Does Your Commercial Business Have a Plan for When Disaster Strikes?

1/12/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO ERPs allow your commercial business to have a quick reference of what to do when an emergency happens and how to do it.

Does Your Business Have a Plan When Disaster Strikes? 

Preparedness for an emergency is an essential part of a business operation plan because when business slows, it can cause loss of revenue and additional unforeseen expenses. Among many disasters, many companies have a hard time recovering from the loss of income.

According to the Red Cross, 40 percent of small businesses suffer significantly after a disaster. They shut down and never reopen. SERVPRO offers an Emergency Ready Profile (ERP) free of charge to local businesses in the Florida area. SERVPRO ERPs provide several advantages to your business, including:

SERVPRO offers an Emergency Ready Profile (ERP) free of charge to local businesses around the Florida area. SERVPRO ERPs provide several advantages to your business, including:

• A concise profile document of your business. This profile contains the critical information needed in an emergency & saves time and money if ever needed.
• A description of your facility's details (i.e., shut-off valve locations, priority areas, and vital contact information.)
• A comprehensive guide to getting you back into your building ASAP following a disaster. This guide minimizes the amount of time your business is inactive since you'll have an immediate plan of action. 
• An established relationship with SERVPRO as your damage mitigation and restoration provider.
• Identification of chain of command for work authorization within your company. This identification expedites the process of beginning damage mitigation and restoration for your company, reducing downtime and costs.

SERVPRO ERPs allow your business to have a quick reference of what to do when an emergency happens and how to do it. It only takes a little time to complete and doesn't interfere with your business' current projects. Be assured that you've got a professional industry leader right nearby who's "Ready for whatever happens."

Emergency Ready Profile: Don't Ask "What Now?"

1/12/2022 (Permalink)

For additional information regarding SERVPRO's Emergency READY Profile, call SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park at (813) 694-9085.

Being a property manager or landlord isn't always an 8 to 5 job. Mishaps and problems don't care if you are on vacation or out of the office; they can arise 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Stay prepared before disasters strike. Dealing with these unforeseen circumstances is implementing our Emergency Ready Profile (ERP) as many 50% of businesses have to close following a disaster. Businesses that survive a disaster had a preparedness plan in place. Pre-planning can serve as an insurance policy aimed at peace of mind. SERVPRO's Emergency READY Profile helps your business plan in place and helps keep you and your staff members informed on handling fire and water damage.

For additional information regarding SERVPRO's Emergency READY Profile, call SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park at (813) 694-9085.

Does your Tampa, FL Business Need Board-Up Services?

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood/ Citrus Park can assist with board-up services. Call today!

If your home or business was affected by storm or fire damage that results in an opening in your building, you might need emergency board-up services. Any opening in the structure needs to be boarded appropriately to protect the building from the weather and illegal entry. Your insurance policy also requires you to be proactive in protecting your home or business after any damage has occurred. Otherwise, the insurance company could account for any further/secondary damage to the structure as negligence.

Not every situation requires the most extensive board-up that the U.S Fire Administration has in their board-up procedure manual, such as after a fire where the entire home is destroyed and is considered a complete loss. While each emergency board up is different, SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood/ Citrus Park is here to help.  

Let's take a look at how to properly board up a structure after the damage has caused an opening in the building.

Determining How Much Protection is Needed

1. Openings in the basement, first floor doors, windows, and any entry point accessible from a porch, fire escape, or other potential climbing points require additional security measures. Openings should be barricaded with plywood, 2x4s, bolts, and nails.
2. Openings at least 10′ from ground level, which is not accessible from a porch, fire escape, roof, or other climbing points, can be secured with nails in each brace and every 12″ around the perimeter. The plywood should be fitted for these openings so that it rests snugly against the exterior frame, butting up to the siding on wood frame buildings and up to the brickwork on brick buildings. It may be necessary to remove the staff bead so that this fit can be flush and tight.

Board-Up

1. Cut plywood to fit over the window and door openings, flush with the outside of the molding.
   Note: For buildings with a metal door and window frames, the alternative is to cut the plywood and 2x4s to fit the door frame inside buffed up against the band molding.
2. Cut the 2x4s to fit the horizontal dimension of the plywood. You will need two 2×4 exterior and two interior braces for each window and three sets for each door.
   Note: For buildings with metal doors and window frames, the 2x4s for the outside will be cut to the plywood dimensions, fitting inside the door frame, against the band molding. The 2x4s will be cut to the outside dimension of the door or window frame for the inside.
3. Next, pre-drill 3/8th inch holes in the plywood and the braces.
4. The holes will be placed approximately 1/3 of the brace's length from each outside edge of the door and window jam.
5. The two window braces will be placed 1/3 of the distance from the top and the bottom of the window.
6. The three-door braces will be placed; one in the center of the doorway and one half the center's distance to the top and the bottom of the doorway.
7. Place the plywood over the exterior opening and nail it to the frame.
   Note: For metal frames, place the plywood and braces inside the frame against the band molding.
8. Place the 2×4 braces over the interior and exterior of the door or window.
9. Place the large washer over the carriage bolt and place the bolt through the holes.
10. Place the washer and nut inside and tighten securely. Torque the nut so that it slightly compresses the interior 2×4.

Did you know SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood/ Citrus Park provides emergency board-up services? Let us mark a big task off of your to-do list when preparing for a storm. We understand the anxiety when it comes to managing a business during storm watches and warnings. We are here to help. Call us anytime at (813) 694-9085.

Protect Your Business from Fire Damage

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial fire damage repair is something you never think you'll need for your business, but the unfortunate reality is some companies will experience fire damage. Fires can occur by an electrical shortage from overloading an extension cord to a lightning strike. As the flames extinguish, you may begin to worry about what steps to take to resume business. The best advice is to have a plan.

The Damage Caused by a Fire

When you experience commercial fire damage, you may reflect on the mess left in the charred ruins of the property. However, the damage you need to contend with will go beyond the ashes. To repair the property, seek the help of a professional team like SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park. Water extraction will occur after the firefighters' efforts. The smoke damage may cause a problem that the burnt materials from the fire. While a fire may be contained in one area of the building, smoke can fill most of the areas, and it can cause significant damage and odors. Our trained Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technicians (FSRT) can resolve these issues. When smoke and water damage are dealt with appropriately, the structure will not show any aftereffects. "Like it never even happened."

A fire loss within your enterprise, whether a retail store, rental apartment building, professional office or a warehouse, can cost you customer goodwill and loss of profitability. We can generate a corporate program called the Contents Claim Inventory Service (CCIS). This report will categorize all affected materials, furniture and equipment, stock, electronics, and documents. SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park will suggest what's salvageable, non-salvageable, or questionable. The final decision rests with you and your insurance company as to how we proceed. SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park is a preferred commercial fire damage restoration company to more than 300 insurance companies, federal and municipal entities, and property management companies. We willingly coordinate efforts with your insurance adjuster to efficiently and economically restore your business in the best manner possible.

When to Make the Call

After dealing with commercial fire damage repair, you may ask yourself when you need to make the call to a professional for assistance. The time to contact SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park as soon as the fire is out. Our business is to get you back in business! Rely on us 24/7 for an immediate response.

Commercial Mold Removal

1/4/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood/Citrus Park received a call to check an old restaurant purchased to give it a new life. This result led to an extensive mold job for SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood/Citrus Park. Upon entering this abandoned space, it became clear immediately this was a mold remediation job for the experts! So we went to work! With mold covering the walls, the bar area, baseboards, and crown "mold"ing (pun intended), our crew had to suit up with PPE, including respirators and Tyvek suits, to ensure protection! 

Mold remediation is a tedious job for a home. Still, when it is a commercial property like a restaurant, containment set up, so contaminated unaffected areas aren't with mold exposure are disposed of. When the demo was complete, industrial hygienists came to ensure that the commercial property was good to go! Mold remediation in a commercial property is a tedious yet rewarding job when we get to see a building brought back to life! When mold is identified at your commercial building, give us a call at (813) 694-9085. We are available 24/7 and can respond immediately.

What is SERVPRO's Cleaning Process for a Commercial Large Loss?

1/3/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park crews are ready to clean after a commercial large loss.

SERVPRO Cleaning Process After Catastrophic Commercial Emergencies

From 1980 to 2020, on average, the U.S. endured 7 severe climate events per year. Throughout the past year, that number has more than doubled, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information. Although statistics help describe the destruction brought on by natural disasters, no measurement can quantify the loss and trauma to individuals, families, and communities. The struggle of those involved as they work to rebuild a sense of normalcy is often not seen.

SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park is proud to assist by offering Commercial Large Loss and Disaster Recovery services after any catastrophic emergency in the United States. With the resources of 17 SERVPRO franchise licenses in 6 locations throughout 3 southern states, we are well-positioned to respond to any disaster.

Our flexible, efficient team can tackle damage at private businesses, hospitals, schools, government facilities, and more. SERVPRO of Montgomery County professionals are highly trained in fire, storm, and water damage mitigation. When mitigating damage on a large scale, our team uses the following framework:

Control the Environment

Commercial-sized desiccant dehumidifiers remove water from the air and dense materials while increasing the air temperature, further drying the structure, and helping to better control the environment.

Remove Contaminated Material 

To ensure a safe and efficient clean-up, SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park crews will remove contaminated material and items that are beyond repair and remove restorable items for off-site cleaning. 

Dry the Structure

Various sized air movers and dehumidifiers are strategically placed throughout the structure to accelerate the drying process. 

Our crews can be ready at a moment’s notice, deploying cutting-edge drying equipment and service vehicles that feature truck-mounted water extractors that operate even without electricity. Response time is critical for communities to get up and running again. When disaster strikes, we are ready to answer the call and make it “Like it never even happened.”

Water Damage Caused by Commercial Sprinklers

10/19/2021 (Permalink)

A fire in a commercial business or a property managed real estate complex can be devastating. Still, when you add in the additional damages from the sprinkler systems kicking on, the commercial damages are enormous. Businesses and apartment complexes cannot afford to close for a day; it affects many different individuals' lives. SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park offers 24/7 commercial damage services to get commercial businesses back on their feet in as little time as possible.

Using SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park commercial services is like a one-stop-shop. SERVPRO's commercial services are an umbrella term that extends our regular services into a commercial setting. SERVPRO simultaneously treats fire and water damages. Our commercial services reduce the cost that businesses pay because they don't need to look for multiple companies. The other additional benefit to SERVPRO is that they are a liaison insurance companies and clients.

Unfortunately, disasters are not preventable, but companies like SERVPRO are there to make it "Like it never even happened," with their residential and commercial services.

For questions regarding SERVPRO of Greater Carrollwood / Citrus Park commercial services, contact our office at (813) 694-9085.