A Step-by-Step Explanation of How We Handle Water Damage Claims

3/11/2024 (Permalink)

Here at SERVPRO of Port Huron, we've seen firsthand the havoc that water damage can wreak on homes and businesses. From burst pipes to natural disasters, water damage doesn't discriminate, and the aftermath can be devastating. However, amidst the chaos, there's a glimmer of hope in the form of professional cleanup and restoration services. 

First and foremost, when dealing with water damage, time is of the essence. The longer water sits, the more extensive the damage becomes, leading to mold growth, structural issues, and potential health hazards. That's why our response time is crucial. We're trained to act swiftly, arriving on-site promptly to assess the situation and begin mitigation efforts immediately.

One of the first steps in water damage cleanup is extraction. Using specialized equipment such as pumps and wet/dry vacuums, we remove standing water from the affected area. This step is vital for preventing further saturation of building materials and minimizing the risk of secondary damage.

Once the excess water is removed, we focus on drying and dehumidification. Industrial-grade air movers and dehumidifiers are strategically placed to facilitate evaporation and draw moisture out of the air and surfaces. This step may take several days to complete, depending on the extent of the damage and environmental conditions.

In addition to drying, thorough cleaning and sanitation are essential components of the restoration process. We use antimicrobial treatments to disinfect affected areas and inhibit mold growth. Porous materials like carpeting and drywall may need to be removed and replaced if they cannot be adequately cleaned and dried.

Throughout the cleanup and restoration process, communication with the property owner is paramount. We provide regular updates on our progress and work closely with insurance companies to streamline the claims process. Our goal is to alleviate stress and uncertainty for our clients while restoring their property to its pre-damaged condition as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Water damage cleanup is a complex and multi-faceted endeavor that requires expertise, experience, and dedication. At SERVPRO of Port Huron, we take pride in helping our customers navigate the challenges of water damage restoration, providing peace of mind during a stressful time. If you ever find yourself facing water damage, remember that SERVPRO® is Here to Help®. You every step of the way.

Call us 24/7 at 810-966-7900

5 Things to Do After Basement Flooding

8/30/2023 (Permalink)

Few things are more stressful and disgusting than basement flooding. Whether it’s one inch or one foot of water, the effects can be detrimental to your home. And while damage to things like carpet, drywall, and furniture are immediately noticeable, something more serious could be lurking underneath your floors.

Five Things to Do After Basement Flooding

Whether it’s just a couple of inches of water or a few feet, you must respond quickly to basement flooding. Here are a few things you’ll need to do:

1. Kill the Power

If there’s standing water in your basement, then you shouldn’t attempt to walk or wade through until you’ve shut off the power and made sure that open circuits aren’t covered by water. This can obviously be an electrocution hazard and isn’t something you want to mess with.

If you’re unsure of whether the electricity is cut off, can’t get to the circuit board, or simply don’t feel comfortable with the situation, then don’t attempt to go anywhere near the water.

2. Get Rid of the Standing Water

The next order of business is to get rid of the water. The longer the water sits in your basement, the more damage it will cause. Make sure you put on a pair of sturdy shoes or boots and pants that cover your legs. You never know what’s lurking underneath the water and don’t want to risk hurting yourself.

If the standing water is high, your first step is to get a bucket and start manually removing the water (be sure to dump far away from the home’s foundation). Once you extract most of the water, you can use a wet vacuum to suck up the moisture from the floor.

3. Call in the Professionals - Like SERVPRO of Port Huron

Once the standing water is removed, you should call in the professionals to take a look. Depending on the extent of the damage and how meticulous you want to be, this may include calls to an electrician, a flood cleanup crew, and a general contractor.  Fortunately, a single call to our office at 810-966-7900 can handle all of those repairs

Any carpeting or absorbent materials that were affected will need to be ripped up or replaced. If appliances spent any time sitting in the water, they should be looked at by a professional before being used.

4. Call Your Insurance Provider

Once all of the time-sensitive issues have been handled, take a few minutes to call your insurance provider to let them know about the problem. If the flooding happened as a result of one of your home’s plumbing systems, then your home insurance policy may cover some or all of the damage. However, if the flooding was the result of a natural disaster, then you’ll most likely need flood insurance. Regardless, place a couple of phone calls to see what can be done.

5. Protect Your Home

As soon as everything gets repaired and restored, you should begin taking proactive steps to protect your home from similar issues in the future. The ground next to your basement and foundation should slope away from the home. Gutters and downspouts should slope away too while discharging water a minimum of five feet away from the home. All windows and vents should be sealed and your basement walls should be waterproofed with an appropriate product. If flooding is common, consider installing special French drains or even a sump-pump.

What is The Difference Between a CAT I, II, and III Loss?

7/21/2022 (Permalink)

CAT I

A category I loss is when the water is coming from a clean water source and will not cause harm if inhaled or ingested. Examples of this would be a broken supply line or a tub overflow.

CAT II

A category II loss is when the water poses a minimum threat. For example, a toilet overflow with only urine or a dishwasher overflow. 

CAT III

A category III loss involves water that is highly contaminated and may contain pathogenic, toxigenic, or other harmful agents. For example, water containing silt, pesticides, toxic organic substances, or metals, are all CAT III losses. 

SERVPRO Professionals are highly trained for any category of water loss you may have. Our team is ready and available day or night, 24/7. 

Long-Term Effects of Storm Damage

5/27/2022 (Permalink)

What You Need to Know About the Long-Term Effects of Storm Damage

Do you think that post-storm water damage dries without help? If you do not treat this potentially serious issue immediately, take a look at what you need to know about the long-term effects of water damage.

Flooring Failure

Water that seeps into your home and floods your flooring can sink through carpets and padding. The result is a damp rug that is slow to dry. But what happens if the rug feels dry to the touch?

In some cases, you can dry and restore storm-damaged or flooded carpeting. This does not mean you should attempt to save your carpets without help. Failure to properly dry the carpets or the padding underneath can cause additional problems for what lies underneath.

Your regular home vacuum can't pull water from under the carpet's surface. Likewise, a fan or other type of similar drier will not reach beneath into the padding. This means what may feel like a completely dry carpet can hide a wet, moldy, or dirty pad. If you have wood flooring under your carpets, a damp pad could cause serious damage over time.

The longer the moisture sits on the wood floor, the more likely the cellulose fibers in the material will soak up excess water. This can warp the wood and cause permanent damage. While other types of flooring, such as tile, may not warp, the constant presence of water can still cause problems.

To prevent warping and other related issues, contract a professional storm damage restoration company as soon as possible. If you do wait, the professional may still have ways to treat the area and restore your home's flooring.

Faulty Furniture

Your flooring is not the only part of your home that is subject to the long-term effects of storm-related water damage. If water sits on your furniture, it can also cause permanent damage. The type of damage your furniture sustains after a flood or storm depends on what it is made from.

Hard, non-porous plastic surfaces are relatively easy to clean and dry. Provided no evidence of mold growth or bacterial contamination exists, you can wipe the item with your choice of household cleaner and dry it with a towel. But if the furniture in question is made of wood or is upholstered, you will need a professional restoration expert's help.

What happens if you wait to call this professional? Like with carpeting, the water could soak through upholstered items and into the padding underneath. This can result in internal mold growth or damage wooden support frames. This destroys the integrity of the item and can cause complete failure.

Again, like with wood floors, wooden furniture can soak up water and warp. Water can also cause spotting on the surface or swelling. Even though the initial water damage may have happened days or weeks ago, a storm damage professional may still have the ability to restore these items.

Weak Walls

Water damage can extend from the floors and furniture to the walls of your home. Like with other types of water damage, the longer moisture sits on your walls, the higher the likelihood that your home will have permanent problems such as mold growth, warping, or other similar issues.

Like with flooring, a dry wall surface does not always mean everything underneath is free from moisture too. Long-term water exposure can result in seepage through drywall or plaster. The underlying wood and other building materials can warp or rot. This can cause serious or extensive structural issues. A restoration professional can evaluate the situation and create a treatment plan.

Roof Damage

4/30/2022 (Permalink)

Roof damage is always a major concern when big rain or snow storms come through. Usually the signs are very evident. Water spots on the ceiling, curled shingles, wet walls or winter ice damage are are all very easy ways to determine if your roof is in need of a little TLC.

Missing shingles are always a sure tell sign but you should also pay close attention to any possible damage done to the remaining shingles. 

Missing flashing at the edges of the roof, vents and chimneys should also be attended too in order to prevent unwanted water from entering your home during the next storm. 

pealing sealant can also cause problems so be sure to look for that as well.

SERVPRO of Port Huron is on call 24/7. We can restore or replace any issues with your roof.

Do not hesitate to give us a call today....

810-966-7900

Steps in Water Damage Preparation

2/15/2022 (Permalink)

Emergency Contact

When you call, our specialist will guide you through several questions that will help us appropriately respond to your unique water emergency. Beyond understanding your situation, we will want to set up a time for your local SERVPRO professional to inspect the property and create a restoration plan for you. Fast response is critical, so we’ll want to schedule this as soon as possible.

Inspection and Water Damage Assessment

After our professionals arrive at your home, they will thoroughly assess the water damage and help you understand its severity, hazards that may be present, and determine what can be restored. If necessary, we will also assist with stopping the source of the water damage. All of this is a crucial step to creating an effective plan of action that will result in the successful restoration of your property.

Water Removal

Service work normally begins with a thorough extraction of water. This helps prevent the spread of water in the structure and reduces drying time. Typically, hundreds or thousands of gallons of water are removed using powerful pumps and extraction units during the water removal process.

Damaged Material Removal

If any materials cannot be successfully restored, this will be communicated to you. These materials are typically removed as soon as possible to expedite the drying of all restorable materials.

Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Deodorization

Water damage can create cleaning, sanitizing, or deodorization needs for floors, furniture, and other personal belongings. SERVPRO professionals use a variety of specially formulated products, industry-leading equipment, and proven techniques to accomplish this important aspect of restoration.

Drying

After the bulk of the water has been removed, our specialists use industry-leading drying equipment to remove the water you can’t see. This will target water within materials to bring these materials back to their normal moisture level. This equipment is normally placed during the first visit to your property. The type and amount of equipment is based on your unique situation and industry standards.

Monitoring

During the drying process, our specialists will want to visit your property daily to help ensure materials are drying properly, check drying equipment performance, and make changes as needed. This monitoring process is critical to effective and efficient drying of your property.

Repairs and Construction

After these initial steps, your home may need construction work to get your property back to its preloss condition. The repair step can be minor repairs or rebuilding entire areas of your home. We 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.

Critters in The Attic

12/30/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Port Huron responds to dozens of calls each year for home damage caused by a small critter. Raccoons, rats, and birds are all small animals that can set up camp on or even in your roof. This may seem like a small issue but in fact can lead to major issues.

These small animals can claw and chew there way through the layers of your roof until they eventually make there way through. This leads to massive roof underlayment damages followed by costly repairs. Once they are established, it is very difficult to keep them away permanently. An exterminator will need to come in and remove any scent of the animal and often that is just the beginning of the repair efforts needed.

Water Damage

If these animals do make it through the layers of your roof, water can seep through into your attic and make its way inside your home. That water can cause damage to your ceilings, walls, and floors.

Soffit Damage

Heavier animals can knock the soffit right off your home, giving them access to your attic.

If you find yourself in need of repairs after damage to your roof call SERVPRO of Port Huron today!

Lets Talk Tech

10/25/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Port Huron has all of the latest and greatest restoration technology. 

Moisture Detection

Scientific drying principles rely upon specialized equipment to detect, measure, and monitor a property’s moisture levels. Recent advances, like infrared cameras, can help us detect water through a wall, ceiling, or floor.

Water Extraction Equipment 

Powerful equipment is key when it comes to the drying process and removing the majority of standing water you may have in your home or business. 

• To meet this demand, SERVPRO has gas-powered pumps for continuous pumping of high level water. our truck-mounted and portable extraction units make for fast and efficient water removal.

Drying Equipment

Industrial strength air movers and dehumidifiers are needed to remove the remaining moisture from your home or business. Proper drying helps to prevent swelling and warping of floors, walls, and furniture.

• High-speed air movers causes moisture to evaporate at a faster pace and Industrial grade dehumidifiers pull the water vapor from the air.

Odor Removers 

Air scrubbers and thermal foggers are used to remove the intense smells that accompany fire and water damage. These machines remove air-borne contaminants while controlling the air quality. 

Should you find your self in need of a highly recommended restoration company, call SERVPRO of Port Huron.

810-966-7900

Water Heater

5/9/2021 (Permalink)

A homeowner called SERVPRO after an older galvanized pipe on their hot water heater broke. The break was at the connection of the hot water heater base causing free-standing water in the homeowner's laundry room, hallways, kitchen and bedrooms. After air movers and dehumidifiers were brought in to finish drying everything up, it was discovered that particle board was laid underneath all of the flooring in the home. When moisture reaches particle board it swells and expands. For this reason all of the sub-floor had to be removed and replaced before new carpeting and tile could be laid. SERVPRO responded so quickly that the affected wall panels were able to be dried out, repaired and rehung, making it "Like it never even happened."

Sump Pump Quality Check

4/26/2021 (Permalink)

A sump pump eliminates moisture and prevents flooding by collecting excess water from drains and pumping it out and away from the building. You will find a sump pump sitting in a specially constructed pit that sits lower than the basement floor in homes that are susceptible to major rain and snow fall. 

If your pump stops working, water could get into your basement and foundation walls. This may cause mold and mildew to grow and if enough water builds up, the basement can flood. 

How do you know your sump pump is working?

You can check your sump pump tow different ways. Two separate plugs are attached to the unit. Unplug them both and then plug in only the one for the pump. If the pump does not immediately turn on then something is wrong. Your other option is to add water and wait to see if the pump turns on and properly evacuates the water. 

What are Ice Dams? What can you do?

2/19/2021 (Permalink)

When an ice dam gets large enough or starts to lift the shingles, water will find its way into the interior of your home.

Heavy snow? Check.  Extreme Temperatures?  Check.  The perfect storm for Ice Dam Season.

An Ice Dam is a lump of ice that forms at the edge of a roof under certain wintertime conditions, and are a common sight during long Michigan winters. It can damage both your roof and the inside of your home, while also putting gutters and downspouts at risk. It’s important to understand that properly installed roof systems are still prone to leaks and damage caused by ice dams. 

How do Ice Dams Form?

An ice dam forms when the underside of the roof over the attic gets warm enough and begins melting snow. The water trickles down between the layer of snow and the shingles until it reaches the edge of the roof, which stays cold because it extends beyond the side of the house. There, the water freezes, gradually growing into a mound of ice.

As the ice dam continues to grow, it traps water behind it. The ice and water can back up under shingles, seeping into the attic, ruining insulation, rotting wood and damaging plaster and drywall.  Eventually, it will drip into the insulation and down into the ceilings and exterior walls beneath the eave, ruining walls and paint.  If the roof sheathing stays wet, it can form mildew and start to rot.

If the ice dam breaks free, it can pull shingles and gutters off with it, and it will damage anything it falls on: shrubs, window sills, cars, pets, and people.

What can you do?

There are several things you can do to avoid getting an ice dam or to reduce the risk of damage after one has formed, but there’s really only one cure: a combination of better eaves and attic insulation and venting.

Attempting to remove an existing dam by chopping it or using heat can damage the home.  We suggest the use of calcium chloride to combat the buildup of ice at the edge of your roof.  It can be found at your local hardware store.

If you find that the interior of your home has been damaged by water seeping in from an ice dam, give SERVPRO of Port Huron a call 24/7 at 810-966-7900.

*Please confirm coverage with your insurance provider, as many carriers consider ice dam buildup to be part of home maintenance* 

Michigan and Water

10/19/2020 (Permalink)

When talking about our wonderful state of Michigan, a few things come to mind.

The many large and beautiful lakes make for awesome boating months in our warm summer season and beautiful blankets of white snow cover the ground in winter creating a wonderland for skiing, sledding and ice fishing. It is safe to say that WATER plays a big part in just about everything we do.  

Unfortunately, water also plays the biggest part in Michigan home and business damage every year. 

Knowing this, SERVPRO of Port Huron has assembled the area's leading team in water restoration. 

Our professionals provide 24/7 emergency services with quicker response times and our efficiency and communication between the customer and insurance adjusters make us a preferred vendor for many nationwide insurance companies. 

The team at SERVPRO of Port Huron has extensive water damage restoration training with an emphasis on monitoring and documenting the drying process until completion.

We proudly serve both residential and commercial properties.

SERVPRO of Port Huron

810-966-7900

SERVPRO of Lapeer is Ready to Handle Any Size Water Loss

7/20/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Port Huron 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.

Faster Response

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.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit the Port Huron area, 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.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today 810-966-7900

Storm and Flood Damage

5/29/2020 (Permalink)

As we have recently come to understand in the state of Michigan, storms and flood damage can come quickly and without warning. Leave it to the pros at SERVPRO of Port Huron who have the expertise, knowledge and equipment to handle any size disaster and can respond immediately to storm and flooding conditions. 

What we Offer

• 24/7 Emergency Services 
• Highly Trained Water Restoration Services 
• Faster to Any Size Disaster
• A Trusted Leaded in the Restoration industry with over 1,700 Franchises

Why Us?

Faster to Any Size Disaster

SERVPRO Professionals are dedicated to responding immediately to water and storm damage emergencies. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces cost.

Highly Trained Water Damage Specialists

We specialize in water and storm damage restoration, the cornerstone of our business. SERVPRO Professionals of Port Huron have extensive water damage restoration training that enables us to get you back to normal.

• Water Damage Restoration Technician
• Applied Structural Drying Technicians

Restoration Technology

5/20/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Port Huron has all of the latest and greatest restoration technology. 

Moisture Detection

Scientific drying principles rely upon specialized equipment to detect, measure, and monitor a property’s moisture levels. Recent advances, like infrared cameras, can help us detect water through a wall, ceiling, or floor.

Water Extraction Equipment 

Powerful equipment is key when it comes to the drying process and removing the majority of standing water you may have in your home or business. 

•  To meet this demand,      SERVPRO has gas-powered pumps for continuous pumping of high level water. our truck-mounted and portable extraction units make for fast and efficient water removal.

Drying Equipment

Industrial strength air movers and dehumidifiers are needed to remove the remaining moisture from your home or business. Proper drying helps to prevent swelling and warping of floors, walls, and furniture.

• High-speed air movers causes moisture to evaporate at a faster pace and Industrial grade dehumidifiers pull the water vapor from the air.

Odor Removers 

Air scrubbers and thermal foggers are used to remove the intense smells that accompany fire and water damage. These machines remove air-borne contaminants while controlling the air quality. 

Water Damage Timeline

5/6/2020 (Permalink)

We all get very busy with our day to day schedules and water damage can really put a wrench in your plans. As inconvenient and time consuming as it may be, leaving water damage for even 1 day can make things significantly worse.

Within Minutes water will spread throughout your property soaking into drywall, upholstery and other belongings. 

Within the first 24 hours drywall will spread and break, metal surfaces begin to tarnish and a musty odor becomes present.

Within 48 hours to a week mold and mildew grow and spread, paint blisters, wood flooring swells and doors and windows swell and warp.

After 1 week of being untreated, the time and money needed for restoration significantly increase and the home or business may no longer be structurally sound.

If you travel south for the winter have a friend or family member check on your home every few days and if your business has a basement be sure to check it regularly.  

Let SERVPRO of Port Huron go to work for you!

3/28/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Port Huron technicians are trained to safely and correctly clean and restore your home or business, utilizing the following procedures:

-Identifying the Source/Type of Water

-Measure the Temperature and Humidity for Drying Analysis

-Survey the Extent of Damage

-Perform Emergency Water Extraction

-Move and Block Furniture

-Inspect Carpet pad/Carpet

-Apply Necessary Treatments (Disinfectants/Deodorization)

-Utilize Drying Equipment and Monitor Dryingto ensure

-Disposal of Debris

Abiding by OSHA guidelines and all applicable health regulations, SERVPRO technicians remove moisture, sewage, and contaminants, disinfecting and deodorizing as they safely clean your customers home and restorable belongings.

SERVPRO of Port Huron is there for you when a disaster strikes, 24/7 365 days a year- even on holidays!

We make it "Like it never even happened."