How to Prepare Your Business For A Fire.

10/6/2022 (Permalink)

Remember to have a fire extinguisher in your commercial building.

How To Prepare Your Business For A Fire.

Fires might not seem like a huge threat to your business, but it is way more common than you might think. Even the smallest fire can destroy your property, your product, and even your entire building. But if you're prepared for it, you can minimize the damage that fire causes and keep people safe from harm. This article will help you understand how a fire could affect your business and give steps to take to be prepared in case one does occur.

Make sure you are familiar with all the fire safety equipment.

In addition to regular fire drills, you should also be familiar with all the fire safety equipment in your workplace. Make sure that you know where all of the extinguishers are located and how to use them. All employees should be trained on how to use a specific type of extinguisher for different kinds of fires—this information should be posted somewhere in the building so that everyone knows what type they need and where it is located.

You should know the location of the fire exits and routes to take to exit the building.

A fire can take place in the blink of an eye, so it's important to know where the nearest exit is and how to get there.

You want to make sure that each employee knows where emergency escape routes are located; this could include any exterior doors, stairwells, or windows that don't face into another room or building.

Inform employees where fire extinguishers are located and how to use them

Not all fires can be extinguished by a simple press of a button or pull of the cord. In fact, many types of fires cannot and should not be put out in this way. To avoid accidentally starting another fire with an improperly used extinguisher or wasting precious time trying to put out a non-extinguishable blaze, it is crucial that your employees know where all the company's fire extinguishers are located and have been trained on their proper use before they begin working at your place of business.

Takeaway: The most important thing you can do is prepare for an emergency situation 

The most important thing you can do is prepare for an emergency situation like a fire by having up-to-date safety planning, and safety equipment and going through regular fire drills with your employees.

If you don't already have one, creating an evacuation plan will help you get out of the building quickly and safely if there was a fire or other dangerous situation. You should know where the exits are in your building, where they lead to outside the building, how many people will be using them at any given time, and what kind of hazards may exist in each area which could cause injuries during evacuations (such as stairs without handrails).

It's also important that everyone knows what to do when there's an evacuation order, so no one panics or gets hurt trying to escape from the building. A good rule of thumb is to always assume that if there's smoke coming from somewhere inside - it means there could be more serious problems happening inside too!

Remember, the best way to prevent fires is to plan ahead and know how you're going to handle them in case they do happen. Keep your employees safe by having up-to-date safety planning, safety equipment and going through regular fire drills with them.

How Cold Weather Can Cause Water Damage to Your Business

8/25/2022 (Permalink)

Add insulation to areas that contain plumbing.

It is not surprising that many people associate flooding and water damage with warm weather storms such as hurricanes and tornadoes. However, cold weather events in localities such as Hallandale, FL, also have the capacity to produce expensive damage to a business. This could come in many forms.

Heavy snows could result in flooding during a sudden warm spell, and ice on roofs often creates pathways for water to enter. Sometimes, the plumbing pipes get too cold and freeze, often resulting in a burst pipe. Not only can this bring water into an office, but if the broken pipe is from a sewage line the situation could be even worse.

What Causes a Pipe to Freeze?

The properties of physics do not stop just because you are a conscientious business owner. When water in a pipe freezes it expands. This process is nearly unstoppable, even if the water is enclosed in a plastic or metal pipe. The result: a burst pipe and water coming into places where it probably does not belong. To be proactive, you can usually prevent pipes from freezing with these actions:

• If possible, turn off water to pipes that are exposed to the elements
• Add insulation to areas that contain plumbing, such as attics and basements
• Look into removing or relocating pipes that have frozen in the past

A little forethought is a good way to avoid standing water in your building. It will likely be less expensive than dealing with water damage.

What To Do If a Pipe Breaks

A local water remediation franchise can be on-site at your business in hours if a frozen pipe breaks. The company can assess the situation and begin drying out the affected areas with powerful fans and other specialized equipment. A fast response prevents the possibility of mold gaining a foothold. When cold weather causes a burst pipe, act quickly to minimize water damage to your company.

Who's Handling the Water Damage on Your Property?

8/16/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage cleanup services

Who's Handling the Water Damage on Your Property?

Some minor plumbing issues can be handled internally, but most of the problems that cause water damage should be turned over to professionals. In fact, a good rule of thumb is to hire a plumber or certified water damage repair professional if the water clean-up and repairs would require you to cut into any walls or dig down to piping. There are other signs that you need the help of a professional:

• You don't know where the leak is.
• You believe there may be mold contamination.
• Blackwater is or could be involved.
• Water and electricity are both present.
  
  

It's always better to err on the side of safety when it comes to plumbing and water damage.

Why Is Water Damage So Serious?
Flooding, a broken pipe, and slowly developing water damage can all cause a lot of harm to your business property. Not only does water cause visible damage, but also leads to weakness and damage below the surface and in corners that are tucked away. A certified water damage professional has been trained to recognize damage you may overlook. These professionals know what to look for and the most common places to look for hidden damage.

What Is a Commercial Drying Specialist?
Professionals with certification from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification have completed courses and received credentials in the water cleanup and repair industry. An IICRC Commercial Drying Specialist is trained in advance drying concepts and is prepared to appropriately handle this type of work for your commercial property. These professionals have proficiency in areas such as the proper inspection techniques for commercial structures and familiarity with the anatomy of commercial properties.

Who's Handling Your Cleanup and Repairs?
Are you familiar with IICRC-certified Commercial Drying Specialists in Aventura, FL? Make sure you know that the water clean up efforts in your commercial properties are being carried out by technicians with the right training and qualifications.

What To Do If Your Roof Is Damaged in a Fire

5/17/2022 (Permalink)

If your, business suffers roof damage from a fire, a certified restoration service can help with both fire cleanup and securing the roof.

What Should You Do If Your Roof Is Burned Down? 

Roof damage frequently results from fires or fire-extinguishing efforts. For example, firefighters often cut holes in the roof of a building so that heat and smoke can escape. If your Aventura, FL, business suffers roof damage from a fire, a certified restoration service can help with both fire cleanup and securing the roof.

Temporary Protection

Fire cleanup involves many different tasks that cannot all be handled simultaneously. Often, fixing the roof is not the first step. However, an unsecured roof leaves your property vulnerable to even more damage from weather or wildlife. Fortunately, many restoration companies offer tarp services. A tarp is a large sheet of water-proof material. Installing a tarp over the damaged areas of the roof is a temporary measure that keeps your building safe from further damage and allows you to work on other remediation aspects, including:

• Soot cleaning
  
• Rebuilding
• Painting

Tarping is a temporary measure, but when applied properly it gives workers the opportunity to complete other restoration projects without worrying about rain, squirrels and other inconveniences.

Permanent Solutions

After the initial fire cleanup, it is time to begin repairing and rebuilding. Roof repair is likely to be necessary. After removing the tarp from the roof, damaged shingles should be replaced. In some instances, holes in metal roofs can be patched, but often the entire panel must be replaced. If the roof is severely damaged in many places, it may be a good idea to go ahead and fully replace it. Some business owners choose to use fire-resistant roofing materials such as fiberglass shingles or tiles made of clay or concrete. A qualified restoration service can help you make the best choice for your building.

If your Aventura, FL, commercial building experiences a fire, there will likely be damage to the roof. It is important to secure the roof with a tarp while you work out more permanent solutions.

Specific Cleaning Techniques After a Commercial Fire

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO uses specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls and other surfaces, if you need help call us!

Cleaning Procedures Following A Commercial Fire

A successful cleanup after a commercial fire is a complicated operation. In addition to water and debris removal, there are a variety of surfaces and objects that call for specialized cleaning techniques. For example, dry-cleaning might be needed for certain fabrics while ultrasonic cleaning could be employed for the recovery of non-porous items.

When working with an experienced fire

assessment team in Hollywood, FL, you can feel confident that the best techniques will be used for each situation. Where possible, technicians will restore items, saving you money, and when necessary they will recommend replacing an item that has extensive damage from fire and smoke.

Content Cleaning

After a fire, it won't just be the walls, flooring and other permanent structures of the building that need attention. A variety of personal items and assorted objects will have sustained some level of fire damage. These cover the spectrum from hard, durable materials such as ceramics to more porous materials such as furniture, each requiring a certain type of cleaning:

• Dry-cleaning
• General cleaning
• Immersive cleaning
• Abrasive cleansing
• HVAC and air duct cleaning
• Document cleaning and restoration

Even family heirlooms and artwork can be recovered in some cases. Highly-trained technicians with an understanding of the best practices for cleaning and restoration look at each item carefully.

Content Storage

To better facilitate a fire cleanup, some contents might be stored at another facility. These items will be treated with care and stored off-site. This ensures fragile items do not face additional damage during the cleanup, and it also allows the restoration crew more space to work and to better identify property damage. The removal of some objects can reduce the smoke smell, enabling technicians to assess smoke damage in the building.

Effective techniques such as dry-cleaning allow valuable contents to be restored. It is one way to reduce the impact of a business fire.

3 Tips for Dealing With Mold

3/8/2022 (Permalink)

With the right knowledge under your belt and a licensed professional, any mold (even black mold) doesn't stand a chance

3 Mold-Resistant Suggestions

Does your building in Hollywood, FL, have a moisture problem? If you've noticed any black mold or other microfungi, it's best to call in a mold cleanup professional right away. Until they arrive, there are some tips to follow that will help slow the spread of mold.

1. Turn Off Water

Mold needs a few key environmental conditions to grow — moisture being a big one. By shutting off your water, you limit any opportunities for mold to expand. This is especially important if the original mold growth was caused by a leaky faucet, pipe or other fixture. Shutting off the flow stops the leak and the mold; it also has a beneficial side effect of stopping any possible further water damage.

2. Shut Off HVAC

One of the other major environmental factors that mold requires to grow and is airflow. Any mold must continuously have a food supply in order to stay alive and continue to multiply. Usually, that food source is sugar and starch in the cellulose in the material of your building. To reach new food sources, airflow is needed. Thus, by shutting off your HVAC system, the spread of mold is limited. Another benefit to shutting off the system is a temperature change. Black mold and many other kinds require a specific temperature range to grow. While mold isn't as picky as your typical houseplant, it still can only tolerate temps as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Clean Nearby Surfaces

While it's advised to leave the dirty work to the experts, you can limit mold growth by cleaning other areas. Any places around where mold has grown should be disinfected with a water and bleach solution. The most common mixture is 1/3 cup of bleach per single gallon of water.

With the right knowledge under your belt and a licensed professional, any mold (even black mold) doesn't stand a chance.

3 Important Flood Prevention Techniques for Protecting Cities

2/7/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is your local water, flood, and fire damage restoration professional. Call SERVPRO today to learn more about how we can help!

Cities Are Protected By Three Important Flood Prevention Techniques.

Sandbags and other similar alternatives are useful for reducing the damage caused by floodwaters, but there are several flood prevention methods that can be used to help protect the city of Hollywood, FL. Although storm damage restoration companies are very effective at reversing the damage flooding causes, the costs of these flood cleaning services are often too much for business owners to bear. By prioritizing prevention and implementing the following three techniques, cities can make the recovery process easier on all their citizens.

1. Vegetation

One easy method that cities and its residents can put into action to help prevent flooding is using vegetation as a means to stop erosion and stop floodwater in its tracks. Grass, trees, and shrubs help absorb water in the area and limit water run-off. Trees can also catch rainfall and help it evaporate before ever reaching the ground.

2. Drainage Systems

Poor drainage systems are a major cause of flooding. Typically, this is caused by improperly cleaned drains that collect plastic litter and result in a clog. Residents can participate in flood prevention by reducing their use of plastic, keeping trash off the streets, and bagging yard waste. It is also important that cities regularly clean their drainage systems and educate the public on what happens when their garbage ends up in the drain instead of the trash.

3. Coastal Defense Walls

For towns located near the ocean, tidal waves can easily cause flooding and damage homes near the shores. Many cities around the world have invested in building sea defense walls as a way to prevent waves from pushing too high up the shore and causing extensive damage. They also help limit the erosion waves can cause.

Investing in flood prevention is essential for cities that consistently receive heavy rainfall or are located near large bodies of water. It is important to remember that residents can have just as much as an effect as city officials in protecting their homes and businesses from floodwaters.

3 Tips for Outdoor Sprinkler Maintenance

12/9/2021 (Permalink)

If you think an irrigation system malfunction may have compromised your property, then water damage and restoration service may be able to help.

3 Maintenance Tips For Outdoor Sprinklers

Many North Miami, FL, businesses employ irrigation systems to help take care of their lawn. Proper irrigation maintenance is important to help keep these systems from malfunctioning which could lead to costly damages. Here are three tips that may help keep your system in order.

1. Check Everything Regularly

Regularly looking your system over can help you know when something goes wrong, before it causes a disaster. You should be able to see if any sprinkler heads are out of position, and if they look damaged before your turn the water on. You should also be able to clear away any debris which could redirect water flow and cause flooding.

2. Adjust as Needed

Depending on the system, and the season, irrigation maintenance needs may change. Updates may be available for your system which could help you save water. These updates may also add efficiency to your system and help your company save money in the long run. Similarly, seasons could affect the irrigation needs. At times when your area gets regular snow or rain you may choose to use the sprinklers less than when the area is dry.

3. Take Care of Problems as They Occur

Whenever you experience problems, such as sprinkler flooding, it’s best to take care of the issue as quickly as possible. This can help prevent overflow getting into your building and causing water damage. If you think an irrigation system malfunction may have compromised your property, then a water damage and restoration service may be able to help. They can assess the situation and make any repairs that may be needed.

Following these irrigation maintenance steps can help you prevent some major problems with your system. Remember to look over your irrigation regularly, adjust your system accordingly for seasons and updates, and to take care of issues as they arise. If you do have any problems a professional may be able to help.

How To Save the Contents of a Building After a Fire

10/13/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO uses specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces caused by fire damage.

After A Fire, How Can You Save A Building's Contents?

Fires can cause a lot of damage to businesses. Not only is there usually structural damage to your building, there are also losses due to the business being shut down during the restoration process. If you’ve suffered a fire you may also be concerned about losing inventory, equipment and other supplies to smoke damage. The good news is that the smoke damaged contents of a building can usually undergo dry-cleaning and be restored to their original state, saving you thousands of dollars in replacement costs. A fire damage restoration company in Golden Beach, FL, can handle the content cleaning for you.

What Can Be Cleaned and Restored

You may be surprised by the items that can be cleaned and restored after a fire. Resist the temptation to throw anything away until a fire remediation specialist has had a chance to assess the contents of your building. All of the following can potentially be salvaged after a fire.

• Carpeting
• Furniture
• Upholstery
• Clothing
• Drapes and curtains
• Computers
• Television Sets
• Photographs
• Documents

How Contents Are Cleaned

Dry-cleaning is just one method used to rid your belongings of smoke damage after a fire. For more seriously affected materials, a method of wet cleaning is used to remove heavier smoke residues. Some upholsteries may be damaged by wet cleaning so they are restored using specialized foam cleaners to prevent shrinking and bleeding. The cleaning of electronics is handled by specially trained technicians to get them back in good working order.

For non-porous materials like glass, rubber, metal, plastic and ceramics, a special ultra-sonic technique is used to remove soot and other residues from hard to reach places. High-frequency sound waves are sent through a cleaning solution in which the item is immersed. The pressure from the waves dislodges contaminants clinging to the material, penetrating holes and crevices.

Before you replace the contents of your building, talk to a fire damage specialist in Golden Beach, FL, to determine what can be restored through dry-cleaning, ultrasonic cleaning or other methods. They can even provide content storage services until your property is fully restored.

What Happens During Mold Remediation?

7/22/2021 (Permalink)

Any type of mold inside a building is bad news.

Many people worry about black mold, but any mold inside of a building is bad news. Molds feed on organic building material, such as cellulose in wood and paper, and during the digestive process, some molds make odorous byproducts known as mycotoxins. Here are the basic steps for remediation so you know what to expect for your facility in Hollywood Lakes, FL.

Basic Steps for Mold Remediation

1. Stop the source. When you find black mold or any other mold, stop the source of the moisture and call immediately to schedule remediation work. A professional restoration company will be available for your emergency any time of day or night.

2. Inspect. Professionals may use detection equipment to help find mold or water damage that can't be seen with the naked eye. This ensures thorough cleaning to reduce the spread of the infestation.

3. Prevent the spread of spores. Personal safety and prevention of additional contamination are key priorities for remediation specialists. Prepare for all ventilation and HVAC systems to be off during cleanup. Negative air pressure and barriers may be used to create a containment area that reduces the spread of spores during mold cleanup. HEPA vacuums and air scrubbers are also used to contain spores during the process.

4. Removal of contaminated materials and mold remediation. When black mold digests organic food sources, those materials are destroyed. Specialists are able to assess which materials can be cleaned with biocides and fungicides, and which must be replaced.

5. Cleaning of personal items. There are many different ways to clean items depending on the type of materials involved. Some paper documents are critical to your business, and there are several processes that can be used specifically for document drying. Specialists will determine if your documents can be restored and which method is best.

6. Restoration of Structure. Repairs, such as replacing some drywall and painting, or full replacements of structural material will be completed.

When it comes to running a business, downtime during a major cleanup process costs you additional money in lost work. Counting on professionals for mold remediation can get you back to work faster.

How Restoration Experts Clean Contents With Fire Damage

4/28/2021 (Permalink)

Commercial fire in Hollywood Lakes, FL.

How Content Cleaning Fits Into The Restoration Timeline

Direct exposure to open flames can ruin contents, but items that are only indirectly affected by a fire may be candidates for cleaning. Content restoration experts work in an off-site location equipped with specialized dry-cleaning and wet cleaning equipment and store cleaned items until fire damage restoration is complete at a commercial property in Hollywood Lakes, FL. 

Remove Contents From the Fire Location
After inspecting the damage to the property, restoration professionals will advise property owners about the condition of the contents. The degree of damage will determine which of the following approaches is the best option:

• Cleaning contents
  
• Disposal and replacement
  
• Data recovery for electronics
  
  

All of these measures require the removal of contents exposed to fire and smoke damage from the building in which an incident occurred. Whether contents can be cleaned or require replacement, the building must be restored before items are put back in place.

Clean and Restore Contents With Specialized Equipment
Commercial property owners should not attempt to clean fire or smoke damaged contents or use consumer dry-cleaning. Restoration-grade cleaning equipment can make it possible to restore items without causing further damage. Dry or wet methods may be best based on the composition and condition of each item.

Store Contents Until Restoration Is Complete
Clean contents should not be returned to a structure that is still undergoing restoration. Content storage is essential until a damaged building has been restored. It may be necessary to store contents for days or weeks, but storage expenses are likely less than the cost of treating recontaminated items.
Content cleaning is usually done at the same time as restoration of a building in Hollywood Lakes, FL. Removing contents makes it possible to pursue dry-cleaning or other cleaning methods without risking recontamination and leaves the location of a fire open for cleanup and rebuilding.

A Few Things To Know About Mold Testing

2/9/2021 (Permalink)

Mold testing in Hollywood Lakes, FL.

There are several reasons you might suspect you have a mold problem in your commercial building in Hollywood Lakes, FL. Signs include the presence of musty odors. An indoor environmental specialist can help you determine if excessive mold is present even though there are few if any visible signs. This professional should have experience and training in mold-sampling protocols. The specialist should have the equipment to perform tests and the knowledge to accurately interpret the results. The entire procedure should follow methods recommended by the American Industrial Hygiene Association or other professional organizations.

An Accurate Mold Test

When testing for the presence of mold, it is important the test be reliable and accurate. DIY testing kits are likely to produce ambiguous results, making it unclear if mold is actually a problem or if it just exists in small quantities. There are many benefits of working with a qualified indoor environmental specialist:

• Advanced training
• Specialized equipment
• Professional certification
• Clear results
  

A specialist will also work with other technicians to develop a remediation plan. This will ensure that all troublesome mold colonies will be removed in a way that will prevent a reoccurrence of the problem.

A Quality Cleanup

A professional mold remediation franchise has the resources to treat the trickiest situations involving mold growth. SERVPRO technicians are always Here to Help. They have seen it all and they know how to contain the spread of mold and to clean mold from air ducts and other difficult locations. They use best practices for stopping fungal outbreaks with powerful cleaning agents. An indoor environmental specialist is just one of several technicians that ensure a lasting cleanup of your property. Mold will almost never go away on its own and it is resistant to many types of regular cleaning methods. A professional remediation is your best choice.

Expect Water Damage After a Fire

1/6/2021 (Permalink)

Fire damage in Royal Poinciana, FL

After a fire breaks out in your Royal Poinciana, FL, business it may not just be fire damage you have to deal with in the aftermath. Depending on the size of the fire, it may mean hundreds of gallons of water saturating the property. With that much moisture being absorbed into porous materials, the likelihood of water damage and potential mold growth greatly increases.

Common Damaged Areas

As the fire hose unleashes water throughout the building, there are few areas that won’t be affected. After the fire is out, the following should be inspected.

Drywall – This porous material quickly absorbs water, which also makes it a prime location for mold to grow. While some may be salvageable, some of it will need to be replaced.
Flooring – The type of flooring will determine how extensive the cleanup or replacement will be. Wood floors naturally have cracks that water can find its way into. Any signs of staining, buckling, or bubbling indicate the need for replacement.
Ceilings – While the fire damage on the ceiling will be noticeable, a water issue may not. If the fire broke out on a second floor, be sure to inspect the ceilings on the floor below it for signs of trouble.
Personal Belongings – Smoke, soot, and water can wreak havoc on permeable items, such as rugs, clothing, drapery, and upholstery. Different materials are also affected differently, such as wood and metal.

Get Professional Help
While it may be easy to feel at a loss of how to get everything cleaned, there is help that Faster to Any Size Disaster. A certified fire and water restoration company will have the expertise, tools, and techniques to handle both types of damage. Along with restoring the property to its preloss condition, they have an arsenal of cleaning methods to remove all signs of damage from salvageable belongings.
Fire damage alone is overwhelming. Adding a water issue on top of that may seem like it’s a lost cause. Taking quick action and getting the right assistance eases the process.

How To Fix Commercial Irrigation Problems

10/1/2020 (Permalink)

Keep your commercial irrigation system working well with proper maintenance and following troubleshooting methods.

Installing an irrigation system on your commercial property is a wise investment. A green lawn makes your business more appealing to customers without requiring several hours each week moving hoses around the building. Sprinkler systems can malfunction, however, so it's good to know a few troubleshooting tips.

Common Commercial Irrigation Issues:

There are many reasons for a system breakdown. Some irrigation problems require a professional to investigate, while others can be handled by your staff. Regular maintenance can also extend the life of your sprinkler system.

1. Sprinkler Head is Clogged

A clogged sprinkler head is one of the most common problems and the easiest to fix. Dirt, grass cuttings and other debris settle over time and block the sprinkler head. You can identify a clogged head by the uneven or nonexistent spray. Take a wire paper clip and clear the hole. If the head is really dirty, turn off the system and unscrew the head. Soak it for a few minutes before cleaning it with the wire and flushing it with water.

2. Supply Line Has Broken

If a supply line in your irrigation system has broken, there are some situations to watch for.

Joints or pipes can crack, allowing water to seep
The timer or valve exhibit electrical problems
Sprinkler heads cause gushing water
The timer fails because of a bad connection

3. Supply Line is Cracked

As trees grown on your property in Golden Beach, FL the roots can wreak havoc on the supply line. Large root systems clog the pipes and cause breakage to the line. An underground system can also be damaged by excessive foot and bicycle traffic. If you don't have proficient plumbing skills, it's critical to call a professional right away. As water pools on the lawn, it can eventually seep into the building. When that happens, you must contact a water damage repair person to assess the situation.

Keep your commercial irrigation system working well with proper maintenance and following troubleshooting methods.

3 Reasons to Leave Water Damage to a Certified Expert

9/24/2020 (Permalink)

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC)

Your commercial property in Hollywood, FL, is more than just a structure. It shelters employees and customers within it, along with all the necessities to keep your business thriving. When faced with a broken pipe or flooding, you need to be back up and running as quickly as possible. Instead of dealing with water clean up alone, a certified professional has the expertise and know-how to make that happen.

IICRC Certification

When searching for a restoration company, it’s important to ensure the one you choose is certified through The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC). This nonprofit organization certifies professionals based on rigid standards. In order to be certified, a company must be insured, have the required tools for the jobs and technicians who have proven their expertise through a rigorous exam.

Benefits a Water Expert Provides

When it comes to water clean up, it’s likely that you are not an expert in the field. Three main reasons to put your trust in a certified expert include:

Knowledge — Cleaning up water is more than just grabbing a towel. These experts have the tools and techniques to clean and dry your property to ensure mold doesn’t grow and further damage doesn’t happen. They can provide the answers you need and help you understand the process.

Ability — If your business has had extensive flooding and water damage, it’s no small feat to get it back into shape. Along with getting everything dried out, damaged areas will likely need to be replaced including drywall and carpeting. A trained professional handles the entire job for you.

Ethics — Certification goes beyond proving a company can do a job. The IICRC also has high standards for ethics, including a code of ethics that must be followed to maintain certification.

As a professional in you field, you want your customers to see you as a leader in your industry. When it comes to, water clean up you deserve the same high-quality service that you deliver. A certified water expert provides that peace of mind.

3 Surprising Types of Storm Damage

9/24/2020 (Permalink)

Mold damage in Hollywood, FL

Mention storm damage and the average homeowner’s thoughts immediately go to downed tree limbs and the like. But storm damage can include more things, from burst pipes to standing water. Knowing all the risks can help you prepare your Hollywood, FL, home for the worst. Here are three surprising types of storm damage - are you prepared?

What Causes Storm Damage?

Physical storm damage can result from many factors, depending on the type of storm. But the bigger cause of damage is often failure to prepare. Some ways homeowners fail include the following:

• Not securing property debris
• Not replacing old exterior elements, like windows
• Not replacing aging interior elements, like pipes
  
  

Burst Pipes
Pipes typically burst due to cycles of freezing and thawing. Ice forms due to low temperatures, and frozen pipes expand. One or several episodes of this following a winter storm weakens the pipe, leading it to burst. Prevent this by insulating your pipes in advance.

Roof Damage
Wind and even hail can cause major roof problems. Gusts lift shingles, while hail dents and dings them. Both can create openings that let water inside, setting the stage for new problems. Inspect your roof annually and cover holes with heavy-duty tarp.

Mold
Few homeowners associate this common household problem with a storm, but a storm can be what initiates it. Water can get into your home via a pipe burst or roof damage, creating the perfect moist environment for mold to thrive. Prevention can involve the previous tips for pipes, as well as caulking up holes in your home that could let in rising waters during a storm.
Be it a burst pipe or a broken window, storm damage can create high bills that your homeowner’s insurance may not cover. Prepare in advance using these tips from your local water cleanup expert and you’ll be ready for whatever the storm brings.

Cleaning Electronics After a Fire Must Be Done Cautiously

4/22/2020 (Permalink)

Cleaning electronic after a fire

Cleaning Electronics After a Fire Must Be Done Cautiously

Cleanup after an electrical fire (or any other fire, for that matter) takes a lot of effort and, in many cases, considerable skill. Smoke gets everywhere, water damage can be worse than the fire and, in a large fire, a commercial structure can become unsound. When electronics are damaged, they can often be restored, but it must be done very carefully.

Smoke Plays Havoc With Electronics
Most electrical devices have some sort of method for air to get inside. Even most smartphones usually have a way, although manufacturers are starting to produce some phones that are indeed largely airtight. Virtually all other devices will have airflow built into the case.
The damage from smoke to electrical devices is mostly in three forms:

• Smoke particles can be conductive, causing shorts.
  
• Smoke leaves an oily residue, causing overheating.
  
• Smoke can be acid, eating away at protective insulation.
  
  

Some Items Can Be Saved

If heat has significantly damaged the protective outer cover, the item may not be salvageable. Also, if the item was running during an electrical fire, or is run after any fire but before being cleaned, the damage can be permanent. The normal – and most unfortunate – way to determine if an item survived a fire is to plug it in. Bad idea! First, try to determine if smoke has found a way inside; if the exterior has a layer of smoke residue that you can see when wiping your finger on it, it probably needs to be cleaned.

Computer Cleanup Is Possible
If the computer wasn’t running during smoke intrusion, it has an excellent chance of being restored. The same is true for most other electronic items, although an electrical fire can cause damaging voltage spikes.
A computer, in particular, is relatively easy for a professional smoke damage cleanup company in Royal Poinciana, FL, to clean. The motherboard can be removed and cleaned with a mild soap, along with many components. The most critical thing is to prevent the device from being energized until it’s had the smoke residue removed. If only the exterior has smoke damage, you can clean it yourself – just make sure nothing wet gets sprayed inside.

What Are the Standards for Commercial Mold Cleaning?

1/7/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is certified with the IICRC for water, fire, and mold damage.

What Are the Standards for Commercial Mold Cleaning?

Are there mold standards for professional cleanup? What does the government say is required for a building to be deemed sanitized? The United States Department of Labor does have an established guideline, dictating protocols for both commercial and residential property. If your business in Aventura, FL, is impacted by fungus growth, look over the safety manual and guidelines supported by the following organizations: EPA, OSHA, and IICRC. In addition, speak with a mold remediation company about how to get your establishment back up and running. You should witness the following steps.

1. Identify the Affected Regions

When a crew arrives, the workers must determine the origin of the problem as well as the extent of mold clean up. This may require testing, especially if the growth is not visible. The initial issue needs repair first. Then, allow experts to isolate the polluted area, preventing it from spreading. Do not permit employees into the space. In fact, the team should establish a boundary, trapping air into a certain location and preventing others from dragging spores into other rooms.

2. Prioritize Pollution Removal

The mold standards emphasize tearing out contamination above using cleaners. Sprays may be used to kill microbes; however, biocides such as bleach do not penetrate the porous substances, making it hard to determine whether fungus has truly been killed completely. Impacted structures such as carpet pads, drywall, and baseboards absorb moisture; thus, they should be thrown away and replaced with something new.

3. Use Industrial Equipment

Black mold decomposes, chewing away at wood and other organic matter. If it's missed, it could mean the structural integrity could be compromised. When your workers arrive, they should begin to remove moisture, cutting off the mold's source. The air handler isn't sufficient. Dehumidifiers should be used.
Yes, there are mold standards. Before you begin work on your establishment, look them over and speak with experts about how they intend to clean your place.

Commercial Cleaning Can Maximize your Profit

9/26/2019 (Permalink)

Your workers deserve a clean fresh environment.

As studies show that a clean workplace can improve moral and increase productivity of the workers, it is important to know that your workplace is as effective as it can be in this regard. An office can seem to be busing along at full efficiency on the surface, people are sitting nose to the grindstone working hard and “getting on with it”, but is that actually what is going on or is this image just what is expected?

If people are not happy in their workplace they often hunker down and look very busy, but the truth may be totally different. If the person who is hunkered down is suffering from low morale, feeling unappreciated and does not want to be there, how would you tell and would it really matter if they are getting on with their job? Well, actually yes it does matter, it matters a lot.

You see someone who is feeling like that is working hard but they are not being as productive as they could be. Their mind is distracted. They would rather be somewhere else, anywhere else but here, and that is ticking along in the back of their mind. They are robotically carrying out procedures and completing tasks but there is no flair, no imagination and most importantly no incentive. To be honest they do not really care whether what they do is constructive or not. You see people who have to work in a dirty environment feel that the bosses do not care. They feel like numbers not people and as such they have no real loyalty to the business or drive to excel.

If this was true of your sales office you would not be making many sales. Sales people need to have energy and drive, they need to have a desire to pull in the customers and to seal that deal. They can only do this in a clean fresh environment. Even if they come in first thing in the morning all rearing to go, a dirty environment will gradually bring them down. Not even consciously, but by mid-morning or lunch time they will be feeling deflated as they look for things behind and around yesterday’s dirty mugs, or paper cups that will not fit in the recycling bin.

So it is very important that your employees have a clean workplace, clean toilets and clean rest areas and kitchens. This will not only improve their moral, lift their energy and make them feel pleased to work here, it will also keep germs at bay so that people are working in a much healthier environment and this will show by less absenteeism.

Having seen the detriment, it can do to a business to not have a clean and healthy workplace. Then it makes so much sense to have a good cleaning regime. If you think your cleaning regime is not doing the job, then we are happy to talk to you about what could be done to improve the working environment of your staff.

Prevent Mold Growth In Your Hollywood Business

7/3/2019 (Permalink)

Many times, mold can be avoided by following these tips.

Preventing Mold Growth.

SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura is licensed in mold remediation. We hope you never have a mold problem.

Mold starts growing within 24 hours of exposure to moisture.

To prevent mold from getting a start in your office building, SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura suggests:

• Elevate equipment above floor when possible
• Repair leaky pipes
• Remove any damp areas near sinks and tubs
• Maintain humidity below 40%
• Use water-resistant materials when you build or rebuild. Materials include:
• galvanized or stainless-steel hardware
• waterproof wallboard
• tile
• sealed stone
• sealed concrete
• water-resistant glues
• synthetic fibers
• Use gutters to divert rain water
• Landscape, so water moves away from the house
• Cover dirt in crawl spaces. Moisture can seep up through dirt
• Ventilate as much as possible

Important:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines a “large amount” of mold as 10 square feet or more. The EPA rules that only licensed professionals can remediate large areas.

You cannot prevent storms or floods. However, if a storm or flood affects you, we can help you clean up the damage.

Links:

https://www.fema.gov/pdf/rebuild/recover/fema_mold_brochure_english.pdf

Tips to Keep Your Golden Beach Employees Safe During a Storm

7/3/2019 (Permalink)

Safety first! Always be prepared before disaster strikes.

Floods in Golden Beach:

Floods are the most common natural disaster in the U.S.  Flooding can happen near major bodies of water, but also inland.

Floods can develop slowly or quickly. Floods that come with no warning are known as flash floods.

Floods:

• Come from rain, snow, hurricanes, tornadoes, and storm surges
• Overflows of dams or other water systems
• Can cause power or water outages
• Damage buildings
• Create landslides
• Make roads impassable
• Sweep away people, animals, or cars

If you are in a flood in Golden Beach:

• If you have a warning, get to a safe place
• Don’t drive around barricades 
• Don’t walk, swim, or drive through flood waters.  SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura likes the warning, “Turn around! Don’t Drown!”
• 6 inches of moving water can knock a person down. 12 inches of moving water can sweep a car away
• Stay off bridges over fast-moving water. The water can wash bridges away
• If your car is trapped in quickly-moving water, stay inside. If the water rises inside the vehicle, climb onto the roof
• If you are trapped in a building, go to the highest level. Do NOT climb into a closed attic. Floodwater can trap you. Go to the roof only if there is no other escape

Links:

https://www.ready.gov/floods 

https://www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program

Fire Prevention in Hollywood Florida

7/2/2019 (Permalink)

Arson's cause unnecessary fires each year.

SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura wants you to be aware of the causes of fire damage and fire injuries so that you can help prevent them.

Common Causes of Fires:

• Arson & intentional fires. An “intentional fire” is one that is not set to cause harm, but it gets out of control. Arson is a fire that is set to cause harm. Most of the time, arson and intentional fires are set outside. Deaths, injuries, and fire damage usually happen indoors
• Cooking. Kitchen fires are the leading cause of home fire injuries and home fire damage
• Electrical. Use all electrical equipment according to the directions
• Heating. Heating equipment is the second most common cause of deaths in home fires
  December, January, and February are the months that have the most home heating fires
• Smoking. Cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other smoking materials are the biggest cause of fire deaths in the U.S. Think of preventing tragedy when explaining why to quit smoking
• Children. Children should never be left alone with matches, lighters, candles, or other dangerous materials. Children playing with fire cause hundreds of deaths and injuries every year

Please pay attention to fire safety. While we can help to restore your home or office, prevention and family safety should always come first. Share this blog with a friend who might want to learn more about fire prevention. Remember, it's easier to prepare to avoid disaster in Hollywood, than it is to repair the damage from negligence.

Links:
https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Top-causes-of-fire

OSHA Guidelines For Fire Extinguishers

7/2/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura knows that the proper use of fire extinguishers can prevent fire from destroying lives.

Owning a fire extinguisher is not enough.  The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) requires that employers train their employees how and when to use fire extinguishers. They must provide the training shortly after the employee is hired, and then every year thereafter.

OSHA does not allow untrained employees to use a fire extinguisher.

OSHA also requires monthly inspections of the fire extinguishers.

Fire extinguishers have to be placed where they cannot be moved or damaged..

The carrying handle should be 3-¹/₂ to 5 feet above the floor.

Employees must know when to use fire extinguishers.

SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura suggests asking yourself these questions regarding fire extinguishers.  

• Have I pulled the fire alarm?
• Is the fire extinguisher easy to reach?
• Do I know how to use it?
• Is the fire contained in a small area?
• Is the smoke non-toxic?
• Can everyone get out?
• Do I have an escape route?

If you can answer “yes” to all of the questions, it is reasonable to use the fire extinguisher.

SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura reminds you that fire is fast. If you cannot contain it within 30 seconds, get everyone out of the area. Call 9-1-1 once you are outside.

Links:

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/emergencypreparedness/index.html

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.157

https://www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/fire-and-life-safety-equipment/fire-extinguishers

Preparing Your Business for the Holiday Season

12/7/2018 (Permalink)

No matter how your store operates, there are inevitably extra measures that should be taken during the holiday season.

The holiday season is a busy time of year for businesses of all kinds. From busier days to longer nights, those organizations who fail to properly plan for the November and December rush may face some major problems. With holiday cheer and holiday decorations comes higher foot traffic in stores, more cars on the roads, and bigger risks within the walls of small businesses throughout South Florida.

Keeping holiday spirits up means setting up your employees to succeed and making sure your customers are treated right. Keep the following tips in mind while preparing your business for the holiday season:

• Consider hiring seasonal employees to handle the rush
• Create a detailed calendar that goes over important dates for your staff
• Re-train the staff on ways to handle more customers and longer hours
• Implement a security system that handles both potential outside threats as well as employee theft
• Maintain a safe workplace environment by choosing smart decorations
• Plan carefully to ensure adequate inventory

No matter how your store operates, there are inevitably extra measures that should be taken during the holiday season. Be sure to keep safety at the forefront of your planning and happy holidays!

Minimizing Safety Hazards in the Workplace

8/26/2018 (Permalink)

The following are some important tasks in the effort to minimize safety hazards in the workplace.

Protecting both your workers and your customers from workplace injuries is extremely important. Employers are tasked with the responsibility to create a safe environment for anyone stepping foot on their commercial property, and this can seem like an overwhelmingly daunting and stressful duty. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), over 4,000 workers in the United States were killed on the job in 2014. The construction industry leads the pack in terms of the most workplace fatalities. However, workplace injuries are far more common and are the focus of our article today.

The ability to minimize safety risks in the workplace while educating the staff about their possible risks is imperative to keeping everyone as safe as possible. Both routine plans and emergency plans should be set in stone and communicated to the entire workforce. The following are some important tasks in the effort to minimize safety hazards in the workplace:

• Clearly communicate all safety and health policies to entire staff
• Pay special attention to things like slippery flooring and poor lighting, as slip and fall accidents account for about one-third of all workplace injuries
• Survey the entire property to identify any and all possible risks
• Prominently display safety information throughout the property
• Be aware of fire safety standards
• Keep the property clean at all times
• Encourage feedback from staff and customers regarding safety improvements
• Update safety policies and procedures at least once per year

While some industries are known to be “dangerous” and procedures are in place accordingly, other industries that are deemed “safe” may fall through the cracks and not be prepared for workplace accidents. Whether you are an employer or an employee, it is important to take an active role in ensuring that proper workplace safety measures are taken and enforced at all times.

Tips for Business Owners to Reduce Liability Claims

5/29/2018 (Permalink)

Being aware of the possibility of a liability claim is the first step in being proactive to prevent this from happening.

General liability insurance claims are those that typically come from either your customers or your vendors. As a small business owner, the ability to reduce the risk of these potential lawsuits is imperative for keeping your business running smoothly. One of the most common claims comes from slip and fall accidents. In these situations, a customer is walking through your store when they fall on the wet floor, causing injury or damages. In this scenario, the business is often held responsible for the accident and will therefore be liable for any type of injury or any damage that the fall caused. Being aware of the possibility of a liability claim is the first step in being proactive to prevent this from happening.

While there are certainly things out of the hands of a business owner, preemptive measures can absolutely be taken to reduce the likelihood of something like that occurring. Keep the following tips in mind to reduce liability claims in your business:

• Be sure to keep the store well-lit so that customers can see where they are walking. We also advise that you conduct emergency lighting system checks each month.
• Keep floors and carpeting as clean as possible. Place signage in areas that could be deemed a potential walking hazard.
• Install handrails on any stairways in the building.
• When a spill occurs, place an employee near the spill to warn customers until the spill is properly cleaned.
• Keep the bathrooms extremely tidy.
• Check the outside walkways near your store and look for any potential hazards.
• Keep trash and any other clutter away from the areas where customers walk.
• Be aware of condensation drips from things like air conditioners and refrigerators.
• Avoid the use of extension cords and other dangerous items in areas where foot traffic is heavy.

General liability insurance is crucial for business owners. However, it is important to continually make improvements to keep your store as safe as possible for all of your patrons. If you are in search of a reliable, professional commercial restoration and cleaning service, contact SERVPRO at your earliest convenience!

Keeping Your Business Protected in Storms

3/21/2018 (Permalink)

With heavy rains and high winds, it is important to prepare. Commercial water damage can be stressful, but SERVPRO is here to help!

While we just welcomed the spring season, South Florida residents know that the rains are about to come. From the spring to the summer months, our region of the state is often deals with afternoon showers on a daily basis. Protecting your commercial property form severe storms is critical for business owners of all kinds. Last year, Hurricane Irma was a reminder of just how serious Florida storms can be. When a big storm is approaching, the best strategy for business owners is to be proactive it preparedness in order to protect your employees, your property, and your business as a whole.

Minimizing damage is essential for your business in the event of a major rainstorm. Things like high winds and heavy rain can do a lot more damage than many would think. As such, it is important to take careful note of the following tips for keeping your business protected in storms:

• Remain watchful of storm forecasts to give yourself plenty of time to prepare
• Make sure that your employees all have specific action plans in place
• Keep your staff contact list updated and readily available
• Check your utilities to make sure that your lines are not connected
• Ensure that your landscaping is trimmed and prepared for storm winds
• Unclog your gutters
• Double check your fire protection equipment
• Remove any potential debris from the commercial property
• Give your staff ample time to leave and prepare their own homes

With heavy rains and high winds, it is important to prepare sooner rather than later. Commercial water damage can be stressful, but SERVPRO is here to make sure that you can go back to business as usual as soon as possible following a large storm. Our team of commercial property damage professionals will take care of your property like it’s our own! Call us today to learn more!

Always here to help

3/2/2018 (Permalink)

A trusted leader in the industry with over 1,700 franchises, when tragedy strikes SERVPRO® is always here to help. 

SERVPRO® of Hollywood/ Hallandale/ Aventura has been serving the community since 1991. We are dedicated to helping our customers when disaster strikes and the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration service. Helping to make it “Like it never even happened.” we are ready 24/7, 365 days of the year, at (954) 921- 8992. We are certified mold assessors, remediators, and contractor. 

Our crews are readily available to assist in any size disaster, whether it is a water damage, mold, or fire. We also provide, duct cleaning, upholstery cleaning, carpet cleaning, and general cleaning for your home and business.  

#SERVPROHollywoodHallandaleAventura #SERVPRO #LikeItNeverEvenHappened #HereToHelp  #Water #Fire #Mold #Restoration

Be prepared with a SERVPRO Emergency Ready Plan

3/1/2018 (Permalink)

Whether it is for a home or business, it is important to always be prepared for a fire or water damage emergency.

SERVPRO has set in place an app called "The SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile." Which you create to condense all necessary information within one easy to access plan both you and we can view and follow. No time needs to be lost in those critical minutes and hours after the firefighters leave the premises when your ERP is current. We assess your apartment complex prior to any disaster at no cost, helping you identify the things that will be most important to get you and your tenants back into the building, safe and healthy. Everything from identifying key personnel within your business to authorize work up to where shut off valves are located to be readily available to our commercial restoration technicians so we can move forward with no hesitation or delay in beginning the restoration process. 

Restaurant Water Damage in South Florida

2/10/2018 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO, our team of water damage experts specialize in cleaning up and restoring water damage in restaurants.

Water damage of any capacity is a struggle for commercial property owners of all kinds. From structural damage to lost profits and from damaged products to added stress, being a business owner in South Florida means paying attention to the potential of water damage from heavy rains, storms, or a variety of natural disasters. Restaurant owners must be particularly aware of this potential threat to their business for a multitude of reasons. First and foremost, restaurants use a lot of water, especially compared to other businesses. Secondly, restaurants serve food and therefore must be hyperaware of the quality of their food inventory. Finally, the health codes, safety procedures, and sanitary standards of a restaurant are closely monitored and a water damage issue can mean shutting down the business for days or weeks at a time.

The consequences of water damage in a restaurant are far-reaching and the costs associated with renovation could be sizable, depending on the exact severity of the water damage incurred. From sanitation concerns to fiscal worries, restaurant owners should be proactive in preventing water damage from occurring in the first place. Unfortunately, however, some restaurant water damage is unavoidable. A few of the most common causes of water damage in restaurants include:

• Cracked, leaking, or bursting water mains
• Restaurant sprinkler systems
• Flooding from heavy storms or hurricanes
• Water overflows in the kitchen or bathroom
• Clogged drains in the kitchen or bathroom

No matter what the cause of the restaurant water damage may be, tackling the problem immediately is essential. From mold growth to structural damage, hiring a professional commercial water damage company is vital to removing water and saving both time and money. At SERVPRO, our team of water damage experts specialize in cleaning up and restoring water damage in restaurants. Reopening a restaurant after water damage depends largely on the quality of the restoration and our team is dedicated to providing the expertise and professionalism that it takes to get a restaurant back up and running in no time. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help!

Keeping Your Commercial Property Safe This Holiday Season

12/6/2017 (Permalink)

Taking extra precautions this season will help to ease your mind, keep your employees safe, and ensure that you have a happy, stress-free holiday.

December is the time of year for holiday cheer, friends, family, and wonderful social gatherings. Unfortunately, this season also marks a time for potential safety issues in commercial buildings of all kinds. Criminal activity often spikes during the holiday months and this can mean anything from property damage to fraudulent acts. While it is important to keep your office or retail space safe the entire year, taking extra precautions this season will help to ease your mind, keep your employees safe, and ensure that you have a happy, stress-free holiday.

There is nothing quite like feeling of peace of mind when you lock up your commercial space every night. Business owners have enough to worry about on a daily basis. As such, the safety and security of their property should be one thing you can check off of your list. Keep the following tips in mind in order ensure that your commercial property is safe this holiday season:

• Invest in a great alarm system
• Install security cameras
• Integrate your security system with your phone or tablet to keep an eye on the building at all times
• Purchase high-security locks
• Make sure that all of your employees are well-versed on the protocols associated with closing down the store each night
• Take regular inventory of your property
• Make sure the property is well lit
• Keep a minimum amount of cash in your commercial space
• Post signage to inform the public of the security measures that you are taking

As a business owner, your commercial property is almost as important as your residential property. Therefore, it is important to be on high-alert this holiday season to ensure that you are keeping your business and your staff as safe as possible. Once you have a safety plan ironed out, it’s time to consider your storefront’s exterior and interior look. Your commercial property’s appearance speaks volumes to your clients. So, when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services, SERVPRO of Hollywood / Hallandale / Aventura has the training and expertise to help make it “Like it never even happened.”

Post-Construction Cleanup Ensures a Spic-and-Span Environment for Your New Building

6/20/2017 (Permalink)

Your new building or remodeling is finally complete, after months and months of planning and construction. So you’re all ready to move in, right?

Not so fast! Good contractors clean up their supplies and tools, dispose of the trash and remnants of their materials and get your new space to a point where it’s considered “move-in ready.” But that doesn’t mean it’s ready for people to sit down and work. You need one last thing before opening the doors: a post-construction cleanup.

When a construction team leaves a site they also leave behind things not always noticeable (but sometimes very noticeable), like dust, grit, wood particles, window film and other dirt that needs to be cleaned before you invite employees into the space.

Giving your new area a thorough once-over will not only make everything clean, but it will make employees feel even better about their new digs. When Jack’s Maintenance performs a post-construction cleanup, we take care of these and other areas, some of which you might not expect to gather dust and grime (but that certainly do!):

Inside cabinets and desks. Much of the drywall dust and sawdust will end up in these spots, so we vacuum or wipe until it’s gone
Ceiling tiles, vent covers and exposed pipes. Another spot where dust lands and recirculates through the air – not ideal, especially for people with allergies or respiratory problems
Furniture surfaces, frames and padding. New or old, your furniture will attract and hold dust and grime, particularly the padding. We wipe and/or vacuum ‘til it shines! Some of these items will have adhesive labels affixed to them, and a good post-construction cleanup will involve using the right products to remove them safely
Light fixtures. Ceiling fixtures and desk lamps both attract dust, which can reduce the efficiency of the bulbs. We use the right techniques to remove anything left behind by the contractor
Carpet and flooring. This is usually the last spot we clean when we do post-construction cleanups because it’s the dirtiest by far! All the traffic, dust and dirt lands here, so we take special care to get them in top shape
Stairwells. Railings and steps tend to get lots of use even during construction, so we get every nook and cranny prior to you occupying the building
Elevators, interior and exterior. This over over-looked spot gets plenty of foot traffic and fingerprints, so we wipe it all down until it’s sparkling clean
Walls. Believe it or not, walls hold on to dust, and certain wall textures hold on to it better than others. We’ll wipe or dust the walls to remove any drywall dust that’s hanging on
Windows. Windows grab on to particles in the air and will eventually look filmy. We focus on the window itself and the sills and tracks, where the “real” dirt is
Post-construction cleaning leaves a place smelling fresh, looking “shiny new,” and prevents all of that dust and grime from dulling the finishes and eroding the appearance of your new space. If you’re in the process of remodeling or building a new facility, don’t forget the critical last step of getting it cleaned and ready for work!

Commercial Cleaning on a Budget

6/20/2017 (Permalink)

Whether you are a large company or a one-man business Commercial Cleaning is something you cannot ignore. For big business not having a clean environment for your staff to work in is one of the worst economies you can make. A dirty work area is bad for moral, wastes valuable work time and can be detrimental to the health of your staff.
As a worker if you work in a dirty environment there is only so much you can take, so after a while you have to stop your paid work to clean up. Emptying bins, washing cups or just generally dusting machinery and work surfaces, has to be done sometimes. No one enjoys picking up a dirty phone or dialling on a grease covered keypad. These are the sort of things that build up when proper cleaning services are not used. As a worker it distracts you from what you are paid to do and as a boss, why are you paying trained or qualified staff to empty bins? If you are the boss cleaning your own work space, then this is an unproductive waste of your time.

When you are on a tight budget as everyone is nowadays, cleaning may seem to be a big outlay for no return, but the actual return you gain is more productivity from your staff, more focussed work and direct action. Everyone needs to drink liquids through the day, so eventually the cups have to be washed and someone has to do it. So what you need to consider is exactly what you need cleaners to do. This may seem obvious but when you start to look at cleaning companies in the area you start to realise not every corporate cleaning company is the same.

First what needs doing to keep your offices clean and tidy? Do the bins need emptying daily or twice weekly? Do you need the carpet hoovering and the floor moped in the kitchens or dining areas, and how often? Who washes the mugs, or do you use vending machine cups and if so does this cause a need for more bins to be emptied. Do your kitchens stay fairly clean or do people leave them in a mess? If they are in a mess they can definitely be a health hazard if not cleaned daily. The toilets are another area that really need cleaning daily in a big company. This is an area that should not be left to chance and if you are a really big company or in the food business then more than once a day may be necessary.

Commercial Building Automation Market - Global Industry, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024

4/3/2017 (Permalink)

One of the major factors driving the market for commercial building automation is increasing demand from key end user such as retail, healthcare, offices and hospitality sector among others. According to UNEP (United Nations Environment Program), buildings contribute to about one third of the total greenhouse gas emissions, mainly due to the usage of fossil fuels. In addition, a slow but gradual evolution of IoT sensors based technology has resulted in the emergence of solutions which are significantly more intelligent and have the ability to analyze granular aspects of buildings such as space utilization, gauging occupant's comfort levels and similar derive business intelligence.

Global Commercial Building Automation Market: Segmentation

Power supply, interfacing components, room automation, HVAC systems, security & surveillance, illumination & light sensors and others sectors are the various product types of the commercial building automation market. The power supply market is further segmented into UPS, battery modules and others. The interfacing components is further sub segmented into router, couplers and others. The room automation is further being sub segmented into I/O module, actuators & actuators module, controllers and others. Based on the various product types of commercial building automation, the HVAC systems segment constituted the biggest market share, followed by the security and surveillance segment, in 2015. Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) System is a technology used in building automation for vehicular and indoor environmental comfort. The heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) are largely served in offices, healthcare, retail and hospitality sector among others, therefore, it holds the largest market among all the segments in the commercial building automation market.

By type of material, the market is divided into lighting control and regulation, interfacing and inter-working with other building systems, blind and shutter control , temperature control and regulation, energy and load management, security and fault monitoring, visualization & remote control and monitoring, reporting, display. In 2015, based on material types, the temperature control and regulation segment held the largest market share followed by the lighting control and regulation segment.

The commercial building automation market has been segmented on the basis of end use into offices, retail, hospitality sector, healthcare and others. The retail segment constituted the largest market share, followed by the offices segment, in 2015. The major reason for this growth is attributed to the ability of commercial building automation to raise profit by reducing energy and operating costs in retail shops. In addition, adoption of building automation in retail stores makes life easier. It not only smoothens the management of the retail store regulating system, such as temperature and light, but also provides a host of other services such as video surveillance, HVAC services, easier energy management, and efficient security system.

Moreover, the use of building automation in retail shops represented the largest market share in the global commercial building automation market in 2015. This is primarily due to an increase in the use of building automation in enclosed malls and individual shops. Commercial building automation in retail stores has a number of uses, such as providing security to the owner of parked cars, to conserve energy and offering a great ambience.

By geography, the commercial building automation market has been broken down into four regions namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW). Presently, North America held the major share of the market, followed by Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World (RoW).

Global Commercial Building Automation Market: Key Trends

Government initiatives for constructing green buildings and rise in green building construction by several different companies are the major factors driving the market for commercial building automation market during the forecast period of 2016 – 2024. Green buildings are constructed using recycled waste resources from construction sites. Increased demand for green building materials has been observed in the residential buildings and office & commercial buildings segments. The other factors driving the market for commercial building automation market is increasing awareness about the advantages of green building which in turn boosting the commercial building automation market during the forecast period of 2016 – 2024.

Global Commercial Building Automation Market: Key players mentioned in the report

Key players profiled in this report include ABB Ltd. (Switzerland), Cisco Systems Inc. (United States), Honeywell International Inc. (United States), Hubbell Inc. (United States), Ingersoll Rand Plc. (Ireland), Johnson Controls International plc. (United States), Robert Bosch GmbH (Germany), Schneider Electric SE (France), United Technologies Corp. (United States) and Siemens AG (Germany).

The segments covered in the Commercial building automation market are as follows:

Global Commercial Building Automation Market: By Product Type

Power Supply
UPS
Battery Modules
Others
Interfacing Components
Router
Couplers
Others
Room Automation
I/O Module
Actuators & Actuators Module
Controllers
Others
HVAC Systems
Security and Surveillance
Illumination and Light Sensors
Others

Global Commercial Building Automation Market: By Material Type

Lighting Control and Regulation
Interfacing and Inter-working with other Building Systems
Blind and Shutter Control
Temperature Control and Regulation
Energy and Load Management
Security and Fault Monitoring
Visualization and Remote Control
Monitoring, Reporting, Display
Others

Global Commercial Building Automation Market: By End Use Type

Offices
Retail
Hospitality Sector
Healthcare
Others

Global Commercial Building Automation Market: By Geography

North America
U.S.
Canada
Mexico
Europe
U.K.
Germany
France
Italy
Rest of Europe
Asia Pacific
India
China
Japan
Rest of Asia Pacific
Rest of the World (RoW)
Middle East
Latin America
Africa

Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4662495/

SERVPRO Provides Commercial Services

12/1/2015 (Permalink)

Make sure you choose the SERVPRO way!

Cleaning and restoring commercial properties requires a blend of proper training, experience, and equipment. SERVPRO® of Hollywood/ Hallandale/ Aventura has the resources and expertise to give you excellent results, providing an immediate and efficient work process, while minimizing the disruption to your clients. We can help make it "Like it never even happened."

• Small Office Buildings
• Large/High-Rise Office Buildings
• Apartment Buildings
• Restaurants
• Hotels/Motels
• Small Retail Stores
• Large Retail/Big-box Stores
• High-rise Residential Buildings
• Manufacturing & Industrial Facilities
• Government/Military Buildings
• Churches/Public Buildings

All commercial work performed by SERVPRO® of Hollywood/ Hallandale/ Aventura is acknowledged to have high status. Our franchise understands the importance of maintaining a business' name away from being besmirched. As we share the same belief; being one of many franchises that share the name of SERVPRO®.