The Patch Boys

Fast-growing plumbing franchise shares tips to avoid holiday disasters.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Many people know the Friday after Thanksgiving as “Black Friday,” the most popular shopping day of the year – but it’s also the busiest day of the year for plumbers. In the plumbing industry, it’s known as “Brown Friday,” thanks to an increased use of kitchens and bathrooms during food preparations and large gatherings, this day brings a significant increase in plumbing, sewage and drain-related issues to homes and businesses.

Since the holiday season can be harmful to drainage and septic systems – especially backed up sinks and malfunctioning garbage disposals – Z PLUMBERZ, a full-service and fast-growing residential and commercial plumbing franchise, has several tips for home and business owners to help prevent plumbing disasters.

• Dispose of all food items in the trash can, especially items like fruit skin and pulp, potato and onion peelings, eggshells, poultry bones and skin, and pumpkin seeds, which can clog drains and damage garbage disposals.
• Fatty oils and grease should be placed into containers and thrown away with garbage. While it is a common myth that fats can be poured down the drain if followed by hot water, the truth is the fats will eventually cool down and clog pipes.
• Remind your family – particularly kids – that only human waste and toilet paper should be flushed down the toilet. Flushing food or wet wipes can cause significant sewage issues including overflow or clogs, since these items do not dissolve properly.
• If you’re having guests stay overnight, consider spreading out showers and laundry loads to be cautious of overusing your water heater and drains.

“With the flurry of cooking and entertaining happening at homes and businesses close to and on Brown Friday, people often forget about these common plumbing mistakes that could end up causing them a major headache – so we want to make sure our customers and communities know what to do,” said Matt O’Rourke, President of Z PLUMBERZ. “We hope that providing these tips will help the holidays and your pipes flow smoothly.  But to make sure we’re ready, we increase staffing around Thanksgiving and our team of experts is available 24/7 in case of holiday plumbing emergencies.”

To find a Z PLUMBERZ location near you, click here. For franchise opportunities, click here.

New franchises, service offerings and Apprenticeship Program among company milestones.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Z PLUMBERZ, a full-service and fast-growing commercial and residential plumbing franchise, today announced several company milestones.

Since launching last year as part of BELFOR Franchise Group – the world’s largest residential and commercial services franchise group – Z PLUMBERZ has added multiple locations in Michigan as well as units in Ohio, California, Indiana and Georgia. Ranging from minor maintenance to extensive repairs, Z PLUMBERZ provides 24/7 plumbing, sewer and drain services. In addition, the company also offers advanced yet necessary services such as trenchless no-dig pipe lining, thermal imaging and smoke testing.

“From expanding into new states, adding to our high-quality service offerings and growing our first-class team, we’re thrilled at the success we’ve seen during our first year of operation,” said Matt O’Rourke, President of Z PLUMBERZ. “We are grateful to be part of BELFOR Franchise Group, which has provided us with the top-notch training and tools needed to succeed in our industry, and we look forward to continuing to grow our franchise in the months and years to come.”

Another milestone for the brand was the launch of the Z PLUMBERZ Apprenticeship Program, which helps young plumbers enter the trade by providing skills-based coaching on work plans, goal-setting and operational management.

“With their unmatched customer service and dedication to training the next generation of plumbing professionals, Z PLUMBERZ has been an important addition to our BELFOR Franchise Group family,” said Sheldon Yellen, CEO of BELFOR Franchise Group. “As the demand for plumbing professionals grows, Z PLUMBERZ has excelled and distinguished itself in the industry by offering clients solution-oriented services that will fuel the brand’s growth in the coming years.”

Hundreds of BELFOR offices honor first responder and public safety departments for their dedication and bravery in communities nationwide.

BIRMINGHAM, Mich. — BELFOR Property Restoration (BELFOR), the world’s largest disaster restoration company and BELFOR Franchise Group, the world’s largest residential and commercial services franchisor delivered more than 5,500 pizzas and boxed lunches across the nation as part of its annual company-wide initiative to thank and honor the dedication and sacrifice of first responders.

“First responders work bravely and tirelessly to keep our communities safe, whether they’re on the front lines of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, responding to active hurricanes, wildfires and severe storms, or facing other obstacles the U.S. has endured this year,” said Sheldon Yellen, CEO of BELFOR. “Every year, the BELFOR family delivers meals as a small token of appreciation to those first responders who relentlessly lay everything on the line 24/7, 365 days a year. This year especially, we are so grateful for all police officers, firefighters, EMTs and other emergency dispatchers who selflessly and heroically keep their communities out of harm’s way.”

Yellen participated in a special delivery in Michigan, providing lunch to the Westland Fire Department. BELFOR team members from more than 250 offices delivered pizzas and boxed lunches to local first responder and public safety agencies across the nation.

These special deliveries were coordinated in honor of National First Responders Day, an annual celebration recognizing the heroic men and women who make it their responsibility to take immediate action when disasters strike. Working alongside first responders regularly to help individuals and communities rebuild after any disaster, BELFOR is committed to honoring first responders throughout the year.

“Like” BELFOR on Facebook and “Follow” @BELFOR on Twitter and Instagram to see photos and videos from the special deliveries across the country.

Report reveals concerns about household readiness ahead of National Preparedness Month in September.

BIRMINGHAM, Mich. — A national survey released today found that despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and the U.S. experiencing 14 separate billion-dollar natural disasters in 2019, 75% of Americans do not feel that they are well prepared for natural or man-made disasters, and only three out of ten Americans have an emergency preparedness plan.

For the third year in a row, BELFOR Holdings, Inc. (BELFOR) – the world’s largest disaster recovery and property restoration company, which includes BELFOR Property Restoration and BELFOR Franchise Group – conducted an independent, national survey of homeowners and renters across the U.S. to measure disaster preparedness in recognition of National Preparedness Month in September.

Key findings of the survey, aimed at gauging how natural and man-made disasters as well as the COVID-19 crisis have impacted Americans’ decisions about emergency preparedness, include:

• Only a third of respondents have been influenced by recent media coverage around COVID-19 to improve their emergency preparedness planning. Less than half of these respondents bought supplies for an emergency kit, created and/or updated their preparedness plan, or reviewed a preparedness plan with their family.
• 41% of respondents are more aware of cleaning needs within their homes amid the pandemic.
• Of the 39% of respondents currently working at home due to the pandemic, almost half would be comfortable returning to their office if their employer used a professional cleaning company certified in COVID-19 treatment, versus a janitorial service or having employees themselves clean their workplace.
• 53% of working respondents think it is important to have an emergency plan at work, but only 40% were familiar with such a plan at their workplace.

“If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that health disasters are devastating just like natural and man-made disasters are. Everybody has a little bit of hero in them, so NOW is the time to take action to prepare each other and loved ones – don’t wait for tomorrow,” said Sheldon Yellen, CEO of BELFOR. “We hope these results inspire people, businesses and communities to rethink their emergency plans, and drive national awareness about the importance of being prepared for any type of disaster.”

Building on the results of previous years, the 2020 survey also found that:

• Nearly half of respondents who have not made a plan say it is because they have never thought about it.
• Naturally, and as the survey confirms, homeowners and renters’ concerns about disasters vary by region – most worrisome are tornados (Midwest and Southwest), home fires (Northeast and Mid-Atlantic), hurricanes (South) and earthquakes (West).
• More than six in ten respondents have special responsibilities in the event of an emergency, including pets (36%) and individuals requiring extra assistance such as children, elderly or disabled persons (26%).

“Now more than ever, we’re seeing an increased need for deep cleaning services from home and business owners alike,” said Rusty Amarante, president of BELFOR Franchise Group. “Our network of home-service based franchises will continue to operate around the clock to help residences, businesses and communities face the challenges presented by weather events, everyday disasters and the ongoing challenges presented by COVID-19.”

BELFOR’s family of brands has played an essential role on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic by providing cleaning and treatment services for residential households as well as businesses and facilities including hospitals and healthcare facilities, first responder departments, cruise ships, schools and universities, sports arenas, assisted living facilities, hotels and more.

To learn more about BELFOR’s industry-leading, proprietary COVID-19 cleaning and treatment services, click here. For tips and information on how to prepare your household or workplace for disaster, click here.

About BELFOR Franchise Group 
BELFOR Franchise Group is the world’s largest residential and commercial services franchise group based on geographic footprint and number of units. The privately held, multi-concept franchise system is a division of BELFOR Property Restoration, the world’s largest disaster restoration company. For over a decade, BELFOR Franchise Group has empowered entrepreneurs by offering industry-leading training, support and equipment, turnkey business models, and ongoing coaching and business development. BELFOR Franchise Group is the parent organization for nine of the strongest service-based franchise opportunities for home and commercial cleaning and restoration. The franchise brands include: 1-800 WATER DAMAGE, Chem-Dry & Upholstery Cleaning, Delta Restoration Services, DUCTZ International, HOODZ International, N-Hance Wood Refinishing, PACKOUTZ, The Patch Boys, and Z PLUMBERZ. For more information, please visit www.belforfranchisegroup.com.