Recent General Posts

Emmet County Fire and Water Damage

8/15/2019 (Permalink)

Do you have property in Emmet County that has suffered from Fire or Water Damage?  You can count on SERVPRO of Gaylord & Cheboygan to respond quickly.  We have earned the trust of the insurance industry in Emmet County, countless homeowners and business owners.  

When fire and water damage take control of your life, we help take it back.

We are a big part of the Emmet County Community and are active with the Petoskey  Chamber of Commerce.

Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s Corporate Training Facility to regular IICRC industry certifications, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. Our training program includes the following:

  • IICRC Training
  • Employee Certification Training
  • Initial Franchise Training
  • e-Learnings
  • Continuing Education Classes

Employee Certification Training

The Employee Certification Training is a voluntary, self-paced program designed for SERVPRO Franchise employees. Certification is awarded after successful completion of course materials and an examination. Modules include:

  • Crew Training
  • Fire Restoration
  • Water Restoration
  • Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

Initial Franchise Training

A 15-day hands-on course at the SERVPRO Corporate Training Facility is the foundation of the SERVPRO training program. This course is primarily for new Franchise owners and covers many restoration topics:

  • Fire Restoration
  • Water Restoration
  • Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
  • Mold Mitigation

Importance of Cleaning Dryer Vents

8/24/2018 (Permalink)

According to FEMA, failure to clean home dryers causes 34% of home dryer fires. Home dryer fires cause 35 million in property loss and can even cause injury or death.

To reduce the risk of these fires happening in your or your insured's home or business, SERVPRO can help clean dryer vents and ducts that may have lint buildup. 

Other tips for keeping your dryer vents clean from the National Fire Protection Agency include cleaning the lint filter before and after each load and making sure the outdoor vent flap will open and is not restricted by snow, a bird's nest, or other potential obstacles. 

Every fire damage situation is a little different and requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. When various materials burn, the soot they create differs greatly and requires a specific cleaning procedure. 

Petoskey Water & Fire Damage

8/23/2018 (Permalink)

Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s Corporate Training Facility to regular IICRC industry certifications, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. Our training program includes the following:

  • IICRC Training
  • Employee Certification Training
  • Initial Franchise Training
  • e-Learnings
  • Continuing Education Classes

Employee Certification Training

The Employee Certification Training is a voluntary, self-paced program designed for SERVPRO Franchise employees. Certification is awarded after successful completion of course materials and an examination. Modules include:

  • Crew Training
  • Fire Restoration
  • Water Restoration
  • Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

Initial Franchise Training

A 15-day hands-on course at the SERVPRO Corporate Training Facility is the foundation of the SERVPRO training program. This course is primarily for new Franchise owners and covers many restoration topics:

  • Fire Restoration
  • Water Restoration
  • Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
  • Mold Mitigation

Are You Winter Weather Ready?

11/29/2017 (Permalink)

Are you prepared for the coming cold weather? Cold weather can have a huge impact on your home or business if you are not ready for it. From heavy rain and freezing temperatures to damaging winds, sleet, or snow, all can cause serious and costly property damage. While you cannot control the weather, you can take these steps to be prepared and help take the sting out of winter weather.

To help prevent costly damages due to weather consider taking the following precautions to protect your property before colder weather hits. 

  • Check your business property for the downed tree limbs and branches. Wind, heavy rain, ice, and snow can cause damage to the property and potentially cause personal injuries. 
  • Roofs, water pipes, and gutters should all be inspected to ensure they are in proper order. Gutter downspouts should be directed away from your building. Clear gutters of debris that may have gathered during this fall. Leaves and other obstructions can cause a damming effect, which can lead to roof damage and interior water problems. 
  • Inspect property, especially walkways and parking lots, for proper drainage to alleviate flood hazard potential.
  • Inspect all handrails, stairwells, and entryways to address and correct potential slippery or hazardous areas. Install mats or non slip surfaces and post caution signs where water could be present. 
  • Protect water pipes from freezing by simply allowing water to drip when temperatures dip below freezing. If pipes are under a cabinet, leave the cabinet doors open, allowing warm inside air to circulate around the pipes. If the building has outdoor faucets, consider shutting water off at the main valve in the basement or crawl space. Once the valve is off, open the outdoor faucet to ensure it drains, preventing any remaining water from freezing in the pipe.
  • Ask your local SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals about completing an Emergency READY Profile® (ERP) for your business. The ERP is a no-cost assessment to your facility and provides you with a plan to get back in business fast following a disaster.

Preparing Your Home for the Cold Winter

10/10/2016 (Permalink)

Here are some tips for getting your home in order to handle a winter storm

  • Clean out gutters, disconnect and drain all outside hoses. If possible, shut off outside water valves.
  • Insulate walls and attics, and caulk and weather-strip doors and windows.
  • Repair roof leaks and remove tree branches that could become weighted down with ice or snow and fall on your house or your neighbor's house.
  • Wrap water pipes in your basement or crawl spaces with insulation sleeves to slow heat transfer.
  • Consider an insulated blanket for your hot water heater.
  • If you have a fireplace, keep the flue closed when you're not using it.
  • Have a contractor check your roof to see if it would sustain the weight of a heavy snowfall.
  • Make sure your furniture isn't blocking your home’s heating vents.
  • During cold spells, keep cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around pipes, particularly those in the kitchen and bathroom.
  • Keep a slow trickle of water flowing through faucets connected to pipes that run through unheated or unprotected spaces.
  • If your house will be unattended during cold periods, consider draining the water system.
  • Avoid ice dams by keep water from melted snow from refreezing in the gutters and seeping under the roof and soaking interior walls. Here’s how:
    • Ventilate your attic. The colder it is, the less melting and refreezing on the roof.
    • Insulate the attic floor well to minimize the amount of heat rising through the attic from within the house.
    • Consider having a water-repellent membrane installed under your roof covering.

 

Tips were provided by Nationwide Insurance

 

We are proud to serve these Northern Michigan Communities and many more!

  • Gaylord, MI
  • Cheboygan, MI
  • Petosky, MI
  • Charlevoix, MI
  • Indian River, MI
  • Boyne City, MI
  • Harbor Springs, MI
  • East Jordon, MI
  • Mullet Lake, MI
  • Mackinaw City 
  • St Ignace
  • Sault Ste Marie

Our Services

Restoration:

  • Fire Damage
  • Water Damage
  • Mold Mitigation
  • Storm Response
  • Move Outs and Contents Restoration
  • Document Drying
  • Reconstruction

Cleaning:

  • Carpet Cleaning
  • Upholstery Cleaning
  • Drapes & Blinds
  • Air Ducts and HVAC
  • Deodorization
  • Biohazard and Crime Scene
  • Vandalism