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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived Commercial Blog Posts

It's Busted Pipe Season in Walker and Winston Counties!

12/22/2022 (Permalink)

Busted Pipes

Busted pipes can wreak havoc and spell disaster in a commercial building. It is important to have to protocols in place to get the water turned off and cleaned up as quickly as possible. 

The #1 priority when a pipe burst, is to get the water turned off ASAP. After the supply has been turned off, open up every faucet to drain the remaining water from the lines. Also turn off the water the heater and flush every toilet at least one time. Once these objectives have been completed, the next phase can begin. 

Step #2 is to reduce secondary damage. This is done by getting the water removed from the structure in a timely manner. Water will continue to move through building materials as long as it is present. If there is any doubt that water ran through an area that contains electricity, turn off the power at the breakers and consult an electrician to perform an inspection. 

Step #3 is to contact a certified mitigation specialist such as SERVPRO. Even though you may have removed the standing water, there will still be elevated moisture levels and humidity. It is crucial to make sure that moisture levels and humidity are returned to preloss levels to reduce the risk of mold forming. 

Should busted pipes cause water to infiltrate your building, call SERVPRO today to let us help you get your business back in working order. 

Commercial Cleaning Tips

7/22/2022 (Permalink)

Springtime cleaning is a regular tune we have all heard as the warmer weather brings in sunny days and
springtime showers. Flowers and trees begin their springtime blooming, and a general, "I can't wait to get
outside," feeling hots many of us. With a lot of us being couped-up for the winter, dust, allergens,
bacteria, pet-dander, etc., simply begin to show more. A clean environment is more welcoming and can lead to more customers
feeling comfortable in your place of business as well. See below for a few ideas on cleaning your
commercial facility.
Let's start with the outside.
Landscaping - Making the outside of your business look good is just as important as the inside. It's all about presentation! Now is not the time to let the weeds take over. Start by mowing the grass, pulling/spraying the weeds, clearing-up the brush over-hang and some tree trimming if needed. Also, if you like to add color, plant some flowers, or flower pots around the area; fresh blooms always brighten
the day. Windows - Squeaky clean windows not only provide a clear view through to your customers and guests,
they also look good as opposed to gritty, dirty windows. Check caulking around the windows; this is a major factor letting cool air out in the summer and warm air out in the winter. While your at it, check the
window seals. Make sure the windows provide what they were manufactured to do, a tight fit that won't
allow air to escape and won't allow water to seep-in.

HVAC - test run your system while the air outside is pleasant. Make sure there are no unfamiliar smells.
Check for worn-out parts that need replacement. Also, change the filter(s) if needed. A good idea is to
check the vents as well. Have the dust/debris build-up removed, and check for any pests that might have
taken up a home in your system. It's easier to have the pests taken care of then to put it off, and have to
close your business while its fumigated or fogged.
Don't forget the inside! Have the carpets cleaned, especially the high-traffic areas. Customers walking
thru your business can create dirt build-up on carpets and floors. Have the furniture, desks, chairs, etc.,
all cleaned and dusted off too.

Commercial Fires

7/22/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial facilities operate on a different level than our house-holds. Commercial businesses usually have more chemicals, hazardous materials, light and heavy-duty equipment, more employees/personnel, and generally more movement throughout than a residential home. All of this combined with high-levels
of activity, and in some cases, neglect or lack of maintenance, can sometimes lead to disaster.
Below are some factors in many cases of commercial fires.
Cooking - Many of us like to enjoy a delicious meal at our favorite local restaurant or try a new location outside of our usual hang-outs. Cooking is a major factor in commercial fires. A significant portion of business property fires are started in the kitchen by cooking while preparing food. Thirty percent of office fires, 50% of hotel fires and a full 61% of restaurant fires are caused by cooking. Many of these could be
prevented by simply staying in the kitchen area until the food preparation is complete.
Unintentional and Careless Behavior - better known as accidents, this is also a main cause of
commercial fires. While it's hard to stop foolish human behavior, business owners and property
managers simply can't afford to let these accidents happen.
Electrical Malfunction - faulty wiring, unchecked issues that are simply, "fixed quick," or not having a licensed professional on hand can be a major mistake. These mistakes cost business owners millions of
dollars per year.
Arson - this usually involves fire investigators and law enforcement. In some cases, it can be a
disgruntled employee(s), or customer(s), or simply someone out to cause damage.
HVAC - problematic HVAC systems can also cause a fire. In most cases, these systems work harder
than a residential unit, cooling thousands of square feet, while entry, or loading doors are constantly
opened/closed throughout the day. It is important to have these systems checked by a professional
annually. 

Commercial Buildings

6/29/2022 (Permalink)

Insurance costs vary from home to home, but in a commercial facility/building, they can be an entirely
different element.
Businesses that are set-up differently can be more costly, usually due to hazardous and/or flammable
chemicals on-site, and/or various types of equipment used in the manufacturing process. Due to the
chemicals, and some of the liquids, products, gases, etc., used in the manufacturing process, these
facilites pose a greater fire risk than an average home.
Buildings that are constructed of wood rather than a fire-resistant material are more costly, due to the
greater combustability, as the fire can spread quite quickly. In most cases, you will see industrial
buildings, manufacturomg facilites, petrol based plants, processing plants, machine shops, and many
others constructed of metal, with all fire suppression systems in place. Many cites, county's and
municipalities have strict fire suppression codes that must be followed. These codes are in place to not
only limit the spread of fire, but to also limit damage to the building and of course, to save lives and
equipment.
Also, business owners should have the proper equipment on-site, such as; fire-alarms and detectors, fire
suppresion systems; sprinklers, fire extinguishers, etc., and of course the proper first-aid kit. Owners
should always have bavk-up systems in place for the alarms and fire-suppression system. If a power
outage occurs, battery back-up is a popular option.
Geographically speaking, the proximity to a loca fire station can also play a role in insurance premiums.
How close is your facility to the nearest fire station?
A 3-minute repsonse time, or a 12 minute response time? This factor also plays an important role in
considering the location of your business facility.

Post Construction Cleanup

5/27/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Walker & Winston Counties can assist you in the cleanup after your latest remodel or brand new construction.

Post construction debris can affect your HVAC system can leave debris in the ducts, returns, and can affect the efficiency of the system. No need to worry though, because your local SERVPRO is licensed to clean your entire HVAC system along with cleaning any other debris that may occur because of the reconstruction process.

No matter what circumstances got you into reconstruction; whether water, fire, smoke, smoot, or a new build, we can handle the cleanup from top to bottom. During reconstruction, there will be dust, dirt, and debris that will need to be removed. Your local SERVPRO is always available to provide an estimate and get you scheduled. 

Spring is Not Far Away, So Get Your Business Ready!

2/1/2022 (Permalink)

Spring is fast approaching. The season brings challenges, including flooding from either snowmelt and heavy rains. The following are four steps you can take to prepare your commercial building for spring.

Clean the Gutters

The gutters on your building are responsible for diverting water away from the structure. Make sure they are clear of any debris so that they function their best.

Check the Sump Pump

If your business experiences flooding, whether it be from heavy rains or a frozen pipe burst, a sump pump can help. If the building has a sump pump, it will be located in either the basement or the crawl space. To test it, simply pour in enough water to activate the pump. After you test it, clean out any debris that might be built up.

Protect Important Documents/Items

No one expects their company property to have a water damage. Anticipating these disasters can help you avoid future stress and headache if you do your best to protect your building’s contents before it happens. Although an experienced restoration company can usually help you get your business back to preloss condition, it is generally easier to prevent damage in the first place. Make sure there are electronic copies of all critical documents. Move important equipment to higher ground. Put smaller items in waterproof storage bags.


In many cases, flooding happens without much warning. Spring floods, can sometimes be predictable. This gives you the opportunity to be proactive in protecting your business.

Is Your Business Prepared for A Fire?

12/22/2021 (Permalink)

We Minimize Disruption to Your Business

We hope your business never experiences commercial fire damage, but if you do we want to help. We know that any disruption to your business can be costly so we will work to get you back to business as usual as soon as possible. No matter what size of job, we can be on site within four hours of your call. We can even help with the insurance paperwork and process. Some examples of commercial properties we work with are:

  • Small Office Buildings
  • Large Office/High-Rise Office Buildings
  • Apartment Buildings
  • Restaurants
  • Hotel/Motels
  • Small Retail Stores
  • Large Retail/Big-Box Stores
  • High-Rise Residential
  • Manufacturing & Industrial
  • Government/Military

Call Us Today!

Our team of trained professionals are ready to respond to your fire damage- 24 hours a day. We have the training and state-of-the-art equipment to take care of your needs, no matter what size job.