Pipe Burst Problems and Prevention

12/22/2022 (Permalink)

Pipe burst in Peace School

With winter finally here, and the snow and cold due to come, the most optimal time for pipe bursts comes along with it. The cold winter months are responsible for thousands of pipe bursts yearly, with the potential of more than 5,000 dollars in damage as a result. We at SERVPRO of Marine City / Romeo know this situation too well, as it is responsible for many of the floods we see during the winter months. These situations usually arise when pipes are not insulated well enough and when the temperature gets very low, causing the water inside to freeze. When water freezes, it expands, increasing the pressure in the pipe and causing it to burst, letting out freezing cold water and damaging all surrounding structures. An example of this is shown in the attached image, where a pipe burst in a classroom, flooding and damaging the room and its contents. With this happening so often, we at SERVPRO of Marine City / Romeo have some important safety tips that can help prevent a disaster like this from occurring.

• First off, make sure your pipes are insulated, as without insulation, the pipes are very likely to freeze. One dollar a foot for insulation is way better than 5,000 dollars in damage.

• Secondly, keep your home heated and at a constant temperature, preferably at least 55°F, to help prevent pipes from freezing. While you may be paying more for your heating bill. It definitely beats the cost of cleaning up the mess from a burst pipe.

• Lastly, if needed, leave a sink slow dripping to allow water movement in the pipes. This helps prevent water from freezing as moving water has connecting energy, which is transferred into heat energy from friction in the pipe.

Overall, with the wave of cold months arriving, make sure to stay safe and warm, and while you're at it,  keep those pipes warm too. If all else fails, a hairdryer on the pipes may do the trick. In the event that a pipe does burst, make sure to give us a call at (586)336-7373. We at SERVPRO are available 24/7 and faster to any-size disaster. We will make your cold crisis seem “Like it never even happened.”

Fire Danger and Prevention during the Holidays

12/16/2022 (Permalink)

Tree fire in home (Photo from: https://www.wpi.edu/news/seasonal-safety-wpi-fire-protection-engineering-researchers-show-dangers-dry-and-neglected)

Each year in the United States, Firefighters respond to an average of 200 Christmas tree fires during the holidays. Additionally, with so many candles being lit during this time of year, more than 1,600 candle fires are started each December, with a majority of them occurring on Christmas Day. Because these dangerous events occur during such a cheerful time and have the chance to ruin the time between families, we at SERVPRO of Marine City / Romeo wanted to give you some tips on how to keep your home safe during Christmas. 

• First off, remember, when using a real tree, make sure it’s fresh and watered, as a dry tree burns very quickly and can bring the entire room to a blaze in just minutes. A well watered tree will give one time to assess the situation if a tree fire even occurs at all.

• Secondly, make sure lights are up to proper safety standards and aren’t frayed or broken in any way as an exposed wire can cause the tree to catch fire. Additionally, turn off the lights when you leave the house or go to sleep, only keeping them on when needed.

• Third of all, if candles are lit, make sure they are left in sight, away from areas that can catch fire easily, and out of the reach of children or pets. With candles causing so many fires and deaths during this time of year, it is very important to utilize them in a safe way.

• Lastly, make sure to dispose of the tree after the holidays. As the days pass, and the tree dies out, it becomes dry and extremely flammable, making it a severe hazard to the home and those who live in it.

While the intention of this is not to spread fear around during the most jolly time of year, the aim is to inform individuals to be mindful and vigilant to their surroundings to avoid dangerous situations from occurring. If a fire unfortunately does break out in your home and when the smoke clears, us at SERVPRO of Marine City / Romeo are ready to serve you and your family 24/7 to assess the damages done to your home and make it look brand new. If or when disaster strikes, call us at (586) 336-7373 and we’ll be on the scene to make the crisis seem “Like it never even happened.”

Getting the Office Ready for Winter Storms

11/4/2022 (Permalink)

When the weather forecast predicts a serious winter storm, keep these preparation tips in mind for your small business:

• Communicate with your employees: Have a predetermined way to communicate with all employees to let them know if the store or office will be open that day.
• Let customers know if and when you’re closing: If you will be closing early due to a blizzard, or not opening at all, use social media channels to relay that information. If you have a store-front, make sure to post a sign notifying your customers of your closing as well.
• Salt the sidewalks: If you plan for your small business to be open during the winter storm, be sure to brine or salt the sidewalks to prevent ice from forming and causing slippery situations.
• Keep an eye on power lines: If you see a downed power line near your business, call 911 immediately and do not go near it, it could still live with electricity. Try to prevent any customers from getting near it as well.
• Consider buying a generator: Have a generator for any important devices or products needing electricity, like walk-in coolers and food storage.
• Check on your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: Regularly replacing batteries for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is a good practice, and especially important if you will be using a generator. Tip: if you’re using a portable generator, never keep it indoors. They produce high levels of carbon monoxide and could cause harm to those inside.
• Have mailing back-up plans: Think about what things you rely on the mail service to provide. If you have payroll checks or other important documents coming in the mail, and the roads are too bad for mail to be transported, do you have other ways of accessing them? Contact whoever is sending your important documents to ensure that mail interruptions will not cause disaster in your small business.

Winter Emergency Kit for a Small Business

In extreme cases of winter storms, you and your employees may become snowed in at work, or need to wait out the storm. In areas where heavy snowfall is typical, consider making a winter emergency kit for your small business to ensure winter workplace safety. These items, provided by FEMA include:

• A hand-crank or battery-charged radio 
• Water and food snacks 
• A whistle or noisemaker that can be used to signal for help 
• Copies of important business documents, all kept in a waterproof and fireproof container. 
• Flashlights and/or candles First-aid kit Moist towelettes or hand sanitizer 
• Extra toiletries (including feminine hygiene products) 
• Cell phone chargers for all types of cellular devices (and/or portable cell phone power banks or chargers)

Keeping an Eye Out for Frozen Pipes

11/4/2022 (Permalink)

Water has a unique property in it that expands as it freezes. This expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic pipes. No matter the strength of a container, expanding water can cause pipes to break.

Pipes that freeze most frequently are:

• Pipes that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, and water sprinkler lines.
• Water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets.
• Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation.

Protecting Pipes from Freezing

Before the onset of cold weather, protect your pipes from freezing by following these recommendations:

• Drain water from the swimming pool and water sprinkler supply lines following manufacturer's or installer's directions. Do not put antifreeze in these lines unless directed. Antifreeze is environmentally harmful, and is dangerous to humans, pets, wildlife, and landscaping.
• Remove, drain, and store hoses used outdoors. Close inside valves supplying outdoor hose bibs. Open the outside hose bibs to allow water to drain. Keep the outside valve open so that any water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing the pipe to break.
• Add insulation to attics, basements and crawl spaces. Insulation will maintain higher temperatures in these areas.
• Check around the home for other areas where water supply lines are located in unheated areas. Look in the garage, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Both hot and cold water pipes in these areas should be insulated.
• Consider installing specific products made to insulate water pipes like a "pipe sleeve" or installing UL-listed "heat tape," "heat cable," or similar materials on exposed water pipes. Newspaper can provide some degree of insulation and protection to exposed pipes – even ¼” of newspaper can provide significant protection in areas that usually do not have frequent or prolonged temperatures below freezing.
• Consider relocating exposed pipes to provide increased protection from freezing.

Preventing Frozen Pipes

• Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
• When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.
• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
• If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.

Thawing Frozen Pipes

• If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.
• Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.
• Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.
• Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you cannot thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
• Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.

All About Fire Damage Restoration

11/4/2022 (Permalink)

After the fire trucks leave, your home likely suffers from fire and smoke damage and extensive water damage from firefighting efforts. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals have the specialized fire restoration training needed to restore your home to pre-fire condition.

Have Questions About Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?

Call Today: (586) 336-7373

Every fire damage event is a little different, and requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. The steps listed below illustrate our process for the “typical” fire damage emergency.

Step 1: Emergency Contact

The restoration process begins when you call the SERVPRO Customer Care Center, which is staffed 24 hours a day. Our specialist will ask a series of questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us dispatch the nearest SERVPRO Franchise Professional with the appropriate equipment and resources.

Step 2: Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment

Our Professionals will carefully inspect and test adjoining rooms of your property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action.

Step 3: Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service

Fire damage can often compromise windows, walls, and roofs. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, the SERVPRO Franchise Professional can board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs.

Step 4: Water Removal and Drying (if water damage is present)

The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. They will then use dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining water and complete the drying process.

Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces

The SERVPRO Franchise Professionals use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces.

Step 6: Cleaning and Sanitizing

They will clean all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. They use a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to pre-fire condition. They’re also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

Step 7: Restoration

Restoration is the final step—getting your home or business to its pre-fire condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

Roof Damage

11/4/2022 (Permalink)

Falling trees, fire, high wind and hail storms often cause roof damage. Safety should be your primary concern. An initial roof assessment should be completed from the ground, as damage is not always visible. If you suspect damage to your shingles or structure, contact a professional immediately.

Vacate the premises in the event of major roof damage.

Tarping the roof will prevent secondary damage while the roof is inspected and repaired. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals provide emergency roof tarp installation to prevent further damage. When disaster strikes, SERVPRO is ready to respond immediately with your roof tarping needs.

Emergency Board Up Services Available

Our professional crews use approved board up techniques to minimize further damage and secure your property and protect the building from weather, animals and illegal entry.

Regardless of the Storm Damage, We Can Help

Storms occur with little warning and can be especially devastating, so you’ll need the company that you can trust to rise to the occasion. Regardless of the type of storm, SERVPRO Franchise Professionals can handle any size disaster.

• Flooding caused by heavy rains
• Hurricanes and tidal surges
• Tornadoes and wind damage
• Ice and snowstorms
• Wildfires

What You Need to Know for Winter Storms

11/4/2022 (Permalink)

• Keep fire extinguishers on hand and make sure everyone in your home knows how to use them. 
• If your smoke alarms get power from your home’s electrical system (hardwired), make sure the backup battery is replaced at least once a year so that your alarms will work during a power outage. 
• Insulate water pipes with insulation or newspaper and plastic, and allow faucets to drip or trickle during cold weather to avoid freezing. 
• Learn how to shut off water valves if a pipe bursts. Hire a contractor to check the structural ability of your roof to sustain unusually heavy weight from the accumulation of snow or ice. 
• Winterize your home by insulating walls and attics, caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic. 
• Clear rain gutters, repair roof leaks, and cut away tree branches that could fall on a house or neighboring structure during, or following, a storm. 
• Keep pathways and driveways clear between storms to avoid buildup of snow piles and icing. 
• Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.

Be On the Watch for Storms

11/4/2022 (Permalink)

Michigan is known for its constant changes in weather, making our homes an easy target for storm damage. Storms can be dangerous weather events that leave destruction to your property as well as cause injuries and occasionally even death. Below is a checklist to make sure your home and family are best prepared for any storms, so that you, your loved ones, and your home can stay safe.

Prepare a storm shelter.

Include essential supplies such as food, water, a first aid kit, flashlights, and batteries to last a few days in the case of a severe storm or tornado.

Clear branches and dead trees around your home.

The high-speed wind of storms can send dead branches or even trees crashing through your windows, siding, and roof. Clearing these objects away from your house is an easy way to make sure they do not cause any damage.

Secure outside objects

The benefits of technology is we have weather apps and stations that give us warning before a storm arrives. If a bad one is coming up, move large outdoor objects inside to prevent damage to your house and those objects.

Document your valuable items.

Take pictures of valuable items that you can use to show insurance later. If they are damaged or lost in the storm, you have better luck with your claim if you have documentation. Include date of purchase and purchase amount if you have that as well. Bonus points for saving receipts!

Protect Your Pets!

When preparing for storms, oftentimes pets are forgotten about. Make sure to have a plan in place for your furry friends and other pets, whether that is in your storm shelter or if that means having them in a separate safe location for when the storm hits.

St Clair County "Ready Neighborhood"

9/2/2022 (Permalink)

St. Clair County experiences a variety of disasters from weather related floods and power outages to single family fires, or Chemical release or spills.  These incidents can affect our daily lives drastically. Things like electricity or clean water can be severely disrupted.  This program encourages people to not only prepare themselves and their families, but to talk to their neighbors about how they will work together to make sure everyone in the neighborhood is safe.

?St. Clair County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HSEM) has created a Ready Neighborhood Program to help your neighborhood get organized.  There is an online toolkit and step-by-step instructions on organizing as a neighborhood.  If you want, the HSEM can come out to your neighborhood and help you prepare.  For more information about this program call 810-989-6325 or email at emergencymanagement@stclaircounty.org  or our website:  www.bereadystclaircounty.org

Is your Business ready for Fall?

9/1/2022 (Permalink)

Day or night SERVPRO of Marine City/Romeo is here to assist our local business owners when disaster strikes.

Fall is almost here. With the changing seasons brings colder temperatures. When the temperature starts dropping outside take measures inside to keep your business pipes warm and the water running. Shutting down your business even for a few hours can cost your company a lot of money.

Knowing what to do and who to call when a disaster happens is key to keeping your business open without too much down time. SERVPRO of Marine City / Romeo can help you create an EMERGENCY READY PLAN that is at your fingers tips at all times. Having the information at the office or on your cell phone by down loading an app, will give you peace of mind 24/ 7. 

Whether its a flood, fire or just routine cleaning  SERVPRO of Marine City/Romeo has a trained and certified team to take care of it all.  Our team is on call 24/7 for any emergency.