Water Damage is a Result of Fire Damage

10/5/2022 (Permalink)

If you have a fire, you need to call in a professional restoration company as soon as possible.

Fire Damage Leads to Water Damage

Fire damage is a major problem that can cause extensive and costly damage to your home. This type of damage is caused by fire, which can be caused by either an accident or arson. Fire damage can affect your entire home, but it is important to note that not all fires leave behind only fire-related problems. Water damage is also common in homes that have been affected by fire; this occurs when the water used to extinguish the flames gets into various places within your home and causes mold spores to grow in those areas. In addition to these issues, there are other key points about fire damage that you need to know about:

Water Damage

You will have to deal with the water damage as well. This is not a good time to be lax. Water damage can be caused by fire sprinklers, fire hoses, or firefighters trying to put out the flames and keep them from spreading further. Water damage can cause mold and mildew if left untreated for too long; this may lead to structural damage because of weakened materials like drywall or wood paneling (which makes up most interior walls). Electrical components can also be affected by water, which causes short circuits and other malfunctions that could cause fires themselves if left alone for too long.

To avoid these issues after a fire has been extinguished on your property, you should hire professional services from companies like SERVPRO of Hendersonville who specialize in restoring properties damaged by fires—and floods!

Smoke and Soot Damage

Fire damage is more than just the fire itself. Fire causes smoke and soot that can quickly infiltrate your home's structure, walls, ceilings, and floors. In addition to these immediate dangers, many items exposed to intense heat may be damaged beyond repair by being melted or warped out of shape. This can include electronics like computers and televisions as well as clothing and furniture items that were left behind during evacuation efforts.

Call SERVPRO of Hendersonville

Not all fire restoration companies are created equal. Some are better than others, and if you're dealing with fire damage, it's important that you choose a good one. When choosing a fire restoration company, make sure they have the equipment and know-how to deal with issues of water damage from firefighting efforts. They should be able to address any lingering smoke odor in your home caused by their clean-up efforts as well as help fix structural problems resulting from heat exposure during a fire (i.e., warped floors).

In addition to helping you repair the physical damage caused by smoke, water influxes, and other aspects of fires that often require expert removal techniques (such as burnt wiring), these companies will also handle insurance claims for those who need them after an unfortunate incident like this happens at their home or business location!

If you have a fire, you need to call in a professional restoration company as soon as possible. They will be able to assess the damage and make sure you have everything taken care of quickly and efficiently so that you can move on with your life.

What To Know About Commercial Property Insurance

7/28/2022 (Permalink)

What Does It Cover?

You probably have homeowners' insurance that helps pay for repairs to your house following an emergency. You similarly need commercial insurance for your office or business headquarters. Your commercial policy should cover any smoke or fire damage to the Mills River, NC property.

What To Insure
Various types of businesses should carry commercial property insurance. If you run any of the following, you should purchase insurance for the premises:

• Retail store
• Service business
• Not-for-Profit
• Manufacturing company

It is not just the properties themselves that need insurance coverage. After all, fires can affect various assets within a building, as well. You should thus get insurance for any processing, manufacturing or office equipment. That includes the phone systems, furniture and computers.
Any inventory should also be included in your commercial insurance policy. You should additionally insure your satellite dishes, landscaping, fences and essential business records.

What Insurers Consider
Once you apply for insurance, the provider will decide how much to charge you for premiums. Whatever premiums you do end up paying can be deducted as expenses.
The insurer considers several factors when calculating the cost of your policy. First, it will look at the value of your building and the assets inside it. Before you meet with your agent, you should thus take an inventory of all the items within your property.
Since insurers do not like risk, they will charge more for properties in areas prone to wildfires or other weather catastrophes. Similarly, you may have to pay higher premiums if your building is made from combustible materials. Conversely, properties with fire-resistant floors, doors and walls may have lower premiums.
Commercial insurance premiums can be high, especially for businesses that own valuable equipment. However, insurance is worth the expense in the long run. After all, without proper coverage, you might have to use your company's earnings to pay for fire damage cleanup services.

3 Ways Fire and Smoke Affect Electronics

5/24/2022 (Permalink)

Three Effects of Fire and Smoke on Electronics

High heat, soot and smoke can stop electronics from working or even raise the risk of another electrical fire at a commercial building in Hendersonville, NC. Here are three ways in which fire at your business or at a commercial property can damage electronics and necessitate professional content cleaning at an off-site location or replacement. 

1. Open Flames and High Heat Melt Electronics
The temperature of building fires tops out around 1,500 to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Needless to say, contents exposed to open flames and very high temperatures are likely to ignite and burn, melt or otherwise or suffer damage caused by heat, fire, soot and smoke. Electronic devices are very sensitive to all of these types of damage and require specialized computer cleanup.

2. Smoke Damage Causes Overheating
Soot can cause a black residue to form on chips and circuits. If you power up a computer that has been exposed to fire or soot damage without first cleaning these components thoroughly, you run a much higher risk of a short-circuiting and electrical fire.

 3. Water Causes Corrosion To Form
If firefighters use water to suppress a fire, this secondary damage can cause corrosion to form on metal components in appliances, computers or devices. Contents of a structure with fire damage tend to be exposed to chemical compounds that accelerate rusting. Corrosion can also cause short-circuiting or stop electronics from working.
After a fire causes damage at a business or commercial property in Hendersonville, NC, it is important to carefully assess the condition of electronics. Do not attempt to turn on devices that have potentially been exposed to extremely high temperatures, soot or smoke, as this can cause overheating or short-circuiting and raise the risk of an electrical fire. Electronics cleaning experts can safely check, clean and test computers and devices.

3 Kinds of IIRC Certified Specialists Trained To Handle Drying in Water Damage Remediation

4/8/2022 (Permalink)

Water extraction and cleanup are only one call away.

Three Types of IIRC Certified Specialists Trained in Water Damage Remediation Drying

Water damage may arise from many sources. It is the product of weather conditions, home malfunctions and random acts of nature. Whether they are the result of a broken pipe, rain from a leaking roof, or some other cause, large influxes of water may lead to destruction and irreparable harm. It is important to contact professionals like a remediation and restoration company in Balfour, NC, to prevent or lessen commercial property damage and carry out water clean-up in flooding cases. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, or IICRC, trains several kinds of experts to handle different aspects of such situations, including drying.

1. Commercial Drying Specialists

Water clean-up projects needing the services of commercial drying specialists often involve hazards like heavy equipment, high voltage in confined spaces, electric machinery and dangerous chemicals. While the course they go through to obtain certification does not cover all potential risks, they are encouraged to research them on their own. They must also be familiar with and comply with relevant regulations. They are trained in:

Damage inspection and determination
Utilization of technical drying methods for water-impacted structures, furniture, systems and more
Workflow management
Process administration

2. Water Damage Restoration Technicians

Usually working in concert with a water damage restoration team, these technicians perform mitigation tasks. They evaluate severity, remove water and try to salvage items like inventory. They also possess an understanding of the different categories of water damage, the extent of harm each can do, and how to deal with each.

3. Applied Structural Drying Technicians

Similar to commercial drying specialists, these individuals are trained to make quick, informed decisions. Like them, and like water damage restoration technicians, they work to get rid of moisture.
While all of these have overlapping roles, certified professionals must undergo specially designed coursework for each title. Companies may employ one or more of these kinds of experts for water clean-up and remediation. The IICRC also offers many other certifications in the cleaning and restoration industry.

3 Types of Protective Equipment Every Remediation Professional Should Have

3/30/2022 (Permalink)

Protective Gear For Mold Remediation

One sign of professionalism you should expect from qualified mold remediation specialists is their ability to protect themselves and others. Mold spreads easily and can be hazardous, which is why it is important to safely eliminate it from your Flat Rock, NC, business. This goal is best accomplished when the professionals use their resources properly. Learn about the most essential pieces of protective equipment they should have.

1. Protective Suit

Mold spores can easily cling to clothing and spread throughout the rest of the location or even other areas. The people working with it should wear protective suits that can be washed easily and prevent spores from getting attached. Disposable hazmat suits are the most effective solution to this issue. During smaller projects, removal professionals may wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants that are distinct from their casual outfits. They wash these items in hot water immediately after use.

2. Disposable Items

A disposable full-body suit may not always cover all body parts. Experts need other disposable items to protect other areas from mold growth exposure, including:

• Gloves
  
• Foot/shoe covers
  
• Hair covers
  
  

Mold can cling to hands, shoes or hair and spread easily if there is no adequate protection. Therefore, technicians usually wear these items before entering the affected area. When they leave, they remove these items and carefully dispose of them. If they must re-enter, they put on new ones.

3. Face Mask

The most important protective item cleaners should have in their arsenal is a face mask, sometimes known as an air-purifying respirator. This item filters mold particles and any other harmful substances. There are both permanent and disposable masks and they block different particle percentages. If a mask does not include a built-in visor, remediators can use safety goggles to prevent mold, debris and chemicals from entering their eyes.
Responsible mold removers do not just clean and restore the area effectively, but they also protect everyone inside. Make sure they use their equipment appropriately to avoid any issues.

Water’s Rising: Protecting Your Business from Flood Damage

2/16/2022 (Permalink)

Our team has the equipment and knowledge to mitigate the damage after flood damage. Call SERVPRO and we will help you.

Protecting Your Business From Flood Damage As the Water Level Rises

Flood damage can be brutal. Businesses can be boarded up and shut down for weeks or months. While precautions that you take now will likely not eliminate all damage sustained during a flood, it can help to make the mitigation and restoration process go smoother.

1. Sandbag Barricades

While storm damage can wreak havoc on your roof, a flood focuses on your foundation. To prevent damage to the interior and crawlspace of your business, purchase several sandbags that can then be stacked as a barricade against the rising water. While sandbags may not eliminate all evidence of water, they will help to divert the water away from weak points in your facility.

2. Secure Exterior Decorations

Believe it or not, exterior decorations, like lawn furniture and garden statues, cause a lot of flood damage. These items become floating battery rams when not secured. Purchase chains or weights, and tie down or weigh down loose decorations to prevent harm to your property.

3. Elevate Electronics and Office Furniture

Flooding can damage sensitive electronics and turn office furniture into dangerous unmanned weapons. The best thing you can do is move sensitive equipment and portable office furniture above the ground floor. This way you protect your property, employees and yourself from harm.

4. Create a Response Plan

A response plan does not refer to your personal response to a flooded business but rather the emergency response for cleanup and restoration. A disaster restoration specialist in the Fletcher, NC, area can help you with this plan by assessing your business and making suggestions for possible actions to take after an emergency.

Flood damage is likely devastating when it occurs, and while preparations may not resolve every issue with a flood, they can minimize loss. Preparation is more about security than the complete elimination of risk. Take the steps above to ensure that you are doing everything you can to protect your business.