Grey Water or Black Water? Facts About Commercial Water Damage

8/16/2022 (Permalink)

When water invades your business, suddenly an essential resource becomes a threat to your property.

When water invades your business, suddenly an essential resource becomes a threat to your property. If your Doral, FL, business has sustained damage from water, it's important to assess the level of contamination as well as the extent of the damage. Whether a leaky dishwasher or encroaching floodwater caused your problem, you’ll want to understand the three water-contamination categories.

Category 1

This lowest level of contamination defines water that originates from clean-water sources, such as:

• a leaking ice maker or water dispenser
• a broken clean water pipe
• a roof leak
• an overflowing bathtub
• a leaking water heater
  
  

Cleaning up Category 1 water damage involves a basic water extraction and restoration process. It will generally be covered by your conventional business insurance policy.

Category 2

When water leaks from a shower, sink, or washing machine drain, it is called greywater. It may contain traces of grease, food, or dirt that make it more toxic than clean water but less toxic than flood water. During cleanup and restoration, disinfectants and other sanitation methods will minimize the spread of the contamination. Category 2 damage is generally covered by your business insurance.

Category 3

When stormwater enters your building from the exterior, or a toilet overflows, introducing sewage, you have Category 3 damage. This high-level contamination, also known as black water, requires professional cleanup and restoration services because it may contain bacteria, sewage or toxic chemicals. Restoration crews will wear specialized equipment and use elaborate filtration systems to safely extract the water and begin restoring your property.

If flood water caused your property damage, your business insurance would not provide coverage. Flood insurance is a specialized policy issued by the US government. Your insurance agent can explain the process.

When you experience a minor water leak or major storm damage, you’ll have some important decisions to make quickly. It’s crucial to determine your level of contamination, so you can employ the most suitable cleanup process and work toward restoring your business and your property to normalcy.

4 Things That Make a Business Fire Cleanup Difficult

5/10/2022 (Permalink)

Cleaning up smoke damage and other fire effects is a job for professionals. SERVPRO has the experience and equipment to help you restore your business

Four Factors Contributing To Difficulty In Business Fire Cleanup. 

A business fire is one of the most difficult things a company can experience. Complicating the matter is that the cleanup process requires a high level of technical knowledge and specialized equipment, especially if there is extensive smoke damage.

Not all restoration companies meet these requirements, which is why it is important to choose a capable professional fire mitigation service in Miami, FL. Several factors make cleanup after a fire among the most challenging jobs in the restoration field.

1. Soot Damage Calls for Advanced Methods

Most fires generate soot that is likely to coat surfaces from ceilings and walls to furniture and light fixtures. Hard surfaces such as metals and ceramics can be cleaned with washing and powerful cleaning agents. Porous surfaces such as fabrics and personal items might require immersive cleaning methods to remove stubborn soot.

2. Water Damage Is Often Present

Due to firefighting efforts as well as fire prevention equipment such as sprinklers, water damage needs to be addressed in many situations. This includes the removal of water with pumps and vacuums as well as the drying out of materials.

3. Smoke Damage Requires Sophisticated Equipment

Getting out smoke smells after a fire is not an easy task. Even a thorough cleaning often just masks odors and they return after a couple of days. Smoke technicians use several methods at their disposal for effective smoke cleaning, including the use of ozone machines and industrial scrubbing equipment.

4. Structures Often Need Extensive Restoration

Flames have the power to destroy many structures. They can burn down wood supports and even melt some of the most durable materials. The restoration process often involves the rebuilding of many of these structures to bring a building back to the way it was before the fire.

Cleaning up smoke damage and other impacts from a fire is a job for professionals. It requires the experience and training of an experienced restoration company.

3 Ways To Determine if There Is Mold in Your Business

3/14/2022 (Permalink)

Mold infestations cause a lot of damage and can be very expensive to remediate. Call SERVPRO as quickly as possible when noticing signs of mold damage

3 Methods For Determining Mold In Your Business

Mold isn't always easy to find. Fortunately, there are a number of symptoms that can indicate your business in Doral,FL, has a fungus issue. These range from mycotoxin odors to visual signs. If you notice any of these, it is time to call a mold remediation company.

1. Is There a Musty Smell?

A lot of people don't realize mold smells at all or what it actually smells like. The fungus typically has a musty odor. This can include earthy, damp, and tangy tones, often described as somewhere between rotten wood and dirty socks. These smells comes from the mycotoxin released as mold grows. If you notice a new unpleasant smell in your business, it is time to start searching for mold.

2. Are There Signs of Water Damage?

Condensation, elevated moisture levels, and other water issues are likely to cause mold growth. The most common signs of water damage include discoloration and stains on walls, ceilings, and flooring. Additionally, water can cause bubbling, peeling, and cracking in paint and wallpaper. These signs are usually accompanied by a colony of spores inside the materials. If you know about a past or current water issue, you should have the space inspected.

3. Do You See Mold?

Seeing mold is a much more obvious sign that you have a problem than sniffing for mycotoxin. Green or black areas, slimy residue, and mildew are all common visual indicators of mold. However, mold spores can also hide as dirt. Therefore, people may easily overlook the visual signs.

Whenever mold is present, it is time for mold remediation. Signs of past or present water damage at your business can mean mold is growing, and look for visual indications as well as new odors that can easily go overlooked. Once you notice an issue, take action to get rid of the problem quickly before the mold does damage to your building.

Why Insurance Adjusters Like You Choose SERVPRO

3/9/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is one of the companies that strives to make your job easier to the point where you might even smile when a client chooses to work with them.

Why Do Insurance Adjusters Choose SERVPRO?

Your job as an insurance adjuster in Miami, FL, keeps you busy. You have a dual responsibility — support your clients through the claims process while ensuring that the cost is reasonable for your company. Sometimes the most challenging part of your day is navigating issues with service providers. You know which vendors are great to work with and those that make you anxious when you see their name in your inbox. SERVPRO is one of the companies that strives to make your job easier to the point where you might even smile when a client chooses to work with them.

1. Electronic Claims Information

Paperwork is your life. For every insurance claim there is a huge folder of documents to keep track of. Electronic documentation is the best thing to ever happen to your industry, so working with a vendor that understands the value of organization and swift communication is ideal. SERVPRO ensures that you get a complete job file that gets updated with every pending job, photograph, and cost breakdown analysis.

2. Pretesting for Every Job

Pretesting may seem like overkill to your clients, but it's incredibly important. Without pretesting, it's difficult to provide a reliable estimate. When the job ultimately ends up being more expensive than the original quote, no one is happy, especially you, the insurance adjuster, who has the responsibility of keeping costs down. A commitment to pretesting for every job helps to keep those cost estimates reliable.

3. Vendor Professionalism

The last thing you want to do is chase a vendor for signatures or paperwork after a job is supposed to be finished. Companies with corporate backing have the bandwidth to provide you support when you need it. Because they also have national standards of professionalism, you can be reasonably sure that working with any associated franchise will be a positive experience.

SERVPRO values you, the insurance adjuster, as much as the client that they are working with directly, evidenced by their commitment to reliable communication and professionalism at every step of the project.

5 Methods to Avoid Urban Flooding

2/17/2022 (Permalink)

If you are having flooding issues and suspect storm or water damage, give SERVPRO a call on our 24-hour service line.

5 Ways To Prevent Flooding In Cities

Flooding is an all too common form of natural disaster faced by cities around the country, including Miami, FL. While humans are unable to stop Mother Nature, taking proactive measures toward flood prevention can help towns and communities avoid some of the major damage and cleanup. Here are five tactics that urban areas can employ to prevent catastrophic flooding.

1. Renovate Drainage Systems

Many cities have combined sewer systems, where rainwater and wastewater travel a single pipe to the sewage treatment area. This means that excessive water from torrential rains or storms can cause an overflow. Revamping this system to include a second pipe can remedy this issue. While this can be an expensive endeavor, the money saved from avoiding flood cleaning and repairs can make it worthwhile.

2. Maintain Sewer Systems

Sewer systems can easily be compromised by debris, waste and tree roots. Rust and corrosion are also common culprits in causing issues. Regular cleaning and routine maintenance can prevent problems that may ultimately contribute to flooding.

3. Preventative Structures

Seawalls, levees, dams and floodwalls are designed to hold back or retain floodwaters. These barriers can be very effective forms of flood prevention in those cities that are located near a body of water.

4. Permeable Pavement

Most cities and towns have concrete or asphalt sidewalks and streets. These materials are not absorbent, and rainwater can easily overwhelm drainage systems and cause flooding. A number of porous surfaces can be used instead to allow water to infiltrate, eliminating runoff and controlling water from storms.

5. Increase Vegetation

There are many natural defenses against flooding, and vegetation is a highly effective one. Trees can hold water in leaves and bark, and their canopies can slow the flow of water until it evaporates or is absorbed by the soil. Grass and shrubs combat erosion and reduce the force of floodwaters.

Flood prevention strategies can help towns and communities dodge some of the damage caused by water, but when disaster strikes, emergency restoration specialists are available to assist in cleanup and rebuilding.

4 Essential Things All Business Owners Should Protect From Flooding

2/17/2022 (Permalink)

As water and flood damage specialists, we are prepared and ready to serve you at a moment's notice. Call us when you need it!

4 Things Every Business Owner Should Protect Against Flooding

Flooding can have a deep economic impact on businesses in Virginia Gardens, FL, both from lost information and time spent recovering from the aftermath of storms. The good news is that there are steps you can take to minimize damage. Here are four areas to focus on:

1. Your Employees

One of the most important considerations when preparing for floods is safeguarding the people behind your business. Take good care of employees before, during and after disasters:

• Before: Establish a clear emergency plan that indicates where employees should go in case of flooding. Additionally, prepare designated shelters and emergency provisions.
  
• During: In the case of flash floods, immediately turn off building power and do not allow workers to attempt to swim, drive or walk through the rushing floodwaters.
  
• After: Do not require employees to return to work immediately. Contact specialists to ensure your property is clean and secure first.

2. Vital Information

While insurance may cover inventory losses, economic effects due to lost data can be far more difficult to recover from. Take these steps in advance to keep essential information safe:

• Regularly back up financial data to a cloud-based platform.
  
• Keep tax data safe in more than one location.
  
• Safely secure client contact data and unfulfilled purchase orders.

3. Building Surfaces

In Virginia Gardens, FL, it’s imperative to keep your building’s insurance policy up-to-date, including flood damage provisions. If building elevation increases water damage risks, structural changes, such as fitting water pipes with non-return valves, may help.

4. Yourself and Your Family Members

Don’t rush back to your business as soon as floodwaters have subsided. This may expose you to health dangers from black water or weakened structures. To stay safe, contact a trustworthy storm damage restoration company that can clean up any harmful residuals completely.

By taking steps ahead of time to prevent damage from flooding, and by calling cleanup experts immediately afterwards, you can adapt to disasters and resume business operations as quickly as possible.

Beginner's Guide to Cleaning Up Electronics After a Fire

10/15/2021 (Permalink)

An electrical fire can cause a lot of damage to your commercial building, but fortunately, SERVPRO is always here, ready to help you!

Cleaning Electronics After A Fire: A Guide For Beginners

When an electrical fire breaks out in your Miami, FL, business, you may wonder if your electronics can be salvaged. A fire cleanup professional may be able to add to the information found in this guide.

Considering the Damage

Before you can have a computer cleanup done on your device, you need to figure out what kind of damage was done. During a fire, your electronics could be susceptible to multiple kinds of damage:

• Acidity Buildup: Smoke is often made up of soot, which can have a high acidity level. The acidity buildup can start to destroy your devices unless cleaned up promptly.
• Char: If the flames of the electrical fire engulf your computer, it may become charred. It may be hard to repair electronic devices that have this type of damage.
• Magnetic Charge: Depending on the fuel of the fire, smoke can also have a magnetic charge that can cause electronic devices to short circuit. Cleaning out the interior of the device may be enough to fix this issue.
• Soot Layer: Smoke can also leave a black film with insulating properties on the interior parts of electronics. Because of the added insulation, your equipment may start to overheat, so a thorough cleaning is often needed.

Before you can fix damage done to your electronics, you need to know what kind of damage to look for.

Doing the Repairs

As you get ready to do your computer cleanup, you may start to realize that you don't know what you're doing. Even if you know there is an acidity buildup, how do you get rid of it? It's often best to get professional help when cleaning up after a fire. Experts know not to give the computers power until the cleaning is done. They also know what kind of cleaners can be used on every surface of the electronics.

An electrical fire can cause a lot of damage to your commercial building. In some cases, your electronics may be salvageable.

Important Mitigation Steps To Avoid Mold After a Flood

7/25/2021 (Permalink)

Water led to mold damage in a Doral, FL building.

Mitigation Steps

Storm waters may put your commercial building in Doral, FL, at a higher risk of developing mold growth. This type of flooding usually comes from overrunning rivers, sewage backups and other unclean sources. This means the water could contain bacteria, spores and other contaminants that increase the chances of fungus growth. Your commercial storm remediation team can help you mitigate the damage done to your building to stop mold from setting up a colony on your property.

1. Remove Standing Water

Quickly draining any standing water from your space can help reduce the chances of mold spores finding a home. Water left for 24 to 48 hours will likely introduce mold spores to your property even if the flood started from a clean source. The sooner you start to drain the flood the better.

2. Start Drying Out the Space

Once the flood has been drained, you need to start sucking out excess moisture too. Getting a handle on high humidity levels can make the restoration process easier. You won't want to start making repairs until the building is completely dry. If you aren't able to properly dry out your rooms, you may end up with mold growth sometime in the future. Mold doesn't need floods to grow. It simply requires excess moisture in the air.

3. Add Protection

If your standing water was caused by a hole in the roof or a flooded basement, you need to try to stop this flood from happening again. Cover up any holes in your building to stop the weather elements from negatively affecting your building. You can use tarps and boards on the roof and walls to help you achieve this goal. Install a sump pump to keep water from building up in the lower levels of your property.

Starting the cleanup process soon after a flood can help you avoid the hassle of mold growth. Mitigation is a quick form of cleaning that addresses major problems, though restoration may be needed to help get your building back to its pre-flood status.

Where Mold Collects in Buildings

7/20/2021 (Permalink)

Mold doesn't belong on your property.

Where Mold Collects in Buildings

There are lots of commercial buildings in Virginia Gardens, FL, and all over the country, and maintaining them presents a challenge to owners and managers alike. Inspecting a building for mold growth on a regular basis can head off the need for costly and time-consuming mold remediation. Professionals know the usual areas where mold can grow because it is a remarkably predictable organism with a few simple needs: darkness, moisture, nutrients and a surface on which to grow.

Prime Areas for Mold

Mold can grow in a wide range of temperatures and can thrive in the dark on dirt, dust, and even certain building materials.

• Paper that is subject to moisture, even in the form of high humidity, can harbor mold.
• Carpet, and the padding and floor underneath, can trap moisture from floods, leaks and spills.
• Ceiling tiles subject to excessive humidity or leaks can invite mold growth.
• Wallboard and the cavities between walls can offer optimal conditions for mold colonies.
• Masonry surfaces and grout are mold-friendly surfaces.
• Wood surfaces out of direct light offer nutrients for mold to digest.
  
  

Damp Areas That Invite Mold

Besides building materials, HVAC systems, including ductwork, offer many hard-to-see spots that can be a bonanza for a mold colony. Bathrooms in a commercial building are also susceptible due to ever-present water and inevitable leaks and spills. Since water heaters are often located in basements or closets, mold can gain traction in these locations as well. And lastly, even after a water damage event such as an obvious flood has been detected and cleaned up, a surprisingly small amount of dampness coupled with the kind of organic nutrients common in most buildings can produce a new challenge in the form of mold to be remediated.

While it is true that mold growth is not the end of the world in a commercial building, it can produce significant inconvenience. Knowing and monitoring common areas susceptible to mold can help prevent significant problems.

3 Tips for an Effective Office Fire Escape Plan

4/27/2021 (Permalink)

Soot damage in Virginia Gardens, FL.

Help Prepare Your Office In The Event Of A Fire

Planning for an office fire in Virginia Gardens, FL may be overwhelming, but an effective fire escape plan is an essential part of maintaining a safe office environment. According to the National Fire Protection Association, over 3,000 office fires occurred annually, on average, from 2007-2011. Staying abreast of prevention and mitigation techniques helps prepare your office in the event of a fire.

1. Regularly Check Fire Alarms and Sprinklers
One of the simplest ways to safeguard your office is to keep fire detection equipment up to date. Ensure that your office has the proper number of smoke detectors required in Virginia Gardens, FL, and test them monthly. If your office has a sprinkler system, regularly check this as well. The best fire escape plan is to avoid serious fires altogether.

2. Educate All Staff About Exits, Including Emergency Exits
All staff members should be familiar with the office’s emergency escape plan. Hold an orientation to carefully go over the plan and offer regular updates. Running fire drills twice a year is an effective tactic to protect your staff. If your office has doors, stairwells, or windows that will be usable in the event of a fire, make sure that all staff are knowledgeable about and ready to utilize these escape routes.

3. Be Ready for the Aftermath
It is best to be prepared for the aftermath before a fire ever occurs. After such a disaster, the first order of business is to ensure all personnel are safe and secure. If emergency services have not already been alerted, they should be contacted. It is also helpful to have the phone number for fire restoration services that can immediately assist with remediating flame, smoke, or water damage.
A well-designed fire escape plan is an essential requirement for a safe office environment. The more prepared you are, the better your business is able to deal with the consequences of a fire if one does occur.

How To Contain Mold Spores During Cleanup

2/8/2021 (Permalink)

Mold containment in a Miami, FL building

Ways That Mold Can Be Contained

Despite your efforts to keep it at bay, you've discovered mold growing at your business in Miami, FL. In the best interest of your staff, building, and clients, you've hired a professional mold remediation specialist to handle the mold cleanup. You're wondering: is it safe to continue running my business as usual while cleaning happens, or do I need to come up with a different plan? During cleanup, professionals will use containment strategies to prevent the spread of mold. However, the impact to your business practices will depend on the size of the containment area. 

Limited Containment

For smaller areas of mold contamination, a single layer of plastic sheeting will be hung to contain the mold spores that will be released into the air during cleanup. The sheeting is attached to the floor and ceiling with duct tape, or a metal frame may be used for larger spaces. The area is kept under negative pressure, which prevents the spread of spores to non-contaminated areas of the building. If the mold is not in your main work area, it is possible that you can continue to run your business. Always follow the direction of the remediation specialist when determining your business plan.

Full Containment

In a larger area, in situations where there is massive mold growth, or in spaces that are harder to contain, a double layer of plastic sheeting will be erected, and airlock chambers will be utilized for entrance to and exit from the mold cleanup area. In both limited and full containment projects, all air vents, fans, doors, and stairs will be sealed off to further protect the building's occupants.

General Prevention

Your mold remediation team will wear personal protective equipment that they will keep in a contained area in order further prevent the spread of mold spores to the rest of the building.
Proper mold cleanup can be an involved process, so deciding how to run your business while cleaning occurs is a decision that you should make under the advisement of a remediation professional.

How Does a Fire Damage Service Clean Smoke Odors at Your Business?

1/5/2021 (Permalink)

A thermal fogger absorbs the odor-causing molecules and removes the smoke odor for good

How Does a Fire Damage Service Clean Smoke Odors at Your Business?

After a fire at your Virginia Gardens, FL business, you may not know where to turn for help. Fire damage comes in many forms, including smoke odors that can be difficult to erase. Calling in a professional smoke cleaning service can provide you with a variety of ways to clear the air in the aftermath of a business fire.

Air Purifiers
Fires often leave a smoky odor behind that can be quite powerful. Even smaller fires can cause these lingering odors, which are often bitter and unpleasant. Your fire mitigation service may use air purification systems to clean the air itself. This is usually more effective than other tactics, including:

• Ceiling fans
  
• Air fresheners
  
• Plug-in scent systems
  
  

Professional-grade air purifiers remove odor-causing molecules from the air and leave it odor-free, something your employees and customers are likely to appreciate.

Thermal Foggers
Smoke damage is often difficult to remedy because of the way the smells tend to remain long after the fire is put out. This happens because these smells get into places that air fresheners and other scented products cannot reach. Thermal foggers can be useful in this instance because of the thickness of the cleansing fog. Once released into a room, the fog absorbs the odor-causing molecules and removes the smoke odor for good.

Ozone Machines
Your fire damage and restoration service may use ozone machines for smoke cleaning, as these devices add extra oxygen to the air and oxidize the smoke molecules that cause unpleasant odors left behind after a fire. Your technicians will likely explain the process and give you additional details about this process, such as how long it might and if you need to empty the building before they can start the process.
Recovering from a fire at your Virginia Gardens, FL business can be a difficult process, especially when it comes to smoke cleaning. Working with a company experienced in the use of air cleaning systems may help you get back on your feet faster.

4 Tips for Maintaining the Pipes in Your Rental Unit

12/14/2020 (Permalink)

Plumbing issues in a Miami, FL home

Save Your Units From Water Damage

Plumbing is something you should be familiar with if you own properties for rent. The key is to maintain them. Whether it is tenants who decide to flush diapers down the toilet or those polybutylene pipes you wish weren't in that one home, the best thing you can do for your rental home is to give your plumbing proper maintenance. Make sure you know what basic things you should be doing and how to tell when it is time to call a professional remediation company.

1. Have a Plumbing Lease Clause
The first key to ensuring your plumbing's safety is to have a plumbing lease clause. This limits your responsibility for plumbing maintenance in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms to only tasks beyond your tenant's control, such as replacing polybutylene pipes. The basic maintenance your tenants should perform includes limiting what they put in their garbage disposal, cleaning the laundry filters regularly, removing hair from sink and shower drains, and refraining from flushing anything extra down the toilet.

2. Provide a Plunger
To encourage your tenants to solve any plumbing issues themselves, you should give them plungers. There are two types you should supply them with. A dome plunger is for kitchen tasks; a bell plunger is for bathroom issues. It is important to give them two plungers for hygiene and ease of use.

3. Provide a Snake
When a plunger isn't working, a snake often can. Sink snakes are necessary for any unit. They are great for removing clogs of hair and can also be used for clogs in showers.

4. Call a Professional
No matter how good your tenants are about maintenance, fragile polybutylene pipes could still be in danger of bursting. When this happens, there is only so much you can do. Any major problems to the plumbing in your unit in Miami, FL, should be handled by a professional plumber.
There are several steps you can take to save your units from water damage due to plumbing issues. Encouraging your tenants to perform their own maintenance and providing support when needed helps everyone.

How to Fix a Toilet That Won't Stop Flushing

10/22/2020 (Permalink)

A continuously flushing toilet can drive your water bill up

Many toilets in commercial buildings are controlled by a device known as a flushometer. While these devices usually work quite well, they are still prone to malfunctioning. This can cause toilets to engage in a never-ending flush cycle, ultimately driving up your water bill and resulting in damage from toilet overflow. If your building in West Miami, FL, is suffering from this affliction, consult the following guide.

Step-by-Step Toilet Repair Guide

Repairing a toilet is a relatively simple process, even if you have very little plumbing experience. Follow this guide to stop a toilet flood:

• Use a flat screwdriver to shut off the water. There should be a slot on either side of the flushometer, depending on which direction it's facing.
  
• Use a wrench to loosen the flushometer's top lid. After this, you should be able to unscrew the lid using your hands.
  
• Carefully remove the flange cover to expose the gasket. You may experience some water spray while performing this step.
  
• Remove the gasket and clean out any built up sediment. It's a good idea to thoroughly rinse the gasket as well. Use a small, thin object to clean out the weep hole as well.
  
• Replace the gasket after you finish cleaning it and reverse steps 1 through 4 to reassemble the flushometer.
  
  

If the above steps do not resolve your toilet overflow problem, you may have to replace the gasket completely. If your toilet still isn't working properly, you may have to contact professional plumbers to assist you with the issue.
A continuously flushing toilet can drive your water bill up, as well as annoy your employees and drive customers away. It's imperative that you resolve any toilet overflow issues as soon as possible so that you can resume business as usual. If your commercial bathroom has suffered any type of water damage as a result of the toilet flood, you need to contact flood remediation experts to help resolve the problem.

What To Do Before Turning Sprinklers On

9/25/2020 (Permalink)

Don't risk breaking a water line or flooding your lawn.

Irrigation Maintenance Steps

Once the last freeze of winter has thawed, the sprinkler system on your commercial property in Doral, Florida needs to be readied for spring. If you turn the sprinklers on without making sure they're ready, you risk breaking your water lines or flooding your lawn. Here are a few irrigation maintenance steps to check off your list before you run the sprinklers for the first time.

Inspect Sprinkler Heads
One busted sprinkler head can cause major water issues. Take the time to inspect them properly by completing the following tasks:

• Clean each nozzle with a toothbrush.
• Check each head for damage.
• Make sure every valve except the on farthest from the source is closed.
  
  

Sprinkler flooding is easy to avoid; it just takes time. By checking each sprinkler head, you can be confident that they will work once the system is turned on.

Switch on Control Panel
You won't know if your irrigation maintenance plan is successful until you test it by turning on the control panel. After cleaning it off and making sure the backup battery is new, switch it on so that you can set the correct date and time.

Open the Main Valve
Once the control panel is activated, you can open the water valve. Start slowly so that if anything is wrong, you won't have a big mess on your hands that only water remediation specialists can fix. Allow the water to flow into each branch and slowly open the valve more until it is fully functional.

Check Zones
You should be able to control which zones get water at which time intervals through your control panel. Alternate zones so that you can see that the system is actually doing what you are telling it to do.
Once you have completed this checklist, you are ready to set your automatic watering times. Performing regular irrigation maintenance throughout the season helps you make sure that it is continuing to work as it should.

3 Ways Your Business Can Experience Water Damage After a Fire

4/16/2020 (Permalink)

Fire sprinkler

3 Ways Your Business Can Experience Water Damage After a Fire

In addition to fire damage a Miami, FL, business fire can lead to water damage as well. There are a number of ways this can happen. Here are the three most common that may occur.

1. From a Fire Hose

One of the most common sources of water caused damage after a fire comes from the use of a fire hose to suppress the flames. A fire department hose can pump between 300 and 800 gallons of water per minute, which can put out any flames but leave the space flooded. Fortunately, a local damage restoration service can help with the cleaning and repairs that may be necessary afterward.

2. From the Weather

Because fire damage can leave the space more vulnerable to the outside elements, there’s a chance that weather such as rain, hail or snow may be able to get into the building. These weather types can leave water behind which can cause damage. This is one reason why you may see the restoration crew working on the property cover over areas with boards or tarps until repairs can be finished.

3. From Overhead Sprinklers

Another way water damage can occur is when the fire suppressant from the overhead sprinkler system puddles in the affected area. A fire can leave the space more vulnerable to water, meaning that while sprinklers put out much less water than a hose, there is still a chance that any left over puddles can cause some damage.

It’s important to note that fire damage can lead to water damage in a number of ways. The water from a fire hose can cause flooding, while structural damage from a fire may leave the building open to the weather. It’s also possible for overhead sprinkler systems to leave water puddles as well. Remember, if this occurs at your business a restoration service may be able to help.

The 5 Steps to Mold Remediation

1/7/2020 (Permalink)

Mold remediation in Miami, FL

Consider the Five Steps in the Mold Remediation Process

Many commercial property owners are surprised to find out that mold removal in Miami, FL, can take between three to seven business days, depending on the level of damage and infestation. However, when thinking about that timeline, you must consider the five steps in the mold remediation process.

1. Repair cause
   
2. Seal affected area
   
3. Suppress dust and remove materials
   
4. Clean the space
   
5. Test and restore the area
   
   

Repair Cause

A significant amount of time can go into merely repairing the cause of the mold growth. For example, while a small roof leak may be easy to fix, a broken pipe within a wall cavity will be significantly more challenging and time-consuming.

Seal Affected Area

Next, the remediation crew will need to seal off the affected area, especially if dealing with black mold or other toxic varieties. While containment may not sound too involved, the team will have to ensure the space is completely sealed to minimize the risk of spreading mold.

Suppress Dust and Remove Materials

Next, to ensure that mold spores remain with the rest of the contamination, the crew will need to wet down the space to suppress the spread of dust while performing the mold removal and discarding of materials. The removal of materials is likely the longest part of the process, next to rebuilding the area.

Clean the Space

Once all contaminants have been removed, the specialists will probably take the better part of a day cleaning the space. They will use commercial cleaners and specialty equipment to scrub the hard surfaces, ensuring that every non-porous area is clean.

Test and Restore the Area

Last, before restoring your building, the company will test the air and surfaces once more to ensure they got every part of the infestation out. If the tests come back clean, then they will begin the restoration process. However, if the tests result still indicate mold, then the crew will perform the cleaning and scrubbing of the area again.
It is difficult to pin down a specific timeline for mold removal. However, three to seven days seems reasonable, especially considering the removal process.

What To Know About Flooding and Black Water

12/17/2019 (Permalink)

Flooded parking lot in Virginia Gardens, FL

What To Know About Flooding and Black Water

After a storm in Virginia Gardens, FL, you may find flood water in your place of business. While the flooding itself can come from several sources, it’s important to remember that water from flooding falls into the black category. This can mean some additional restoration steps may be necessary. Here’s what you should know.

1. Why it’s Black Water
In many cases storm damage can result in flooding which can create a number of problems of its own. One of the most important things to remember is that storm water and flooding are classified as black water because there is a high chance it may have come in contact with fecal matter. This means that the affected area will need to be sanitized after the water has been removed.

2. Where Contaminants Come From
Contaminants in flood water can come from a number of sources. The most common reason is that heavy storms can cause sewage overflow. Another possibility is that the water often runs through fields and other outdoor areas where livestock, dogs, or other animals may have been. Because it is so difficult to determine the flow path rain runoff and other flood sources have taken, all storm water is generally classified as black.

3. How To Clean It Up
If you have flooding in your place of business it’s highly recommended to contact a flood damage restoration service. These professionals have the tools needed to deal with a variety of storm damage types and should be able to restore your company property back to working order. You will see them remove the water and dry the area thoroughly before the repairs begin.
If you have flood water in your place of business it’s important to remember that this water is considered to be contaminated and should be cleaned up carefully. It’s highly recommended to contact a local restoration service for the job. If you have any questions they should be able to help.

What To Do When There Is Sewage Backup in Your Building

10/25/2019 (Permalink)

Always take precautions when dealing with a sewage backup on your property.

A major hurricane or storm in Doral, FL can cause severe flood damage to your commercial building. Specifically, the contaminated floodwaters or sewage backup could end up in your office. This black water may contain microbes or harmful chemicals.

If you do suspect that there is a sewage backup in your building, you can take steps to limit the destruction. These precautions include:

Evacuating vulnerable individuals, namely seniors and children, from the area
Removing uncontaminated items
Opening windows to increase ventilation
Adding bleach to standing water to limit the spread of bacteria

Obviously, you do not want your workers exposed to these toxins. However, you do not have to completely shut down your office for the entirety of the flood cleanup. Once the affected areas are demolished or disinfected, employees can come back to work while the building is restored.

Small Sewage Spills
If the backup is fairly recent and confined to a small area, you may be able to handle the problem yourself. Make sure to wear proper gear, including masks, gloves and boots, so your skin does not contact the black water.

Any saturated paneling, carpets, floors and baseboards should be disposed of immediately. Then wash and disinfect the entire area with an antibacterial cleaner. Portable items should be allowed to dry outside in the sun.

When To Call the Experts
If the sewage backup is more than 24 hours old or has spread to multiple rooms of the property, you will need to contact a commercial building restoration company. Professionals will keep your employees safe and limit the spread of mold during the storm cleanup.

Employers or property managers may be able to handle small sewage backups on their own. However, a major black water contamination requires the assistance of professionals. Even if you do have to call in experts, your employees can return to the office while the storm damage restoration occurs.

What Should You Do with Water Damaged Electronics in Your Business?

9/29/2019 (Permalink)

Electronic damage is not always visible, and so it's often safest to avoid touching or moving electronic items.

Electronics are often important tools that keep a business operating at its best. Unfortunately, water damage can result in flooded electronics, which can cause your business in Miami, FL, to come to a standstill. However, there are several useful steps you can take after your electronic items have been damaged in a flood.

1. Turn Off the Power

Though you may be tempted to try to see if your electronic items work after water damage has occurred, it's often wise not to touch the items while the power is still on in your building. Electronic damage is not always visible, and so it's often safest to avoid touching or moving electronic items and to instead turn off the power in your property. Turning off the power in your building can help to prevent various issues, such as electrical fires, from occurring.

2. Keep the Building Dry

In order to mitigate the damage to your flooded electronics, keeping your business as dry as possible is generally wise. However, the manner in which you dry out your building is important. Using fans, air conditioning or heaters can actually be detrimental to your damaged electronics, as these items use electricity to function. Instead, it can be helpful to open the windows in your business in order to improve the airflow and dry out your items safely.

3. Contact Professionals

Depending on the item and the extent of the damage, it is sometimes possible for electronic items to be restored. However, it can be hazardous and time-consuming to attempt to restore any of your electronic items on your own. You may find it helpful to contact emergency restoration specialists who can safely remove your items from your business and can attempt restoration.

After a flood, you likely want your business to recover as quickly as possible, and knowing how to handle flooded electronics can help to achieve this goal. By turning off the power in your building, keeping your property as dry as possible and contacting professionals quickly, you can often minimize the damage to your electronics.

How Commercial Cleaning positively Impacts Other Areas of Your Business

5/14/2019 (Permalink)

Commercial Cleaning

Maintaining a clean work environment has numerous benefits for both your employees and your business. However, handling daily cleaning is a time-consuming task. Commercial cleaning providers take on this responsibility to ensure a clean work space and improve your business overall.

These are some of the benefits of regular Commercial Cleaning:

Reduces employee sick days. A clean and healthy work environment is one of the most important ways to prevent your business from dealing with absent staff

Prevents accidents. In a dirty or cluttered workplace it is only a matter of time before a customer or employee is accidentally injured. Avoid the cost and headache of legal troubles by making sure your workplace is clean and safe.

Maintains a professional appearance. The cleanliness of a work space is often viewed as a direct reflection of the business’s professionalism.

Boosts employee morale. Nothing damages employee morale quite like a dirty workplace. Keeping a clean office at all times makes a positive impact on the way your staff feel when they step into work each day.

Protects expensive equipment. A regular cleaning also defends against the damage of dust and dirt on expensive equipment.

When grime, odor, and moisture challenges go beyond the scope of your regular janitorial staff, you should call SERVPRO of Doral for prompt service. Whether it’s removing an odor problem or deep cleaning flooring or carpets, you can rely on us to make your workspace look its very best.

BOMA TOBY Awards

2/28/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO SMRs during dinner ceremony.

We at SERVPRO of Doral participated at the Toby’s Awards 2018 this year. It was a great exciting time for property managers to get together. We even were the platinum sponsor this wonderful event. The theme of Oscar’s Night; it was a night fulfilling, with other SERVPRO in our area. It was nice to get everyone together and celebrate special time. These are the Toby Awards, is known for Outstanding Building of the year is the most prestigious and comprehensive program of its kind in the commercial real estate industry. This event recognized properties that showed superior building quality and management practices.

Being eligible for this event for property managers, it is all of the commercial office and industrial building, but it has to be met with BOMA International’s TOBY Committee. For them, winning these awards meant a lot because it brings a great marketing edge tool to lease/and or even to sell a building. As well, the staff gets a special recognition for the TOBY submission process. A TOBY award enabled to highlight to ownership all the hard work completed on behalf of the building of the property managers working together.

It was so nice to get to have met the people we have done work for in the past. Being part of this nice event; it sure helped us to have showed more emphasis that we are great, valuable company for our client and prospective clients. This will help us grow in large to continue to trust us with the restorative services, and not only that, but also minor cleaning and other things do we to provide to make our franchises grow. We sure cannot wait to continue to help BOMA and their properties whenever there is issues. We are SERVPRO of Miami Lakes/Doral we want to continue to do excellent service, fairness and have mutual respect.