Recent Why SERVPRO Posts

The Latest Technology

9/5/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Lapeer and Grand Blanc 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 Lapeer today.

810-664-1000

Long-Term Effects of Storm Damage

5/18/2022 (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.

Clean Water Damage

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

What to DO:

-Shut off the source of water if possible or contact a qualified party to stop the water source.

-Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the building, when access to the power distribution panel is safe from electric shock.

- Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting.

- Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing lamps and tabletop items. 

-Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying. 

- Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.

- Use wooden clothespins to keep furniture skirting off damp floors.

- Hang draperies with coated hangers to avoid contact with wet carpet and floors.

- Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.

What NOT TO DO:

- Enter rooms with standing water where electrical shock hazards may exist.

-Enter effected areas if electrical outlets, switches, circuit breakers or electrical equipment are exposed to water. Always avoid electrical shock hazards.

-Leave books, newspapers, magazines or other colored items on wet carpet or floors to cause staining.

- Leave oriental rugs or other colored rugs on wet wall-to-wall carpets to cause staining.

-Use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water, possibly causing electrical shock or damage to the vacuum cleaner. 

- Use TV's or other appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors.

- Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet or enter room where ceilings are sagging from retained water. 

Roof Damage

4/13/2022 (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 Lapeer is on call 24/7. We can restore or replace any issues with your roof.

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

810-664-1000

Benefits to Choosing SERVPRO for Large Loss Events

3/2/2022 (Permalink)

Easier Insurance Claims Process

SERVPRO will help you navigate the insurance claims process and coordinate the necessary paperwork for a quicker, easier experience.

Commercial Large Loss Division

Our Disaster Recovery Teams are composed of elite technicians who have the training and resources to handle large-loss events for industries that have included hospitals, universities and government facilities.

Available 24/7

Storms and other disasters can strike at any time of the day or night, so we are ready to help as soon as we’re needed.

Personal Attention

Each large loss project is managed by a project manager from your local SERVPRO location. They’re backed by the SERVPRO headquarters operations team to help you have the smoothest restoration experience possible.

Strategically Located

We have more trained and certified technicians than any of our competitors at more than 1,900 locations in the United States and Canada. This gives us a larger network of professionals, supplies and equipment to get the job done, regardless of size.

Residential Construction

2/15/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Lapeer is your one-stop shop for residential construction. The last thing you want to worry about when you need home restoration is contacting and managing multiple repair crews in your home, which can be time consuming, disorganized, and expensive. With one phone call, our highly trained professionals will oversee your project from start to finish. We offer all services needed to get your home constructed. This includes inspection and estimating, mitigation, restoration and reconstruction. In addition to these services, we offer premium services for dust control and protection from COVID-19 and other contaminants using our proprietary, EPA-registered products. We are competent and experienced and believe in delivering quality workmanship, so your house will feel like home. We’ll work with your insurance company to restore your home to help make it “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of Lapeer 

Available 24/7-365 days a year

810-664-1000

One of The Largest Trees we Have Seen!

11/12/2021 (Permalink)

This is a home that was hit by an extremely large tree. The entire roof caved in, the framing cracked, and walls were leaning over. SERVPRO of Lapeer was immediately on the scene to remove the homeowners’ personal belongings so they could be cleaned and properly stored, protecting them from any further damage. The tree was safely removed, and the entire house was tarped up to prevent any further damage from future weather. The flooring throughout the entire home had to be removed, the framing on the entire left side of the home had to be rebuilt as well as allot of the brick work.

Whether it be wind damage, water damage, a tree fall, or whatever the case may be- we're here for you!

SERVPRO of Lapeer

810-664-1000

The Benefits of Calling SERVPRO of Lapeer

11/10/2021 (Permalink)

What does SERVPRO of Lapeer do for you when your home and family are affected?

1. Within one hour a SERVPRO Franchise Professional will call to arrange for service.

2. Within 4 short hours a professional will arrive on-site prepared to begin emergency mitigation services, if so needed.

3. A Project Manager of SERVPRO will review your home with you and address any questions or concerns.

4. The SERVPRO Project Manager will then go through your home starting from the fire and working his way outward to see what is restorable or salvageable. 

5. Next SERVPRO will present to you and your insurance adjuster a plan of action, also known as a "Scope of Work".

6. Your home will be cleaned and restored by SERVPRO Franchise Professionals.

7. After all of the work is completed, a final walk-through will be conducted with you to help ensure your satisfaction

Standing Water? We Can Help With That!

7/8/2021 (Permalink)

The last few weeks in Michigan have been wet, to say the least. Our emergency service line has been ringing non-stop and our team is working around the clock. Do you know what to do at the first sign of a water leak?

1) Identify the source- where is the water coming from?

 -Is it the sump-pump, a broken pipe, or is there water coming in from your basement windows? 

 Why does this matter?

Insurance companies put each loss in a different type of category so knowing the cause is vital when confirming if a service is covered or not which brings us to point # 2. 

2) Know your insurance policy- verify your coverage before you request a service team otherwise you may be stuck with a big bill at the end. 

 3) Call in the experts! 

SERVPRO of Lapeer & Grand Blanc waiting for your call 24/7 810-664-1000 

Water Works Quickly..... But so do we!

6/15/2021 (Permalink)

Faster To Any Size Disaster

Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more.  SERVPRO of Lapeer arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – (810) 664-1000

Water Damage Timeline

Within Minutes

  • Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
  • Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
  • Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
  • Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.

Hours 1 - 24:

  • Drywall begins to swell and break down.
  • Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
  • Furniture begins to swell and crack.
  • Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
  • A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

  • Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
  • Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
  • Metal begins to rust and corrode.
  • Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
  • Paint begins to blister.
  • Wood flooring swells and warps.
  • Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 Week:

  • Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
  • Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.

About SERVPRO of Lapeer

SERVPRO of Lapeer specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. 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.

Give us a call today at 810-664-1000!

SERVPRO of Lapeer Water Damage Services

5/3/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Lapeer & Grand Blanc is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

Our professionally trained technicians are waiting for your call. With the most current and advanced drying equipment we can have your home or business on the way to recovery in a matter of hours. While the dry out process is being executed, we will carefully pack up and store all of your belongings that have not been affected and contain the damaged areas to keep it from spreading any further.

Let us go to work for you!

SERVPRO of Lapeer 

810-664-1000

Emergency Restoration Services With SERVPRO of Lapeer

4/26/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Lapeer provides professional residential and commercial emergency restoration services for disasters of all sizes. From water and flood damage, to fire damage and mold remediation, SERVPRO of Lapeer is available 24/7 to clean up and repair damage to residential and commercial property. 

Why choose SERVPRO emergency restoration services?

  • Emergency disaster service available 24/7
  • Rapid response to disasters of all sizes
  • IICRC-certified water restoration specialists
  • Affordable Prices
  • Quickly Friendly Service

When disaster strikes your business, every hour spent on recovery could equal hundreds, even thousands of dollars of lost revenue. Fast and efficient disaster cleanup is crucial. Our professional commercial and large loss restoration specialists will be there fast to get your business up and running again.

Do you Have a Mold problem? Give SERVPRO of Lapeer a call Today!

4/21/2021 (Permalink)

Did you know that it is actually impossible to remove ALL mold from your home or business? Mold lives everywhere, indoor and outdoor. Mold spores are microscopic, traveling through the air and usually entering your home through windows, air conditioning units or doors. They thrive on moisture and can quickly turn into a much larger problem when exposed to water. 

Large mold problems are generally easy to find because it produces a strong musty odor. 

Why chose SERVPRO of Lapeer if you find mold present in your home or business?

FIRST......

We are faster to any size disaster!

SECOND.....

We are highly trained mold remediation specialists. We have the training and expertise to safely handle any mold situation.

  • Applied Microbial Remediation Specialist
  • Water Damage Restoration Technician
  • Applied Structural Drying Technician

 SERVPRO of Lapeer is here for you day or night 365 days a year.

Tips on how to SAFELY deep fry your turkey this Thanksgiving

11/23/2020 (Permalink)

Turkey Fryer Best Practice Be sure to follow these tips to SAFELY deep fry your holiday bird!

Thanksgiving is a time for family and holiday traditions including taste tested Thanksgiving recipes. It's also a time where family members may want to join in the food preparation so fire safety is important. With the speed of deep-frying a turkey, the irresistible flavor, and juiciness that results, turkey frying has become a Thanksgiving tradition for some. But turkey fryers have the potential to cause fire and serious injury, which is why organizations like the National Fire Protection Association advises against using them. If you DO plan to deep-fry your holiday bird, be sure you know how to safely use the fryer, and take these precautions to protect yourself, your guests and your home.

Tips to help prevent deep fried turkey accidents

  • Keep outdoor fryers off decks, out of garages and a safe distance away from trees and other structures.
  • Make sure the turkey is thawed and dry before cooking. Ice or water that mixes into the hot oil can cause flare-ups.
  • Watch the weather. Never operate a fryer outdoors in the rain or snow.
  • Place the fryer on a level surface, and avoid moving it once it's in use.
  • Leave 2 feet between the tank and the burner when using a propane-powered fryer.
  • Follow the manufacturer's instructions to avoid overfilling. Oil can ignite when it makes contact with the burner.
  • Choose a smaller turkey for frying. A bird that's 8 to 10 pounds is best; pass on turkeys over 12 pounds.
  • Never leave fryers unattended.
  • Purchase a fryer with temperature controls, and watch the oil temperature carefully. Cooking oil that is heated beyond its smoke point can catch fire. If you notice the oil is smoking, turn the fryer off.
  • Turn off the burner before lowering the turkey into the oil. Once the turkey is submerged, turn the burner on.
  • Wear goggles to shield your eyes, use oven mitts to protect your hands and arms and keep an "ABC" or grease-rated fire extinguisher close by. Do not to use water or a garden hose on a fire related to Turkey Fryers.
  • Skip the stuffing when frying turkey, and avoid water-based marinades.
  • Keep children and pets away from the fryer at all times.
  • Once finished, carefully remove the pot from the burner, place it on a level surface and cover to let the oil cool overnight before disposing.
  • Opt for an oil-less fryer. This uses infrared heat, rather than oil, to cook the turkey.

In the slim chance that something goes wrong (of course we HOPE not), please remember that SERVPRO of Lapeer always has crews on call, including holidays like Thanksgiving.  We are always here to help.  Give us a call at 810-664-1000 any time.

SERVPRO and Your Insurance Company

6/3/2020 (Permalink)

Why choose SERVPRO for your repairs and restoration?

We offer you and your insurance company a variety of competitive advantages.

-Our professionals pride themselves on restoring your home or property correctly the first time and in a timely manner so you can get back to your life. This will allow for lower claims costs for your insurance provider and satisfied customers. 

-Our large team of professionals are trained for any size disaster. This means a quicker response time for your home or business.  

-SERVPRO franchise professionals can provide an itemized loss inventory. You will receive an Excel formatted report and pictures of important items.

-SERVPRO Franchise Professionals must agree to 21 different guidelines to receive Insurance Client referrals. From insurance to background checks on employees, each requirement is maintained continually to help ensure clients get the best possible service providers performing work.

Our Thank you to Everyone on The Front Line

4/10/2020 (Permalink)

In an effort to thank our first responders for what they are doing to protect our communities, we are currently offering sanitizing and fogging services for ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars at no cost. We know each company is taking their own precautions, we are offering our services as a professional cleaning company to go above and beyond for you as a thank you.

We are reaching out individually to the first responders in our area, but we want to make sure we don’t miss anyone.

For anyone that would like to be scheduled, or has questions, please contact marketing manager Lauren Goslee on her cell phone at 810-569-2861.

Thank you to everyone who is working so hard to keep us safe in the fight against COVID-19.

Safety Measures Against the Coronavirus

3/13/2020 (Permalink)

About Coronavirus

The CDC is responding to an outbreak of a respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and has spread to 60 locations internationally (as of this publication), including cases in the United States. The virus known as “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”) is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person or through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

Scope of Cleanup Protocol

SERVPRO professionals can perform a proactive cleanup that involves facility or structure cleaning and disinfection where the customer states that there is no active known threat of COVID-19 contamination or exposure. The customer will be required to acknowledge that cleaning and disinfecting will only apply to the current state of the structure and contents. The structure would not be protected from future COVID-19 contamination if an infected person was to enter and occupy the building.

Cleanup Scope of Work and Planning

The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs,light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and tables at a minimum. These same surfaces are mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces as well: 

• Kitchen/Food Areas

• Bathrooms

• Schools/Classrooms

• Offices

• Retail Spaces

• Water Fountains

• Shelving and Racks

• Sales Counters

• Carpets and rugs

• Stair Handrails

• Elevator Cars

• Playground Equipment

• Fitness Equipment

Cleanup and Disinfecting Procedures

Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for cleanup process, and disposal of waste. The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar type organisms to COVID-19. SERVPROXIDE, SERVPRO’s proprietary disinfectant, is a hospital-grade disinfectant that has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to SARS-CoV-2 on hard, non-porous surfaces. In addition, SERVPROXIDE currently has dozens of EPA-approved claims including Feline coronavirus, Canine coronavirus, Staphylococcus (MRSA), E. coli, Salmonella, Rotavirus, Swine flu (H1N1) and more. Porous surfaces that are not water-sensitive, such as carpet and other fabric material, cannot be disinfected but can be sanitized using SERVPROXIDE.

Safe Snow Removal

2/3/2020 (Permalink)

Snow on your roof can lead to leaks, mildew buildup in your attic, and damage to your gutters. It has  been a pretty mild winter so far but we at SERVPRO of Lapeer have a feeling it is not over just yet. Pay attention to the following three tips for safe snow removal. 

1. Stay at ground level if possible. If it is wet you can assume it is slippery. Better to stay closer to the ground.

2. Dont let snow pile too high, remove as much as you can. Falling ice or a buildup of snow can be dangerous. The weight of the snow on your roof can also result in water leaks. 

3. Use a plastic shovel. They are lightweight, flexible and easy to handle. Snow is also less likely to stick to a plastic blade. 

Family Escape Plan

1/3/2020 (Permalink)

Do you have an escape plan if a fire happens at your home?

Consider these tips to create a plan:

  • Walk through your home and inspect all possible exits and escape routes. Households with children should consider drawing a floor plan, showing 2 exits of each room (door and window)
  • A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home
  • Everyone in the household must understand the escape plan. When you walk through your plan, check to make sure the escape routes are clear and doors and windows can be opened easily.
  • Choose an outside meeting place (i.e. neighbor's house, a light post, mailbox, or stop sign) a safe distance in front of your home where everyone can meet after they've escaped. Make sure to mark the location of the meeting place on your escape plan.
  • If there are infants, elderly, or family members with mobility limitations, make sure that someone is assigned to assist them in the fire drill and in the event of an emergency. Assign a backup person too, in case the designee is not home during the emergency.
  • Once you're out, stay out! Under no circumstances should you ever go back into a burning building. If someone is missing, inform the fire department dispatcher when you call. Firefighters have the skills and equipment to perform rescues.

Having an escape plan set in place- JUST IN CASE- can be life saving and beneficial.

If you have a fire at your home, call SERVPRO of Lapeer to take care of the disaster.

810-664-1000

Keeping that Bedroom Door Shut

1/3/2020 (Permalink)

Many children like sleeping with their doors open in fear of the boogeyman hiding under there bed. However this picture shows why it is so important for bedroom doors to stay shut at night time. A shut door can keep out smoke and eventually fire and save a life. 

- Routine at home fire drills are a great way to keep your kids ready and aware. Kids practice them at school, why wouldn't you teach them at home?

Stop, Drop, and Roll is universal.  Also teach them to stay low, and how to check with the back of their hand to see if a door is warm.  Pick an easy place outside like the swing set for everyone to meet.

For more tips, check out this article from the National Fire Prevention Association on creating a home fire escape plan.

-Smoke alarms should be in every bedroom and properly maintained.

As always, our crews are on call 24/7 365 days of the year, should disaster strike. 

What does SERVPRO of Lapeer and Grand blanc have to offer?

12/23/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Lapeer & Grand Blanc is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

Our professionally trained technicians are waiting for your call. With the most current and advanced drying equipment we can have your home or business on the way to recovery in a matter of hours. While the dry out process is being executed, we will carefully pack up and store all of your belongings that have not been affected and contain the damaged areas to keep it from spreading any further.

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help
Call Today - 810.664.1000

Carpet Cleaning before the Holidays

11/24/2019 (Permalink)

It is that wonderful yet stressful time of year when all families gather together to celebrate the season and enjoy a really nice meal together. If you are the one hosting said meal, your more than likely working double time to get your house ready. Carpet stains or grungy looking carpet is always an eye sore so let SERVPRO of Lapeer help you out with our professional carpet cleaners.

-Some stains are extremely persistent and cannot be removed without professional attention. We use powerful cleansers and state-of-the-art techniques and equipment to remove even set-in soils and spatter.

-Deep-down dirt and grime can damage carpet fibers and cause rugs and carpet to wear out more quickly than they should. Regular carpet cleaning removes contaminants that cause damage and discoloration and extends the useful life of your carpet.

Call SERVPRO of Lapeer today for a quote. 

810-664-1000

Holiday Depot Support

1/8/2019 (Permalink)

All of the collected items on the table after counting.

Community is very important to us at SERVPRO. We strive to be active members of the community and support those in need when we can. That is why we did not even think twice about supporting the Holiday Depot of Lapeer County.

In order to show support for the organization, we became a donation center and a put gift tags on our tree for individuals looking for an item to buy. Considering we don’t get a lot of walking traffic, we decided to partner with the local elementary school to do a collection on their behalf. The school house over 400 students. We put a collection box in 19 classrooms and asked the students to bring items in over the course of 3 weeks. Any class that participated would receive candy canes and the class that brought in the most items would receive a pizza party. We were a little weary because this was the first attempt at something like this, but much to our surprise, the winning class brought in 211 items and the students, brought in 1,146 items! Those items will go a long way for this organization and the families in the community that need the assistance.

Overall, this was an amazing experience and we are so humbled by the support that the students showed for those in need in our community. We can’t wait to do this again next year!

Donation to the Fire Association

1/1/2019 (Permalink)

The van after the training session was complete.

Have you heard of spring cleaning? At SERVPRO, we believe in fall cleaning! In this case, we had some vehicles that didn’t work and we needed to find them a new home. Instead of just shipping them off to the junk yard, we decided to donate them to the local fire association for their training session.

This training session was teaching them how to remove people from the vehicles, more specifically, using the jaws of life. We were unable to attend the course due to state regulations, but from the pictures that they sent us, that class was very interesting. The two mini vans that we donated, are now doorless convertibles! We were impressed when we saw the after pictures.

The training the members of our fire department does, it crucial to the work that they do in the field and we are happy that we were able to assist them by donating our vehicles.

Continuing Education

12/17/2018 (Permalink)

Photo of the class attendees during a class break.

One of the many ways that SERVPRO helps in the community, is by providing Continuing Education Classes. These classes assist insurance agents in receiving the credits that they need for their certification throughout the year.

This past June, we hosted our first class at the Flint Farmers Market with approximately 30 insurance agents in attendance. Mary, from SERVPRO Corporate visited and taught them about Ethics & Fire Restoration. The afternoon session was complete with a demonstration of SERVPRO products on wood with various levels of smoke damage. We even included a question and answer section with Eric, who holds a masters in fire & water restoration and has over 20 years of industry experience. Overall, the agents enjoyed the classes and thought that they were interesting, specifically the Fire Restoration class.  

SERVPRO Summer Send-off

12/17/2018 (Permalink)

Volunteers working the check-in table for the event.

Part of our culture is having fun and bring people together. We also like to take advantage of opportunities when they arise. That is why we partnered with a neighboring SERVPRO to bring the community together for a SERVPRO Summer Send-off Party! This event was the largest after-hours event to date and the first tri-county event. This was a night that attendees will remember.

We had it all! We had a battle of the breweries, food trucks, live music, lawn games and the option to support a local nonprofit. Guests could hang out inside the warehouse or take the party outside under the tent. While some played the lawn games, many chose to take the opportunity to network with other attendees. Periodically throughout the night, we would count the brewery votes and at the end of the night, we announced Tenacity Brewing as our winner!

This event was enjoyed by all that attended, and we can’t wait to start planning for next year!

Teacher Appreciation Week

5/16/2018 (Permalink)

Over the course of last week, we took time to acknowledge teachers. We asked individuals from Facebook to share a story about a teacher that either positively impacted themselves or someone that they knew. Those teachers being nominated would be entered a drawing for a basket of classroom supplies.

After the first day, we had only received one nomination, but by day two it started to pick-up. By the end of the week, we had received 16 nominations from schools in Lapeer, Davison, Linden, Swartz Creek, Flushing and Lansing. The stories that were shared with us were truly heart warming and we would like to share some of them with you!

Mrs. Furneaux

“She took a job at River Rouge High School in Detroit. In her first week on the job, she came home crying every day. She had planned on quitting that Friday because the kids were rude, bullies and dangerous. One day she lost control and cried in front of the students and a student walked up to her and said, “Mrs. Furneaux, you’re not going to quit on us too, are you?” A year later she was still working there.”

Michael

Mrs. King

“I had 7 children and she was a teacher for 4 of them. Mrs. King was amazing and always got down on their level and make them feel special, like they could accomplish anything. The last of my 7 kids are seniors this year and after all these years she still asks about my kids. She is an amazing teacher, the greatest friend and a superb human being. We love you Mrs. King!”

Heidi

Mr. Starr

“Garth Starr is always being supportive and making me believe in myself. I truly enjoyed coming to his class each day and always left with a smile.”

Erica

Standing Up for Child Abuse Prevention & Autism

4/30/2018 (Permalink)

We decorated our front yard with blue and silver pinwheels to show our support.

Throughout the month of April, SERVPRO of Lapeer has been actively participating in Child Abuse Prevention and Autism Awareness month.

The month started with us simply decorating the lawn with the blue and silver pinwheels and each staff member wearing a blue ribbon in support of the causes. As the month went on, we quickly started to become more involved. Here is a list of our involvements:

  • Justice for Lily Foundation’s Lily Ball Sponsor
    • Table Sponsor
      • Though many of our team members are on committees for this event, we purchased a sponsorship to allow our entire office the opportunity to attend the event.
    • Weekly Meeting Host
      • We have donated a portion of warehouse space to the Justice for Lily committee to assemble center pieces and auction baskets for the event.
    • Community Supply Drive
      • Promoted and dedicated a portion of our office to supplies being collected for the Child Advocacy Center of Lapeer County and the Forever Friends Network in Lapeer.

We are saddened that this month has come to a close; however, we are proud of the support that we were able to give to those organizations and individuals in our community that are the boots on the ground. Thank you to everyone that joined us in showing their support and a BIG thank you to those individuals who are the boots on the ground.