What Are the Common Water Damage Problems in Commercial Property?

4/14/2022 (Permalink)

Handling commercial water damage is not an easy task. As a commercial property owner or manager, you are probably aware that water can not only cause damage to the interior of your building but the exterior and landscape of your property.

Some factors that need to be considered when assessing the time needed to restore a commercial property are the cause of damage and how long a structure has been damaged.

Below are a few of the common causes of commercial water damage and the different restoration services that can be used to address them.

Natural Causes

Acts of nature can impact commercial buildings just as much as residential buildings. Hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and flooding can be detrimental to high-rise buildings which are often commercial buildings.

Leaks

One of the most common causes of leaks in commercial buildings is poor construction practices. Inadequate foundation drainage systems and poorly maintained roofing materials can cause parts of the building to sag if ignored.

Broken Water Pipes

Broken water pipes can shut down a whole building if not managed properly. Broken water supply pipes can flood a building, but a broken sewage pipe can create an even bigger mess. Sewage can bring “blackwater” with it, creating not only a water damage issue but also a biohazard issue.

Emergency Service

SERVPRO of Highland Village is open 24/7 for emergency situations. Flooding, water leaks, and sewage leaks can create the need for emergency services. Call us for immediate help during these situations.

If you have experienced water damage in your business, call us at (940) 241-3434.

Why is Commercial Fire Damage Restoration So Important?

4/14/2022 (Permalink)

The level of fire damage varies greatly depending on the severity of the fire. A small electrical short circuit might only cause minimal damage to specific items within a commercial building. However, if the fire resulted from a gas leak or a natural disaster, the scope of the damage can be much more significant.

The first step in restoration after a fire is to evaluate the damage caused to the structure.  Depending on the materials and age of the building, the damage may be relatively minor or may require a structural inspection. This step of structural analysis is necessary before any renovations or rebuilding can take place. 

The building's actual cash value should be established before finding out the value of everything damaged. This includes furniture, electronic equipment, jewelry, clothing, and carpeting. It would also be a good idea to have an appraisal for any wood or metal fixtures. Sometimes, when a building suffers water damage, it will have an overall discounted value determined by the amount of wood and material damaged and the structural elements' condition. This is often used as a factor in determining the replacement cost for a damaged building. However, in some cases, such as with a damaged roof or entire floor, the property's actual cash value cannot be determined since it will be challenging to determine the exact condition of the structure without actually seeing it.

Once values have been determined, it is time to plan what will need to be done to restore the property to its pre-incident condition. Some risks commonly associated with fire damage restoration include soot damage repair, smoke damage repair, and mold remediation. The floor may need to be replaced on every level. If there is water damage from fire fighting efforts, this could result in subfloor damage. If electrical service was affected by smoke, the electrical subflooring may need to also be addressed.

If a building has suffered severe fire damage, it is essential to remediate any water damage that may have occurred as soon as possible. The longer a property sits without restoration, the more costly and time-consuming the project will become. Immediately contacting a professional fire restoration company to assess and remediate the damage is essential in properly restoring a property to its preloss condition.

Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial fire damage restoration is caused by a wide range of factors. Firefighting operations, smoke, and windows broken in the course of fighting the fire all result in equipment loss. Buildings can also sustain damage from water, due to fighting the fire. The damage can also result from breakdowns of machinery or faulty operations.

To restore your property to its original state after commercial fire damage, many different steps must be taken. In the beginning, it is vital to determine the cause of the fire damage. For example, the burning of oil can lead to leaks if the fuel levels are not maintained properly or if the fire is difficult to control.

Following the determination of the cause of the fire damage, you can begin searching for a commercial fire damage restoration company. If you are faced with an immediate emergency the best thing to do is to reach out to your local fire department. While a restoration company is important, they could not help with the actual flames. Some fire departments have lists of companies that they like to refer also and can provide this information.

After that, it is best to look at your budget as a company. The cost of restoring a damaged building can be pretty expensive and might hit close to a set budget for to cost of repair, especially if you are not going through insurance. So that is helpful to keep in mind when choosing who to go for.

Commercial Fire Damage Restoration includes the process of erasing some flammable matters that are in the building following the fire. In many cases, the firefighter unit will demand the destruction of distinguishing areas, such as certain walls or furniture. Therefore, before they can carry on the devastation of these parts, you will need to confirm you see the district's fundamental completeness before introducing some plans to eliminate the articles.

How Do Commercial Water Damage Restoration Services Operate?

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial water damage restoration can be a complicated process, and many companies are unprepared when it comes to having a company in place to mitigate water damage. Commercial restoration services can include flood cleanup, asbestos abatement, and mold remediation. It is important to have a plan in place when something goes wrong in a commercial building, as these buildings have different structural properties.

After hurricanes, fires, or other disasters, SERVPRO of Highland Village can help to restore your commercial building to its original condition with our expertise in the commercial building realm. Certified IICRC water restoration technicians are available 24/7 to provide prompt service and knowledge.

There are many contributing factors to commercial water damage such as fires, heavy rain, wind, snow, and ice. The leading causes of commercial property damage in the United States are hurricanes and flooding.

After flooding inside a commercial building, it is essential to hire a company with the right credentials and proper expertise to deal with your unique situation. Using advanced technologies and equipment, we can help keep costs down and get your property back in working order as soon as possible. Restoring and replacing materials within the structure is typically part of the restoration process.

If your commercial property is in need of restoration, please contact us at (940) 241-3434.

Factors That Affect Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

4/12/2022 (Permalink)

There are a few factors that determine fire damage restoration cost. The way in which a fire was started is one of the biggest factors in the cost of restoration. Carbon monoxide is one of the reasons larger fires can start.

Carbon monoxide can be eliminated through the use of specific commercial cleaners. These cleaners will effectively eliminate any presence of carbon monoxide in the air. These cleaners can also eliminate the presence of oxygen in a building. If the temperature outside is high enough it can be incredibly difficult to extinguish a fire using traditional means. The presence of carbon monoxide during commercial fire damage restoration can make restoration extremely difficult.

Many buildings that have had large fires will need to be completely gutted and rebuilt in order for restoration to take place. Smaller fires may have been contained to one room, but many buildings have entire offices and warehouses that have been affected by smoke and soot and will need to be restored. It is important to consult a commercial fire restoration company in order to determine the scope and extent of the damage to the property.

The cost of the restoration process will vary depending on the type of damage that has occurred. For instance, the cost of water damage restoration will be different than the cost of electrical or structural damage restoration. The type of business building will also determine the commercial restoration cost. 

Once the restoration company has determined what is needed to restore the property to its preloss condition, an estimated cost and time for restoration can be given. The cost of smoke and fire damage restoration can be overwhelming. It is suggested that an insurance policy that will cover necessary repairs is in place in order to cover what is lost, including personal items within a building.

How Dangerous is Water?

3/3/2022 (Permalink)

For some small business owners, the worst nightmare has become a reality. What would you do if you opened your doors for the day and there is water pouring from where your ceiling used to be? A damaged toilet supply line could mean the difference between having a ceiling and not having a ceiling.

The water damage in our example was caused by a leak from an old toilet supply line. Once the supply line gave out, water flooded multiple rooms on the second floor and soon found its way into the sub-floor between the second floor and first floor. Once enough water had pooled in the sub-floor, the weight collapsed the floor/ceiling and began to flood the first floor.

This business owner knew that time is of the essence when it comes to water damage, so they called us to begin mitigation services as soon as possible. In order to prevent further damage, it is important to turn off the main water supply to the structure. After the water has been turned off, any standing water in the building needs to be removed. Drying equipment may be utilized in order to draw out any water that can not be seen as easily. Some materials may have been damaged beyond repair during the water loss and will need to be removed as part of the mitigation process. These materials may include drywall from the walls and ceiling, carpet, carpet pad, and insulation.

Once the structure has been dried out completely, the reconstruction process can begin. Contact us about our mitigation and reconstruction services today!

Your Business and SERVPRO

12/2/2021 (Permalink)

A business owner’s worst nightmare is walking into their office and it is underwater. SERVPRO of Highland Village is equipped to handle these situations quickly and efficiently in order to get your business back up and running as soon as possible. As one of the nation’s leading fire and water restoration companies, we have the knowledge and expertise on how to properly restore your property. With over 50 independently owned and operated franchises in the DFW area and over 1300 franchise locations across the country, the SERVPRO System has unmatched and nearly unlimited resources for equipment and field expertise. This knowledge and these resources are what make SERVPRO stand out amongst our competitors. SERVPRO has been working since 1967 on gaining and maintaining customers’ trust through completing exceptional work and building lasting relationships. If your business is in need of water remediation, fire restoration, mold remediation, or biohazard cleanup, don’t forget to give SERVPRO of Highland Village a call.

Drying Commercial Carpet

10/15/2021 (Permalink)

This hallway shows where the water intrusion has stopped.

Commercial properties need to keep their business running more often than not, so when water damages these properties, time is of the essence. In this church, a coffee maker’s water supply line burst, flooding the room and hallway with water. In many commercial buildings, the carpet that is used is glued directly to the concrete and does not typically have a pad installed between the carpet and the concrete. This can make the drying process more simple, but drying may take longer. Cove base is pulled off of the wall and holes are poked behind where the cove base was glued in order to dry the walls and carpet more effectively. After the drying process has been completed, the cove base is reinstalled and the affected area is left "Like it never even happened."

Be Prepared with an Emergency Ready Plan

9/28/2021 (Permalink)

A flooded business' workout room in Corral City.

Water can create damage in your business that can keep you from being open for your customers. In this resident center workout room, a clogged outside drain prohibited water from being directed away from the building, resulting in water flowing into this workout room and a few other rooms in the building. Not wanting any downtime--or mold growth, this resident center in Corral City called us to be able to extract water immediately and dry down the flooring and walls. Being organized and calm in these emergency situations is key in order to get your business back up and running as soon as possible. Be ready for any emergency at your business by signing up with SERVPRO of Highland Village for an Emergency Ready Plan today!

How SERVPRO Can Help Small Business

7/15/2021 (Permalink)

A business displaying their Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned badge.

In a past study entitled COVID-19 Cleaning: A Reopening Study, 1,000 customers had been interviewed in order to assess their attitudes and comfort levels about being patrons in businesses during the pandemic. Findings from this study concluded that 71% of customers expect each business they visit to be considerably cleaner than their own home. Customers feel that how clean a business is in direct correlation to how well a business is run. This study was conducted at the beginning of the pandemic, and customers still hold a business’s cleanliness in high regard, over a year later. SERVPRO of Highland Village still offers our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned service to businesses needing cleaning services. Please contact us at (940) 241-3434 for more information.

Our Nation As We Know It

1/8/2021 (Permalink)

Almost a year ago, the United States faced a new threat that we were largely unprepared for: COVID-19. This novel coronavirus has changed the way we live our lives and how we function daily. Throughout toilet paper shortages, hand sanitizer shortages, and mask shortages the nation had to stand strong in an attempt to battle this virus so it would not take over the nation. Almost a year later, COVID-19 still runs our lives. 

In order to keep our world safer and give people peace of mind, SERVPRO came up with a solution. Through our Certified SERVPRO Cleaned program, businesses and their customers everywhere can rest assured that the places they work and shop have been cleaned to CDC standards. Businesses can also do their own cleanings with Certified SERVPRO Products. Through this program, businesses can use CDC and EPA registered products to battle against COVID-19.

We Are Ready For Any Challenge

1/3/2020 (Permalink)

This is a commercial distribution center that has standing water on the floor.

Experiencing a loss at a commercial property can be devastating. Not only will you be dealing with the detriment of having property damage but now your business and income will be negatively impacted as well. Recovering your business as swiftly as possible is important to ensure as little downtime as possible. With the ability to arrive on site 24/7 within two hours of receiving the call you can rest assured that the mitigation process can begin ASAP. Upon arrival our experienced crew will determine the best course of action to get your business back up and running. Whether the damage is fire or water we can restore your business back to a grand opening look. If you have trouble in the future with water or fire damage, please call us at (940)-241-3434.

Auditorium Has Severe Water Damage

12/27/2019 (Permalink)

These pictures are the result of devastating water damage to this auditorium.

When it comes to your commercial business needs, SERVPRO of Highland Village is well equipped to handle any size job. Whether you have a one-story building, warehouse, school, hospital or even a 15-story skyscraper there is no job we can’t handle. As one of the countries leading fire and water restoration companies, our competitors do not easily match our inventory of equipment and neither our experience in the field. Just in Dallas, TX alone there are over 50 independently owned and operated SERVPROs, nationwide includes over 1300 SERVPROs, giving us a vast amount of resources. Not only do we have an unlimited amount of resources but also we have the trust of many customers throughout the years. From start to finish we have only one goal in mind, which is to get you back in business.  We have come a long way since our startup in 1967 and as the years continue we strive for excellence as a company. You can trust us to get the job done.

Allergy Season is here

8/5/2019 (Permalink)

Seasonal Allergies? We are here to help!

Allergies are at full force this year and this is the time of year they are present. Whether it’s pollen or dust plumes blown over from the Sahara Desert, it gets into your HVAC system and without regular cleaning. SERVPRO of Highland Village specializes in air duct cleaning on homes and businesses in Highland Village and surrounding areas. Our technicians are trained to handle any type of HVAC or air duct cleaning.

You definitely don't want you or your family living in an unhealthy environment.

Call our office today at (940)-241-3434 and we will come out for free to look at your system and provide you with a thorough estimate of what your small business or home might need.

https://www.SERVPROhighlandvillage.com/

Flash Flooding: Preparation Over Restoration

7/8/2019 (Permalink)

Trinity River in Dallas Flooding

Flash flooding is responsible for more deaths annually than any other type of severe weather. Flooding in dense cities is becoming increasingly devastating as cities grow. Whenever we build a new building, highway, sidewalk or parking garage, we take away an area where water can soak up in the soil like a sponge. The grasslands and wetlands that used to inhabit most of DFW, have been built over with a mountain of interlocked concrete. This accelerates the flow of rainwater which leads to more ‘flash floods’. 

A side note: many cities are encouraged to build up walls and barriers along rivers in order to prevent flooding in the area. This is not only ineffective but in turn, makes flooding much worse for others downstream. Rivers need room to transport massive amounts of rainwater and constricting them only is like rubbing dirt on an open wound.

How to protect your business or home from water damage related to excessive rain?

Most of these issues I’ve stated are problems that can only be fixed through smart urban planning and other political actions. In order to get the most effective change and ensure your community minimizes their flood risk is to contact your local congressman or woman through email, phone, or in-person, and explain your concerns for smart flood control in your community. However, we all have seen how unreliable and uncooperative the political process can be. So, what actions can you take immediately?

• The cheapest way is by redirecting your downspouts. Making sure that the water coming off your roof makes it's way to a drainage or water source is important. 
• Adding a garden: Since plants absorb water much more efficiently than grass it would be a good idea to introduce a garden to your lawn.
• Rain barrels allow the water coming from your downspout to be reused to water your plants which helps save you money.

There are other measures like dry wells and rain gardens that serve as extra prevention measures, but, they are more costly.