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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived Commercial Blog Posts

What Sets SERVPRO apart?

9/25/2023 (Permalink)

Locally owned businesses are the heart of this country, and have been since its start. We all patronize multiple businesses in a day between work, play and filling our homes with all the things that we need.

When you own one of those local businesses, you carry a heavy load with simply managing the day-to-day of operating. When a disaster strikes, the consequences can be devastating.

Commercial damage from natural disasters has been on a steady rise in the United States. In the last five years, there has been close to $153 billion worth of damage annually, which represents a steep increase over previous periods.

Here in Northern Michigan, it may be hard to imagine any weather other than cold and snow, especially as our winter lingers well past spring. As our weather does slowly warm, however, snowmelt and ice dams can lead to swollen rivers and flooded roads.

The more we learn about potential disasters across the nation and right here at home, the better we can prepare and keep our businesses safe.

Water Damage

Damage from water can happen in so many different ways that moisture has become one of the top threats to businesses across the nation. Flooding from heavy rain, a burst pipe or even a drippy faucet can cause extensive damage on commercial property.

Exterior flooding from excessive rains or overflowing rivers can seep through floors and the seals on your doors, which can lead to damage to your foundation. If the exterior of your building allows it, landscaping can be strategically placed to divert water away from your building as a preventive measure. This is especially essential in our towns when snow and ice begin to melt.

Water damage from interior sources can happen over an extended period of time when a drip is left unfixed. Your plumbing should be inspected on a regular basis for signs of leaks. You should also watch walls and floors for water damage including warping and discoloration.

Keeping up with building maintenance can save an immense amount of money on costly repairs.

Storm Damage

Storm damage to commercial properties is extremely common and can take out a single unit, a roof tile or an entire community of businesses, seemingly at random. Even a power outage or a downed tree caused by a mild storm can damage your business and keep you away from work for an extended amount of time.

If a powerful storm with strong winds, hail and a tornado moves through, there is the potential for irreversible damage, or even the complete loss of your property. These storms can bring winds of over 100 mph that can knock over freight trucks and uproot trees as if they were twigs.

There are steps you can take to limit the amount of damage your building sustains. Costly measures like updating your windows and roof are highly effective, but even low cost efforts can make a big difference.

Keep your building maintained and regularly inspected to ensure everything is working as it should before a storm rolls in. Keep trees trimmed and limbs removed, and ensure any outdoor furniture is anchored properly to prevent damage to both your building and your employees.

Know Who to Call

Your commercial property can be damaged in a number of ways, but water and storm damage are the two most common. These events can be completely devastating and force a business to close for an extended amount of time or even permanently.

Fortunately, we are your backyard restoration professionals. Because we are locally owned and operated, you can call us 24/7/365 and we will respond quickly to any disaster you may face. Our team is your neighbor, and we want to work with you to create a plan and timeline that gets you back in business faster.

If you have experienced damage to your business or want to learn more about our commercial damage restoration services, contact us today @ 231-723-4872.

What Sets SERVPRO apart?

9/25/2023 (Permalink)

Locally owned businesses are the heart of this country, and have been since its start. We all patronize multiple businesses in a day between work, play and filling our homes with all the things that we need.

When you own one of those local businesses, you carry a heavy load with simply managing the day-to-day of operating. When a disaster strikes, the consequences can be devastating.

Commercial damage from natural disasters has been on a steady rise in the United States. In the last five years, there has been close to $153 billion worth of damage annually, which represents a steep increase over previous periods.

Here in Northern Michigan, it may be hard to imagine any weather other than cold and snow, especially as our winter lingers well past spring. As our weather does slowly warm, however, snowmelt and ice dams can lead to swollen rivers and flooded roads.

The more we learn about potential disasters across the nation and right here at home, the better we can prepare and keep our businesses safe.

Water Damage

Damage from water can happen in so many different ways that moisture has become one of the top threats to businesses across the nation. Flooding from heavy rain, a burst pipe or even a drippy faucet can cause extensive damage on commercial property.

Exterior flooding from excessive rains or overflowing rivers can seep through floors and the seals on your doors, which can lead to damage to your foundation. If the exterior of your building allows it, landscaping can be strategically placed to divert water away from your building as a preventive measure. This is especially essential in our towns when snow and ice begin to melt.

Water damage from interior sources can happen over an extended period of time when a drip is left unfixed. Your plumbing should be inspected on a regular basis for signs of leaks. You should also watch walls and floors for water damage including warping and discoloration.

Keeping up with building maintenance can save an immense amount of money on costly repairs.

Storm Damage

Storm damage to commercial properties is extremely common and can take out a single unit, a roof tile or an entire community of businesses, seemingly at random. Even a power outage or a downed tree caused by a mild storm can damage your business and keep you away from work for an extended amount of time.

If a powerful storm with strong winds, hail and a tornado moves through, there is the potential for irreversible damage, or even the complete loss of your property. These storms can bring winds of over 100 mph that can knock over freight trucks and uproot trees as if they were twigs.

There are steps you can take to limit the amount of damage your building sustains. Costly measures like updating your windows and roof are highly effective, but even low cost efforts can make a big difference.

Keep your building maintained and regularly inspected to ensure everything is working as it should before a storm rolls in. Keep trees trimmed and limbs removed, and ensure any outdoor furniture is anchored properly to prevent damage to both your building and your employees.

Know Who to Call

Your commercial property can be damaged in a number of ways, but water and storm damage are the two most common. These events can be completely devastating and force a business to close for an extended amount of time or even permanently.

Fortunately, we are your backyard restoration professionals. Because we are locally owned and operated, you can call us 24/7/365 and we will respond quickly to any disaster you may face. Our team is your neighbor, and we want to work with you to create a plan and timeline that gets you back in business faster.

If you have experienced damage to your business or want to learn more about our commercial damage restoration services, contact us today @ 231-723-4872.

The Facts about Commercial Damages

9/12/2022 (Permalink)

Keeping a business afloat takes all the help you can get. When you manage a property or own a business, you know that you need every available hand to keep things running smoothly. When something causes a major disruption or a loss, it can be devastating for you and your property.

The good news is that your retail space, rental property or manufacturing facility has a silent partner built in, and it’s right here in your Ludington backyard. SERVPRO is ready to carry the burden of emergency planning and deep-cleaning to keep your business success plan on track. We are your ally, invested in your business.

Large loss recovery. Flooding, fires and storms are leading causes of loss for businesses. These disasters cause massive damage across the United States, particularly when response time doesn’t happen quickly. Our Michigan weather can certainly be extreme, and we understand how devastating a winter storm can be to a business. SERVPRO is ready to respond with our highly trained employees and proven emergency services to start your recovery faster, 24 hours a day.

Emergency Ready Plan. Recovery begins before a disaster strikes when your business is ready. We can create a plan that covers your needs comprehensively. Our Emergency Ready Plans can include everything from alternate work locations to chain of command and temporary vendors. When you say “go,” the plan takes action and restoration for your business begins.

Cleaning of All Kinds. We can cover any deep-cleaning you and your business could ever need. SERVPRO has cleaned a long time, and we can handle basic deep-cleaning of high traffic areas, carpets and upholstery, as well as specialty cleaning needs including trauma site cleanup and safe biohazard removal. We have a solution for any situation.

Restoration Services. Heavy rains started a flood. The new employee burned food in the cafeteria. A pipe burst. Your business is going to have lots of different restoration needs, and SERVPRO of Manistee, Ludington and Cadillac is ready for all of them. We have lived and served in the Western Michigan area for a long time and we are ready to get your business back to work through restoration, cleaning or removal.

Industry Specialization. There isn’t an industry we haven’t worked with as we have served in our community over the decades. Whatever your business requires, we are prepared. In many cases, we can even restore or repair without disrupting your regular business flow.

Whatever your recovery need may be, and whatever your commercial property may require, trust SERVPRO to get the job done. Contact us today to get started on an Emergency Ready Plan or find out how we can serve your business.

Let SERVPRO handle your restoration needs

9/12/2022 (Permalink)

We are small business owners like so many of you, and we understand how stressful a typical day can be. Never-ending to-do’s in the midst of trying to make your business a success is a lot to handle, and if a disaster strikes, it can feel like your whole world is falling apart.

Although natural disasters can’t be prevented or sometimes even predicted, you can prepare yourself for them. And we know that disasters don’t just strike your business, so that means being prepared at home as well.

In order to be prepared, you will need an emergency plan. The American Red Cross is a great place to start putting together information. They have compiled data from natural disasters all across the United States and offer a wide variety of items that can help get you prepared.

When you are ready to seek out more local information, bookmark our state emergency management page as a go-to source for the disasters we most commonly see across all of Michigan. You should also familiarize yourself with our county’s website so that you can reference it before, during and after an event has occurred.

Regardless of the kind of emergency you have, response time will always be the most essential part of your recovery. The sooner restoration can start, the less damage your property will have. That is why you should make SERVPRO one of your first calls after an event.

Why Choose SERVPRO?

We have seen a wide variety of situations. All across the United States, people will see disasters that lead to restoration needs, but every scenario will look different.

Flooding serves as a great example of an incredibly common natural disaster that results in anything but common damages. Every year, nearly 14 million homes are at risk of flooding, but each home that does will have completely different restoration needs.

Our team is trained to handle any kind of job, regardless of scale. We will create an individualized plan that will meet the unique needs of the job at hand.

We have 247 availability, 365 days a year. The most important thing to know about damage restoration is that you need to act as fast as possible in order to slow down the extent of property damage done. The faster you respond, the sooner you can get back to your life.

When a home takes on water from any source, the damages begin immediately. Furniture will be saturated, fabrics will absorb water and paint could begin to peel. The longer water sits, the more time mold and mildew have to set up and weaken the structure of your home.

That is why SERVPRO is always ready to take your call and start your recovery.

We do more than just the simple. We won’t simply restore damages—we will take on the entire project in order to see it through completion.

This can include packing up items, rebuilding rooms and working with your insurance agent to ensure your claim is handled properly. It is our goal to assist you with anything you need and make your recovery as easy as possible.

Regardless of the kind of disaster you face, SERVPRO of Manistee, Ludington and Cadillac has got your back. We have been around for years, and with our training, expertise and industry-leading equipment, we will have your home or business back to preloss condition before you ever thought possible.

When you suffer damage to your home or business, it’s important that you know who to call! Call SERVPRO at 231-723-4872

Smoke and Soot Cleanup

8/31/2022 (Permalink)

The Facts About Commercial Damages:

Locally owned businesses are the heart of this country, and have been since its start. We all patronize multiple businesses in a day between work, play and filling our homes with all the things that we need.

When you own one of those local businesses, you carry a heavy load with simply managing the day-to-day of operating. When a disaster strikes, the consequences can be devastating.

Commercial damage from natural disasters has been on a steady rise in the United States. In the last five years, there has been close to $153 billion worth of damage annually, which represents a steep increase over previous periods.

In the Manistee, Ludington and Cadillac areas, it may be hard to imagine any weather other than cold and snow, especially as our winter lingers well past spring. As our weather does slowly warm, however, snowmelt and ice dams can lead to swollen rivers and flooded roads.

The rain that this past May brought only added to the danger of flooding. This danger is a good reminder of why we should always be prepared for anything that Mother Nature may bring our way.

The more we learn about potential disasters across the nation and right here at home, the better we can prepare and keep our businesses safe.

Water Damage

Damage from water can happen in so many different ways that moisture has become one of the top threats to businesses across the nation. Flooding from heavy rain, a burst pipe or even a drippy faucet can cause extensive damage on commercial property.

Exterior flooding from excessive rains or overflowing rivers can seep through floors and the seals on your doors, which can lead to damage to your foundation. If the exterior of your building allows it, landscaping can be strategically placed to divert water away from your building as a preventive measure. This is especially essential in our towns when snow and ice begin to melt.

Water damage from interior sources can happen over an extended period of time when a drip is left unfixed. Your plumbing should be inspected on a regular basis for signs of leaks. You should also watch walls and floors for water damage including warping and discoloration.

Keeping up with building maintenance can save an immense amount of money on costly repairs.

Storm Damage

Storm damage to commercial properties is extremely common and can take out a single unit, a roof tile or an entire community of businesses, seemingly at random. Even a power outage or a downed tree caused by a mild storm can damage your business and keep you away from work for an extended amount of time.

If a powerful storm with strong winds, hail and a tornado moves through, there is the potential for irreversible damage, or even the complete loss of your property. These storms can bring winds of over 100 mph that can knock over freight trucks and uproot trees as if they were twigs.

There are steps you can take to limit the amount of damage your building sustains. Costly measures like updating your windows and roof are highly effective, but even low cost efforts can make a big difference.

Keep your building maintained and regularly inspected to ensure everything is working as it should before a storm rolls in. Keep trees trimmed and limbs removed, and ensure any outdoor furniture is anchored properly to prevent damage to both your building and your employees.

Know Who to Call

Your commercial property can be damaged in a number of ways, but water and storm damage are the two most common. These events can be completely devastating and force a business to close for an extended amount of time or even permanently.

Fortunately, we are your backyard restoration professionals. Because we are locally owned and operated, you can call us 24/7 and we will respond quickly to any disaster you may face. Our team is your neighbor, and we want to work with you to create a plan and timeline that gets you back in business faster.

If you have experienced damage to your business or want to learn more about our commercial restoration services, call SERVPRO of Manistee, Ludington and Cadillac 24/7 @ 231-723-4872

What Sets SERVPRO apart?

8/22/2022 (Permalink)

There’s never a convenient time for your business to be sidelined with fire or water damage. We know that every hour your business is out of commission is an hour of lost productivity and revenue. When you need professional cleaning or restoration services, we have the training, expertise, and resources to handle any size disaster. SERVPRO of Manistee, Ludington and Cadillac specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water or fire damage.  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.  If your business runs into trouble call SERVPRO of Manistee, Ludington and Cadillac to make it "Like it never even happened."231-723-4872.

Large size commercial losses with SERVPRO

9/9/2021 (Permalink)

The size of commercial losses compared to residential homes is another large difference between these two types of losses. While a home may be 2,000 or 3,000 square foot, schools, hospitals, or factories may be 10 or 100 times that size. A big box store or food distribution center may be 250,000 square feet. At that level there often isn’t power to run enough drying equipment to quickly dry the loss. The experts at SERVPRO can bring semi-mounted generators and propane fired desiccant dryers that can quickly dry any sized building. These units are independent of the local power of the fuel grid and can operate 24/7 for as long as needed. Just call SERVPRO of Manistee, Ludington, and Cadillac at 877-350-4872 to get the crew that is faster to any size disaster.

Commercial losses are simpler with the help of SERVPRO

9/9/2021 (Permalink)

Another major difference in commercial and residential losses is the volume of MIP’s (Materially Interested Parties) that flock to the loss site. There can be multiple owners, tenants, and insurance companies involved in the loss. They will often call their own engineers, architects, building managers, and consultants and might even get third party estimators involved. Many times insurance companies will call in a third party loss specialist to attempt to control the total cost of both the disaster mitigation and reconstruction. These large loss commercial claims require specialized help that only SERVPRO of Manistee, Ludington, and Cadillac, your Fire & Water - Cleanup and Restoration professionals can provide. So call us at 877-350-4872 we are always here to help in making it "Like it never even happened."

Keeping your commercial property secured during a loss

8/31/2021 (Permalink)

Security can be another issue with commercial losses. In a residential loss, often the home is still occupied but commercial losses typically close during the loss or at least limit daily access after hours. SERVPRO can provide fencing or guards to protect the property as well as video security. When your business is damaged and shut down, the last thing you need to worry about is security. The experts at SERVPRO of Manistee, Ludington, and Cadillac will work with your property management team to make sure there are no gaps, and everyone is on the same page.

Often customers will still need access to elevators and loading docks. Deliveries can be expected 24/7 and many times unaffected portions of the building will continue to operate, even during the loss.  It is not unusual for multiple users of the building to have different daily needs. You can’t assume the building will be empty just because they have had a disaster.  Never take a chance with a non-local company when you can call the experts at SERVPRO of Manistee, Ludington, and Cadillac at 877-350-4872.

Heating and ventilation in residential versus commercial buildings

8/26/2021 (Permalink)

Another big difference between residential and commercial buildings is heating and ventilation. Homes usually have a furnace and/or AC unit and transmit the heat and cooling with ducts. Commercial buildings often “dump” the conditioned air into areas above the ceilings and use ceiling grids and fans to cool or heat in each zone or room. This can create a problem when a small fire (smoke), or mold issue is spread throughout the building by the HVAC system.  Commercial buildings often have sprinkler systems, computer rooms and networks as well as multiple zones controlling the heat and air conditioning.

Other areas of concern involve the placement of fresh air intakes for the outside air makeup systems. These are often placed on hot roofs which are off gassing chemicals, or near idling diesel trucks which can compromise the air quality being sucked into the building. Filters on the fresh air system are another issue that must be dealt with during a water, fire, or mold event. When dealing with a commercial loss you need to call the experts at SERVPRO of Manistee, Ludington, and Cadillac at 850-350-4872 to help you figure it out.

Finding and drying commercial water damage

8/10/2021 (Permalink)

Many commercial buildings have steel skeletons instead of wooden studs. While mold on these studs isn’t a big problem, rust is. If they aren’t completely dried, they will rust and will be structurally compromised. Often the channels that hold the studs run the length of the building. These channels allow the water to travel to areas you would never expect, often far from the original loss. Using moisture meters to look for the water can be a challenge since the studs set off the conductivity meters we use just like wet materials. This may require the use of infrared cameras and other moisture detectors to determine what is wet. Call the commercial restoration specialists at SERVPRO of Manistee, Ludington, and Cadillac at 877-350-4872 if you have a loss.

Differences in commercial and residential losses

8/4/2021 (Permalink)

This series of blogs will show the differences in commercial and residential losses. Often large commercial losses involve leaving western Michigan and even the state. Each state has different rules on licensing. For example, Michigan has no rules on mold remediation, but most states do. Similar rule differences apply to asbestos remediation, getting permits for demolition and reconstruction, and even getting work. In many states it is illegal to knock on a door and offer your services (even if water is squirting out of the house or the roof is gone). A solicitation license is required. These rules get more confusing as individual states temporarily waive licensing rules during disasters. Call the experts at SERVPRO of Manistee, Ludington, and Cadillac at 877-350-4872 to be sure the legal rules are being followed for crews working on your business.

We can handle the big stuff

4/6/2020 (Permalink)

A local Manistee chain motel recently found out what happens when a main water line to its fire suppression system freezes and bursts. SERVPRO of Manistee, Ludington, and Cadillac was called during the night when the front desk night manager noticed water pouring from the ceiling in one of the wings. The experts at SERVPRO quickly helped the quests relocate and started extracting water to begin the drying process. The wet insulation in the ceiling was removed, drywall cut, baseboards removed and some carpet pad removed. Most of the carpet was able to be dried in place. The motel was approved to remain open for guests after drying equipment was set, the fire suppression system was repaired and inspected, and containment built to isolate the affected rooms. With the quick response by the experts of SERVPRO of Manistee, Ludington and Cadillac it kept any customers from having to find another place to spend the night.

There in a flash!

2/28/2020 (Permalink)

Last week SERVPRO of Manistee, Ludington, and Cadillac was called to help a local Cadillac business when an adjacent building had a water pipe burst. SERVPRO was on site within an hour and the business was able to re-open the same day. Because of how quickly the water loss was discovered and mitigated, damage was confined to less than 25% of the showroom. SERVPRO set containment to separate the affected areas from the rest of the building, extracted the water, moved and blocked wet contents, and set drying equipment. Within 3 days the experts at SERVPRO were able to remove all the drying equipment and start the restoration process. SERVPRO of Manistee, Ludington and Cadillac always here to help our community in their time of need. 

Back to school early!

2/17/2020 (Permalink)

There is never a good time for a fire. SERVPRO of Manistee, Ludington, and Cadillac recently was called to a local Reed City school over Christmas break. A contractor was stripping and refinishing the gym floor when the cleaning rags self-combusted causing smoke damage to the gym, locker rooms, halls, and cafeteria. While this was a very large loss SERVPRO of Manistee, Ludington, and Cadillac was able to partner with our sister franchises in Grand Rapids to get enough crews on site to work multiple shifts and complete the cleanup in 4 days. School was able to open on schedule after New Year’s Day and no time was missed. SERVPRO of Manistee, Ludington and Cadillac always here to help make it "Like it never even happened."

Furniture store fire

2/14/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Manistee, Ludington, and Cadillac recently helped a local Mason County furniture store after a major fire in their warehouse.  When the attached warehouse caught fire, it not only damaged the building and stored contents but also filled the sales floor with smoke and odor. SERVPRO had a crew on site within an hour setting containment between the buildings and allowing cleaning to begin. Within 3 days, the main store was able to open for customers while SERVPRO worked on the warehouse. All contents were removed, the structure was cleaned by blasting with baking soda and all surfaces were HEPA vacuumed and sealed with an oil based paint. After final Ozone deodorization and replacement of the overhead doors, the structure was ready to be used. SERVPRO of Manistee, Ludington and Cadillac was able to help get this local small business up and running in just a few days which is critical for cash flow.