The Flood Water Cleanup Process

9/13/2023 (Permalink)

Flooding can cause severe damage.

Excess water can cause a lot of damage to your commercial building in West Valley City, UT, and these issues can only be properly mitigated by certified water restoration experts. When the flood water in question is contaminated, this adds extra steps to the cleanup process. It's important to understand the measures necessary to ensure that your building is free of both moisture and bacteria.

Steps for Cleanup After Flooding or Toilet Overflow

A simple pipe break can be a big problem, but at least the water it releases is clean. By contrast, Category 3 water is contaminated. It can come from a variety of sources:

• Overflowing toilet
• Groundwater seepage
• Storm damage
• Municipal sewer backup

Any time your building is flooded with Category 3 water, mitigation automatically includes measures to ensure that no contamination gets left behind.

1. Extract Excess Water

Removing water is a crucial step that prevents it from causing further damage. Technicians pump it out of the building. Then they use special equipment to get rid of whatever the pump couldn't extract. They must assess which items and parts of the structure are salvageable before they can continue with remediation.

2. Remove Debris

Any debris that enters your building along with the flood water must also be removed. Additionally, all porous materials that are saturated with contaminated water need to be torn out. This inevitably includes carpet and insulation, but it may also mean that drywall, floor pads and ceiling tiles have to go. Technicians have to clear the area of all ruined items.

3. Rinse Area

No matter how meticulous the mitigation team is, some debris will not be able to be removed manually. The only way to get it off the remaining surfaces in your building is to rinse it. The purpose of the initial rinse is to remove all remaining particles that don't belong in the space.

4. Sanitize Surfaces

Once all the dirt and particles that you can see have been washed away, it's time to disinfect the remaining surfaces. Technicians use industrial-strength cleaners to ensure that all bacteria and microbes are killed in the cleaning process. For spaces that are hard to reach, they may need to use equipment that helps them get the detergent into nooks and crannies.

5. Dry Thoroughly

There is often residual moisture left by the cleaning process. To prevent secondary damage such as mold, your building needs to be dry. Fans are useful not only for drying surfaces but also for bringing the humidity level back under control.

6. Conduct Tests

The final step before the restoration phase begins is confirmation that the space has been sanitized. Technicians may perform a variety of tests, including surface swabs and air quality measures, to make sure that their efforts to disinfect the building were successful. If the results are not satisfactory, they know they have more cleaning to do before moving on to rebuilding.

Cleaning up after flood water is always a multi-step process. When the damage is caused by Category 3 water, however, even more tasks must be added to mitigate it completely.

The Proper Use of a Fire Extinguisher and Other Critical Tools

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

A fire extinguisher is a critical tool.

If your company in West Valley City, UT, is serious about fire protection, it needs to have the most important fire tools on the premises. It is just as important that these critical items are maintained and that key personnel know exactly how to use them to the best effect. These items include but are not limited to the fire alarm system, the fire extinguisher and the sprinkler system. A fourth category, the services of fire professionals such as a fire restoration team, will also be addressed here.

The Fire Extinguisher and Other Fire Protection Tools

The Fire Alarm System

The type of alarm you need depends upon your facility and how large it is. Professional installation is important as the contractor will understand the requirements for building codes and local fire regulations. The system should be professionally maintained to the highest standards.
The alarm should be set up so that it covers all relevant areas of your building as this will provide the greatest protection against fire damage. Finally, the alarms should have both auditory and visual alerts so that it reaches all individuals in the building should a fire break out.

The Fire Extinguisher

This essential tool can stop an incipient fire before it gets out of control and causes thousands of dollars in damages. Your company should have enough units on hand so that one is close by should a fire begin. The whereabouts of each unit should be identified with bright markings, and all units need to be inspected regularly. Your company should have the right extinguisher on hand for the type of fire that is possible in your facility, whether it be a kitchen fire, an electrical fire or a wood fire.
Fire extinguishers are not overly difficult to operate, but key personnel should undergo training on how to use them. The steps for operating a unit can be summed up by the acronym PASS:

• Pull out the pin to engage the unit
  
• Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire
  
• Squeeze the handle to discharge the contents
  
• Sweep the nozzle back and forth until the fire is out
  
  

The Sprinkler System

A modern fire sprinkler system has many advantages for the ultimate in fire protection. It works automatically, even when your building isn't occupied. It responds quickly to a small fire and targets the area so that any water damage is limited. It does require professional installation and should be maintained by a licensed contractor.

The Fire Recovery Process

Fire cleanup and restoration is a highly technical process that requires the work of a professional team of technicians. They use advanced techniques and sophisticated equipment to remove smoke, soot and fire damage. The process typically involves the removal of smoke odors and deep cleaning of soot from walls, furniture and fabrics. With a commercial fire, professionals work quickly to get your business going again as soon as possible.

A fire extinguisher is one critical tool to fight a commercial fire. The right tools and resources can prevent a small fire from becoming a big one and limit damages

Understand the Insurance Claims Process

5/19/2022 (Permalink)

Contact us. We can Help You with the Insurance Claims Process.

When your business in West Valley City, UT, has been hit by disaster, you and your insurance agent are under a lot of pressure to get the cleanup and repairs completed as quickly as possible. The SERVPRO Claims Inventory System is set up to simplify the gathering and sharing of every detail of the insurance claim.

All the Details of Your Insurance Claim in One Place

To fully understand the benefits of this system, you need to know more about how the claims process works:

• What is covered under the policy?
• How is the payment amount determined?
• When will payments arrive?
• Who will the insurance company pay?

The answers to these questions and others you might have are multi-faceted. For example, the type of policy or policies you have affects your coverage; a standard commercial property insurance plan may not include business interruption coverage. The amount of the payment is affected by factors such as the adjuster's determination of property and content damage, your policy limits, any coinsurance percentage, and whether you've insured your property for replacement cost or actual cash value. The Claims Inventory System makes it possible for your insurance agent to record and keep track of these details.

A Central Location for Sharing Information

Your agent works closely with you and with many other professionals during the recovery process. These professionals include the team of property damage cleanup and reconstruction technicians, the insurance adjuster, your private adjuster, any municipal officials, and all of the various contractors involved. The Claims Inventory System provides a central access point to information from each of these parties.

Access to Research and Statistics From Your Neighborhood and Across the Country

As your insurance claim is processed, your agent does a lot of research and runs comparisons to ensure a balanced claim. The inventory system makes it easier to access information from your region, allowing your agent to quickly sort through data related to similar types of claims, the allowable causes of loss, and the prices associated with completing each part of repairs and recovery. Naturally, the numbers change as initial estimates are recorded and then updated. With all of the data in one location that can be accessed by each party, the information you receive can be accurate and up to date.

An Efficient Conclusion to Your Claim

With a convenient dashboard, your agent can quickly gather the facts necessary to complete an accurate claim. Logging in to one site on a computer is much faster than making multiple phone calls, searching through documents from various physical locations, and trying to work out complex algorithms. It also allows your agent to quickly find answers to the questions you have as the process moves forward.

The SERVPRO Claims Inventory System means that your insurance claim can be completed quickly and accurately. This also speeds up the actual work as West Valley City, UT, contractors can plan their work, efficiently coordinating each step with other professionals.

The less time your business spends on hold, the better you can survive and return successfully after a disaster. When it comes to business interruption, the speed of your recovery is crucial to your long-term success.

Post-Fire Cleanup: Why Owners Should Prioritize Content Cleaning

5/11/2022 (Permalink)

Learn More about Post-Fire Cleanup. Let the Professionals Give you a Hand.

When a fire devastates a building, the blaze impacts more than the structure. It also affects assets inside, including essential documents, equipment and belongings. In West Valley City, UT, owners may think all is lost; however, there is hope.

When you work with professional fire restoration teams, technicians focus on cleaning the building and personal property, offering proprietors a chance to keep essential possessions.

Dry-cleaning technology, deodorizing equipment, and careful inspections can save items and reduce replacement costs. During post-fire cleanup, reach out and ask about content evaluation. The following are essential points to understand about the process and its benefits.

The Value of Content Cleaning Services

When sparks fly, they often impact several elements, leaving owners to handle more than soot and ash. It's a pile of problems, with each one requiring specific care. Thus, when you're considering remediation and cleaning needs, it's imperative to evaluate several areas of concern:

• Unpleasant odors
• Stubborn stains
• Moisture saturation
• Structural deterioration
• Mold and mildew exposure

Cleaning establishments understand each of these issues. They have training and certification to detect any long-term trouble and decide which items may qualify for cleaning rather than removal.

You may consider tossing items. Sometimes that is necessary; however, replacing everything touched by the fire proves challenging and costly. Do you have specialized equipment and electronics? These pieces didn't come cheap. Getting new ones could take time and add thousands to your property loss claim.

In addition, you may not have the ability to replace some documents or images. These pieces prove essential to your operations. Pairing with content experts could keep these objects in your possession.

Factors That Influence Cleaning

Fire restoration professionals scrutinize contaminated smoke belongings. They must test each piece, concluding whether dry-cleaning technology or abrasive cleaning techniques provide effective sanitizing and deodorizing needs.

The team wants to ensure that whatever returns to the facility has minimal chance of future damage or contamination. Nonporous objects remain easier to clean as the soot and water particles do not penetrate the core. The crew may deem them acceptable for ultrasonic procedures.

Effective Methods for Smoke and Water Removal

Remediation technicians have a variety of tools to use. First, they may remove belongings to content storage. Relocation moves items away from hazards and minimizes secondary troubles such as mold and water damage. In addition, teams have access to specialized equipment that meets your assets' unique needs.

It's not enough to have one approach, so specialists train in various fields to match the proper cleaning method to your situation. Dry cleaning delicately and effectively removes particles from uniforms and clothing. Foam cleaning works well with cloth and materials likely to shrink.

Electronics and documents undergo a series of innovative processes. Televisions and computers, for example, demand evaluation for corrosion and soot. An electronic expert works to eliminate these concerns and get the product back to normal. Fragile, damaged papers receive gentle care, undergoing various methods such as dehumidification and vacuum freezing or thermal drying.

If you're worried that a fire could ruin it all, take a deep breath. Work with restoration professionals in West Valley City, UT, to assess the situation. Allow experts to use dry-cleaning methods and ultrasonic procedures to clean and deodorize your valuables.

How Can I Protect My Business From a Fire Disaster?

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

Protect Your Business From a Fire Disaster by Following These 4 steps.

A commercial fire is one of the most devastating things a business owner can experience. Not only does it cause extensive loss of property, but it can also result in injuries to employees. If all of this isn't bad enough, fire damage can cause the business to shut down for an extended amount of time. It might be severe enough to put it out of commission forever due to the financial strain.

Unfortunately, tragedies sometimes can't be avoided, but a fire preparation plan can significantly reduce the chances of flames breaking out. Being prepared can also considerably decrease the loss by learning proper extinguishing methods. Whether your West Valley City, UT, workplace only consists of a couple of employees or thousands, disaster preparation can always add more peace of mind for your company's future.

4 Steps for Creating a Fire Safety Plan

1. Get Routine Inspections of Fire Alarm System

A working fire alarm system is essential for quickly notifying everyone involved if smoke or fire is detected in your building. People in the building and emergency services will be warned as soon as the alarm activates. A fire suppression system will also begin putting out the flames to minimize the damage until firefighters arrive. Therefore, it is vital to have your fire alarm system regularly inspected and maintained professionally.

2. Provide Emergency Procedures in Writing

Sometimes emergencies can't be avoided no matter what proactive steps you take to prevent them. It is critical to have your fire preparation details in writing and post them in multiple overt locations throughout the building. Everyone must have easy access to them daily and read the materials at least once.

The emergency plan should also depict all evacuation routes with clearly marked exits. Include other essential details, such as emergency services information and important phone numbers, including your preferred fire damage restoration company and other specialists.

3. Train Employees on Fire Prevention

One of the most successful ways of decreasing your fire risk is to train your employees on fire prevention and safety. Make rules for your employees about using space heaters and prohibit burning candles. Regularly inspect all areas of your building to look for potential fire hazards. Threats often include piles of papers or other flammable materials near heat sources.

Keeping all areas clear of clutter will decrease the chance of fire. Once you have completed an initial cleanup, call a fire safety professional to assess your building's fire risk. They can advise you on other safety efforts to take.

4. Don't Forget the Fire Extinguishers

Your fire extinguishers should be inspected regularly to ensure that there are enough of them in the correct locations, that they are installed correctly according to laws and regulations, and that they are in good working condition. Also, provide training for your employees to teach them to properly use a fire extinguisher. After all, an extinguisher is not helpful if it's not used correctly in an emergency.

As a business owner, it's your responsibility to assure the safety of your employees. This requires you to perform specific fire preparation safety measures. Keeping these details in mind and sharing them with others can protect your employees and overall business.

How To Prepare Your Business For a Storm

3/9/2022 (Permalink)

Be Ready for a Storm Event and protect your Business from Storm Damage by following These Tips.

When you own a business in West Valley City, UT, you know just how tricky operations can become during and after a big storm. All kinds of natural catastrophes can negatively impact your business. Flooding can lead to physical damage of inventory or other physical assets, while other damage can interrupt your company's ability to serve its customers. These kinds of destructive tendencies can leave you high and dry if you are not prepared.

This is why having a proper understanding of storm insurance is so important. In the event of a large storm such as a hurricane, tornado, or flood, you want to make sure you have taken the right precautions to protect your enterprise. Here are the best ways to prepare your business for a storm.

Important Tips to be Ready for a Storm Event

Backup Important Data

If the power goes out or a lightning strike fries your online systems, you do not want to be the person who loses all of your much-needed data. Take the time to backup your systems to an offline server or another similar protection device so that in the event of a loss of data, you have what you need on a separate device.

Make Sure You Have Storm Insurance

This is perhaps the most crucial step that you can take. If you do not already have storm insurance for your business, then take the proper steps to find a good insurance company that you can trust and buy coverage that will be in effect prior to the start of a potential storm. If you do already have insurance coverage for this matter, then call your insurance company or an insurance company representative and double-check that your coverage is active and that you understand your plan inside and out.

Essentially, you want to make sure you are prepared and know just what storm insurance covers as coverage varies from state to state.

Batten Down The Hatches

Take care to make sure that the physical structure of your business is as protected as it can be. This might mean boarding up windows, securing outdoor objects, and other processes that will keep your damage to a minimum.

Let Your Employees and Customers Know

Another important thing to do is to utilize social media to let your customers know what your business is going to do as a response to the storm. You should also use internal company communication to do the same for your employees. Clear communication is always best.

Be Prepared To Cancel Operations Indefinitely

This might be a hard pill to swallow as a hardworking professional. However, storms are out of our control and if they become too dangerous, you must put the safety of people ahead of operations. Know when to call it and send everyone home indefinitely before it is too late.

Storms can cause serious damage to businesses and the simple fact is, sometimes there is nothing humans can do to stop that from happening. This is why you should take the right steps to prevent as much damage as you can.

When there is damage that you can not prevent, then your insurance coverage will come in handy and you can let the storm cleanup professionals handle it for you.

The Content Cleaning Process for Your Flooded Company

2/17/2022 (Permalink)

Knowing more about Content Cleaning Process can be very useful if you experience Water Damage in your property.

Water damage on your flooded company property in West Valley City, UT, requires a large amount of cleanup, and content care and restoration make up a big part of those efforts. A quick, thorough response is the best way to get back to your normal activities with limited interruption to business. Professional restoration teams provide this response in five steps:

• Inspection and assessment
• Water removal
• Thorough drying out
• Cleaning and sanitization
• Repairs and restoration

Although the specifics may vary from one part of the country to another, the broad steps are pretty standard. You can see how this process is carried out for the contents of your property.

Content Cleaning and Restoration for Your Flooded Company

One of the most important parts of the inspection step is ascertaining the level of contamination to your belongings. There are three types of water contaminations:

Category 1: Mostly clean and from a sanitary source

Category 2: Gray water with some contaminants, such as detergent

Category 3: Black water with hazardous contaminants, such as organic matter or chemicals

Once this assessment is complete, restoration professionals determine the best methods to dry, clean, and repair your possessions.

Water Removal Techniques

Water removal technicians use a variety of techniques. The methods used for removing excess water from carpets and other fabric furnishings are not the same as those used when handling electronics. The good news is that with proper handling many belongings can be cleaned and restored to their original condition.

It's important to understand that water and electricity is a dangerous combination that presents many safety hazards. In addition to making sure that the power to your property has been shut off, remove batteries from any items that have them.

Complete Drying of Contents

Thoroughly drying the contents in your flooded company property is much more complicated than simply removing surface water. Once your building has been prepared to control humidity, airflow, and temperature, technicians can get to work on the contents of your offices and other rooms. The many components in appliances, computers, and furnishings must be handled delicately and professionally. Waterlogged books and paper files may require freeze-drying, for instance.

Cleaning and Sanitization

Cleaning and sanitizing efforts include both wet and dry cleaning methods. Professionals use specialized sprays and foams, abrasives, and immersion baths to clean your belongings without causing further damage. Cleanup crews may apply antimicrobial, antibacterial, and other disinfectants to prevent contamination. Some belongings may also require treatment for odor removal.

Repairs and Restoration

Repairing the contents of your property is a more cost-effective method than replacing all of your belongings. As much as possible, professionals will save carpeting, appliances, and valuables. In some cases, contents will be moved to other locations for treatment while some of your belongings can be treated on-site.

It's important that each of these steps is carried out thoroughly and in order for efficient and thorough results. A single broken pipe can quickly pump many gallons of water into your property. The sooner professionals address the damage to your flooded company, the better you can avoid the most costly repairs.

Understanding Secondary Damage

2/14/2022 (Permalink)

Important tips to understand Secondary Water Damage. If you have any doubt, please contact us.

When you have a flood in your commercial building in West Valley City, UT, it is hard to know what the extent of the damage will be until you get a remediation team in there for an inspection. This crew can help you do the following:

• Assess the damage.
• Create a repair plan.
• Initiate cleanup.

As the professionals are assessing your damage, you may hear them talk about primary and secondary damage. Here is what you need to know about damage that is caused indirectly by the waters.

Secondary Water Damage

What It Doesn't Include

This secondary form of destruction can include a wide range of damage, but it does not include everything done to your building. The primary damage is anything done when the pipe burst or the roof leaked. For example, black mold growth was not caused directly by the flooding, but damaged walls and ceilings may have been.

How It's Formed

Because this type of damage only includes the harm done after the flooding has ceased, how is the damage done? Often slow reaction time, improper cleanup and hidden problems cause what the professionals consider to be nonprimary damage.

For example, black mold growth does not happen the instant a flood starts. Instead, it takes 24 to 48 hours to begin. High humidity may also be a secondary type of damage because it takes place when the water is allowed to sit for too long or is not completely removed from the building.

What It Does Include

Because it's caused by slow reactions, this damage can include mold growth, unsalvageable furnishings, water contamination and the spread of the flood. If a pipe bursts on the second floor, the water may start to travel to lower levels if it is not caught soon enough. The path of the water may be considered secondary or primary damage depending on what caused the travel.

Mold growth, including black mold, is often considered a type of secondary damage.

However, your commercial space could by affected by other types of secondary destruction if you do not properly address water issues right away.

What Can I Expect if My Building's Pipes Freeze?

1/13/2022 (Permalink)

Consider these tips if you experience Frozen Pipes in your West Valley City, UT Commercial Building.

A water pipe burst in your commercial building could cause devastating effects. During the frigid winter months in West Valley City, UT you're more susceptible to broken pipes if you don't take the proper measures to protect them before winter sets in. This type of disaster could cause extreme water damage to your building's structure and contents, which ultimately could mean a halt in your business operations until the problem is resolved. The key is to prevent your pipes from breaking in the first place, but there are no guarantees something won't happen no matter how careful you are, and then you need to know what to do.

How To Safely Manage the Damage

It can be beneficial to know what to expect and what actions to take if a pipe does break.

1. Shut Off the Water

First, shut off the water main as soon as safely possible. Then, it's necessary to drain the water from the pipes. To empty them, turn on each faucet's cold water. You should also flush each toilet a couple of times.

2. Turn Off the Electricity and Remove Electronics

Next, before you do anything else, turn off the electricity. If you have any electronics or appliances in the area plugged in, it's also essential to unplug them. These measures can keep you safe and prevent electrical fires. If you can't safely perform this action, call an electrician.

3. Find and Inspect the Broken Pipe

Try to figure out which pipe is broken and determine the type of water damage incurred. A visit from a plumber will probably be necessary.

4. Document the Damage in Detail and Call for Help

It's critical to document the damage in as much detail as possible. It will provide evidence for your insurance adjuster. This documentation should include photos and notes. Videos can also help significantly.

5. Eliminate the Excess Water and Moisture

All standing water and excess moisture must be removed as quickly as possible. Unless it's a very minor situation, you will need to hire water cleanup and restoration professionals. They have the industrial equipment and expertise to handle the job safely and efficiently. They can also repair the damage and perform a thorough inspection upon completion.

6. Remove the Affected Contents

You will also need to remove damp and wet items, such as furniture and paper. Soaked materials like carpet won't be salvageable, as it won't be possible to completely dry them quickly enough.

7. Dry the Area

The affected area must be dried as soon as possible. The longer water is left to sit, the more damage will be incurred. Mold growth can begin in the first 24 hours after the water intrusion. If mold takes hold, the cleanup process could be significantly more challenging. You can dry the area using dehumidifiers, heaters and fans. You can also open the windows to allow fresh air to circulate.

Broken pipes can cause disastrous results in a building. The water damage can be significant, leading to ruined contents and even structural issues. Hopefully, you'll never have to, but it's helpful to know beforehand how to deal with a pipe burst if you experience this situation in the future.

How to Keep Commercial Pipes From Freezing

12/8/2021 (Permalink)

This West Valley City, UT office suffered water damage.

Living in a colder climate can present your commercial business with several unique challenges. Frozen pipes at home can be a hassle, but freezing issues associated with a business can be devastating. Since water expands when it freezes, pipes may burst, leading to the need for major water line repair.

Protecting Your Pipes

Exposed pipes are very susceptible to wintry weather. If you live in a colder climate or are expecting subzero temperatures, you need to winterize your pipes. Exposed pipes may be located in a variety of areas:

• Basement
• Attic
• Crawl spaces
• Outdoors

At the very least, they need to be insulated. Heat cables or heat tape is another popular option for protecting against frozen pipes. These cables radiate a small amount of heat and are powered by electricity. When used properly, they can keep water flowing. Some can even be controlled by a thermostat. In some situations, you might want to combine insulation with heat cables.

Shut off any outside water sources that you don't need, especially if you are expecting particularly low temperatures. When a building is left unattended, make sure the thermostat is set no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Dealing With Emergencies

Even if you take all the necessary precautions, you should still be prepared in case of an emergency. This may include a backup water supply depending on your business needs. Make sure you and your employees know where the main shutoff valve is located. Educate yourself on minor plumbing repairs. You may be able to temporarily patch a hole and prevent further water damage. If you are dealing with frozen pipes in West Valley City, UT, call a professional as soon as possible.

Freezing conditions can wreak havoc on exposed plumbing. Take precautions and be prepared for any unfortunate emergencies. Train your staff to know what to look for, what to do, and who to call should a disaster occur.

3 Flood Preparation Tips for Businesses

6/18/2021 (Permalink)

Being prepared for a flooding can keep your business safe.

The damage from flooding can cost your business time, money and customers. However, a flood preparation plan can help you minimize the amount of property damage and the lost time your business suffers.

3 Tips for Businesses Flood Preparation 

1. Be Aware of Your Flood Risk

Any business can experience a flood, but some are more likely to have serious flood damage than others. Look up your location in West Valley Ctiy, UT, on a FEMA flood map to find out what the flood risk is in your area. Assess your building's risks and make a plan to minimize them.
If your building has electrical equipment that is close to the ground, considering having an electrician elevate your electrical components to reduce the risk of shock. Inspect your building's drainage system and windows to make sure they are properly sealed.

2. Create a Disaster Plan

Create a disaster plan that covers what you will do if flooding causes your power to go out, damages your equipment or disrupts your business in some other way. The disaster plan should include alternative plans, such as using a generator when the power goes out or moving your operations to an off-site facility if you are forced to evacuate your building because of black water contamination. It should also include recovery resources, such as flood mitigation companies you can contact to start drying out your property and contact information for your flood insurance company and key employees.

3. Protect Your Data

Electronic data should be backed up to the cloud or stored in an off-site facility. Important documents should be stored in an area above the flood line and copies should be kept off-site.

Flooding can completely devastate a business, destroying equipment and shutting down facilities. However, the better your flood preparation is, the less damage you are likely to incur and the faster you will be able to restore normal operations.

6 Steps for Cleaning After Sewage Damage

5/25/2021 (Permalink)

Sewer backup can lead to severe damage if not managed properly.

A flood of clean water can do enough damage in your West Valley City, UT, commercial building, but a sewer backup manifests a different level of disaster. Thorough sewage cleanup must begin immediately for the well-being of your employees, building and overall business. Follow these tips for managing the problem safely and efficiently.

6 Tips for Managing Sewage Damage

1. Wear Personal Protective Equipment

First, it's essential to wear the proper PPE to keep yourself safe. Adequate PPE is also necessary to prevent cross-contamination into non-affected areas. This gear includes eye protection and a respirator to shield your face from contaminated water and chemical cleaners. Disposable gloves, shoe covers and coveralls are also very beneficial.

2. Investigate and Stop the Sewage Source

Find and stop the source of the sewage leak as soon as possible. If it's coming from a flooded toilet you may be able to solve the problem yourself. If it's the result of a sewer backup, hiring professionals to repair it is typically the safest option.

3. Eliminate Standing Water

After you've stopped the influx, the next step in the sewage cleanup process is eliminating the standing water. One of the safest and most efficient ways to do this yourself is using a wet/dry vacuum.

4. Remove Contaminated Materials

All contaminated items must be removed and discarded. These materials will probably include drywall and flooring.

5. Determine What's Salvageable

Anything porous that you can't get completely clean and dry within 48 hours will typically not be salvageable. Mold can begin growing within 24 hours of water exposure.

6. Clean and Dry Remaining Materials

Finally, you must thoroughly wash and dry all that remains. Hiring water damage restoration experts can ensure that the job is handled swiftly and correctly while keeping you safe. They'll use industrial equipment and professional inspection procedures to ensure your building is returned to its preloss condition.

Sewage cleanup is disgusting but essential work. Whoever is cleaning the area must manage the project with care to protect the well-being of your employees, property and ultimately your business.

Mitigation and Remediation: Are They Different?

4/12/2021 (Permalink)

Know the difference between mitigation and remediation to get back to business after a flood.

When you are considering a flood cleanup company, you might hear the terms mitigation and remediation. Many think these two terms on synonymous, but they aren't. When dealing with a storm damage cleanup company in West Valley City, UT, you should know the difference between these two services.

The Simple Answer

When answering this question, you only have to look at the differences in the definitions.

• Remediation is making things better for your business.
  
• Mitigation is reducing the amount of impact that on a business.
  

When you think about a flood cleanup company for your business, you should choose a company that does prevention, mitigation and remediation. This way, you cover all of your bases.

Differences Between Mitigation and Remediation

Storm Damage Remediation

Storm damage remediation is a lot more complex than the simple definition of remediation takes into account. A remediation company most often acts as a restoration company. It is about fixing the problems caused by flooding and other storm damage and getting your business back to normal.

Think of remediation like the word remedy. A storm remediation company makes things better. Sometimes this is through replacing damaged equipment or a part of the building, and sometimes it is through rebuilding key systems.

Storm Damage Mitigation

Mitigation is another animal entirely. Instead of removing and rebuilding, mitigation reduces the severity of a situation. This service focuses on things that help to prevent more damage. In the case of something like storm damage, companies can clean up the water and then use chemical and physical methods to prevent mold from growing.
During mitigation, it is all about reducing the problems that the flood caused and not about repairing the damage or preventing it before it happens. The only way it deals with prevention is by preventing further damage from a situation.

Hiring a flood cleanup company is a big decision. By understanding the difference between mitigation and remediation, you can make an informed choice about which company better suits your business's needs.

What Does Commercial Property Insurance Cover?

3/15/2021 (Permalink)

Commercial insurance is important

Commercial insurance plays a vital role in protecting your business interests in the event of an emergency. One coverage that most business owners carry is commercial property insurance. Unlike liability insurance, this part of your policy covers what your business owns.

What It Covers Against

Commercial property insurance covers you against losses of all varieties. It covers:

• Fire damages
• Loss due to theft
• Flood damage
• Natural disasters

For instance, if your business suffers from a pipe breaking and floods, this insurance will cover the damages. The same goes for wind and fire damage.

What It Covers

This type of insurance covers most of your business assets. Just as liability insurance covers your client or customer's person and property, this insurance covers yours. This includes things like landscaping damage, building damage, inventory damage, and stolen inventory. It protects everything your business owns. In some cases, this insurance covers cleaning your business after a flood or fire and the cost of a remediation company in West Valley City, UT.

Why You Need It

You could suffer significant financial loss in the event of a disaster. Imagine your building or office destroyed by fire. The damage can be devastating. You could lose everything. Make sure your commercial insurance policy covers the cost of all valuable property and cleanup necessary to make your business whole again.

What To Look For in a Policy

There are some basics that you need to know when you are looking for commercial property insurance. The first thing you should do make a list of all of your commercial property. This list should include sheds, outbuildings, inventory, industrial equipment, office equipment and important paperwork.
Anything that you want to be protected against loss should be on that list. Bring that list to your insurer. Ask them for a policy that covers as much as possible within your budget.

Commercial insurance covers a lot, but some policies don't have property coverage. If you read your policy and it doesn't have this coverage speak to your insurance agent.

3 Steps To Take After Your Sprinklers Are Triggered

2/22/2021 (Permalink)

Sprinkler systems can leave behing a big mess when triggered by fire or by accident.

Your fire system is designed to put out any flames in your building in West Valley City, UT, as quickly as possible. Whether the sprinklers are triggered by a fire or by accident, they will likely leave behind a big mess that will require professional cleanup. When you have flooding issues from the sprinkler system, there are three steps you need to take right away.

3 Steps to Take When You Have Flooding From the Sprinkler System

1. Stop the Flow

The first thing you want to do when fire sprinklers flood your building is stop the water at its source. Depending on your system, the sprinklers may be fed by either a reservoir or the water may come directly from a line off the water main. Override the trigger on your fire panel, then shut off the water to the building.

2. Call Mitigation Experts

No matter how fast your reaction to the problem is, the fire system is designed to release a large amount of water in a short amount of time. To ensure that the flooding in your building doesn't lead to secondary damage, you need to call water mitigation experts as soon as possible. The team can arrive within hours of your call, assess the problem, and start the restoration process.

3. Contact Insurance Company

Your commercial property policy is likely to cover most if not all of the costs of repairing water damage, but you need to notify your insurance company as soon as possible. The assessment of the adjuster and the itemized estimate from the mitigation company are both necessary to complete your damage claim correctly.

When your fire system causes flooding in your building, you don't want to wait too long to address the problem. The sooner you can shut off the water supply and call cleanup experts, the less damage you are likely to have overall. Your quick action tells your insurance company that you have handled the situation responsibly and increases your chances of having your claim approved.

Splitting the Costs of Fire Damage in Rental Properties

1/14/2021 (Permalink)

Fire damage in an apartment

As a rental property owner in West Valley City, UT, you have an obligation to maintain your properties, so they are safe and livable for your tenants. Your responsibilities are defined by the Federal Housing Administration, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and a variety of other federal, state, and local regulations. With so many sources of regulations, figuring out where your responsibilities end can be confusing. For example, who is responsible for repairs following an apartment fire?

Responsabilities of Fire Damage in Rental Properties

Renters' Insurance

Your tenant should have renters' insurance; as a property owner, you can require that your tenants carry this protection. Renters' insurance covers:

• Tenant-caused damage to walls, floors, and ceilings
  
• Tenant-caused damage to appliances
  
• Flea extermination caused by tenants' pets
  
• Damage to the tenants' belongings in the fire-affected apartment
  
  

In most cases, you'll need to show that the tenants were responsible for damage beyond normal wear and tear.

Your Property Insurance

After an apartment fire, the costs associated with fire cleanup and repair are split between your own property insurance and the renters' insurance. For example, your tenants' insurance should cover the loss of their furniture, clothing, and other belongings. Your insurance should cover damage to the structural elements of the property. As the building owner, you should reach out immediately to fire damage remediation experts for inspections, cleanup, removal of soot, and related repairs.

Determination of Responsibility

This sounds pretty straightforward, but sometimes other factors influence who ultimately pays. For example, your insurance company may want to know how the fire started and what types of damage have occurred. Your insurance company will attempt to work with the tenants' insurance provider.

Remember the property owner is responsible for damage to the structure and the tenant is responsible for damage caused to the content of the building. If the apartment fire was caused by something the tenant did, they may be found responsible for additional costs.

The First Steps To Take After a Bathroom Leak

12/15/2020 (Permalink)

Flooding can lead to severe damage in your commercial building.

The bathroom is one of the most problematic places in the building for flooding. With heavy use, there's a lot of water flowing through the room. However, some of the worst sewer damage occurs when there the toilet and sewage are involved. For example, a flooded toilet could send water and other contaminants through offices and inventory, as well as into lower levels of the building.

Avoid Water Damage From Flooding

If you face this uncomfortable situation, your first steps could affect how well your property recovers. Begin by taking a calming breath and then take the following steps to minimize the amount of damage done throughout the building:

Shut off the water. Depending on the severity of the problem, you could turn off the water just behind the toilet or under the sink. If you can't stop the water at one of these valves, look for the main water switch in the basement or on the outside of the building.

Turn off the electricity. Water and electricity are a very dangerous combination. Even a little bit of moisture can create an electrocution hazard when electricity is still "hot."

Contact water damage cleanup and restoration professionals. The sooner you can get a technician out to inspect the building, the better you can minimize widespread sewer damage.

Remove water and dry out the rooms. Using a wet/dry vac, mops, towels, and anything else you have on hand, get as much water out as possible.

Create ventilation and air flow. Open the windows and turn on fans. As the air moves, it reduces the amount of humidity hanging around in the room.

When multiple floors are affected by flooding, be cautious before entering the flooded area. Water may have weakened structural elements of the building. Imagine stepping into a water-logged floor and finding your leg stuck through the ceiling of the office below.

Act Quickly for the Best Results

Sewer damage can be a frustrating situation, but when you follow these steps or any recommended by your West Valley City, UT, sewage company, you can avoid more damage. The faster you get professionals into your building, the sooner the cleanup and repairs will be complete.

First Aid in the Workplace

11/12/2020 (Permalink)

Be prepared by assembling your company's first aid kit.

The autumn is a gorgeous time of year, but it does bring severe weather, which can result in commercial devastation. For business owners who operate within frequent natural disaster zones, you cannot afford to neglect standard safety protocols, like creating a commercial first aid kit. You can talk to any disaster restoration service in West Valley City, UT, and they will tell you the commercial kits vary from home kits in several ways.

• More supplies
• Medical equipment
• Resuscitation supplies

As you set about gathering your company's first aid supplies, it is crucial to understand more than the kit's contents. It would be best if you acknowledged the importance and need for such a precaution.

The Necessity of a First Aid Kit

The emergency kit is part of a business emergency preparedness plan. The kit's primary purpose is to help treat injuries until medical services can arrive on the scene. The kit tools can also resuscitate a victim, keeping them conscious until EMTs can see them. While it can be easy to overlook or maintain a proper kit, the consequences can be devastating when an emergency develops.

Contents of the Kit

Every company's first aid kit needs to contain several items. OSHA makes a list of 15 things that are necessary for every kit within a company.

• Box adhesive bandages
• Gauze pads (4X4)
• 2 Large gauze pads (8x10)
• Two triangular bandages
• One package 2-inch wide gauze roller bandage
• Moist towelettes or another wound cleaning agent
• Tweezers
• Scissors
• Latex gloves
• Adhesive tape
• Blanket
• Two elastic wraps
• Splint
• Resuscitation equipment
• Directions for requesting emergency services
  

While a business must make other emergency preparations, the first aid kit is a significant component of any plan and employee safety. If you need help assembling your company's first aid kit, or understanding OSHA requirements, you can contact emergency services or a disaster restoration specialist in the area for assistance.

Category 1 Water Cleanup

10/14/2020 (Permalink)

A bursting pipe can cause a lot of water to gush out.

A burst pipe can cause a lot of water to gush out in a short amount of time. Your response when this happens in your commercial building in West Valley City, UT, can mean the difference between an out-of-control mess and a fast fix. Mitigation of damage caused by clean water can be relatively painless if you get it taken care of quickly.

Where Do the Water Category Designations Mean?

Not all water damage is the same. One of the main factors that determines the details of the cleanup process that water restoration specialists must undertake is the category of water contamination:

• Category 1 - clean
  
• Category 2 - gray
  
• Category 3 - black
  

Category 1 water comes from a clean source, such as a faucet, supply line or pipe. Examples of water in the second category include runoff from an overflowing bathtub or washing machine. Contaminated water in the third category may come from storm flooding or sewer problems. Water damage caused by moisture in the second or third category requires not only repair or replacement of ruined materials but also thorough cleaning, whereas damage caused by clean water is somewhat less cumbersome to handle.

What Are the Steps of the Cleanup Process?

When the water causing the damage is clean, such as the water from a broken pipe, technicians can move through the steps to restoration pretty quickly. They remove the excess water, tear out damaged materials, dry all surfaces and rebuild the structure so that it matches the way it looked before the accident occurred. The key is to call them as soon as you know there's a problem so that they can get started before the water becomes contaminated or before secondary damage such as mold growth forms.

Even though clean water cleanup is comparatively easy, it's still important to call your local mitigation team in a timely manner. Fast restoration ensures that no further remediation has to take place.

SERVPRO's Claim Inventory System

8/20/2020 (Permalink)

Insurance Claim Form

Insurance agents must complete several tasks as they prepare to file each insurance claim. For instance, they must:

• Verify the accuracy of pertinent facts
  
• Double-check all relevant figures
  
• Research the reliability of the details of the report
  

With the SERVPRO claims inventory service, West Valley City, UT, agents have an encyclopedic database within the reach of their fingertips.

SERVPRO'S Claim Inventory Service

Comprehensive Database

The Claims Inventory System is a one-stop database that provides agents with a lot of specific information, such as national, regional, state, and country facts and comparisons. It provides a place for agents to research specific types of claims or compare cause-of-loss statistics. Agents can compare how much jobs cost by geographic location and make not of response times by location.

Convenient Access

Of course, this resource isn't only available to the insurance agent. Adjusters and other professionals, such as mitigation and restoration technicians, may take advantage of the SERVPRO inventory system to gain access to estimates, to communicate with each other and clients, and to generally decrease the time it takes to complete an insurance claim.

Collaborative Responses

What does this mean for business owners and others who hope that insurance coverage will help them after a disaster? With one central database that can be remotely accessed, all of the parties involved in completing the claim can work collaboratively, sharing information almost instantly. This simplifies and speeds up the work involved. Ultimately, the claim can be completed in less time and with minimal inconvenience.

As a business owner, an insurance agent, or a property owner in West Valley City, UT, the ability to quickly complete a claim has a big impact on the ultimate cost of the damage. Of course, it's also vitally important that all parties have and use accurate information to put the insurance claim together. With access to the SERVPRO claims information database, accuracy and efficiency are available to disaster cleanup and restoration professionals.

Tips for Fostering a Safe Work Environment

6/16/2020 (Permalink)

Proper hygiene is key. Keep surfaces clean.

As businesses reopen, coronavirus exposure remains a concern. As a business owner in West Valley City, UT, there are several measures you need to implement to protect your staff, customers and anyone else who enters your building.

Cleanup

Proper hygiene is key. There are several things everyone in the building must do:

• Wash hands thoroughly and frequently.
  Use hand sanitizer with a high alcohol content.
• Keep surfaces clean with disinfectant wipes. Every surface to which workers are exposed must be cleaned properly, and you can't wait until employees arrive. It's a good idea to have coronavirus cleanup experts clean your whole building before employees return to work or you reopen for business.

Ventilation

Another issue you may need to address is your building's ventilation. As the HVAC system recycles air throughout your building, it can also spread droplets that carry coronavirus. While infection risk due to poor ventilation is not suspected to be high, anything you can do to minimize exposure is vital.

Distance

Increasing your cleanliness standards alone is not enough. Of course, people who are sick or showing any symptoms should not be allowed to come to work. Coronavirus exposure can occur even when people don't have symptoms and don't know they've been exposed, though. Even with face coverings and a regular, vigilant cleanup process, employees still need to distance themselves from each other as much as possible.

Accommodation

The best way to protect your employees from exposure to coronavirus at work, of course, is to allow them to work from home. This is especially necessary for those who are at heightened risk.

Education

Issues of public health must be addressed by the whole public. This means that all people who enter your building must understand what their roles are in COVID-19 cleanup and prevention. Effective training helps lower everyone's risk.
Protecting your employees from potential coronavirus exposure is your responsibility as a business owner. Know the precautions you need to take to protect your business and all the people who make it work.

3 Common Sewer Issues in Commercial Buildings

4/22/2020 (Permalink)

Sewer back up in West Valley City, UT.

Part of owning commercial property in West Valley City, UT, is making sure every aspect of the building is kept in good working order. A blocked sewer can wreak havoc on your building, causing extensive damage that is expensive to repair. Every building owner needs to know the common sewer issues that can occur in commercial properties.

Three Common Sewer Issues

Clogged Lines

A clog in your sewer line keeps it from functioning properly. An underground sewer line that gets clogged can result in several problems on your property:

• Flooding on lower levels
  
• Sewage backup
  
• Pooling of contaminated water on lawn and other exterior areas
  
• Foundation damage
  
  

When these problems happen, it's important that you get them fixed as soon as possible. You must call a plumber to fix the blocked sewer so that no further damage occurs. Then call sewer restoration experts to mitigate the damage to your building.

Overflowing Toilet

It may seem far-fetched to think that one clogged toilet can cause a lot of problems. In a commercial building, however, toilet overflow often goes unreported. Unless you are inspecting the public restrooms on an hourly basis, you may not know that you have a problem until it gets out of hand. Sewage from a backed-up toilet not only affects the restroom where it is located; it can also leak into the areas around it, such as the office next door or the room on the floor below.

Old Pipes

Unless you built your commercial property yourself, you may not know much about the pipes that make up your sewer system. Pipe breaks result when older pipes weaken or develop pinhole leaks. You may not have chosen the pipes, but if you want to avoid sewer damage in your building, it's a good idea to have the system inspected so that you can repair or replace them if necessary.

You are responsible for keeping your building safe and functional. Taking care of your sewer system is an important task to add to your regular maintenance task list.

How Does SERVPRO Clean Up the Coronavirus?

4/1/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is ready to help with Coronavirus

After a confirmed coronavirus exposure at your West Valley City, UT, workplace, you likely have a stream of questions and concerns. Chief among them is how to manage COVID-19 cleanup. Here’s what you can expect when you enlist the help of an experienced bioremediation team from SERVPRO.

Smart, Deep Cleaning

When it comes to harboring germs, all surfaces aren’t created equally, and neither are the contaminants occupying them. Some can be cleaned. Some can be disinfected. Still others can be sanitized, and these three forms of cleanup aren’t the same:

1. General cleaning: This is a basic cleanup. It’s designed to physically remove dirt and debris, as well as bacteria, fungi and viruses. It’s the first step in most cleaning processes, no matter the surface or contaminant.
2. Disinfecting: This type of cleaning uses chemicals to kill germs on receptive surfaces rather than physically removing them. The number of microbes that are destroyed varies from disinfectant to disinfectant.
3. Sanitizing: Reserved almost exclusively for bacteria, this form of cleanup isn’t shown to eliminate fungi or viruses, but a registered sanitizer removes 99.9% or more of harmful bacteria.

After coronavirus exposure, SERVPRO professionals will assess the situation at your workplace and use the optimal combination of cleaning techniques to perform a deep cleaning of all affected areas in accordance with current CDC guidelines, as well as any mandates from local authorities.

Effective Cleaning Agents

Due to the virus’s novelty, there is no cleaning product at present that has been tested against COVID-19. That said, SERVPRO’s proprietary cleaning agent, SERVPROXIDE, has shown effectiveness on hard, non-porous surfaces against viruses that are similar to COVID-19. SERVPROXIDE is a hospital-grade disinfectant that is EPA-certified.
Just as thorough, frequent hand-washing is an individual’s first line of personal defense against the coronavirus, proactive cleaning is one of the best ways to reduce the chance of coronavirus exposure at your workplace. While DIY sanitation of your workplace maybe tempting, the safest method of coronavirus cleanup for most commercial entities is to leave it to SERVPRO professionals who have been trained in the highest standards of cleanliness.

4 Steps To Fix a Toilet That Won’t Stop Flushing

1/27/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage in business building in West Valley City, UT.

A commercial toilet connected to a flushometer may not stop flushing. A sediment blockage in a manual or automatic flushometer can cause the system to constantly run water or result in a toilet overflow. A facilities manager should take these four steps to stop a toilet.

4 Steps to Stop a Toilet From Flushing

1. Shut Off the Water Supply to the Flushometer

Look for a flat screwdriver slot on the left or right side of a manual or automatic flushometer. Turn the slot to shut off the flow of water and prevent a toilet overflow.

2. Clean or Replace a Manual Flushometer Gasket

Use a wrench to loosen the top lid of a manual flushometer and finish unscrewing the lid by hand. Remove the flange cover and inspect the condition of the gasket. If it is covered in sediment, this could be causing the toilet to flush constantly. Remove and clean the gasket and weep hole before reassembling the flushometer.

3. Clean or Replace an Automatic Flushometer Diaphragm Kit

After turning off the water supply to an automatic flushometer, press and hold the button or manual flush control. Clicking noises two seconds apart indicate that the diaphragm kit requires cleaning or replacement. The solenoid may also need to be serviced.

4. Contact a Plumber If the Toilet Is Still Flushing

If cleaning or replacing the gasket in a manual flushometer or diaphragm kit in an automatic model does not solve the problem, the property owner or manager should contact a commercial plumber. Regular flushometer maintenance can limit water wastage and reduce the risk of a toilet flood.

Once a facilities manager learns how to stop a toilet, it may be easier to prevent flushing or toilet overflow problems. If a toilet malfunction or sewer backup occurs, the property owner or manager should contact a plumber and a water damage mitigation and restoration service located in West Valley City, UT.

5 Facts About Mold Remediation

1/27/2020 (Permalink)

Mold growth in West Valley City, UT commercial building.

When you own commercial property in West Valley City, UT, there are a few basic things you need to know to keep you building safe and in good working order. Understanding how mold growth happens is a vital part of managing your property well. Here are a few facts that every building owner needs to understand about the dreaded fungus.

5 Things You Should Know About Mold

1. You cannot remove all mold from your building. Mold spores travel inside every time the door opens. It attaches to shoes, clothes, bags and hair. It doesn't necessarily become a problem until it starts to form patches.

2. You may smell mold before you can see it. When mold begins to collect on surfaces, it gives off a musty odor. Even if it's hidden under carpet or in air ducts, you may know it's there because of the smell.

3. Mold needs moisture to thrive. Mold growth can happen anywhere there is excess moisture in your building. Spores from the air land and start to form fuzzy patches.

4. Humidity can trigger a mold problem. Even moisture in the air can lead to a mold problem. The indoor humidity should stay below 50% at all times in order to deter growth. Keep high humidity at bay by using dehumidifiers and keeping your building well ventilated.

5. Mold can start growing on damp materials in as little as a day. Water damage specialists respond quickly to calls for repair because they know that even the smallest delay could lead to secondary damage such as mold. The faster they repair the damage caused by flooding, the less likely a mold problem is to develop.

Good management of your commercial property entails knowing all the problems that could befall it. Knowing how to recognize and even prevent mold growth can help you keep your building in good shape and help you train employees or tenants how to assist in the preventative maintenance process.

Why Does the Sewer Back Up After a Storm?

12/26/2019 (Permalink)

Flooding in a commercial building can cause sewer back up.

As a commercial building owner in West Valley City, Utah, you are responsible for taking care of your property after a storm. You have to know who to call to take care of a problem. When you first enter your building, you may notice a foul, sewer smell. Sewer backup during a storm does not always happen, but it can. You may have to deal with this problem for the following reasons:

• Excess water
• Blockages
• Breaks

3 Reasons Sewers Back Up After a Storm

No matter why you have sewage seeping into your building, you may want to call in a commercial storm remediation team right away.

Excess Water

Storms are often associated with rain water. When there is a lot of water falling at once, the ground may not be able to hold it all. As the water table rises, flooding happens all over the area. Not only does the rising water table push water into basements and low-lying areas, but it also causes the sewer to run out of space. When the sewer cannot go down, it must come up.

Blockages

Storms can also lead to blockages in your pipes or in other parts of the sewer system. When rocks and other debris are washed into the sewer, it may block up some of the piping. This again leaves the traveling sewage with few options. Because it cannot go forward, you may have to deal with a sewer backup.

Breaks

When trees and powerlines are downed, sewer lines can get broken. When these lines are broken, you may have to deal with contaminated, black water seeping into your commercial building. A break may take a while to take care of, so your sewage may have to be turned off until the problem can be properly addressed.

It is never fun to deal with a sewer backup. When this issue is accompanied by other storm damage, you may feel overwhelmed and worried without the help of a team of experts.

3 Steps for Reducing Water Damage After a Flood at Your Business

12/26/2019 (Permalink)

Office suffered water damage.

When your West Valley City, Utah, commercial building is damaged by flooding, it can be difficult to know where to begin with cleanup efforts. Waterlogged drywall, ruined carpeting and damaged machinery may only be a few issues you have to deal with. However, there are a few steps you can take to begin the recovery process, and knowing some helpful damage tips may give you peace of mind as you work to restore your business.

3 Steps to Begin The Recovery Process

1. Reduce Humidity Levels

After a flood, the humidity levels in your building may spike due to increased water vapor in the air. This may accelerate mold growth, especially in the case of black mold. Because this type of fungus can spread quickly, it is wise to lower humidity any way you can. Open the windows, run fans and turn on your building’s air conditioner if you have been told it is safe to do so. These damage tips may help you keep the threat of mold at bay until help arrives.

2. Call for Professional Flood Mitigation

If a pipe burst in your employee restroom and caused a flood, you may believe there is no hurry in calling for cleanup because the damage has already been done. However, calling in a flood damage and restoration company as soon as you can may reduce the risk of long-term problems, such as mold growth and structural weakness. Flood technicians might also be able to prevent the spread of flood waters to other areas of your building and prevent them from reaching major systems, such as electrical fuse panels.

3. Sort and Set Aside Items for Restoration

Flood technicians may be able to offer you cleaning tips and restoration options for your inventory or office equipment. While not all items may be salvageable, having assistance during this process can help you feel more confident about recovery.

Facing a flood at your West Valley City, Utah, business can be a stressful experience. However, being aware of a few helpful damage tips can give you the peace of mind you need to begin cleanup and restoration efforts.

The Insurance Adjuster Considers It a Partial Loss

11/26/2019 (Permalink)

Kitchen fire damage in West Valley City, UT.

You have just had a serious fire. The flames are out, the tarps are in place and the windows are boarded up. Once the building is secured from the elements, it’s time for the insurance adjuster to open the claim, assess the damage and most likely tell you that it is a partial loss. However, when it comes to a serious fire loss, it is important for you to bring in your own expert.

Add a Licensed Professional Engineer to Your Team

The adjuster only represents the interests of the insurance company. You need someone to represent your interests. A licensed professional engineer with fire loss experience and a structural engineering background can help in several ways.

• Evaluate the steel beams and iron components, looking for damage from intense heat.
• Evaluate HVAC and ductwork for fire and smoke damage.
• Inspect the roof, exterior walls and siding for evidence of hidden damage from the heat.
• Identify areas where fire and smoke damage need to be repaired before new walls go up.
• Evaluate water damage and check for the presence of mold in water-damaged areas.

Present the Engineer’s Report of Actual Damage

This is where the fun begins. The engineer identified problems that the adjuster couldn’t or didn’t want to see. If all damage identified by the engineer is repaired, the cost is going to be higher than the adjuster’s estimate. Next comes the negotiation but, when it comes to fire restoration claims, nothing is easy. Hopefully, the negotiation will be a matter of the engineer and adjuster discussing their estimates using language that you probably wouldn’t understand. If they come to an agreement, and if you agree, the work can begin.

Bring in the Contractors and Get Started

When dealing with a fire loss, quality restoration is best handled by skilled professionals and specialized equipment. You are fortunate that a team of fire restoration specialists can be found close by in West Valley City, Utah. See how smoothly things go with experts on the job.

3 Steps for Reducing Water Damage After a Flood at Your Business

10/23/2019 (Permalink)

Commercial water damage in West Valley City, UT.

When your West Valley City, UT, commercial building is damaged by flooding, it can be difficult to know where to begin with cleanup efforts. Waterlogged drywall, ruined carpeting and damaged machinery may only be a few issues you have to deal with. However, there are a few steps you can take to begin the recovery process, and knowing some helpful damage tips may give you peace of mind as you work to restore your business.

Commercial Disaster Recovery Process

1. Reduce Humidity Levels

After a flood, the humidity levels in your building may spike due to increased water vapor in the air. This may accelerate mold growth, especially in the case of black mold. Because this type of fungus can spread quickly, it is wise to lower humidity any way you can. Open the windows, run fans and turn on your building’s air conditioner if you have been told it is safe to do so. These damage tips may help you keep the threat of mold at bay until help arrives.

2. Call for Professional Flood Mitigation

If a pipe burst in your employee restroom and caused a flood, you may believe there is no hurry in calling for cleanup because the damage has already been done. However, calling in a flood damage and restoration company as soon as you can may reduce the risk of long-term problems, such as mold growth and structural weakness. Flood technicians might also be able to prevent the spread of flood waters to other areas of your building and prevent them from reaching major systems, such as electrical fuse panels.

3. Sort and Set Aside Items for Restoration

Flood technicians may be able to offer you cleaning tips and restoration options for your inventory or office equipment. While not all items may be salvageable, having assistance during this process can help you feel more confident about recovery.

Facing a flood at your West Valley City, UT, business can be a stressful experience. However, being aware of a few helpful damage tips can give you the peace of mind you need to begin cleanup and restoration efforts.