Recent Posts

Fire damage tips

6/30/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Novi/Commerce South and Bloomfield knows how stressful the fire restoration process can be.  You should never try to remediate your property on your own after a fire.  We have the experience needed to make your home safe again.  We have listed the basic fire restoration repair process below so you know what to expect.

  • Confirm the property is stabilized and safe to enter

The first step of a remediation professional is to confirm that the property is safe to enter. They’ll check for signs of structural damage that compromises the home and carefully inspect the property from the outside before opening the door.

  • Minimize damage

Smoke and soot can cause damage even after the fire has been extinguished. You and the professionals working in your home should be cautious of soot staining, mold and mildew, rust and corrosion and the air quality in the home.  

  • Remove soot and debris

Before any water damage or fire damage restoration processes can begin, all debris and soot must be removed from the home. The soot can cause more damage the longer it remains on a surface, while the debris is only going to get in the way the restoration process.

  • Remove personal possessions too damaged to restore
  • Eliminate excess water and dry wet surfaces
  • Begin deodorizing, deep cleaning and removing stains

Tips on maintenance to prevent water damage

6/30/2023 (Permalink)

Prevention by proper maintenance can be the key to preventing water damage occurring to your home.  SERVPRO of Novi/Commerce South and Bloomfield would like to give you a few key tips for maintaining home to prevent future water damage from occurring therefore potentially saving you thousands of dollars.  Since we all live in Michigan and are familiar with the ever changing weather, the first tip is to keep gutters and downspouts clear and clean at least once every six months.  This is to help prevent ice dams from occurring on roof which can cause water damage both inside and outside of home and should be completed before the first snow fall of the year.  It is also important to keep the vegetation and trees away from the roof and to keep trees trimmed back to prevent leaves from collecting on roof which can ultimately hold moisture against roof.  Another important tip is to know where your main shut off valve for your home which can be crucial if a pipe bursts in your home and can prevent further damage to your home.  We also suggest checking appliances regularly (dishwasher, refrigerator, clothes washer, etc.) for any malfunction or leaks , a small undetected leak can cause thousands of dollars in damages if not addressed and repaired in a timely matter.  It is also extremely important to get yearly roof inspections and monitoring your water bill for any changes that can indicate an issue such as a leak.  Lastly, making sure all materials are dry before doing the reconstruction/repairs as not doing so can cause other problems or mold growth if not properly dried first.  Please call SERVPRO of Novi/Commerce South and Bloomfield today at 248-344-0044 to assess any water damages in your home, we are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for your convenience!

Sump pump maintenance

6/30/2023 (Permalink)

With how dry it has been lately, most sump pumps have not been running. It is a good idea to routinely check your sump pump to insure that it will work when needed. The float to the sump pump is what enables it from turning on and off. When there is no water in the crock the float will be in the down position, which is off. As water fills in to the crock it will lift the float pushing it up into the on position. The sump pump will pump the water out, and once the water level recedes the float falls back down turning it off. Sometimes during this process the float can get stuck. If it gets stuck in the down position then it will not turn on when you need it to. We at SERVPRO of Novi/Commerce South and Bloomfield recommend routinely checking to make sure it is in working order so you have it when you need it. If you are not able to check it you may also call plumbers to inspect if you feel there is an issue. In the event of a failed sump pump SERVPRO of Novi/Commerce South and Bloomfield at 248-344-0044, we are only a call away!

Vacation plans?

6/30/2023 (Permalink)

As the Fourth of July is approaching, we know a lot of people will be going out of town. It is always a good idea to turn off your water main if you are going to be gone for an extended period of time. We recommend turning off the main, and then insuring all water is out of the system. We do this by going to the lowest faucet point in your home, and opening the valve. Once the water stops, the plumbing is no longer pressurized. If you were to leave the water main on, multiple scenarios could erupt. Supply lines to your sinks, toilets, refrigerator, dishwasher and other areas in your home could break/disconnect, causing major damage if let unattended. if you experience any water damage while out of town this holiday give  SERVPRO of Novi/Commerce South and Bloomfield a call at (248) 344-0044

Air quality concerns

6/30/2023 (Permalink)

As many have noticed or seen for their selves, we have been experiencing unfamiliar air quality issues with the wildfires in Canada here in Michigan. Reports have shown air quality concerns for the last few days. The Michigan Department of Environment has issued a state wide air quality alert, and to stay in doors due to elevated levels of particle matter from smoke concentration. We at SERVPRO of Novi/Commerce South and Bloomfield know how to control air quality an odor in doors. If you are noticing any odors or air quality concerns inside your home placing an air scrubber can be beneficial. Air scrubbers have HEPA filters opposed to a regular filter. A HEPA filter is capable of filtering 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and any air borne particles. We also have other equipment options, as well as charcoal/carbon filters that assist in odor. Give us a call today if you have any air quality needs (248) 344-0044.

Safety first on 4th of July!

6/30/2023 (Permalink)

Independence Day is upon us and SERVPRO of Novi/Commerce South and Bloomfield wants you to have a safe and happy holiday!  We have listed some fireworks safety tips below to keep you and your loved one's safe this 4th of July holiday!

  • Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks
  • Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them
  • Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of emergency
  • Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly
  • Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully
  • Never use fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs
  • Remember to only use fireworks outside and away from wood and other flammable materials
  • Soak fireworks in water before throwing in trash

Reconstruction services

6/26/2023 (Permalink)

A water, fire, smoke, or mold loss can be an extremely stressful event and SERVPRO of Novi/Commerce South and Bloomfield is here to help from start to finish and can be reached at 248-344-0044.  Our franchise offers reconstruction services as well as water, fire, smoke, mold, and cleaning services therefore you conveniently only need to make one call to complete your restoration process. 

SERVPRO of Novi/Commerce South and Bloomfield offers years of mitigation experience and employees hold IICRC certifications which they must maintain with continuous training and education.  We also offer full reconstruction services and can complete the repairs from the mitigation process ensuring our customer's satisfaction in dealing with just one company for the entire repair process.  Call SERVPRO of Novi/Commerce South and Bloomfield today to get your restoration process started at 248-344-0044

Biohazard clean up services

6/26/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Novi/Commerce South and Bloomfield is trained and experienced in biohazard cleanup.  We have listed below the different types of biohazard that we offer cleaning and disposal services:

  • Human bodily fluids

Including blood, saliva, amniotic fluid, and more — bodily fluids can transmit diseases

  • Medical waste

This includes tissue samples, laboratory cultures, and byproducts from autopsies and surgeries

  • Animal carcasses and droppings

Droppings may contain bacteria and viruses that become airborne, and carcasses attract disease-carrying pests such as flies and rodents

  • Mold and fungi

Spores can become airborne and cause respiratory, neurological, and other illnesses

  • Viruses and bacteria

Some viruses and bacteria can survive outside of hosts and pose a threat to anyone entering the environment

Examples of biohazard cleanup situations:

  • Human deaths, including homicide, suicide, and unattended death (blood and bodily fluid cleanup)
  • Hoarding
  • Animal infestation (rodent feces, dead carcasses)
  • Localized disease outbreaks 
  • Criminal activity/crime scene cleanup 
  • Mold or fungus infestations
  • Industrial and workplace accidents 
  • Odor removal
  • Vehicle cleaning and decontamination
  • Sewage and black water cleanup

Lead containing materials

6/13/2023 (Permalink)

Materials that contain lead can be hazardous if not removed properly. Knowing what materials to look out for is crucial to preventing an unsafe environment in your home. Some materials to look out for before removing are drywall and any painted surface if house is built prior to 1978. The year of your home helps determine the likeliness of the materials being positive. SERVPRO of Novi/Commerce South and Bloomfield tests these types of materials prior to removing them to ensure there is no chance of cross contamination after the fact. In the event that the materials were to come back positive for lead, SERVPRO of Novi/Commerce South and Bloomfield is certified for lead removals and we are happy to help!  

Importance of basement dehumidifier

6/13/2023 (Permalink)

Dehumidifiers for basements are essential to help homeowners over come basement moisture issues.  The high volume of water that is transferring through your basement, especially during the spring and summer months, can create high levels of relative humidity that can lead to mold and mildew growth.  These things can compromise your structure and make you sick.  That is why it is important to run a dehumidifier in your basement to help control your humidity levels.

Basements are a nice feature, but they are extra susceptible to water damage since they are buried under ground. By making sure your basement stays properly dehumidified you lessen your chance of having to deal with mold or mildew issues that can compromise your extra space and potentially make you sick.

Call SERVPRO of Novi/Commerce South and Bloomfield to schedule an inspection today!