FAMILY WORKS: SERVPRO of Lake Charles

by Kerri Cooke 

Father, mother and son—Jack, Monette and Ben Drouilhet—own SERVPRO of Lake Charles, a business that services both the residential community and commercial companies. SERVPRO can respond to water or fire damage, so you can imagine how in demand their services are after a hurricane or flooding event in the area. 

Ben recommends making sure you know your insurance plans and that you’re carrying enough coverage for a variety of scenarios. “I’ve been in the industry for over 15 years and I have encountered less than five individuals who know exactly what coverage they have. After the storm is not the time to figure those details out.” 

It is the water damage division which is the busiest after a hurricane since flood damage can lead to mold growth, among other things. The first thing residents are going to want to do is prevent further water damage. SERVPRO can then help tear out affected sheetrock before any repairs are made to minimize the risk to health and use dehumidifiers and fans to help draw the moisture out of the house. These services help people return home and to work sooner. 

SERVPRO offers many services, but, after a hurricane, business shifts to where the need is the biggest. Ben says he would advise “anyone who is responsible for a home, church or commercial building to have ‘what if’ questions answered” before a storm arrives.  

Working with family is an experience not everyone is privileged to have, but it boasts the advantage of having an already established bond between a person and their family members. Each person also has a better idea of each other’s strong and weak points. However, since Ben and his family see each other almost every day, even if for reasons outside of work, it’s hard to forget the nagging urge to bring up the job. 

As we all prepare for the hurricane season ahead, make sure you have plans in place. Not just plans on where to evacuate to or how much insurance coverage you need, but also what to do if the worst were to happen. 

For more information on their services, call SERVPRO at 337-478-1133 or visit servpro.com.