Dealing with Cold Weather

8/23/2022 (Permalink)

Many business owners are concerned about the cold weather, particularly those that operate out of warehouse facilities with exposed pipes.

Freezing occurs as a result of cold weather, putting a business at risk of a burst pipe or water line. There are a few things you can do to keep your pipes from freezing.

1. Keep the doors shut.

While it may seem self-evident, keeping doors, particularly warehouse garage doors, closed during work hours is one of the most straightforward ways to avoid a frozen pipe. Water lines in warehouses are frequently exposed, and if they are not adequately insulated, they might freeze and possibly burst, causing substantial damage and expenditure.

2. Open a Small Amount of Faucets

When conditions are expected to be cold or below freezing, simply turning on the cold water supply on taps closest to the exterior water lines can reduce the chance of a frozen or burst pipe. Standing water freezes more easily than moving water.

3. Maintain a Consistent Temperature

Maintaining a constant temperature, no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit, is most likely the greatest strategy to keep your company's pipes from freezing. While decreasing the temperature of your business after hours or over the holidays may appear to be a cost-cutting measure, you may be placing your business at risk of water damage, which might result in considerable downtime.

4. Create a strategy.

Finally, if the worst happens despite your precautions, having an emergency plan in place is a good idea. While you can and should construct an emergency action plan and checklist in-house, you may also wish to call a restoration business, as many of them provide emergency planning services.

An initial examination of your property and the customisation of an action plan in the case of an emergency or disaster are often included in these services.

A burst pipe can be disastrous for a business, not just because of the damage but also because of the disruption in operations. It's as simple as keeping doors closed and opening a faucet when necessary to avoid a pipe rupture due to freezing and maintaining a steady temperature throughout your facility. 

Some advices to get prepared for a hurricane

8/17/2022 (Permalink)

A blowing Hurricane

Is your commercial enterprise hurricane-ready?  

Here are some resources to assist businesses with hurricane preparation:

• Make a backup of your important computer data and save it elsewhere.
• Make a thorough inventory of your company and take lots of photos.
• A communication plan for employees should be in place, and it should include a specific out-of-town phone line where employees can check in and get corporate information. Make sure employee emergency contact information is up to current.
  Establish storm procedures so that staff members are aware of what to do and post them beforehand.
  Defend electrical devices from potential water damage.
• In case additional funds are required after the storm, have extra cash and blank checks on hand.
• If your facility is damaged, establish a temporary location for business operations.
• Choose a safe space for workers who must stay in the building.
• Give employees enough time to safeguard their homes and families. Protect the structure and any goods you can't bring into construction sites.
  Licensed contractors must protect their job locations in the case of a tropical storm warning or hurricane watch. Objects that could be dangerous must be secured or removed.

Dial Us Now! If you need any help!

SERVPRO is always here to help with storm water damage

8/17/2022 (Permalink)

Hurricane

Many people believe that the hurricane and storm season has little bearing on their life, but those who have really experienced them can speak to the enormous devastation a tropical cyclone causes. If you don't use qualified service providers to repair your property for you, it could be stressful and expensive.

Call SERVPRO to protect your home from the stresses of tropical stormwater damage. We have a group of experts on staff that are skilled at repairing homes after a storm. We have cutting-edge tools on hand and are prepared to renovate your home.

We are equipped to address any damage caused by tropical storms, including wind and flood damage. The phases of our restoration process are as follows:

- The job site is inspected and assessed as part of emergency response.

- Demolition, water removal, and drying are followed by daily inspections to assess the job's progress.

- Cleaning and sanitising

- Deodorisation

- Replacing damaged materials

Non-penetrative moisture metres can be used by our SERVPRO professionals to find moisture. We have self-priming trash pumps that we can utilise to remove water from your home. These pumps are frequently used when only a small lift is needed or when horizontal water transfer is necessary. For instance, self-priming trash pumps can be used to remove water from one-story buildings in the wake of a cyclone.

In order to prevent a mould infestation, our SERVPRO staff can also employ air-moving and dehumidifying equipment to eliminate all moisture from your house. 

We can choose options that are advantageous for our customers because of our understanding of construction and drying. Additionally, we may clean your home and remove any damaged insulation, flooring, or drywall.

SERVPRO conducts confirmatory tests to make sure the home and any impacted things are restored to their original state before enabling clients to move back in.

We may ask you to sign a Certificate of Satisfaction once we conduct a walkthrough.

SERVPRO Can help facing Mold damages

8/17/2022 (Permalink)

Mold in houses

Mold removal in a house or apartment

Even without storm damage, a broken appliance, or a leak, mould damage can be an issue in a house. The humid circumstances that are frequently prevalent in our town, whether or not there is severe weather, can promote the growth of this family of fungi within your home. Mold needs moisture and organic materials to flourish.

If you find mould development in your house, call SERVPRO for a professional assessment and effective remediation strategy to get rid of the musty smells and the damage these organisms can do to the building materials, furnishings, and personal items in your home.

As water is nearly always present and needs to be evacuated from surfaces and the air itself to prevent spores from blossoming into full-blown outbreaks, improperly ventilated bathrooms, laundry rooms, or kitchens can foster mould growth. Mold damage is frequently brought on by interior humidity levels that are over 60%. Many fungal strains can develop without standing water or saturated substrates. Often, the culprits are your air conditioners or dehumidifiers, which combine standing water concentrations and moist air in a double dose to create an ideal habitat for microbial feeding frenzy. Underperforming HVAC systems or merely transferring the contaminated air might have a substantial negative impact on the issue. Mold colonies that are continually recycled throughout your home cause contaminations to grow.

SERVPRO specialists may do a comprehensive inspection of your house or condo and systems to determine the causes when mould damage destroys your quality of life. To address the issue, a strategy that considers all probable causes is required. Based on their expertise, our team of professionals can address and eliminate the factors in your house that promote development. We are able to isolate, reduce, eradicate, and contain the mould development issues in your house using the most recent industry technologies and regulations created by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). You can rely on us to be upfront about any work that may require a third party, typically before or after a mould inspection in areas with significant mould growths. If the mould has a firm grip inside the ductwork, our expert specialists can limit spore circulation by safely and effectively cleaning the system.

We will suggest a multi-tiered approach to your mould damage problems, utilising all of the techniques and resources at our disposal to lower the humidity levels and remove water sources to stop mould from proliferating once more.

Why SERVPRO in case of fire damages

8/17/2022 (Permalink)

A house damaged by fire

After a fire damages your home, Team SERVPRO works for you.

While asking family or friends for assistance may be less expensive, an untrained eye can result in extra damages that cause serious issues. In an effort to save you a few dollars, they may overlook or disregard issue areas, leading to exorbitant damages later on.

When dealing with fire damage on your Coconut Grove property, fully qualified specialists with access to industrial-grade equipment give you the greatest results. A reputable restoration business uses their years of knowledge to your advantage, replacing damaged materials, sanitising areas that may be repaired, and quickly and effectively restoring your property to good shape.

With the help of their skilled teams, SERVPRO professionals can rid your property of the smoke and ash that lingers long after the flames have died down but still damages your contents and structural elements. Professionals in restoration have the skills and resources to spot problem areas, control losses, and stop further damage.

The SERVPRO staff makes every effort to safeguard your property, restore power, and eliminate potential risks. Only the services you require that are appropriate for your circumstances are available thanks to the flexibility and adaptability of our offerings. We never charge you for services that are not necessary and make every effort to restore your property to its excellent pre-damage condition.

Using board-up procedures, SERVPRO seals openings like broken windows or open doors that could allow burglars to take advantage of your current situation. This protects exposed sections of your property from the elements. Additionally, we safeguard your house from corrosion by removing smoke stains from painted or plastic surfaces, furniture, fibreglass, and worktops.

Along with protecting window frames, faucets, door hardware, and lighting fixtures, we can also assist with protecting metal trim. A pre-cleaning chemical is applied to any surface at risk of future corrosion. This stops deterioration in its tracks and enables your restoration method to do its magic.

Regular Maintenance could save you money on the long run

8/17/2022 (Permalink)

Regular Maintenance to Save You Money

Over time, the expense of maintaining your residences might build up to a sizable sum. Any structural system or appliance can benefit from lower maintenance costs if problems are resolved quickly and potential difficulties are foreseen. As long as homeowners schedule routine maintenance, the majority of home systems, such the HVAC or plumbing, may be maintained for years without experiencing a serious problem. Here are the top three strategies for minimising maintenance costs and extending the life of each system in your house.

1) Attend to minor repairs.

When it comes to maintenance, it's a good idea to begin small. When problems that initially appear to be minor are addressed, it can assist to avoid more serious problems later on. In terms of components, labour, and incidentals, regular or preventative maintenance is typically less expensive than emergency repairs.

2) Carry out routine maintenance

Homeowners should plan routine inspections of the building's structural systems, appliances, and other components. Inspections could reveal problems that need maintenance. The cost of maintenance is typically lower when components are cleaned and the parts required to avoid future issues are purchased than when damaged parts are repaired and potential damage is repaired.

3) Complete The Task Correctly-

Installing, maintaining, and repairing household systems and appliances like the HVAC and plumbing should always be done by skilled professionals. Although it might cost a little more every task to maintain excellent management standards, there is a substantially lower chance of developing serious issues that turn out to be highly expensive. Professionals who are bonded and insured frequently offer warranties for their work.

The longer an issue persists, the more likely it is that it will worsen and cost more to maintain. Regular inspections, upkeep, preventative measures, and prompt repairs for a Manhattan home's structural systems and appliances can assist homeowners in avoiding expensive emergency remedies for significant issues that could result in significant damage.

Water Damages and what to do?

8/17/2022 (Permalink)

What actually occurred?

The plastic water line behind the refrigerator frequently cracks, starting a sluggish trickle that accumulates water behind the refrigerator unseen. Excessive condensation buildup is another typical cause that has the same result. Numerous issues can arise in your house as a result of water damage from your refrigerator, especially given how long the issue may go unnoticed before it is discovered and how much damage has already been done to your floors and the surrounding surroundings. Mold can grow and your floors can deteriorate in the ideal conditions of moisture, heat, and darkness. These mould spores can be problematic in places like apartments or enclosed spaces, and a condition like this should not be disregarded. Since SERVPRO specialises in mould remediation, we will gladly get rid of the problem and stop any future aggravation for you.

Next, what?

Any visible water must first be cleaned up to prevent further damage and the possibility of mould growth. After doing this, check your refrigerator to see if there are any obvious leaks or places where excessive condensation may be accumulating. If feasible, it's critical to replace any damaged connections in order to immediately halt the leak. Examine the damage to the area under and around the refrigerator if you are able to. The majority of the time, damage to the floors will be obvious, but the underlying issues may be hidden beneath.

what happens to water?

8/17/2022 (Permalink)

What Happens to the Water Now?

When a leak develops, it can be frustrating to try to determine where the water goes. It's important to know the right procedures to take when a leak is discovered coming from an appliance or an open entryway (window, door, hole).

It's considerably more challenging to manage in the case of multi-unit buildings, such as co-ops or apartment complexes. To choose an appropriate water restoration solution, it is vital to determine the path of the water. Since each apartment is normally plumbed separately yet shares walls, ceilings, and floors with other living spaces, multi-unit housing is a natural place for such detective work. When it is quite likely that the water from the leak eventually spreads throughout the building where you cannot even see it and other tenants have not yet noticed, it is insufficient for a landlord to just respond to the complaint of one tenant.

Is It Simple to Track Water's Movement from Space to Space?

Water is frequently said to follow the route of least resistance. This fact does not always stand up to inspection because there are many additional considerations. For instance, if condensation forms on a cold water supply pipe running parallel to the floor in a warm, damp basement, some water will drop in a line down the pipe's length and fall to the ground. There would be numerous damp places traced on the floor throughout the length of the pipe, as opposed to simply one wet spot. The condensation will, however, have a tendency to run down the pipe and collect in a circle at the bottom if the cold pipe is parallel to the floor. Additional cases may yield even more contrasting solutions.

Now Tell Me How Trained Technicians Follow the Water

Since water doesn't go along the same paths that people might assume from mythology, SERVPRO needs to come up with more dependable methods of figuring out where water travels and hides. During the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) training, our specialists learn the fundamental techniques for detecting moisture. We employ moisture detectors with and without prongs to find the presence of moisture, which aids us in tracing the path of an intrusion by water. We also use specialised moisture metres to measure the amounts of water absorbed by porous materials for further data. After we remove any standing water, the moisture levels serve as baselines for our Applied Structural Drying (ASD) professionals as they decide what drying goals to set.

Why Is It Important? Shouldn't the Water Inside the Building Just Dry Up?

One of the worrying possibilities to think about is the potential for mould development if all water is not removed from every area of an apartment complex. Only a minimal amount of moisture is required for mould spores to "germinate" and start growing. Molds only require oxygen, water, and an organic surface on which to grow. Mold colonies can grow without light in any building cavity, above ceilings, and between walls. Landlords are required to locate the leak and make plans to remove all water as soon as one occurs due to the risk of mould damage when wood framing, drywall, ceiling tiles, and other building materials are even slightly wet.

How Do Experts Remove Water From Tight Spaces?

Even in a large apartment complex, portable extractors can be moved quite a distance inside the flats. Compared to the larger, more powerful truck-mounted models, the mobile units are significantly more adaptable in their usage and can fit in confined locations much more readily. Up to 12 litres of water can be extracted using the equipment before it needs to be drained and a new attempt made to remove as much water as is possible. The apparatus can be carried like a backpack. We must take into consideration various controlled removal procedures, such as drilling access holes into the walls, if the extractor cannot reach moisture even with extenders.

Dealing with Water Floods

8/16/2022 (Permalink)

Water Flood Damage

How to Stay Safe During a Flood

Water can enter your home during a storm and cause flooding, which can seriously harm your property. However, ensuring the protection of your immediate family, pets, and other loved ones should always come first. When the weather is safe, return to inspect the damage and start the cleanup once the storm has passed. When visiting the floodplain, avoid doing the following things:

Keep Your Hands Off the Water.

Numerous forms of contaminants, such as bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and debris, can be found in floodwater. Wearing rubber boots, gloves, and avoiding getting your hands or face wet will help protect your skin from the damaging effects of the water. If, in spite of your best efforts, contact happens, wash right away with soap and fresh water.

Never step into standing water.

Homes, yards, roadways, and other locations may have standing water after a flood. It is not unusual to see downed powerlines following a storm because strong winds frequently accompany intense storms. You can't always discern what's underneath the surface because floodwater is typically murky. If you enter a flooded home, you can get an electric shock if the water has been electrically charged. The risk of electrocution will be reduced with the use of rubber boots.

Don't let the water stand still.

Bacteria have more time to grow the longer water sits. The structural integrity of objects might start to deteriorate if they are submerged in water over extended periods of time. As quickly as possible, the water should be carefully evacuated. You can limit any water damage to your home by clearing the water more quickly. As soon as the water has been removed from the area, you should start the drying process because mould can start to form in as little as 24 to 48 hours.

By following a few precautions, you can help keep yourself safe from the dangers of floodwater.

Dealing with summer storm and safety

6/7/2022 (Permalink)

Summer is approaching, and with it comes the risk of catastrophic storms. When you're outside, there are a few things you can do to lessen your risk of being struck by lightning.

Offices, schools, and houses are all well-protected structures. Once inside, keep your distance from windows and doors. Keep an eye out for anything that conducts electricity.

If you don't have access to a safe shelter, take the following steps to lessen your risk:

• Never take refuge under a lone tree or utility pole; these places are more likely to be hit.
• Get off the ridges, peaks, and hills.
• Get away from ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water.
• Objects that conduct electricity should be avoided.
• Do not lie completely flat on the ground.
• When thunderstorms are predicted, keep an eye on the weather and postpone or cancel outdoor activities. Even if your building is damaged, make sure you are protected at all times.

We're here to assist you with the damage that storm damage might create.