Recent Why SERVPRO Posts

How SERVPRO Makes Damage Insurance Claims Easier

8/31/2022 (Permalink)

People walking near a trailer " Disaster Recovery Team" Disaster Relief Team

How SERVPRO Makes Damage Insurance Claims Easier

When a commercial property is damaged by a storm, plumbing issues, fire or another unfortunate event, the first priority is to get it fixed. Filing an insurance claim and getting subsequent repairs for any damage can seem like a daunting process, but the fire and water damage restoration professionals at SERVPRO can make it simple for any client. Here are some of the claim services and benefits offered for customers.

Fast Emergency Response to Any Disaster
No matter the issue facing a commercial property, SERVPRO's team of restoration experts is ready to tackle the project as soon as they are contacted. This quick response ensures the claim and restoration effort will be addressed and ultimately finished in a timely manner. Count on these crews to provide trusted service for any of the following issues:

Water damage
Fire damage
Mold remediation
Contents drying
Odor removal

Crews are available for 24/7 service and are certified in their field by the industry-leading Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification.

Use of Electronic Claim Services
There is easy access to any recorded information regarding the claim with SERVPRO's electronic filing system. This service guarantees accurate online information that makes it simple to stay on top of the damage restoration process.
Tracking Claims With an Inventory System
Dealing with insurance claims is made much easier thanks to SERVPRO's inventory system. This service tracks all the losses within a East Naples, FL, building and includes pictures of any important, damaged items. This inventory system lays out all the necessary damage information for clients to easily refer to at any point during the cleanup and restoration process.
Customers working with SERVPRO's restoration experts benefit greatly from their fast response to any building disaster, electronic claim services and helpful inventory system, making for a seamless rebuild of any commercial property.

3 Steps for Dealing With Mold in Your Commercial Building

6/5/2022 (Permalink)

Spots of black mold on white wall Does your building in East Naples, FL have a mold problem?

Mold In Your Commercial Building

Does your building in East Naples, FL, have a mold problem? Have you noticed black mold growing anywhere in your building? The cleanup process for this can feel overwhelming, but there are steps to take to make it simpler and easier.

1. Test
The first step when seeing any discoloration on walls or other materials is to determine if the contaminant really is mold or not. Most home improvement stores sell mold tests designed for consumer use. This gives you a good idea of what you're dealing with, and it can identify all sorts of molds, including black mold. If you have multiple floors, it's best to put a test on each floor. Additionally, be sure to also test your basement or ground levels thoroughly. If you have a big basement, it might be necessary to conduct multiple tests around the space.

2. Call
If the tests come back positive, it's essential that you call in a mold cleanup professional right away. These experts are equipped with the best tools to conduct an efficient and thorough cleanup. Usually, they start by identifying any mold. Many professionals also carry equipment to detect any hidden moisture behind walls or above ceilings. This way, you can rest easy so that every growth is gone. Though mold remediation is a lengthy process, depending on the size of your building, most professionals complete work in three days, on average.

3. Retest
After the job is done, it's always best to retest so you can be 100% confident that all mold growth has been eradicated. Test in the same areas as before as a baseline, and also test any areas where the experts identified hidden mold growths. While the pros also likely tested the area thoroughly, many commercial building owners find that self-testing gives them peace of mind.
Don't be intimidated by black mold or the cleanup process. With some knowledge under your belt and a professional by your side, the process is simple and efficient.

How To Prevent and Handle Mold Contamination

3/29/2022 (Permalink)

Debris on the floor, mold on drywall Mold restoration in Island Walk, FL.

Mold Containment and Cleanup Process

Finding mold in your building is a serious matter in Island Walk, FL, and leaving it unattended and untreated is a big mistake. When it comes to mold cleanup and restoring your business, it is important to take the appropriate steps to prevent mold from spreading to other areas of your building. If you do not take measures to prevent cross contamination, your mold situation could get out of hand quickly and lead to costly damage.
There are several steps in the mold containment and cleanup process, including:

  • Isolating the affected area
  • Cutting off air flow
  • Creating negative pressure
  • Removing mold and damage
  • Restoring the building

Containment

Isolating the mold colony is important for limiting fungal spread. Sealing windows and doors, covering air vents, and using physical barriers are effective ways to keep the growth from creeping into other parts of the building. Shutting off air flow and creating negative pressure keeps mold spores from becoming airborne and traveling to other surfaces and rooms.

Mold Removal

Once the area is sealed off and the air from the contaminated area has been removed, you can begin the mold removal process. You should treat all infested areas with antimicrobial and antibacterial solutions and discard any items that are damaged by the mold. Enlisting the help of professional mold cleanup and remediation services will ensure the infestation has been removed completely and the risk of additional mold contamination has been eliminated.

Restoration

After removing the mold, you can begin restoring your building. This process can include minor repairs, such as putting fresh paint on walls and replacing carpets. However, in more severe cases, some parts of your building may require reconstruction.
It is important to understand the different steps in the remediation process to take effective action against a mold infestation. Starting the mold cleanup process as soon as you spot the problem can save your business from suffering major damage and costly repairs.

Why Do Insurers and Clients Prefer SERVPRO?

3/5/2022 (Permalink)

Drying equipment placed inside a residential property Choose SERVPRO of East Naples when restoring residential damage.

Why Choose SERVPRO?

Most insurance companies have Preferred Vendor networks for cleaning and restoring property damage. An insurance adjuster may recommend contacting a particular service, or homeowners may want to obtain an estimate from a reputable company when making an insurance claim. Insurers and clients prefer SERVPRO, an all-in-one mitigation and restoration service, for several reasons.

Faster Responses

A national company with local franchises can respond quickly, even in the event of a large-scale loss. There are several reasons why this is the case:

  • A centralized call center
  • Local locations
  • The ability to rely on backup locations

Each franchisee must abide by 21 guidelines in order to receive Insurance Client referrals. Insurers appreciate this level of quality assurance.

Trained Professionals

An insurance adjuster or a homeowner should seek out service with mitigation and restoration expertise. SERVPRO offers several types of training:

  • New franchise training
  • Employee training
  • IICRC credentials
  • Continuing education

Taken together, all of these programs enable employees to stay current with the leading mitigation and restoration methods for every type of damage. This allows for faster and more complete jobs and lower claim amounts.

Accurate Assessments and Estimates

Trained professionals at an all-in-one cleanup and restoration company are also capable of providing a complete assessment and arriving at a more accurate estimate. Estimates should take into account the types of equipment and expertise required, as well as the duration of a mitigation and restoration job.

Electronic Services

Agents and adjusters are also likely to appreciate the Claims Information Center. This electronic service allows insurance representatives to access estimates and collected data from across the country all the way down to the state, county or local level.

All of these factors combine to make a Preferred Vendor the best option for restoring residential damage in Golden Gate, FL. Whether you are a homeowner or an insurance adjuster, you should contact the nearest SERVPRO franchise.

Trust SERVPRO and Its Fire Restoration Process

2/27/2022 (Permalink)

Technician wearing protective gear and mask while working on ceiling Fire restoration in Village Walk, FL.

SERVPRO's Fire Restoration Process

If a fire starts in your Village Walk, FL, home, you know it’s vital to get out safely and call the fire department as soon as possible. If the fire was extensive and ruined or damaged parts of the structure or your belongings, you need an experienced fire restoration team to help. The best companies have qualified professionals who will follow thorough steps to help ensure you get back on your feet soon.

Tried and True Steps

There are many benefits to enlisting the talents of a fire cleanup company. When you get SERVPRO on the case, you can have confidence that the employees will follow the most effective process to salvage or replace those items the fire affected. These key steps are as follows:

  • Inspect and evaluate
  • Tear out, tarp and board
  • Clean and sanitize
  • Replace, if necessary

Inspection

The first thing the team will do is complete a thorough, meticulous inspection to assess the extent of the damage. Technicians will come up with a plan of attack based on how much of the home suffered damage, what portions of the home and what items need attention, and what they can salvage and what they must replace using rebuilding services.

Tear-Out and Boarding Process

If fire and smoke completely ruined areas beyond repair, the team will remove these items to prevent further problems. Company representatives will also mitigate holes and gaps in the roof or walls by boarding up and tarping the problematic places.

Cleaning and Sanitizing

Smoke damage can make fire restoration difficult, but SERVPRO has the necessary equipment and methods to clean just about anything, including electronics. The team will do its part to make your home livable once more.

Restoration

In a fire rebuild, SERVPRO will repair and restore drywall, flooring, roofs and other places that the fire ruined. The team will replace items as the last resort.

For your fire restoration needs, trust SERVPRO. The team has what it takes to ensure a successful repair and rebuild of your home.

Are Home Mold Testing Kits Accurate?

1/30/2022 (Permalink)

Mold testing kit Most home mold tests are not precise enough to identify the species of mold.

Are Mold Testing Kits at Home Reliable?

Homeowners may consider using home mold testing kits due to the comparatively low cost of these tests relative to professional testing and analysis. There are several reasons why expert testing is more accurate and useful. Learn more about the shortcomings of DIY mold tests and why it is worth it to seek the services of a certified environmental hygienist or full-service mold restoration company in Island Walk, FL.


False Positives

Home mold tests vary insensitivity. Many tests are prone to return positive results for several reasons:

  • Mold spores are everywhere
  • Some kits are not properly calibrated
  • Results may be ambiguous

A home mold testing kit may react to the presence of spores without factoring in whether microbial volatile organic compounds are present. These off-gases are released during the active growth cycle of fungi and indicate that mold is actively growing.

Inaccurate Species Identification

Most home mold tests are not precise enough to identify the species of mold. It is not possible to make a positive identification based on color. Black mold or Stachybotrys is actually dark green early in the growth cycle. As there are more than 100,000 known species of mold, lab testing is necessary to obtain an accurate identification.

No Expert Opinions

Environmental hygienists and mold specialists can offer informed opinions throughout the professional testing and remediation process. Insight into the following factors may be helpful:

  • The location of mold growth
  • Potential causes
  • Whether a species of mold is toxigenic

All of these factors will impact the type of cleaning methods and equipment necessary to remediate mold damage. Remediation may be more affordable and successful if expert knowledge is available.

A home mold kit may be affordable in Island Walk, FL, but it is unlikely to be as accurate as professional testing. Homeowners should put the money they might spend on attempts at DIY mold tests toward expert mold testing and remediation that can fix the problem “Like it never even happened.”