Water Damage is a Result of Fire Damage

10/14/2022 (Permalink)

Fire and water damage restoration services

In the wake of a commercial fire, water and smoke damage can leave your building in danger of collapsing. It’s important to work with a commercial fire cleanup team that has experience removing both water and smoke damage from buildings. A few tips on what they might need:

Water Damage Is a Result of Fire Damage

Water damage is a side effect of fire damage. Water damage can occur when fire sprinklers go off in your building during a fire. Fire sprinklers are designed to put out fires, but they also release water when they activate. This can cause mold and other problems in your building.

Here's what you need to know about handling the water cleanup after a commercial fire.

The first thing you need to know about water damage after a fire is that it's almost always going to happen. Water damage is a result of fire damage, which itself is a result of the combustion of materials in the building. This can include paper, wood, plastics, and other combustible materials found throughout your office or workplace.

Once those materials begin burning, they create smoke, which contains particles that are filled with water vapor. These particles will eventually rain down upon all non-combustible surfaces within the building causing significant amounts of water damage. 

Water and smoke can spread throughout your building.

Fire damage can cause water and smoke damage throughout your building. Water and smoke can spread through the walls, floors, ceilings, and even crawl spaces of an entire building. This can lead to structural damage that must be repaired before you can begin rebuilding. Firefighters work hard to contain fires as quickly as possible so that they do not spread beyond their original location. However, if a fire does get out of control it could cause extensive structural damage throughout your building’s floors and walls which will require extensive repairs before you can rebuild or reopen your business.

Cleaning up water damage requires special tools.

Water damage cleanup is much more complicated than fire cleanup. Water damage requires special tools, training, and knowledge to perform properly. Firefighters are trained to recognize and clean up water damage.

It’s important to work with a commercial fire cleanup team that has experience removing both water and smoke damage from buildings.

While the fire damage itself is the most obvious and immediate concern, there is another issue that you don’t want to overlook: water damage. Water damage can be even more damaging than smoke damage, because it leaves behind a moldy mess that can take weeks or months to clean up.

To properly remove both water and smoke damage from your building, it’s important to work with a commercial fire cleanup team that has experience removing both types of damage from buildings. The best way to find out if the company you are considering hiring for this type of work has experience in both areas is to ask them about their past jobs and what sort of skills they have when it comes cleaning up after fires.

You should also make sure that any company that you hire has been licensed by your state or city government before hiring them as well; this way you know they have met all legal requirements needed without having to worry about whether they're following protocol correctly when working on your property.

If you’re dealing with water damage after a fire, it’s important to work with a commercial fire cleanup team that has experience removing both water and smoke damage from buildings. The team can assess the extent of the damage and determine whether any items need to be removed or replaced. They can also assist with drying out your building so that mold doesn't start growing on wet surfaces like drywall or carpeting.

Protecting Your Investment with Fire Coverage

8/17/2022 (Permalink)

Ways To Protect Your Investment From Fire

Losing your business property to the destructive forces of a fire can be a costly nightmare. Fortunately, if you have fire insurance, the financial aftermath does not have to fall entirely on your shoulders. The right coverage can protect your investment from restoration to replacement.

Restoration Expenses
The devastating flames are not the only cause of property damage during fires. It can also happen due to:

• Smoke
• Extreme heat
• Water from firefighting efforts
• Foam from fire extinguishers
  
  

When serious damage has been done, it may be necessary to hire a fire restoration company to perform services such as smoke cleanup and building repairs. Fire insurance can offset the cost of restoring your building, which can help get your investment back on track sooner.

Unexpected Costs
While repair costs are a more obvious expense, there are many unexpected financial setbacks that could occur after a fire. You may have fire department service fees, penalties for being underinsured, or issues with code violations. Without proper insurance, these surprise bills might come out of your pocket. The right fire coverage eliminates the potential for being underinsured, and it can help with unforeseen expenses like fees and code issues.

Replacement
When a property is lost in a fire, some insurance plans pay actual cash value to the owner. However, the actual cash value might not be the full value of the property to your business operations. This means that if your whole building burns down, you could be responsible for paying a large sum of money to replace it. Fire coverage can include replacement coverage, which covers the value of the lost property or the cost to rebuild or replace it.

When it comes to protecting your Valrico, FL, business property, you should ask yourself if you have enough insurance coverage. If the unthinkable happens, fire insurance could be the first line of defense for your investment.

5 Ways To Reduce Flood Damage To Your Commercial Building

7/1/2022 (Permalink)

Flooding doesn't have to ruin your property and set you completely off schedule. Focus on how to hinder water penetration and minimize trouble.

5 Ways To Reduce Flood Damage To Your Commercial Property

The FEMA calculator estimates that one inch of flooding can cost owners up to $25,000 in damages. Commercial owners in Valrico,FL, must also consider that as they pay for restoration, the operation may have come to a halt, waiting for the property to become functional again. To save time and money, it's best to take a proactive approach, avoiding water accumulation. The following are five ways to mitigate flood devastation.

1. Check Plumbing Lines

Owners may not realize that flood damage may occur from backups within the gutters and plumbing lines. Sewage water, for instance, may push into the premises as the water level increases outside. The Category three fluid houses a plethora of bacteria. Be sure to have experts check the backflow valve and sump pump annually.

Also, if leaves and debris clog gutters, they cannot function as they should. Rather than drawing the flow away from the structure, it could allow it to filter inside. Consistently check this area, clearing it out as needed.

2. Consider Property Placement

Most flooding impacts the lower zones before the upper regions. Think about where you store expensive or essential pieces. If a major storm hits, water buildup could ruin anything on the floor. Move it to the second floor. If that isn't possible, stack things on tables. Electronics, particularly, require a safe space.

3. Get a Professional Opinion

If you aren't sure about how your place may handle a torrential system, contact a storm and water restoration company. The specialists are certified. With their knowledge, they can point out vulnerabilities and recommend procedures that may safeguard those zones.
They could install permanent flood barriers or moveable walls.

4. Move Electrical Equipment Up

Storm damage permits excessive water penetration that can reach the electrical wiring. Consider moving outlets, circuit breakers and switches to higher levels.

5. Use Waterproof Products

One of the major costs of floods is replacing harmed materials. Consider buying things that hold up well to moisture. Be sure to look for flood-resistant labels.

Flooding doesn't have to ruin your property and set you completely off schedule. Focus on how to hinder water penetration and minimize trouble.

Signs of Mold in HVAC System

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

If you see mold in your air ducts or suspect that it is present, call a professional right away to minimize damage and risks.

Mold In The HVAC System

Mold in air ducts can be bothersome and potentially dangerous. Building owners in Plant City, FL, have to be aware of the signs of mold and know when HVAC cleaning is needed. Here are the indicators of mold growth that you should be watching out for.

Causes of Mold Growth

Knowing if your HVAC system is at a high risk for developing mold can help you stay on top of the problem. Mold grows in air ducts for several reasons:

• Humidity
• Oversized AC units
• High temperatures
• Setting the AC too low
• Failure to replace cleaning vents

If your building is at a high risk for mold growth, you should have a mold remediation specialist perform occasional HVAC cleaning services.

Odors

If mold spores are present in your system, you should be able to smell mildew. If you are unsure if your HVAC system is the source of the odor, you should try turning it off and back on again after waiting a few minutes. If the smell is stronger when the system is turned on, that is a strong indicator that it is the source of the problem.

Visible Mold

Mold, or signs of mold, may be visible to the naked eye. If you frequently check your system for visible mold, you are far more likely to catch it early before it has time to spread. You should also check for any signs of moisture since it causes mold growth.

Pooling Water

If you have pooling water, mold growth is very likely. In addition to checking for signs of moisture, you should look for problems that could cause a buildup of water. Examples include blocked drains or drip pans. You should also check for condensation both inside and outside of the system.

Knowing when your system is high risk, paying attention to odors and checking for visible mold and pooling water will help you determine if you have a mold problem. If you observe mold in your air ducts or suspect that it is present, a professional should perform HVAC cleaning services immediately to minimize damage and risks.

Fire Escape: Is Your Business Prepared

1/20/2022 (Permalink)

If you need assistance with emergency planning, or if you are currently dealing with fire damage and loss, contact SERVPRO, we can help you!

Is Your Company Prepared for A Fire?

A business fire, or any fire for that matter, incites panic and fear. Proper fire preparation can reduce the chances of entrapment and ensure that all your employees or tenants escape the property intact and healthy. To ensure the safety of everyone, you should be making routine checks throughout your property.

1. Fire Extinguishers

You should have fire extinguishers in every corridor and within 75 feet of hazardous areas. All extinguishers should be inspected annually. Also, the units should be mounted 5 feet from the floor with no other elements within a 3-foot radius.

2. Suppression Systems

A business fire can be extinguished quickly if your fire suppression system is working correctly. You can perform routine maintenance, ensuring that the sprinkler heads are free of debris and are not leaking or broken. However, you should have the system checked annually by a professional.

3. Emergency Exits

All emergency exits should be unlocked and have alarms attached. Also, while some may find hallways a perfect place to store miscellaneous goods, these exits should remain clear. Any obstruction can slow down an exit and may even result in someone losing their life.

4. Exit Routes

Additionally, there should be clearly defined exit routes. You can create maps of the building, specifying exits, and mount them throughout the premises, but you should also have lit exit signs and other signage that make escape routes clear and defined.

If you need assistance with emergency planning, or if you are currently dealing with fire damage and loss, a disaster restoration specialist in the Plant City, FL, area may be able to help. These professionals often offer free property assessments to aid in your planning needs.

A business fire, as with all fires, is dangerous. However, in commercial property with multiple hallways and rooms, it is especially challenging to navigate and find your way to safety. Therefore, it is vital to plan and practice escapes as well as prepare your facility for the possibility of a disaster.