Recent General Posts

Benefits of Installing a Dehumidifier

12/20/2022 (Permalink)

A woman changes the water repository in a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers can be great proactive solutions against the buildup of mold and mildew.

When you think of a dehumidifier, you probably think of an appliance that helps remove excess moisture from the air to prevent mold and mildew growth. But did you know installing a dehumidifier in your home has many benefits? Let's look at some of the benefits of dehumidifiers:

Reduces Allergens in the Air

One of the benefits of dehumidifiers is they help reduce allergens in the air. If you suffer from allergies, installing a dehumidifier in your home reduces the number of allergens in the air, making it easier for you to breathe.

Reduced Condensation

One of the most common problems caused by high humidity is condensation on windows and walls. When the air is saturated with moisture, it condenses on surfaces cooler than the air, such as glass or metal. This condensation can lead to water damage and mold growth.

A dehumidifier reduces condensation by removing moisture from the air, creating a drier environment less likely to cause condensation.

Improved Air Quality

High humidity also leads to musty odors and dust mite infestations. Musty odors are caused by mold and mildew growth, which thrive in humid environments. Mold and dust mites can cause respiratory problems, like asthma.

It's essential to keep the air quality high, especially if you have infants or elderly family members living in your home.

Installing a dehumidifier helps remove musty odors and reduces dust mite populations, improving air quality.

Reduced Energy Costs

Running a dehumidifier reduces your energy costs. Since humid air feels warmer than dry air, you might be tempted to turn down your thermostat to compensate. However, this will only lead to higher energy bills.

Dehumidifiers help remove the extra moisture from the air, making it feel cooler and reducing the need to lower the temperature.

Extended Life for Your Home

Your home can also be damaged by high humidity. Wood materials, like flooring, furniture, and trim, can swell and warp when exposed to excessive moisture. Paint and wallpaper peel and blister in humid conditions, and drywall can weaken, sag, and crumble. These problems can be expensive to repair and even require completely replacing certain materials in your home.

A dehumidifier can help protect your home by reducing the moisture in the air. Keeping humidity levels at a comfortable level, you help extend your home's life and avoid costly repairs.

Fewer Pests

Pests like cockroaches, ants, termites, and rodents are attracted to moisture. If your home is humid, you will more likely have an infestation. Reducing the humidity in your home makes it less inviting for these pests. In addition, if you do have pests, they are easier to get rid of if your home isn't as humid.

Reduced Risk of Mold and Mildew

Mold and mildew thrive in humid environments and cause several problems, including respiratory issues, skin irritation, and allergic reactions. In addition, mold and mildew can damage your home, causing peeling paint, warped wood, and crumbling drywall.

A dehumidifier creates an inhospitable environment for mold and mildew, reducing the risks.

Healtheir Plants

Too much moisture can be harmful to your plants. While they need water to survive, they can suffocate and drown in too much of it. Excess moisture in the air encourages mold and mildew growth, harming your plants. Using a dehumidifier helps create the perfect balance of moisture in the air for your plants, keeping them healthy and happy.

Installing a dehumidifier provides many benefits for your home and your health. By reducing the amount of moisture in the air, you create a more comfortable environment and avoid problems like water damage, mold and mildew growth, and pest infestations.

If you struggle with high humidity levels, consider investing in a dehumidifier. For professional help with your indoor air quality, contact SERVPRO of South and Northwest Grand Rapids at 616-622-9700. We're always here to help.

Preparing Your Home for When You Go on Vacation

7/19/2022 (Permalink)

Floating check marks surround a model of a house Making a checklist of ways to protect your home is just as important as planning your vacation.

A vacation is the best time to relax and stay worry-free. After getting your luggage ready and checking you have everything you need, it is important to ensure your home is taken care of before leaving. No one wants to come back from vacation to find problems like break-ins, rotten food, or leaking water. While on vacation, you will keep worrying if you didn't prepare your home properly before you left.

Here are some things you should do for peace of mind while on vacation.

Make It Look Like Someone Is There

An unoccupied house is an invitation for burglars to break in and steal your valuables. Even if you are not home, you can still make it look like someone is there, preventing anyone from thinking about breaking in. You can set the lights to turn on and off at specific times, control the TV remotely, and ask a friend to collect your mail while you are on vacation. You can also hire a home sitter to stay at your home, take care of plants, and keep it occupied.

Take Plumbing and Electrical Precautions

You never know when an appliance will break down, and the worst time will be on your vacation. Keeping appliances running while you're not home is an expense and can cause costly problems. So unplug all your small appliances and electronic devices except the TV if you use it remotely. Turn off water valves and electric switches to non-essential rooms. Program your thermostat to save on energy by raising the temperature in the summer for cooling and lowering it in the winter for heating. A smart thermostat can be remotely controlled, giving you full control over it.

Tidy Up

No one wants to come back from a vacation to clean the house. You don't have to deep-clean everything before you leave, but you should tidy the house to sustain the relaxation mode when you return. Make your bed, vacuum, scrub the sinks and toilets, and tidy up each room, so it looks easy on the eye.

Clean Out Your Refrigerator

Before going on vacation, open your fridge and look at what foods are in it. Some foods will spoil after a while, even in the fridge. Freeze foods that can be frozen; eat what you can and toss what you don't want. It would be a good time to wipe the surfaces clean. If you leave for an extended time, you might want to throw out everything and unplug your fridge, as most foods will expire before you return.

Check All Doors and Windows

Right before you open the door to go on vacation, take a tour around your house and check if all entry points are sealed. Go over every door and window to check they are closed tightly and can't be opened easily. If you don't use a door or a window often, check them first as you might forget to lock them.

Take Out the Trash

One of the worst things to forget before going on vacation is taking out the trash. You will return home to awful smells and pest infestations. Ensure you take the trash with you as you go out of the door and run your garbage disposal with water and half a cup of vinegar to keep the stinking smells away.

Preparing your home before leaving on vacation is necessary to avoid unpleasant incidents or serious accidents like flooding or electrical fires. You need to relax and have fun while on vacation, but it can be ruined if you keep worrying about your home. Use these tips to make your home safe and prepared and enjoy your vacation.

Prepare Your Home Before Heading Out of Town

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

preparing your home for vacation Mike Nitz with SERVPRO South and Northwest Grand Rapids.

VIDEO - How To Prepare Your Home Before Leaving on Vacation

Many people are heading out of town soon for spring break or vacation. Here are a few helpful tips we recommend you do before you leave. 

1. Leave a ‘lived in’ home. Set timers on lamps and place a hold on packages. 

2. Lock more than just the doors. Don't forget to lock all garage entry doors, back doors, and windows. Also, if you have any pet doors, cover them from the inside. 

3. Unplug all of your appliances. Mixers, coffee makers, other daily use countertop items. It's amazing how things can short out with minimal interference. 

4. Inform your most trusted neighbors. Let them know how long you’ll be away and ask them to check the house and maybe pull your mail. 

5. Contact the alarm company and let them know that you'll be gone. Activity from certain dates will be treated as legitimate. 

6. Remove outdoor spare or hidden keys. 

7. Turn off your water. Shutting the water off, whether it’s the main line, under the toilet or the kitchen sink, will mitigate water damage loss should disaster strike. 

If you do come home after a spring break and find a problem, our number is 616-662-9700. SERVPRO of South and Northwest Grand Rapids is locally owned and operated, and we are always glad to take care of you when the unexpected happens. 

Have a great vacation and stay safe!

For Fast Service, call SERVPRO!

12/9/2019 (Permalink)

Two pickup trucks towing targe equipment Emergency services of any size are no problem for #SERVPRO. We have the right equipment for any size #waterdamage or #firedamage.

SERVPRO of South and Northwest Grand Rapids provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster in the Grand Rapids area. We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

  • 24-Hour Emergency Service
  • Faster to Any-Sized Disaster
  • Highly Trained Restoration Technicians
  • A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
  • Locally Owned and Operated
  • Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment 

Have Questions? Call Us 24/7 – 616-662-9700

Residential Services

Whether your Grand Rapids home needs emergency flood damage or you have mold that needs to be addressed, you can depend on us.  Our technicians have extensive remediation and restoration training and can make your property look and be its best. Learn more about our residential services:

  • Water Damage Restoration
  • Fire Damage Restoration
  • Mold Remediation
  • Storm Damage Restoration
  • Building/Reconstruction Services

Commercial Services

There's never a convenient time for fire or Water damage to strike your Southwest Grand Rapids commercial property. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services we have the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business. Learn more about our commercial services:

https://www.SERVPROnorthwestsouthgrandrapids.com/commercial-restoration-cleaning

  • Commercial Water Damage Restoration

Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

It's spring. Here's how to allergy-proof each room of your home

4/10/2017 (Permalink)

Warmer-than-normal weather launched allergy season early this year, pumping up pollen counts across much of the nation. And if you think you can retreat indoors to relieve your sniffles, think again.


Two thirds of people with allergies suffer them year round, said allergist James Sublett, M.D., co-founder of Family Allergy & Asthma in Lousville, Ky. And the leading cause of those year-round allergies are dust mites, animals and cockroaches, he said, all of which make their homes inside of ours.


Outdoor allergens will make it into our homes through normal ventilation, Sublett said. "And of course it gets tracked in, too."


If you can't escape allergens, it's time to go on the attack. Here are Sublett's tips on allergy-proofing each room of your home.


The bedroom


Your bedroom deserves the most attention, Sublett said, since you lie and breathe there for eight or so hours a night. Dust mites live primarily in bedding, so buy a set of high-quality, mite-proof encasements for your pillows and mattress. They should be tightly woven with zippers that seal completely. Wash all your bedding weekly in any temperature of water to kill any mites. Doing this weekly is key as it ensures you eliminate both mites and their eggs before they hatch, Sublett said.


If you're allergic to pollen, it's a good idea to shower at night before bed. And consider keeping your room a pet-free zone, as a Golden Retriever can track in allergens on a high pollen day.


The living room


Your living room, and any space you spend much time in, should have "smooth surfaces as much as possible," Sublett said. Smooth, clear surfaces wipe down easily, such as a hardwood floor or a plastic chair. Window blinds are perhaps preferable to drapes for the same reason, he said. Avoid rugs or carpeting whenever possible.


"I know the carpeting industry doesn’t like this idea, but when you have a carpet, you do have like a big sponge there that collects dust," he said. "Normal activity is going to throw that back up in the air."


If rugs and carpeting are unavoidable, regular vacuuming removes much of the dust. Sublett recommends a respirator mask to protect from particles while cleaning—just make sure it's an N95 respirator that's NIOSH-approved, he said. Finding a high-quality disposable air filter for your furnace is important, too, Sublett said. Most are made to be replaced every three months.


The kitchen


Your biggest enemy in the kitchen is mold. Periodically clean any spots where leaks or spills might occur, including under the sink and your refrigerator's drain pan, Sublett said. When you do clean, avoid products with strong odors or fumes. Sublett prefers a small amount of bleach mixed in a bucket of water with some dishwasher detergent. And seal food in stored containers, leaving nothing that might attract pests such as cockroaches.


The bathroom


Using a ventilation fan when you shower helps cut back on your home's humidity, which should stay under 50% to ensure dust mites lack the moisture to thrive, Sublett said. A humidistat will help you measure it. Avoid humidifiers or vaporizers in the home, too.


The laundry room


Don't leave out piles of damp clothing and towels, Sublett said, which become a welcome mat for dust mites and mold. Ensure your clothes dryer vents to the outside of your home, too, doing away with excess moisture.


http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/03/24/s-spring-heres-how-allergy-proof-each-room-your-home/99563062/?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzRss&utm_campaign=usatodaycomnation-topstories


Have Questions? Gives a call – SERVPRO of Southwest Grand Rapids 616-662-9700

For Immediate Service in Southwest Grand Rapids, Call SERVPRO

4/10/2017 (Permalink)

Southwest Grand Rapids Residents: We provide immediate service day or night!

SERVPRO of Southwest Grand Rapids provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster in Southwest Grand Rapids. We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

  • 24-Hour Emergency Service
  • Faster to Any-Sized Disaster
  • Highly Trained Restoration Technicians
  • A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
  • Locally Owned and Operated
  • Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment 

Have Questions? Call Us 24/7 – 616-662-9700

Residential Services

Whether your Southwest Grand Rapids home needs emergency flood damage or your upholstery cleaned, you can depend on us.  Our technicians have extensive cleaning and restoration training and can make your property look its best. Learn more about our residential services:

  • Water Damage Restoration
  • Fire Damage Restoration
  • Mold Remediation
  • Storm Damage Restoration
  • Cleaning Services
  • Building/Reconstruction Services

Commercial Services

There's never a convenient time for fire or Water damage to strike your Southwest Grand Rapids commercial property. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services we have the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business. Learn more about our commercial services:

http://www.SERVPROsouthwestgrandrapids.com/commercial-cleaning

  • Commercial Water Damage Restoration

Commercial Fire Damage Restoration