The Impact of Water Damage after a House Fire

4/17/2024 (Permalink)

In this blog, we will explore the impact of water damage after a house fire and what the restoration process entails.

Experiencing a house fire can be devastating, but the damage doesn't stop with the flames. The firefighting efforts often involve significant amounts of water, leading to water damage in addition to fire damage. Understanding how water damage can occur after a house fire and the restoration process is crucial for successful fire remediation. In this blog, we will explore the impact of water damage after a house fire and what the restoration process entails.

Firefighting Efforts and Water Damage

When firefighters arrive at the scene of a house fire, they use water to extinguish the flames. This water can infiltrate various parts of your property, causing widespread water damage. Areas such as walls, ceilings, floors, and belongings can become saturated with water, leading to structural instability, mold growth, and further damage. It is essential to address the water damage along with the fire damage to prevent future complications.

Water Extraction and Drying

The restoration process begins with water extraction to remove excess water from the affected areas. Water restoration professionals use specialized equipment like pumps, wet/dry vacuums, and dehumidifiers to extract water and moisture effectively. This step is crucial to prevent further damage, and mold growth, and to restore the property to its pre-fire condition.

Structural Restoration and Repair

Water damage after a fire can compromise the structural integrity of your property. The restoration process involves assessing and repairing any structural components affected by water, such as walls, ceilings, and floors. Professional fire remediation companies like SERVPRO® have the expertise to identify structural issues and work closely with contractors to ensure proper reconstruction and restoration.

Mold Prevention and Remediation

Excessive moisture resulting from firefighting efforts can create optimal conditions for mold growth. Mold can start to form within 24-48 hours after water damage occurs. As part of the restoration process, professionals conduct thorough inspections to detect any signs of mold growth. If present, they will initiate mold remediation procedures to eliminate the mold and prevent future growth.

Content Assessment and Restoration

Water damage can also affect personal belongings, furniture, and other items within the property. Fire remediation specialists assess the damage to determine salvageable items and provide necessary restoration services. This may involve specialized cleaning, drying, and deodorization techniques, ensuring your belongings are properly restored.

Odor Elimination

Water damage, combined with fire damage, can leave behind persistent odors on your property. These odors can be unpleasant and difficult to remove without professional help. Fire remediation professionals employ various techniques such as thermal fogging, ozone treatments, or air scrubbers to neutralize and eliminate odors, leaving your property fresh and odor-free.

Water damage can be an unfortunate consequence of firefighting efforts during a house fire. Addressing both fire damage and water damage is crucial for a complete restoration process. Professional fire remediation companies like SERVPRO® have the expertise, equipment, and experience to handle all aspects of fire damage cleanup, water extraction, and restoration. If you experience a house fire, contact professionals who can promptly respond, assess the damage, and provide efficient fire damage and water damage restoration services to mitigate further damage and bring your property back to its pre-fire condition.

The Importance of Clearing Gutters and Drains Before the Storm Hits

4/6/2024 (Permalink)

In this blog post, we will explore the importance of clearing gutters and drains before storm damage and provide some helpful tips to follow.

When a storm emergency hits, it's essential to have a storm damage plan in place to ensure the safety of your family and property. One crucial component of any storm damage plan is to clear gutters and drains before the storm hits. Neglecting this task can cause significant damage to your property and lead to costly repairs. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of clearing gutters and drains before storm damage and provide some helpful tips to follow.

Prevent Water Damage

Clogged gutters and drains can lead to excess water accumulating in and around your home, which can cause damage to your property's foundation, walls, and roof. When water accumulates, it can seep into your home's structure and cause dampness, rot, and mold, creating an unsafe living environment. By clearing gutters and drains, you can prevent water damage to your property and avoid costly repairs.

Reduce the Risk of Flooding

Clogged gutters and drains can cause water to overflow and flow towards the ground surrounding your property. This can lead to flooding, especially if the water accumulates in low-lying areas. Floodwater can cause significant damage to your property and lead to the need for extensive repairs. By clearing gutters and drains, you can reduce the risk of flooding and minimize the potential for storm damage.

Prevent Damage to Your Roof

Backed-up water in gutters and drains can put pressure on your roof, causing damage to the shingles, tiles, and other roofing materials. This damage can lead to leaks, which can cause additional damage to your walls and floors. By ensuring that gutters and drains are clear, you can prevent damage to your roof and avoid costly repairs.

Reduce the Risk of Pest Infestations

Clogged gutters and drains can create a breeding ground for pests such as mosquitoes, rodents, and insects. These pests can cause significant health problems and property damage. By clearing gutters and drains, you can reduce the risk of pest infestations and create a safer living environment for you and your family.

Helpful Tips for Clearing Gutters and Drains

• Regularly clean your gutters and drains before storm season to ensure they are clear of debris
• Use gloves while cleaning to avoid exposure to harmful bacteria
• Use a garden hose to flush any remaining debris from the gutters and downspouts
• Trim any trees or bushes near gutters to prevent debris build-up
• Consider installing gutter guards to prevent debris from accumulating
• Hire a professional to clean your gutters and drains if you are unable to do it yourself.

In conclusion, clearing gutters and drains is an essential component of any storm damage plan. It helps to prevent water damage, flooding, roof damage, and pest infestations and creates a safer living environment for you and your family. By following the helpful tips above and incorporating this task into your storm damage plan, you can protect your property and ensure that you are prepared for any storm emergency. At SERVPRO®, we are here to help with any storm damage cleanup and restoration needs.

The Power of Master Service Agreements: Fast Response and Strong Relationships

9/18/2023 (Permalink)

A Race Against Time

SERVPRO® Team Nicholson's Scott Askew and his crew proved the power of an MSA recently. Within hours of receiving the call, our team was on-site, ready to help. Seven hours later, cooling equipment was up and running - thanks to our subcontractor, Coastal Mechanical. We even had a team of welders fabricating quick hose connections in the hospital parking lot in order to connect the mobile chillers to the hospital's existing cooling system.

By the evening, the hospital was cooling to a comfortable temperature, all without displacing patients or disrupting critical operations. The team avoided an evacuation and multiple diversions, where a hospital has to transfer patients to another hospital. In the end, all this was possible without having to tell an MSA client, "no," — the word doesn't exist in our vocabulary anyways.

Building a Bridge to Swift Solutions

The MSA is more than just a contract - we become your logistics team, your trusted solutions provider. The last thing a business owner wants is to face a double emergency – the primary situation and its repercussions. Like the scramble to evacuate patients, and to secure specialized equipment, like chillers, at odd hours in order to prevent high temperatures from spoiling medication. An MSA eliminates the chaos, minimizing the complexity and severity of interruptions to business.

The Value of Strong Relationships

In the realm of crisis management, strong relationships are worth their weight in gold. Our connections with clients, subcontractor partnerships, and a network of SERVPRO teams across the nation, our bonds serve as the cornerstone of effective and efficient solutions. When challenges arise, leveraging our network's capabilities means clients have access to additional equipment and resources quickly.

In a world of emergencies, a Master Service Agreement isn't just a contract – it's a promise - to provide rapid response, leverage strong relationships, and transform potential chaos into smoothly managed solutions. It's the assurance that when a crisis arises, our team of professionals is ready to shift the perspective - becoming your total solutions provider for whatever happens.

Tested Against Sewage and Soot: What Can’t Our Washing Machines Do?

9/1/2023 (Permalink)

Yes, Our Washing Machines Can Clean THAT

Yes, Our Washing Machines Can Clean THAT

Despite their appearances, many water and fire damaged items are actually salvageable. We have a whole Contents Team dedicated to safely packing and transporting belongings from the jobsite to be repaired by hand with the help of some of our heavy-duty machines. 

Esporta machines have revolutionized the restoration industry. These cutting-edge devices have quickly become the gold standard in our field, offering quality and efficiency. Because of their patented technology, cleaning capacity, and rapid turnaround, Esporta machines have become an indispensable tool for restoring anything from textiles to sports equipment.

Esporta machines are a game-changer for restoration professionals everywhere. That’s why we, at SERVPRO® of Montgomery County, have two of them.

What makes the Esporta machine stand out?

Types of Items We Can Clean

One of the key advantages of Esporta machines is their versatility. These machines have the capability to clean an array of materials, ranging from leather goods to sports equipment. 

Here are just a few more examples of materials that can be effectively cleaned using Esporta machines:

1. Clothing and Textile - From delicate fabrics to heavy-duty garments, Esporta machines can restore clothing items to their preloss condition, eliminating tough stains, smoke odors, and mold contaminants.
2. Sports Equipment - Whether it's hockey gear, football pads, or protective gear for other sports, Esporta machines can eliminate bacteria, mold, and odor-causing agents, ensuring athletes can perform at their best in hygienic gear.
3. Household Items - Esporta machines are equally adept at cleaning household items like bedding, curtains, stuffed toys, and even shoes to a fresh and clean state.

Better Than a Washing Machine

These powerful machines use advanced tech and a proprietary design to clean over 95% of soft contents and textiles impacted by Category 2 & 3 water damage, heavy smoke and soot, and trauma clean up (esporta.ca). Unlike traditional dry cleaning or washing machines, Esporta machines’ patented hydraulic action gently removes contaminants without compromising the integrity of the items being restored.

Technology, Speed, Success

Esporta machines offer several unique features that set them apart from traditional dry cleaning or washing machines:

1. Patented Tech + Efficiency - water pressure and movement removes contaminants from materials in as little as 30 minutes, significantly reducing turnaround time and increasing productivity
2. Cleaning Capacity - machines handle up to 100 pounds of material in a single cycle, making them the perfect choice for large-scale restoration projects.
3. Restoration Success Rate - Esporta machines boast between 90-98% success rate in restoring items in different categories that would typically be considered “irreparable,” (esporta.ca). This not only saves valuable resources but also brings peace of mind to both restoration professionals and their clients.

Eco-Friendly

By using Esporta machines, we are able to Restore instead of Replace, effectively reducing the amount of waste going into landfills. The Esporta wash system also uses a proprietary phosphate free detergent, uses half the water, and has a much smaller carbon footprint than traditional washers.

Esporta machines are a game-changer for restoration professionals everywhere. Whether it's restoring items damaged by water, fire, or mold—or your sports team roughed up the gear this season—our Esporta machines handle these tasks with ease.

You don’t need to have gone through a fire or flood to use our Esporta Wash System service. If you have soiled items you need cleaned, give us a call today at (931)-645-1285. 

Why Every Commercial Business Should Have an ERP

8/15/2023 (Permalink)

Bounce Back Faster with an ERP

Why Every Commercial Business Should Have an ERP

Reduce Business Disruption After a Commercial Disaster

After a major disaster, businesses suffer a variety of interruptions like:

1. financial and emotional stress

2. production downtime

3. sullied reputation

4. a plethora of other strains.

In the time period following a fire, flood, pipe break, or other form of disaster, making the right decisions can be taxing and confusing. At SERVPRO® Team Nicholson, we regularly see local companies go through this, but want business owners to know we are here to help after a commercial disaster. Part of that help comes through an emergency readiness checklist and disaster plan.

How To Minimize Risks and Loss of Revenue?

Creating a disaster readiness plan for your business can save you thousands on your bottom line, and can save your business entirely. The planning process does not have to be overwhelming when placed on top of all other responsibilities. We are here to help take the weight off your shoulders by developing an Emergency Ready Profile for your company.

We Generate A Plan For You

By developing a SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate action plan.

Knowing:

1. what to do and

2. what to expect

in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize the severity of water and fire damage on your business. Knowing you are, "Ready for whatever happens," will give you, your clients, and employees confidence if or when your business is affected by a disaster.

SERVPRO ERPs Provide You With:

1. A no-cost assessment of your facility. This means there is no need to allocate funds, giving you a great value at no cost.

2. A concise Profile Document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency. It will only take a little time to complete and will not take you away from current projects, but will save a lot of time if ever needed.

3. A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster. This helps minimize the amount of time your business is inactive by having an immediate plan of action.

4. Professionals at SERVPRO of Montgomery County, established as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider! You have a provider that is recognized as an industry leader and is close by for an emergency response.

5. Identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin. This saves time so we can start cleaning up the damage, so you can reopen your business as soon as possible.

6. Specific Facility Details of your business such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas, and priority contact information. You will have a quick reference of what to do, how to do it, and who to call in case of an emergency.

Contact us to get started on your SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile today. We are here to be your total solutions provider during an emergency commercial disaster so you can do what’s important: taking care of your clients, employees, and other business needs. 

Protecting What Matters: The Emergency Plan Every Parent Needs Before School Starts

8/8/2023 (Permalink)

Protect what matters most. Have a back-to-school emergency plan.

Do You Have a Back-to-School Family Emergency Plan?

No one likes to think that an emergency could happen to them, but the reality is that disaster can happen anytime, anywhere, including while your child is at school.

Even if you never end up needing your family emergency plan, it's best to be prepared—just in case. Having a detailed plan in place will give you everyday peace of mind, and—in the event of an emergency—could save lives.

Emergency Contacts

• List 1-3 trusted emergency contacts who can pick up your child from school if you are unable to do so.

• Confirm their availability and willingness to be emergency contacts.

• Teach your child how to contact each person by phone.

• Familiarize your child with each contact's appearance and vehicle.

Communicate with the School

• Keep school up-to-date with who is allowed to pick your child up.

• Provide correct contact information and identification for their records.

• Inquire about the school's policies for emergency situations and designated pick-up areas.

Alternative Drop-Off Locations

• Establish an alternative drop-off location in case emergency contacts cannot be reached promptly.

• This location could be a trusted friend or family member's house, or another secure spot.

• Familiarize your child with the alternate location's address and phone number to accurately guide authorities there.

Re-Evaluate Each Year

As your child ages, changes schools, or your family moves, it's smart to update your plan annually. 

Although we hope your family never experiences an unexpected disaster, if you do, SERVPRO® is available 24/7/365 for emergency service. Learn more here. Your family's safety and preparedness are paramount, and having a well-structured emergency plan is a crucial step in ensuring their protection.

Five Ways to Avoid Kitchen Hazards

7/16/2023 (Permalink)

Many people in Clarksville, Tennessee, love to cook. But even seasoned chefs sometimes make costly mistakes. Here are five helpful ways to avoid kitchen hazards, such as a drain clog or grease fire.

1. Keep Your Vents Clean

It's essential to keep the vent screens above your stove clean. Otherwise, grease can build up on the screen and inhibit ventilation, becoming a contributing factor in a kitchen fire. The grease buildup could even make a fire worse.

2. Don't Leave Pans Unattended

Most cooks know never to lean a pan unattended on the stove. The pan could be knocked over, grease can splatter, or the food can be allowed to cook too long. Each of these things can be a fire hazard.

3. Don't Put Grease Down the Drain

When you're done cooking, it may be tempting to pour the hot grease down the drain. Build-up grease in the drain can lead to a drain clog and sink overflow. Instead, pour the grease into a container, allow it to cool, and then place it in the trash.

4. Wipe Out Greasy Pans Before Washing

You should wipe out any remaining grease and food particles before washing your pans. This can help prevent buildup that may lead to a sink clog.

5. Call a Professional to Service Appliances

If you're having problems with your stove or drain, it may be time to call a professional. They will know how to fix the problem without causing a potential electrical fire. These can come from attempting to fix a broken stove or clogged dish disposal without the correct tools. If fire or flooding does occur, then a fire and water damage restoration service may help.

Following these tips can help you prevent problems like a drain clog or grease fire. Never leave your stove unattended when it's on, don't put grease down the drain, and call a professional if your kitchen appliances need maintenance. If a fire or flooding does happen in your kitchen, then a restoration professional may be able to help.

Common Water Issues for Businesses

7/16/2023 (Permalink)

For a commercial property owner in Montgomery County, unexpected water problems can be a big issue. Fortunately, water damage professionals can help you assess, clean, and repair damages from any flooding or leaks you may have. Here are a few of the most common water problems a business may face, from leaking pipes to foundation cracks.

1. Pipe Breaks

A pipe break can occur in several ways. Over time, the pipe can age and loosen in its fittings, or extensive use can lead to pinhole leaks. Extreme heat or cold can also affect a pipe’s integrity. A blocked pipe can lead to pressure buildup and eventually burst.

2. Plumbing Backup

Blocked plumbing can even lead to a toilet backup or sink overflow. When a pipe is blocked, water can take the shortest path out regardless of its intended flow path. Blockages can occur from many things, including the buildup of water minerals over time inside a pipe or someone pouring a solidifying material, such as plaster or grease, down a drain.

3. Weather

Extreme weather conditions can also lead to leaking pipes. Cold temperatures can cause the water in pipes to freeze and expand. The expansion puts pressure on the pipe and can create a crack or even cause it to burst. If you know cold weather is coming, you can check with a local professional about what preventive measures to take.

4. Foundation Cracks

Foundation cracks can also become a problem leading to water damage. Water can seep through any cracks and pool, leading to further issues such as mold. Any cracks should be investigated and assessed as soon as possible to determine the best course of action.

Water damage can happen to a commercial property. Fortunately, a professional can fix the damage caused by leaking pipes, foundation cracks, a backed-up toilet, or weather, and help you repair your property. Call SERVPRO of Montgomery County today!

We Have The State-of-the-Art Equipment Necessary in Clarksville

7/14/2023 (Permalink)

Saving Facilities After Silicone Roof Water Damage in Clarksville, TN

As many Montgomery County business owners know, water damage is the second most common type of claim that they can make. A staggering 20% of all insurance claims filed are related to water damage of some kind, whether this is from a pipe malfunction, storm damage, or other water-related issues. Without thorough mitigation and drying, this damage can pose challenges to the structural integrity of your business as well as the safety of employees and customers.

If your Clarksville office needs commercial water damage mitigation, you can count on a certified SERVPRO team to handle the damages quickly and efficiently, so you can get back to business. No matter how large or small the disaster, professionals are dedicated to restoring your business and ensuring that cleanup is done to code.

Silicone Roofing Risks

While silicone roof coatings can help business owners with flat roofing save on electricity and other costs, there are some risks to consider when implementing this in your space after water damage strikes. These include:

• Abrasion and tear resistance. Compared to other coatings like modified bitumen, silicone roofing is not the most durable. It can get very slippery when wet, which can make it more prone to tears. Foot traffic dropped tools, and other activities can potentially damage the coating. 
  
  
• Attracting dirt. Silicone roofing, which is often white, can get a visible coat of airborne dust and dirt over time, darkening roofing. Clean regularly to maximize the energy-reflective nature of the roof coating and save on HVAC costs.
  
  
• Re-coating. While re-coating may not be needed as often as it is for other roofing solutions, it is imperative to choose silicone compatible with your current coating. 

How SERVPRO Saves Your Facilities

Suppose you have a roof leak in your facilities. In that case, SERVPRO can use centrifugal air movers and low-grain refrigerant dehumidifiers in tandem to pull moisture off of surfaces and eliminate it, replacing the moist air with air that is warm and dry. To dry a wet ceiling, technicians may open a few ceiling panels on either end of the affected area and position equipment so that air circulates straight up and through the space between your ceiling and roofing. This placement also helps warm, dry air circulate through the affected space for better results.

SERVPRO of Montgomery County is here to ensure that your business looks "Like it never even happened." Call (931) 645-1285 today for rapid disaster mitigation.

How to Locate a Bathtub or Shower Leak

7/4/2023 (Permalink)

Though some water leaks throughout your Clarksville, Tennessee, home can be easy to spot, there're a vast amount of others that require more than a casual glance. A shower or bathtub leak, for example, can fall into the latter category, as they're a variety of places for leaks to emerge from in these areas. If you need help identifying a shower water leak, read how to locate one without much hassle effectively. Once the source has been identified, contacting a trained water restoration team can ensure your home removes any water damage, as well.

Check the Common Sources First

Before tearing into the tile work or uprooting your tub, it pays to investigate the more apparent areas first. After a shower, inspect familiar sources such as the:

• Showerhead face,
• The O-ring between the showerhead and arm,
• Faucet handles, and the areas surrounding them, or
• Caulking at the base or surrounding of a shower/tub combination.

Leak issues are generally noticeable in these spaces and can be detected by sight after running water through your shower.

Have a Professional Inspect Your Shower Pan

A shower pan leak is another usual spot for an issue, especially in tiled shower designs. These leaks can start from the pan being too old and faulty or merely due to a new one being installed incorrectly. Therefore, it pays to have someone inspect this space as a potential cause for any shower or bathtub leak.

Determine the Severity of the Issue by Searching the Levels Below

There's no more precise indication of a bad water leak within your shower floor than through the ceiling or flooring directly below the shower itself. Look for signs of water damage or condensation on the ceiling beneath a second-story shower or throughout your crawl space below a first-floor shower.

When eliminating a bathroom leak in your Clarksville, Tennessee home, follow any of these efficient methods for a quick solo inspection before contacting a professional for further assistance. For additional questions, contact SERVPRO of Montgomery County.