Recent Commercial Posts
Fire Regulations for Businesses
10/13/2022 (Permalink)
EXIT signs can help save lives.
What Are Common Commercial Fire Regulations?
If you own a business and have employees, there are many regulations that you need to follow. As an employer, you have a responsibility to provide a safe environment for your staff. Fire safety is one of those things that can't be overlooked because it's important for both your employees and guests. This blog post will go over the laws regarding fire safety in businesses, as well as how to make sure they're being followed properly.
Exits
There are three types of exits:
Exit passageways (must be unobstructed, clearly marked, and easy to open from inside and outside)
Exit discharge areas (must be a minimum of 3 feet wide and 36 inches high)
Exits (must be a minimum of 5 feet long, 10 feet apart, and must have an opening for passage in both directions)
Callbox
Call boxes are another way to contact the fire department. They are usually located near the front door so that anyone can use them when they need help. Call boxes should have a lighted sign that says “call 911” and any other type of emergency number (depending on your location). The call box should also have a lock on it so people can't get in if they don't need to.
Sprinklers
Sprinklers are an important safety measure for any business. They can be installed in any type of building, no matter the size or shape, and they're a great way to prevent fires from spreading. If you're looking for a way to protect your property, consider installing sprinklers in your building today!
Smoke alarms
Fire alarms and smoke detectors are required in all businesses. Smoke alarms should be installed in every sleeping room, hallway, and near all cooking appliances. These devices should also be tested monthly to ensure that they are functioning correctly. Check the manufacturer's instructions for proper testing procedures.
- Smoke alarm replacement: Smoke alarm batteries should be replaced at least once per year. You may need to replace your smoke alarm if it has been 10 years since you last replaced the battery or device (the date of manufacture will be on the back label). If you have never changed the battery or device, this would be a good time to do so now before putting them into service again!
- Carbon monoxide alarms: Carbon monoxide gas is colorless, odorless, and tasteless so it can't easily detected by sight or smell alone; however there are carbon monoxide alarms available specifically designed for homes that will alert occupants when dangerous levels of CO exist inside their home due to malfunctioning furnaces/heaters, etc.
Fire extinguishers
You should be familiar with how to use a fire extinguisher and its classifications.
First, if a fire breaks out in your business, you should know how to use the closest fire extinguisher in an emergency.
Second, you should verify that your employees are aware of what type of fire extinguishers are available in each room or area of the building.
Finally, after using an extinguisher on a small blaze, put it back into its designated spot for storage so that it doesn't get damaged or used by mistake later on (if there's another major blaze). In fact, check all updated regulations about which types need to be replaced after each use; some only last for about six months before losing effectiveness! It's important to keep track here because those regulations vary by state-and even upstate vs downstate can differ from one another!
Emergency escape plan
- Create an emergency escape plan for every building, including all exits, fire escapes, and other routes of escape.
- List the number of employees inside the building during normal operation and any occupants who may be there at other times, such as contractors or guests. This helps you decide how many people need to evacuate in case of fire or another emergency.
- In addition to listing your employees, also include a list of those who are unable to evacuate due to age or physical limitations. Make sure they have evacuation assistance plans in place so they can get out safely if needed.
Hazardous material safety plan
Hazardous materials are dangerous. You need to have a plan in place to deal with them and make sure they're stored, transported, and disposed of safely. To do this, you'll need training and certification for staff who work with hazardous materials. Staff must be trained on how to recognize the hazards associated with each type of chemical used at their workplace and how those chemicals should be handled during normal operations.
Hazardous substances can include corrosive liquids like acids or bases; combustible liquids such as gasoline; flammable liquids like paint solvents; poisonous gas such as chlorine gas; oxidizing material such as perchloric acid; radiation-producing sources (for example x-ray films); medical waste that may contain infectious agents.
Regulations are often confusing, but when it comes to fire safety, they're there for a reason.
Fire regulations can be confusing, but they're there for a reason. Your local fire department can help you understand how to comply with the regulations and stay safe.
To find out more about fire safety rules for businesses, contact the fire department in your area or visit their website.
The bottom line is that it's important to take fire safety seriously because if a fire starts in your business, the consequences can be catastrophic. As the owner or manager of a company in Oakville, MO, you have a responsibility to make sure that your employees are safe at all times—and part of that job is ensuring they know what to do when there's an emergency.
At What Point During Restoration Can Employees Come Back to Work?
9/1/2022 (Permalink)
Flood damage business in White House, MO.
When Can Employees Return to Work After a Restoration?
Your business has survived a flood in White House, MO and now you’re ready to get back to work. However, the restoration crew is still on-site, combating black water, bacteria, and structural dangers. So when is it safe to bring your employees back? To help you make that determination, here are the three stages of the restoration process and what you need to know:
1. The Removal Stage
Floodwaters can leave behind standing water that quickly creates mold and bacteria. If this is combined with sewer backup, it is known as “black water.” This is generally the top priority for a restoration company. While the professionals are working to remove it and complete this part of the cleanup, no one is safe to come back to work in the building.
2. The Demolition and Disinfection Phase
One of the things a flood cleanup crew will do for your business is work with you to figure out what can be saved and what needs to be demolished. Certain porous items such as carpeting and drywall will need to be disinfected and in many cases removed, as they contain harmful bacteria. During this phase, it is also not safe for employees to return to the building.
3. The Rebuilding Stage
After floodwater has been removed and the business’s walls and carpeting have been demolished or disinfected, it is usually safe for employees to come back to work, even while some rebuilding is still taking place. Installing air filtration devices is a smart precaution to clean the air. It will also set the minds of staff at ease while the restoration company wraps up the job.
Black water and other safety concerns make it necessary to be cautious about allowing employees back into a business after a flood. By knowing what step of the cleanup process the restoration crew is performing, you can make a safe determination and get your company back on track quickly.
3 Reasons To Inspect a Commercial Sprinkler System Before Using It
7/12/2022 (Permalink)
Performing irrigation maintenance at your Oakville, MO commercial property can be a wise investment.
Commercial Sprinkler System Inspection
Using an automatic sprinkler at your Oakville, MO commercial property can beautify its landscaping and keep the trees and shrubbery there healthy. However, a lack of proper irrigation maintenance before and during the use of the system may result in inefficient watering, water waste, and flooding. Inspecting your system each year before turning it on can avoid these issues and a variety of others that can have a direct impact on your business.
1. Cost
If your sprinkler system is not working correctly and causing slow leaks or inefficient watering, this could cause you hundreds of dollars in water loss each year. When lines or head leaks go unnoticed, the water may never reach your property’s landscaping, which wastes it. Finding and repairing leaks may lower your company’s water bill and cut water waste.
2. Improved Landscaping Plant
Your company’s landscaping plants are likely a considerable investment for you. Not only do they beautify your property, but they can also attract the eye of prospective customers and make an impression upon anyone who visits your business. However, sprinkler flooding, low water pressure, and other problems can have a negative impact on your trees and shrubs, stunting their growth or causing them to look skimpy. Performing irrigation maintenance by having your sprinkler system inspected and floods drained by a commercial water damage and cleanup company can help improve your landscape plants.
3. Changes to Water Conservation Details
Even if your sprinkler system is working correctly, it may not be as efficient as it was the year before. Water conservation strategies can shift with each season, and keeping up with the changes can help you save money and ensure that your property is being watered in a way that prevents water waste.
Performing irrigation maintenance at your Oakville, MO commercial property can be a wise investment. From preventing water waste to protecting your landscaping plants, taking the time to perform these checks may provide you with peace of mind when it comes to maintaining your property as best you can.
Tips When Dealing With Smoke Damage Insurance
5/18/2022 (Permalink)
Commercial fire damage in Oakville, MO.
When Dealing With Smoke Damage Insurance, Here Are Some Pointers
Every commercial building owner needs to have insurance in the event of a disaster. Smoke damage could force your business to shut down operations. Even if you need to close for just a week, it could be enough for you to lose out on significant revenue. A thorough insurance policy can help tremendously with smoke cleaning costs and other essential expenses, and here are some tips for making sure you can have peace of mind in the event a fire ever occurs on your property in Oakville, MO.
1. Make Sure Your Insurance Covers Fires
All insurance policies are different. You need to make sure your specific policy covers fire damage. If you are presently unsure of what your policy covers, then you need to contact your agent to double-check. In the event you do not have any insurance that covers property damage, then you need to add it to your policy posthaste.
2. Be Detailed With Damage Documentation
A fire of any size will most likely cause some amount of smoke damage around the property. This documentation should include:- Location of damage
- Overall condition of the building
- Description of damaged items
- Date damage occurred
- Any injuries involved
You will need to provide all these details within a certain amount of time, so do it as quickly as possible. Make sure to take plenty of photographs as evidence.
3. Pay Professional Cleaning Experts
Another thing to take care of right after a fire to handle soot damage is to hire a professional remediation service. Without an expert, more damage could occur, and your insurance may not cover damage that technically occurs further down the line. Ultimately, you should pay for the cleaning service, and have your insurance agency reimburse you later.
You may not be able to prevent every fire, but you can increase your chances of recovering more successfully. Having a thorough insurance policy will be a major asset if you ever need to pay for smoke damage repairs.
3 Excellent Tips for Preventing Frozen Pipes
5/12/2022 (Permalink)
Turn off the main water valve.
Stop Your Pipes From Freezing
Frozen pipes can end up being a serious disaster in your commercial building in Mehlville, MO. The pipe can end up bursting, spilling water everywhere and requiring immediate water line repair. Stop your pipes from freezing by following a few key tips that can potentially save you from disaster.
1. Turn on the Thermostat
The employees in the building will likely ask you to turn up the thermostat during the winter anyway, but you should consider having it running even when no one is in the office. The extra heat may be enough to stop the pipes from becoming frozen entirely. You need to ensure heat is allowed to disperse evenly, so open all interior and cabinet doors that may prevent heat from reaching certain pipes.
2. Acquire a Space Heater
Space heaters are normally used to keep you warm when you do not want to use your building’s heater. However, when the goal is preventing frozen pipes, you want to aim the heater toward pipes. Another way to stop pipes from freezing is to install a heating cable.
3. Turn Off the Main Water Valve
In the event people are going to be away from the office for a while, such as on holiday vacations, you do not want to come back to a flooded office. Therefore, it can be good to turn off the main water valve. The pipes may still freeze, but if they do, then the damage will be limited to the water left behind in the pipes.
These are a few of the things you can do to stop frozen pipes and flooding in your commercial building in Mehlville, MO. In the event your building has already flooded, then you need to get in touch with a professional water damage cleanup crew to handle the damage. At the end of the day, you should remember the old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Make a Resolution To Protect Your Business
12/27/2021 (Permalink)
Water damage in a Bella Villa, MO office.
With the coming of a new year, it’s time to review the previous year, taking stock and making plans for change. When you are going through this process, remember to reevaluate your business insurance. It’s a good time to make sure your policy fits your needs, especially when it comes to water damage, which is one of the most common reasons businesses file insurance claims.
Evaluate Water and Flood Risks
Most business insurance policies will provide adequate financial protection from water damage, but here are some questions to ask yourself when reevaluating your risk:
- Could I have a sewer backup?
- Is my building in a location that is exposed to below freezing temperatures?
- How old are my sewer pipes?
- Is my roof maintained to reduce ice and water buildup?
- Have I noticed any persistent bad odors?
- Have I seen any signs of small leaks (drips, mold, etc.) that could indicate broken pipes?
- Is my building in Bella Villa, MO, in a flood zone?
These are important questions to ask yourself before contacting your insurance agent to review your policy.
Review Common Exclusions
When talking with your agent, ask about exclusions in your insurance policy. Most of the exceptions for water damage are based on the source of the damage: such as a natural flood or a failed pipe that was not properly maintained. Ask about purchasing additional coverage if you think your building is at risk for damage that isn’t part of your standard coverage.
Make a Resolution
You work hard to manage a business. By spending a short amount of time to ask yourself key questions, you will accomplish much to assess your risk for water related damages. Your insurance agent will gain a better understanding of your needs and how to help protect your business financially.
If you do have a need for water cleanup, you can work with a single source: a commercial building restoration specialist is not like other contractors that work only on certain parts such as pipes or drywall repair. These specialists have experience helping businesses with restoration from physical damages of things like floods.
What Happens When Fire and Water Damage Combine?
10/26/2021 (Permalink)
Fire and water damage in House, MO.
What Happens When Fire and Water Damage Interact?
Fire damage and water damage often combine in commercial properties where a fire has broken out and been extinguished. Whether the water present in the property originated from a fire suppression system or a fire hose, it is important to account for both types of damage during restoration.
Fire is often the most obvious cause of damage to the inside and outside of the commercial structure. Fire may:
- Burn or singe carpets, furniture, or fixtures
- Cause structural issues in the walls or roof
- Destroy windows
- Coat surfaces in smoke and soot
- Fill the air and electronics with corrosive smoke
The extent of damage due to water may vary depending on whether it originated with sprinklers or a fire hose. Water may:
- Cause organic structural materials such as wood to rot
- Support mold growth starting in as little as 48 hours
- Ruin porous materials such as carpet or furniture
The specific types of damage caused by fire or water can compound each other and lead to even more extensive property damage. If both types of damage are present in your property, you should contact a commercial damage restoration service with the expertise and equipment necessary to address both fire damage and the presence of water. A combination of fire and water may:
- Intensify the effects of both types of damage
- Permanently stain or otherwise ruin delicate contents
If your commercial property in House, MO has been affected by both fire and water damage, you should contact a certified restoration company as soon as possible. Both of these types of damage get worse the longer they are allowed to linger. The combination also increases the degree of fire damage and accelerates the rate at which the damage will intensify. Restoration experts can quickly assess the extent of the damage and come up with a plan for cleaning and fully restoring the property.
Quick Guide to Your Commercial Mold Coverage
7/21/2021 (Permalink)
It's usually a good idea to employ a mold removal company to get rid of this growth.
Commercial Mold Coverage
Have you been smelling something musty in your Lemay, MO, commercial building? This off-putting odor could be a sign that you have mold growing somewhere in your space. It's often a good idea to hire a mold cleanup crew to remove this growth, but it may cost a lot upfront. Depending on the circumstances that brought about the growth, your commercial insurance may help pay for the cleanup. The exact coverage you have depends on your policy, but common covered circumstances include the following:
- Flooding from natural disasters
- Flooding from a burst water pipe
- Flooding from fire sprinklers
You can learn more about the potential coverage you have by reading this quick guide.
Cost of Testing
Mold damage isn't always noticeable. Sometimes you have to have your building tested to determine if there is really a problem. Some policies may help pay for this testing. Other times, you may want to do testing after the cleanup is finished to ensure all of the mold has been removed. This may also fall under the coverage of your policy.
Cost of Primary Damage
No matter what caused the flood waters, chances are the liquid caused some serious damage to your commercial space. Your commercial insurance should help pay for these damages. This includes the removal of damaged drywall, flooring or ceiling tiles and the replacement of these materials. Anything that was directly affected by the mold could be covered by insurance.
Cost of Secondary Damage
Sometimes your mold cleanup team may have to tear out some drywall to gain access to the problem area. The drywall itself was not affected by the mold, but it still had to be removed. This secondary type of damage may fall under the protection of your mold insurance.
Every commercial insurance policy is a little different. Many will help pay for mold cleanup, but you can learn more about your specific coverage by talking with your insurance provider.
Tips for Storm Preparation With Your Commercial Property
7/8/2021 (Permalink)
Let your staff know what is expected of them in times of emergency.
When you manage a commercial property, you must plan ahead for any foreseeable situation. To protect your business in Mehlville, MO, as well as the people who make sure it works, it is imperative to have a storm preparedness plan. These tips can help you formulate a plan so that you are ready for whatever the weather tries to throw at you.
Plan Basics
Successful property management entails working closely with the property owner to make sure that you are on the same page. Sit down with the owner and iron out the basic details of storm preparation:
- Emergency contact numbers, such as relief services and storm restoration professionals
- Staff roster and phone directory
- Detailed emergency protocols
- Special task assignment for personnel in charge of handling emergency protocols
- Critical information list and a means of communicating it to tenants
- Insurance policy review
Storm preparedness starts long before the storm hits. Having an action plan that both you and the owner agree upon is a step in the right direction.
Staff Expectations
Let your staff know what is expected of them in times of emergency. Designate essential personnel who will stay in the building during extreme weather to ensure that it stays operational. You should also have a detailed plan for shutting down operations and outline the specific criteria that lead to that decision. Most importantly, make sure employees know that a mandatory evacuation means everyone must leave immediately. Emergency training should also include information about how they will know it is safe to return to the building.
Timely Reporting
After the storm has passed, the reporting phase begins. Your insurance company will want detailed information on the damage the building sustained. Walkthroughs should be documented not just in writing but with pictures or video. The building's owner will likely be the one to work directly with the insurance company, but any contribution you can make to the process will probably be appreciated.
Storms are a given in some areas. You can manage the difficulties they bring with a good storm preparedness plan.
3 Essential Steps After a Business Fire
4/28/2021 (Permalink)
Commercial fire damage in White House, MO.
Three Steps To Take In The Aftermath Of A Fire
A fire can be very disruptive to your office in White House, MO. Getting back to business as usual as soon as possible takes a lot of work. You may need to deal with smoke damage, replacing equipment and employee injuries. When you're dealing with disaster, it's easy to get overwhelmed. Here are three steps you need to take in the aftermath of a fire at your business.
1. Turn Off Utilities
As soon as you are safely able to, it is essential to get all utilities turned off to prevent further damage.
Gas and electricity should be turned off at the meter.
Water should also be shut off at the main valve if you are able to access it safely.
If you aren't sure how to do so, contact the utility company's emergency line for instructions.
2. Contact Your Insurance
You should notify your insurance of the incident as soon as you can. They can get a claim started right away and send an adjuster to review the site, take photos and begin to assess fire and smoke damage and other harm to the building. The adjuster can give you further instructions on what other steps you should take to ensure you protect your future insurance coverage and are reimbursed for the current damages.
3. Arrange Clean Up
Once you have the go-ahead from your insurance company, get started on cleaning up right away. Soot damage can quickly become permanent without the proper technique. You'll need to remove any irreparably damaged belongings right away and start a deep clean of every surface. If there is a lot of smoke cleaning to be done, don't hesitate to contact a professional for emergency restoration services.
The quicker you can get your business back up and running, the sooner you can financially recover. Make sure you take these essential steps to begin repairing smoke damage and get things moving in the right direction immediately.
Taking Care of Roof Leak Damage
4/15/2021 (Permalink)
A roof leak with water damage in Mehlville, MO.
Three Things To Consider About Roof Leaks Repair
While many roofing companies claim that their roofs can withstand winds up to 90 mph, that doesn't necessarily factor in the complications brought on with a severe system. The shingles may be on tight, but hurricanes and tornadoes can pick up stray items, hurling them at your windows and roof, breaking pieces off that you would like to consider secure. Should this happen, a roof leak begins, often not visible in the building until a while later. For that reason, proprietors in Mehlville, MO, should keep an eye on the rooftop, inspecting it regularly and caring for it quickly. Here are three things to consider about roof leak repairs.
1. Minimize the Damage
When missing shingles or cracks occur, they create an opening for fluid, allowing moisture to build inside the ceiling. Over time, this can create a collapse as well as expose the building to potential mold development. For this reason, have a professional look over the roofing once the storm is over, checking not only the shingles but the siding and the flash. Avoid allowing anything to build up. If something is flagged, work to cover it up quickly, avoiding further trouble. In addition, take action inside, moving valuables to other locations.
2. Tackle any Problems
Call in a water restoration company to evaluate the roof leak section, checking to see how much humidity and liquid accrued. These experts can inspect the area for bacterial and fungus growth, determining how much of the material needs to be torn out and what is safe to keep. Then, the water needs to be removed, leaving the space as dry as possible. At this point, the team can fix the initial complication as well as sanitize everything.
3. Restore the Business
The damaged roof receives mending, and now it's time for the internal rooms to get back to normal. Anything that was removed should be replaced, with furniture and assets returned. The establishment should feel like it's ready for operation.
A roof leak can hide, developing into quite the mess. Be proactive. Look for it, call for help and begin rebuilding.
3 Ways Liability Insurers Avoid Covering Mold Claims
2/8/2021 (Permalink)
Liability insurance
3 Ways Liability Insurers Avoid Covering Mold Claims
Mold has been receiving a lot of media attention lately, and an unprecedented number of mold-related lawsuits have been filed in recent years. Insurance companies have responded to the sudden increase in mold insurance claims by finding new ways to exclude mold coverage from commercial general liability policies.
1. Exclude Mold Claims Under Existing Policy Exclusions
When mold claim numbers first started to spike, liability insurers attempted to deny coverage for mold-exposure claims under two exclusions that were standard at the time: the Pollution exclusion and the Business Risk exclusion. Denials under these exclusions were questionable at best and did not hold up well on appeal: Mold infestations don’t quite fit within the commonly understood framework of either type of exclusion.
2. Add Specific Exclusions for Mold Claims to Policy Terms
It soon became clear that the Pollution and Business Risk exclusions were not reliable grounds for denying mold insurance claims. Consequently, insurance companies began adding new endorsements to CGL policies that did specifically exclude mold coverage. A common example is the “Fungi or Bacteria Exclusion,” which specifically excludes coverage for mold remediation costs and mold exposure claims. Another example is the “Limited Fungi or Bacteria Coverage” endorsement, which specifies a separate, often very small, coverage limit for mold-related claims.
3. Offer Mold Coverage as a Separate Policy Type
In addition to adding mold-specific exclusions to their CGL policies, some insurance companies began offering pollution legal liability policies, which specifically include mold within the definition of “pollutant.” Companies that offer both PLL and CGL policies usually have policy language stating that any claim that could be covered under the PLL policies is completely excluded from coverage under the CGL policies.
Insurance companies continue to create new ways to avoid CGL coverage for mold insurance claims. White House, MO, contractors and business owners should carefully review all policy changes and discuss any concerns with their insurance providers.
4 Benefits of a Security Fence
1/5/2021 (Permalink)
A security fence can be a proactive measure that prevents burglars
Here Are The Four Benefits Of Including This In Your Security Plan
Keeping your business safe and secure should be a top priority, especially if you have a lot that has seen a disaster and your restoration professionals are on the way. As a business owner, you likely have a comprehensive plan of how to keep your building safe. One aspect of this should be a security fence.
1. Security
Your plan likely includes different ways to alert you when someone has entered your building. However, a security fence can be a proactive measure that prevents burglars in Bella Villa, MO. It does this by becoming an added layer that someone would have to go through, over, or under before being able to reach your business.
2. Peace of Mind
Because of the added security, a fence can provide, it will leave you and your employees feeling safe. Even if you have top-notch security systems in your business, some areas can still leave employees feeling uneasy at night. Adding a fence will give them a physical object they can see, so they feel safe.
3. Increased Property Value
All business owners know how important it is to keep the value of their property up. Your building is likely the biggest thing you have to invest in while your company is operating. The good news is that adding a fence will boost the value of your property. It can also make it look nicer and more welcoming to customers. This can do wonders for your business.
4. Privacy
Another benefit is the added privacy. This means you can enjoy yourself at work. It also gives you added security by preventing people from seeing any expensive items you have. In other words, you can leave out your expensive equipment without having to worry about burglars plotting to steal it.
There are many benefits to a security fence that would make a business owner consider installing one. Specifically, it will boost security and property value.
3 Flooded Furnace Safety Tips
12/14/2020 (Permalink)
Furnace flood in Lemay, MO
3 Flooded Furnace Safety Tips
As a business owner in Lemay, MO, you're prepared for anything—even a flooded basement. Aside from natural disasters, burst pipes are the most frequent cause of flooding in places of business. One important part of your cleanup is your furnace. Whether your furnace turns on or not, here are some tips to consider when ensuring that your flooded furnace can safely run again.
1. Assess the Damage
Before you turn on your furnace, you need to make sure that you can do so safely. If standing water has caused a furnace flood, turn off all electric and gas lines that run to the furnace. Even if it's cold, you won't want to run the risk of turning the furnace on and potentially further damaging your business.
2. Get It Inspected
When your basement is flooded, call a commercial water cleanup team to help you with the process of restoration. In addition to helping you clean up the water and restore your business, these professionals can connect you with technicians who can inspect your flooded furnace. Electrical damage and compromised equipment are obvious concerns, but the air ducts that run throughout your HVAC system must be considered as well. Air duct cleaning is an important part of furnace flood cleanup because mold can grow on the filters. Without cleaning them, mold spores will be blown throughout your building if you don't replace the filters prior to turning on your furnace again after flooding.
3. Consider Replacement
In most cases of severe flooding, you will likely be advised to replace your furnace rather than repair it. Furnaces are complicated machines and there is a high risk of rust developing that will compromise your system. Although costly, a furnace replacement can keep your business and your staff safe.
A furnace flood is not often one of the top considerations after a pipe burst that results in flooding, but it is important to take special care of this important piece of equipment as you restore your business to its pre-flood status.
A Few Tips for Preventing Water Damage During Construction
10/15/2020 (Permalink)
Construction project in Bella Villa, MO
Preventing Water Damage During On a Construction Site
Whether you are a project manager for a construction project or in charge of a company that is in the midst of construction, you know that the building process presents a number of risks. Water damage is one of these and comes from two main sources: outside water entering the building envelope or inside water from unexpected releases. Even if your company in Bella Villa, MO, has good insurance, a water pipe repair will still impact your bottom line as you could be left paying deductibles or a percentage of the cost. Therefore, preventing damage is in your best interest and can usually be accomplished by using best practices.
Quality Planning
A professional construction crew will look ahead and plan for all the exigencies of a project. This means having a plan in place for the following possibilities:
- A severe weather system
- A construction site in a low-lying area
- A broken pipe
- A sub contractor who cuts corners
- A power outage on the site
A lot can happen during construction with heavy equipment seemingly everywhere and contractors coming and going. It can be a chaotic situation if someone isn't clearly in charge. A slip up could even result in a flooded site. Avoiding a water pipe repair comes with a high degree of organization and leadership.
Professional Safeguards
It is worthwhile to put one person in charge of preventing water damage on a construction site. This director will be responsible for tracking, monitoring, testing, and repairing any issues that might arise. A weekly punch list will help focus the attention on prevention. If a water pipe repair is needed, the director should contact a water remediation franchise that can arrive on the site on short notice. This team will have the equipment and the expertise to mitigate any water problems. The technicians will know the best methods to clean up the water and minimize damages to the building.
Tips to Avoid the Accidental Activation of Fire Sprinklers
8/3/2020 (Permalink)
Tips to Avoid the Accidental Activation of Fire Sprinklers
Fire sprinklers are incredibly important devices to have in commercial buildings. Sprinklers may help to save a structure in Bella Villa, MO in the event of a fire, and they may also save lives. Regular sprinkler maintenance is crucial to ensure that a sprinkler system works properly. It is also imperative to become familiar with tips on how to avoid an accidental activation of sprinklers, which could lead to major water damage to a commercial property. Here are several tips to help avoid an accidental activation.
1. Keep the Area Around Sprinklers Cool
Unlike a smoke alarm which will turn on when smoke is detected, sprinkler systems are typically designed to activate when there is a significant amount of heat near them. Many fire sprinklers contain a liquid that will burst at very hot temperatures, triggering the water to flow. Therefore, it is important to keep the areas near sprinklers cool to avoid an unintentional activation. For example, at a commercial building where large heating systems may be utilized, consider placing any heating systems and fans far enough away from sprinklers in order to maintain a cool temperature near the sprinkler system.
2. Avoid Touching the Sprinklers
It may be a good idea to inform occupants and/or individuals who work at the building to avoid touching the sprinklers. An unintended activation of the sprinklers may occur if they are mishandled. Aside from regular sprinkler maintenance by professionals, it may be wise to avoid touching the sprinklers altogether.
3. Regulate the Temperature of the Building
Sprinklers are designed to activate due to intense heat in order to extinguish a fire. In addition to being triggered by heat, the sprinkler and pipes may also be activated if the pipes freeze in cold weather. Because of this, it may be a good idea to ensure that the temperature at the commercial structure is constantly regulated to help prevent pipes’ freezing and bursting.
Following these steps, along with having consistent sprinkler maintenance, may help prevent an accidental triggering of the systems. (And if there is an unwanted activation that causes leaking or flooding, expert water restoration technicians can help repair water damage!)
How To Find the Right Fire Restoration Company
4/18/2020 (Permalink)
Fire damage restoration company in Bella Villa, MO
How To Find the Right Fire Restoration Company
Many companies advertise fire damage restoration services, but not every operation maintains the highest standards. From training in cutting-edge cleaning processes to measures that make insurance companies more likely to cover the cost of restoring damage, it is easier to single out the right restoration service when you know to look for certain qualifications. Here are a few guidelines for finding a service to mitigate fire damage, clean and restore a commercial building in Bella Villa, MO.
Check for Industry-Leading Credentials
The best commercial fire restoration companies meet the standards set by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification. This certifying body offers credentials for the following types of damage:
- Fire and smoke
- Water damage
- Carpet and textiles
Look for a service that employs IICRC-certified technicians to ensure that damage restoration is up to the highest standards in the industry. Leading companies may even operate an IICRC Approved Training Facility for franchise professionals.
Pick a Preferred Vendor
Commercial property insurance claims are more likely to be approved if owners obtain an estimate of fire damage restoration costs from a preferred vendor. These companies have a proven track record of providing top-quality service while staying on budget and schedule. Other resources such as electronic access to claims information support the settlement process.
Opt for a One-Stop Shop
Relying on the same company for the entire process from fire damage mitigation to smoke cleanup can make it easier to stick to a timeline and maintain consistent quality of work. A national company with local franchises that have the training and equipment necessary to restore fire, water, and smoke damage can meet the highest standards.
The right fire damage restoration service will adhere to industry-wide standards and be preferred by insurers of commercial properties in Bella Villa, MO. Having damage mitigated, cleaned and restored by a qualified service can make it easier to get the job done right.
Mold and Commercial Insurance Claims
1/7/2020 (Permalink)
Mold caused by lightning
Mold and Commercial Insurance Claims
Mold and insurance are two subjects not for the faint of heart, but a dutiful business owner or property manager must deal with these matters from time to time. It's easy to get lost in the details, but in the end, it comes down to two very important concepts: the notorious fungus exclusion, and Limited Fungus Coverage. These two issues form the basis of most commercial property policies regarding fungus removal. The first one, the fungus exclusion, makes it difficult to collect on a mold claim, while the Limited Fungus Coverage provides a small ray of hope for being reimbursed for mold damage and mold cleanup on your property in Lemay, MO.
The Fungus Exclusion
A staple of commercial insurance since the 1990s is the fungus exclusion. This exclusion is found in nearly all commercial property policies and it excludes payment for damages on a wide variety of mold-related damages. Essentially, most damages caused by mold, mildew, fungus, dry rot and bacteria, as well as fungus removal costs, will not be covered by a standard policy. Oddly enough, there are three exceptions to this:
- Mold caused by fire and lightning
- Mold caused by specific events such as a hailstorm, windstorm or civil commotion
- Mold caused by other specific, named events (this is the Limited Fungus Coverage)
The Limited Fungus Coverage
Since water damage is a primary cause of a mold outbreak, this specific cause can be listed in an insurance policy. The second named cause is leaking of fire-fighting equipment, such as a faulty sprinkler system that results in damp conditions which results in mold growth. In these two instances, fungus removal and damages could be covered up to $15,000 per year. The services of a professional mold mitigation team will be covered for cleanup, restoration, and replacement of damaged materials. As always, property owners should be vigilant when purchasing commercial property insurance and make sure they have the best coverage possible.
The 3 Steps to Repairing a Commercial Roof Leak
12/17/2019 (Permalink)
Roof leaking in Oakville, MO
The 3 Steps to Repairing a Commercial Roof Leak
A roof leak can greatly hurt your business in Oakville, MO, especially when left unattended. The water can infiltrate the building, accumulate over time and damage the foundation, as well as any devices and equipment inside. However, if you act fast and call the right professionals to handle to process, the damaged roof can be repaired and your commercial location can return to its former glory. Continue reading and learn about the several steps of the process.
1. Repairing the Roof and Ceiling
The most important step involves stopping the leak and fixing the roof before more water enters the building. A roofer can inspect for damage such as cracks and missing shingles, then start the necessary procedure to fix the area. He or she can replace the shingles, seal the cracks and use other equipment to ensure the roof can withstand the next storm or natural disaster.
2. Removing the Wet Materials
The severity of the damage in the affected area depends on how much water entered the room and how long did the roof leak before intervention. Unfortunately, most equipment, materials and even the walls and structure can get damaged beyond repair. A storm damage restoration specialist can remove the excess water in the area and help you determine what can be salvaged and what needs disposal.
3. Drying and Disinfecting the Area
Once the damaged roof is fixed and the affected items torn out and removed, the specialist will need to dry the remaining area. He or she can use natural and artificial ventilation to circulate air and dry out the room. Disinfection is also an important step, as the water can be contaminated. Proper drying and disinfection prevent mold and mildew from growing and spreading throughout the location.
When left alone, a roof leak can create greater problems, such as destroyed business equipment and mold development. Ensure the technicians handling your case follow these steps properly to restore your business.
Quick Action Can Keep Burst Pipe Damage to a Minimum
10/21/2019 (Permalink)
Pipe break in Oakville, MO
As a business owner in Oakville, MO, you have likely come to expect the unexpected. When surprised with a torrent of water from a supply line leaking, quick action can keep that water from causing extensive damage. While pipe burst cleanup involves some work, it is essential to ensure a clean, productive work environment.
How It Happens
Many people may believe that a cracked or broken pipe only happens in freezing temperatures. While that is often the main culprit, it isn’t the only one.
Rust — Although plumbing pipes are built to last, they do age along with everything else. If your business operates out of an older building, it is likely that the piping used will eventually begin to rust. Even if you can’t see, the insides may be corroding and weakening.
Hard Water — Magnesium and calcium may be good for humans, but they are an enemy to plumbing. High levels of these mean you have hard water. Over time, it creates a buildup that leads to corrosion.
Improper Installation — We all hope that that the people who built a structure did things right. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Improper soldering or a pipe connection can quickly turn into a pipe burst cleanup.
How to Handle It
While it’s always a good idea to have a professional inspect a plumbing system for worn or damaged pipes to avoid dealing with a water cleanup, timing doesn’t always work in one’s favor. If you do have to deal with supply line or pipe leak, the following steps can prevent more damage from happening.
- Turn off the main water source.
- Remove items from affected area.
- Extract any standing water.
- Vacuum any residual water.
- Let the area thoroughly dry.
- Clean any area affected with disinfectant.
After drying, a damage assessment can be made. Along with repairing the burst pipe, affected areas may need to be replaced to avoid mold growth and deterioration. These may include drywall, base boards, carpeting or tiles.
It’s important to remember that just because you have water flowing where it shouldn’t doesn’t mean long-term damage. If pipe burst cleanup is done properly, it can seem “Like it never even happened”.
What to Do During the Estimation Process After a Commercial Fire
8/6/2019 (Permalink)
Commercial fire damage in Bella Villa, MO
If you've suffered a business fire in Bella Villa, MO, you may be wondering what the next steps are. It can be difficult to know how to evaluate the cost of the damage. Getting the right estimate is crucial for insurance purposes. Here are a few things to remember when going through this process.
Take Inventory of Each Item
For insurance purposes, you will need to make a list of all items that have fire damage. It is extremely helpful if you have receipts, but if not you need to write down as much detail as possible about each one. Be sure to put when you bought each item and how much you paid for it. Don't throw anything away until you've documented the damage and determined whether it is salvageable. Some items might not have been affected by flames but could require odor removal from the smoke.
Hire a Fire Restoration Company
You should check your policy, but your fire insurance will likely cover hiring a fire restoration company to come help with the cleanup process. They will assess the damage caused by the commercial fire and will give you an estimate on what their services will cost. If your insurance company is going to pay for part or all of this, you will want to keep them in the know. You may also have suffered water damage that occurred when the fire was being put out. Many fire restoration companies can also assist with water damage restoration, so be sure to check before you hire them.
Once you get an estimate, this process will likely take quite a bit of time depending on how much damage the fire caused. Understand that you may even have to move your business for a little while until the building is ready again, but hiring a reliable fire restoration company in Bella Villa, MO, can help ensure that you are back up and running as soon as possible.
3 Reasons You Smell Mold in Your Office Building
4/15/2019 (Permalink)
Given the right conditions, it is possible for mold to spread quite a bit in just a short amount of time.
It’s a common problem. You smell something musty in your business’s Oakville, MO building, but you just can’t figure out where it’s coming from. The likely culprit is mold. In some cases, you will be able to smell the fungus growth before you can see it. Here are a few reasons why you might have that musty mold smell in your office building.
1. Mold Releases Odor-Forming Mycotoxins
Some species of mold produce toxic substances called mycotoxins. When the mold grows, it releases these toxins which begin to produce an odor. If you have a mildew smell in your building, but you cannot find the source, it can be a good idea to hire a professional mold remediation specialist. They can use a thermal camera to locate sources of moisture where a growth has likely formed.
2. Mold Grows in Hidden Places
In many cases, you will have a mold smell without any visible mold damage because it is growing in a hidden area. This will often be inside of walls or underneath flooring. If there are cracks in the building’s exterior, water from storms can enter these areas and allow a mold growth to form.
3. Mold Spreads Quickly
Given the right conditions, it is possible for mold to spread quite a bit in just a short amount of time. You might find that an infestation has appeared overnight. If the fungus smell in your building is overwhelming, you most likely have a large growth that will need to be removed as soon as possible to prevent extensive damage.
The best way to keep mold, and the subsequent mold smell, out of your building is to perform regular maintenance to check for cracks or leaks. These can result in an excess of moisture that makes it easy for mold infestations to form. If you do notice a smell, have an inspection done as soon as you can to prevent the problem from worsening.
3 Steps to Take After a Fire on Commercial Property
1/14/2019 (Permalink)
Boarding up after fire in Oakville, MO
3 Steps to Consider When Beginning Your Fire Cleanup
If your business in Oakville, MO, has suffered from fire damage you may be wondering what to do next. There are a few recommended actions that may help get the restoration process started. Here are some steps to consider when beginning your fire cleanup.
1. Board Up the Property
One of the first steps many experts recommend is to board up the damaged property. This usually entails putting ply-board or tarps over the exterior of the damaged area in order to protect it from external forces. Not only can this help prevent further damage from wind and rain, but it may keep critters out of your property. It may also help discourage looting. Many insurance companies also require boarding up the area as part of your policy when filing a claim.
2. Get a Damage Assessment
Before repairs can begin, the fire damage on the property will need to be assessed. A team of fire restoration professionals can look over the damages and inform you what repairs will be necessary. These professionals can also formulate a plan for the best order of repair, and provide you or your insurance company with a repair cost estimate.
3. Begin Repairs
Once your property is protected against further damage, and you have an estimate of the repair needs, then you can begin the fire cleanup process. Repairs usually include debris removal, smoke odor remediation, and the cleaning of damaged items and equipment. Some companies may also offer electronics cleaning, document restoration and upholstery cleaning.
After fire damage hits your business these steps may help you get on track with your restoration. Boarding over the damaged area can help prevent the need for additional repairs. A damage assessment can help you understand what needs to be done and the best order. After your assessment you can begin the process of restoring your commercial property.
Accidental Fire Sprinkler Discharge
12/30/2018 (Permalink)
Hotel conference water problem due to fire-suppressant sprinkler system in Lemay, MO
Accidental Fire Sprinkler Discharge
In 20 minutes, a single fire sprinkler can spray hundreds of gallons of water onto a fire or just onto your most important documents and equipment, flooding the office. It’s certainly not action movie common in Lemay, MO, but overhead sprinklers do get discharged when fire is not involved. If it happens to you, take these steps:
1. Turn Off the Water Fast
This seems simple, but it may require planning. First, if you are the responsible party working at a property, you need to know where the water shut off is. That is information you should find out ahead of time, especially if you or others working on the property are working near the sprinklers or carrying items that could hit a sprinkler.
Secondly, if you have employees working at your property, they need two things: an emergency plan that includes detection of accidentally discharged fire sprinklers and knowledge of the location of the water shut off valve. This is particularly important if you are not regularly onsite. If your employees wait for the fire department to handle the sprinklers, the flooding could be extensive.
2. Call Your Insurance Company
It may be tempting to wander into the wetness and start deciding what’s what, but it will probably save time in the long run if you let your insurance company make decisions and follow its directions. It'll most likely want to investigate the situation without any extra considerations. If there is something you want to do before someone from your insurance company arrives, just check with your insurer ahead of time.
3. Hire Restoration Services
You should have approval from your insurance company before you choose a water damage restoration company. A quality restoration job will put your property back together like the water damage never happened.
The accidental discharge of a fire sprinkler can cause devastating levels of damage. However, the faster the sprinkler gets turned off, the less flooding and other damage there will be. Following the directions that your insurance company gives you will help you get back in business in a dry and restored office.
Oakville Commercial Water Damage Categories
12/26/2018 (Permalink)
Gray Water Surrounding a Damaged Building??
Contaminated Water and Its Category Determines Remediation Process
When looking at the kinds of water damage in Oakville and how they can affect a water removal situation for your commercial property, it is good to know that water losses such as damages to inventory or loss of important files and documents are put into three different categories – clean water, gray water or black water. After these categories are determined, it is much easier to figure out the right techniques for drying, and help to designate what items can be saved and which ones cannot.
Clean Water: Category 1
This type of water is from a source which doesn’t pose a substantial harm to people. It could include sink overflows without contaminates, broken water supply lines, melting snow, appliance malfunctions that involve water supply lines, broken toilet tanks, falling rainwater, and toilet bowls which don’t have additives and contaminants. If it is left for 72 hours untreated, Category 1 turns into Category 2. This will further enforce the fact that a key factor when dealing with different kinds of Oakville water damage is your reaction time.
Gray Water: Category 2
Gray water has a large amount of contamination in it. If someone were to consume this water, it could potentially cause illness or discomfort. Water from Category 2 carries microorganisms and nutrients for the microorganisms. Sources of this water could include washing machines or toilet bowls, overflows from dishwashers, seepage from hydrostatic pressure, sump-pump failures and aquariums which have broken.
Gray water can have bio-contaminants, chemicals and other kinds of contamination which includes physical hazards and is not okay for consumption. Carpet padding affected by Category 2 water needs to be removed and thrown away properly. If you have any food that has come into contact with the water, it also needs to be disposed of. If it is left untreated, Category 2 water will become Category 3 water in forty-eight hours or less.
Black Water: Category 3
This category of water damage near Oakville includes sewage and other water sources that are contaminated which enter or affect the environment inside your business. Sources could be from toilet backflows which start beyond the toilet trap, to all kinds of flooding from ground surface water, sea water, and rising water from streams and rivers. That sort of water can carry organic matter and silt into buildings and make conditions of black water. When there is a backflow of sewage, the health of occupants and workers has to be the first concern. Always take out and dispose of properly carpeting and padding which has been affected by a Category 3 water loss. This type of water damage can cause your business or school to close for a time while it is being remediated.
Remember that no matter what category the water damage is, it is important to attend to the damage as soon as possible to prevent further damage and to avoid dangerous mold from forming.
SERVPRO of Oakville / Mehlville has the equipment, experience, and training to handle water damage in and near Oakville, retail shops in Mehlville, and motels in Lemay with speed and efficiency. Call us for all your mold, water, and fire damaging problems at (314) 846-0600!
Five Steps To Carry Out a Successful Fire Drill at Work
10/15/2018 (Permalink)
Commercial fire damage in Mehlville,MO
Emergency plans are a vital component to any Mehlville,MO, workplace safety protocol. As a place of business, you must have a plan in place to help keep everyone safe when faced with a fire. Carrying out that plan through a regularly scheduled fire drill gives you the opportunity to work out potential kinks, run through situations and educate your employees on proper procedure. Here are five steps to conducting the perfect evacuation exercise.
Step 1: Develop a detailed safety protocol for your workplace.
Preventing mass chaos during a disaster always starts with a plan. This includes going through and listing various escape routes, identifying alternate paths in case the assigned one is blocked and choosing an assembly point outside in a safe zone.
Step 2: Select team leaders, and divide your employees into groups.
Having someone responsible for each group enables everyone to be accounted for. These team leaders will ensure all team members get out to safety as well as circulate the safety protocol around their groups.
Step 3: Conduct an initial fire drill to iron out problems.
The best way to figure out if your safety protocol will be successful is to do a trial run. Alert your employees that you will be running the drill, and follow the plan exactly as written.
Step 4: Review evacuation with team leaders.
Once the evacuation drill is completed, meet as soon as possible with your team leaders to find out how it went. This will give you the information you need to make necessary changes and celebrate successes. Make sure to have your leaders distribute any changes made to the evacuation plan to their groups.
Step 5: Repeat the process, and make changes as needed.
Stay on top of revolving staff and building changes by running a regular fire drill repeatedly and adapting the protocol as needed. By doing so, you will keep your employees as safe as possible in the event of a real fire emergency as well as during the restoration in its aftermath at your Mehlville, MO, workplace.
3 Ways To Keep Toilets From Flooding
10/10/2018 (Permalink)
Commercial water damage on a Mehlville, MO gym
A clogged toilet can lead to severe water or sewage damage in a commercial property. These facilities often have more than one set of bathrooms and may have more than one floor. A backup or toilet overflow can lead to extensive damage that affects building materials and requires extensive restoration. Here are three simple ways to keep toilets from flooding a commercial property in Mehlville, MO.
1. Put Up Signs
Posting basic rules for waste disposal near toilets can reduce the frequency of clogs and flooded toilets in a property. Recommend that occupants and guests dispose of all feminine hygiene and paper products other than toilet paper in trash cans or containers and place these receptacles in convenient locations.
2. Provide Alternative Disposal Containers
It is a good idea to supply every stall in a women's bathroom with some type of bin to offer a convenient disposal alternative to flushing. By making the disposal of products that should not be flushed easier and more discreet, you can prevent clogs and backups before they start.
3. Order Thinner Toilet Paper
Single-ply paper is less likely to cause a clogged toilet than thicker toilet paper. Even if a building occupant or guest flushes a large wad of thinner paper, it is less likely to cause an overflow than two-ply or cushioned paper or wipes. You may also want to consider a toilet paper dispenser that restricts the amount of paper that can be rolled out at a time.
These three steps can reduce the likelihood, or at least the frequency, with which toilets flood a commercial property. If your property in Mehlville, MO does suffer water or sewage damage as a result of a clogged toilet or toilet overflow, contact a plumber to eliminate the clog and a restoration service with the expertise and equipment to repair these types of water damage.
The 6-Point Cheat Sheet to Commercial Mold
7/13/2018 (Permalink)
You’re running your business in Oakville, MO when you suddenly spot a discoloration that is no trick of the light. You’re concerned it’s black mold and want to protect your building and employees, but you’re not confident enough to call in a specialist. So, what do you do? Refer to this cheat sheet and go from mold novice to savant.
1. It Doesn’t Discriminate
Don’t limit your mold concerns to the bathroom; in actuality, mold can be found anywhere, both indoors and outdoors. Outside, it can grow on roofs, siding, pavers, wooden structures, and more. Inside you may find it in (yes) bathrooms, along with kitchens, laundering service areas, and anywhere else moisture is common.
2. It Has Unlimited Mobility
Mold, a microscopic member of the fungi family, can easily spread via spores that find their way through windows or doors, are sucked in and redistributed via HVAC ducts, and even can be carried on the clothing of you or your employees.
3. It Needs Moisture
Mold loves moisture, which is why it’s often found in damp area. Mold spores thrive and multiply when exposed to water for long periods of time.
4. Its Origin Should Not Be Ignored
When you perform mold cleanup yourself rather than calling in the experts, you may not be able to identify its source. When the source remains, the black mold will simply continue to grow and spread, regardless of your cleaning efforts.
5. It Has a Tell-Tale Scent
If you or your employees have noticed a musty smell in an area prone to moisture and humidity, that may be mold you’re smelling. Many people liken the odor to rotting wood, paper, or even cedar.
6. It Loves Humidity
The likelihood of a mold issue occurring inside your building greatly increases during humid months. That’s why it’s recommended to keep the inside humidity of your building no higher than 45 percent.
Now you’re well-versed on the ins and outs of black mold, but you’re still unsure if your building has it. Don’t take the risk; call a local mold remediation specialist today to ensure a clear tomorrow for you, your business, and your employees.
Visit http://www.SERVPROoakvillemehlville.com for more information on mold.
Minimize Winter Storm Damage With These 4 Cost-Saving Tips
3/14/2018 (Permalink)
Residential storm damage in Lamay.
Winters in Oakville, MO can be severe, with heavy rains, winds and snow threatening the very infrastructure of your building on a constant basis. While there is not much you can do about a winter storm, there are steps you can take to minimize storm damage and keep your money in your pocket. Here are four cost-saving tips you can use this winter to keep damage at bay:
- Prep your building.
- Equip your building with a generator.
- Plan for snow and ice removal.
- Have a plan in place.
Prep Your Building
The best thing that you can do to minimize damage caused by a storm is to prep your building. Equip it with storm windows, replace any old weather stripping with new, have your gutters inspected and, if necessary, replaced, and shut off any outside pipes. Frozen pipes tend to cause the most structural damage during the winter, so to prevent a pipe break, make sure that no liquid is allowed to sit in it.
Invest in Backup Power
Invest in a generator, as a winter storm has the potential to knock out your power. Not only do power outages often result in burst pipes because of lack of heat, but also they can cause data loss and fried electrical equipment. A generator can keep your business operating as normal and your assets, both physical and cyber, safe.
Invest in Snow Removal
When snow and ice are allowed to build up on your building or around your structure, moisture can seep into your building and cause unnecessary structural damage. Additionally, ice is a slipping hazard, which could put you at serious liability for personal injury. By investing in routine ice and snow removal, you can minimize damage and potentially costly accidents.
Have a Plan
If a winter storm becomes too severe, you may need to follow through with a disaster plan. Make sure you have one in place and that everyone in your office knows the drill.
Protect your business against damage and losses caused by winter storms. Prep your building, have backup options, invest in snow removal and have a plan to minimize loss this winter.
Visit http://www.SERVPROoakvillemehlville.com for more information on commercial storm damage.
Fire Damage Must be Cleaned Up Quickly
10/25/2017 (Permalink)
Fire Damage Must be Cleaned Up Quickly
When a fire happens, it can be very scary. Many people who experience a fire in home or a fire in business are awakened suddenly in the middle of the night to confront fire damage, smoke damage and soot damage to their spaces. They may find that commercial fire damage from a nearby business has also caused a fire in home or a fire in business. Smoke damage can be especially frightening as smoke billows out from spaces. In all instances, in the immediate aftermath of fire damage to the space, fire restoration efforts need to start soon. When left unchecked, soot damage and smoke damage can cause serious problems in any space. Fabric can get quickly discolored along with many other surfaces in the space. The fire in home or fire in business may cause items that are made from plastic to start to discolor in less than an hour.
Other Surfaces
While items made of plastic can be particularly vulnerable, many other surfaces in the space can also be highly susceptible to smoke damage and soot damage. Fire damage including commercial fire damage can damage metal surfaces of all kinds. Metal can easily get tarnished from a fire in home or fire in business. Ash can also mar other surfaces that are necessary for the business owner to function. Smoke smell can also settle on varied surfaces such as a computer and make it hard to start the computer systems or even operate them at all. Smoke smell can also settle in the walls, making it unpleasant to be in the space at all.
What Needs to be Done
Once the fire is completely ended, any business owner may need to board up part of the space as a result of commercial fire damage. A homeowner may even need to board up the entire space. They may even need to board up other parts of the area such as the backyard. A board up can help make sure that no one gets in the space while a restoration company engages in fire cleanup efforts. The fire damage restoration process must commence immediately in order to help the business or home owner make sure that no other damage happens. Commercial fire damage can cause smoke smell not only in one area but also in other areas of the space even when the fire damage has been initially contained.
Working With Fire Cleanup Company
Soot damage and smoke smell can be a minor inconvenience. However, they are most often part of a larger problem with smoke damage. In that case, it's best to find a trustworthy fire restoration company that can offer the kind of fire cleanup people need to move forward in the aftermath of the fire. It's also useful to find a restoration company that has previous experience with fires in this area. Each area may have a specific kind of fire. For example, some people live in a heavily wooded area and need fire cleanup that can address issues arising from a wood fire. Others live in a more urban area that may need fire cleanup techniques that are best done by a restoration company with specific experience in more urban parts of the nation.
Fire Damage Restoration
All efforts at any kind of effective fire damage restoration must be done in accordance with the home or business owner's personal needs. Many business owners need fire damage restoration efforts that help them open up for business again as soon as they possibly can in order to help them get back on their feet again. They need the cleanup done in a professional way that allows them to set a date for the opening and meet it. They also need professional services that won't interfere with any other parts of the current business that are still open to the public.
Visit http://www.SERVPROoakvillemehlville.com for more information on fire damage.
How to Deal with Commercial Fire Damage
9/27/2017 (Permalink)
How to Deal with Commercial Fire Damage
There are so many people who are currently dealing with the loss of fire damage. Whether it is regular fire damage in the home or commercial fire damage, it is imperative that you work with Professionals in order to clear the damage that has been left behind. One of the main issues with fire damage is the smoke damage and soot damage that is left to linger. This is why fire restoration is so important, and it involves you making the decision that you need to work with professionals in order to get the job done.
The experts in fire restoration will also be able to install a fire sprinkler system and fire suppression system into your home. This is something that helps tremendously and enables you to feel confident in the work being done. This is why so many people have chosen to hire a fire restoration expert after dealing with an electrical fire or utility room fire at home or in their business. After the firefighters have left with their fire hoses and fire trucks, it is important to realize that there are experts out there who can help with the fire restoration.
Despite the work that firefighters have done with their fire trucks and fire hoses, there is still a lot of work to be done when it comes to commercial fire damage. Fire damage is no laughing matter and it can leave a lot of problems after everything is cleared. This is especially true if you have recently dealt with an electrical fire or utility room fire. Electrical fires and utility room fires are often the worst because they spread throughout the home or business. In order to prevent this from happening in the future, you may want to consider installing a fire sprinkler system or fire suppression system and put that into place.
Commercial fire damage can also leave behind a lot of smoke damage and soot damage. This is incredibly problematic when it comes to working with the experts, since they are able to easily and quickly clear the smoke damage and slip damage for you. This is a great option when you are dealing with an electrical fire or utility room fire. The smoke damage Left Behind from commercial fire damage is an issue for so many people, so make sure that you look into hiring a professional other than the firefighters with their fire trucks and fire hoses.
The fire sprinkler system and fire suppression system will also do an amazing job of preventing any soot damage from becoming a problem. There are so many people who are making the decision to hire a professional to get the job done, so this is why it is so important that you work with experts in order to ensure that you are doing something beneficial for yourself. The fire sprinkler system and fire suppression system will prevent any soot damage from happening in the future, and this is ideal for all homes and businesses.
Once the firefighters have left your home with their fire trucks and fire hoses, it is imperative that you work with them on a regular basis to get restoration done. There are so many professionals who are going to be there for you every step of the way. This is something that will help you tremendously and enable you to feel confident in the fact that you have finally done something positive for your home and Business. Because it can be incredibly detrimental to try to repair fire damage on your own, it is important that you contact a local company to help you out with this particular project. This company may also take your homeowners insurance policy, which prevents you from having to pay a lot of money in order to have the work done and know that you're home and business is back to its former glory after they have left.
Visit http://www.SERVPROoakvillemehlville.com for more information on fire damage.
Benefits in Professional Fire Damage Restoration
8/23/2017 (Permalink)
Benefits in Professional Fire Damage Restoration
Fire in business or fire in homes can cause a lot of damage, which could lead to massive losses to the owner. Fire damage restoration is a procedure that should immediately commence after any fire loss to ensure that any particular property is safe. Smoke damages, smoke smell and soot damages, as by-products of a commercial fire damage, corrodes the interior and exterior surface of the entire building. The smoke damage could also discolor everything in the building during any commercial fire damage.
Fire restoration involves taking some steps to ensure that the building is restored back to its previous condition before the fire damage. However, this work may not be possible without collaborating with the most proficient fire damage restoration company. Working with a competent fire restoration company could assist a client to expedite the remodeling project.
There are many advantages associated with fire cleanup projects one's a Fire damage occurs. Some the common benefits of fire commercial fire damage restorations are discussed below:
Benefits of getting professional commercial fire damage restoration
1. Quick and efficient fire cleanup
The professional restoration companies mostly send a team of expert to handle your project, and hence the fire cleanup work is done in the shortest time possible. The crew board up in your premises and assess every cause and extent of Fire damage and try to determine the right restoration steps to an undertaking. They also board up to ensure that they have full information regarding the materials to be used in such a procedure. The smoke smell and the soot damages require the firm to board up and offer a quick response as well.
2. Safety
Soot damage and smoke damage are known to be unhealthy to an individual who has suffered a fire. Smoke damages, for instance, produces a smoke smell that can be uncomfortable to a large extent. With smoke smell concentrated in a room it can penetrate porous materials creating a long lasting odor. A good company must have quality machines to clean any soot which will be used to evacuate the smoke smell and also deal with the soot damages in the premises.
Soot damage could also cause serious technical problems in the plumbing systems thus the supply of clean water could be affected especially during fire in business or industrial areas. The fire cleanup process hence ensures that the soot damage restoration is undertaken in the most efficient way and the plumbing systems and other parts of the building do not have any damage.
3. Fire damage restoration add value to your home or business property
In a case of commercial fire damage in home or even fire in business areas, soot is produced at a very high rate thus discoloring every component in the building. The walls, ceiling, furniture and the floor are all affected by the soot. This means that the value of the house goes down at a very high rate. The actual reasons for the actual restoration process are to add value to the house and restore its image or even add unique features to the building. In case the owner wants to resale the building, they will be sure that the value of the house will give them profit rather than a loss.
The restoration process also improves the look and style of a house over a commercial fire damage. This depends on the desires of the homeowner and the various resources in place for such a fire in home project. Additionally, the restoration process is fundamental in ensuring that the occupants feel safe and secure in their newly remodeled premises even after the fire in home or fire in business premises in the previous days.
Contacting the right restoration company that will handle your situation in the quickest and most efficient way is always advisable. Practically, researching on the equipment the restoration company has and the various experts they will send to board up and handle the fire in business building or fire in home. This will ensure that you will get the benefits of the restoration process.
Additionally, the restoration company should be fully certified and licensed to undertake the tasks in the best way possible.
Visit http://www.SERVPROoakvillemehlville.com for more information on fire damage.
How to Handle a Water Damage Incident
6/26/2017 (Permalink)
How to Handle a Water Damage Incident
Flood damage or water damage from other sources is serious business. Water in a business or water in a home that is left standing can not only cause decay and leave foul smelling odors and mold, but it can even leave the property structurally unsound, potentially causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses.
Luckily, there are professionals who are expert in water damage restoration and who can almost always effectively combat water damage, restoring the property to its former condition, 100 percent. However, it's important the people know that this is a job that entails doing some difficult work with highly sophisticated equipment in a set order. People without the equipment, experience or extensive knowledge necessary who attempt mitigation of water damage and restoration of the property on their own often end up with disastrous consequences, including the total loss of the property.
The five step flood damage restoration process:
Water in the home or water in the business can very quickly lead to irreversible damage, including structural compromise that can require tearing down and rebuilding entire sections of the structure. But with a professional restoration and mitigation firm, there is an established, five-step process that can ensure an almost guaranteed complete restoration of the property, in all but the most extreme natural disasters.
Emergency call, inspection and damage assessment
The first step is to seek help. Most professional restoration firms have 24/7, on call staff who can immediately dispatch a team to the site of the flood damage. Using sophisticated equipment, including infrared detectors and hygrometers, specialists can assess the extent to which the water has seeped into areas beyond view, immediately ordering in specialized equipment, such as industrial floor drying equipment, that can begin drying any affected areas of the flooring or structural components of the home or business.
Water extraction
The first task with water in the home or water in the business will be to completely remove any standing water from the floor or basement. This can be accomplished with amazing speed, using industrial vacuum equipment and submersible pumps. Again, attempting to remove standing water should never be undertaken by non-professionals. There are serious hazards in doing so and the equipment is likely to be insufficient and subject to failure.
Drying and dehumidifying
Once the standing water in the home or water in the business has been removed, the water cleanup process can move forward. The next step is drying. While it may sound simple, it's far from it. Different materials dry at vastly different rates. Some out-of-sight structural components may absorb water and retain it for months or years. This water must be removed. Failure to do so will certainly result in rotting and structural compromise. Professional firms have both high-power, specialized drying equipment as well as cutting-edge capabilities to dehumidify large spaces, dropping the humidity to almost zero.
The water cleanup company will also remove all furniture, books, artwork and other valuable items that may need to be dried or could be vulnerable to standing water. Drying is one of the most important parts of the water cleanup and damage mitigation process.
Cleaning and sanitizing
When flood damage occurs, part of the water cleanup process is categorizing the water. The damage mitigation team will either classify the water as clean, grey or black. Clean water may not involve much in the way of cleaning. However, grey and black water will involve extensive cleaning of movable items as well as fixed surfaces. The team will also sanitize the entire affected site, ensuring that no harmful organisms are allowed to fester.
Finally, the damage control team will touch up the affected area, restoring it and everything it contains back to exactly as it was before the flood event. In all but the most extreme cases, the property will be completely restored to its previous condition, with a prompt call to a competent water damage company.
Visit http://www.SERVPROoakvillemehlville.com for more information on water damage.
Successful Fire Damage Restoration
5/17/2017 (Permalink)
Successful Fire Damage Restoration
The process of cleaning up after fire damage is not an easy one. Fire damage restoration is a long process with many different parts. While it may seem intimidating to begin picking up the pieces after a fire in a home, or assessing commercial fire damage after a fire in a business, with the right plan the task can be made infinitely easier.
The first step in fire cleanup is to look for any openings in exterior walls. Fire damage to a structure can result in more damage to property when these breaches cause exposure to the elements. When handling fire in a home, make sure that there are no sections missing near bedroom windows or other areas vulnerable to exposure. With fire in a business, sustained exposure to weather can significantly increase damages.
Once you have identified and sealed breaches, the next step in fire damage restoration is the removal of water. Water left over from the emergency response team can be a significant hazard during fire cleanup, because standing water is a vector for disease and can house unseen floating hazards. Be sure to bring water boots, an essential tool for fire cleanup.
Upon removing the water, your next task is assessing soot damage. Soot damage is caused from the residue left after objects burn, leaving behind ashy, oily remains. Soot can get into small, hard-to-reach places so it is important to be thorough. If objects with soot damage are inexpensive and easy to replace, feel free to discard them after recording them for total fire damage cost calculation. In the case of fire in a business it is especially important that you catalog every object with soot damage so as to have accurate commercial fire damage estimates.
After assessing soot damage, you should examine the floors, ceilings, and walls of your building. This is especially important with fires in homes, because fire damage can spread from room to room and leave hard-to-find damages on interior walls. With fires in a business, be sure to examine the full floor and ceiling for fire damage restoration. Once you have documented all damage to the structural elements of the building it is time to move on to your next ask.
Smoke damage is similar to soot damage and can be examined following the inspection of the floors, ceilings, and walls. Smoke damage may affect most of your property both with fires in homes and fire in a business. It can also sometimes be the hardest part of fire damage restoration because not only is visible smoke damage an issue, but smoke smells can also cause damage, increasing the total amount of commercial fire damage. You should examine all objects for both smoke damage and smoke smells, especially porous things and cloths like clothing or linens. As with soot, objects affected by smoke damage or smoke smells that are easily replaced can simply be recorded and discarded. More expensive items may merit more effort to try to rid them of damage or smoke smell.
Fire cleanup may seem daunting, and commercial fire damage may have a significant impact on the livelihood of any small business owner. However, fires do not mean the end of the world for private individuals or for business owners. With the proper plan, you can approach the situation with preparation and calm knowing that whatever difficulties you might face, you can overcome them. Dividing fire damage cleanup into small, logical steps is the first thing in the process to getting things back in order. Approach the situation with ease of mind and dedication knowing that you know what to do.
Visit http://www.SERVPROoakvillemehlville.com for more information on fire damage.
Commercial Flood Damage Can Halt Your Business Operations In White House
12/8/2016 (Permalink)
Flooding can cause significant damage to your commercial property.
Commercial Flood Damage
During a flood, it isn't just the roads and homes that are overcome with excess water in the area. Businesses, factories, clinics, hospitals, schools and everything in between can find themselves soaked with brackish water, as well. No building is immune to flooding. Depending on the kind of business you're engaged in will determine what kind of losses your business will have.
White House area companies that need commercial flood damage restoration and repairs can return to normal only after the flood waters have receded, the damaged interiors are repaired, and then sanitized. Pathogens found in flood water, and then left behind on soft and hard surfaces, can be extremely harmful to human health. Businesses in the services industry can find themselves without the end-user items needed to carry out day-to-day operations. Retail operations can return after a flood to discover their inventory is not only water-logged, but covered in sediment and jumbled up.
Clinics and hospitals have patients to care for, as well as the items required for providing that care. In addition, there is also the federal requirement for safe record keeping of patient files. Restaurants will need to ensure that all food in jars, cans, and boxes have been disposed of to protect patrons' health. Kitchen equipment will need to be cleaned and sanitized. Flood waters can wipe out much of this, but we can help with the restoration process. Removing silt can be tedious but must be done to remove hidden pathogens and also the destructive grit that would ruin many pieces of equipment, regardless of the type of business.
We know your customers or clients depend on you and the services or products you provide them, and we want you to know you can count on us. Reversing commercial flood damage is much more than just getting the water out. It's also the act of removing the extra humidity left behind, ensuring that all surfaces are clean and sanitized, that all carpets have been removed or restored to a sanitary state, and much more. The prevention of secondary water damage is of vital importance, especially when you have a responsibility to those you serve. Understanding that responsibility is part of what makes us able to respond the way we do.
When you've had a flood and need commercial flood damage assistance, call us, SERVPRO of Oakville / Mehlville at (314) 846-0600. We answer our telephones 24/7, and we will always respond when you need us.
Commercial Water Damage To Your Mehlville Warehouse
11/21/2016 (Permalink)
Take advantage of our training and expertise by scheduling a thorough assessment of your warehouse and other operations.
Your Mehlville Warehouse Commercial Water Damage
Commercial water damage presents double trouble to you as an owner and employer. Not only do you need to recover your premises, equipment, and inventory from the effects of leaks or flooding, you also have employees and customers who rely on you to keep your business running even while restoration efforts are in process. SERVPRO works closely with our commercial clients to avoid closure or a shut down even after a significant water crisis to your warehouse or other storage facility affects your business. We encourage business owners to consult with us before any warehouse water disaster by developing an Emergency READY Profile, distilling all critical information about your operation into a plan shared with and easily accessible to our local water damage restoration experts.
Preventing commercial water damage in Mehlville may not be possible if heavy storms or flooding affect your warehouse but a systematic review of your preparedness can limit the effects of leaking, moving, or standing water to your bottom line. Take advantage of our training and expertise by scheduling a thorough assessment of your warehouse and other operations. There is no charge for our review of your facilities, and we will use the information gleaned to ready our team should the worst happen. You can identify your business’s key personnel, so we know who to consult when a commercial water damage disaster strikes even if you are not always available. Details such as warehouse layout and the location of utilities, important documents, and priority areas within your building clarify and order the restoration and mitigation tasks needed to be completed, ensuring our team of water damage restoration technicians are “Ready for whatever happens.” Our staff will take photos and scope out the dimensions of your warehouse to assist with our post water damage work.
SERVPRO’s mobile app is your cutting edge technology tool when crafting your Emergency Ready Profile. Download and allow the app to walk you step by step through our queries, focusing in on the information needed for the short yet personalized Profile Document that emerges to guide our joint efforts. You will be pleased with how quickly you can complete the online questionnaire, clicking through without delay, communicating the essentials to our local office so that any recovery effort can begin immediately. Once your ERP is in our system, contacting us for commercial water damage is as simple as alerting us with a few clicks. Our app even guides your personal mitigation efforts as you wait for our technicians to arrive.
Locally Owned Company with National Resources
Although the best outcome is never to have the need to use the plan, be ready for any commercial water damage challenge by developing an Emergency Ready Profile with SERVPRO of Oakville / Mehlville. Contact us day or night at (314) 846-0600 to schedule your proactive warehouse walkthrough.
Commercial Water Damage Requires Quick Remediation
6/4/2016 (Permalink)
Frozen Copper Pipe Leak
SERVPRO Has The Equipment And Experience To Handle Loss Properly
Mehlville commercial damage from water damage can strike at anytime and anywhere. Instances are usually quite unexpected and sudden, and can be quite difficult to detect depending upon the sort of loss. In the insurance industry, it is widely reported that the most seen kinds of loss are from water. Things such as broken pipes, frozen pipe leaks, sewage backup, leaks from appliances, water getting into roofs and other elevations of a building from driven or torrential rains are common water loss that is covered under a majority if risk property policies. For anyone without prior experience handling insurance claims, the language of policies can be confusing in the least. To get the right compensation for a loss, it is a good idea to have a claims advocate advising you who has experience, since the methods for adjusting such losses can be quite technical and impact how your settlement gets determined.
After the water damage near Mehlville has happened, the most important step is to start emergency mitigation, which our experienced staff at SERVPRO can assist you with. Removal and dry out needs to start right away, which we will do for you. Water loss needs to be handle din the first twenty-four hours and is critical for the outcome of your claim for damages. Baseboards and other furnishings will need to be removed so allow air to circulate and dry the area, and wet carpeting needs to be pulled out to prevent any conditions which could lead to mold growth or more damage. Carpet padding will likely be soaked and need to be replaced, so it is not enough to just lift a corner of the carpeting and put a fan there.
The insurance carriers preferred vendor for extraction and cleanup is not always the best choice since they may be operating under cost constraints which limit their ability for doing the best job. That is why it is wise to call SERVPRO of Oakville/Mehlville, as we can perform the work that is needed with all the right equipment, experience, and training.
Equipment such as hygrometers, moisture detectors, and infrared cameras will be necessary to find the exact location of the water source. We can go through your property with all of this equipment so your damage can be properly assessed and taken care of. Your insurance adjuster might not follow this protocol and the settlement outcome will be impacted a great deal, plus the total restoration and dry out process of the property insured could be in jeopardy.
We will also need to use the right disinfectant to stop any fungi, bacteria, or mildew from causing more damage. If this step is not followed, the next approach of the insurance company could be to examine the claim according to the mold limitations and provisions of the policy.
Commercial damage in Mehlville should be taken care of right away by the experts at SERVPRO Oakville/Mehlville. You can reach us anytime you need by dialing (314) 846-0600.
Call SERVPRO of Oakville / Mehlville for Water Damage Remediation in Mehlville
5/27/2016 (Permalink)
Water damage? SERVPRO of Oakville / Mehlville can restore your Mehlville home "Like it never even happened."
For Water Damage Restoration in Mehlville, call SERVPRO of Oakville / Mehlville
The effects of standing water in your business property can be disruptive to you, your employees and clients. Mehlville Water damage can impact your ability to conduct business as usual, and this can eat away at productivity and profitability. When you are dealing with a water issue on your property, it is important to respond to the situation quickly and choose a remediation method that will yield the best overall results.
Stopping the Flow of Water
If possible, the first step to take when you are dealing with Mehlville commercial water damage is to stop the flow of water. With a flood situation from a heavy rainstorm, it typically is not possible to stop the flow of water, and you may need to wait for floodwaters to recede. When the standing water in the business is caused by a plumbing issue, however, it may be possible to turn off the main water valve to the property to prevent more water from entering the building. Afterward, you can contact a plumber for repair service on the pipes.
Removing the Standing Water
After controlling the flood of water inside your business property, the standing water needs to be removed. Different methods are available for accomplishing this goal. You could use a mop and bucket to begin manually removing the Mehlville water. However, this is a time-sensitive issue, and manually removing the water is not the fastest method available. Water in the building can create an environment that is conducive for mold growth, so you may want to explore professional remediation services. With professional services, an expert will use a powerful extraction machine to suck the water out of the building in a short period of time.
Reducing the Moisture Level
After a flood in the building, indoor humidity levels may be high and may leave moisture on surfaces such as drywall and wood furnishings. The additional moisture can cause damage and may continue to create an environment that is conducive to mold growth. Drying out the business property as soon as possible is important. Professional remediation experts can address this aspect of Mehlville commercial water damage by bringing in powerful fans to dry out the air and surfaces with considerable results.
Locally Owned Company with National Resources
If you have discovered Mehlville commercial water damage in your business property, you want to find the most effective and efficient method of remediation available. SERVPRO of Oakville / Mehlville is the company to call for assistance. We have been providing commercial water remediation services for many years, and we have the knowledge and equipment necessary to restore your property. Call us today at (314) 846-0600 to set up an appointment with our skilled team.
High-Rise Commercial Water Damage in Mehlville
5/25/2016 (Permalink)
High Rise Buildings
Water Damage in Large Buildings Requires Professional Evaluation to Prevent Further Problems
High rise buildings, when it comes to potential for Mehlville commercial water damage, pose particular risks. Shopping centers, hotels and other large buildings have special issues when it comes to water, fire or other kinds of disaster damage, which includes:
- Lift devices malfunctioning. Flooding on levels below then can make elevators and escalators malfunction, cutting off access effectively to levels higher up besides by taking the stairs.
- Leaking of cold lines. A lot of high-rise buildings use cooling systems which are complicated so they can run all the huge amounts of necessary equipment to keep the building functioning. When these cooling lines encounter problems, it can lead to breakdowns all across the building in systems and even chemical leaks which are dangerous.
- Fire sprinkler system damage. A great way to keep your building safe in a large-building fire, fire sprinklers can however cause significant damage to the building itself, especially since most of these systems are set to trigger at just a hint of a temperature rise or smoke.
- Computer and data system damage. A lot of high-rise buildings have delicate and expensive data controls systems for intercoms, cameras, and other devices. These systems can quickly be shorted out by flooding, causing damage that is expensive, plus putting the occupants of the building in danger.
Water Doesn’t go Uphill
Even though people usually think of flooding happening on lower floors, a large water leak in a high-rise building could cause flooding downward. Water running down from the upper floors will go into the lower floors, which will damage walls, ceilings, and floors along the way. Water will also run downhill when firefighters spray water on a fire in the upper floors of a building.
No matter the way that the water is running, the actual water damage near Mehlville that is caused by flooding can be small in comparison to the subsequent damage. Reconstruction, cut outs and mold remediation could be necessary after the flood water is extracted. This is when you should be calling our professional staff at SERVPRO, as we have all the necessary equipment and knowledge to perform these jobs correctly. Unless you clean the high-rise immediately and correctly, a whole lot of damage can be done which can harm the actual structure of the building by subsequent corrosion, water or mold intrusion. Mold may cause adverse health effects to you and any tenants, and can grow quickly – as soon as in the first 24 to 72 hours. We can assess all your damages and use special meters to find all of the hidden water as well, therefore preventing any mold before it happens.
As soon as you go through commercial water damage in Mehlville from water or even another disaster, you should contact us at SERVPRO of Oakville/Mehlville by dialing (314) 846-0600. We will best be able to get your building cleaned and repaired so that your tenants and you can comfortably use it again.