Our Highly Trained Restoration Specialists Are Here to Help!

8/17/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Elkhart County is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

IICRC Certified Firms must

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.

• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.

• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.

• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.

• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

About SERVPRO of North Elkhart

SERVPRO of North Elkhart County  specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Click the link below to meet our crew!

http://www.SERVPROnorthelkhartcounty.com/restoration-training-certifications

SERVPRO of North Elkhart

572-343-1397

Restoring Your Elkhart County Commercial Property After A Water Damage Event

8/16/2022 (Permalink)

Flooding and water damage events at Elkart County commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

About SERVPRO of North Elkhart County

SERVPRO of North Elkart County specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Click the link below to meet our highly trained crew! 

http://www.SERVPROnorthelkhartcounty.com/restoration-training-certifications

SERVPRO of North Elkhart 

574-343-1397

When fire comes, will you be ready?

7/23/2022 (Permalink)

Did you know that even smaller fire incidents have the potential to cause fire damage? However, if your office building has a fire, you also need to be concerned about the problems smoke can cause. The smoke cleaning effort, in this case, can be significant as well.

Where’s There’s Fire, There’s Smoke

In many situations, people will smell smoke before they’ll ever see signs of a fire. Your building should have effective smoke detectors to alert you when problems arise. Here are some concerns to be aware of with smoke:

• The effects the smoke can have on people’s health
• The lingering smoke odor, which can be unbearable
• Damage caused by smoke to electronics, documents, furniture, floors and walls
  
  

Make the Right Call

After calling the fire department to tackle the fire, you’ll need to get in touch with our insurance company. Next, hire an experienced team of fire restoration experts to assess the smoke damage and other issues. Professionals will have the right equipment and the latest techniques to thoroughly clean those areas the smoke affected.

Cleaning Methods

Smoke will leave behind a nasty layer of soot on surfaces and materials. It can corrode electronics and make other items unsalvageable without effective ways to handle smoke cleaning. The cleanup team will use a variety of tactics to thoroughly and safely clean all affected items and areas of your building. Some of the most effective treatments are air filtration devices, ozone machines and thermal foggers.

Your Role

Don’t disturb anything at the scene. This could cause further damage. Do not try to turn on any of the electronics or clean anything yourself. At most, you could take a damp cloth and wipe off surfaces.
Damage left from fire and smoke can be terrible. Luckily, qualified crews can use smoke cleaning methods to save even heavily damaged items. Get in touch with a restoration company today.

So give us a call today! We are faster to any disaster and are ready to help get you back to "Like it never even happened."

What NOT To Do After Commercial Water Damage Happens

3/21/2022 (Permalink)

With the crazy weather and the past flooding here in Elkhart County, here is some useful ideas on how to protect your business assets after commercial water damage.

Here’s what not to do after commercial water damage:

1. Do not enter a room with standing water in it until all electricity has been turned off. Live wires touching water can electrify the water, making standing water in the room very dangerous. Make sure all electricity is disconnected or off prior to entering a room with standing water.
2. Do not use regular household vacuum to remove water. Regular household vacuums are not meant to handle large volumes of water. Sucking up standing water with a household vacuum will definitely break it and potentially cause it to short circuit.
3. Do not attempt to lift tacked down carpet without professional help. Wet carpet is very heavy. Not only could your hurt yourself trying to remove damp carpet but also contains tacks that can hurt you if you are not trained in pulling it up correctly.
4. Do not use electrical appliances when carpet or flooring is still wet. Exposure to water can cause electrical appliances to short circuit or fail. Since they are not manufactured to be “water proof”, water can easily get into vulnerable areas in the appliances and greatly increase you chance of electrocution or fire.
5. Do not touch or disturb any visible mold. Mold spreads very easily. Mold caused by water is dangerous to you and can have harmful health effects. Make sure you call a mold damage specialist to handle the cleanup and removal of mold so as to not cause harm to yourself or your employees.

While most of the water has dried out from the recent flooding, we want you to keep these points in mind so that you can be water damage smart the next time heavy rains come around!

Call SERVPRO When Your Business Needs To Get Back Up & Running Again

1/5/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage can start small and all of a sudden turn into a disastrous mess, destroying everything in its path.

Water mitigation requires highly specialized processes and procedures to minimize both short- and long-term damage. By using the latest drying techniques, we can dry wallboard, paneling, ceiling tiles, insulation, masonry, wood and metal studs, plaster walls, and other structural components. This minimizes the amount of total reconstruction required which means your business will be back up and running in no time.

Dealing with an office full of standing water isn’t just frustrating; it can be incredibly costly to your business. Water damage can start small and all of a sudden turn into a disastrous mess, destroying everything in its path.

If you can keep an eye out for the signs of a premature water damage, you could save yourself a lot of trouble. Taking the right preventative measures such as fixing any faulty plumbing early on and redirecting rainwater can save you from the headache of a disastrous water damage.

Tips For Keeping Your Commercial Property Safe During the Winter

1/4/2022 (Permalink)

Keeping your commercial property safe for residents, employees, and visitors during the winter require careful planning long before cold weather.

Keeping your commercial property safe for residents, employees, and visitors during the winter months require careful planning long before cold weather arrives. Consistent maintenance, property repairs, and seasonal improvements will ensure the safest environment throughout the harsh elements of the season for your patrons.

- Inspect your property. Have your landscape management or maintenance team perform a property wide safety check. An inspection of sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, and hand rails will ensure that anyone walking the property in slick conditions are kept safe.

-Drop Salt and Sand. Untreated ice creates s slippery layer that is unsafe for tenants and progressively harder to clear as it thickens during sustained cold temperatures.

- Light Things Up! If you don't have it already installed, lighting to high traffic locations throughout your property, adding enhanced lighting to all main entrances, walk ways, stairs, and parking lots adds an additional level of safety and security.

- Remove Snow. Snow plowing of parking lots and driveways and snow blowing of all walkways are both quick methods that can be contracted in advance through a local service. 

- Make a plan. It is important to be prepared well in advance. Outline a winter weather procedure so that all employees, residents, and visitors are ready when the time comes.  

If Your Elkhart Business Has Been Affected By Water Damage? Don't Wait To Call SERVPRO!

8/16/2021 (Permalink)

Our water damage experts are available 24-hours a day to give you immediate support and clean up any water-related disaster.

When your business is affected by a water damage or any other type of emergency, time is of the essence. Getting your business up and running as soon as possible is of the utmost importance after a water damage. SERVPRO of North Elkhart County provides 24-hour emergency service to help reduce your Elkhart business's downtime with:

• 24-hour mitigation and water removal
• Experienced and certified technicians
• Drying equipment to dehumidify and dry down structures large and small
• Content cleaning and drying
• Cleaning and deodorizing of your facility
• Knowledgeable and friendly crew members to address all aspects of your businesses needs 
• Reconstruction services available if required

SERVPRO of North Elkhart County provides a full-service restoration for minimizing your Elkhart businesses downtime and turn your days back to "business as usual". 

For information on business or commercial services including our ERP- Emergency Ready Program call us today to schedule an appointment.

574-343-1397

SERVPRO Tip - What Not To Do After Commercial Water Damage

8/9/2021 (Permalink)

Call us immediately if you find water damage! 24/7!

With the crazy weather and flooding we have been experiencing, we thought it would be useful to give you some ideas on how to protect your business assets after commercial water damage.

* Do not enter a room with standing water in it until all electricity has been turned off. Live wires touching water can electrify the water, making standing water in the room very dangerous. Make sure all electricity is disconnected or off prior to entering a room with standing water.

* Do not use a regular household vacuum to remove water. Regular household vacuum’s are not meant to handle large volumes of water. Sucking up standing water with a household vacuum will definitely break it and potentially cause it to short circuit.

* Do not attempt to life tacked down carpet without professional help. Wet carpet is very heavy. Not only could you hurt yourself trying to remove damp carpet but carpet also contains a variety of tacks that can hurt you if you are not trained in pulling it up correctly.

* Do not use electrical appliances while the floors/carpets are still wet. Exposure to water can cause electrical appliances to short circuit or fail. Since they are not manufactured to be “water proof”, water can easily get into vulnerable areas in the appliances and greatly increase your chance of electrocution or fire.

* Do not touch or disturb any visible mold. Mold spreads very easily. Mold caused by water can be dangerous to you and can cause health affects. 

While most of the water has dried out from recent flooding, we want you to keep these points in mind so you can be water damage smart the next time heavy rains come around! 

Protect Your Elkhart County Business With An Emergency Ready Plan!

7/30/2021 (Permalink)

Emergency Ready Plan

SERVPRO of North Elkhart County provides The Emergency Ready Plan service. One of our managers will come to your business, large or small and develop a Ready Plan in the event of a water, fire or storm emergency.

These Ready Plans are a detailed compilation of points of contact, locating and documenting emergency shut offs for all utilities, and mapping of emergency entrances and exits. Our team will keep all information on file in case of emergency the information is readily available. 

Every business owner has many things to worry about, let us take the worry out of what to do if there was a fire, water or storm emergency at your place of business.

SERVPRO of North Elkhart County's highly trained and caring team is available 24 hours a day in the event of an emergency.

To find out more about this free service we provide click on the link https://ready.SERVPRO.com/home/readyprogram

Call us today for an appointment to get started on your business's Emergency Ready Plan! 

SERVPRO of North Elkhart County 574-343-1397

Ask The Experts: What Happens When A Disaster Strikes My Commercial Building?

3/14/2021 (Permalink)

There's nothing quite as difficult for a commercial establishment as dealing with water damage. However, knowing what to do when disaster strikes can prevent you from experiencing unnecessary emotional upsets for yourself, your employees, and your customers and mitigate the economic strain of lost business. There are many steps you'll need to take to get your commercial property back in order following a water damaging event. Contacting a team of skilled water damage restoration experts from SERVPRO is a good first step.

Quick Water Removal Mitigates Monetary Loss 

The longer excess water remains on your commercial property, the more likely you are to suffer from costly water damage repairs to structural properties like ceiling tiles, insulation, drywall, and flooring. Then there is the concern of water damage to your capital investments: inventory, furniture, carpeting, electronic equipment and paper documents. Having a team of skilled water damage restoration experts like SERVPRO to begin immediately removing standing water can prevent you from spending unnecessary money on repairs.

Quick Remediation Prevents Secondary Water Damage.

Another benefit of a quick reaction to the pressing problem of water intrusion is that fast extraction helps prevent secondary water damage. Unfortunately, water damage creates a moist, wet environment within your business. Moisture and high humidity offer mold an opportunity to grow and spread throughout structural materials and wood furniture and fabrics. If your business deals with food distribution, high inventory loss may be a costly negative effect. For this reason, it's critically important to have standing water removed as quickly as possible. SERVPRO can arrive, usually in about one hour, with water removal equipment to meet any problem. 

Fast Restoration Helps You Get Back In Business

If the water intrusion, by way of a storm, flood, leak, or the aftermath of fire extinguishing causes severe water damage to your commercial business, you may have to relocate temporarily while water damage restoration work is being completed. Closed doors affect customer traffic, employee earnings, and your bottom line.  Insurance companies normally work hand-in-hand with SERVPRO to come to a working agreement allowing the water extraction process to commence immediately. 

Contact SERVPRO Today

If your commercial property has been subjected to water damage, getting fast, effective water damage restoration services is a must. Here at SERVPRO, we specialize in optimizing and expediting each component of the restoration process to ensure that you can get your business back in business. Moreover, each of our IICRC-Certified technicians will provide you with the personable care and excellent customer service that keeps you in the loop throughout the water damage restoration process. We can quickly reopen your doors "Like it never even happened."

Commercial Building Restoration Services

SERVPRO of North Elkhart County responds quickly to a water or fire, or mold damage emergency, 24 hours a day. Whether the damage occurs in a small business building or a big box store, we have the training, experience, and equipment to handle the situation. Our national network of 1,650 Franchises gives us access to personnel and resources. Call us for assistance today!

Ask The Experts: When Sprinklers Attack

12/12/2020 (Permalink)

Sprinkler systems are commonly installed in commercial and industrial buildings. They save life and structure when a fire occurs. They do cause water damage though when putting out the fire or when the system malfunctions.

This is when SERVPRO is here to help. We come in and dry the structure when a system malfunctions. Fire sprinklers are activated when the mercury liquid-filled bulb bursts between 135 and 165 degrees. It is thought by many that they are triggered by smoke, they are actually activated by heat. Failures occur with sprinkler heads commonly when the line freezes from cold weather or the head gets hit or pulled on by something.

We are here to help when you need it most and want to help prevent issues before they arise. It is always a good idea to know where your sprinkler line shut off valves are located in case you have a malfunctioning system and know who services these systems for your facility.

So give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and here to help make things "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Tips: Why Everyone Should Know These Basic First Aid Tips

12/9/2020 (Permalink)

Accidents happen, and they don't schedule an appointment! It is important to plan for what you need to do should an accident happen. Here are a few basics that everyone should know.

Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds are very common in both children and adults and can be caused by trauma to the nose or simple irritation of the mucous membranes. Do not make a nosebleed victim raise their head or lie down, as this can actually make the bleeding worse. Instead, pinch the nostrils closed for as many as ten minutes, allowing the broken vein in the nose to close.

Cardiac Compressions

Nowadays, the American Heart Association doesn’t mandate that everyone learn rescue breathing—all you have to do is put your hands over the victim’s heart and push, to the beat of “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees. It’s a simple technique that could mean the difference between life and death, and the American Heart Association’s statistics demonstrate this in stark terms. Consider these facts:

• Approximately 88% of all cardiac arrests do not happen in a hospital or healthcare facility, and nowhere near a healthcare professional.
• A large percentage of cardiac arrest victims appear perfectly healthy just before their attack.
• It takes approximately 8-12 minutes on average for an ambulance to arrive on the scene of an emergency.

• Bystander CPR could increase the victim’s chance of survival by as much as 300. 

The Heimlich Maneuver

Not to be confused with CPR, the Heimlich maneuver is supposed to help someone who is choking on a foreign object. First, ask the victim if they are choking; in an emergency situation, the person will usually not be able to talk.

How to Treat Shock

Shock occurs when too little blood circulates to the brain. This means that the brain is not receiving enough oxygen, which leads to a feeling of faintness, disorientation and dizziness. Shock may occur:

• after an accident involving loss of blood
• after a serious infection, with loss of fluids
• after a serious burn
• after other accidents that cause loss of fluids or blood
• as part of an allergic reaction

Stop Heavy Bleeding

If someone is bleeding heavily, they will not be able to form a clot—and they could bleed out. You can stop the bleeding by putting pressure on the wound—ideally with a sterile cloth, although you can also use ripped pieces of T-shirt or anything else you have on hand. Raising the wounded limb over the heart will also help to slow down heavy bleeding.

So make sure you are ready should a worst-case scenario happen! It might just save you or a co-worker's life! 

SERVPRO Tips: Things to consider when creating a preparedness plan

7/15/2020 (Permalink)

Here Are Some Things You Should Consider When Creating a Storm Preparedness Plan

The last few years have shown that severe inclement can devastate areas quickly, often going places that many thought would not be touched. That means business owners throughout the states  should consider how to handle flood water, efficiently and safely. Here are three things that proprietors should consider in creating a storm preparedness plan.

1. Think Ahead
A flooded building poses several major issues. Documents and electronics could be ruined. Titleholders may not be permitted access, and important assets could be harmed. For that reason, don't take chances. Before anything comes your way, sit down and plan out how to help yourself. Locate all paperwork such as titles, contracts, and financial notes. Take photos of them, or scan them. Then, upload them to a cloud. That way, should moisture ruin a computer system or filing area, you can still pull up records. In addition, understand your insurance policy, reviewing any deductibles, clauses and procedures. Do this annually, speaking with your agent about any concerns.

2. Prepare the Building
When watches and warnings are issued, take steps to minimize flood water problems. Have the roof reviewed, covering up any loose shingles or flashing. Then, walk the perimeter, picking up items and branches that could become lifted up by high winds. Your goal is to remove anything that could puncture the roof, walls or windows. Even small objects could become missiles when intense gales occur. Finally, board up windows and doors.

3. Get It Fixed
After the system passes, contact your insurance agency and a water restoration company. They can assess any water damage, determining the extent of repairs. By working closely with your insurance agent and remediation crews, you may be able to expedite the process. Remember to discard anything touched by external water. It could contain bacteria and prove hazardous to you, employees and clients. Then, work as a team to sanitize the rooms and restore the place.
Your company is valuable, and you'll want it up and running as soon as possible. Don't wait for a disaster to happen. Instead, organize yourself now, saving documentation and contacts. Then, work with professionals to fix the shop.

So give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and are here to get you back to "Like it never even happened."

Perspective on a Commercial Disaster: Through the eyes of a technician

7/7/2020 (Permalink)

I recently sat down with our technician Carol to get an account of a recent commercial water loss we handled. This is what she had to say:

"This was a very good "first-time" learning experience for me. First and foremost was to "be prepared for anything" and was excellent preparation for handling water damages on a much smaller scale. 

The previous day and night had brought heavy rainstorms to our area and multiple service calls were coming into the office. I had only been with SERVPRO of North Elkhart County for a few months. When this call came in one of our most experienced technicians took the call. It was relayed to her that the days' previous rains had brought water down into a small commercial office space. The technician and I being the only ones in the shop went to evaluate the loss.

When we got on site, this small commercial office space ended up being a 22,000 sq ft building with large production and warehouse spaces as well as a large showroom with multiple offices and at least 12 additional offices, complete with employee breakroom, testing labs, conference rooms, storage rooms, and bathrooms. The water had been too much for the roof drains to handle and the water came through the HVAC ducts like a waterfall affecting every area of the building.   

I was overwhelmed, to say the least, but it was a great learning experience for me. It taught me not only the basics but the much more complex aspects of water damage. How to prioritize while efficiently doing the maximum amount of work while minimizing the client's concerns and anxieties over how to keep their company up and running.  

This job is not just about the physical work it's about selling your services, getting the job done effectively and efficiently while maintaining a professional attitude and gaining the clients' confidence and trust. Which can ultimately lead our company to more jobs and building the business while maintaining a standard of excellence.

Protect Your Business in Elkhart With an ERP!

7/9/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Elkhart County provides The Emergency Ready Plan service. One of our managers will come to your business, large or small and develop a Ready Plan in the event of a water, fire or storm emergency.

These Ready Plans are a detailed compilation of points of contact, locating and documenting emergency shut offs for all utilities, and mapping of emergency entrances and exits. Our team will keep all information on file in case of emergency the information is readily available. 

Every business owner has many things to worry about, let us take the worry out of what to do if there was a fire, water or storm emergency at your place of business.

SERVPRO of North Elkhart County's highly trained and caring team is available 24 hours a day in the event of an emergency.

To find out more about this free service we provide click on the link https://ready.SERVPRO.com/home/readyprogram

Call us today for an appointment to get started on your business's Emergency Ready Plan.  

574-343-1397

Winter Months: How To Keep Your Commercial Property Safe!

12/11/2018 (Permalink)

Keeping your commercial property safe for residents, employees, and visitors during the winter months require careful planning long before cold weather arrives. Consistent maintenance, property repairs, and seasonal improvements will ensure the safest environment throughout the harsh elements of the season for your patrons.

- Inspect your property. Have your landscape management or maintenance team perform a property wide safety check. An inspection of sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, and hand rails will ensure that anyone walking the property in slick conditions are kept safe.

-Drop Salt and Sand. Untreated ice creates s slippery layer that is unsafe for tenants and progressively harder to clear as it thickens during sustained cold temperatures.

- Light Things Up! If you don't have it already installed, lighting to high traffic locations throughout your property, adding enhanced lighting to all main entrances, walk ways, stairs, and parking lots adds an additional level of safety and security.

- Remove Snow. Snow plowing of parking lots and driveways and snow blowing of all walkways are both quick methods that can be contracted in advance through a local service. 

- Make a plan. It is important to be prepared well in advance. Outline a winter weather procedure so that all employees, residents, and visitors are ready when the time comes.  

Your Commercial Property: Keeping It Safe During The Winter

12/4/2018 (Permalink)

Keeping your commercial property safe for residents, employees, and visitors during the winter months require careful planning long before cold weather arrives. Consistent maintenance, property repairs, and seasonal improvements will ensure the safest environment throughout the harsh elements of the season for your patrons.

- Inspect your property. Have your landscape management or maintenance team perform a property wide safety check. An inspection of sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, and hand rails will ensure that anyone walking the property in slick conditions are kept safe.

-Drop Salt and Sand. Untreated ice creates s slippery layer that is unsafe for tenants and progressively harder to clear as it thickens during sustained cold temperatures.

- Light Things Up! If you don't have it already installed, lighting to high traffic locations throughout your property, adding enhanced lighting to all main entrances, walk ways, stairs, and parking lots adds an additional level of safety and security.

- Remove Snow. Snow plowing of parking lots and driveways and snow blowing of all walkways are both quick methods that can be contracted in advance through a local service. 

- Make a plan. It is important to be prepared well in advance. Outline a winter weather procedure so that all employees, residents, and visitors are ready when the time comes.  

Don't forget, we are faster to any disaster and we will make it "Like it never even happened."

Protect Your Business From Scary Commercial Water Damage

7/3/2018 (Permalink)

Your family depends on your business. So do your employees, as well as your customers and community. So the thought of commercial water damage caused by extreme weather or plumbing failure is scary. But you don’t have to be scared. A little planning and a few precautions will help you breathe a little easier, knowing you’re ready for any commercial water damage contingency,

Commercial Water Damage Tip: Think it Through

Start by asking yourself, “What if?”

That’s a powerful question when it comes to reducing commercial water damage risk. For instance, what if a water main bursts and floods your office? This always leads to more questions, such as how will you ensure the safety of your employees and customers? Or how will you prevent or eliminate business disruptions that might result in cash flow problems? How will you communicate with employees during emergencies or periods of disruption (say, when a pipe bursts and requires the main power to be shut off during repairs)? Make notes of your answers to all your questions, because organizing this information is the basis for the next key step in preventing and minimizing commercial water damage: making a plan.

Commercial Water Damage Tip: Make a Plan

While thinking through possible commercial water damage scenarios for your business, you made notes of the solutions you came up with for your “what if?” questions. Now put your thinking into action to craft an emergency plan for your business. A good emergency plan should provide for the safety of all people who could enter your business, as well as set forth processes and procedures for carrying on with business during a variety of challenges.

Commercial Water Damage Tip: Inspect, Repair, Repeat

Stuff gets old. It breaks. It fails. When plumbing or water-management equipment in your commercial facility fails, the resulting water damage restoration costs can stack up fast. So the operative word for commercial water damage prevention is maintenance.

Routinely inspect all visible plumbing, test basement sump pumps, check exterior gutters and downspouts, muck out drainage ditches and storm drains and ensure roof structures are in good repair. Commercial property managers generally agree that a water leak on a commercial property is the most costly problem you can have, often costing thousands of dollars to mitigate, once the problem develops. Good property maintenance can lop off a big chunk of commercial water damage risk, so don’t cut corners on repairs.

Cause Of Commercial Water Damage And How To Clean It Up

7/3/2018 (Permalink)

Unfortunately, there are many other ways that your office can flood, and as a business owner it’s important that you know what these are, what to do about it, and whom to call. Water damage is serious, and if you are not prepared or don’t have a plan in place when it happens to you, your business could be shut down for an unnecessary amount of time.

Top 5 causes of commercial water damage:

Extreme weather. Flooding can happen very quickly. What starts out as a small storm can suddenly turn into something larger, and cause a lot more damage than anyone expected. If your commercial property isn’t in pristine condition, there is a chance that water damage will occur. For example, a small leak on the roof can turn into a large downpour of water that floods an entire section of the property.

Damaged appliances. Pretty much every office building has a kitchen or a break room. And typically these rooms have a refrigerator and possibly a dishwasher. When these appliances fail, they can leak a significant amount of water, flooding the entire room or more.

Backed up sewer lines. Bathrooms are another source of possible problems. It is not uncommon for the sewer lines to get backed up, releasing contaminated water into the building. This type of water damage is extremely dangerous because the water is filled with hazardous waste and other contaminants.

Malfunctioning sprinklers. By law, all commercial properties must be equipped with an overhead sprinkler system. This system works in conjunction with the fire alarm, and is typically activated when the fire alarm goes off. This can cause water damage in two ways. First, any time there is a fire and the sprinklers activate, there will be water damage. And second, the sprinkler system can malfunction and activate on its own. When this happens, significant water damage can occur because of the fact that the sprinkler system covers the entire building.

Broken pipes. Broken or cracked pipes are very common in commercial buildings, especially as they age. When these pipes burst open, water rushes out of them, spraying throughout the building. This can cause damage to the ceiling, walls, and flooring, not to mention any furniture or electronics that get in the water’s way.

Obviously you want to keep an eye on the list above. Ongoing maintenance to your commercial property is key to not having water related issues. But if water damage does happen anywhere on your property, you need to take immediate action. 

First we will thoroughly inspect the property. We will find out what caused the damage and make sure that the water has stopped flowing. We will also determine if the water is contaminated or not. During this stage we remove all furniture that has been affected, while trying to salvage as much as possible. Next we begin the water extraction process. We use pumps and other vacuums to remove all water from the property.

Once all the water is removed, we start the drying process. If everything is not dried properly, problems occur that result in longer recovery and escalating restoration costs. We set up and monitor the drying process through every phase to ensure that proper drying occurs. We will document moisture levels, provide moisture maps, and photograph drying for the insurance provider. When the property has been thoroughly dried, we start the sanitation process. We have to make sure everything is cleaned and sanitized because of the mold and other contaminates that form due to standing water.

And finally the rebuild happens. If the water damage destroyed ceilings, walls, or flooring, we can rebuild it and make it, "Like it never happened!"

Protect Your Business From Scary Commercial Water Damage

4/5/2018 (Permalink)

Your family depends on your business. So do your employees, as well as your customers and community. So the thought of commercial water damage caused by extreme weather or plumbing failure is scary. But you don’t have to be scared. A little planning and a few precautions will help you breathe a little easier, knowing you’re ready for any commercial water damage!

Start by asking yourself, “What if?”

That’s a powerful question when it comes to reducing commercial water damage risk. For instance, what if a water main bursts and floods your office? This always leads to more questions, such as how will you ensure the safety of your employees and customers? Or how will you prevent or eliminate business disruptions that might result in cash flow problems? How will you communicate with employees during emergencies or periods of disruption (say, when a pipe bursts and requires the main power to be shut off during repairs)? Make notes of your answers to all your questions, because organizing this information is the basis for the next key step in preventing and minimizing commercial water damage: making a plan.

Now put your thinking into action to craft an emergency plan for your business. A good emergency plan should provide for the safety of all people who could enter your business, as well as set forth processes and procedures for carrying on with business during a variety of challenges. It should include:

• an emergency contact list (accessible from off-site)
• emergency procedures
• emergency staffing instructions
• vendor lists and contact info
• data backup plans and other resources to support business operations in case you have to temporarily or permanently relocate your business operations.

Routinely inspect all visible plumbing, test basement sump pumps, check exterior gutters and downspouts, muck out drainage ditches and storm drains and ensure roof structures are in good repair. Commercial property managers generally agree that a water leak on a commercial property is the most costly problem you can have, often costing thousands of dollars to mitigate, once the problem develops. Good property maintenance can lop off a big chunk of commercial water damage risk, so don’t cut corners on repairs.

Your Commercial property in the winter

2/8/2018 (Permalink)

Freezing or Bursting Pipes

One of the most common causes of damage to commercial buildings during the colder months is freezing and bursting pipes. As a building owner, there are measures you can take to prevent pipes from freezing; however, sometimes the worst happens anyway. If it does, the result can be thousands of dollars of damage to your building, furniture, electronics, and other business property.

If this happens, will your commercial property insurance pay? The answer is “it depends.” The property policy is not a maintenance contract, and the insurance company expects you to take every precaution to ensure that pipes don’t freeze. If there is an insurance claim, the adjuster will determine if the measures taken were adequate. Specifically, the adjuster will look for evidence of two efforts: First, did you leave the heat to the building running; and, second, did you drain the lines? If you can prove at least one of these steps was taken, most policies will pay the resulting damage.

That’s certainly good news. But wouldn’t you rather avoid the claims process altogether and keep your deductible in your pocket? Following are a few tips on protecting the pipes in your building from winter’s worst.

• Locate the turnoff valve and drain the lines.
• Protect spigots with Styrofoam attachments. These can be purchased at most home improvements stores and offer much better insulation than wrapping the spigot with a towel.
• Search for pipes that are not insulated. These pipes may pass through unheated areas, such as crawlspaces, basements or garages. Pre-molded foam rubber sleeves can be fitted to the pipe and offer essential insulation to keep them from freezing. Fiberglass insulation is also an option. You may also consider wrapping the pipe with heating tape.

Damage from Ice, Sleet or Snow

Ice, sleet and snow can be incredibly destructive to your property. They can be the source of damage or amplify existing damage—for example, ice getting into a crack in a wall. Unfortunately, damage caused by ice, snow and sleet are not covered by most standard commercial property insurance policies. While some policies will cover damage resulting from the abrupt collapse of a building’s roof under the weight of ice, snow or sleet, others will not.

Protecting your building from harsh winter conditions takes a great deal of care. So does making sure your insurance responds if it turns out Old Man Winter packed a little more punch than you bargained for.

Fire Safety Plan For Your Elkhart Business

7/1/2017 (Permalink)

A fire can be a catastrophic event, leading to destruction of property or loss of life. To ensure that your staff and employees are protected in the event that a fire breaks out, it is essential that every business have a fire safety plan in place. Fire suppression systems are complex devices that are strategically placed in different areas of the office building or kitchen. They will automatically trigger when the temperature changes to certain degrees or they can be manually turned on by pulling an emergency switch, which will then release chemicals onto the fire-prone locations to extinguish the fires. 

If you have a fire in your home or business then call SERVPRO of North Elkhart County for all your restoration needs! 574-343-1397

Keep Your Elkhart Business Safe From Water Damage

7/1/2017 (Permalink)

Should you find yourself in a situation where your business has been affected by flood, here are some ways to prevent flood waters from entering your business:

• Seal cracks, use high quality urethane-based caulk to seal cracks and utility pipes.
• Connect sump pumps to a battery back-up or generator.
• Install backflow valves on main waste drain pipes that leave the structure.
• Protect openings; keep a supply of water-absorbent barriers to divert water away by installing watertight shields over all doors and windows.
• Evaluate the drainage of the property to make sure the ground slopes away from the building.

If you have a fire in your home or business then call SERVPRO of North Elkhart County for all your restoration needs! 574-343-1397

From a Technicians prespective

4/19/2017 (Permalink)

I recently sat down with our technician Carol to get an account of a recent commercial water loss we handled. This is what she had to say:

"This was a very good "first-time" learning experience for me. First and foremost was to "be prepared for anything" and was excellent preparation for handling water damages on a much smaller scale. 

The previous day and night had brought heavy rainstorms to our area and multiple service calls were coming into the office. I had only been with SERVPRO of North Elkhart County for a few months. When this call came in one of our most experienced technicians took the call. It was relayed to her that the days' previous rains had brought water down into a small commercial office space. The technician and I being the only ones in the shop went to evaluate the loss.

When we got on site, this small commercial office space ended up being a 22,000 sq ft building with large production and warehouse spaces as well as a large showroom with multiple offices and at least 12 additional offices, complete with employee breakroom, testing labs, conference rooms, storage rooms, and bathrooms. The water had been too much for the roof drains to handle and the water came through the HVAC ducts like a waterfall affecting every area of the building.   

I was overwhelmed, to say the least, but it was a great learning experience for me. It taught me not only the basics but the much more complex aspects of water damage. How to prioritize while efficiently doing the maximum amount of work while minimizing the client's concerns and anxieties over how to keep their company up and running.  

This job is not just about the physical work it's about selling your services, getting the job done effectively and efficiently while maintaining a professional attitude and gaining the clients confidence and trust. Which can ultimately lead our company to more jobs and building the business while maintaining a standard of excellence.

-Carol Caletri 

SERVPRO of North Elkhart County employee