Board-ups - In some cases firefighters may break windows and cut holes in the roof in order to vent the fire. It is extremely important to secure openings to your home or structure using sturdy, durable materials designed to protect it from both weather intrusion and intrusion by outsiders.

Types of Fire/Smoke/Soot

Wet Smoke – Plastics and Synthetics; Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood; Fast burning, high temperatures, dry, powdery, non-smeary residues.

Protein – Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.

Fuel Oil Soot – Furnace Puff Backs. Other Types – Tear gas, fingerprint powder and fire extinguisher residue.

What to do after a fire:

• Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
• Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
• Clean and protect chrome with light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
• Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.

What NOT to do after a fire:

• Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting SERVPRO.
• Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
• Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat or water.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged.
• Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may damage garment further.

SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo has what it takes to restore your home back to pre loss condition.

When It Comes To Mold - You Need To Call SERVPRO!

2/7/2022 (Permalink)

For more mold do's and don’ts, contact our trusted mold removal professionals at SERVPRO West Kalamazoo County today.

Why SERVPRO when it comes to mold!

Even if you are a clean person, that doesn’t guarantee that you won’t have an issue with mold.Unfortunately, mold, like bed bugs, doesn’t care about your level of cleanliness, level of income, or where you went to college. Anyone can have a mold problem in their home or business at any time.

The scary thing is that mold can be growing for quite a while before it becomes noticeable, your professional at SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo County has compiled this handy list of some do's and don’ts you should follow when it comes to mold removal:

24/7 support - (269)-342-2911

Do:

• Examine your home or business regularly. Most types of mold share some obvious warning signs. For example, a musty smell in a damp basement usually means there’s mold around. Black, gray, brown, or even white clusters of mold on walls, carpeting or flooring are easy to spot with the naked eye. Be observant about your home and check it regularly for mold.
• Call us 24/7 - (269) 342-2911 A professional can determine which type of mold you might have, where it originates from, and how to safely perform mold removal.

Don’t:

• Try the DIY approach. Because some molds are toxic to pets and humans, it’s not safe to tackle this problem on your own. The money you think you might save by DIY-ing this isn’t worth your health.
• Wait. Mold can grow quickly and can be dangerous. If you suspect a problem, call it in ASAP!
• Make the mold feel unwelcome. Mold likes the darkness and warm, moist air. Don’t roll out the red carpet with their favorite things! Fix the leaks, install dehumidifiers and don’t ignore the warning signs of more mold growth.

For more mold do's and don’ts, contact our trusted mold removal professionals at SERVPRO West Kalamazoo County today.

Water Damage Knows No Limits On Destruction

1/5/2022 (Permalink)

If a flood occurs and affects you, call SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo. Even minor floods have potential to cause major damage.

Floods are one of the most common and widespread natural disasters in the United States.

There is always potential for flood damage no matter where you live. According to the American Red Cross floods cause more damage in the United States every year than any other weather related disaster. The American Red Cross offers these flood safety tips:

-Stay away from floodwaters. If you come up on a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.

-If you approach a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are riding rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.

-Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water. 

If a flood occurs and affects you, call SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo. Even minor floods have potential to cause major damage.

We are faster to ANY size disaster. Let us help you get your life back in order. 

SERVPRO Storm Restoration Can Help Salvage Most Of Your Items In Your Home (Part 1 of 2)

1/5/2022 (Permalink)

Note that ice damage, hurricane damage, roof damage, flood water damage and hail damage all have different methods of water restoration.

Ice damage, hail damage, storm damage, hurricane damage, flooding and wind damage all have the potential to cause far-reaching damage when they strike. However, not all is lost. Storm restoration can help salvage most of the items in a house. Homeowners count their losses too quick before engaging the services of storm restoration experts.

The services of home restoration can be enlisted for damages such as river flooding, hail damage, flood water damage, ground water damage, ice damage, flooding, hurricane damage and wind damage. No calamity is too big or small for them. In light of the recent storm damages that have rocked the country, it is prudent for homeowners to have contacts of water restoration experts on storm remediation.

It is important to know the effects of harsh weather so that homeowners understand the need for storm remediation. Wind damage, for instance, can cause heavy roof damage. Roof damage is mainly from loose tiles or shingles. Wind damage after winter can also cause moisture from ice damming or formation of ice dams to sip through the roof. Homes with wooden roofs can experience wood swelling. This leads to further roof damage necessitating immediate repair.

Ice damming and ice dams should be professionally handled because of the risk they pose. A simple leak can advance into a huge crack. It is ill-advised to stay long before conducting roof repair. Ice damming also exert weight on the roof. The ice dam pools should not be left to stay on the roof for too long.

There are various strategies that homeowners can take as measures of storm remediation. For instance, those who live in areas more prone to winter damage or wind damage can consider installing roofs with a higher slope. This goes a long way in reducing the cost of regular roof leak repairs. It also minimizes roof leaks.

Postponing roof repair especially from ice dams and ice damming only leads to more costs. A simple roof leak repair can turn into a roof replacement if not handled immediately. It is also crucial to conduct roof inspection, especially after a storm warning. This minimizes the costs to be incurred in roof repair after the storm damage happens. A roof inspection will identify all the damaged places, and the roof repair will be handled in time. All roof leaks are also sealed to ensure that the roof is able to withstand the coming weather damage.

Ask The Experts: Should I Postpone Fixing A Leaky Sink?

1/4/2022 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO today! We are faster to any disaster and we are ready to put our experience to work for you

Everyone has days where they are excessively busy and cannot seem to get a moment to themselves, but the last thing you want to do is to ignore the threat of water damage inside of your home. Leaving a leaking pipe underneath your bathroom sink can eventually cause water damage. Continually forgetting to fix it, and then putting it off when you do remember, can also cause further complications, such as mold and rot. The best thing to do for your home when you find a leak is to fix it immediately. Doing so leaves less room for damage to occur.

Accidents happen, and it is essential that upon discovering water damage inside your home, you take action as soon as possible. Turning off the water in your home so the pipe can no longer leak is the first step. Additionally, calling a professional immediately allows for a smoother remediation process, as water damage is often time-sensitive.

When you call SERVPRO, we always prioritize arriving at your home quickly. From the moment our team receives your call, we begin to organize our team to send your way. Our Estimator can go through the initial inspection with you and explain potential solutions until the rest of our team gets there. Once there, our team begins to work right away.

SERVPRO’s IICRC-certified technicians can bring advanced tools with them to address the water damage in your bathroom. Our goal is to decrease the moisture levels inside to an acceptable amount and to dry out the cupboard under your sink, which has been continually absorbing water. Additionally, we can check for any signs of further damage.

SERVPRO can set up tools such as desiccant dehumidifiers and air movers to draw out moisture and get air flowing. Additionally, we can also set up axial fans to help the process. Using these tools creates an environment that is ideal for evaporation to occur, which is what allows your washroom to dry.

Should your home suffer water damage, always call for help as quickly as possible. Reach out to SERVPRO. It's our goal to return your home to its pre-damaged state.

So call us today! We are faster to any disaster and we are ready to put our experience to work for you! 

Don't Let Sewage Back Up Happen To You!

1/4/2022 (Permalink)

If you're not sure if it's contaminated water please call SERVPRO to check it out instead of inspecting it yourself. Call today 269-342-2366

Water Damage From Contaminated Water 

Sewage back ups can happen to anyone! Here are a few Do's and Don'ts to keep you safe until SERVPRO can get there to assist you with cleanup.  DO:

• Avoid all contact with sewage and items contaminated from sewage.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after contact with contaminated items.

DON’T:

• Spread contaminated water by walking unnecessarily on damaged or wet areas.
• Turn on the HVAC system if there is a possibility of spreading contaminated air.
• Use household fans to dry the structure and spread contaminants.
• Use products for personal hygiene and cleanliness if exposed to the contaminated areas.

Toilets are not the only source of a sewage back up, back ups can also happen in bath tubs and drains in the basement. If you're not sure if it's contaminated water please call SERVPRO to check it out instead of inspecting it yourself. Call today 269-342-2366

When Was The Last Time Your Business Has Had Their Carpet Cleaned?

12/30/2021 (Permalink)

Need Carpet or Upholstery Cleaning? Call Today – (269)-342-2911

It is a good rule-of-thumb to have your carpets professionally cleaned at least once or twice a year. How often you get them cleaned is going to depend on the color, traffic, and soil build-up of your carpets.

Carpets are known to trap dust, dirt, gasses, pet hair, and other soils. We recommend that don’t wait till your carpet looks really dirty before cleaning. Since the dirt builds up in layers, you don’t want the dirt hiding below the surface to become lodged and damage your carpet. SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo offers multiple cleaning options that fit your upholstery or carpet in your business. Some of our specialized cleaning methods include:

• Bonnet Cleaning: A less aggressive method for short piled carpets.

• Hot Water Extraction: A deeper cleaning method for all carpet types.

• Deluxe Precondition and Rinse: Helps restore deeply soiled areas.

• Showcase Premier Cleaning: The most thorough cleaning method in the industry.

• Dry Cleaning: When color-fastness is an issue.

Need Carpet or Upholstery Cleaning?
Call Today – (269)-342-2911

If Your Business Gets Hit By Vandalism - Check Out What To Do and Don't!

12/30/2021 (Permalink)

If you ever encounter an act of vandalism to your home or building, call SERVPRO right away to help!

SERVPRO Professionals are recognized as leaders at helping property owners quickly recover from fire and water damage. They also provide general cleaning and deodorization services for situations resulting from vandalism including graffiti, egg, spoiled foods and human or animal waste.

If you ever encounter an act of vandalism to your home or building, here are some tips on what to do until SERVPRO arrives:

DO:    

• Hose or wash egg damage from building exterior as soon as possible.    
• Blot freshly spilled food from carpets and fabrics with a dampened cloth or sponge (but don’t over wet). Scrape and blot (don’t rub: it may damage fibers).
• Carefully vacuum glass particles from carpets and upholstery     Save containers, which reveal the composition of spilled inks, cosmetics and paints. 
• Record all damage and photograph when possible.

DON’T:  

• Attempt to remove ink, paint or cosmetic stains.  
• Operate damaged lamps or appliances.   
• Discard wood chips, broken pieces from furniture, porcelain or other art objects.

SERVPRO Storm Restoration Can Help Salvage Most Of Your Items In Your Home (Part 2 of 2)

12/30/2021 (Permalink)

Note that ice damage, hurricane damage, roof damage, flood water damage and hail damage all have different methods of water restoration.

Hurricane damage, flood water damage, hail damage, wind damage, ice damage, storm damage and river flooding experts are trained to handle such harsh weather conditions. The water restoration arrive at the scene of the damage immediately. Water restoration efforts must be done promptly so as to prevent further damage. These activities are done after an assessment of the extent of flooding, ground water levels, and the flood water. An assessment is what informs their actions to deal with the storm damage, ground water, and flooding.

It is important to note that ice damage, hurricane damage, roof damage, flood water damage and hail damage all have different methods of water restoration and storm remediation. The team, therefore, needs to come up with the right storm restoration strategy based on the type of damage at hand.

Homeowners need to explain the type of damage so that the home restoration experts can come with the right tools and gear to carry out storm remediation. One such tool is a flood pump. These flood pumps are used to drain water after a flooding or water damage. A flood pump can also work automatically. It can be left in a room to drain the ground water. The pumps are able to handle the ground water even as it rises. Commercial flood pumps are also available to deal with massive flood water situations such as river flooding. In a home application, the flood pumps can be used with vacuums.

Another common issue is frozen pipes, especially after a winter damage. Frozen pipes prevent a free flow of water through the pipes. If the temperatures are still low, it may take time before the frozen pipes unfreeze. It is not advisable to apply heat to the frozen pipes. Handling of these frozen pipes should be left to the storm restoration or home restoration experts.

SERVPRO Can Remove Unwanted Odors From Your Home

12/29/2021 (Permalink)

Tobacco smoke is composed of numerous types of gasses as well as carcinogens and heavy metals, like arsenic, lead, and cyanide.

Interesting fact about SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo, we can deodorize your home and business of the toxins that come from substances such as cigarette smoke!

Tobacco smoke is composed of numerous types of gasses as well as carcinogens and heavy metals, like arsenic, lead, and cyanide. Sticky, highly toxic particulates, like nicotine, can cling to walls and ceilings. Gases can be absorbed into carpets, draperies, and other upholsteries.

Many times hotels or realtors will call on us to come in and clean rooms that have been inhabited by heavy smokers. Your basic cleaning service is not going to have the expertise to effectively deodorize your home.

Take advantage of SERVPRO’s residential cleaning services to remove unwanted odors (including animal smells such as skunk and wet dog).

Call us today 269-342-2366

Do You Know How Quickly Fire Damage Happens?

12/29/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Is Ready For Whatever Happens 24/7/365 - call us immediately

ONE HOUR: Within one hour from notice of loss, a SERVPRO  professional will contact you to arrange for service. You’ll know help is on the way!

FOUR HOURS: Within four hours of loss notification, a SERVPRO professional will be on-site to start mitigation services. The key to reducing damage and saving money is responding quickly to your damage.

DETAILED EXPLANATION: A trained, uniformed and equipped SERVPRO Professional will walk you through the job process step-by-step, explaining what to expect and the anticipated outcome.

EIGHT HOURS: Within eight business hours of on-site arrival, a verbal briefing of the scope will be communicated to the appropriate person, normally your adjuster or property manager.

PRETESTING: A SERVPRO Professional will begin pretesting for restorability, working from the source of the damage outward.

CLEANING, RESTORATION & DEODORIZATION: SERVPRO Professionals will work neatly and efficiently to help you regain control of your property when a damaging event has taken over. They will use state-of-the-art restoration techniques to ensure your property is taken care of right the first time.

FINAL WALK-THROUGH: After the work has been completed, a final walk-through will be conducted with you to help ensure your satisfaction.

SERVPRO Urges You To Prep For Any Type Of Unannounced Disasters, Especially fires

12/29/2021 (Permalink)

Give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and are here ready to put our experience to work for you!

What Is The Best Way To Be Prepared For Fire?

Fires at your home or business can be a very difficult and stressful experience. In most cases the fire starts without notice. Each year more than 2,500 people die and 12,600 are injured in home fires in the United States. This number could drop significantly if we would prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

A big problem that we see, is that the average person has the attitude that it will never happen to them. Which is the worst attitude to have when it comes to any form of disaster. Here at SERVPRO we urge the people in our community to prep homes and businesses for any type of unannounced disasters, especially fires. They come on quickly, with hardly any warning and can destroy everything if not properly put out by your local fire department. Here at SERVPRO of we strive to make it "Like it never even happened."   

So give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and are here ready to put our experience to work for you! 

When Storms Hit - SERVPRO Hits Back Harder

12/29/2021 (Permalink)

The best way to do that is to get a storm restoration and water restoration company to take care of your storm remediation.

What To Do If You Are the Victim of Storm Damage. Storm damage can occur to anyone. It can happen in any climate. Storms cause river flooding and other forms of flooding. They cause wind damage, hail damage, and hurricane damage. Winter storms bring ice dams and ice damming, which cause roof leaks, forcing you to get roof repairs done. Ice damage also comes in the form of frozen pipes. Groundwater and flood water can ruin your basement and home. You need to take steps towards home restoration. The best way to do that is to get a storm restoration and water restoration company to take care of your storm remediation.

Make sure to make an emergency call to the storm restoration and water restoration company right away. 
The first thing that the storm restoration and water restoration company will do is assess the extent of the storm damage, wind damage, roof damage, roof leaks, and any other sort of damage. They will create a plan of action for your home restoration needs.

Next, they will start fixing and removing the cause of the damage. Often, there will be hidden moisture under tiles or behind walls. They will use equipment that removes this water from your home.

The next step, after your home is completely dry, is to repair things that are broken. This starts with roof repair. If there are roof leaks and roof damage, they will do a roof repair job to repair those leaks. If wind damage caused your walls or ceiling to cave in, they will repair that as well. They may need to replace certain items. For example, they may need to use new boards or tiles for your ceiling, floor, and walls. If there is ice damage, such as a frozen pipe, they will repair that as well. Home restoration, or bringing your home back to livable conditions again, is a vital part of storm remediation. 

When Storms Hit Your Kalamazoo Home - You Can Count On SERVPRO To Be There!

12/29/2021 (Permalink)

After any severe storm, your primary concern is your safety.

After any severe storm, your primary concern is your safety. Before acting, ask yourself the following questions:

• Is it safe to stay in the home?
• Are there electrical hazards, slip and fall hazards, or any other major health risks?
• How bad is the water damage? Does it look like the roof, ceiling or floor is about to cave in?
• Is there an area of the home that is still secure and in which you can move around comfortably?

When Not To Stay in the Home

If the storm has passed, the best thing to do would be to leave the home until help arrives. However, if the storm is still raging, your situation is much more complex. Depending on the severity of the storm, it doesn’t make sense to go out if you don’t have to. However, how can you tell if being in your home is more dangerous than being in the elements? These storm tips may help:

• When the roof is caving in or materials are falling, it’s time to get out.
• If any part of the home’s electrical wiring is exposed and touching water, it’s time to get out.
• If any part of your home is exposed to the elements and the storm is still active, it’s time to get out. This is especially true if there is lightning.

If you are forced to choose between staying in a damaged home or going out into the storm, you need to think carefully and act fast. Every minute you don’t make a decision could mean you’re a minute closure to real danger. Consider the storm tips above to make the best decision for you and your family. 

When Flooding Hits your Commercial Building, SERVPRO Is Here For You

12/12/2021 (Permalink)

Flooding and water damage events at commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a 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.

Commercial Cleaning & Your Carpets

12/11/2021 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO team has other specialties other than just mitigation and restoration. Our team also specializes in cleaning. We can clean pretty much anything. And one thing our team likes to clean is carpets for your commercial businesses!

A dirty carpet isn’t something any business wants to have. It looks unprofessional and unkept. Luckily, our SERVPRO team will come in and clean your carpet.

We take every job seriously and commercial carpet cleaning is one of them! We offer a variety of different carpet cleaning methods.

• Bonnet Cleaning: A less aggressive method for short piled carpets.
• Hot Water Extraction: A deeper cleaning method for all carpet types.
• Deluxe Precondition and Rinse: Helps restore deeply soiled areas.
• Showcase Premier Cleaning: The most thorough cleaning method in the industry.
• Dry Cleaning: When color-fastness is an issue.

Call your local franchise to schedule a carpet cleaning for your business today.

Disaster Can Be Unavoidable, But SERVPRO Is Here For You

12/11/2021 (Permalink)

Avoiding disaster can be nearly impossible in some situations. No amount of preparation can stop the elements from inflicting devastating damages on your business. In this blog, we are going to cover a few basic steps for maintaining your space to prevent avoidable water-related disasters from presenting themselves.

Our first tip would be to ensure all exposed pipes are properly insulated before the harsh winter months. A broken water pipe can cause massive damages.

Secondly, always have an itemized list of your valuable possessions and their locations in your facility. You may want to consider keeping them elevated to reduce the risk of immediate water damages in the event of a flood. Keep your roof and gutters free of any debris at all times. A gutter congested with leaves creates the potential of dams forming.

Lastly, be sure to have your business covered with a comprehensive insurance plan. It is vital in the event of lost property. Our team is always available to help answer any questions you may have. Give us a call today. We are faster to any disaster and we will make things "Like it never even happened."

How A Safe Can Help You In A Fire

12/6/2021 (Permalink)

We know how important it is to keep your belongings safe. The first step in keeping your valuables and important documents safe is purchasing a fireproof safety box. This box will make sure your items stay secure in case of a fire.

Items you might store in your safety box include:   

• Birth certificate
• Social Security cards
• Property titles
• Spare keys
• Digital hard drives containing family photos
• Jewelry  

What SERVPRO Can Do

If your home does suffer from a fire, SERVPRO can help make it “Like it never even happened.” SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo specializes in restoring contents damaged by fire. Our expertise and “restore” versus “replace” mentality can help you save money while preserving precious keepsakes that can’t be replaced. 

Death, Taxes, & Michigan Storms

12/6/2021 (Permalink)

Storm damage can occur to anyone. It can happen in any climate. Storms cause river flooding and other forms of flooding. They cause wind damage, hail damage, and hurricane damage. Winter storms bring ice dams and ice damming, which cause roof leaks, forcing you to get roof repairs done. Ice damage also comes in the form of frozen pipes. Groundwater and flood water can ruin your basement and home. You need to take steps towards home restoration. The best way to do that is to get a storm restoration and water restoration company to take care of your storm remediation.

Make sure to make an emergency call to the storm restoration and water restoration company right away. 
The first thing that the storm restoration and water restoration company will do is assess the extent of the storm damage, wind damage, roof damage, roof leaks, and any other sort of damage. They will create a plan of action for your home restoration needs.

Next, they will start fixing and removing the cause of the damage. Often, there will be hidden moisture under tiles or behind walls. They will use equipment that removes this water from your home.

The next step, after your home is completely dry, is to repair things that are broken. This starts with roof repair. If there are roof leaks and roof damage, they will do a roof repair job to repair those leaks. If wind damage caused your walls or ceiling to cave in, they will repair that as well. They may need to replace certain items. For example, they may need to use new boards or tiles for your ceiling, floor, and walls. If there is ice damage, such as a frozen pipe, they will repair that as well. Home restoration, or bringing your home back to livable conditions again, is a vital part of storm remediation.

SERVPRO Commercial Edition: HVAC/Duct Cleaning

12/5/2021 (Permalink)

Your SERVPRO Professional can often restore the HVAC system and ductwork to pre-damage condition.

Since the ventilation system is often the biggest culprit in poor indoor air quality, inspecting the ductwork should be a high priority. In most cases, the HVAC system has been operating for some time without much attention. Dirty ducts can circulate odors, contaminants such as mold and irritating dust throughout your building or home.

A routine part of a SERVPRO Professional’s service is inspecting the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit (HVAC). Keeping the HVAC system and ductwork clean can potentially extend the life span of the equipment by allowing it to operate at peak condition, which may save you money.

Unlike the majority of duct cleaning services, your SERVPRO Professional uses a Portable Ventilation and Air Duct Cleaning System to examine ductwork and make a clean sweep, removing years of dust and grime.

SERVPRO Professionals will inspect your HVAC system and ductwork and make recommendations about the best way to address any indoor air quality concerns. This inspection can save you money and provide peace of mind on the health of your HVAC system and ductwork.

In some circumstances, such as after a fire, smoke or suspected mold growth, duct cleaning becomes an essential part of the cleanup process. In these cases, your SERVPRO Professional can often restore the HVAC system and ductwork to pre-damage condition.

Do You Have An Emergency Readiness Plan?

11/30/2021 (Permalink)

A commitment to begin planning today will help support your employees, customers, the community, local economy, and even the country.

How quickly your company can get back to business after a tornado, fire, or flood often depends on the emergency planning done today. The regular occurrence of natural disasters demonstrates the importance of being prepared for any emergency. While each situation is unique, your organization can be better prepared if you plan carefully, put emergency procedures in place, and practice for all kinds of emergencies. The following are basic measures business owners and managers can take to begin preparing. A commitment to begin planning today will help support your employees, customers, the community, local economy, and even the country. It also protects your business investment and gives your company a better chance for survival.

Develop a Business Continuity Plan
Your organization's risk needs will vary depending on the specific industry, size, scope, and location. Begin by reviewing your business process flow chart, if one exists, to identify operations critical to survival and recovery. Carefully assess your internal and external functions to determine which staff, materials, procedures, and equipment are absolutely necessary to keep the business operating. You should also establish procedures for succession of management.

Review Insurance Coverage
Inadequate insurance coverage can lead to major financial loss if your business is damaged, destroyed, or simply interrupted for a period of time. Insurance policies vary; check with your agent or provider about things such as physical losses, flood coverage, and business interruption. Understand what your policy does and does not cover.

Prepare Your Emergency Plan
Your employees and co-workers are your businesses' most valuable asset. Communication is central before, during, and after a disaster. Include emergency information in newsletters, on your company intranet, in periodic employee e-mails and/or other communication tools.

Practice the Emergency Plan
Some disasters will require employees to leave the workplace quickly. The ability to evacuate workers, consumers, and visitors effectively can save lives. If your business operates out of more than one location, establish evacuation procedures for each individual building. If your company is in a high-rise building, an industrial park, or even a strip mall, it is important to coordinate and practice with other tenants or businesses to avoid confusion and potential gridlock.

Secure Your Facility and Equipment
Install fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and detectors in appropriate places. Secure all entry and exit points and plan for mail safety. Plan what you will do if your building, plant, or store is not usable. Secure valuable equipment.

SERVPRO Is Here To Help With Smoke and Soot Cleanup

11/30/2021 (Permalink)

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage? Call Us Today – (800) 630-7119

Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.  

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 West Kalamazoo 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.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

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 damage.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – (800) 630-7119

If Your Business Needs Their Carpets Clean - Call SERVPRO!

11/30/2021 (Permalink)

Need Carpet or Upholstery Cleaning? Call Today – (269)-342-2911

It is a good rule-of-thumb to have your carpets professionally cleaned at least once or twice a year. How often you get them cleaned is going to depend on the color, traffic, and soil build-up of your carpets.

Carpets are known to trap dust, dirt, gasses, pet hair, and other soils. We recommend that don’t wait till your carpet looks really dirty before cleaning. Since the dirt builds up in layers, you don’t want the dirt hiding below the surface to become lodged and damage your carpet. SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo offers multiple cleaning options that fit your upholstery or carpet in your business. Some of our specialized cleaning methods include:

• Bonnet Cleaning: A less aggressive method for short piled carpets.

• Hot Water Extraction: A deeper cleaning method for all carpet types.

• Deluxe Precondition and Rinse: Helps restore deeply soiled areas.

• Showcase Premier Cleaning: The most thorough cleaning method in the industry.

• Dry Cleaning: When color-fastness is an issue.

Need Carpet or Upholstery Cleaning?
Call Today – (269)-342-2911

Biohazard & Chemical Contaminants - What To Do Until Help Comes

11/30/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo is trained to safely and effectively remove bio hazardous substances.

Exposure to biological and chemical contaminants can cause health effects. A failure to properly handle and safely remove such hazards can contribute to unhealthy and even dangerous environments.

Here are some quick Do’s and Don’ts if you encounter a situation where you might be exposed to a biohazard or trauma situation:

Do:

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Call emergency service personnel if the situation is life-threatening.
• Treat all bodily fluids as if they are contaminated.

Don’t:

• Attempt cleanup of any kind.
• Touch or handle items that might be contaminated with bodily fluids.

SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo is trained to safely and effectively remove bio hazardous substances and prepare waste for proper disposal according to OSHA, EPA, and state and local health regulations.

SERVPRO Answers The Phone Ready To Help! 24/7!

11/29/2021 (Permalink)

We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect:

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

• Your name and contact information

• Your insurance information (if applicable)

• The street address of the water-damaged home or business

• When did the flooding or water damage occur?

• What caused the water damage (if known)?

• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

About SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo

SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo 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

Call us today! (800) 630-7119

Ask The Experts: I Understand Fire Damage, But What Damage Can Smoke & Soot Do?

7/15/2021 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot are very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allow us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.  

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 Branch & South Calhoun Counties 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.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

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 damage.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today –(269) 342-2366

When Water Damage Infringes In Your Home - SERVPRO Is Here

6/28/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is here 24/7! Give us a call!

If your property has been damaged by water caused by flooding or water leaks, we have the experience, expertise, and equipment to restore your property properly. 

Wet walls can present a challenge to water damage restoration professionals. Walls are usually covered with a variety of finished surfaces, making choosing the appropriate drying technique difficult.

After a major water damage it may not be necessary to tear out the dry wall during the restoration effort. There is a less invasive technique our professionals at SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo can use. 

For more information on cavity drying system please call us today! 

• We are Available 24 hours/7 days per week
• We’re a Preferred Vendor to many National Insurance Companies
• We Bill The Insurance Directly – One Less Thing For You To Worry About
• Our Technicians are Highly-Trained  in Water Restoration Techniques
• We use s500 IICRC Restoration Standards
• Advanced Inspection and Extraction Equipment

Did You Know - SERVPRO Is IICRC Water Certified!

6/17/2021 (Permalink)

After a review on the last day they were tested on everything they learned in class. An hour and a half later they finally finished their test. They left beautiful Novi and headed back home with high hopes of passing their class like so many of our other team members at SERVPRO.

Maintaining Value of Property Starts With Carpet Cleaning! SERVPRO Can Get The Job Done!

6/2/2021 (Permalink)

Carpet cleaning is important to maintaining the overall comfort and monetary value of a property. Any type of flooring is an investment for the property owner. Keeping the investment in the best shape takes a professional, but without proper certification, the consumer cannot be guaranteed of proper education and training on updated techniques used in maintaining the value of the flooring. There are health concerns that can arise from any unsanitary environment, and it can be surprising to learn what survives in and under the flooring. Allergens that are left behind can lead to serious health problems for family members and even household pets. Proper techniques can reduce or eliminate allergens in the environment, improving the health of the occupants. Great strides have been made in technologies used in carpet-care. Today there are only a few basic wet and dry methodologies accepted by the industry leaders. Ensuring consistently high standards means understanding how the certifying body works to guarantee better results at lower costs. Proper maintenance begins with regular vacuuming using a high-powered machine. Over time normal wear and tear leads to a dull, soiled appearance. Proper maintenance by the occupants can help keep the flooring looking good, but there comes a time when a certified technician has to be called to get to the really deep grime a normal household vacuum can miss.

While regular maintenance is beneficial to the healthfulness and attractiveness of a home or office, a certified technician is necessary to take care of the really deep jobs regular vacuuming misses. Consumers often find it difficult to choose a professional company for those important household chores. The benefits of carpet cleaning are numerous, but knowing who can be trusted is not always easy. That's where we come in....Just give us a call @ (269) 342-2911 and we'll help you in any way that we can, whether that be by offering our carpet cleaning services or just answering any questions you may have

A Fire Can Be Devastating, But SERVPRO Is Here For You

4/16/2021 (Permalink)

A fire can be devastating to your home or business. After the fire trucks leave, your property will likely suffer from not only fire and smoke damage, but also widespread water damage and flooding from firefighting efforts. SERVPRO has specialized fire and water damage restoration training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home to pre-fire condition. They also can remove the pervasive smoke odor and deep-clean soot from upholstery and carpet.

Board-ups - In some cases firefighters may break windows and cut holes in the roof in order to vent the fire. It is extremely important to secure openings to your home or structure using sturdy, durable materials designed to protect it from both weather intrusion and intrusion by outsiders.

Types of Fire/Smoke/Soot

Wet Smoke – Plastics and Synthetics; Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood; Fast burning, high temperatures, dry, powdery, non-smeary residues.

Protein – Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.

Fuel Oil Soot – Furnace Puff Backs. Other Types – Tear gas, fingerprint powder and fire extinguisher residue.

What to do after a fire:

• Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
• Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
• Clean and protect chrome with light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
• Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.

What NOT to do after a fire:

• Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting SERVPRO
• Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
• Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat or water.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged.
• Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may damage garment further.

SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo has what it takes to restore your home back to pre loss condition.

Why SERVPRO? We are the fire damage restoration professionals!

3/28/2021 (Permalink)

No one can be prepared for the shocking repercussions of a blazing inferno that’s torn through their residential or business property. While setting your eyes on the resulting fire damage can be overwhelming from the start, it can be a little less harrowing if you’re informed of the possible effects ahead of time. Read on to discover some of the more common results you could encounter after a massive fire takes hold of your property, and feel more prepared to handle the aftermath.

Heat and Pressure Damage

One of the most common results of fire damage doesn’t necessarily have to be brought on by contact with the flames at all. Heat damage to your building can materialize from simply being within the vicinity of the fire’s onslaught, including the warping of certain finishes and the combusting or melting of objects in the affected areas.

One of the last things you might consider after a fire is the role of water in creating major damage to your property. However, the destruction from water through the efforts of firefighters to put out the raging blaze can be quite considerable, as one fire hose alone can emit gallons of water per minute. Thankfully, fire and water damage restoration specialists are available to help recovery efforts for both of these kinds of devastation.

Another form of fire wreckage can occur without being touched by the fire itself, and that’s in the form of smoke damage and residual ashes. The chemical effects of heavy smoke and ash on your belongings or along the walls of the building can be catastrophic for days or even weeks after the fire, so it’s paramount that restoration is initiated immediately to minimize its destruction.

While dealing with substantial fire damage to your residential or commercial building is hardly a situation you can react to calmly, keeping these common hazards in mind can go a long way in helping you prepare for how to handle the aftermath. So stay as calm as possible, call SERVPRO, and let us come make things "Like it never even happened." We are faster to any disaster and are ready to put our experience to work for you! 

Why SERVPRO? Plumbing Fails, but SERVPRO is here to help!

3/23/2021 (Permalink)

While leasing or renting a house or apartment can be a great source of extra income, maintenance can be a significant source of overhead expense. The most effective cost-reducing measures are usually the most timely, so inspect and maintain your polybutylene plumbing and other water fixtures with the following advice.

1. Material Concerns

Polybutylene pipes are no longer permissible under the provisions of most United States building codes. While they were somewhat common in installations made from the 1970s to the 1990s due to their cost-effectiveness and flexibility, they tend to present leakage issues over time. This appears to occur due to various chlorine compounds that cause progressive damage, especially at joints. If you own a rental property ensure that any such plastic or resin pipe materials are in good condition.

2. Upkeep and Tenants

An overworked plumbing system can cause problems even if more standard materials such as copper or PVC were used in construction. Advise tenants only to flush biodegradable materials approved for your septic tank or city sewer. From time to time, plunging or chemical drain cleaning may be necessary due to the accumulation of non-soluble substances such as lipids or hair. Ideally, mechanical removal of clogs with a drain snake will lead to less damage than caustic cleaners. Enzyme-based drain cleaners are also available as an alternative.

3. Unavoidable Problems

Sometimes water damage comes from an external source, such as weather-induced basement flooding or invasive tree roots. In these cases, it may be prudent to contact a qualified flood restoration specialist once the source of the water leakage has been repaired. Professional services can help you dry sensitive materials affected by a flood and reduce the risk of mold problems in the future.

Legacy building materials like polybutylene don’t have to be a headache if properly inspected and maintained. Prevent costly downtime and keep tenants happy by remembering the above guidelines.

Give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and are ready willing and able to put our expertise to work for you! We will make things (fire, floods, storm damage) "Like it never even happened."

Why SERVPRO? Building your business was hard!

3/23/2021 (Permalink)

There's nothing quite as difficult for a commercial establishment as dealing with water damage. However, knowing what to do when disaster strikes can prevent you from experiencing unnecessary emotional upsets for yourself, your employees, and your customers and mitigate the economic strain of lost business. There are many steps you'll need to take to get your commercial property back in order following a water damaging event. Contacting a team of skilled water damage restoration experts from SERVPRO is a good first step.

Quick Water Removal Mitigates Monetary Loss 

The longer excess water remains on your commercial property, the more likely you are to suffer from costly water damage repairs to structural properties like ceiling tiles, insulation, drywall, and flooring. Then there is the concern of water damage to your capital investments: inventory, furniture, carpeting, electronic equipment and paper documents. Having a team of skilled water damage restoration experts like SERVPRO to begin immediately removing standing water can prevent you from spending unnecessary money on repairs.

Quick Remediation Prevents Secondary Water Damage.

Another benefit of a quick reaction to the pressing problem of water intrusion is that fast extraction helps prevent secondary water damage. Unfortunately, water damage creates a moist, wet environment within your business. Moisture and high humidity offer mold an opportunity to grow and spread throughout structural materials and wood furniture and fabrics. If your business deals with food distribution, high inventory loss may be a costly negative effect. For this reason, it's critically important to have standing water removed as quickly as possible. SERVPRO can arrive, usually in about one hour, with water removal equipment to meet any problem. 

Fast Restoration Helps You Get Back In Business

If the water intrusion, by way of a storm, flood, leak, or the aftermath of fire extinguishing causes severe water damage to your commercial business, you may have to relocate temporarily while water damage restoration work is being completed. Closed doors affect customer traffic, employee earnings, and your bottom line.  Insurance companies normally work hand-in-hand with SERVPRO to come to a working agreement allowing the water extraction process to commence immediately. 

Contact SERVPRO Today

If your commercial property has been subjected to water damage, getting fast, effective water damage restoration services is a must. Here at SERVPRO, we specialize in optimizing and expediting each component of the restoration process to ensure that you can get your business back in business. Moreover, each of our IICRC-Certified technicians will provide you with the personable care and excellent customer service that keeps you in the loop throughout the water damage restoration process. We can quickly reopen your doors "Like it never even happened."

Commercial Building Restoration Services

SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo responds quickly to a water or fire, or mold damage emergency, 24 hours a day. Whether the damage occurs in a small business building or a big box store, we have the training, experience, and equipment to handle the situation. Our national network of 1,650 Franchises gives us access to personnel and resources. Call us for assistance today!

The Rain Is Coming? Are You Ready? We Are!

3/14/2021 (Permalink)

Although no one can stop the rains, there are ways to limit flooding in your home. Overland flooding or backups due to overwhelmed storm sewage systems are but two of the sources of floodwaters in the lower levels of your home. Regardless of the source of the water, we have the technicians and the equipment to help you recover.
 
Even though the water causing flood damage to your home may be drawing your eyes down as it seeps into the foundation or lower levels, the problem often is at the roofline. Clogged gutters and damaged downspouts cause water to pound down near the perimeter of your home, saturating the soil and ultimately invading through the slab, poured, or cinder block foundation. We can respond to and restore the damage but expect suggestions from our managers or production crew to minimize or even eliminate future flooding.
 
The grading and landscaping around your home can also contribute to the seepage of floodwaters into the foundation. Over time even correctly graded ground can erode and shift, encouraging rainwater to drain into your home rather than away from it. SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo crews also see scenarios where plantings surrounding your home contribute to excess water moving into the porous materials making up the base and protecting the lower levels of your house. Irrigation systems or merely an overdone watering of foundation gardens have the unhappy result of a wet home.
 
SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo evaluates the characteristics of the water flooding into your home to determine whether it needs to be contained and disposed of according to local regulations. The sooner you get our team to your home the more likely that the water checks out as Category 1. If the soil around your home is loose, dirt particles can flow in with the water. Lawn chemicals, fertilizers, and even pet wastes can taint the water, requiring careful handling. Gutter overflow can also contain bird and animal waste and mold, threatening the flooded area with microbial growth if not disinfected and dried out after the flood water evacuates.
 
Submersible pumps and water extractors pull most of the flood water out of your home. If Category 1 we can drain it outside, but take care to deposit far from the house to prevent it from flooding again. We use moisture meters and infrared scanners to locate hidden pockets of moisture and to set a baseline for drying goals. SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo  crews position air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers to dry out the affected space. The moisture numbers are monitored to ensure we achieve standard levels.

Why SERVPRO? Frozen Pipes Can Be Disastrous

2/22/2021 (Permalink)

Cold weather brings with it a litany of issues. Icy roads, frozen locks, blustery blowing snow, and possibly one of the worst; frozen pipes. So what should you do if frozen pipes hit your home or business? Call SERVPRO! We not only have the expertise, equipment, and experience to get get you back to preloss condition, we are faster to any disaster and are ready to serve you! 

Interested in knowing more about frozen pipes? Check out this blog from the IICRC! 

Why Wet Walls Will Require Your Attention!

1/3/2021 (Permalink)

If your property has been damaged by water caused by flooding or water leaks, we have the experience, expertise, and equipment to restore your property properly. 

Wet walls can present a challenge to water damage restoration professionals. Walls are usually covered with a variety of finished surfaces, making choosing the appropriate drying technique difficult.

After a major water damage it may not be necessary to tear out the dry wall during the restoration effort. There is a less invasive technique our professionals at SERVPRO can use.

• We are Available 24 hours/7 days per week
• We’re a Preferred Vendor to many National Insurance Companies
• We Bill The Insurance Directly – One Less Thing For You To Worry About
• Our Technicians are Highly-Trained  in Water Restoration Techniques
• We use s500 IICRC Restoration Standards
• Advanced Inspection and Extraction Equipment

Ask The Experts: What can happen when lightning strikes your home!

12/20/2020 (Permalink)

Lightning strike causes fire to the residential dehumidifier and plenty of damage! The home experienced smoke, electrical, and soot damage when lightning struck near their home and the energy surge sparked their residential dehumidifier to catch fire.

When the lightning struck, it caused the dehumidifier to burn which was next to the furnace in the basement. Because the furnace was on, the in take sucked in the air that had soot and odor particulates and dispersed it throughout the entire home. This caused damage to every room in the home. Every single item and every wall and ceiling was affected. They called SERVPRO to handle the smoke and water damage. Since each smoke damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions.

When various materials burn, the soot and residue, they create differs greatly and requires a specific cleaning procedure. By using air scrubbers, thermal foggers and deodorization agents our technicians were able to remove airborne contaminants and control the air quality during the restoration and cleanup process.Have Questions About Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?

So give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and read to help make things "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo proudly service the communities of:

Check out our reviews and other information on Facebook, Google, Yelp, and Angie's List.

Storms Can Be Unpredictable, But SERVPRO Is Here For You

12/19/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO fully understands how storms can become unpredictable. The photo you see here in this blog shows that even in severe floods SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo will find a way to get to you.

Our highly trained crews are ready to respond 24/7 to storm or flood damage.

SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo 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.

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.

When storms hit and other areas where services are not available, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of over 1,700 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams.

So give us a call! we are faster to any disaster and ready to put our expertise to work for you! 

Check out our reviews and other information on Facebook, Google, Yelp, and Angie's List.

When It Comes To Water Damage In Your Home, SERVPRO Is Here To Help

12/19/2020 (Permalink)

When Water Damage happens in your house the first thing we all think about is to grab towels and mop up the water and finish with placing our house fans to dry up the area. Did you know that there is a Science of Drying and restoring your property?

With all the factors that go into what can happen with water damage its time that matters the most to help prevent other problems to arise. When you call SERVPRO we have the state-of-art equipment to speed up Mother Nature. When a property is wet it can naturally dry itself but also takes too long and with this process, other damages such as mold and a weakened structure can happen to create more damage than if it was taken care of faster.

Here at SERVPRO we have the knowledge of psychrometrics which is essential to restoring water damage to its preloss condition. Our Team has been trained on all of the drying techniques that we use every day and are knowledgeable on how to dry your home the fasted way possible. SERVPRO has the equipment to help dry your hardwood floors and carpets, hard to reach spaces in your walls and many more.

SERVPRO has tools to monitor the drying process allowing us to take pictures and different readings to track the restoration progress. With the readings that we get we use our program SERVPRO DryBOOK to record information to ensure your restoration is done properly and efficiently every time.

So give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and are here to make things "Like it never even happened."

The Bad and the Worse Of Ice Dams

12/19/2020 (Permalink)

If you live in areas that freeze, ice dams are a reality, especially when we have had large amounts of snow and temperatures that have fluctuated as much as they have this winter season.

How do Ice Dams form?

• Winter storms build up snow on the roof
• Heat from the building escapes through insulation, chimneys and roof vents or heat from the sun which causes the snow to melt
• The melted snow runs down roof lines to valleys and eaves
• The melted snow refreezes at the base of the valley and at the eaves or gutters
• As day/night time temperatures cycle up and down and heat loss melts the snow, the ice dams and icicles continue to grow

Once these roofs and gutter ice dams form, subsequent water ponding behind the ice dam can lead to roof leaks, internal building damage and possible mold issues. Icicles can also cause lower roof damage, deck damage and people safety issues.

How do you deal with an existing ice dam?

• Remove the ice dam by breaking it free in small chunks. Do NOT use an ax or other sharp tool. You could cut through your shingles. Instead, tap lightly with a blunt mallet. This can be dangerous and take a while, so it’s recommended that you hire someone who is experienced in roofing.
• Clear out gutters and downspouts carefully. This work can cause damage to plastic or metal gutters and spouts
• Melt troughs through the ice dam with calcium chloride ice melter. Rock salt can damage paint, metals, and plants beneath the eave and wherever the salty water drains.
  • A good trough maker is a tube of cloth (a leg from an old pair of pantyhose works well). Fill it with calcium chloride, tie off the top, and lay it vertically across the ice dam. It will slowly melt its way down through the dam, clearing a path for the underlying water to flow free.

How can you prevent an ice dam?

The above methods will treat the symptoms of an ice dam, but won’t fix the underlying issue, which is a warm roof caused by poor insulation and venting of the space under the roof. Here are some tips on how to prevent an ice dam from forming in the first place.

• add insulation to your attic
• remove attic heat sources
• insulate attic access doors
• check the exhausts
• check flashing around chimney

If you experience water damage in your home or business due to an ice dam, call in the experts at SERVPRO and we can make it “Like it never even happened.” We are faster to any disaster and are eager to put our experience and expertise to work for you! 

When water damage hits your business, SERVPRO is here for you!

12/18/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage does billions of dollars in damages every year. Everything from small pipe leaks to water damage from firefighting efforts, to natural disasters such as floods, can do extensive damage to property. Without extensive mitigation, this can put businesses at risk of mold and other contaminants, which can affect the safety and comfort of your facilities.

If your business requires commercial water removal, the pros at SERVPRO are ready to handle it fast. This IICRC-certified team has the tools and techniques needed to assist business owners and restoring their property after a disaster occurs. Whether the damage is caused by pipes or other infrastructure issues, this is a crew you can count on to restore your facility to its preloss condition.

Protecting Your Facilities

• Be vigilant. Notice an uptick in water expenses? It may be a plumbing issue. Make sure to regularly inspect your building for damp areas and hire a certified professional to make the fixes required for your property.
• Prepare for disaster. Sandbags, sump pumps, and other preventive measures can go a long way towards protecting your business. Commercial water sensors can also detect and limit the amount of water damage that occurs in your facility by quickly alerting you to damage.
• Check openings and prepare them accordingly. This includes windows, doors, trim, and other gaps and cracks on your property. Use weatherstripping and waterproof caulking, as well as other measures for waterproofing your store.

How SERVPRO Helps Businesses

When SERVPRO comes to your business, they can get started right away on water extraction, drying, and disinfection for your property. If your retail store features carpet and other porous fabrics, SERVPRO back-mounted extractors and rovers can pull moisture out of the carpet and prevent the need for disposal with careful drying. Carpet, in many cases, can be saved from disposal if delamination--that is, the separation of pad from the carpet--has not occurred.

Air movers can be placed every 10 to 16 linear feet at 45-degree angles to dry the walls. If the ceiling is affected, technicians can move ceiling tiles to facilitate the removal of moisture through just a couple of openings. In open areas, plastic sheeting can be used to construct chambers for more effective drying in a contained space.

If disaster does strike, give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and are here to help get you back to "Like it never even happened."

Don't solely react to disasters, be proactive!

12/18/2020 (Permalink)

Owning and running a building means that you have a lot on your plate. You probably want to avoid reacting to problems, but instead, nip them in the bud.

When It Comes to Water Damage, How Do You Do That?

Drainage

Bathrooms and kitchens in a place of business get a lot of traffic. This means that your drains and toilets are doing a lot of work, so you should do what you can to keep them flowing and avoid flooding. Have maintenance check on them regularly and consider conducting a camera-scope inspection every so often. Some tips to avoid a clogged toilet:

• Buy thin toilet paper.
• Post signage about what can go in the toilet.
• Provide plenty of labeled waste receptacles.
  
  

Pipes

First, you should look into what type of pipes you have. If they are older, they might be polybutylene, copper, or galvanized iron. These materials are prone to damage and don't usually last long. Please consider replacing if this is the case. Regardless of material, it is important to check them for corrosion or leaks as often as possible, because even the smallest drip can accumulate. Winters can also be hard on pipes, so be sure to keep your building warm enough to avoid freezing and broken pipes.

Fire Sprinklers

Sometimes your sprinklers can be triggered to go off without a fire- a warm light nearby or burnt food in the microwave can do the trick. This can cause water damage, especially if not taken care of right away. You should have a water damage restoration company picked out so you can move forward right away with water repair should something like this happen. Especially if the incident was above a carpet, this may eventually turn into a mold problem.
There's a lot to keep track of in a large building. If you know what to add to a regular maintenance routine and some simple preventative measures, your life could be made a lot simpler.

If disaster does strike, give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and are here to help get you back to "Like it never even happened."

Are You What Professionals Call "Disaster Aware"?

12/17/2020 (Permalink)

The regular occurrence of natural disasters demonstrates the importance of being prepared for any emergency or disaster. While each situation is unique, your family can be better prepared if you plan carefully, put emergency procedures in place, and practice for all kinds of emergencies.

The following are measures you and your family can take to start getting ready. A commitment to begin planning today will help support your family, home, and the community. Review the following questions to learn if your family and home are prepared.

Be Informed
Do you know what kind of emergencies might affect your home or daily life? Do you know what you and your family will do in an emergency situation?

Prepare Your Emergency Plan
Do you have an evacuation and shelter-in-place plan? Do you have a plan to communicate with your family before, during, and after an incident? Do you have an emergency supply kit?

Practice the Emergency Plan
Have you practiced your plan recently? Does your family know where to go in the event of a natural disaster? Have you reviewed your plans in the last 12 months?

Review Insurance Coverage
Have you reviewed your insurance coverage recently to see if you’re covered in a disaster?

Secure Your Home
Have you conducted a room-by-room walk-through to determine what safety measures can be taken?

Improve Cyber Security
Have you installed a firewall on your computer? Do you regularly update your antivirus software?
If you answered “No” to any of these questions, visit ready.gov and learn how to better prepare your family and home for an emergency or natural disaster.

The "Midwest Freeze Zone"

12/17/2020 (Permalink)

For most of the northern United States winter freezing temperatures are always a cause for concern. 

Besides the fact that it is freezing to us, it is also freezing our pipes!  Frozen pipes many times lead to broken pipes and during these times of frozen pipes, the restoration industry is swamped with work.  When this happens we are lucky to have the backing of SERVPRO to help us in this time! 

Whether is it the polar vortex or just a week of ridiculously cold weather, SERVPRO franchises are always available to help out others who are at max work capacity.

This gives you the ability to have quick service and know that you are still getting industry-leading equipment, set-up, monitoring and restoration services.  

So give us a call! We are faster to any disaster! We are eager to put our expertise to use for you. We will make things "Like it never even happened." 

The Vital Importance of Fire Extinguishers

12/14/2020 (Permalink)

As a homeowner, you need to be prepared for emergencies. If you've ever had a house fire and had to call in professionals to restore your home, you understand the importance of having a fire extinguisher on hand. Following the steps below can ensure that you're using it correctly.

1. Assess the Situation

First, understand what you're dealing with. If the blaze is already too big, the best idea may be to call the fire department and get yourself and anyone else in the house to safety. If you can safely douse it with a fire extinguisher, you need to next make sure that you have the right type for whatever material is burning.

2. Use the Right Extinguisher for the Fire

Experts classify extinguishers based on the type of fire they can combat. These include:

• Type A: for fires involving plastics, wood, textiles, and paper
• Type B: used on fires involving solvents, gasoline, oils, paints and other flammable liquids
• Type C: for electrical fires, including plugged-in equipment like computers or appliances
• Type D: for fires involving combustible powders or metals
• Type E: commonly used for a kitchen fire involving fats or cooking oils

These letter classifications are always found on the sides of the extinguishers, many of which are rated for putting out fires of more than one type.

3. Remember: "PASS"

The PASS method is an easy way to remember how to use most fire extinguishers. Each letter in "PASS" stands for the first word of an operational step. The "P" tells you to pull the pin at the top of the extinguisher; it needs to be removed before the operation. The "A" tells you to aim the nozzle. The nozzle should not be aimed at the top of the flames, but at the bottom, where the combustion is taking place. The first "S" tells you to squeeze the handle to start the flow, and the second one reminds you to sweep from side to side while spraying.

By acting quickly and following the instructions above, you can safely prevent fire damage before it has a chance.

Call us if disaster strikes! We are faster to any disaster and will make things "Like it never even happened."

If disaster strikes your business, we are here for you!

11/27/2020 (Permalink)

When your home or business has been damaged by fire, water, or storm damage, the immediate concern should be temporary protective measures such as placing roof tarps to prevent additional damage, and boarding up to secure the building and remove water and debris.

After protecting and securing the structure, professionals at SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo can begin the restoration process. Your home or business may need reconstruction work to get your property back to its preloss condition.

The professionals at SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo can simplify the restoration process by handling both the initial damage mitigation and rebuilding the affected areas. Having one qualified company for the entire process can save time and keeps costs low.

Call the professionals at 
SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo at (269) 342-2911.

Ask The Experts: The Importance of an ERP

11/27/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo is a national sponsor of the American Red Cross' Ready Rating Program, and as part of our community service, we are helping local businesses prepare for disasters. We call these an E.R.P. (Emergency, Response, Plan). One of the best reasons to start an E.R.P. is because disasters seem to happen when you are away from the office or on vacation.

Contained in an E.R.P. are a few of the following: property overview, building access information, contact information, utility information,(shut off locations) and other useful information that we tend to forget about when faced with a tragedy. For more information about starting an E.R.P. for your business today please call SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo at (269) 342-2911 to help prepare you in case of a disaster.

Ask The Experts: The Skinny On Cat 3 Water Damage

11/11/2020 (Permalink)

When floodwater affects your business in category 3 water damage can be time-consuming to remove. Having a thorough understanding of category 3 water, or water that is contaminated with hazardous materials can help you know what to expect during your business’s restoration.

What Are Common Causes?

Water that has debris and hazardous materials in it is classified as category 3 damage. This category of water damage can occur as the result of several events, which can include:

• Sewer lines breaking
• Toilet overflow
• Floods that carry in debris
• Clean water or gray water that is not quickly and appropriately removed, causing it to turn into black water
  
  

What Damage Can It Cause?

Category 3 water can cause affect various aspects of a building, though the source of the water can affect the amount of damage present in a building. Common types of damage from category 3 water can include:

• Mold growth in areas that are damp
• Substantial structural issues
• Decreases the air quality throughout the building
• Damage to items in or around the flood water
  
  

What Is Involved in Restoration?

After the cause of the damage has been identified and there is no longer water flowing into the building, the process of restoration can begin. Since category 3 water contains hazardous materials, many business owners find it helpful to contact experts in water damage restoration to expedite the process of removing the water. After the water is removed, the area that was flooded is dried and items that are destroyed are removed from the building and items that aren’t destroyed are cleaned. Finally, the building is restored.

Whether it is caused by a toilet overflow or a flood, category 3 water damage can devastate a business. Understanding the causes of category 3 water, the damage it can cause and what restoration entails can help you prepare for the effects of floodwater.

So if disaster strikes, give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and are here to help get things back to "Like it never even happened."

Ask The Experts: Do I Need Commercial Flood Coverage?

11/11/2020 (Permalink)

Your business owners' policy for your commercial property protects your building and its contents in a variety of situations. It's important, though, to have flood insurance, too. Having this coverage can help you pay for flood mitigation services after the next big storm comes through and causes damage to your building. Here are a few reasons why purchasing a separate flood policy is a good idea.

1. Legal Requirement

If your building is in an area that is in a flood plain, you are probably legally required to carry flood insurance on your property. Business owners in flood-prone areas who have federally insured loans on their properties must protect those properties with commercial insurance designed to cover flood damage. This not only protects your building but also lowers the risk for your lender.

2. BOP Exclusions

Any business can sustain damage from a heavy rain. If there is a weak spot in your roof, water can seep in, and your BOP policy likely covers the cost of repair. When a hurricane floods the area where your building is located, however, your standard commercial plan is not designed to cover the subsequent flooding. You need flood insurance to pay for damage remediation.

3. Secondary Damage

Ideally, all flood damage would be able to be cleaned before further damage can happen, but special circumstances can keep this from happening. The widespread destruction of a storm often taxes local resources so much that secondary damage such as mold makes the problem in your building worse. Flood coverage can not only pay for the original damage but also any related issues that occur.
It can cost a lot to repair flood damage from a storm. Purchasing a flood insurance policy for your commercial building can give you the peace of mind that, if your building is damaged during the next big flood, you are covered.

If a disaster does strike, give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and are here to help get things back to "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Can Help You No Matter The Size Of Your Fire

7/6/2020 (Permalink)

The chance of a large fire damaging your home is not as high as it being affected by a small kitchen fire. Even though this is a good thing, it does not mean that a small fire cannot disrupt your life and leave behind a trail of destruction that requires a comprehensive plan to restore your home to mint condition. What fires of all sizes have in common is that they need a professional team to undertake the removal of smoke, soot, and particles left behind.

Recovering from fire damage is a specialty of our SERVPRO team. We train on the most up-to-date techniques to make the restoration of your home as seamless as possible, all while mitigating your losses. As soon as you call our 24-hour hotline, you begin to receive top service for your clean-up needs.

The effectiveness of our SERVPRO team partially lies in our ability to identify the different types of fire damage present at your home. Depending on the nature of each material, smoke can be different. Synthetic materials leave behind a different kind of residue than do natural materials, and we can identify it quickly based on our training and experience. What this knowledge means to you is that we use a targeted approach to cleaning each surface, instead of a universal method that may result in further damage to your home and its contents.

Whenever possible, we salvage your belongings by separating them from affected areas as soon as we can. At SERVPRO we believe in disrupting your life as little as possible, so we work efficiently to complete the restoration process, including removing the smell of fire and smoke so that you can enjoy the comforts of home. It is our goal to make your home “Like it never even happened.”

So call us today! We are faster to ay disaster and are here to put our expertise, equipment and experience to work for you!

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned – a defensive cleaning program in West Kalamazoo

5/21/2020 (Permalink)

Let us help you get back to business

As our communities re-open, we’re all moving back toward a new kind of normal. The expectations of visitors, customers, and employees who come into our establishments have evolved, and staying safe and well is a top concern. The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed what it means to be clean, and we’ve developed a program to help your business meet the new higher standard of clean that is now expected.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is a defensive cleaning program we’re offering to businesses and commercial locations to address the current COVID-19 pandemic. This proactive viral pathogen cleaning program goes well beyond janitorial or carpet cleaning. By choosing Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you, your employees, your customers, and your community can rest assured that you’ve selected a higher cleaning standard – you are Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

Extensive training and specialized products

As the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration*, we stand on more than 50 years of experience and expertise to help your business become Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.  Beyond fire & water, SERVPRO professionals are trained and experienced in biohazard decontamination and chemical spills – always adhering to the cleaning and decontamination standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local authorities. 

From formulating and creating our proprietary cleaning products, like SERVPROXIDE, at our headquarters in Gallatin, TN, to taking the utmost care while disinfecting, we will ensure you and your business are set up to inspire consumer confidence as the economy continues to reopen.

3 C’s – Consult, Clean, and Certify

When the stakes are this high, you want a partner who has developed an industry leading, proprietary training program, cleaning solutions, and remediation processes over decades. We’ve cleaned up some of the most challenging biohazards imaginable. Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned reflects our unique experiences and capabilities. The program is grounded with our unique 3 C’s: Consult, Clean, and Certify.

• Consult – Every business is different, which is why you’ll be assigned a Cleaning Protocol Consultant who understands your business and will create a cleaning program to meet your specific needs. This program will be developed based on your business type, size of space, amount of high frequency touchpoints, foot traffic and congestion points.
• Clean – Based on your specific business needs, your location will undergo a thorough, deep clean, using exclusive cleaning products, according to protocols set forth by the CDC. Our employees have years of experience, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform. Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for cleanup process, and disposal of hazardous materials.  In the event of a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 event, we will be there cleaning within 24 hours to ensure you get back to business as quickly as possible. 
• Certify - Once your business location has been Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you will gain access to proprietary signage, digital emblems, and other collateral that communicates that you’ve selected a higher standard of clean available to help protect your employees and customers. And because we add the day, month, and year to that proprietary stamp of clean, your guests will know that not only did you choose Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, but that your location is being cleaned regularly at this standard.

Call today for a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation

We’re Here to Help – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – until life is back to normal in the communities we all call home.

Call SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo today at  269-342-2911 for your Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation.

Fires Can Cause Extensive Damage To Your Business

12/16/2019 (Permalink)

Fires can happen without warning and can cause extensive damage to your commercial property. According to the National Fire Protection Association, property damage from fires totaled in about $12 million in 2012. Luckily we have fire sprinklers that are considered one of the most effective fire suppression systems available. When a building sprinkler system is activated by a fire, they are effective 96% of the time according to the NFPA. That's why it is very important for these systems to be in good condition and maintained regularly.

• Be sure to inspect all control valves to ensure that they are open, accessible, properly locked, and free from any leaks. Examine water and air pressure gauges to make sure they are showing normal ranges in good condition.
• Inspect the condition of sprinkler heads for paint, dust, or obstructions.
• Make sure there is an adequate clearance of at least 18 inches from the height of storage to the sprinkler head. This prevents anything from accidentally knocking into it.
• Have at least 6 spare heads that correspond to the type and temperature rate of the heads in use.
• Inspect all fire department connections to verify caps are in place and that no damage is present.
• Check low points on dry sprinkler systems to remove water to prevent freezing.
• Maintain adequate heat within a dry sprinkler control valve room to prevent freezing.
• Always report the damage to any part of a sprinkler immediately.

So give us a call! We are faster to any disaster! We are here and ready to put our experience to work for you! 

Check out our reviews and other information on Facebook, Google, Yelp, and Angie's List.

When Water Affects Your Business, SERVPRO Is Here To Help

12/16/2019 (Permalink)

Here at SERVPRO we understand that when a water emergency occurs in your commercial building it is important that the issues are mitigated quickly and efficiently. That's why our team is faster to any disaster. During these emergencies, it is not just the building that needs to be back up and functioning but the materials and equipment you use on a daily basis that allows your property to run smoothly.

SERVPRO has the ability to save contents such as office furniture, desks, and even sensitive information that may be stored in the office with our Document Restoration. We are in the business of restoring these items that may have been damaged during your water emergency. We always attempt to salvage anything damaged because we understand that it is important to keep the cost down for you and the insurance company as well the value it has to your company. If an item can be saved or restored it is worth the time to do so.  

Our highly dedicated team works tirelessly to treat each of your items with special care to protect. Our crew members are trained to keep your items from damage while we do work. Our content specialists team does wonders with your clean-up on all types of materials.  

Trust that SERVPRO keeps in mind that time down for your business, is money lost. Our dedicated team will work around the clock to make sure your building looks “Like it never even happened,” and your property is back up and running.

SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo proudly service the communities of:

Check out our reviews and other information on Facebook, Google, Yelp, and Angie's List.

Do you know that water leaks can highly affect you selling your home?

11/20/2019 (Permalink)

Do you know that water leaks can highly affect the sale of your home? What's more, they can be a concern for new home buyers. However, most homeowners are usually unaware of the hidden leaks. With cracked pipes, leaking spigot and broken seals water will easily creep into some places it isn't meant to go. The end results will be more visible damages which include rot, damaged flooring, and blistered paint.

A minor water leak can increase your repair bills. But the good news is that you can easily prevent such situations. Noticing a sagging ceiling above your dining room table is easier. When looking for water damages you have to remember that these damages rarely turn up at the water source.

Some damages to expect

- Mold and mildew growth. With water leaks, you should also expect an unhealthy environment.

- Permanent water damages to carpets, wood, wallpapers, furnishing and paint. 
- Contaminated systems – including the ductwork. 
- Insulation and drywall which need replacement and removal. 
- If there is water trapped somewhere in your house, poor airflow will become a major problem.

But don't worry, our technicians At SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo are always ready to check out problems and offer solutions.

Storms Have You Down? SERVPRO Can Help!

11/20/2019 (Permalink)

We have many methods of repairing and restoring damage caused by storms, such as seepage, leaks, dampness, or flooding. The work done by our professionals goes way beyond simply cleaning up. It begins with water removal and ends with ensuring that your home is protected from further damage.

Here’s a brief look at what procedures are involved in our water restoration services:

• Water Removal:The restoration process begins with pumping out excess water.
• Deodorization:Foul odors can be eliminated by applying techniques such as ozone treatment, crystals, dry fogging, and wet fogging. The materials and equipment for these techniques are only available to professional water restoration service companies.
• Mold and Mildew Removal:To achieve long-term results, this procedure must be performed by an expert restoration services provider. Using scientific technology, technicians can kill and remove developing mold and mildew.
• Drying and Dehumidifying:These processes are necessary to remove moisture in the air and on walls, floors etc.
• Content Restoration:This procedure involves cleaning, deodorizing and disinfecting clothing, draperies, furnishings, beds, mattresses, carpets, sofas etc. These items can be successfully restored, but prompt action must be taken because harmful microbes, mildew and mold grow very fast in a damp environment.
• Decontamination:Water restoration services also decontaminate and clean any items that are restorable, and dispose of those that are not.

So call us today! We are faster to any disaster and will make things "Like it never even happened."

We Have Seen Many Situations And Can Help You Navigate Yours!

11/20/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo 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. We help many in the community, and rarely encounter a situation that we have never seen; because of this, we can make the entire process much less stressful for you and your loved ones. 

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.

When storms hit West Kalamazoo we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Call us today, we are always here to help! We are faster to any disaster and will make things "Like it never even happened."

Cleaning Smoke Damaged Contents

6/30/2019 (Permalink)

When it comes to cleaning smoked-damaged contents after a residential or commercial fire, the variety of contents in a typical job requires restorers to utilize a variety of cleaning methods.

Here is a quick description of each method of content cleaning:

• Dry Cleaning - Removes light to medium nongrease-based soils.
• Wet Cleaning - Removes moderate to heavy residues. The process involves cleaning using water, with or without a cleaning agent.
• Spray and Wipe - Apply a cleaning product using a spray bottle. After spraying, wipe the surface with a clean white towel. This method is effective for materials possibly damaged if saturated with cleaning product.
• Foam Cleaning - Effective for light residues or delicate materials. Clean with the foam of a cleaning agent rather than the liquid
• Abrasive Cleaning - Agitates the surface being cleaned. Apply a cleaning product containing abrasive ingredients
• Immersion Cleaning - Dipping contents items into a bath of cleaning product. This bath is an ultrasonic tank filled with water and cleaning solution. High-frequency sound waves then create high temperatures and microscopic jet streams of fluid to agitate and scrub contents.

SERVPRO recommends that you DO NOT attempt to clean smoke-damaged surfaces or contents yourself, and call the professionals

SERVPRO Announcement: Play It Safe This Fireworks Season!

6/18/2019 (Permalink)

After The Fire

12/13/2018 (Permalink)

Unfortunately, the end of summer in Kentucky welcomed some local fires. Due to the abundance of fires in our area, the SERVPRO team has been called to address some of the aftermath. This job is just one of many that the SERVPRO team has been called to assess the damages and help get the job done. The SERVPRO team wants to come into a residential home or business and make it look like, "it never even happened" by the time a job is completed. In this case, the fire attacked most of the family home. 

After the SERVPRO team arrives to a job and evaluates the amount of harm done to the building, they start working promptly to prevent the situation from worsening. Immediately, after a fire, soot residue settles onto the furniture and the entire area of the property. If not treated in a prompt manner, acidic soot may appear. If there are areas in the house that have wood, it may require refinishing after a fire. This is why SERVPRO is always faster to any disaster! 

Facts About Floods

12/13/2018 (Permalink)

There is always potential for flood damage no matter where you live. According to the American Red Cross floods cause more damage in the United States every year than any other weather-related disaster. The American Red Cross offers these flood safety tips:

-Stay away from floodwaters. If you come up on a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.

-If you approach a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are riding rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.

-Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water. 

If a flood occurs and affects you, call SERVPRO.  Even minor floods have potential to cause major damage. We are faster to ANY size disaster. Let us help you get your life back in order.

How To Find Whether Your Basement Needs Mold Remediation

12/13/2018 (Permalink)

Performing regular inspection for mold and taking suitable mold mitigation is the ideal way to maintain your commercial or residential property as protected as possible. How do you identify that your home requires mold remediation? Even though it is best to have regular professional inspection to identify the mold formation, there are some signs that can make you aware about the mold growth on the building. These includes

• Puddles
• Musty smells
• Moist spots on ceiling or floor
• Continuous incoming water
• Visible mildew or mold spots

In case your building structure shows any of the above listed signs, it is essential to take instant action before the situation spreads or worsens.

Mold can cause health effects. SERVPRO deals with mold remediation every day. Hiring a professional is the permanent solution for mold removal. 

The professional mold remediation process involves following things:

• They seal off the mold affected area in order to prevent them from spreading.
• They scrape the patches of mold and clean the affected region thoroughly.
• They pinpoint the moisture source that leads mold formation.
• Sometimes they discuss the basement waterproofing option to remove the moisture that supply mold growth.

SERVPRO provides great support in mold remediation, and we would love to come in and make it "Like it never even happened." Contact us today! 

When Mold Hits Your Home

12/13/2018 (Permalink)

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. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. 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.

Mold Doesn't Care How Clean You Are!

12/11/2018 (Permalink)

Even if you are a clean person, that doesn’t guarantee that you won’t have an issue with mold.Unfortunately, mold, like bed bugs, doesn’t care about your level of cleanliness, level of income, or where you went to college. Anyone can have a mold problem in their home or business at any time.

The scary thing is that mold can be growing for quite a while before it becomes noticeable, your professional at SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo County has compiled this handy list of some do's and don’ts you should follow when it comes to mold removal:

24/7 support - (269)-342-2911

Do:

• Examine your home or business regularly. Most types of mold share some obvious warning signs. For example, a musty smell in a damp basement usually means there’s mold around. Black, gray, brown, or even white clusters of mold on walls, carpeting or flooring are easy to spot with the naked eye. Be observant about your home and check it regularly for mold.
• Call us 24/7 - (269) 342-2911 A professional can determine which type of mold you might have, where it originates from, and how to safely perform mold removal.

Don’t:

• Try the DIY approach. Because some molds are toxic to pets and humans, it’s not safe to tackle this problem on your own. The money you think you might save by DIY-ing this isn’t worth your health.
• Wait. Mold can grow quickly and can be dangerous. If you suspect a problem, call it in ASAP!
• Make the mold feel unwelcome. Mold likes the darkness and warm, moist air. Don’t roll out the red carpet with their favorite things! Fix the leaks, install dehumidifiers and don’t ignore the warning signs of more mold growth.

For more mold do's and don’ts, contact our trusted mold removal professionals at SERVPRO West Kalamazoo County today.

Mold's Worst Nightmare!

12/11/2018 (Permalink)

Mold can grow under a multitude of conditions present in our buildings every day. Moisture, however, is the foremost factor that causes mold growth. After all of the recent flooding through central Michigan, mold can be a massive concern for businesses and homeowners. If standing water of any type is not extracted quickly, mold growth and damage can be the result.

If homeowners or office managers experience any mold damage to their properties and belongings, it is most beneficial to contact SERVPRO immediately. Mold spores live and grow through moisture and high levels of humidity. If these conditions are not addressed immediately - within 48 hours, mold will continue to return. These fungi can also produce a musty odor. We specialize in water and mold mitigation and restoration. Our advanced mold remediation equipment and restoration processes help to detect and handle the source of the water problem. 

Call SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo with any questions that you may have. We are available with 24-hour emergency service – including holidays. We are locally owned and operated, which means when you call us, we can respond quickly with the help that you need. Don't try to tackle a mold situation yourself call the pros at SERVPRO. (269) 342-2911

When Storms Attack!

12/7/2018 (Permalink)

Storm damage can occur to anyone. It can happen in any climate. Storms cause river flooding and other forms of flooding. They cause wind damage, hail damage, and hurricane damage. Winter storms bring ice dams and ice damming, which cause roof leaks, forcing you to get roof repairs done. Ice damage also comes in the form of frozen pipes. Groundwater and flood water can ruin your basement and home. You need to take steps towards home restoration. The best way to do that is to get a storm restoration and water restoration company to take care of your storm remediation.

Make sure to make an emergency call to the storm restoration and water restoration company right away. 
The first thing that the storm restoration and water restoration company will do is assess the extent of the storm damage, wind damage, roof damage, roof leaks, and any other sort of damage. They will create a plan of action for your home restoration needs.

Next, they will start fixing and removing the cause of the damage. Often, there will be hidden moisture under tiles or behind walls. They will use equipment that removes this water from your home.

The next step, after your home is completely dry, is to repair things that are broken. This starts with roof repair. If there are roof leaks and roof damage, they will do a roof repair job to repair those leaks. If wind damage caused your walls or ceiling to cave in, they will repair that as well. They may need to replace certain items. For example, they may need to use new boards or tiles for your ceiling, floor, and walls. If there is ice damage, such as a frozen pipe, they will repair that as well. Home restoration, or bringing your home back to livable conditions again, is a vital part of storm remediation.

Homes Are A Huge Investment!

12/7/2018 (Permalink)

Your home is more than likely the biggest investment that you will ever make and one that holds a lifetime of memories.

What happens if you wake up to see 2 inches of water in your kitchen?  What would you do?  Do you know who you would call?

We are SERVPRO® of West Kalamazoo and we have been serving homeowners and businesses like you since 1967.  

As a leader in the field of water damage repair and restoration, our crews are trained to help you when disaster strikes, they will help walk you through the drying process and answer any questions you may have.

If disaster strikes your home, be sure to remember to give us a call, SERVPRO® of West Kalamazoo at 269-963-3033

SERVPRO: The Go To People For Smoke & Fire!

12/7/2018 (Permalink)

The fire trucks may be gone but without proper immediate response, the real damage and the costs are just beginning. To return your residential or commercial property to its preloss condition requires professional restoration. This is not the job for a do-it-yourself property owner.

For results you can have confidence in, the IICRC recommends hiring a certified restoration firm. Restoration to a property can be complex. Proper smoke and odor removal are tasks that require technicians certified in these specific areas.

When selecting a certified restoration firm several factors must be considered:

• Formal and up-to-date specialized training
• Health and safety certifications
• Experience in a wide range of restoration projects
• Proof of proper insurance and licenses

SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo has all of the above. Call us today!

Mold in Your Home

11/27/2018 (Permalink)

If you see visible mold, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores which become airborne and can circulate inside your home.

What to Do:

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
• Contact SERVPRO for mold remediation services.

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.

About Our Mold Remediation Services

SERVPRO specializes in mold cleanup and restoration. Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

Mold Resulting From A Broken Pipe

11/27/2018 (Permalink)

Have you ever gone on vacation to come return and find mold somewhere in your home? This happened to a local family not too long ago, and SERVPRO was there to help! 

A pipe had busted behind the local family's fridge. First, there was water damage on the wall. Then, mold damage occurred later. The first plan of action was to remove the molded materials. Then we set up drying equipment to help dry the areas that were still wet.

Once mold is spotted, it is important to begin the removal process because mold can spread quickly. It tends to be found in damp, warm places, such as, our bathrooms or any type of plumbing area. Unfortunately, some people have a mold allergy which is another reason for a prompt removal.

Luckily, the family that found mold on their arrival home noticed it immediately and SERVPRO was quick to respond. We employ only highly trained professionals that are especially trained in this field. 

When Trees Attack!

11/20/2018 (Permalink)

If a tree falls onto a home or business, serious damage may occur. It remains vital to quickly handle such situations before additional issues develop. If left untreated, excessive amounts of water and additional damage may occur and cause issues throughout the house.

SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo has a 24 hour emergency service and is in the area to address the damages. Our emergency service team is equipped to handle property assessment, temporary window and door enclosure( board ups), temporary roof repair(tarping), debris/tree clean-up and removal, water extraction, water clean-up, and structure/water dry-out. Once the emergency services have been provided, SERVPRO will access the damages and provide the repairs with our highly trained general construction team.

Contact SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo today! We are faster to any disaster and we will make it "Like it never even happened." 

IICRC Water Class Certification

12/5/2017 (Permalink)

Our technicians and production managers are not the only team members at SERVPRO who have to understand the process of drying a house out from a water damage. On March 21^st to the 23^rd two of our new administrative specialists traveled to Novi, Michigan to become IICRC Water Certified. For three long days they learned difference of water losses, how many dehumidifiers and air movers is needed for each room, and what happens when they are not taken care of properly. After a review on the last day they were tested on everything they learned in class. An hour and a half later they finally finished their test. They left beautiful Novi and headed back home with high hopes of passing their class like so many of our other team members at SERVPRO.

Dangerous Mold

12/4/2017 (Permalink)

Even if you are a clean person, that doesn’t guarantee that you won’t have an issue with mold.Unfortunately, mold, like bed bugs, doesn’t care about your level of cleanliness, level of income, or where you went to college. Anyone can have a mold problem in their home or business at any time.

The scary thing is that mold can be growing for quite a while before it becomes noticeable, your professional at SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo County has compiled this handy list of some do's and don’ts you should follow when it comes to mold removal:

24/7 support - (269)-342-2911

Do:

• Examine your home or business regularly. Most types of mold share some obvious warning signs. For example, a musty smell in a damp basement usually means there’s mold around. Black, gray, brown, or even white clusters of mold on walls, carpeting or flooring are easy to spot with the naked eye. Be observant about your home and check it regularly for mold.
• Call us 24/7 - (269) 342-2911 A professional can determine which type of mold you might have, where it originates from, and how to safely perform mold removal.

Don’t:

• Try the DIY approach. Because some molds are toxic to pets and humans, it’s not safe to tackle this problem on your own. The money you think you might save by DIY-ing this isn’t worth your health.
• Wait. Mold can grow quickly and can be dangerous. If you suspect a problem, call it in ASAP!
• Make the mold feel unwelcome. Mold likes the darkness and warm, moist air. Don’t roll out the red carpet with their favorite things! Fix the leaks, install dehumidifiers and don’t ignore the warning signs of more mold growth.

For more mold do's and don’ts, contact our trusted mold removal professionals at SERVPRO West Kalamazoo County today.

Mold Remediation

12/4/2017 (Permalink)

Mold can grow under a multitude of conditions present in our buildings every day. Moisture, however, is the foremost factor that causes mold growth. After all of the recent flooding through central Michigan, mold can be a massive concern for businesses and homeowners. If standing water of any type is not extracted quickly, mold growth and damage can be the result.

If homeowners or office managers experience any mold damage to their properties and belongings, it is most beneficial to contact SERVPRO immediately. Mold spores live and grow through moisture and high levels of humidity. If these conditions are not addressed immediately - within 48 hours, mold will continue to return. These fungi can also produce a musty odor. We specialize in water and mold mitigation and restoration. Our advanced mold remediation equipment and restoration processes help to detect and handle the source of the water problem. 

Call SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo with any questions that you may have. We are available with 24-hour emergency service – including holidays. We are locally owned and operated, which means when you call us, we can respond quickly with the help that you need. Don't try to tackle a mold situation yourself call the pros at SERVPRO. (269) 342-2911

What is Biohazard Remediation?

11/8/2017 (Permalink)

Biohazard remediation is not a very common call that we receive and is something that rarely occurs, but if it does occur, it is something that SERVPRO West Kalamazoo can handle. We come in to make sure that the biological matter and dangerous odors are eliminated all together so that those contaminates do not spread. Biohazard damages can include offensive odors, trauma scenes, human decomposition, hoarding removal, and gross/filth removal. None of these are pleasant things that you want in your home. These issues are also something that you should not plan on cleaning up yourself, especially at a time that you are grieving.

SERVPRO of  West Kalamazoo is professionally qualified to come in and get rid of the issues that biohazard damage can cause.

Call us @ (269) 342-2911

Have Questions? Call us 24/7 - 269-342-2911

11/8/2017 (Permalink)

Residential Services

Whether your Kalamazoo County home needs emergency flood damage or your upholstery cleaned, you can depend on us.  Our technicians have extensive cleaning and restoration training and can make your property look its best. Learn more about our residential services:

• Water Damage Restoration
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Mold Remediation
• Storm Damage Restoration
• Cleaning Services
• Building/Reconstruction Services

Commercial Services

There's never a convenient time for fire or Water damage to strike your Kalamazoo County commercial property. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services we have the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business. Learn more about our commercial services: http://www.SERVPROwestkalamazoo.com/commercial-restoration-cleaning

Fire Prevention Month

11/8/2017 (Permalink)

October is Fire Prevention Month, and it is a perfect time to examine emergency preparedness plans for your home and business.  The 2017 theme for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is "Don't Wait - Check the Date!  Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years."  According to the NFPA in 2014 fires caused 2,745 deaths, 11,825 injuries and $6.8 billion in property damage.  Roughly half of home fire deaths occur in fires reported between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.  Smoke alarms save lives!  In fact, having a working smoke alarm cuts the chances of dying in a reported fire, in half!  When smoke alarms fail to operate, it is usually because batteries are missing, disconnected or dead.  Check your smoke alarms today to ensure your safety!

What Causes Mold?

11/8/2017 (Permalink)

What Causes Mold Damage?

While mold damage can happen at any time of the year, certain months and seasons are more likely than others to produce cases of mold growth in Michigan. Mold is hardy and adaptable, but also tends to favor certain key conditions when it grows most profusely. In some states, these conditions exist year-round, and they consequently experience more overall mold damage cases than our local area. In Michigan, however, weather and conditions are highly seasonal, and you may be more likely to develop mold damage in your home in the spring or summer for a few reasons.

Wetness

Wetness is a key factor in how at-risk an area is for mold damage. In the spring, snowmelt produces a lot of runoff and even some amount of flooding. This tends to get into homes and properties, and moisture in generally dry areas is one of the most important causative factors in mold growth. Also, relative humidity increases once the days grow longer, and the land gets warmer, which can sharply increase the rate at which mold matures and reproduces.

Temperature

The second key factor in accelerated mold growth is temperature, and in Colorado, warm temperatures suitable for mold growth are a seasonal occurrence. Typically, it is too cold in autumn through mid-spring for mold to grow rapidly, and only the summer months provide warmth desirable for the mold. When combined with the wetness of that period, late spring and early summer end up being the times when we receive the most mold damage calls.

Whether your mold damage has happened in spring, summer, autumn, or winter, SERVPRO of Kalamazoo is a local and accessible restoration and remediation company available 24/7 to help you deal with any mold damage on your property. Call us at (269) 342-2911 for our services or a quote.

Follow These Mold Safety Tips If You Suspect Mold

9/27/2017 (Permalink)

If you see visible mold, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores which become airborne and can circulate inside your home.

What to Do:

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
• Contact SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo for mold remediation services.

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.

About Our Mold Remediation Services

SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo specializes in mold cleanup and restoration, in fact, it’s a cornerstone of our business.  Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today - (800) 630-7119

Get Control Over Odor

9/27/2017 (Permalink)

Getting control over hidden damages

Do you know that water leaks can highly affect the sale of your home? What's more, they can be a concern for new home buyers. However, most homeowners are usually unaware of the hidden leaks. With cracked pipes, leaking spigot and broken seals water will easily creep into some places it isn't meant to go. The end results will be more visible damages which include rot, damaged flooring, and blistered paint.

A minor water leak can increase your repair bills. But the good news is that you can easily prevent such situations. Noticing a sagging ceiling above your dining room table is easier. When looking for water damages you have to remember that these damages rarely turn up at the water source.

Some damages to expect

- Mold and mildew growth. With water leaks, you should also expect an unhealthy environment.

- Permanent water damages to carpets, wood, wallpapers, furnishing and paint.
- Contaminated systems – including the ductwork.
- Insulation and drywall which need replacement and removal.
- If there is water trapped somewhere in your house, poor airflow will become a major problem.

But don't worry, our technicians At SERVPRO of Kalamazoo are always ready to check out problems and offer solutions.

Does Your Home Have A Mold Problem

9/27/2017 (Permalink)

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. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. 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. Call us now! (269) 963-3033
• 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.

Call us now! (269) 963-3033

SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo Certificates

9/27/2017 (Permalink)

Certifications

• WRT - Water Damage Restoration Technician
• CCT - Carpet Cleaning Technician
• CMT - Commercial Carpet Maintenance Technician
• RCT - Rug Cleaning Technician
• UFT - Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician
• LCT - Leather Cleaning Technician
• SMT - Stone, Masonry and Ceramic Tile Cleaning Technician
• ASD - Applied Structural Drying Technician
• SRT - Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician
• IICRC Certified Firm
• OCT - Odor Control Technician
• RRT - Carpet Repair & Reinstallation Technician
• FCT - Floor Care (Hard Surfaces) Technician
• AMRT - Applied Microbial Remediation Technician

The technicians at SERVPRO of West Kalamazoo are up to date in all the certificates listed above. We pride ourselves in being the very best at every aspect of our job to make your loss move along as smooth and quick as possible. Our mission is to help you get back to a normal life after disaster strikes. We want to make it look "Like it never even happened."