What is the Commercial Fire Cleanup Process?

10/13/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bonita Springs/Estero provides commercial fire clean-up and restoration services, Give us a call.

What is the Commercial Fire Cleanup Process?

Fire damage clean-up and restoration is a process that can take weeks or even months to complete. It is critical to understand how the process works and what steps are involved to ensure that your Bonita Springs, FL home or business is completely restored.

Inspect and assess the damage

The first step in the commercial cleanup process is to inspect and assess the damage, which includes identifying fire and smoke damage.

• Fire damage. When it comes to fire, you’re looking for charring or blackening of surfaces, especially those that are normally concealed. The extent of smoke odor can also be a good indicator of how much heat was applied to an item. Smoke damage can range from very light soot marking on furniture or equipment up through complete charring.
• Water damage from sprinkler systems or excessive water used by firefighters during their operations can cause significant damage if left untreated for an extended period – not only to property but also potentially to building occupants’ health if not addressed quickly enough

Plan and take action

Planning is key to success. The more time you spend planning for a clean-up, the better your results will be.

• What are the goals of your commercial fire cleanup project?
• What materials need to be removed?
• How much time do you have to complete the project?
• How many people will work on this project and what skills do they have?

Pack-out necessary items

Once the inspection of your property is completed, you'll want to pack out any belongings that are damaged or can be damaged by the cleanup process. If you are planning on remodeling the space and not moving back into it immediately, then it is recommended that all personal items should be removed from the property during this time as well.

Immediately after an accident, a building's structural integrity may have been compromised. As such, if there were any areas of the structure that appear unsafe or unstable after a fire, then these areas should be removed and replaced before any additional cleaning can begin!

Structure cleaning

Structure clean-up is the process of cleaning the structure of a building. Structure clean-up includes walls, ceilings, woodwork, and other types of surfaces that were exposed to smoke during a fire. The goal of structure cleanup is to ensure that any remaining soot or residue from the fire is removed from these surfaces before they are occupied again by people or animals.

As part of your fire restoration process, you will want to have all smoke-damaged items cleaned and dried as soon as possible after your fire damage occurs. This will help prevent further damage or contamination which could greatly increase both time and costs required for the completion of this step in your restoration project

Contents cleaning 

SERVPRO of Bonita Springs/Estero specializes in contents cleaning, which is the restoration of items that have been damaged by fire. This can include clothing, furniture, and personal belongings.

Before cleaning any items or restoring them to their original state, we first perform an assessment of each item’s condition. This helps us determine if it needs to be cleaned or restored and how much work will be necessary on our part to get it back into working order again.

Reinstallation of cleaned/restored items

The restoration process is complete when you're happy with the results. But don't stop there! It's important to make sure that your belongings are properly reinstalled in their original places and settings.

Items that were damaged by soot, smoke, or heat will need to be cleaned again before being replaced. If any items were destroyed, such as carpeting or furniture, replacements must be purchased. And for those items that can't be restored (like a burned-out light bulb), it's time for replacements too!

The same goes for odor elimination—after all this work, it would be terrible to have lingering smells in your home after everything is finished. A thorough cleaning should eliminate any remaining odors from your space so you can enjoy living there once again without worrying about unpleasant smells sneaking up on you out of nowhere! No need to worry though, SERVPRO of Bonita Springs/Estero can take care of it all.

When it comes to commercial fire cleaning services, there are many options available. However, it can be difficult to know which company is right for you and your needs. We hope our guide has helped you understand more about the process and how we can assist you with your next cleanup job!

Avoiding Water Damages in Bonita Springs

7/15/2022 (Permalink)

Water Damage Prevention in Bonita Springs

It's hard to fully appreciate the impact of the damage caused by water in your Big Hickory Island, FL home until you've actually experienced it. One of the most expensive losses suffered by homeowners happens when they have a broken pipe or other cause of water damage. Fortunately, regular maintenance and annual inspections can go a long way toward preventing those losses. Even without understanding the potential devastation, you can still take steps to prevent damage from happening.

1. Check Out the HVAC System

You may discover drips or leaks if the appliances in your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system aren't functioning properly. You should never see water coming from your indoor units (other than minor "sweat" on the indoor evaporator coil.) If there's ever enough moisture to cause a drip, you may have trouble. You should also be on the lookout for ice build-up on the indoor coil. Regular maintenance is a great way to spot trouble early on, so you can make minor repairs before you have expensive damages on your hands. 

2. Inspect Appliance Regularly

Appliances such as dishwashers, clothes washers, dryers, and refrigerators are common causes of leaking water in home. You can avoid a lot of damage by routinely inspecting hoses and connections. Keep appliance vents clean and clear.

Watch out for corrosion and leaks. These quick and easy steps don't take long and are very effective at preventing water damages.

3. Have a relationship With a Plumber 

You may not notice a broken pipe until you have significant damage and lots of expenses due to pipe cleanup without regular visits from a plumber. Leaks from the toilet, bathtub, shower, or sink could happen behind the walls or under the floor. As soon as you notice unpleasant or musty smells, condensation on pipes, or puddles of water, contact a plumber. You should also act quickly if you notice an unusual spike in your monthly water bill. 

Don't wait until you have to call a restoration specialist to take action. Prevent water damage in homes with consistent maintenance and routine inspections.

3 Types of Cleanup Required After a Fire

5/5/2022 (Permalink)

After A Fire, There Are Three Types Of Cleanup That Must Be Done.

A fire in your Bonita Springs, Florida, building can be devastating. It can cause extensive damage, making it difficult to get back to work right away. You will probably need to have fire, smoke and water cleanup done before the building can be used again. These are three common ways in which your building is likely to be affected after a fire and each should be taken care of as quickly as possible.

1. Fire Cleanup

When you think of a fire, the first thing that comes to mind is probably how the flames will damage your building. This is often the most obvious type of damage and can affect the building's structure. When cleaning up fire damage, some areas may need to be removed and rebuilt, depending on how severe the damage was.

2. Smoke Cleanup

While it may not seem as troublesome as fire damage, smoke damage can also cause quite a few problems. Smoke can easily travel further than flames, affecting a larger area of your building. Soot can cover walls, floors and equipment and should be removed right away. Acidic particles can erode certain materials and can be especially damaging to electronic equipment such as computers, phones and tablets.

3. Water Cleanup

After a fire, you might also experience a large amount of water damage. If the sprinklers go off or the fire department needs to use a hose to put out the flames, then there could be quite a bit of water in the building afterward. If this is allowed to remain for too long, you could have additional problems such as rotting materials and mold growth. Fortunately, there are emergency restoration services that can take care of damage in the building after a fire.

A fire can be incredibly damaging to your building, but that doesn’t mean that you need to stress too much. Professionals can perform water cleanup as well as other repairs to get your workspace back in good condition.

When Tackling Storm Damage, Restoration Companies Service Insurers Too

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

This ceiling suffered from a water leak after a storm. Our team responded and began to assess and clean quickly. Call us when you need it!

Restoration Companies Work With Insurers As Well When Dealing With Storm Damage.

During childhood, lightning and thunder could be horrifying, sending kids flying into their parents’ bedroom seeking comfort. As an adult, that same weather doesn’t often instill the same fear. Unless you are commercial owners, that is. Fierce wind and torrential rain wreak havoc on roofs, leading to leaks and unfortunate devastation. When this happens, proprietors in Estero, FL, benefit from working with a storm restoration company. These professionals offer to ease both owners and insurance agencies' work, ensuring that requests are timely and accurate.

1. Immediate Assistance

Swift action assists in minimizing secondary damage. Who can you call in the middle of the night and actually get to come to your place? That is a serious and nervous question. Water restoration, though, demands prompt attention, and places like SERVPRO understand that. Armed with storm response teams who work around the clock, the call center has the ability to send expert care to the site at a moment’s notice.

Furthermore, as a national company, one branch can reach out to another in a flash, accessing additional crew and equipment.

2. Claim Efficiency

Storm restoration can be expedited when claimed are written properly, meeting the policy’s language and the requirements. Restoration agencies specialize in using electronic programs to smooth out the request process and complete it in a precise, acceptable format. Doing so saves insurers and owners time, getting to the projects faster.

3. Skilled and Experienced Teams

A storm restoration specialist understands how to mitigate and treat flood damage. National standards for cleaning lay the foundation of the work. Employees continue to take classes, learning the latest to prevent mold and mildew growth and repair structures correctly and in cost-efficient manners.

Don’t let the gale hinder operations. Locate a storm restoration to assist in your cleanup needs. The professionals understand the demands in front of them and have the resources and knowledge to handle the complex procedures, easing the burden for both insurers and commercial owners.

What Storm Services Does SERVPRO Provide?

3/1/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO professionals, certified in damage mitigation and storm restoration are prepared for almost any disaster, Call us!

What Kinds Of Storm Services Does SERVPRO Offer?

A storm can cause a great deal of stress for property owners and insurance adjusters in Coconut, FL. Storm restoration services should provide relief rather than causing more frustration. Rely on a company that offers a wide range of services and responds Faster to Any Size Disaster.

Fast Response

SERVPRO can arrive at a location more quickly than other mitigation companies. The franchise model prioritizes timely storm response and site visits in several ways:

• Local franchises
• National corporate support
• Call response within one hour
• On site within four hours

A local franchise can be on location within a matter of hours. If a severe storm increases the volume of service requests in an area, nearby franchises can help to manage the workload.

Damage Mitigation

Certified damage mitigation and storm restoration professionals are prepared for almost any disaster. The Disaster Recovery Team has the expertise and equipment necessary to handle most incidents:

• Flood damage
• Hurricanes
• Tornadoes
• Storm surges
• Winter storms
• Wildfires

SERVPRO can mitigate damage from inclement weather or disasters as soon as possible. Whether standing water needs to be pumped out of a structure or a building has suffered severe damage, disaster mitigation and restoration services are available at the same one-stop shop.

Complete Restoration

After mitigation measures have been taken to limit the damage, restoration is still necessary. A company that provides both mitigation and restoration services can deliver a more complete estimate. This can prevent unexpected costs or delays later on in the process. SERVPRO also uploads information to an electronic Claims Information Center to make processing and settling claims easier for insurance agents and adjusters.

All of these services set SERVPRO apart from other mitigation and restoration companies located in Coconut, FL. Property owners and insurance agents who are in need of storm restoration services should rely on a one-stop shop capable of responding quickly to any incident.

Nobody Weathers Storms Like Property Managers

1/31/2022 (Permalink)

Nobody Knows How To Weather A Storm Like A Property Manager.

Property management jobs come with a great deal of responsibility. Nothing happens without their approval. Everything that does happen follows the manager’s plan. One important procedure in any manager’s playbook involves storm preparedness. Storms come in all shapes and sizes:

• Thunderstorms
  
• Tornadoes
  
• Tropical storms
  
• Blizzards
  
• Hurricanes

The Emergency Procedures Handbook Is at the Center of the Storm Plan

All property managers should have a storm preparedness plan. Any who don’t should publish one quickly. What should be in this book? Imagine the following situation after the storm:

• There is no office
  
• There are no files or computers
  
• There is no phone service
  
• There is no electricity

The recovery needs to start immediately. The book has all the information required. It has all the contact information. Keep a printed copy in the vehicle along with a satellite phone. Keep another copy in a smartphone. Senior staff members should also have copies. What’s in the book? The following steps will help set it up:

1. Write down everything imaginable. Then write down everything else.
   
2. Meet with the staff. The employees will have plenty to add. Perhaps some teams, like maintenance, will their own section in the book.
   
3. Meet with the owners. Address their concerns. Also, make sure the owners get the complete picture in writing. Don’t ever give them the opportunity to say that they didn’t know about something important.

Keep the Handbook Current

Periodically, the manager and senior staff should review and republish the handbook. One good time to do this would be when a slow-moving hurricane threatens the community.

Storm preparedness planning is essential for any managed community. So is storm recovery. Don’t forget an important contact entry in the Emergency Procedures Handbook. Reach out to the storm damage restoration experts who are Faster to Any Size Disaster. They are nearby in the Bonita Springs, FL, area and are only a phone call away.