After a fire, here are three ways renters insurance might help.
A fire can quickly come out of nowhere and devastate your life and home. You might think you don't need to get insurance when you're renting because the homeowner's policy will cover everything in your Bal Harbour, FL, home. However, their policy will cover the structure, not you and your things. Here are three ways renters insurance will help you after a fire.
1. Fire Damage to Personal Belongings
Whether from the flame, smoke, or fire control methods, you'll find that your belongings suffer a lot of damage after a fire. Before you begin throwing anything away, it's essential to take pictures and keep a list of everything damaged in the fire. Your insurance company will work with you to reimburse you for everything up to your coverage limits. The insurance company will pay you the cost it would take to replace the item now, instead of how much you paid for it when you originally purchased it.
2. Liability for Damage to Others
Fires can quickly spread, causing damage to the buildings and people around you. If someone is hurt or their property gets damaged by fire from the property you lived in, your renter's insurance policy can help cover their expenses. The liability insurance will cover their medical costs and the expense of replacing any of their belongings that the fire destroyed.
3. Restoration Services
Even if the fire didn't burn something, that doesn't mean the item is still in usable condition. Smoke and soot can find their way into tiny crevices and cause irreparable damage if not quickly and adequately addressed. Your insurance policy will cover the cost of fire restoration services to clean and restore your items to like new, which can often be most cost-affordable than replacing them. Even a small fire can ravage your life and your savings account. However, you'll have comfort knowing that you have less to worry about when you have renters insurance.
Benefits of Hiring a Restoration Company After a Flood
The Advantages of Hiring a Flood Restoration Company
No matter how vigilant you are about maintenance and repairs, a sudden water loss can harm your building in North Miami Beach, FL, and disrupt your business. Some property owners try to clean up the mess themselves, but there are several benefits of hiring professionals for pipe burst cleanup.
Salvage for Damaged Items A broken pipe does more than just destroy insulation and saturate walls. It can also damage any items in the path of the water:
Furniture
Electronics
Carpet
Documents
Manufacturing equipment
Certified technicians who specialize in item recovery may be able to salvage things that are damaged in a flood. At the very least, they can help you discern between what needs to be replaced and what can be repaired.
Comprehensive Pipe Burst Cleanup There are several perks of working with a company that handles both the mitigation and restoration of your building. It streamlines the process, allowing you to get back to business in a shorter period of time. Having one team that does everything improves communication and documentation, too. Finally, it makes the prevention of secondary damage easier, as the final test doesn't have to happen until the whole job is complete.
Disinfection After Sewer Backup Not all water that floods your building may be clean. If a toilet overflows or the sewer backs up in the pipes after a heavy storm, you must make sure that the affected area is not just dry but sanitized. A sewer cleanup company takes the appropriate measures to disinfect the area and then runs tests to ensure that all bacteria are eradicated.
When you need pipe burst cleanup or sewer remediation, it's best to leave it to the professionals. Certified technicians have the training and experience necessary to take care of all your mitigation and restoration needs and can help you prevent further damage.
If your North Miami Beach, FL, business has experienced fire damage to the roof, it is vital to begin fire cleanup as soon as possible. While waiting for a professional fire damage company to begin the cleanup, you still need to ensure your business is protected. Tarping or boarding up damaged areas offers numerous benefits.
Benefits of Tarp Services
A roof with an exposed area creates opportunities for secondary damage to happen. The sooner you get those areas covered, the better the chances of reducing the potential for another situation to happen. Below are three key benefits of tarping:
Any hole in the roof means that excess moisture or critters have an opening to your business. If that happens, on top of fire cleanup, there will be additional items to repair that may quickly add up.
Depending on the extent of the damage, it may be enough for a thief or vandal to gain entry into the business. The valuable equipment and other items necessary to keep your business running are then at risk of being stolen.
Fire damage creates the potential for added risk to people as well. Tarping the roof also means that the damaged area has been assessed. This helps minimize the chances of an incident happening that the business owner would be liable for.
Effects on Insurance Claims
While insurance will likely cover roof repair, it won’t cover any secondary damage. Often, an insurance provider will require that temporary repairs or tarping be completed. Instead of risking getting less on the claim, it’s best to act fast and minimize damage.
After an incident, it may be easy to focus on the fire cleanup itself, but it's also important to consider what exposed areas may mean. Tarping or boarding up roof damage is essential to minimizing damage and maximizing the claim.
3 Frequently Asked Questions About Basement Water And Insurance
The last thing you want to experience is a basement flood, but you still need to be prepared for one. That means understanding what your homeowner's insurance will cover. Here are some frequently asked questions about water sources in your basement and your insurance company's response.
1. Is a Pipe Burst Covered?
Generally, a basement flood caused by a burst pipe falls under the sudden and accidental clause in your policy. This means your insurance will pay for water remediation professionals to dry out your home and fix the damaged flooring and walls. Additionally, your insurance coverage will typically pay for any damage in your basement if you live in a duplex and your neighbor's pipe bursts.
2. Is Damage From a Storm Covered?
Damage that comes from factors outside of your home is another thing. A standard homeowner's insurance policy typically does not cover damage from natural disasters, including hurricanes, thunderstorms, or blizzards. However, you can get a separate flood insurance policy to protect against this type of event. This can be added to your homeowner's insurance or purchased as a single option through another company.
Although they can be crucial, very few homeowners have flood insurance policies. Even though mortgage lenders only require flood insurance policies in high-risk areas, it is a good idea to have this no matter where you live. After all, flooding can occur anywhere.
3. Is Groundwater Seepage Covered?
Sometimes, a basement flood can be caused by groundwater seeping through the cracks in the foundation of your home in Hialeah Gardens, FL. The damage is generally not covered in these cases. This is because regular maintenance can often prevent groundwater seepage. Be sure to have your foundation inspected regularly and perform any recommended chores.
Since a flooded basement can occur in any home, it is important to understand what is covered by your insurance company. These frequently asked questions will give you a head start so you can find out what your policy covers.
SERVPRO is available 24 /7 to respond quickly to your emergency, including: Commercial Storm Restoration. Call us!
How Can You Assist Your Clients With Storm Services?
When a storm occurs in a place like Biscayne Park, FL, your office is overwhelmed with calls about storm restoration. In order to satisfy your insurance clients, you have cultivated a list of preferred vendors in their area who you know will work well with their coverage options and provide effective services. But what sets one restoration team apart from another? Here are some ways to help your clients navigate storm services.
1. Choose Local Franchises
Encourage your client to choose a storm restoration company that is local but that has strong backing. After a storm, many local businesses and individuals will be seeking help, so it's important to choose a company that has the backing of a larger corporation to ensure that they will have access to the supplies that are necessary to help your client with their project.
2. Value Communication
Especially when making initial contact, the first impression is important. Only recommend a storm response team that has a proven record of answering customers' calls and communicating with them openly and honestly about the time frame for providing services. It's also necessary that a restoration team keeps good records throughout the entire project and initiates follow-up calls with your client. Your client should never have to wonder about the status of their restoration.
3. Trust the Training
Emphasize companies that have a background of training their staff completely before assigning them to flood damage restoration jobs. Anyone can run a shop vacuum or a pump, but your client is depending on you to help them find restorers who are knowledgeable and experienced when it comes to properly drying out a structure so that business can continue. A franchise that is required to meet corporate standards for each employee's training can more easily guarantee that any staff member they send to a site will represent that company well by providing superior services.
Be thoughtful and through when you advise your insurance clients about their options for storm restoration help in their area.
When disasters hit you can always count on SERVPRO to show up! We are here to help. Call us!
What You Should Know About Storm Damage vs. Flooding
If you're contemplating what insurance coverage you want to purchase for your business, it's helpful to understand the technical differences between flood damage and storm damage. Though the resulting damage to your property and its contents may be caused by water in both instances, your coverage will be determined by the source of the water damage and whether you have the right policy for the event.
Flood Damage
Flooding happens for a variety of reasons, from the overflow of lakes, rivers and streams, water main breaks, storm surges or melting snow and ice. The rule of thumb to remember what constitutes a flood is that the water and resulting water damage must originate from ground level. The floodwaters seep into your building from the surrounding landscape or hardscape on the outside. Water damage caused by floods is only covered if you have a separate flood insurance policy, which is mandated by the government if your business sits in a flood zone.
Storm Damage
Storm damage, on the other hand, encompasses damage caused by wind, hail, rain, or lightning. It includes water damage that happens as a direct result of rain, which often happens in conjunction with wind damage. For instance, if wind rips the shingles off your roof or causes trees to break through windows or the building, it can allow rain to get inside and damage the property, your furniture or equipment. Storm damage is covered under your commercial property insurance policy without any special rider.
Damage Repair and Cleanup
Knowing whether your water damage is caused by a flood or storm is necessary to determine your eligibility for coverage. Cleanup, repairs and remediation efforts can be quite expensive, so making sure you have the proper coverage ahead of time is vital to fully protect your business and commercial property.
Though water damage can disrupt your business and cause you a great deal of stress, understanding the difference between flood damage and storm damage will help you make the right decision when it comes to choosing a policy. Being confident about your coverage ahead of time will take at least some of the worry out of the equation.
Check Your Insurance Policy To See If You're Covered For Mold.
After a water-related event like a storm, pipe burst or fire, mold can begin to proliferate in your Bal Harbour, FL, building. Left unchecked, wet or damp surfaces may provide a breeding ground for mold within 24 to 48 hours. It's important to understand your commercial insurance policy to see if mold damage is covered.
Why Mold Is a Problem
Mold spores are everywhere, even if you can't see them. They are carried by wind and air currents and can enter buildings on clothing, shoes or pet fur. Spores will begin to grow in an environment with these conditions:
Moisture
Oxygen
Food source (organic material)
Warmth
Building materials like wood, drywall, ceiling tiles and carpet provide food sources for mold, so once moisture enters your facility, it can begin to colonize and cause damage.
Insurance Coverage
Commercial insurance policies differ in scope and size. Whether your policy covers mold damage depends on the language in your policy. It also depends on the source of contamination. The standard Insurance Services Office, or ISO, form contains a broad fungus exclusion. Mold is a type of fungus and falls under the exclusion. There are three exceptions to the exclusion:
If the mold results from fire or lightning
If you have a specified cause of loss that results from mold
Fungus that results from a specified cause other than fire or lightning (limited fungus coverage)
Under limited fungus coverage, the policy covers damage, repair and cleanup. It covers loss or damage if the mold results from a specified cause of loss. If your policy includes an endorsement for flood coverage, mold resulting from a flood is also covered.
To obtain mold insurance through limited fungus coverage, you must use reasonable means to preserve your property from further damage before and after the triggering event.
Limited fungus coverage can help pay for a professional remediation company to mitigate damage caused by mold. Check your commercial insurance policy for details.
The roof over your business works hard. How often do you check it? Roof damage can be discrete, so you should inspect it at least twice a year. If there is a weather event, that number should be ramped up. Read on for some surprising tips you may not have considered when looking to prevent storm damage to your commercial roof.
1. Small Rainstorms Can Cause Lasting Damage
It's a common misconception that roofing is only affected by large disasters. In fact, wind damage can occur in speeds of just 45 mph. That isn't typically thought of as intense, but it can cause minor wear to your roof that builds up over time. Similarly, light rain can cause issues if it is accumulating in places.
Following propery safety precautions, a property manager, or local roof damage specialist in North Miami Beach, FL, should do a thorough scan of the roof. Monitor for any of the following problem areas:
Cracked shingles
Peeling edges
Broken flashing
Flashing is generally a strip of thin steel that is located near any surface perpendicular to the roofing, such as exterior walls, vents, or chimneys. Its purpose is to steer water away from these compromised places on your roof. Damage should be addressed promptly to prevent excess moisture.
2. Clogged Gutters Can Hurt Your Roof
Another tip to prevent roof damage is to regularly clear gutters. Clogged gutters can weaken the integrity of the materials, and it can back up water into places it shouldn't be. After all, the purpose of a drainage system is to drain this excess liquid. If left unkempt, water can erode your roof or even seep into your building. Eventually, you will need a roof rebuild.
3. Trees and Branches Should Stay Clear
Furthermore, when conducting a roof check, look out for any debris. This is usually caused by overhanging trees. Clear any rogue branches, mitigating the chance of harm. Older trees, especially, can be uprooted during a storm, wreaking havoc.
It's best to take care of any roof issues quickly. Failure to inspect, clean gutters, and clear debris can lead to long-lasting roof damage. Protect your commercial roof so it can continue to protect you.
Residential Recovery: How To React to a Sewage Backup
Most people don’t give sewage much thought, but that all changes the moment it ends up on the floors of their homes. The problem could stem from a flooded toilet or even result from a full-blown sewer backup, but in any case, immediate action is necessary. Contaminated water is a risk to property and personal health in North Miami Beach, FL, and although there are steps you can take to mitigate damage, it’s often best to leave sewer cleanup to a professional restoration team. Here’s what you should know if you run into this type of home catastrophe.
The Do's and Don’ts
Walking into a room and finding a shallow pool of dirty water is enough to give anyone pause, but it’s crucial to take swift action to keep everyone safe. Before you call for reinforcements, consider these first steps:
Do remove people and pets from affected areas and keep the areas clear of traffic.
Do open windows to vent out fumes and circulate fresh air.
Do outfit yourself with protective garments if possible, including rubber gloves and boots as well as eye and face protection.
It’s also beneficial to avoid these knee-jerk reactions when sewer cleanup becomes necessary:
Don’t remain in the home or use appliances if the water has reached wall outlets or other electrical sources, as this is a major fire risk.
Don’t utilize harsh chemical-based solutions to eliminate clogs, before or after flooding occurs.
Don’t use running water in your home or attempt to flush toilets, which can make problems worse.
Make the Right Call
Unless you’re extremely confident in your capabilities, it’s smart to consult professionals when sewer cleanup is required. A sewer backup or badly flooded toilet introduces harmful microbes to the environment and can cause illness and lasting property damage if the right sanitization methods are not employed. If you’re a homeowner in North Miami Beach, FL, keep a qualified recovery team among your contacts for assured peace of mind.
4 Frequently Asked Questions About IICRC Certified Professionals
As a business manager, you can expect disaster restoration professionals with an IICRC certification to be experienced, skilled, and reliable. This organization holds industry professionals to the highest standards. Therefore, looking for professionals in Biscayne Park, FL, with this certification should be important for any business manager. However, many people want to know about the benefits of this certification.
1. What Is That Certification?
IICRC stands for the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration. This is one of the most well-known organizations in the remediation industry. It is the leader in technological advancements and setting standards for professionals who work in restoration. Since this is a global organization, it is possible to find professionals almost anywhere who have this certification. For individuals to get an inspection, cleaning, restoration, or mitigation certificate, they must know the most advanced practices in the industry.
2. How Do Courses Improve Technicians’ Skill Levels?
Technicians with an IICRC certification must take multiple classes to develop and maintain their skills. For instance, a certified commercial drying specialist must take courses on administration and drying commercial structures, equipment, and fixtures. Additionally, many courses require pre-requisites to ensure the technicians understand a type of restoration before they can further their knowledge. Those who wish for many of the certifications related to moisture must first become certified water damage technicians.
3. What Do Certified Technicians Add to a Project?
Certified technicians provide the highest quality of service available. Those who have proper training understand the potential damage to your building from a disaster and the health hazards they need to handle while working. For instance, they know different microorganisms that could grow after water damage and which chemicals kill them. They also can differentiate between sanitary and contaminated water. This means you will get the proper remediation for your situation.
Business managers must ensure they hire restoration workers who are properly trained and certified. By looking for a team with this type of certification, you can ensure that your workers will be skilled and perform the job well.
3 Factors That Affect the Amount of Time Required for Mold Removal
Three Factors That Influence The Time It Takes to Remove Mold
Mold is prevalent in buildings of all kinds, including commercial ones. This is true even if it is not visible to the naked eye because its spores still float through the air. The pervasive fungus is capable of thriving in virtually any environment that is cool, damp and dark and grows on almost any substance. It also feeds off of nutrients in construction materials such as paper, wood and fabric, potentially leading to decay and compromised structural integrity in property over time. Black mold and other forms of mold growth also tend to negatively impact an establishment's image if in plain view of customers/clientele due to the negative connotation associated with its presence.
To avoid these consequences, owners of places overtaken by the invasive microbes may wish to hire a professional remediation service in Sunny Isles, FL, to handle the mold removal. As time is valuable in and out of the business world, it is important to understand how much of it might be taken up by the cleanup process and the factors affecting that amount.
1. Location
Where the mold growth is located impacts how long the mold removal takes because some areas are more difficult to access than others, including:
HVAC systems
Under flooring
Behind walls
Beneath ceiling tiles
2. Surface
What it grows on can also complicate removal, lengthening how long the procedure takes. Porous materials such as concrete, fabric, insulation, drywall and particle board more easily collect and retain the moisture mold loves, attracting it. The fungus infiltrates and sticks to the many crevices and holes in these materials, making it harder to root out. In certain cases, they may have to be thrown out and completely replaced due to the difficulty involved in getting rid of it.
3. Amount
The size of the infestation correlates directly to the time necessary for completion. More mold takes more effort and more hours to remediate. In general, mold removal may take between three and seven days, depending on the extent of the damage and the circumstances mentioned here. While mold cannot be completely erased, third party testing is a good method to determine if remediation is complete.
The Cooperative Efforts of Insurance Adjusters and Cleanup Companies
SERVPRO Franchise Professionals provide emergency water restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays.
Insurance Adjusters And Cleanup Companies Working Together
When an emergency strikes in Miami Shores, FL, you'll get help from many different professionals. These rescuers could come in the form of firefighters or emergency response teams. They may even show up in the form of your insurance adjuster. Whether your basement is full of flood water or you just escaped a kitchen fire, a representative from your insurance company may be the person with the most influence over how soon you get your life back to normal.
The Role of Insurance Adjusters
After a fire, flood, or another disaster, contact your insurance adjuster as quickly as possible. Insurance companies offer many services in these situations.
• Advance funding for necessities • Advice about how to proceed • Recommendations for emergency response cleanup teams • Investigation into damages and injuries
These professionals generally contact witnesses, the police, and emergency officials. Their work is primarily investigative but should result in a fair settlement for your insurance claim.
Cooperative Partners
Many adjusters have preferred fire and water clean-up companies with whom they like to work. SERVPRO is often recommended because of the company's history of working closely with insurance companies. SERVPRO teams are trained to work efficiently with homeowners and insurance representatives.
The Role of Cleanup Crews
Clean-up technicians arrive on the scene to give the homeowner reassurance, to prevent further damage, to report to adjusters, and to make a plan of action for the rest of the cleanup and recovery. These professionals often provide a 24-hour response, conduct loss assessments, and maintain complete files for the homeowner and insurance companies. From time to time, these cleanup and restoration crews will work with other service providers in the area. This willingness to coordinate means that best practices can be maintained, and insurance companies can keep a close eye on progress.
When your life is put on hold because of fires or flooding, dealing with paperwork and claims can be frustrating. It helps when your Miami Shores, FL, cleanup company and insurance adjuster are familiar with the other and able to cooperate efficiently.
SERVPRO is your local water, flood, and fire damage restoration professional. Call SERVPRO today to learn more about how we can help!
Is Your Company Flood-Ready?
Flooding can cause extensive damage at a commercial property in Biscayne Park, FL. Building owners and managers should take the following measures to limit the severity of damage.
Back Up Records
Building and business owners can rest easier if important data and records are backed up. There are several methods to consider:
Cloud-based storage
Off-site storage
Elevating paper records
It is a good idea to make digital backups of records. Store paper files in a location that is not as likely to flood or on any level above the ground floor of a structure.
Elevate Delicate or Dangerous Items
Appliances, paper files, devices and furniture may remain in good condition if these items can be moved to a higher floor of a structure. It is also a good idea to try to raise electrical panels, switches or wiring in the basement or on the ground floor.
Check Flood Insurance Coverage
Owners of buildings located in a flood zone should maintain flood insurance. This coverage can offset the cost of flood damage mitigation and restoration. Make sure the policy is current, check the limits and keep track of contact information.
Choose a Floodwater Management Method
There are many ways to control the flow of floodwater. Use one or more of the following methods to keep black water away from a structure:
Sandbags and plastic sheeting
Self-stabilizing barriers
Water-filled barriers
Investing in a sandbag alternative can make preparing for flooding easier, faster and more affordable in the long run. Many of these systems can be reused.
Prepare the Basement
Building owners may want to have a basement waterproofed. Test the sump pump and install a battery-operated backup or generator in case of power failure.
These measures can lessen the extent of flood damage at a commercial structure in Biscayne Park, FL. If a building sustains damage from flooding, schedule a consultation with a mitigation and restoration company.
SERVPRO has team members ready 24/7/365 to assist you after any kind of water damage. Call us!
What To Do If Your Home Has Been Flooded
As a homeowner, at some point, you will likely experience flooding in your home. Whether from an overflowing toilet or sink, a broken water heater, a heavy storm, or broken pipes, water damage is a fact of life in Bal Harbour, FL. It’s best to call professionals to take care of repairs and water cleanup, but here are some things you can do while you’re waiting for help to arrive.
Focus on Safety
Your first concern should be your and your family’s safety. Depending on the water source, the water itself can be a significant health hazard, so if the water isn’t clean, leave the cleanup to the professionals. Keep the following in mind:
Only do activities that are safe to perform, and wait until professionals arrive if you are unsure.
Electrical and “slip and fall” hazards are common concerns, so be aware of electronic appliances and watch your footing.
Remember that waterlogged furniture and other materials can be heavy, so be careful when trying to move anything out of the water.
What to Do While You Wait for Help
Depending on the amount of water damage and your safety assessment, there are some activities you can do to help with water cleanup before professionals arrive or after they begin cleanup efforts. If the amount of standing water is minimal, you may be able to remove excess water by blotting or mopping. Additional activities include:
Removing upholstery and cushions and propping up to dry
Turning on the air conditioner, if available, during warm weather
Removing area rugs
Gathering loose items from the floor
Wiping water from the surface of wood furniture
The important thing, though, is to leave most of the cleanup up to the experts. Water damage in Bal Harbour, FL can cause serious health hazards like mold and bacteria growth if not addressed quickly and thoroughly, and a professional crew will have the equipment needed to get the job done right.
Controlling mold growth in your Surfside, FL, home might be challenging for you as a homeowner because mold spores can attach and multiply due to high humidity, water damage and an abundant food supply that includes wood and drywall. However, there are a few strategies you can use to prevent mold from taking hold in your home, even if you live in an area that sees wet, humid summers and damp winters.
1. Check Water Pipes Often
Even small or slow leaks from your home’s water pipes can encourage mold to grow, so checking them at least once a month can be important. Both interior and exterior pipes that run along walls can be vulnerable to leaks or bursting in cold weather, so ensure they are well insulated once temperatures start to drop. Remember to let the hot water faucet drip and open kitchen and bathroom cabinets if you leave your home for long periods of time, as this can warm pipes and lower the risk of leaks and breaks.
2. Lower Your Home’s Humidity
Humid conditions make a prime environment for mold, whether it is the result of wet weather or a contained flood. You can lower your home’s humidity levels by investing in a dehumidifier, replacing old windows and installing low-flow showerheads to reduce moisture buildup and water damage in the bathroom.
3. Have Your Home Inspected
One effective fungi prevention tactic is to have your home inspected by professional mold remediation and removal service. Experienced technicians know where mold is most likely to hide and what kind of damp conditions can contribute to its growth. Even if you do not see obvious evidence of a problem, having your home inspected annually could go a long way for mold prevention and preventing hidden infestations from taking hold.
Water damage, high humidity and other issues can encourage mold growth in your Surfside, FL, home. Being aware of these conditions and how to fix them may go a long way in keeping your property fungi-free.
The roof of a home in Sunny Isles, FL has been tarped due to wind damage.
Three Reasons To Use Tarp and Boards
As a resident of Sunny Isles, FL, the potential for roof damage to your home from high winds, hail, or fallen tree limbs is evident. Strong storms can cover an area with more than just rainfall; they can bring disaster and chaos to homeowners living through them. If you find your home in need of roofing restoration experts but need to take action before they arrive, here are three reasons for using tarps and boards to mitigate further loss.
1. Reduce Water Damage
Waiting for an insurance adjuster or for restoration to start might continually expose your home to one of the more damaging elements of nature. Water damage can occur both during and after heavy rainfall, creating secondary structural issues or an environment for mold growth. Tarps and boards can repel and divert water away from weak areas in the roof, taking both an offensive and defensive position against secondary damage.
2. Comprehensive Coverage
Should wind damage leave your roof with pockets of dislocated tiles or shingles, boards can be used to span the distance. For areas where a fallen tree or limbs created large and less-than-symmetrical patterns of roof damage, tarps provide flexibility and temporary durability. Using a combination of both adds extra support and protection.
3. Efficient and Accessible Protection
Although leaving the restoration for the experts is preferred, homeowners have the ability to secure their roofs and homes from additional damage by using these items. Remember to keep safety as your priority, but the safety of your family and home might require the immediate response of tarping or boards. Supplies are easily found at local hardware stores, making it a quick response option.
Experiencing the aftermath of a severe storm can be emotionally and physically devastating, but you are fortunate to have skilled restoration experts on hand in Sunny Isles, FL. Should you find yourself faced with roof damage, remember to call the experts first, but quickly take the next steps to reduce further problems.
Fire Preparation: Do You Need an Emergency Action Plan?
Emergencies are unpredictable by definition which is why every business should have a contingency plan. When it comes to an Emergency Action Plan, you are typically dealing with fire preparations. Now, not every municipality requires a company to have an EAP, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. There are at least four things to consider in determining whether you should craft an EAP or not.
1. Fire Extinguisher Mandate
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, if your building is required to have fire extinguishers on the premises, and if people will be evacuating during the fire, then an evacuation plan is necessary. This is true even if fire extinguishers are merely provided and not required as well.
2. Fight or Flee
The fight or flee principle will also help you understand if a contingency plan is mandated. If you have a company with an in-house fire brigade, meaning that you intend to fight internal fires, then an EAP is not required. However, if anyone in your company is going to flee the premises, then an EAP is needed.
3. Occupational Safety and Health Administration Guidelines
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines, specifically [29 CFR 1910.157], dictates the rules surrounding mandatory EAPs. Essentially, as stated above, if a company or anyone for that matter, will be evacuating the premises then an emergency plan is required.
4. Evacuation Policy
Ultimately, most businesses must comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulation and define a clear evacuation policy. You can contact a fire remediation specialist in the Biscayne Park, FL, area to help you asses your property and create an emergency plan, or you can contact your local emergency services and discuss your concerns.
While a contingency plan may be a lot of work to develop, a well-crafted plan can potentially save lives. Additionally, an EAP is required federally, unless you want to create your very own fire brigade. While it may be exciting to put on a firefighter’s uniform, it may be more practical to put together an evacuation plan that is clear and effective, keeping everyone safe and sound.
If your home in Miami Shores, FL becomes flooded with water, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the idea of restoring your home. While primary damage is the direct result of water damage, if water is left to sit, secondary damage, such as black mold growth, can occur.
1. Loss of Personal Items
Though personal items may not be immediately damaged by water, water that is not removed immediately and high humidity can cause some belongings in your home to deteriorate. Items such as chairs, desks and other pieces of furniture may be affected by standing water and high levels of humidity. Belongings made of wood are particularly susceptible to damage as they may rot quickly.
2. Mold Growth
The potential for mold growth is a major concern that is often overlooked when a home is affected by water damage. Since mold most often grows close to water, damp areas with high humidity levels as a result of flooding create the perfect environment for mold. Mold can grow in a matter of days, and black mold, a type of mold that can be particularly hazardous, can cause extensive damage to a home and can create health risks.
3. Structural Damage
Though a pipe leak and minor flooding may seem to be a simple problem to fix, if water is not quickly removed, structural damage can occur. Floors and ceilings can become damaged due to consistent leaks, and in some cases, replacements are necessary. When a flood affects a larger area of your home, everything from drywall to the home’s foundation can become badly damaged if water remains in the area.
Although black mold and other types of secondary damage can cause major damage to your home, quickly removing water from affected areas can help to prevent such damage from occurring. As you begin the cleanup process, you might find it helpful to work with water damage restoration experts.
Nothing interrupts the flow of life in North Miami Beach, FL, more than a home fire. A blaze can start from many different causes, but one of the hardest to control is a grease-based fire. Your first impulse when fire is staring you in the face is to douse the flames with water. In the event that grease catches fire, you absolutely must not put water on the fire. It will cause it to splatter and spread. So what can you do to put out a grease fire safely?
Steps To Put out a Grease-based Fire
1. Turn off or unplug heat source if possible (oven, burner, etc.) 2. Pour generous amounts of baking soda over the fire 3. Cover to smother the flames using a non-flammable item such as a large pot or lid 4. If you cannot extinguish it immediately, get out of the house and call 911 for help 5. Again, NEVER put water on a grease fire
Prevention is Your Best Bet
Prevention is also extremely important. Use extra care in the kitchen to keep your burners clean during cooking and avoid letting fats and oils over heat. Take care to keep combustible items away from the cooktop and take care when leaning over pans and burners. Broiling in the oven or baking foods that spatter or drip grease onto heating elements can also be a hazard. Never leave the oven unattended when broiling.
A grease fire can be difficult to battle and can cause a lot of damage. If this happens, you will need the help of professional restoration services in North Miami Beach, FL, to help with the fire cleanup. Greasy residue and soot is likely to have deposited itself on walls, cabinets, furniture and other surfaces and will require special handling to remove it completely. The odor from burnt grease is particularly putrid as well, and may require expert help to get rid of it.
3 Tips for Maintaining a Commercial Irrigation System
3 Tips For Keeping A Commercial Irrigation System Running Smoothly
If you have an irrigation system at your business in Bal Harbour, FL, odds are you may experience a problem with your system. Irrigation flooding can lead to potential water damage and require the services of a water damage restoration professional. Fortunately, when your system goes haywire there are a few things you can do to help mitigate any trouble.
1. Know Your Zones
Some irrigation problems may be occurring in one part of the yard over another. This can indicate that the main problem is located within a specific zone. Knowing where your zones are can help you know which sections to check for potential issues, and examine the area for the source. For example, a big tree in one zone may have wrapped a root around an irrigation pipe.
2. Check the Valves
it's a good idea to check the on/off position of all the valves when experiencing irrigation problems. When going over the irrigation system it’s also important to look for debris. Things like rocks and twigs can get inside open valves and clog up the pipe. A blockage could be the source of any trouble the system may be having.
3. Contact a Specialist
If the problem with your system isn’t obvious, or isn’t something you can fix on your own, it’s best to contact a professional to look over the irrigation. They can look for potential electrical trouble as well as at the system’s hardware, and will have the right tools to fix problems that may be occurring with the pipes.
A broken irrigation system could be a result of a number of problems, but it’s important to get it fixed before you start experiencing water damage problems as well. When problems start occurring with your irrigation look at if any specific areas are having more trouble than others. It’s also a good idea to ensure all the valves are in the correct on or off position, and that none are clogged by debris. When in doubt, contact a professional.
If you are like most residents of North Miami Beach, FL, you use your microwave every day. As you probably know, though, dirty microwaves can make your food taste terrible. You don’t have to put up with a smoke smell or other unpleasant odors. In fact, there are a variety of ways to effectively clean one of the most important appliances in your kitchen. Here are four of them.
1. Grab Some Vinegar
Harsh chemicals are often problematic. Fortunately, you don’t have to rely on them. Professional chefs have used vinegar to clean microwaves for years. Microwaving a solution that includes water and a tablespoon of white vinegar usually loosens cooked-on food.
2. Cut a Lemon
Like vinegar, lemon juice is an effective way of removing a smoke smell. Simply cut a lemon in half, and place both sides inside your appliance with a tablespoon of water. Then, microwave the lemon for five minutes to remove odors and food particles. A quick wipe down completes the cleaning process.
3. Use Some Dish Soap
Dish soap doesn’t only clean your silverware, plates and bowls. It is also a good cleaner for microwaves. After using steam to loosen baked-on food, wipe the appliance’s insides with a mild dish soap to banish grease. Be careful to thoroughly rinse all surfaces, though, as residue can adversely affect the taste of cooked food.
4. Find a Restoration Service
Microwaves can be expensive. If your high-end appliance’s contamination is the result of a kitchen fire or other home disaster, you may need to rely on a professional restoration service in North Miami Beach, FL, to completely remove unwanted odors.
With a bit of effort, you can likely get rid of the offensive smoke smell coming from the microwaves in your home. While routine cleaning is important, even disastrous microwaves are usually salvageable. By focusing on both the appliance and its vent grill, you know you are cooking in an odor-free appliance.
When dealing with damage caused by a pipe break or flooding one of the first concerns many homeowners in North Miami, FL, may have can be for their floors. Damage can occur regardless of the type of flooring, and treatment may be different in each case.
Cement, Stone or Tile Flooring
Tile, stone and cement are common flooring types found in basements, laundry rooms, bathrooms, and kitchen areas where water damage is the most likely to happen. Damage to these floors occurs most often when water gets into cracks and seeps under the flooring. Here are some signs to look for:
Loose tiles
Stains around chips or cracks in the flooring
Hollow sounds beneath stones or tiles
Areas where the grout or caulking is crumbling
Carpeted Flooring
A pipe break can occur in other areas of the house and cause damage to carpeting. In most cases, restoration may be possible if the carpet can be thoroughly dried. It’s also important to be aware of the water source in cases like these because carpeting damaged by an unclean source should be replaced. Signs of damage may include:
Staining or discoloration of the material
A change in the material’s texture
Loose material or spot like bubbling in areas near a water source
Wood Flooring
The type of wood your floors are comprised of can have a direct impact in how much damage they may endure. Hardwoods don’t soak in water as quickly as soft woods, so hardwoods may be more resistant to damage. Sealants may also help. Some signs of damage in wood floors include:
Buckling or cupping areas in the wood
Wearing or pealing sealant
Discoloration in the wood
A pipe break or flooding can cause water damage to your flooring. Whether you have wood flooring, tile or carpet, restoration professionals in North Miami, FL, may be able to help. Remember, the affects water damage can have on your floors can vary by flooring type. Drying and restoration methods may also be different.
From March to October each year, thunderstorms slash across the United States with a devastating mix of lightning, hail, tornadoes, and wind. Common and dangerous even in North Miami Beach, FL, storms can blow trees down, cause power outages, create flash floods, and damage buildings. You can protect your business by preparing before a torrential rain storm hits.
Early Steps in Preparation
Preparing for a potential rain storm and high winds can help prevent possible damage to your business. Taking the following precautions can help you protect yourself and your employees when the huge winds blow.
• Keep trees and shrubs clipped back to prevent winds from breaking pieces off and sending them like pieces of shrapnel against the building. • Consider installing a lightning rod or whole building surge protector to prevent power outages from lightning strikes. • Check the roof for damaged areas that could be ripped off easily; reinforce these areas if necessary. • Clean and maintain gutters and downspouts to prevent water backup and potential flooding.
After the Warning Comes
Once a severe thunderstorm warning is issued, seek shelter in a designated room within your business. Make yourself and your employees comfortable by providing a light source. If you can hear the roar of thunder, wait at least 30 minutes before leaving the safe room. Here are a few additional tips for weathering the storm:
Keep employees away from glass structures such as windows and skylights to prevent serious injury.
Secure window shutters to prevent windows from shattering.
Tie down large items that could be hurled against the building by heavy winds.
Secure doors to door frames with specially designed bolts.
Stay away from water during the storm to prevent electrical shocks.
Following the Blustery Storm
After the rain storm subsides in North Miami Beach, FL, walk the perimeter of your building to check for damage. Since the roofing of your business is especially vulnerable, consider having a storm restoration team check for problems before another storm hits. Consider asking them to check for damaged trees as well. Mother Nature doesn’t always have to win if you are prepared.
You might think that the fresh batteries in your smoke detectors are enough to keep you and your family safe in the event of a fire. While working smoke detectors and batteries certainly are a must, without a fire escape plan, how will you and your loved ones know what to do when the smoke detectors go off? If disaster strikes, you need a plan you can set in motion immediately. There’s an old saying that schoolteachers like to use: If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. In the event of an emergency, you don’t want to have to think on your feet; instead, you want to be able to take action – and fast.
Creating a Plan
According to the American Red Cross, the best way to protect yourself and your family is to create your very own emergency escape plan, and to practice it regularly. Here are the key elements of this kind of plan:
If your home includes bedrooms above ground level, think about purchasing escape ladders for these rooms. Ladders can be kept close to the window.
Make sure everyone in your home knows more than one escape route from each room in the house.
Teach your littlest family members to dial 9-1-1 in case of smoke or fire.
Choose a meetup spot outside, and let everyone know where it’s located.
Fire drills are not just for schools – practice your own fire escape plan until you complete the drill in two minutes or less.
Rehearse your plan using realistic conditions, like practicing in the middle of the night and using a low crawl to help minimize possible smoke.
Comfort in Planning
Being prepared can make all the difference in the world in the event of a fire. However, having a plan won’t stop a fire from starting. If fire does strike your Bal Harbour, FL, home, you can rely on fire restoration professionals to help you clean up. In the meantime, you can feel confident that the creation and practice of your family’s fire escape plan will reduce the risk of harm to you and your family if you’re the victims of a house fire.
5 Essential Elements Of A Workplace Evacuation Plan
In the event of an emergency such as a fire in North Miami Beach, FL, it can be important that employees know how to escape the building. By creating a good workplace escape plan and regularly conducting a fire drill, you can help ensure that everyone can get out of the building in a safe and orderly manner.
1. Preparation
The first part of creating a good escape plan can be putting some effort into figuring out the best routes to exit the building. The complexity of escape routes can vary depending on the size of your building.
Escape routes can include:
Doors
Windows
Stairwells
Everyone in the building should be aware of the locations of multiple building exit points. This helps ensure that if something prevents them from using one exit, they can use another.
2. Communication
In a larger business, it can be helpful to choose a safety representative from each department. These individuals can help you plan escape routes and keep track of the different groups of employees during an emergency. They can help inform the rest of their department about specific safety procedures. Communication both within and between departments can be a vital part of making sure that everyone stays safe.
3. Training
Every employee should be informed about what to do in the event of an emergency. Before conducting a drill, it can be important to make sure that everyone has received the necessary information so that chaos can be avoided.
4. Practice
Fire drills can be a great way to prepare for any situation that requires exiting the building. Gas leaks or natural disasters can both be emergency situations that require the same type of action as a fire. Practicing often can keep employees up-to-date on safety procedures.
By preparing, communicating and conducting a fire drill with employees, you can give everyone in your building the vital knowledge of what to do in an emergency. Put more research into evacuation procedures in order to create the best plan possible.
While mold thrives in almost any environment, there is one place where it has no invitation: your home. Finding traces of mold growth in your own living space is no exciting discovery; depending on the extent of the growth, it could take extensive time to address. Black mold, for instance, can take special gear and products, while a minor mold problem could call for more regular cleaning. Regardless of the type, there are some actions you can keep in mind regarding mold in your home.
Spotting the Problem
As many homeowners understand, there can be a major difference between a dripping faucet and a leaky roof. If mold has become an increasingly prominent issue in your home, an inspection may be the next step. Mold cleanup often involves the scrutinizing of all possible areas where moisture could get in.
Identifying the Mold
Wherever it thrives, watching a small world of fungi form on your own turf can be frustrating. However, by observing the mold itself, you may be better equipped to inform a professional about the exact problem at hand. Common molds include alternaria, mucor and stachybotrys (or black mold), all of which be found in various parts of the home.
Tackling the Growth
A moisture problem is no rare occurrence with most properties. Indoors, professionals may need to deep clean an entire area to completely clear the mold growth; affected areas containing materials such as carpeting may need to be replaced. Professionals may also turn off HVAC and water systems when cleaning mold from a home, since these can speed up the spreading of spores.
Mold can be a true pest, so keeping it outside the home is the ideal goal for most homeowners in Bal Harbour, FL. After all, mold can offer many benefits, but none of them belong on your bathroom wall. Although black mold and other forms of fungi may seem overwhelming to get around, spotting growth and addressing it quickly can keep your home in tip-top shape.
Teaching Your Kids How To Prevent and Escape a Home Fire
Teaching Your Children How To Avoid And Escape A House Fire Is Essential.
If a home fire in Miami Shores, FL, occurs, the first thing you should do is escape the building. It’s very important to teach your children how to evacuate the house when a fire happens. Kids safety is essential, and here are a few things you can do to prepare your children for the worst scenario.
Teach Them How To Prevent Fires
Children are curious. They can also get bored very easily. Teach your kids the importance of fire safety so that they don’t accidentally create a fire while experimenting with a match or candle. A few things you might include in your fire safety conversation can include:
Keep paper, books, and other flammable items away from heaters, candles, and stoves.
Blow out all candles before going to bed or leaving the house.
Never leave the stove unattended while cooking.
Kids safety is all about informing and teaching your children so that they can be aware of dangerous situations.
Teach Them a Fire Escape Plan
Your kids may not know that heat rises. When in a fire, the temperatures get hotter and hotter at the top. Teach your children the two ways to fire crawl.
The most common crawl is on your hands and knees. Drop to your forearms and keep your head down, like a dog sniffing the ground. The second crawl is used when the temperature is too hot to have your body in the air. Press your legs to the floor and move like a snake.
Kids safety encompasses a wide range of topics. Another way to prepare your children for a fire is to teach them what happens to your home after it is destroyed by the flames. Although a fire can be scary for kids, you can teach them that the home and property can be rebuilt and restored. By teaching them how to prevent hazards and escape fires, your children can be safer and calmer during a home fire.
Where Can I Find a Reputable Fire Restoration Company?
If your North Miami, FL, business were to experience a devastating fire, would you know who to call for help? While the first number to call would be the fire department, your next call should be to a fire damage restoration company. Once the fire is put out, you want to act quickly to stop the fire damage from spreading. How do you know which restoration company to use? Here are five things to look for in a reputable company.
1. Emergency Services A commercial fire never seems to happen at a convenient time. Fires seem to start after hours or on weekends. One of the most important qualities to look for in a restoration company is emergency services. Because you’ll need to act quickly to save your building and belongings from smoke damage, you’ll want a restoration company to come ASAP.
2. Assessment The next step is a thorough inspection and assessment. A reputable company will check every area of your building to develop a solid action plan. They will want to know the extent of fire damage to determine the next best steps.
3. Boarding and Tarping Services Preventing further damage is the next step. Water damage typically accompanies fire damage due to pipes bursting or fire department hoses. Roofs should be tarped and broken windows and doors should be boarded up to maintain the security of the building and prevent additional damage.
4. Cleaning Once the building is secure and further damage has been stopped, fire damage restoration begins. Thoroughly removing water, smoke, and soot from the building should be the top priority. A professional company will have the skills, knowledge, and equipment for systematic smoke cleanup.
5. Restoring A good restoration company will want to restore as many of your belongings as possible. Restoring is typically cheaper than replacing; therefore, they should try and clean your belongings if possible. Some items may need to be replaced, such as drywall and carpet. A dependable fire damage restoration company should be available 24/7 to help with your emergency. Look for the additional processes mentioned above to find a reputable company.
SERVPRO can help you with any mold damage in your home and restore it "Like it never even happened."
Mold: Six Things You Should Know
Mold is something most homeowners don't want to learn about. If you know a lot about the fungus, chances are you've had to deal with a black mold problem. However, learning about the common household nuisance could help you better understand how to prevent and take care of the issue.
1. It Is Everywhere. Mold spores are a naturally occurring part of the environment. At any given time, you can find spores in the air both indoors and outdoors.
2. It Needs Moisture. A moisture problem could be a great indicator that you have mold in your home. Mold spores need water to really thrive, but even high humidity could do the trick.
3. It Can Spread Quickly. In the right environment, mold spores can become quite active and spread through airflow. This allows the fungus to create colonies all over your home.
4. It Is Smelly. Black mold, and other types of the fungus, often produce a musty odor. If you notice your Miami Shores, FL, home has started to smell funky, it could be a sign that mold is already in your house.
5. It Is Hard To Clean. The mold cleanup process is not suitable for everyone to undertake. It requires a certain level of technical know-how, which is why you may get the best results by working with a residential mold remediation company.
6. It Can Be Prevented. Moisture control, cleanliness and an eye for detail can help prevent mold growth. If not completely prevent the problem, you can at least catch the issue before it spreads to the far reaches of your house.
As a homeowner, you may be terrified of the thought of mold. You know it can damage your home, reduce your chances of selling and become a recurring problem. Whether you found black mold or you simply want to prevent it, learning more about the fungus can help prepare you for what's next and make the problem a little less scary.
There are a few things you may want to understand about mold and how it may end up growing in your North Miami Beach, FL, business. From black mold to mold remediation, here are the answers to five commonly asked questions about this pesky problem.
1. Mold is a Fungus
The first thing to know is that mold is a fungus. This means it grows by absorbing organic material and then creating spores to spread throughout the space.
2. There are Many Types of Mold
There are many types of mold, so it's important to contact a professional for help if mold is found. These types can range from bread mold to black mold, and it may vary in appearance looking either fuzzy or slimy depending on its type and location. Coloration can vary between white, yellow, brown, gray, green, and black.
3. Mold Likes Wet Environments
All molds grow best in dark and damp environments. This means it's common to find mold in areas that have experienced water damage and then been left unattended. A professional should be able to determine exactly what type of mold they are dealing with and know the appropriate cleaning method.
4. Mold May Be Unseen
Mold spores are small, which means they may be unable to be detected by the naked eye. Fortunately, your local restoration service should have several tests they can perform in order to determine if mold is present in the area.
5. Mold Can Be Removed
It's important to know that what the health of a local mold remediation professional mold can be removed from the business property. Mold cleanup may require several stages which include containing the area and thoroughly sanitizing space with special cleaners.
It's important to understand that all molds, including black mold, are fungi. This means that there can be a variety of mole times, but they all grow best in dark and damp environments. Because mold grows through sporing it may be unseen until it forms a colony. Fortunately, your local mold remediation professional can perform a test to determine if mold is present and then remove it from your company property.
As a homeowner, few events are likely to be as stressful for you as a sewer backup. When this occurs at your North Miami, FL, home, you may not know where to begin when it comes to cleanup efforts. Calling a professional cleanup and restoration company to handle the contaminated water safely can be an effective first step, and knowing what to expect once they arrive to handle the sewer cleanup might help you feel more confident about the outcome.
1. Mitigation
Once the flood technicians arrive, they will likely take immediate action to prevent contaminated water from a flooded toilet or another sewage issue from entering additional areas of your home. This can include removing some of the water right away and sealing off the area so it remains contained. They might also tell you and your family to leave the immediate area to avoid being contaminated by the sewage water.
2. Water and Sewage Removal
Sometimes, localized flooding can cause a sewer backup that floods into your home via your toilet or enters your home from sewers that have backed up outside and mixed with flood runoff from streams or rivers. Cleanup technicians have the know-how and equipment that allow them to remove this contaminated water from your home and dispose of it safely. This can offer you peace of mind that the issue is being handled by professionals who can advise you on how to proceed with cleanup efforts once the water is removed.
3. Sanitation and Deodorizing
After a sewer cleanup, unpleasant smells may be left behind and linger in your walls or floors. Flood technicians may offer you sanitation and deodorizing services to ensure the space is left smelling fresh and clean after a flood. Special solvents and industry-approved cleaning apparatus can remove all traces of a sewer mishap and ensure the odors do not return.
A sewer cleanup should only be handled by qualified flood technicians in your North Miami, FL. However, understanding the process can help you feel more confident that your happy home can be returned to its former glory.
Have you ever reached for a snack or started to prepare a meal only to find out that the food you intended to eat had grown mold? Here are a few reasons why bread mold or fridge mold develops, along with tips for limiting fungus growth in your kitchen.
1. Mold spores are everywhere and can reproduce on any organic surface with sufficient moisture. The best ways to inhibit mold growth are to reduce humidity or moisture levels and dispose of food that is past its prime.
2. Bread is rich in nutrients, moist, and typically kept in warm areas of a home, such a kitchen cabinet, bread box, or pantry. All of these factors combine to make bread an ideal food on which bread mold will multiply. Monitor temperature and moisture levels to prolong the period of time before bread begins to mold.
3. Many types of food other than bread can provide the combination of nutrients and moisture that fungus depends on in order to thrive. Mold can grow on any organic material. Make sure to seal and properly store food to delay the development of mold.
4. Mold thrives in warm environments, but if the conditions are right, with enough time, mold may also develop on food stored in a refrigerator. The major factors for mold growth include nutrient levels and moisture. Keep humidity levels low and be sure to inspect leftovers for signs of mold prior to consumption.
Keeping these four factors in mind should make you more aware of the temperature and moisture levels in your kitchen or pantry. Controlling these environmental elements can stop the growth of mold before it becomes a problem. Whether you have come across bread mold, fridge mold, or another type of fungus growth, mold damage specialists in Surfside, FL, can determine whether a mold problem calls for professional attention.
When storms rage in Sunny Isles, FL, your home could be affected by the subsequent flooding that occurs. If the floodwaters rise to extreme levels, you may have to call water restoration specialists to protect your home from further water damage and mold growth. Part of the process they often use to replace damaged walls is a flood cut. A flood cut allows them to tear out the damaged drywall so that it and any waterlogged insulation behind it can be replaced.
When It Is Used
Not every flood calls for a flood cut. One of the criteria for determining if it is necessary is the water contamination level:
Category 1 – clean water that can be safely consumed
Category 2 – gray water that may contain viruses or bacteria
Category 3 – black water that may contain harmful chemicals or sewage
If the water is clean and damage is minimal, technicians may not need to remove the wall. If the water is contaminated or the flooding clearly saturated the wall and probably everything behind it, the wall has to be replaced. Then a flood cut is necessary.
How It Is Used
Restoration professionals start by marking a spot at least 12 inches above the top of the wall's water damage. This is done to ensure that all the damage is removed. After it is marked, the flood cut is made. Every bit of the wall beneath the cut is removed. If the water damage has permeated the wall and dampened the insulation behind it, the insulation has to be replaced because it cannot be dried. Once every inch of damage has been removed, new insulation and new drywall can be installed, and your home in Sunny Isles, FL, can start to look right again.
Any time flooding occurs, there is the possibility that professional restorers will need to use a flood cut to protect your property from further damage. Only by removing damaged walls can stronger walls replace them.
"Black mold" is a term frequently tossed around water-cooler conversations these days. People mention it often and talk about how they should get rid of it. The fact is that all molds, not just black mold, are not welcome indoors. Here is a primer on mold so you can improve the quality of the breakroom chatter with facts.
Mold Is a Fungus
Molds are so common that most people can identify them by their fuzzy appearances, due to tiny little filaments called hyphae. The thousands of species of molds are fungi, and they need oxygen, moisture, and organic materials to survive, which means they can survive nearly everywhere. While they are surviving, they are digesting and destroying your building materials. Some molds, including black mold, give off mycotoxins. These are odorous gases resulting from the digestive process. You are also probably familiar with the dusty surface of molds, which are actually mold spores. They travel around the air and settle in areas, where if moist enough, they will take root and develop into colonies.
Mold Infestations Can Be Prevented
You can never fully get rid of mold in your building in Biscayne Park, FL because more spores will just come in through the doors or ventilation systems. Sometimes spores even travel inside by taking a ride on your clothing. Mold exists naturally in the environment, and if there is moisture then there is mold. Even though mold spores are everywhere, you can still take some simple steps to control mold and prevent infestations.
• Clean your building regularly, especially carpets and HVAC systems to prevent spore buildup. • Reduce high humidity, which is a moisture problem, with good ventilation and proper use of air conditioning. • Fix leaks and repair water-damaged building materials as soon as possible.
Once you find mold, you need to act fast to prevent damage and the spread of more colonies. The source of the water damage should be fixed immediately. Mold remediation professionals can help with mold cleanup, creating a containment area and special air scrubbers to prevent further spread of mold.
No one in Sunny Isles, FL wants to experience the devastation of a house fire, but in order to keep your family safe, you need to put a plan in place should once occur. Experts recommend working with your family to create a fire escape plan and practicing it at least twice a year so that everyone knows what to do. Here are some ideas for what your plan should include.
1. How to Get of the Rooms
Every household member should know at least two ways to escape each room in the home. If the fire prevents someone from leaving through the door, is there a window to crawl out of? Teach children how to open windows.
2. How and Where to Find Fire Escape Ladders
If you have a two-story home, ladders can help people escape through top-floor windows. These are best used by adults and older children. Make sure everyone knows how to use them.
3. Where to Meet
As part of your emergency escape plan, pick a meeting spot a safe distance away from the home. Everyone should know where it is. It is very important that children understand that everyone will meet at this safe meeting place and that they don’t need to try to rescue anyone on their way out of the home.
After your fire escape plan is established, your family should practice putting it into place. Practice until it can be completed in less than two minutes. In addition, your household can practice low crawling and waking up to a smoke alarm. Teach everyone how to dial 9-1-1 and stop, drop and roll.
The thought of experiencing a house fire is a scary one, but it’s better to come up with a fire escape plan in case of an emergency than it is to ignore the issue. Having a plan in place will help keep you and your loved ones safe.
If you let a bathtub leak go too long, it will probably end up being a rather expensive fix in Miami Shores, FL. It's important to be vigilant with your bathroom appliances to avoid water and mold damage spreading to the rest of your house.
Initial Signs
If you've found this article that probably means you've begun to suspect a shower leak. What are the signs you should be noticing if that were the case? They can be subtle, although they are causing a lot of hidden water damage. Some suspicious activity includes:
Stains on the ceiling below the shower
White, crusty stalactites hanging in your crawlspace
Loose floor tiles in the bathroom
No other fixture in your bathroom leaking
Testing the Shower Pan
Initially, you can start testing a shower pan leak by thumping the tile and picking the grout. This can start to expose the weak points that may exist. However, the real test comes when you fill it with water. Be sure to cover the drain so nothing escapes, and then fill it to about an inch below the threshold. It helps if two or more people are with you so that someone can keep an eye on all areas it could be leaking to below. Bring a flashlight- even in a lit room, it will help you to see the water.
Other Shower Components
The problem might not be your shower pan, it could be one of the other shower components causing your bathtub leak. First look at your tub faucet, be sure to check for any loose escutcheons. If your shower arm is loose, it might mean that there is a fitting leak inside the wall. You could either cut the wall or use a shower arm escutcheon and setscrew to fix it temporarily. You should also check the door, glass, and hardware if you have any. You can do a lot of this bathtub leak testing yourself, but if you find a leak you'll need to bring in a plumber to do a full assessment and repair, anyway. Keep a wary eye to the ceiling and you'll go far!
As smoke and flames engulf your home, you have only one choice: evacuate for safety. At that time, your concern is personal welfare. You won't be able to turn back the clock and wish you'd been able to stop it. Rather, what you can do is try and avoid regrets by thinking ahead and using fire preparation tips to avoid disaster. Use the following four steps could help prevent devastation to your home.
1. Be Watchful
Understand common triggers of electrical, heating and cooking fires. As you use your appliances, pay close attention to how they run and what the cords look like. For instance, do you smell burning rubber when the dryer or dishwasher run? Do you see frays in an electrical wire? Are outlets loose or popping? Any of these could be a potential hazard. Call in a professional to inspect the issue and make any needed repairs.
2. Stay Out of the Heat
If using open flames or space heaters understand fire safety procedures. Locate heating units and candles in open areas, away from cloth, plastic or other combustible material. While cooking meals, remain focused on the stove. Multi-tasking is helpful, but it can pull you out of sight should an incident occur.
3. Teach Mindfulness
You can't always be around your kids, and children have a natural propensity for curiosity. This innate acquisitiveness could get them and you into trouble; therefore, educate them about the dangers of home fire. Matches, candles, and lighters are not toys; in fact, keep them out of reach and discourage them from using them.
4. Be Prepared
Since fires can start and spread quickly don't wait for an incident to take action. Discuss fire preparation with your family, maintain smoke detectors in each room, and have a plan for escape. Should the unexpected happen, call 911 immediately, evacuate the house, and locate a fire restoration team in Bal Harbour, FL, to help with fire damage cleanup. Remain alert and teaching cautiousness. fire preparation is key to helping your loved ones and your home remain safe.
Summer in the South gets really hot. Many homeowners in Golden Glades, FL, rely on swamp coolers to keep their homes cool without the exorbitant cost of running their air conditioners all day and night. A leaking swamp cooler, however, can lead to unpleasant mold issues throughout your home.
Potential Issues A swamp cooler uses a lot of water to cool your home. If it malfunctions, there are several surfaces that can start to grow mold:
Cellulose pad
Fan belt
Cooler unit
Duct system
Your swamp cooler doesn't have to be broken to develop mold growth, though. Even running it constantly without a break can cause a buildup of moisture on the pad that draws spores in. Once they start to multiply, they can get caught in the vents and blow throughout the house, spreading the problem beyond just the cooler itself.
Preventative Measures A swamp cooler has a greater chance of creating a mold problem than an air conditioner. One of the best preventions for fungus in your leaking swamp cooler is a quick repair. Check all the components regularly so that you can avoid potential problems. If you don't know how long your cooler has been leaking, it's a good idea to get certified mold remediation experts to test the unit and the ducts attached to it for growth. Preventative maintenance can also reduce the risk of mold. Have professional technicians check often to ensure it's running efficiently, particularly during the hottest months. Finally, if you choose a swamp cooler over central air conditioning, increase the airflow and lower the humidity in your home by opening windows to create a cross breeze. Although a swamp cooler may be the more economical choice for cooling your home, it also means you must be extra vigilant about mold prevention. Stick to a strict maintenance schedule, and fix a leaking swamp cooler as soon as you know there is a problem.
Businesses in North Miami, FL, know that the next rain storm may easily turn into a severe thunderstorm. While Mother Nature is unexpected and unleashes a lot of fury, being prepared makes weathering the event easier. Although it may be impossible to completely avoid a water loss that requires the help of a water damage and restoration specialist, the following tips may provide added peace of mind that you can handle whatever comes your way.
1. Roof Maintenance Regardless of which type of roof is on the structure, an annual inspection should be completed by a certified professional. Regular checks should also be completed to ensure no debris is on the roof, as well as that there are no missing shingles, flashing or other essential components.
2. Landscaping High winds can easily make a branch snap. If trees aren’t properly trimmed, it may mean that branch hitting the roof or going through a window. It also leads to drains getting clogged, which may lead to flooding through the foundation.
3. Lightning Protection During a severe rain storm, lightning is another concern. If these types of weather events are common, it may be worth installing a roof-mounted protection system. These are designed to direct bolts away and dissipate them better.
4. Secure Outdoor Items From signage to equipment and décor, the things sprucing up your business also have the potential to damage it. Before the storm hits, ensure everything outside the building is secure, rust-free, and undamaged to mitigate against it from flying up.
5. Inspect Doors and Windows Damaged windows and doors make it easy for water to infiltrate your business. Regularly check that all seals are up to par, there or no cracks or missing brackets and that they all function properly. As the storm rolls in, be sure that they are all closed. If that gentle shower turns into a rain storm, the above tips may help you stay better protected.
3 Ways To Secure Your Commercial Building After a Fire
The fire damage to your property may not end once the blaze is extinguished. You need to secure your Surfside, FL, building to prevent additional harm while you wait for the fire cleanup experts to arrive. Here are some ways to keep your premises safe after the fire.
1. Limit Flare-Ups The firefighters likely took steps to eliminate flare-ups before they left the premises. However, if you or someone in your building put out the fire, you need to make sure the flames are truly gone. Start by spraying the affected area with a fire extinguisher. Continuing doing this until the ashes stop giving off heat and the coals stop glowing.
2. Keep Out Intruders Criminals may see the fire damage to your building and use that as an excuse to vandalize or burglarize your property. Homeless people may also try to take shelter inside the premises. To prevent looting and keep away troublemakers, you should board up any windows or doors that have been harmed in the fire. Ideally, you should utilize marine-grade quarter-inch plywood. Attach the wood to the interior of the property. If you put the screws or clamps outside the building, the intruders can just undo them. The wood should stop critters from entering the premises, as well.
3. Prevent Weather Damage Mother Nature will not spare your property just because it was harmed in a fire. A snow or rain storm could cause even more destruction to a burned building. The water could easily enter an unsecured structure and soak valuable equipment. You should thus tarp over your roof as you board up the doors and windows. Once it is safe to return to your building after a blaze, you need to prevent flare-ups that could cause further fire damage. You must also secure your property to protect it from vandals and harsh weather. This should mitigate further harm to the property and allow the restoration to occur more quickly.
3 Flood Prevention Tips for the Proactive Business Owner
According to National Geographic, floods are the most common and destructive natural disaster. Whether it's from melting snow, a broken levee or a severe thunderstorm, floods cause billions of dollars in damage, leaving business owners left to deal with flood cleaning. Being proactive is key to protecting your property, but it can feel overwhelming. Here are three flood prevention tips to consider before the next big storm rolls in.
1. Inspect the Building Regularly Regular assessments of your building and its surroundings are one of the best ways to avoid flood damage altogether. An inspection can reveal areas that are susceptible to water damage, and it can highlight opportunities for repairs and flood-proofing. Pay close attention to basements and other low-lying areas, and take care of any repairs in a timely fashion.
2. Clean the Roof and Gutters Before a storm rolls through Sunny Isles, FL, take some time to clean gutters, downspouts and other drainage areas. These mechanisms are less effective for flood prevention when they're full of leaves and other matter. Keeping these areas clear will ensure that water doesn't back up into the building after heavy rain.
3. Manage the Landscape Floodwaters move quickly, and many business owners don't realize the effect that landscaping has. Designs such as rain gardens or swales can help collect and redirect rainwater. Whatever you do, make sure the landscaping is designed so that water runs away from the property. If there's significant work to be done, hire a professional who can help design and implement a water damage prevention strategy for your building's exterior. Being proactive about flood prevention can save you the headache of dealing with water damage on your commercial property. Maintaining your building's interior and exterior through regular inspections and cleanup are the easiest ways to keep your building dry all year round. If your building has already been impacted by water damage, a flood cleanup company can assess the water damage and identify a solution.
One thing many homeowners don't think of is their plumbing supply lines. They are just always there and functioning right up until they are not. Checking for supply line damage should be an important part of your yearly home maintenance. If you live in a climate with rapidly changing weather, you might need to check them more frequently. Remember, supply lines usually have more pressure than drainage lines. This means that they are more subject to wear.
Types of Supply Lines
Like most things in life, there are a few types of supply lines that your home might contain. All of these might be the cause of a supply line leak. These are:
PEX - flexible tubing
PVC - hard pieces of piping
Copper - an older metal type
Galvanized metal - only found in older homes
How To Check Your Supply Lines If you have a bathroom leak, you obviously will need to check the supply lines. The better thing to do is check them before they start leaking and you wind up needing a flood or mold remediation; company.
Start by checking the actual connections making sure they are tight and not corroded. There are over 21 types of corrosion that can easily cause supply line damage. You can do this by starting at one end of your water system and working your way to the other. You can find supply lines behind your toilet, under your sinks, on your water heater and to your washer. Then check for cracks or breaks in the outer housing of the pipes. You might think that this can only happen with old pipes, but any pipe under pressure can develop issues. Pay attention to small leaks or water dripping. Sometimes, there are signs of water, such as rust stains, damp surroundings and buildup around the line. Checking for supply line damage should be an important part of your routine. It is easy to do and can prevent major flooding and damage to your home.
There's a lot to do when you discover black mold in your commercial building. For starters, you want to contain the spread. This can be done by assessing what caused the mold outbreak in the first place. Usually, it involves a past water leak on your property. If you have had a pipe break or a roof leak, it is important to make sure these issues have been addressed. The next step is to contain any spread of the fungus. Both of these issues can be handled by a professional mold remediation franchise in your area. Highly-trained technicians will perform a quick inspection and assessment of your building in Golden Glades, FL.
THE HVAC System
Black mold and other types of harmful mold spread by way of microscopic spores. These tiny substances can be carried throughout a building by way of air currents and other movements, and they often are found in the HVAC system. Several signs point to mold in your air ducts:
The appearance of black dust
The presence of musty odors
The sudden onset of health effects
An experienced remediation company has the equipment and knowledge to determine if there is mold in the HVAC system.
The Cleaning Process
It is not a simple process to clean ducts of mold. In many cases, the air conditioning unit or the heating system will have to be disassembled so technicians can gain access to the mold. They will then use vacuums and approved cleaning agents to remove the fungus. The job must be completed according to industry standards or the offending organisms might return. Whenever you notice black mold in your building, it is important to take quick action. The longer you wait, the more serious the problem usually becomes. A professional company can handle complicated problems such as mold in your HVAC system.
One of the main reasons for sewer damage in North Miami Beach, FL, commercial properties is the flooded toilet. Unfortunately, there are quite a few possible causes of an overflowing toilet:
Inappropriate items or too much of something is flushed and clogs the pipes.
The valve, float bobber, or other components in the tank are damaged or malfunctioning.
The seal around the fill valve has become loose.
There may be a clog (or clogs) along the sewer line.
The resulting damage can be pretty bad, no matter where the overflowing toilet is located, but when that toilet is on the second or third floor of a building, there may be damage on multiple levels.
Contact Professionals The first step you should take is to contact a plumbing professional or the local sewage company because the damage will continue to occur until the main cause of the problem has been corrected. This is especially important if there's a clog deep within the sewer system or if your building has an older plumbing system that could suffer further damage during repairs.
Remove Water Next, clean up as much water as you can. The longer that water is left to sit around the toilet, the further it will seep into building materials. After mopping up as much water as you can, open windows, add fans and take other steps to further dry the area. Remember that it doesn't take long for wet building materials to create an environment where mold spreads quickly.
Schedule Restoration Services As soon as possible, get water damage cleanup and restoration professionals to assess the damage and determine the best method of restoring your property. Restoration technicians may locate areas between the floors of the building that need attention, so you can avoid more expensive repairs down the road. These technicians will also take care of immediate needs, such as disinfecting any areas that were exposed to bacteria and waste carried in by sewer water. Your commercial property requires high-quality results following sewer damage. Contact professionals, such as plumbers, sewage company representatives, and restoration experts right away.
Does Filing an Insurance Claim Automatically Raise Rates?
Your first thought after a disaster happens to your home may be about filing an insurance claim in Miami Shores, FL. It’s a reasonable thought! However, before you do, you should consider several factors, including
The cause of damage
The amount of damage
The size of your deductible
Why Does the Cause of the Damage Matter?
Many reasons! First off, the nature of the claim is extremely important to insurance actuaries. They combine quite a few factors to make a judgment about how many claims you’re likely to have, as well as how much damage is typical.
If you file an insurance claim for a dog bite on your property, that’s a perfect example of a claim that scares insurance companies. A dog that bites a human once is much more likely to bite again, according to statistics, so it’s highly likely to raise your rates. Other red flags can include
Slip-and-fall claims
Water damage
Black mold
Another example is a home flood. Standard homeowner’s insurance does not cover damage from a flood that enters your home from outside. Yet even though the damage isn’t covered, trying to make a claim could still potentially raise your rates if insurers believe you’re in a high-risk zone.
What About the Deductible and Amount of Damage? Filing a claim for small amounts of damage is usually a bad idea. Often, your damage deductible will be higher than small claims anyway, so before you even consider doing it, read your policy to determine where the reimbursement kicks in. The number of claims made on a policy is a major determiner of rate increases. It often doesn’t pay to have a low deductible, since the commensurate rate hike can eliminate any advantage you gain. Ideally, instead of a low deductible, put a couple of thousand dollars in an interest-bearing savings account and use it to pay an affordable, local restoration company to repair the damage. Once covered damage types exceed around $2,000, an insurance claim may be worth it. Ideally, talk to your insurance agent before anything happens to get a sense of what types of damage you should make claims for.
Four Steps To Help You Get Back To "Like it never even happened."
A fire of any size in your Biscayne Park, FL, business can be devastating. While dealing with the loss may be overwhelming, taking quick action is essential to getting the fire restoration process going.
1. File a Claim It is vital to make a fire insurance claim as soon as possible. The faster you make that call, the sooner an adjuster will come out to inspect the damage and get the process in motion. During the call, it is important to ask the agent questions regarding what can and can’t be done while you wait.
2. Document the Damage To help ensure a smoother insurance process, take photos and videos of all affected areas. That includes any equipment, documents, personal belongings and structural damage. If possible, locate any receipts for damaged items and retain those for expenses you incur associated with the cleanup. Along with maximizing your claim, it provides needed proof to cover fire restoration costs.
3. Prevent Further Damage If the fire was large enough, the water needed to put it out means standing water and drenched belongings, as well as potentially broken windows and doors. Most insurance companies require protecting damage from further destruction. That may require tarping or boarding up windows and doors and move water-logged items to a dry, secure location.
4. Call a Restoration Professional The next step is to contact a fire damage and restoration company. Available 24/7, a certified professional will quickly respond to do make complete an inspection and assessment of your restoration needs. They will also work closely with your insurer to ease the process. Along with tearing out and replacing damaged structural components, they also offer smoke cleaning and other services to salvage as much as possible. While going through a fire restoration isn’t on anyone’s to-do list, taking immediate action can help your business get back to normal.
You volunteered as a first responder in Sunny Isles, FL, because you believe in giving back to your community. If you are responding to a flood event in your community, there are a few safety tips that you should keep in mind so that you can help as many people as possible.
1. Clothing When responding to an emergency, you may have a required uniform. Additionally, be sure to choose eye protection, face masks, gloves, and boots that will keep you safe from chemicals and other dangers that may be present in floodwaters. Always change your clothes before getting into a vehicle, as whatever contaminants that are on your clothes will leech into the fabric covers of that vehicle. If possible, shower and clean your clothing before you go home to minimize the spread of any potential dangers.
2. Immunizations In the United States, the CDC requires a tetanus shot and a hepatitis B vaccine series if you work as a first responder. They also list other possible immunizations, but as long as you work domestically, they shouldn't be necessary. If you plan to be part of an international flood response team, find out what immunizations are required and recommended so that you can get them before you go.
3. Hazards When you're responding to a flood at a residence, be aware of potential hazards such as mold and mildew, chemicals, and electricity that could make your job more difficult. Know the limits of your training. If all people are safe and you're helping to clean and restore a home, know the number of a local water damage mitigation company that can help with assessing the extent of the damage at the residence so that you know if you can safely proceed with cleanup. As a first responder in your town, it is important to keep your own health and safety at the forefront of your mind so that you can continue to help with all of the flood mitigation efforts.
A furnace flood presents a serious risk to your North Miami Beach, FL, business. Understanding what to do if this occurs can help you minimize the damage. The following steps outline what to do if your business has a flooded furnace.
1. Disconnect the power.Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. Whenever flooding occurs, the first step is to cut the power to the affected area. If you cannot do this safely yourself, call an electrician to do it for you.
2. Dry the area. After the power has been disconnected, dry out the area as quickly as possible to prevent mold growth and structural damage. A certified restoration company can help you do this, or you can use pumps or buckets to extract the standing water. Fans and dehumidifiers can dry out the moisture remaining in most porous items.
3. Have the furnace assessed. After all the water is dried, the furnace may look okay. However, most business owners do not have the necessary expertise to examine the unit after a furnace flood and determine if it is safe to use. Your HVAC technician can let you know if it needs to be repaired or replaced. Do not operate the furnace until you have been told that it is safe to do so.
4. Clean air ducts. Lastly, when HVAC systems are affected by flood waters, the air ducts should be professionally cleaned. Mold and bacteria may be growing within the system, and running the unit without proper air duct cleaning can spread the toxins into the air. Although a furnace flood can be a major nuisance, acting quickly and cautiously can save your business from further damage. Do not be shy about talking to experts after a flood. Only a professional can tell you whether or not the furnace is safe to use and if it will need to be replaced.
4 Actions You Should Take If You Smell Natural Gas
4 Actions You Should Take If You Smell Natural Gas
There are a few warning you should take seriously in your home. A tornado warning is something that should never be ignored. The presence of leaking water demands immediate attention. If you smell the signature odor of gas (which is actually the added substance mercaptan), you should take quick action. A gas leak puts you and your home in Bal Harbour, FL, at a greater risk of a gas fire. If the leak is significant, a small flame or spark could result in a catastrophic explosion. Not only should you take action, but the action should be with a purpose.
1. Try to locate the leak - A number of possible sources exist for a natural gas leak. Any appliances that operate through gas power should be looked at. This includes washers and dryers, water heaters, furnaces, fireplaces and ovens. A quick look at these items could solve the problem once and for all. Once the leak is stopped, the risk of a home gas fire goes way down.
2. Tell the people in your home - It is important to alert those in the home that you have identified a potential problem. Anyone who is not actively looking for a leak should vacate the premises. They should retreat far enough away that if a gas explosion does occur, they will be safe.
3. Call the fire department or gas company - If the leak cannot be found, it is time to call in the experts. Either the gas company or the fire department will dispatch someone to your home. These professionals will have added knowledge and equipment to find the source of the leak and stop it.
4. Contact fire restoration professionals - If a gas fire does ensue, you will need the services of a local fire mitigation franchise. Technicians will arrive to your home quickly and get to work on the fire restoration process. A SERVPRO franchise will be able to clean up soot and smoke damage "Like it never even happened."
How to Know What Sort of Mold Damage Is Covered by Your Insurance
What Does It Take To Clean Up Mold And How Your Policy Covers
Mold damage can occur wherever there has been standing water or high humidity, whether caused by a burst pipe or a flood. If you've discovered mold in your place of business in North Miami Beach, FL, you've probably had two thoughts: (1) how do you clean up mold, and (2) what does your commercial insurance cover? While each policy is different, there are generally some standards for businesses as it relates to mold cleanup.
1. Exclusions Commercial insurance generally excludes coverage of damage caused from fungus. It doesn't matter how the mold got there, for the most part. If there's fungus, it's probably not covered. Don't panic, though! Read on...
2. Limited Coverage There are a few instances in which mold damage is covered in your policy. If you have a specific cause of loss that results from a fungus, you are covered. For example, if you realize that a section of drywall is moldy, you call a mold remediation specialist to come and assess the damage, and they discover a leaking pipe, the cost of removing and replacing the drywall will be covered. Similarly, if you uncover additional damage as the inspection occurs, that will be covered, as well as testing to ensure that the mold is, in fact, cleaned up.
3. Other Riders The specific cause language around mold insurance is a little bit hazy, so if you're unsure, call your insurance agent to walk you through your policy. Mold damage is often more fully covered under a flood coverage addendum to your policy. It's also worth looking into additional liability insurance that can cover other problems related to mold exposure at your business. It is unfortunately common practice that commercial insurance policies are so exclusionary when it comes to covering damage caused by mold. Avoid problems in the future by understanding what it takes to clean up mold and how your policy covers you in the event that you discover mold at your business.
One of the most difficult household chores in homes throughout Golden Glades, FL, is scrubbing the grout between tiles in the shower. This is particularly true when there are signs of bathroom mildew because mildew is hard to prevent and is even more difficult to clean away.
How To Prevent Mold and Mildew
It's usually necessary to hire a professional to get rid of mold once it's established, but it is possible to prevent mold from growing in your bathroom with the following steps:
Reduce humidity
Increase ventilation
Clean up excess moisture
Watch for leaks and make repairs immediately
When you are consistent in practicing these habits, you can prevent most bathroom mold issues.
Reduce Humidity In many situations, a humidity problem is the cause of a mold problem. Hot, steamy showers often leave bathrooms dripping with condensation. As the moisture seeps into the walls, hidden pockets of mold colonies are free to grow and spread. The first step in preventing bathroom mildew is decreasing the humidity in air.
Increase Ventilation The second step is adding ventilation. Consider installing a bathroom fan that directs moisture out of the home when family members shower. A dehumidifier may also help reduce humidity. One of the simplest ways to reduce moisture is opening windows and doors. However, this may not be enough ventilation if there's a lot of humidity in the air.
Clean Up Excess Moisture It's very important that any wet footprints, damp towels, or other soggy items are dried up as quickly as possible. Mold could establish itself within one or two days. Once mold spores find an inviting environment, it is difficult to thoroughly remove them. For example, if a mildewy towel is removed from the bathroom, spores may float into the air and re-establish themselves on another surface.
Repair Leaks Immediately Finally, as soon as you notice water seeping from under the toilet or condensation on the window or a pipe, contact water damage cleanup and repair professionals. Remember, it doesn't take long for a small, damp surface to become a home to mold. Bathroom mildew should quickly prompt cleanup and remediation.
Enjoy These Advantages by Choosing a Fire Mitigation Company
Enjoy These Advantages by Choosing a Fire Mitigation Company
After a fire inside your Golden Glades, FL, business is extinguished, you will have to deal with the resulting fire damage. Your insurance adjuster can determine how much you can claim, but you still need to handle the repairs. While it is tempting to confront the situation yourself, there is another option. A fire mitigation company provides several advantages that can make the overall process faster and easier.
Quick Response The leftover damage is a major threat to the rest of the building. If it is left alone for too long, it can destroy everything else. Additionally, if you close the business, you might lose significant revenue from costumer visits. These reasons are why a fast response is important in fire remediation. Most companies in this field have a 24/7 response team that asks detailed questions about the current situation and sends the right personnel immediately.
Multiple Services Another advantage of having mitigation specialists assist you with your fire damage case is their "one-stop-shop" approach. They offer a wide range of services such as:
Inspections and assessments
Window board-up and roof tarp
Smoke and soot removal
Disinfection and cleaning
Restoration
If non-professionals handle the process, it might require multiple individuals and a greater amount of time and money. Emergency repair companies provide these services under one project, making the process more efficient and affordable.
Professional Assistance Most restoration companies are made of licensed and certified employees with years of experience. They use the best techniques and equipment to deal with situations like yours. Leaving the project to them not only guarantees high-quality fire mitigation, but it also keeps you and others safe. You can rely on other people to handle this part of the situation while you spend your time on other business matters. A commercial building with fire damage requires special care that you and most people may not easily provide. Work with mitigation technicians to enjoy these benefits.
The slow but steady drip of a leaking roof is a dreaded but often unnoticed occurrence. A roof leak is capable of causing severe damage to the ceiling, floors, walls, inventory and other building contents if left undiscovered for a long period of time. It may also result in mold and mildew development and damage to electrical equipment, both of which constitute safety and health hazards. The leak may originate from missing shingles blown off in a storm or from some other structural problem in the damaged roof; it is best to contact a professional restoration service in North Miami, FL, for help identifying and handling the issue. There are three general steps that need to be taken after finding a roof leak. Here is what they are.
1. Initial Cleanup One of your first actions upon finding out the roof is leaking should be to clean and protect the area directly under the leak. This involves:
Drying up any existing puddles of water
Disinfection in the case that mold has begun to grow
Moving electronics, furniture and other items you do not want to get wet away from the area
Placing a bucket or other collection bin beneath the leak
2. Damage Assessment The next step, after any rain has ceased, is a damage assessment. This includes checking for missing, worn or broken shingles, holes, improperly sealed seams or other possible reasons. While this may be performed by the business owner, for safety purposes it is often best to leave it to a professional. Professional services are also more likely to correctly diagnose the cause, and many will provide an initial inspection/assessment for free as part of the repair.
3. Professional Repair Finally, the roof needs to be repaired. This might be simple shingle replacement, or it may be resealing seams with caulk. Repair services will usually repair any storm damage, though tearing out and replacing parts of the roof may also be required. A roof leak can quickly grow into a major disaster if not handled correctly. It is important to take immediate steps to clean up and consult a professional after a leak is found.
Head off Plumbing Difficulties by Using Proper Preventive Practices
Plumbing problems have the potential to cause costly, disruptive trouble for any office. The destruction created by a broken pipe can be so intense that restoration from a commercial water damage specialist becomes mandatory. Therefore, building operations managers are urged to assume a proactive stance regarding maintenance.
Plumbing Troubles
When something goes wrong with your water supply infrastructure, you might experience:
Clogged drains
Faucet complications
Overflowing or running toilets
Low water pressure
Should one or more of these conditions materialize, check your water main, as that is often a primary source of complications.
Plumbing Trouble Prevention Before plumbing problems make themselves known, locate someone who can rapidly reach your building in North Miami, FL. Identify a quality fix-it person by examining online reviews and then following up with an introductory phone call or email. Before making your decision, gather as much information as necessary until you feel entirely confident. Another tactic is to send out feelers for personal recommendations. Endorsements from individuals whose judgment you trust are a significant boost to one’s comfort level. Most importantly, check that any prospect already possesses knowledge regarding or direct experience with your specific system. Regular maintenance is critical to sustaining smooth operation. As soon as you select a service professional, have every joint and fitting assessed, even if no signs of concern have surfaced. Carefully consider any suggested upgrades, as the cost of improvements could be far lower than that of extensive corrections. If the cost of your water bill begins steadily climbing for no discernable reason, it may be an indicator of a worsening leak. Immediately have an analysis performed so you can quickly identify and remedy any mushrooming concerns. Keep plumbing problems in check by having a repair specialist on speed dial and knowing how to identify complications before they become serious. These measures are likely to save you significant hassle and money down the line.
The U.S. Fire Administration reports that a small flame can turn into a major fire in just 30 seconds. Flames and smoke can fill your house or office in just a few minutes. SERVPRO of North Miami will help you recover from fire damage. We hope you never need that kind of help.
The best fire control is fire prevention.
SERVPRO of North Miami reminds you that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and we offer these Tips for Fire Prevention: Overview
Items that can catch fire include: dish towels, oven mitts, paper, curtains, wooden spoons, decorations
Heat sources include: light bulbs, fireplaces, stove tops, furnaces, candles, or electric heaters.
Keep items that can catch fire at least 3 feet away from heat sources
Keep kids at least 3 feet away from heat sources
Turn off heat sources when you leave the home or go to bed
Never use the oven as a heater
Have the fireplace chimney inspected & cleaned once a year
SERVPRO of North Miami suggests that you keep one or more fire extinguishers available.
Remember fire is fast. If there is a fire, leave and bring everyone with you. Call 9-1-1 from outside the home or office.
If cold temperatures cause your pipes to burst and water to damage your wood floors, your homeowner's insurance may cover it. It depends on what happened. Generally, your insurance coverage will protect you from water damage, but it all depends on what caused the issue. Read on to learn more about insurance companies and pipe damage.
Different Types of Damage
Gradual damage, such as a leaky pipe or a crack in the foundation, is a reason insurance companies won't pay for the damage. This is because no insurance company covers problems due to poor maintenance. But they will pay for sudden damage. Sometimes, it can be hard to know if you have something gradual or not. Things that are covered can include cracked water tanks, exploding dishwashers, and burst pipes. Here are some key things to remember:
Your Insurance covers damage that is sudden and unforeseen
Your Insurance does not cover gradual damage
How Insurance Companies View Pipes Insurance companies generally consider plumbing to be part of a home's normal maintenance. Property owners are responsible for making sure that pipes are properly maintained. If you don't maintain your pipes, any damage will not be covered. However, leaky pipes are different from burst pipes. These are pipes that could flood your home. So the damage they bring is typically covered. Keep in mind that this does not apply to burst pipes and a flood if you live where it is cold and do not have heat. Burst pipes must happen suddenly, by accident, and not be preventable. In other words, if you ignore a leaky pipe and it bursts, it will not be covered. If you're not sure if your insurance company will cover those remediation professionals you had to hire, you should consider the type of damage that happened to your home in Surfside, FL. Remember if you didn't fix the broken pipe when there was a small leak, the subsequent burst pipe will not be covered. If you did take care of your home than any flood damage will likely be covered by your insurance.
3 Important Tips for Keeping Your Employees and Business Safe From Fires
Fires are lethal forces that wreak havoc on property and human lives. They can gut buildings in hours and snuff out memories and dreams in even less time. If you are a business owner, it is important for you to take certain precautions to guard against fire. Fire prevention strategies and a fire emergency plan are necessary from you to take precautions. Here are three tips to help protect your employees and business in North Miami, FL from the ravages of fire.
1. Have the Right Equipment
Part of fire prevention is making sure you have the appropriate equipment to deal with a business fire. You should make sure you have the following up-to-date, working equipment in easily accessible locations:
Another step every business owner should take is to plan in advance. You should have a fire emergency plan in place. This plan should be communicated in depth to all employees. Running regular practice drills is another way to prepare for a fire emergency. Escape exits should be clearly labeled and their locations made known to employees. Fire training is also a must. You should also prepare for the worst by investing in a fire insurance policy and having a professional restoration company in mind to deal with any fire damage that may occur in the future.
3. Watch Fire Hazards
Business owners should also keep an eye on potential fire hazards like appliance cords, flammables, combustible materials and equipment. It is important to properly maintain and fix malfunctioning equipment that may spark fires. Keeping dangerous materials stored in safe locations is also necessary.
Fires are not a joke or some distant, vague possibility that will probably never happen. Fires wreck livelihoods and can even take lives away. The potential for fires should be taken seriously, and fire prevention and fire emergency tactics taught and employed.
Fungus growth in your Sunny Isles, FL, home can be a big problem. Mold damage can quickly spread from a small corner of your home to the entire property. Remediation and restoration professionals are available to assist with black mold cleanup. Unfortunately, your homeowners insurance may not pay for this service. There are some exceptions, however.
When Mold Is Covered
Homeowners insurance typically includes limited mold coverage. However, this coverage only applies if the mold resulted from a sudden water damage emergency, such as:
Roof collapse from the weight of sleet, ice and snow
Frozen pipes
Accidental discharge of water from appliances or sprinklers
Vandalism
Check your specific policy to see if it includes mold insurance. If it doesn’t, you can generally purchase a separate mold endorsement for an extra fee. Keep in mind that there may be a cap on your mold coverage.
When Mold Is Not Covered The above incidents are all examples of accidental perils that affect a home. However, if the fungus growth was caused by your own negligence, you will have to pay for the mold cleanup yourself. You thus need to take proper care of your house. The insurer may deny your claim if the mold resulted from poor ventilation or old shingles. There are specific steps you should take to stop the growth of mold in your home. Moist areas such as showers and laundry rooms must be properly ventilated. Any leaks in the windows, pipes, or roofs should be addressed right away. If the home does flood, remove the standing water immediately. Finally, try to limit the indoor humidity levels. Mold is typically not covered by homeowners insurance unless the fungus growth resulted from a covered peril. Even if the mold is covered, the insurance payout may be limited. That is why you should be extra vigilant if you see water damage in your home.
4 Actions to Take When a Flood Affects Your Furnace
As a business operator in North Miami Beach, FL, you are likely aware of the importance of maintaining your systems, from electricity to water. However, when a plumbing issue occurs, such as a broken pipe, it can cause damage to your furnace, one of the most vital systems. A furnace flood can have a powerful effect on your establishment, so it is important to respond step-by-step.
1. Isolate and Power Down Unit
A flooded furnace is potentially dangerous to yourself and other employers, especially if the unit runs on electricity. The first step you should take is close access to the flooded area, keeping anyone else safe. Do not attempt to control the unit, as you could also harm yourself. If possible, shut down the electric power or the gas, which will significantly reduce the danger.
2. Repair and Restore
Once the area is secure, contact emergency restoration services to deal with the situation. These professionals will have the appropriate equipment to drain the furnace flood, completely dry the area, and restore the equipment and the building as much as possible. They can ensure no secondary damage occurs afterward.
3. Assess the Situation
Now that the area is accessible, you will likely need to inspect the affected furnace. As the business owner, you might have to decide on whether to replace or repair the system's components, including filters, valves, and controls. Some parts could be repaired, while others might benefit the overall furnace with a complete replacement.
4. Clean the Air Ducts
The water and humidity introduced to the furnace might encourage mold and mildew growth within the air ducts. If you turn on the furnace without removing it, it can spread these organisms throughout the location. A proper air duct cleaning can prevent this.
A furnace flood can devastate your system and your business if you do not take prompt action. Secure the area, call for help, and clear the air ducts to restore the system and protect your business.
Preventing flooding in your Surfside, FL, can be an important aspect of protecting your company assets. Part of this can include preparing for a storm before it strikes. Here are five steps you may wish to consider.
1. Clean Out Gutters One way to help avoid flood damage to regularly clean out the building’s gutters. A blocked gutter can create water overflow which can back up into the building. This can damage the roof and any supporting walls, or rooms below.
2. Maintain Drainage Another important step to protecting your business property is to keep any drainage systems maintained. This could mean keeping ditches clear of bushes and other debris, or ensuring that drains have not become blocked. Blocked drainage can lead to overflow and flooding.
3. Install a Sump Pump Many professionals recommend the installation of a sump pump to help prevent flooding. These devices are installed in areas where it’s common for storm water to get into, such as a basement, and can help remove the water from the space before it causes long term damage.
4. Choose a Professional You may also want to choose a local storm damage restoration service and keep their information on hand. These professionals can deal with a variety of storm caused problems, including cleaning up black water.
5. Watch the Weather Perhaps one of the easiest steps to take is to keep an eye on the weather. This will allow you to know when a storm is coming, and to take proper precautionary steps ahead of time. Preparing for a storm ahead of time may help you prevent flooding on your company property. Remember to keep your gutters and drainage systems clear of debris, consider installing a sump pump, and know who to call if the business property does experience damage. You may also want to keep an eye on any approaching weather.
When most people contemplate the threat of uncontrolled flames, they tend to imagine those originating in fireplaces or ones sparked by electrical malfunctions. Consequently, many fail to recognize how often a gas fire becomes the source of a raging inferno.
Checking for Leaks
If you use natural gas in Biscayne Park, FL, and smell sulfur or detect a hissing sound that raises suspicions, do the following:
Inspect your stove. Accidentally turned on burners should be immediately switched off.
At night, only use flashlights as flipping switches could potentially trigger a gas explosion.
Ventilate the area. Open windows and doors, allowing harmful gasses to dissipate.
Keep a wrench near your gas meter. This small piece of preparation means you won’t run into difficulties or waste time searching for one when closing your valve.
Grab loved ones and evacuate. It’s imperative that you leave any area where a gas fire could suddenly spring to life.
Remember to have your phone with you so you can contact the fire department once you’ve safely moved away from any potential hazard.
Knowing the Causes of Leaks Before finding yourself in a perilous situation, know what generates leaks to prevent one from happening. Cookers and boilers that have been badly maintained are a common source. Similarly, poor fittings can also lead to trouble, as sloppily installed hoses allow flammable vapors to escape. Prevent this eventuality by having gas-powered items only installed by registered Gas Safe engineers. Parts commonly wear and crack on older systems, especially surrounding seals. Check appliances for anomalies, and replace questionable components if concerns arise. When moving, review preexisting equipment before making use of anything. Closely observe your gas line, as it can easily become compromised from dead vegetation or a natural disaster. Also, keep an eye out for bubbling water or displaced soil, as these are definite warning signs. Should you detect anything unusual, have your gas provider promptly conduct an official analysis. Before a gas fire in your house requires the services of a blaze repair expert, take preventative measures and always practice proper safety protocol.
Most storms come and go without causing too much damage to your business in Miami Shores, FL. Now and then, though, a large storm can disrupt your company in a variety of ways. It's best to be prepared. A business continuity plan helps you prepare for the worst and get your company back on its feet as quickly as possible. A solid plan consists of these four main elements:
Business Impact Analysis
Recovery Strategies
Plan Development
Testing and Exercises
Each one of these elements contains a number of important steps to flesh out a valuable plan. The Department of Homeland Security offers comprehensive information on putting together a solid plan.
The Importance of Planning Ahead Part of the process of constructing a continuity plan involves looking at your company's vital operations. What parts of your business are susceptible to storm damage? What critical systems could fail? Identifying these issues often takes the help of a team of workers. Discussions, meetings, and training might be needed to provide crucial details of the plan. Inevitably, making sure IT systems are protected is a big part of any plan. If possible, the plan should look at ways to operate with degraded computer capacities and compromised power systems.
The Importance of Recovery Whether your company is hit by flooding or a massive wind storm, recovery will be a large part of any business continuity plan. This often involves calling in professional help. A qualified storm mitigation franchise has the experience and training to help your company survive a large storm. Technicians can make sure excess water is removed and the facility is safe from any additional harm. They can arrive on-site Faster to Any Size Disaster. An important feature of any plan is identifying the resources needed to help your company in times of turmoil. Doing so ahead of time is the best way to make sure nothing is missed or forgotten.
There are three standardized categories of water damage that indicate the level of repair required for your commercial building’s water pipe repair. Those three categories are known as:
Category 1: Clean water Category 2: Gray water Category 3: Black water
But what do these categories mean, and what do you need to know about them when you have a broken pipe or your building is flooded?
Category 1: Clean Water “Clean water” refers to flooding that does not pose any threat to human health and safety. This type of water damage typically occurs from a broken pipe along a water supply line, an overflow from a sink or tub, or a malfunction in an appliance that is connected to a water supply line.
Category 2: Gray Water “Gray water” is a type of flooding that contains microorganisms and is potentially harmful to humans if ingested. It often comes from water sources such as broken toilets or broken sump pumps. It is important to address water pipe repair right away in this scenario.
Category 3: Black Water “Black water” contains harmful bacteria and fungi and is highly unsanitary. It is likely to occur from a broken pipe along a sewage line or from standing water. This means that if any flooded area is left unattended, it is likely to develop into black water even if it started out as clean water. It can be difficult to identify the category of water damage that your building has incurred and the type of water pipe repair that it requires. Even if you only have Category 1 water damage, it is still critical getting help from your local water damage restoration experts right away, as it might develop into a much more severe issue if left stagnant for even a few hours. If your water damage is Category 2 or 3, it is even more important to address the issue right away. Luckily, SERVPRO of Bal Harbour, FL, is Faster to Any Size Disaster.
Call SERVPRO of North Miami at the first sign of mold damage!
Keeping Mold Out Of Your Bathroom
Mold is a fungus that thrives on moisture. Because of this, a common place to find it is in the bathroom. You don’t need to experience severe water damage in your Miami, FL home for this to happen, although this can be one cause. The following tips can help keep mold out of the bathroom.
1. Turn On Your Ventilation Fan
When you shower, steam can cause moisture to cover the surfaces of the room. If there are spores present, this can lead to mold growth. To reduce the amount of moisture in the room, use a ventilation fan. If this option is not available, opening a window can help as well.
2. Dry Sinks and Showers After Use
Particularly if you have had mold in your home previously, it is a good idea to keep surfaces dry. After using the shower or sink, use a sponge or towel to remove any remaining moisture. Allowing them to dry on their own can lead to water damage and gives mold more time to grow.
3. Clean Regularly
Mold prevention is often much easier than mold removal. One way to keep the fungus from showing up is simply by cleaning your bathroom frequently. If there are mold spores in your home, which is not uncommon, then keeping everything clean may get rid of them before they are able to spread.
4. Fix Leaks Right Away
Even small amounts of moisture can cause mold to form. For this reason, it is best to have any leaks fixed as soon as you notice them. If they are left for an extended period of time, it can cause multiple problems, including mold growth.
If you have experienced mold in your home as a result of water damage or other problems, SERVPRO of North Miami can help. Certified professionals can locate any instances of these funguses in your home, remove the excess growth and help keep it from returning.
Benjamin Franklin astutely warned that “by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” There's little doubt that preparation, in any aspect of life, is key to ensuring positive outcomes. When it comes to preventing residential storm flood damage, this holds especially true. Among the best things a savvy homeowner can do to avoid disaster is to make sure the sump pump is functioning properly.
How Can You Get Your Pump Game Ready?
The best time to carry out preventative maintenance is before the wet season. The following tips can help keep your pump in good shape:
Test that the pump is working by pouring water into the sump basin. A functioning pump should turn on and drain the water away swiftly.
Clean out debris from both the sump pit and the pump intake screen. Doing this will guarantee that the components within the pump remain unobstructed.
Flush out the discharge pipe to safeguard against overexertion. Dirty pipes mean the sump pump must work overtime to drain the basin, increasing the risk of flooding.
Test and replace the backup battery if necessary. During inclement weather, power outages become more likely. If your home loses power, the pump backup battery is crucial to keep the unit functioning.
If the pump has a water sensor, check to see if it is working properly. To do so, consult the owner’s manual for recommended testing procedures.
What If That’s Not Enough? Unfortunately, there will be times when all these preventative efforts are not enough. In high-risk circumstances, stay aware and be ready to act quickly in case your pump fails. While pump maintenance is relatively easy to perform, it is best to seek professional help when faced with a flooded basement or home. Water cleanup and restoration carried out by highly trained specialists can prevent more extensive and long-lasting damage to your property. Storm season doesn’t have to be scary. Properly maintaining your sump pump throughout the year can help thwart potentially disastrous flooding at its roots. If flooding does occur, stay on top of the problem and contact a professional in Golden Glades, FL, to assist with heavier damage.
Make sure you choose professional experts from SERVPRO for your disaster recovery
A weather disaster, such as a flood or fire, can be devastating for your commercial business in Surfside, FL. To help you get back on your feet as soon as possible, you must find an experienced disaster recovery team.
How Do You Find a Good Recovery Service?
You need to look no further than your local SERVOPRO franchise. With over 1,600 locations around the country, you will find one near your property. Each office is locally owned and operated, but it has corporate resources available to handle any size disaster. The Commercial Large Loss Division employs elite specialists who are trained to work on large loss disaster recovery. Clients include the following:
The Pentagon
Municipalities
The Hospitality Industry
Universities
The storm response team has handled huge disasters, including Hurricanes Katrina and Harvey, the California wildfires, and many devastating floods.
What Will the Recovery Team Do? Each disaster requires specialized professionals. In the event of storm damage due to flooding, a water damage expert will first assess the situation. Part of the assessment includes locating the source of the water and ensuring that it is stopped. The specialist will then determine the type of water damage that has occurred. Different types of water damage require different treatments. The extent of the water damage is determined before recovery can begin. After the assessment is complete, any salvageable furniture is moved to avoid further damage. The water is removed using industrial pumps and vacuums. The entire area is then dried with high-speed fans and dehumidifiers. All surfaces are cleaned and sanitized using antimicrobial or antibacterial treatments to remove odors and mold. Once the water damage repair is complete, renovation can take place. Carpeting, drywall, and other materials that cannot be restored are removed and replaced. Make sure you choose professional experts from SERVPRO for your disaster recovery. They will help you get your business up and running again as quickly as possible.
Properly cleaning your grill is essential for keeping your grill cooking efficiently and reducing fire risks. Consider adding these three grill cleaning tips to your grill maintenance routine.
1. Gather Your Equipment The cleaning process will be easier if you make sure you have all the equipment you need before you get started. Useful equipment to have on hand includes a long-handled wire brush, a wire bottle brush, and a large bucket. Cleaning products are available that are marketed as being specific for grills, but some of them can leave behind residue that may affect the flavor of your food. A grease-fighting detergent, such as dishwashing soap, baking soda, and vinegar can be used as alternatives to grill cleaning chemicals. If you have a stainless steel grill, you may want to invest in a stainless steel cleaner, such as Barkeeper's Friend, to keep your grill looking shiny.
2. Modify Your Technique for Your Grill Type Different grill types have different cleaning issues that need to be addressed. For instance, charcoal and pellet grills accumulate ash at the bottom of the grill that will need to be removed. The ports on the gas supply lines of a gas power grill can become blocked.
3. Do Not Forget To Clean the Inside You may be tempted to focus your efforts on cleaning the grates, but the inside of your grill needs regular cleanings too. Grease and food particles can build up inside your grill and increase the risk of a grease fire. To remove them, you will need to take your grill apart and use an object, such as a putty knife or a metal spatula, to scrape down the inside of your grill. Regular grill cleaning can improve your grill's cooking performance and decrease the chances of starting a grill fire. However, if a fire does happen, a fire cleanup professional in Sunny Isles, FL, can assist you.
Understanding flood damage restoration and mitigation process
Water destruction from storms is a regular occurrence in South Florida due to the average sea level of the state being 6 feet, with some areas being as little as 3 feet above sea level. Sadly, water harm is one of the most difficult issues that a land owner can confront. Even, modest quantities of water harm can prompt genuine repercussions, for example, overgrowth of mold and overall damage of your valued structure. When managing water destruction in your home or business, it is significant to call an expert to alleviate water damage. You are managing dangerous, class 3 water deterioration.
Throughout the years, a settled convention for the rebuilding and alleviation of water harm has grabbed hold. Here is a list of compelling methods for relieving flood harm. As a rule, the rebuilding procedure follows five stages. How about we investigate the water cleanup process and what steps are engaged with managing potential flood harm.
On the off chance that the rebuilding organization can start the water cleanup process inside the initial five hours of harm, the odds of an all out reclamation of the property are higher. Then again, standing by over 24 hours will make the odds of lasting harm ascend, as time passes.
SERVPRO of North Miami will start surveying the degree of water in the home or water in the business. Using propelled discovery gadgets, they will have the option to check whether there is water in the structure that has saturated spots not unmistakable to the unaided eye. In the event that there is a functioning funnel break or supply line break, the progression of water will be stanched, and the channel break or supply line break will be shut, with a welder, if essential.
The subsequent stage is to evacuate the water utilizing powerful siphons and concentrated vacuum gear.
Next, the overflowed home will start experiencing the drying procedure. This includes the utilization of modern quality drying hardware, like that utilized in huge vehicle washes. The group will likewise convey ground-breaking dehumidifiers, which are equipped for evacuating a huge number of pounds of dampness from the air every hour.
Now, with the drying procedure complete, there will be no further hazard to the property, expecting the main drivers of the stockpile line break, pipe break, or other wellspring of flooding have been appropriately tended to.
After the property has been dried, any things that were expelled from the premises will be altogether cleaned. Utilizing a procedure like cleaning, extraordinary synthetics will be sent that are equipped for cleaning and reestablishing such things as photographs, books, and furniture. The cleanup group will likewise utilize unique sterilization items, which are equipped for killing any beginning buildup or form developments just as wiping out unsavory scents that frequently result from the water logging of materials, considerably after they have been totally dried out.
Presently the cleanup procedure will be finished. The property will be totally reestablished to its earlier condition, and the whole procedure will as a rule have taken close to 24 hours, from call to the group leaving once and for all.
You have most likely known about our SERVPRO ERPs (Emergency Ready Profiles). As we direct ERPs in business structures, we additionally include water and gas shut off labels to the fitting shut offs. We include these labels as a supportive sign on the off chance that you ever have a crisis in your home. For instance, if a channel blasts or a break occurs in your home or business, the principal thought to enter your thoughts ought to be to shut the water off.
Following stage? Call SERVPRO of North Miami!
On the off chance that the break is from a sink or a lavatory, it is anything but difficult to kill the water for that line by turning the valve that is situated underneath or alongside the apparatus. Consider the possibility that you don't know where the hole is coming from. It could be a channel behind your divider, under your home, or some place that is difficult to find. In this instance, you want to cut the water to the entire house. This implies finding the central conduit shutoff. Think of this inquiry, regardless of whether in your home or business. Do you know where the shutoff is found and would you be able to find it on account of a crisis? If not, don't feel awful. Numerous individuals don't have the foggiest idea where to find their water and gas shut offs.
Normally, these shut offs lie on the outside of the home or business around the border of the structure. When you have discovered the shutoff, ensure that all individuals from your family unit know where it is. This is actually why we label these principle shut offs during the formation of an ERP. The speedier you can cut the water, the less harm is caused.
On the off chance that you experience water harm in your home, regardless of whether from a busted funnel, flawed rooftop, or normal event, you can call SERVPRO of North Miami at (305) 895-4880. We are constantly here to help!
Even the smallest water leak in your home can cause a lot of damage, especially if the drip, drip is allowed to continue. A leaking toilet has the potential to harm flooring materials and to create excess moisture that enables mold to form into colonies. If left for too long, it can even cause structural damage to your house in Biscayne Park, FL. A leak should always be stopped quickly. If the problem is complicated, your best bet is to call in a licensed plumbing contractor. For simple problems, you might want to tackle the problem yourself.
Fixing a Leaking Toilet
Most toilets that leak do so from the base. If you are lucky, you will only need to tighten the bolts that hold the toilet base to the floor. If that doesn't stop the bathroom leak, you will probably have to remove the toilet and check the wax gasket. Follow these steps to troubleshoot the problem:
Shut off the water to the toilet
Drain the water in the tank by flushing and holding down the handle
Loosen and disconnect the water-supply tube
Remove bolts that hold the toilet in place
Gently rock the toilet back and forth until the wax seal breaks
Remove the old gasket and replace with a new one
Now it is time to reassemble the toilet and see if your repair worked. If not, you could have a faulty flange which will probably have to be replaced.
Handling Water Damage Any time excess water comes into your home, it should be taken care of right away. An experienced water remediation franchise has the equipment and the training to handle everything from a leaking toilet to a sewage backup. Though no two problems are exactly alike, certified technicians have the versatility to deal with whatever they face. Best of all, you can be assured that work on your home is completed according to the highest standards.
If you own your own business, chances are you’ve come across a plumbing issue during the course of your operations. To avoid potentially expensive disruptions in your Miami Shores, FL, business in the future, be proactive, and address plumbing problems even before they arise.
Understand the Problems
Due to the volume of people coming in and out each day, commercial buildings typically experience heavier water usage than residential buildings. This can place severe stress on your plumbing system, leading to potential plumbing issues. The following are some of the most common and costly plumbing issues that a business owner can face:
Low water pressure
Water line pinhole leaks
Faucet leaks
Parking lot drain clogs
Toilet leaks
Be Prepared To keep these plumbing problems from occurring, you’ll need to have a relationship with a reputable local plumber. Your regular plumber should have a thorough knowledge of your commercial building’s plumbing system, allowing him or her to spot and monitor potential problems before they become major issues. A professional plumber can also direct you to the appropriate water remediation experts should a plumbing issue damage your property. If you don’t yet have a relationship with a professional plumber, ask business associates, friends, and family for recommendations. Always be sure to check for a valid state plumber’s license before you retain any plumber’s services.
Practice Preventative Maintenance Your plumber should perform regular preventive maintenance to keep your commercial building’s plumbing system in working order. Regular checks of your building’s pipes should be performed, especially during times of extreme temperature change that can cause a broken pipe. In addition, professionals will pay special attention to your water main, checking for leaks and corrosion that can compromise this important plumbing component and your commercial building’s overall water supply. Plumbing problems have the potential to create long-term consequences for your business. However, by taking care to maintain your plumbing systems before any issues occur, you’ll allow your business to flourish instead of flounder.
Looking out for Your Employees During Mold Removal
It's important to maintain a professional appearance in your office building. You want the environment to exemplify the values your company stands for. Also, your employees deserve to have a comfortable, safe place to work. If you spot mold in the building, you should act quickly. The mold removal process can be complex, so make sure you hire a trusted professional mold remediation company. During this time, there are some things you should do to protect your employees.
Adjust Work Arrangements
Depending on the scope of the mold removal project, you may experience some interruptions to your business. You don't want the cleanup effort to get in the way of work. To avoid this, you can make the following changes in the workplace:
Stagger schedules so different employees come in at different times.
Allow people to work from home if possible.
Relocate some employees to other buildings and worksites.
Close of Portions of the Building Mold growth usually occurs in humid areas of the building. Common places include basements, cellars, crawl spaces, and bathrooms. However, mold can show up anywhere in Biscayne Park, FL, if the conditions are right. For example, if there is water damage on the walls or floors of the office, mold can spread rapidly. In the places where this occurs, restrict or forbid employee access so the cleanup crews can remove the mold without interference. This will reduce employees' risks of coming into contact with the mold as well.
Contain the Mold There is no quick solution to getting rid of widespread mold. With black mold, in particular, the best thing you can do is keep it from spreading before the professional technicians can start the cleanup process. Heavily sanitize all areas of the building. Make sure there is proper airflow in the office. Hire a professional to handle mold removal. During this effort, follow these guidelines to ensure the well-being of everyone in the building.
Four Landscaping Options to Divert Water Away From Your Home
When you take pride in your Bal Harbour, FL, home, you make sure you have a quarterly checklist to keeping Mother Nature from damaging your home. When it comes to outside flooding coming inside from a rain storm, keeping gutters, downspouts, and drains clear is necessary. Along with general maintenance, adding some curb appeal can also prevent water from entering your home. Below are four landscaping options to divert water away from your home.
1. Rain Gardens An eco-friendly and relatively easy rain drainage option is a rain garden. A flower bed in the right place provides an outlet for water to pool during the storm while slowly absorbing into the soil. These should be located a minimum of 10 feet from the home and where runoff typically flows to. 2. Swales These are simply a way to redirect drainage via a depression in the landscaping. They can be used to lead water to rain gardens or other areas that drain well. They are designed to naturally contour around a slope and can be complemented with rocks, grasses and shrubs. 3. Pervious Paving While sprucing up the patio or creating a boardwalk, using porous paving materials can keep water from pooling. They have tiny gaps that allow water to seep through and drain into a gravel layer below. Typical options include pavers, porous concrete and plastic grids. All have their own aesthetic, allowing for personalization while providing a drainage solution. 4. Mulch Keeping outside flooding at bay may just mean sprucing up existing areas around the home. If bare soil is visible around the house, it may no longer be able to absorb much water. Adding a thick mulch, which comes in many colors, can help absorb storm runoff. If outside flooding issues aren’t taken care of, your home can very quickly develop water issues that require extensive repairs from a water remediation and restoration provider. By doing a little sprucing up outside, you can protect your house while giving it added appeal.
3 Things To Know About Smoke Damage in Your Building
Here Are the Answers to Three Commonly Asked Questions
After a fire at your North Miami Beach, FL, place of business, it’s not uncommon to find that smoke damage has occurred. There are several things you may wish to know about this type of damage, including if its presence is to be expected, and how it may be removed. Here are the answers to three commonly asked questions.
1. It’s Normal After a Fire
It’s not usual to have smoke or soot damage result from a fire. These are natural by-products of flames and heat. Fortunately, many restoration services have the tools and training to deal with these types of damage as well. You may also like to know that both smoke and soot can be removed from affected office items which should be able to be restored.
2. It May Have an Odor
In many cases, smoke damage can have an odor that comes with it. This scent may linger on affected materials and in the air. The restoration team working on the property may have special cleaners to help get rid of this odor. They may also be able to use a ozone machine, or similar device, to remove the scent from the air.
3. A Restoration Crew Can Help
Any smoke cleaning and repairs of the damage should be handled by a local fire damage restoration crew. These professionals can help identify which materials need to be replaced as well as what can be restored. They can even help with item cleaning, which included paper documentation and electronic devices such as computers. Also, ask the team working on your business property about odor removal.
Remember, it’s normal to expect smoke damage after a business fire and the scent of fire and smoke can linger. Fortunately, a local restoration service can help clean, make repairs, and even remove these odors. If you have any questions about your restoration needs these professionals should be able to help.
How Plumbing Issues Can Cause Flooding in Your Building
When you think of flooding, massive storms or overflowing rivers may come to your mind. While these issues may not be unheard of in Golden Glades, FL, there are other water damage concerns you should be aware of. Plumbing problems such as a burst pipe could send water throughout your building, resulting in costly cleanup and restoration. Understanding these risks can help you prepare for or prevent flooding.
Do Your Due Diligence
You can't control the weather or what happens with city sewage systems or water lines. However, you can do your part and protect your building and everything inside if floods threaten your safety. Here are some guidelines for preventing standing water and flooding:
Make sure your property slopes away from the building.
Regularly clean and maintain the rain gutters and downspouts on your building.
Have a qualified plumber inspect your plumbing system each year.
When Pipes Break
A burst pipe is one of the most common ways that water can invade a building. If this occurs, you might not see the water right away, as it could hide in walls, under the floor or in ceilings. If you notice your water bill is skyrocketing, or if the water pressure fluctuates considerably, you can suspect that a pipe has broken. Other clues could be that the water smells foul or you see water puddling under sinks. Pipes can break due to age, lack of maintenance or poor construction quality.
When Pipes Freeze
Wintertime can be a headache for plumbers and property owners. When temperatures drop into the single digits and below, the risk of having a frozen pipe goes up. When pipes freeze, the water expands. This could eventually cause leaks or bursts. One of the best ways to keep pipes from freezing is to let the water drip slightly until the temperatures warm up. Before you call water cleanup specialists to mitigate flood damage from a burst pipe, follow these tips. You can prevent and respond to a burst pipe before the flooding gets too severe.
The Importance of Certifications for a Remediation Company
When you hire a company in Miami Shores, FL, to do a job, you want some assurance that the company can be trusted to do quality work. There are several avenues to find out this information. One of the best is the role professional certifications play for technicians in certain fields. In the case of dealing with mold, it is a good practice to hire a certified mold technician. This at least assures you that the person has the necessary standards of knowledge and training for the job. The technician should be able to identify mold, understand its life cycle and recognize how to remove it from a home.
Mold Certification
The institution of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification is an organization that plays a vital role in providing certified mold credentials for the cleaning and restoration industries. The standards are mostly voluntary, though sometimes they are incorporated into local codes and regulations. The IICRC partners with the American National Standards Institute to further the following goals:
Develop a common language to discuss procedures of cleaning and restoration
Provide a neutral forum for the development of policies on standards
Improve the safety of cleaning products for consumers
Accelerate the acceptance of new products
The standards set in place can be withdrawn when new information is learned. On ongoing process seeks to reaffirm or revise standards every five years.
Certified Mold Remediation
A qualified company to take care of a mold problem in your home has many benefits. For one, your insurance provider will likely wish to work with a certified mold mitigation franchise. This way the provider knows the work is done in accordance with certified mold remediation. The IICRC together with ANSI publishes brochures on mold remediation cleanup that contain the latest information on how technicians should work to contain and remove mold. These standards are meant to offer the best practices and guidelines for cleaning and restoration.
Water damage to your home doesn’t stop at the water line. The humidity in an enclosed area will skyrocket in a flood, thanks in part to the moisture-wicking action of porous materials. This secondary damage may be light, but it can be very serious, even threatening the structure of your home. Homeowners in Bal Harbour, FL, should be aware of this if they have any flooding or a burst pipe.
What Is Secondary Damage?
The standard definition of secondary water damage is damage to absorbent materials caused by prolonged indirect exposure to high humidity, but not to direct contact with water. This sort of damage includes
Buckling and warping wood
Soaked drywall
Peeling paint and wallpaper
Stains, black mold and bad odors
Ruined carpets
Damage can also occur to personal items such as photographs, paperwork, electronics, and books. Humidity should be kept between 40 – 50% in most cases for an ideal balance, although special cases, such as dehumidifying a library or running a vaporizer for someone who is ill, may alter that.
What Should You Do About It?
Minor flooding on non-porous materials that doesn’t go up to the outlets may not require professional help. For instance, flooding in a concrete basement with cinder block walls can be pumped out by you, as long as it’s done quickly. Quickly is the key word here – every hour the elevated humidity has to act is working against you. Once the wood starts rotting, it’s going to attract wood-boring insects. If the damage has been significant or is in any way structural, you’ll need a professional restoration company experienced with water damage repair to bring in custom air movers that can quickly suck the humidity out of a given area. Once things are dry, a full inspection will help reveal any areas of concern. If you’ve experienced a water intrusion in Bal Harbour, FL, a speedy response will save you considerable aggravation and potentially many thousands of dollars. SERVPRO is Faster to any size disaster, and they have the specialized equipment to get the moisture out and determine how extensive the damage is.
How To Properly Maintain Your Commercial Irrigation System
Having a properly maintained irrigation system is essential to the well-being of your commercial property. By relying on this technology to water your lawn and plants, you can save a significant amount of time while enhancing the appearance of your business’s exterior. To consistently keep your North Miami Beach, FL, property in top condition, it’s crucial to maintain your irrigation system properly. Here are some basic irrigation maintenance guidelines that can help you preserve the appearance of your commercial property.
Schedule Regular Inspections
To confirm that everything is in working order, be sure to schedule a regular checkup with your landscape company. During scheduled maintenance, your landscaper can inspect any of the following areas:
Sprinkler heads
Valves
Nozzles
Pipes
In addition to examining these parts, a professional may give your irrigation system a good cleaning to keep it in proper shape. Remember to schedule these inspections at least twice a year to ensure that there are no leaks or other issues that may lead to sprinkler flooding.
Use in Moderation
To ensure that your irrigation system is at its best, always use it in moderation. Save your sprinklers for dry days only and don’t let them run all day long. Instead, try to set your irrigation timers to go off in the early morning, preferably between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. Not only can this irrigation maintenance strategy ensure that you don’t get your customers wet, but it also allows the water to reach down to your grass’s roots without being affected by intense sunshine or high winds.
Perform a Plant Audit
Be sure to give your plants the right amount of attention when running your sprinklers. Newer plants need more nourishment than older plants, so adjust your irrigation timers accordingly. This ensures that your plants aren’t overwatered and keeps sprinkler flooding at bay. Maintaining your irrigation system is a crucial part of your job. However, if your sprinkler system causes any water damage despite your best irrigation maintenance efforts, be sure to call commercial building restoration services to bring your business back to normal.
How Disaster Cleanup Teams Help With the Claims Process
If you have an emergency at work that causes significant damage, you have several important steps to follow. Your first priority is to make sure everyone is safe. You also need to stop the source of the problem and make sure you call the appropriate professionals for cleanup, repair, and restoration. Filing an insurance claim is also critical. Your plan should help cover the costs of getting your building back in shape. Professional disaster cleanup companies will not only help take care of the damage, but they'll also work closely with claim services.
What Your Plan Should Cover
When you purchase commercial property insurance, you protect yourself and your organization from heavy financial losses. You should be able to contact claim services and get effective coverage should in the following situations:
Flooding due to a sudden, unexpected event such as a pipe burst or failed appliance
Damage to your building from vandalism or other criminal activity
Damage from some types of weather-related incidents
Fires
Contacting Your Insurance Provider
An important component in the emergency response process is to inform your insurance company of the disaster right away. Your agent will want to know details of the situation, including what happened, how it occurred, what parts of your building it affected and the extent of the damage.
Help From the Cleanup Teams
Professional disaster recovery companies such as SERVPRO will communicate regularly with the insurance agency to help with the claims process. The restoration company can provide valuable information to the insurance representative. Technicians can take photos of the damage and give an assessment of the cleanup, repair and restoration needs in the building. Cleanup crew members can provide expert answers when the insurance company asks questions about the emergency incident. By working with claim services, the disaster cleanup company will help the process go faster and more smoothly. It's comforting to know you have a partner during this process from start to finish.
As a property manager or a business owner in Golden Glades, FL, there's no shortage of things to keep you awake at night. You might wonder what forms you haven't filled out, or what the next surprise will be. When it comes to your commercial insurance, you might wonder if there is a scenario out there that you need more robust coverage. What about an outbreak of mold in the dark and damp corners of your business? Could that be a problem? Well, just like a lot of things in life, it all depends. In general, though, so long as you have not been woefully, negligent, your commercial policy provides some basic protections against mold damage.
The Basics of Commercial Insurance for Mold
Insurances policies are complicated documents, so it is always best to go over your policy with your agent for final clarification. In general mold insurance covers these instances for a commercial property:
Most policies provide for a limited fungus coverage
The coverage pays for loss or damage caused by fungus or dry rot and bacteria
The cause of the mold damage must be from a specified cause such as water damage or leaking fire-fighting equipment
Once the mold has been discovered, action must be taken immediately by your company. Failure to respond prudently with mold mitigation measures can result in a forfeiture of your mold insurance coverage.
The Basics of Mold Cleanup
Once mold is found in your building, it's smart to deal with a professional mold remediation company in Golden Glades, FL. The experts will come to the scene quickly and begin the process of mold containment and a full cleanup. The mitigation company will help you work with the commercial insurance agent by providing a detailed list of services and repairs. In general, mold policies limit coverage to a specified dollar amount. This could be for multiple incidents, but the total payout would not exceed $15,000 a year.
Smoke damage to your North Miami, FL, business can be a major hassle. Fortunately, it is possible to thoroughly restore many smoke-damaged items. The following steps outline the basic restoration process:
Take care of any water damage. If you suffered a fire, you will likely have water damage from the fire-extinguishing efforts. Dry out all water before beginning smoke cleaning. If you allow the water to linger for more than about 24 hours, a mold problem may develop.
Clean smoke and soot from surfaces. As soon as the area is dry, you can begin working on cleaning the smoke and soot. It is important to begin as soon as possible because soot damage is often corrosive. The depth of smoke penetration will determine the best cleaning method. There are specialized cleaners and sponges designed for soot and smoke cleaning. Some surfaces may have to be sanded down to fully remove the residue. Throw out all items that cannot be fully cleaned. Unfortunately, some items will be too damaged to properly clean. Others may require so much restoration work that it would be cheaper to simply replace them.
Repair damaged items. Soot and smoke damage may have corroded some items and discolored others. For items that can be salvaged, you may be able to do simple repairs, such as painting and re-finishing, yourself. For delicate objects or those requiring specialized repairs, you may want to find a contractor with experience in restoring that type of item.
Remove lingering smoke odor. Smoke odor is notoriously persistent. Fortunately, there are several effective types of odor removal. These include ozone treatments, thermal fogging and air purification. Your building may require only one type of treatment or a combination.
In some cases, the restoration process can be too complex for an individual to manage alone. If you feel overwhelmed, a certified restoration company can address smoke damage and any other fire-related issues in your North Miami, FL, business.
An overflowing toilet in your Sunny Isles, FL, home can be frustrating and difficult to deal with. There are many reasons that this might happen, from a simple clog to sewer damage. Whatever the cause, the following are a few things that you should do in this situation.
1. Turn Off the Water Source
If your toilet is overflowing and will not stop, then this means something is supplying water to the area. If there is a clog or sewer damage and the water cannot properly drain, it can sometimes back up into the toilet, sink or shower. One way to help is to avoid using appliances, such as dishwashers or washing machines, that use water. In some cases, you may need to turn off the water supply to the building.
2. Block Off the Area
If the flooded toilet has caused a significant amount of water to back up and overflow into the bathroom, then you might need to close off the area. If you don’t, the water can continue to spread and can end up affecting a larger area of the house. Boards and tarps are possible ways to do this.
3. Remove Items From the Area
You don’t want water from the toilet to damage your belongings, so move what you can to a dry location. Any items that have already been affected should be set aside as well. A professional service might be able to salvage them if the damage is not severe.
4. Clean and Sanitize
Because there might be sewage water entering your home through the toilet, it is important that the area is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. If there is an extensive amount of water, it is best to contact a sewage company to handle the problem for you. This water is likely category 3 and highly contaminated, so you should avoid contact with it. If sewer damage, broken pipes or a clog has resulted in water damage in your home, you should call a cleanup and restoration company to return your home to its previous condition. They can make any necessary repairs to the building and affected belongings.
A tenant’s personal property is usually not covered by the insurance policy of their landlord. For that reason, many tenants choose to purchase rental insurance. However, renter’s insurance doesn’t cover every cause of loss that might damage a tenant’s property. Whether the damage is covered depends primarily on the cause of the mold and the policy exclusions.
1. Cause of the Mold If the tenant can trace the cause of the mold that damaged their property to a covered cause of loss, their renter’s insurance may apply. For example, if the roof of their rental was damaged by a storm and that storm damage caused a leak that resulted in their property getting wet from rain and molding, then that damage might be covered.
2. Policy Exclusions Most rental insurance policies contain exclusions for certain types of damages. A common exclusion is damage caused by an external flood. In order to get coverage for this peril, most renters will need to purchase separate flood insurance. Another commonly excluded peril is negligence. For instance, damage to property caused by a leaky toilet may be covered. However, if the tenant noticed the leak months ago and never reported it to their landlord, the damage might be excluded if it’s determined that the tenant's negligence in reporting the leak lead to the property damage.
Whether property damage caused by mold is covered by rental insurance depends on the specific policy and the cause of damage. Because of the limitations of renter’s insurance, it may be wise to avoid extensive mold damage by contacting a professional in North Miami who can assist with mold removal or storm cleanup before mold develops or spreads beyond the limits of what a renter’s insurance policy can address.
The thought of a fire starting in your North Miami, home would certainly fill you with fear. Though you may not think this could happen to you, it's important to be prepared in case this disaster strikes. In addition to having functioning smoke alarms to alert you of the danger, you should develop a fire escape plan so everyone in your household knows how to get to safety.
Identify Exit Routes During a home fire, every second counts. You may not have a lot of time to get out before the fire spreads and before flames and smoke block every path. As a family, walk through your house and point out every possible exit point. Also, make sure you do the following:
Identify the easiest windows to open. Make sure everyone knows how to open windows. Choose two safe exits from every room in the house.
Choose a Meeting Place Deciding where to meet outside the home is one of the most important aspects of fire preparation. Everyone in your family needs to know precisely where to go after exiting. This should be a spot far enough away from the house that you're safe. This could be a neighbor's house or a nearby park.
Make Assignments If you have younger or elderly family members that would need assistance getting out of the home, ensure that someone helps get them out. This is also important in a fire escape plan for people with physical limitations. Assign someone to retrieve pets in the event of a fire, too.
Practice At least twice a year, you should run through the escape plan. Time yourself to see how fast you can exit, and note improvements from year to year. Go through a test run at different times, including at night.
What To Expect From FEMA Following a Natural Disaster
When a significant disaster occurs in Biscayne Park, FL, some of the first responders may be professionals from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA representatives may help arrange for shelter and assistance for recovery, and they also work with local companies and inspectors to determine the extent of the damage. As you wait for this official to show up at your home, there are a couple of steps you should take:
Gather documents to establish proof of residency. These could be the deed to the home, tax records, insurance paperwork, or a mortgage payment book.
Take pictures of damages throughout your home and keep an inventory of belongings before you get rid of or move anything.
Remove trash and damaged property from the home and yard.
After contacting a government official, you should receive a pamphlet in the mail with further information about your responsibilities and what to expect from government programs.
The Initial Walk-Through
One of the first things a FEMA inspector does at your home is to look at the damage, taking pictures and generally assessing the destruction. Next, the inspector meets with you (the homeowner) to complete paperwork. If you can't prove that you own the property, there may be very little the official can do to help you.
Collaboration Between Professionals
With ownership established, the inspector walks through the property and writes down all of the damage. At this point, the government inspector and the insurance adjuster may collaborate. If you plan to work with local storm and flood damage professionals, this is a good time to contact them for their input. Remember the government and insurance officials aren't necessarily looking out for your best interests. A company representative you've hired has more motivation to give you a full description of the work to be done.
If natural disasters have led to flooding in your Biscayne Park, FL, home, knowing what to expect from FEMA and other officials can reduce some of the stress. Above all, make sure you have the paperwork you need to prove ownership of the property.
Raging winds and severe thunderstorms can wreak havoc on the roof of your business in Miami Shores, FL. As a savvy business owner, you understand the importance of contacting a professional at the first signs of a roof leak. Depending on the storm damage, your damaged roof could take time to repair. Unfortunately, during the wait, the weather may continue to give your building a beating.
Preventive Measures
Roofs may be built to withstand a beating, but only if they are properly maintained. Before a storm even hits, a few preventive measures can ensure a few missing shingles won’t eventually turn into a roof replacement.
Schedule regular building inspections. Monitoring its condition will reveal weak spots that can be more easily fixed before a storm. Keep nearby trees trimmed and away from the roof. Branches blowing in the wind could actually be scratching protective elements off your roof. Ensure downspouts and gutters are cleaned and flowing properly. Inspect foundation and around the structure after any rainfall. This is a great indicator if there is a problem between inspections. At the first signs of trouble, take action. Waiting to do a repair could turn something that was inexpensive and simple into a massive, expensive project.
Interim Protection
Weather doesn’t abide by our schedules. If a storm creates a roof leak, a temporary repair can prevent further damage from happening. An easy and inexpensive solution is to cover the damaged area with a tarp. Ensure the tarp is big enough. Tightly smooth and secure it to keep additional rain from seeping in. If another storm is brewing and you notice missing shingles, you can reattach them or apply new ones until the storm subsides and a proper repair can be made. If no shingles are available, sheet metal or copper can be used as a temporary solution. While there is never a good time to have a roof leak, during a period of seemingly never-ending storms can make that damage snowball. Being proactive can help keep your repair budget down and property protected.
Water damage may seem like something that would be obvious to detect. Things like buckled wood and discolored ceilings are dead giveaways, however, some of the most common signs of water damage are far more difficult to spot. Most of the time, water damage is actually located underneath your home’s floor boards, behind your home’s walls, or even somewhere on the outside of your house. Residential water damage and commercial water damage alike can be extremely costly for the property owner, especially when not identified early on. As such, it is extremely important to be aware of some of the most common water damage warnings.
A homeowner has a lot of things to think about and scanning the house for water damage is probably low on the to-do list. Nevertheless, being aware of some of the more typical indicators can save you and your family a ton of money in the long-run. Keep the following list in mind for how to spot water damage:
Foul odors are often an indication of residual water and mold growth
Stains present on ceilings and walls
Mold growth
Painting peeling
Discoloration of the ceiling
Bubbling or cracking wallpaper or paint
Changes in floor texture such as buckling, warping, expanding, or sinking
Leaking or pooling water behind appliances
Issues in the attic and/or roof like mold or staining
Exterior home damage near gutters
Being knowledgeable about the potential signs of water damage is the first step in mitigating the financial cost and overall damage caused. If you have spotted any of the above indicators throughout your home, it is imperative to contact a professional water damage team right away. At SERVPRO, we are dedicated to unmatched customer service, high-quality work, and making it “Like it never even happened.” Call us today to learn more!
Storms, a natural phenomenon caused by violent atmospheric disturbances occurring over land and water, represent a major potential threat to the entire population of the earth because of their prevalence, the size of areas devastated and the scale of the resulting damage.
There are several different types of storms distinguished by the strength and characteristics of atmospheric disturbances. These are tropical cyclones (typhoons and hurricanes), extra tropical cyclones (winter storms and blizzards), monsoon type storms, tornadoes and thunderstorms.
Certain violent winds, which affect limited areas and the names of which vary from country to country (for example, Bora, Chinook, Faehn, etc.) can be regarded as storms and calI for special preventive, protective and intervention measures.
The different types of storms, their frequency, the seasons during which they occur and the areas usually threatened can be established with some precision but their occurrence and trajectory cannot, until they are already developing. The preventive and protective measures are decisive in such cases and the establishment of meteorological institutes and observatories in each country is necessary to enable the risks to be predicted and the political authorities, firms and population to be warned and advised accordingly.
Preventive and protective measures
The damaging effects of different types of storms are generalIy known to the authorities and inhabitants of the various regions and areas at risk. It is recommended that, if need be, new arrivals’ and tourists contact the public services to find out about the likely risk of a storm in the season when they usually occur and the preventive measures and instructions relevant to such situations.
At the community level the damage caused by storms can be avoided, or at least limited, by:
Permanently monitoring weather conditions and appraising the atmospheric turbulences that could affect the national territory or particular areas.
Co-operating with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) of the United Nations (UN) to strengthen technical and technological assistance and to implement appropriate measures against destructive natural phenomena.
Establishing construction regulations requiring more resistant structures and prohibiting building on areas particularly at risk because of exposure to violent winds, etc.
Determining the probable outcome of a particular event and issuing information bulletins (alarms, protective measures) to the authorities and the general public.
Establishing weIl-equipped management and rescue teams trained in the preventive, assistance and rescue measures needed to respond to the different types of storms likely to strike a built-up area or region.
Training the population, and those in charge of security in companies, in the principles and application of preventive, protective and behavior measures, with a view to reducing the damage caused by a storm.
Storm Damage Cleanup and Restoration
Related Storm Services
Overview ofStorm & Flood Services
Water & Storm Damage Tips
Disaster Recovery Team
Water Restoration Process
Caring For Your Belongings
Mold Remediation
Sewage Cleanup
Carpet Cleaning
Odor Removal
Building Services
Commercial Storm Damage
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Faster to Any Size Disaster
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A Trusted Leader in the Water Restoration Industry
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When a storm hits your North Miami home, you need the company with storm damage experience and expertise. SERVPRO of Hollywood / Hallandale / Aventura can respond immediately to storm and flooding conditions.
We’re dedicated to responding immediately to water and storm damage emergencies. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces cost.
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We specialize in flooding and storm damage restoration, the cornerstone of our business. We have extensive water damage and storm restoration training that allows us to get your home back to normal quickly.
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We Have the Resources to Handle Storms and Disasters
We can scale our resources to handle any size storm or disaster. We can access resources from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams strategically located throughout the country.
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We live and work in this community too; we might even be neighbors. As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of North Miami is close by and ready to respond to storm and disaster events. We are proud to be an active member of the Hollywood community and want to do our part to make our community the best it can be.
How to Check Your Property for Damage After a Storm
The beauty of spring is often tempered by powerful storms, with heavy rains, strong winds and destructive hail. Through it all, your home protects you from the elements, so be sure to check it for damage afterward.
Even if you have no reason to suspect that damage occurred, check your home and its surroundings (once it’s safe to do so, of course). It’s important to identify problems, make emergency repairs and determine if an insurance claim is necessary.
Your roof might be the area of your home most vulnerable to damage in a storm, because so many things can impact it. Whether you’ve had high winds and downed tree branches or just a simple hailstorm, look for these indicators of damage:
Holes in the roof
Split seams
Missing shingles
Leaks in your roof or ceiling
Building Exteriors
While siding, stucco and brick all are durable, they also are susceptible to storm damage. In some instances, homeowners don’t notice until it’s too late to file a claim, so check carefully for:
Cracking, chipping or dings and dents on siding. Even if there doesn’t appear to be damage at first, check again at a different time of day. You may see something you missed when the lighting is different.
Holes in stucco. This is a serious problem, even when small, so look closely. If you find holes, have a professional conduct a full property inspection.
Damaged brick and tuck pointing. While brick typically holds up well, a check can identify any problem areas.
Detached or damaged trim, gutters, etc.
Driveways and Walkways
Concrete can chip, crack and split, not only reducing the lifespan of your driveway or walkway, but potentially creating a safety issue.
Trees
Fallen trees and limbs cause more than $1 billion in damage each year, according to the National Storm Damage Center. Keep in mind that property owners generally are responsible for removing trees and limbs that have fallen on their property, even if it is a tree from a neighbor’s yard. Your insurance policy may help to cover the cost of removal and repairs, depending on the coverage you have and the circumstances of the incident. (There are exceptions to this, depending on the maintenance of the tree, so check with your insurance agent.)
General Tips
Severe storms often will knock down power lines. If this happens on your property, rope off 30 feet in each direction around the line and do not touch it. Call 911 and the power company immediately.
Be sure to do a full check of your property, including things such as your air-conditioning unit, fences, vent caps, etc. And don’t forget to check your vehicles if they were not garaged at the time of the storm.
Don’t forget the crawl space. “Most people don’t ever look down there,” according to J. Szczesny, owner of 4 Seasons Home Inspections in Seattle and a Certified Master Inspector. “You need to be sure no water is getting in, and, if it is, make sure it is removed quickly via a sump pump or underground drainage system.”
Take pictures of all damage from different angles. You want to document as much as possible.
Finally, knowing the details of your homeowners coverage, your limits and your deductibles can help you during the insurance claims process. It’s a great idea to examine your policy and know what your homeowners insurance covers now, before the storm.
Cleaning and restoring commercial properties requires a blend of proper training, experience, and equipment. SERVPRO® of North Miami has the resources and expertise to give you excellent results, providing an immediate and efficient work process, while minimizing the disruption to your clients. We can help make it "Like it never even happened."
Small Office Buildings
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Apartment Buildings
Restaurants
Hotels/Motels
Small Retail Stores
Large Retail/Big-box Stores
High-rise Residential Buildings
Manufacturing & Industrial Facilities
Government/Military Buildings
Churches/Public Buildings
All commercial work performed by SERVPRO® of North Miami is acknowledged to have high status. Our franchise understands the importance of maintaining a business' name away from being besmirched. As we share the same belief; being one of many franchises that share the name of SERVPRO®.
The causes of these fires range from food left unattended on the stove to candles left burning. From the moment a fire starts to the point where the structure is fully engulfed is usually less than two minutes, which is why it is so important for occupants to get out of the home as quickly as possible and not try to put out a large fire themselves.
Cooking
· U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 162,400 cooking-related fires between 2009-2013 resulting in 430 civilian deaths, 5,400 civilian injuries and 1.1 billion in direct damage.
· Two of every five home fires started in the kitchen.
· Unattended cooking was a factor in one-third of reported home cooking fires.
· Two-thirds of home cooking fires started with ignition of food or other cooking materials.
· Ranges accounted for three of every five (61%) home cooking fire incidents. Ovens accounted for 13%.
· Children under five face a higher risk of non-fire burns associated with cooking and hot food and drinks than of being hurt in a cooking fire.
· Children under five accounted for 30% of the 4,300 microwave oven scald burns seen in hospital emergency rooms during 2014.
· Clothing was the item first ignited in less than 1% of home cooking fires, but these incidents accounted for 18% of the cooking fire deaths.
· More than half of people injured in home fires involving cooking equipment were hurt while attempting to fight the fire themselves.
· Frying is the leading activity associated with cooking fires.
To protect yourself, it is important to understand the basic characteristics of fire. Fire spreads quickly; there is no time to gather valuables or make a phone call. In just two minutes, a fire can become life-threatening. In five minutes, a residence can be engulfed in flames.
Heat and smoke from fire can be more dangerous than the flames. Inhaling the super-hot air can sear your lungs. Fire produces poisonous gases that make you disoriented and drowsy. Instead of being awakened by a fire, you may fall into a deeper sleep. Asphyxiation is the leading cause of fire deaths, exceeding burns by a three-to-one ratio.
Fire Safety Tips
Do not use electrical equipment that is in poor condition or that has a damaged cord.
Do not overload circuits or extension cords, read producers specifications.
Use approved power bars instead of circuit splitters.
Keep all heat-producing appliances away from the wall and away from anything that might burn.
Leave plenty of space for air to circulate around equipment that normally gives off heat.
Ensure small appliances such as heaters, fans etc. are shut off before exiting the building.
Make sure all appliances, such as coffee makers and hot plates, are turned off when not in use.
Toasters and microwave ovens should be located in kitchen areas only.
Avoid deep fat frying, or use a thermostat controlled appliance and never leave it unattended.
Keep all combustible materials, such as paper towels and cloths, at a safe distance from heat sources.
Keep storage areas, stairway landings and other out-of-way locations free of waste paper, empty cartons, dirty rags and other material that could fuel a fire.
Ensure office doors and ancillary office doors, for example, file room and hallway doors, are closed when exiting the building.
Ensure heat registers are clear of combustible items such as paper at all times.
As many as 50% of businesses close down following a disaster, according to the latest research. Of the businesses that survive, the overwhelming majority of them had a preparedness plan in place. Pre-planning can serve as an insurance policy aimed at peace of mind. And knowing you are "Ready for whatever happens" speaks trust to your clients and employees that in the event your business is affected by a disaster, they don’t necessarily have to be.
By developing a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile for your business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business.
· A no cost assessment of your facility. This means there is no need to allocate funds, giving you a great value at no cost.
· 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 it will save a lot of time if ever needed.
· A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster. This can help minimize the amount of time your business is inactive by having an immediate plan of action.
· Establishes your local SERVPRO Franchise Professional as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider. You have a provider that is recognized as an industry leader and close by.
· Identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin. This saves time so we can begin the work of mitigating the damage which can save you time and money.
· Provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas and priority contact information. Having a quick reference of what to do, how to do it and who to call provides solutions in advance of an emergency so that during the emergency you are "Ready for whatever happens."
If you live in North Miami Beach, FL, you are probably accustomed to heavy rains and the threat of outside flooding. Even a moderate amount of water in your home can cause significant damage and expensive cleanup. Protecting your home from a flood can start outside with how you landscape. With some simple designs and arrangements, you can reduce the risk of flooding and feel better when storms arrive.
Use Native Plants
When you begin landscaping your yard, your first thought may be to use plants you think look nice or complement other aspects of your property. While this is certainly an option, be aware that indigenous plants are accustomed to the weather. Native plants have the following advantages during a rain storm:
They prevent soil erosion
They allow stormwater to drain effectively
They can absorb the water more efficiently
Grade the Property
If your yard is not graded to slope away from your home, you need to get to work right away to assist with rain drainage. You want the water to drain away from your house in all directions. This includes the water coming down the rain gutters and downspouts.
Use Mulch
Using pieces of bark or other mulch will help soak up the water in flower beds and gardens. Place mulch near windows and window wells. This will also help prevent the rainwater from washing away the dirt. It's best if the mulch is at least 6 inches deep.
Plant Grass
Xeriscaping can look nice and may be a nice eco-friendly solution. However, if you live in an area where outside flooding is common, it's better to have a thick lawn. The grass can help hold in the water and keeps it away from your home. It's nice to know you can call a flood cleanup team after a disaster. Still, preventing outside flooding damage in the first place is even better. Using these landscaping tactics could save you a lot of trouble when the rain falls.
If you smell a musky odor in your house, you need a mold inspection to determine what type of fungus you have in your home. There are various kinds of mold that can contaminate a dwelling, and the fungus comes in many different colors and textures. In fact, these diverse mold colors include:
Blue
Green
White
Yellow
Orange
Black
You may have heard about black mold, or Stachybotrys, in particular. Despite its name, however, this type of mold is not necessarily black. It can actually be many different hues. No matter what color this fungus is, it can cause severe mold damage. Therefore, you need to learn all you can about this kind of mold.
Locating House Mold
Black mold is commonly found outdoors, specifically in soil. It actually helps break down dead tree limbs or leaves. Indoors, mold is usually located in moist and warm areas. It also thrives in places with high cellulose levels and low amounts of nitrogen. Wet drywall, carpeting, wood, and ceiling tiles are particularly common locations for mold growth. A mold inspection can help determine exactly where the fungus is growing in your home.
Addressing Mold Growth
Mold will not go away on its own. Since the fungus spreads quickly, you should start the mold cleanup process immediately. Getting rid of mold in your Bal Harbour, FL, house calls for a cautious approach, and homeowners should not attempt mold cleanup projects on their own. Not only is special knowledge required, but proper equipment, including boots, goggles, a respirator, safety gloves, and hooded coveralls, are necessary. Since house mold can be a complex problem, you are better off contacting mold remediation experts. These professional cleaners can find the source of the fungus, identify it, and help prevent it from coming back. They can also restore many damaged items. A mold inspection can help you determine what types of fungi are present in your home. If the inspectors determine that your house requires black mold cleanup, you need to address the situation as soon as possible.
In the beginning, there was a painting business in California and from that SERVPRO was born. There are now currently over 1700 stores from our Atlantic Seaboard to our Pacific Frontier. Over seventeen hundred franchises tell the tale. We have grown phenomenally and are continuing to grow. Your business in Surfside has been the cornerstone of that growth and we recognize that. Because of you, we strive to always put our best foot forward. Whether bagging up hazardous waste or speaking with insurance adjusters, our efforts are and always will be to give you our best.
Over five decades…
Without experience, the best intentions are fruitless. We, here at SERVPRO of North Miami have experience. In fact, we’ve got over five decades of professional cleaning and restoration know how scattered across the country. The staff at our franchises are well trained and professional when performing their duties and/or assessing your situation. If and when you are facing the discomfort of a high stress situation; find us online or call us at 305-895-4880 and we will put those years of experience to work for you
SERVPRO of North Miami reminds you that smoke detectors (smoke alarms) can help save lives in Sunny Isles, Florida.
Smoke spreads fast. An alarm gives you time to get out.
SERVPRO of North Miami wants you to remember:
Closed doors can slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire. That is good for reducing smoke damage and fire damage. That is also why you should have a smoke alarm in every sleeping room in the home
Install smoke alarms on every level of the home
Large homes might need extra smoke alarms
Some companies make alarms that are interconnected. When one sounds, they all sound
Do not turn off smoke detectors when cooking
Test the smoke alarms at least once a month. There is a test button on the alarm
When the alarm sounds, get everyone outside and stay outside
Replace all smoke alarms every 10 years
If your Sunny Isles home is not properly protected by a smoke detector, please install one. If you experience a fire, immediately vacate the home and then contact your fire department once you are outside the home.
SERVPRO of North Miami has seen storm damage lead to power outages. This can cause water damage, fire damage, and if not addressed quickly, can also lead to mold damage.
A power outage can:
Disrupt communication
Make transportation difficult
Shut down water pipes
Close businesses, grocery stores, gas stations, banks, ATMS, other services
Lead to food spoilage
Lead to contaminated water
Disable medical devices
During a power outage in Miami, be sure to:
Keep freezer & refrigerator doors closed. It will reduce the chance of food spoilage
User generators only outdoors and away from windows
Disconnect appliances/electronics. Power surges can destroy equipment
Have already set up plan to refrigerate medicines
For people who use power wheelchairs, have a backup battery. You may also need a manual chair
The local power company should already know that someone in your home relies on medical devices
Do not use a gas stove or oven to heat your home or business
If travel is safe, go to another location for proper heating or cooling
Most insurance rates vary by company. Rules for insurance vary by state. Flood insurance is an exception.
Most property insurance does not cover flood damage.
Some homeowners’ policies will cover water damage if the damage comes from:
sewer or drain backup
sudden & accidental damage from plumbing, heating systems, or air conditioning
The policy might also cover mold remediation, but not if a flood caused the problem.
How to get flood insurance in Miami:
Check whether your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). You can still get flood insurance if you live in a low-risk area. The insurance will cost less if you live in a low-risk area.
Find an insurance agent in Miami. The NFIP is the only flood-insurance provider, but the government does not sell it. Buy the insurance through an insurance agent. The NFIP sets the rates.
If your insurance agent doesn’t know about the NFIP, call the help center at 1-800-427-4661
Mold grows out of tiny spores. Spores are tough enough to survive indoors or outdoors in harsh conditions. Spores can survive for years. Scientists have found ancient mold spores that could grow into mold.
Standing water and moisture can lead to mold growing in your home or office. Mold does not need visible water to grow. Humidity inside the business is enough. Small amounts of water vapor can help mold grow.
SERVPRO of North Miami knows that storm or flood damage can allow the mold spores to open up. Any dampness can lead to mold.
SERVPRO of North Miami can remediate mold that grows on:
Wood
Paper
Carpet
Insulation
Drywall
Crawl spaces
Attics
Basements
Bathrooms
Anywhere in your home or business
To treat mold correctly, it is critically important to first stop the source of moisture. SERVPRO of North Miami can clean and repair the damage caused by mold in your home or business. More important, SERVPRO of North Miami has a specialty in mold remediation.
You know and we know that, after a flood sweeps over your property, there isn’t a lot of time to think about who you’ll call or what you’ll do about it. Often, within the first twenty-four hours, processes such as mold growth start happening and it becomes a problem that needs professional attention. You may think that you can handle these issues without the help of specialists; but that usually ends up putting off the inevitable—a phone call for help. When the timer starts on a catastrophe, these post disaster hours tick away quickly and, the next thing you know, the problems that could have been easily addressed have now become bigger issues that require your outside help to work that much harder. Before it gets that far, call SERVPRO of North Miami, and let us put our hi-tech equipment and knowledgeable personnel to work for you.
Fear can immobilize anyone—especially when they are unprepared for emergencies. When this happens, bad situations can become even worse. A fire can get out of control quickly; so time is of the essence. With that in mind, the best way to deal with this type of emergency is to be prepared in advance. Here are a few tips from the American Red Cross that could possibly save lives and money:
Install fire alarms on every floor, inside and outside every room.
Test smoke alarms once a year and change batteries when necessary.
Create an escape plan with other occupants and test every six months.
If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT, AND CALL FOR HELP. DO NOT go back inside for any reason.
We at SERVPRO of North Miami want you to remember that fire is dangerous and can even be deadly. But, like anything else in life, if you are prepared and vigilant, there is nothing you need to fear.
Don't Let Storm Damage Catch You Off Guard in Bal Harbour
Flood waters can wreak havoc on your Bal Harbour Home
Sometimes what you don’t know can hurt you. Too often, after a storm has damaged our property, what we see initially doesn’t tell the whole story. From hidden foundation compromises to the beginning stages of mold growth under a tub, costs can mount quickly and, before you know it, you’re in the middle of a spending spree that isn’t recreational. When the waters go down, and the damage becomes visible, often we are overwhelmed with the stresses associated with insurance claims and subcontractor costs and errors. It doesn’t take a psychic to see that you need relief. If or when this happens to you and/or yours, call SERVPRO of North Miami and, in a short amount of time, a crew of professional cleanup and restoration personnel will quickly assess the damage and start the process of making your disaster look “Like it never even happened."
SERVPRO of North Miami wants to help educate our community about: Mold in Drywall
Even a tiny bit of moisture can lead to mold growing in drywall.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ruled that only licensed professionals can clean any surface that has more than 10 square feet of mold. The EPA cannot know how you take care of your home or business, but you will need an inspection if you want to sell. You might not see all of the mold. The sooner you get rid of mold, the less damage it can cause.
SERVPRO of North Miami is licensed in mold remediation.
Mold remediation means getting rid of the mold spores that become mold as well as fixing the root cause of the dampness.
Mold:
can start growing on a damp surface within 24 hours
can destroy the materials they grow on
can spread and destroy adjacent materials
grows from tiny spores that travel through the air
Emergency situations usually call for quick reaction. In cases where a home or business structure in Sunny Isles is being compromised by unhealthy and/or unsafe conditions, we are the-fast-response you need to get relief. Chaotic situations can be handled or endured in an orderly fashion with professionals and the right tools applied. When you must choose your clean-up/restoration specialist, you are likely considering a few important things:
Convenient location
24/7 availability
Professionalism
Efficiency
Honesty
Experience
Latest equipment
SERVPRO is the answer.
In a problematic and possibly chaotic situation, remember, we’re here to help. At SERVPRO of North Miami we are a local business, and we are homeowners and renters just like you so we understand the initial needs. Our promise to you is to provide the same quality and integrity based service that we, as your neighbor, may also need in the future. If you have any questions about services we offer or ways we can contribute to our community, please give us a call at 305-895-4880.
Water Damage Tips For Bal Harbour Homes And Businesses
Fear can immobilize anyone—especially when they are unprepared for emergencies. When this happens, bad situations can become even worse. A fire can get out of control quickly; so time is of the essence. With that in mind, the best way to deal with this type of emergency is to be prepared in advance. Here are a few tips from the American Red Cross that could possibly save lives and money:
Install fire alarms on every floor, inside and outside every room.
Test smoke alarms once a year and change batteries when necessary.
Create an escape plan with other occupants and test every six months.
If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT, AND CALL FOR HELP. DO NOT go back inside for any reason.
We at SERVPRO of North Miami want you to remember that fire is dangerous and can even be deadly. But, like anything else in life, if you are prepared and vigilant, there is nothing you need to fear.
Flood Waters Can Affect Your Surfside, Florida Home
Be proactive and have a flood plan ready if disaster strikes your property in Surfside, Florida.
You know and we know that, after a flood sweeps over your property, there isn’t a lot of time to think about who you’ll call or what you’ll do about it. Often, within the first twenty-four hours, processes such as mold growth start happening and it becomes a problem that needs professional attention. You may think that you can handle these issues without the help of specialists; but that usually ends up putting off the inevitable—a phone call for help. When the timer starts on a catastrophe, these post disaster hours tick away quickly and, the next thing you know, the problems that could have been easily addressed have now become bigger issues that require your outside help to work that much harder. Before it gets that far, call SERVPRO of North Miami, and let us put our hi-tech equipment and knowledgeable personnel to work for you.
Flood waters can hit when you least expect them, but when they do, SERVPRO is Here to Help!
Where in the United States is the ideal location for disaster? Where is there a place in which disaster is convenient and trouble is looked at as less than problematic? Such a place likely doesn’t exist. As much as we’d like life to be simple and avoid disasters, it’s probably not going to happen. But when disaster strikes, your location is always prime when asking for our assistance. Because there is nowhere we won’t go, and because there is no job to big or too small, SERVPRO of North Miami is the go to company for your cleanup/restoration needs. Our people have seen the worst and will not shy away from even the most difficult of situations. It isn’t enough that we are good at what we do. We are also that “neighborhood business” who can get to you right away. We try to be “Faster to Any Size Disaster,” and it’s easy to explain why, we are a locally owned and operated business in your area.
Commercial property flooding is a real bummer—especially if you haven’t prepared the structures on it for when water does happen. Whether you are a business owner leasing the property or the property owner maintaining your interests; in order to reign in the uncertainty of disaster, preemption is key. You must have a plan already in place to implement the moment you are aware that disaster is imminent. Some steps to take to make sure you’re ahead of the game might include:
Maintain a back up location out of which to work and/or store and ship goods.
Have a written plan for flood evacuation.
Have evacuation drills.
Have a clearly understood emergency chain of command.
Keep exits clear of equipment/material/personnel.
Never have more than the permitted number of persons in the structure at any one time.
Whether a fire has left behind the repulsive odors and stains of soot and smoke on and in the goods stored in your warehouse, or the water used to put out the blaze has caused major damage to the flooring in your office; it’s in your best interest to get the cleanup and restoration of your commercial property done as soon as possible. Waiting for any length of time for your business to resume normal operations is unacceptable and unaffordable. Your livelihood is as important to us as it is to you. We, at SERVPRO of North Miami, have seen our fair share of fire and water damage and we know what it takes to get you back to the way it was before disaster struck—“Like it never even happened."
February typically marks some of the most beautiful weather that South Florida sees all year round. And while we have been lucky to have pleasant days and cool nights, the last few weeks have also brought some unexpected rains. Rainy season in Florida typically runs from May through October, but any true Florida resident will attest to the fact that rains can come and go at any time. As a homeowner, it is important to be aware of quickly the weather can change from beautiful and sunny to dark and stormy.
Keep the following tips in mind to prepare your Florida home for unexpected rain over the next few months:
Get your roof inspected to ensure there are no concerning areas
Be sure that all windows and doors are secured and properly closed before leaving the house
Remove any outdoor equipment that could be susceptible to rusting in rain
Keep your gutters clear of any debris
Inspect the interior of your home for any signs of leaks (focus on the walls and ceilings)
Apply waterproof sealer to any areas of your outdoor patio that may need some extra protection
Keep your garage door closed
Check in with the weather channel here and there to be aware of any impending storms
Water damage like flooding and leaks can be a major headache if not handled right away by a professional service. At SERVPRO, we are dedicated to providing 24-hour emergency service for all types of water damage in your home. Contact our water restoration and damage repair technicians today to learn more!
Every SERVPRO franchise depends on feedback from their customers. We have worked diligently to create a specific reputation in South Florida and all of our staff members are on the same page with our goals and objectives. First and foremost, we aim to make our customers happy. We understand that when a client picks up the phone and dials our number, they have a number of specific expectations. The expectations include things like:
24-Hour Emergency Service
Being faster than our competitors
Sending only the highly trained restoration technicians
Using advanced restoration and cleaning equipment
Being trustworthy and dependable
Proudly locally owned and operated
As a result of these expectations, we know that it is our duty to fulfill them to the best of our ability every single day, on every single job. Things like water damage, fire damage, and storm damage happen unexpectedly. That means that when our phone rings the customer on the other end is typically overwhelmed and anxious to get the restoration started immediately. We understand the immediacy that comes with that responsibility and we take it very seriously.
When you pick up the phone and dial SERVPRO, we are committed to offering the same unmatched customer service, cleaning and restoration expertise, and dedication to our clients on each and every job. If your home or commercial property has suffered from water, fire, or storm damage, we are here to help! Contact our office today to learn first-hand how we exceed expectations!
As South Florida residents, we understand the massive dangers that hurricanes present. From coastal cities in the Southeast and Southwest parts of Florida to all of the Florida Keys, Floridians are no strangers to major storms throughout history. While storms are largely unpredictable, there are specific regions throughout the country that are more vulnerable to hurricanes than others.
The following are some of the most vulnerable hurricane locations to date:
Key West, Florida
Miami, Florida
Charleston, South Carolina
Tampa, Florida
Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
Jacksonville, Florida
New Orleans, Louisiana
New York City, New York
Norfolk, Virginia
Savannah, Georgia
While Florida is most often linked to major hurricanes over the years, a great number of east coast cities are also susceptible to storm damage. Many weather forecasters have stated that everyone should brace themselves for increased hurricane activity over the next 20-30 years. As such, hurricane experts emphasize the importance of hurricane preparedness for the coming years.
At SERVPRO, our storm damage experts are prepared to respond immediately to any and all hurricane restoration needs. Contact our office today to speak with our highly trained storm damage specialists!
Signs That You Need a Mold Remediation Professional
As a South Florida homeowner, it can be tough to avoid mold growth in and around your home. From consistent rains year-round to a general moisture in the air at all times, Florida is a prime location for mold to grow and thrive. As a result, mold often grows in places like kitchens, bathrooms, and even inside of garages. While it can be a headache if left untreated, catching mold early on and contacting the right mold remediation professional is the key.
To avoid any major or costly damage, keep an eye out for the following signs that you may need a mold remediation professional in your home:
You begin to smell musty or strange odors coming from areas susceptible to moisture
Your home’s humidity is above 60 percent
Ventilation has become an issue in your home
You notice water spots or even standing water on your surfaces
Leaking pipes have been detected
You or your family members begin to experience worse than usual allergies
You spot mold spores or even discolorations on your surfaces
The above are the most commonly seen signals that you may be experiencing mold growth in your home. Remember, the earlier that you are able to catch the issue, the quicker and easier the restoration will be. Far too often homeowners attempt to use bleach to remove mold, but bleach does not kill mold spores and thus should not be used. If you believe you have seen any of the mold signs we discussed, contact our SERVPRO mold remediation professionals today to learn more!
The holiday season is a busy time of year for businesses of all kinds. From busier days to longer nights, those organizations who fail to properly plan for the November and December rush may face some major problems. With holiday cheer and holiday decorations comes higher foot traffic in stores, more cars on the roads, and bigger risks within the walls of small businesses throughout South Florida.
Keeping holiday spirits up means setting up your employees to succeed and making sure your customers are treated right. Keep the following tips in mind while preparing your business for the holiday season:
Consider hiring seasonal employees to handle the rush
Create a detailed calendar that goes over important dates for your staff
Re-train the staff on ways to handle more customers and longer hours
Implement a security system that handles both potential outside threats as well as employee theft
Maintain a safe workplace environment by choosing smart decorations
Plan carefully to ensure adequate inventory
No matter how your store operates, there are inevitably extra measures that should be taken during the holiday season. Be sure to keep safety at the forefront of your planning and happy holidays!
The holiday season is a time for family, friends, and good cheer. Homes around the world decorate their houses, both inside and outside, with Christmas trees, Hanukkah menorahs, and beautiful lights. While this is all wonderful, it is important to keep in mind that all of these items present potential fire hazards for your home and should be taken very seriously.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), about 40 percent of Christmas tree fires begin in the family room, den, or living room. In addition, Christmas, New Year’s Day, and New Year’s Eve are the tops three days in the year for home candle fires. As such, it is important to keep these holiday fire safety tips in mind:
Do not leave your holiday cooking unattended while the oven or stove is on
Purchase a Christmas tree with intact needles, water it daily, and make sure the trunk has a fresh cut
Keep candles at least a foot away from anything that could catch fire
Keep matches and lighters away from children
Carefully inspect light strings for things like cracked wires, frays, or broken sockets
Do not leave your home while menorah candles are still lit
Get your chimney inspected before you begin lighting fires
The above tips are crucial to keep your home and your family safe this holiday season. If the home of you or a loved one has suffered fire damage, call on the fire restoration specialists at SERVPRO for immediate help!
If you are looking for a trustworthy, professional restoration company who always puts their customers first, give us a call today!
Our locally owned and operated company is founded on a customer-first policy. In order to restore a residential or commercial property thoroughly and make it “Like it never even happened.” we must always keep our customers’ needs and wants in the forefront of our minds. At SERVPRO of North Miami, our highly trained team goes through both initial and ongoing training in order to ensure that we have adequate and up-to-date knowledge about restoration techniques and best practices.
Our staff’s training and certification makes them well-equipped to handle restoration jobs both large and small. No matter how big the damage may be, our highly trained specialists work with one real job in mind: satisfy our customers by doing great work! We specialize in both residential and commercial restoration from:
Water Damage
Fire Damage
Mold Remediation
Storm Damage
In addition to providing unmatched restoration services, our SERVPRO team offers these emergency services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, even including all holidays. If you are looking for a trustworthy, professional restoration company who always puts their customers first, give us a call today!
If your home has experienced water damage of any kind, you can count on the professionals at SERVPRO to take care of you and your home.
When a disaster strikes, Florida homeowners often find themselves wondering what to do next. Whether your property suffers from storm damage, water damage, or fire damage, addressing the problem promptly is imperative to reducing the overall damage and getting to the issue right away. That’s where SERVPRO comes in!
We are truly faster to any size disaster. It is our primary goal to provide 24 hour emergency services to our community. In doing so, we are able to deploy our cleaning and restoration processes immediately, minimizing the damage done and putting our customers’ minds at ease. Our highly trained damage restoration technicians are equipped to handle disasters both large and small.
Timing is extremely critical in emergency situations, especially in cases involving water damage. For instance, if left untreated for even 24 hours things like tarnished metal surfaces, swelling and breaking drywall, musty odors, and more begin to appear. The longer that a homeowner waits to address flooding, storm, or water emergencies of any kind, the more damage the property will suffer.
If your home has experienced water damage of any kind, you can count on the professionals at SERVPRO to take care of you and your home quickly, effectively, and honestly. We are truly faster to any size disaster and we are here to restore your home’s damage. Call today to learn more about your restoration options!
South Florida homeowners are no stranger to heavy rains and flooding areas. While the drainage systems throughout the Sunshine State have improved significantly over the years, there are still a sizable number of regions prone to flooding. From coastal storms to heavy rains and from overflows of canals and lakes to storm surges, it is important to be aware of the dangers linked to flooding and the critical safety measures to take in the event of a flood. While it may surprise some, floods are actually the most common type of natural disaster in the United States.
Flash floods can occur with little to no warning and some floods develop much more slowly. Regardless of the timing, reacting to a flood quickly and proactively is key. Keep in mind the following flood safety tips:
Never attempt to drive, walk, or swim through flood water
If an area is under flood warning, seek shelter immediately
Avoid bridges that are over fast-moving water
Gather all of your emergency supplies during a flood watch or flood warning
Remain up-to-date on weather via the radio or local news station
Take your outdoor furniture and other possession inside or securely tie them down
If you are ordered to evacuate, turn off all utilities and close your gas valve
When approaching a flooded area, turn around
The above may seem like simple or obvious tips, but far too many people ignore them and end up in trouble. It can be tempting to walk or drive through flood waters, but just six inches of moving water can knock down a person on foot and just a foot of moving water can sweep away a car. This rainy season, be sure to keep these flood safety tips in mind for your and your family’s safety. If your home has suffered any water damage due to flooding, be sure to contact the professionals at SERVPRO right away!
As Hurricane Florence makes its way closer and closer to the United States, South Florida residents are likely thinking back to the scary and devastating memories of last hurricane season. South Florida saw some very dangerous storms and it is easy to forget just how terrifying hurricanes can be. Unfortunately, Florida homeowners (especially those who have lived here their entire lives) are particularly numb to hurricane watches and hurricane warnings. Often opting to ignore evacuation orders and hunker down, these residents are taking a major risk for themselves and their family.
Hurricanes can literally be a matter of life or death and taking them seriously is critical to maintaining safety for you and your loved ones. First of all, it is important to understand the difference between a hurricane watch and a hurricane warning. A hurricane watch means that bad weather is forming and is potentially threatening for the area in that watch region. On the other hand, a hurricane warning means that the weather is no longer potentially a threat, but has developed further and has become an immediate danger.
Far too many people mistake a slow hurricane season for being a time to ignore “minor storms”. However, it is important to note that the tail end of every hurricane season is typically the most active and troublesome. Therefore, while South Florida is approaching the end of hurricane season the potential danger could just be getting started. Mandatory evacuations must be taken seriously and followed directly. No matter how much “hurricane experience” you may think you have, it is always best to follow orders from your local government.
When preparing for upcoming storms this hurricane season, be sure to be an active listener of the weather channel and of warnings from government authority. Hurricanes are a serious matter and must be dealt with as such.
Fire accidents are something that people think will never happen to them. As we’ve seen in recent months in states like California, forest fires can be extremely dangerous and destruction to anything and everything near and in its path. In South Florida, forest fires are far less common. However, it is important for Florida residents to understand that there are still a lot of risks when it comes to fires and your home or commercial property. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recently released a report stating that 2 in every 5 home fires in the United States begin in the kitchen.
Cooking is a fun activity that is enjoyed by friends and family of all walks of life. Some of a family’s best moments are those spent in the kitchen cooking, eating, and enjoying each other’s company. Unfortunately, the kitchen is also a potentially hazardous place when it comes to fires. The following are some of the biggest fire hazards in the kitchen:
Ovens
Stovetops
Grills
Broilers
Microwaves
Grease build-up on stovetop
Electrical wiring
Loose clothing near open flames or on the stovetop
Being aware of the above hazardous items is important to maintain a safe and secure kitchen area. It is important to keep a fire extinguisher near or inside of the kitchen in the event that a fire starts. Cooking fires are the leading source of fires throughout the country, so being hyper-aware of the potential risks associated with kitchen items is important. If you have experienced a kitchen fire, contact our team at SERVPRO to take care of the cleanup and restoration.
Protecting both your workers and your customers from workplace injuries is extremely important. Employers are tasked with the responsibility to create a safe environment for anyone stepping foot on their commercial property, and this can seem like an overwhelmingly daunting and stressful duty. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), over 4,000 workers in the United States were killed on the job in 2014. The construction industry leads the pack in terms of the most workplace fatalities. However, workplace injuries are far more common and are the focus of our article today.
The ability to minimize safety risks in the workplace while educating the staff about their possible risks is imperative to keeping everyone as safe as possible. Both routine plans and emergency plans should be set in stone and communicated to the entire workforce. The following are some important tasks in the effort to minimize safety hazards in the workplace:
Clearly communicate all safety and health policies to entire staff
Pay special attention to things like slippery flooring and poor lighting, as slip and fall accidents account for about one-third of all workplace injuries
Survey the entire property to identify any and all possible risks
Prominently display safety information throughout the property
Be aware of fire safety standards
Keep the property clean at all times
Encourage feedback from staff and customers regarding safety improvements
Update safety policies and procedures at least once per year
While some industries are known to be “dangerous” and procedures are in place accordingly, other industries that are deemed “safe” may fall through the cracks and not be prepared for workplace accidents. Whether you are an employer or an employee, it is important to take an active role in ensuring that proper workplace safety measures are taken and enforced at all times.
When thinking about mold growth and development most people associate fungi with things like bathrooms, sinks, other water-related household areas, and old food. The general population seldom links mold growth to the outdoors, but the truth is that mold grows both indoors and outdoors. In fact, mold lives on all kinds of outdoor materials like on plants, in the soil, and even on decaying matter. With thousands of different types of mold species, mold varies greatly in terms of type, threat, and identifying characteristics. It is important to note that every person is exposed to mold spores on a daily basis, coming from both inside and outside in the air they breathe.
There are a lot of different ways that mold begins to grow, as one of three main requirements are needed:
A water source
An organic food source
Humidity levels about 60%
Some of the most common sources of mold growth include:
Roof leaks
Sewer backups
Condensation
Flooding
Blocked gutters
Leaking pipes
Damp crawl spaces
Rain from storms seeping into exterior walls, doors, or window frames
Outside of visible evidence of mold, mold odor is often the most predominant sign that mold growth has occurred. Since mold spreads extremely fast, it is important to tackle the issue as soon as possible (preferably within days). As such, if your home is suffering from a mold problem, contact our mold remediation team immediately and we will send a professional to your property to assess the problem. Call SERVPRO today!
SERVPRO of Hollywood/ Hallandale/ Aventura & North Miami is always proud to represent and participate in the Latin American Association of Insurance Agencies’ annual expo. This year was no different. This year was particularly special because of the topic presented by this year’s speaker. His focus was on getting ourselves to become aware of our surroundings and the actions we take. Most of the time we are running on auto-pilot and sometimes those automatic reactions may affect our business in a negative manner. As individuals we must be aware that the world is changing, and we need to adjust to it, even though there may be “old-school” beliefs lingering, there may be an opportunity roaming nearby that will be missed if we are not “awake”. This was a point well made which allows us to rethink our daily approach to the business we represent and how we can improve ourselves through it.
Hurricane Irma took place August 30th, 2017 – September 13th, 2017, leaving destruction in its path. Many homes and businesses in South Florida were affected by the winds and rain that were brought along with it. Yet, months later there are still reports of damages being found. resulting in mold. At some case there were no signs of water intrusion, but there are things to look for, such as:
Cracked, bubbled, or chipped paint
Warped laminate flooring
Detached baseboards
Lifted wallpaper
Water stains
As soon as these signs of water intrusion are noticed, it is important to call SERVPRO and allow us to perform an inspection of the home or business to address any issues as soon as possible to return your home or business as to “Like it never even happened.”
Florida is known for its beaches, sunshine, and hurricane season. For most Floridians hurricane preparedness is already second nature, but at times it can still be overwhelming. But from each storm a new lesson is learned as to how to prepare our homes better for the next season. Each storm is always unpredictable, which is why you should be prepared for before, and after.
Before the storm hits: It is important to stock up on emergency supplies during the beginning of the year to not be rushing to gather what is needed in June when there are many other people scattering to do the same.
The “off season” is also the best time to look into installing impact-resistant windows to have one less worry when getting ready for the hurricane. Rather than setting up shutters, your home will already be prepared.
Just as it's important to prepare before a storm, being prepared after is equally important. If you evacuate only go home after the storm has hit and when your local governor has declared it safe. Coming too early can turn deadly if you run into flooded roadways and falling trees.
Report any downed power lines and avoid walking through any flooded walkways or roadways.
If your roof has suffered damages, use tarps to cover it from further water coming in. If your home has broken windows, use plywood to prevent further water damage.
One last step to better prepare for after the storm is to take a picture of all damages to better assist when making insurance claims.
Homeowners often think of fire and electrical safety in regards to protecting their family and their property, but considering these practices from a child’s perspective is imperative to truly keeping your loved ones and home safe from harm. When discussing these issues with kids, it is best to break things into two categories in order for them to be easily understood and readily followed. Far too many parents sit their children down and offer guidelines given to them, which are difficult for kids to understand and put into practice. As such, today we offer some easy tips for explaining electrical safety to your children.
Below, we will break down how to help your children with identifying safe practices versus unsafe practices. Be sure to talk through these items with your kids slowly and carefully.
The following practices and ideas are positioned in the “safe” category:
Help your parents by reminding them to test your smoke alarm monthly and change the smoke alarm batteries yearly
Be sure to turn off the lights when leaving a room and before going to sleep
If you see smoke or a fire, leave your home right away and call 911 from a safe location
Make sure space heaters have a space, do not place anything that can burn anywhere near them
The following practice and ideas are positioned in the “unsafe” category:
Never use or touch electrical cords that are broken or frayed
Always keep electronics far away from any liquids
Do not overcrowd electrical outlets with cords, if there are too many in one location ask an adult to remove some
Do not put anything that can burn near lightbulbs or lampshades
Electrical safety and fire safety are important subject matters that must be addressed by parents on a regular basis. Make it a habit to ask your children questions to ensure that they are well-versed on the above safety tips at all times.
Mold spores, while often difficult to see with the human eye, are likely living in your home and workplace right now. Located both inside and outside, mold is fungi that thrives when moisture is present. As such, dark, warm, and humid regions are goldmines for mold spores to grow. A countless number of different mold types exist. In fact, there is actually an unknown number of fungi species, although experts estimate up to three hundred thousand or more mold species. Mold, also called mildew, is often found in the kitchen and bathroom areas of a home because these are moist regions.
While most people think about mold in regard to appearances and how its presence may alter the look of their bathroom or kitchen, mold can actually cause health effects. As such, it is important to be acutely aware of mold growth in and around your home in order to protect yourself and your loved ones. The following are some household mold tips and tricks:
Check for mold often, as catching it early can save a lot of money in mold removal
Mold test kits are often unreliable, so we recommend hiring a mold inspection company to do a thorough check
Look for things like mold growth on walls and even foul smells
Be aware of any leaks in areas like your kitchen near appliances and your bathroom near the shower or the toilet
Check your air conditioning system for mold growth
If your home has sustained any flooding, the likelihood of mold presence increases
Leaky windows or roofs should be fixed immediately to prevent mold growth
Unfortunately, visible mold in your home can be an immediate turnoff for guests, as its appearance often looks disgusting. In addition, mold growth, if left untreated, can be a problem for the health of you and your family. In order to minimize or limit the development of mildew in your home or workplace, try to keep humidity low with a dehumidifier and ensure that ventilation is adequate. If you believe you are dealing with a mold growth issue in your home, contact our mold remediation specialists today to learn more about SERVPRO!
As Florida homeowners, business owners, and residents find themselves right in the middle of hurricane season, it is absolutely critical to establish a plan of action for protecting their properties. South Florida is no stranger to nasty hurricane seasons, but with false alarms and constantly-changing hurricane paths, it can get easy to fall into the trap of failing to prepare properly. A lot of people think that buying extra water and canned goods is enough to get themselves and their families ready, but doing just that puts your home in a very risky position. Focusing on preparing your home’s exterior during hurricane season is extremely important for all Floridians.
This hurricane season, keep the following tips in minds as you prepare to safeguard and protect your home’s exterior:
Install shutters on all windows and doors throughout your home
Consider replacing your windows with impact-resistant glass
Be mindful of your garage door and potentially brace your door to withstand hurricane-force winds
Purchase a standby generator to power your home (or a few important areas of your home) in the event that your power grid goes down
Spruce up your landscaping in order to remove any and all possible debris
Inspect your home’s downspouts and gutters to make sure there are no blockages which would prevent water from flowing freely
Remove any and all lawn furniture, any type of planters, and grills that may blow in the wind
Secure any outdoor items that cannot be moved inside
Move your vehicles into the garage or close to the home to prevent damage via fallen trees
No matter how many hurricanes you have gone through as a South Florida resident, it is important to remain vigilant every single hurricane season. Far too many Floridians take for granted being lucky and thus feel immune to hurricane damage. When it comes to Florida hurricanes, it is always better to be prepared than to be sorry. Contact SERVPRO today if your home has suffered any storm damage and our team of restoration professionals will be right there to help!
Tips for Business Owners to Reduce Liability Claims
General liability insurance claims are those that typically come from either your customers or your vendors. As a small business owner, the ability to reduce the risk of these potential lawsuits is imperative for keeping your business running smoothly. One of the most common claims comes from slip and fall accidents. In these situations, a customer is walking through your store when they fall on the wet floor, causing injury or damages. In this scenario, the business is often held responsible for the accident and will therefore be liable for any type of injury or any damage that the fall caused. Being aware of the possibility of a liability claim is the first step in being proactive to prevent this from happening.
While there are certainly things out of the hands of a business owner, preemptive measures can absolutely be taken to reduce the likelihood of something like that occurring. Keep the following tips in mind to reduce liability claims in your business:
Be sure to keep the store well-lit so that customers can see where they are walking. We also advise that you conduct emergency lighting system checks each month.
Keep floors and carpeting as clean as possible. Place signage in areas that could be deemed a potential walking hazard.
Install handrails on any stairways in the building.
When a spill occurs, place an employee near the spill to warn customers until the spill is properly cleaned.
Keep the bathrooms extremely tidy.
Check the outside walkways near your store and look for any potential hazards.
Keep trash and any other clutter away from the areas where customers walk.
Be aware of condensation drips from things like air conditioners and refrigerators.
Avoid the use of extension cords and other dangerous items in areas where foot traffic is heavy.
General liability insurance is crucial for business owners. However, it is important to continually make improvements to keep your store as safe as possible for all of your patrons. If you are in search of a reliable, professional commercial restoration and cleaning service, contact SERVPRO at your earliest convenience!
Properly functioning smoke alarms are a key aspect to general home safety when it comes to potential home fires. Unfortunately, statistics point to the fact that approximately 60 percent of home fire deaths are a direct result of fires in properties without working smoke alarms. While it may seem like an afterthought or a bonus for a home, the reality is that smoke alarms save lives and missing or broken smoke alarms can be the cause of fire deaths or fire injuries. When a fire starts in a home, it spreads incredibly fast. As such, it is absolutely essential for all South Florida homeowners to have working smoke alarms installed throughout their homes to ensure they can get out as quickly as possible.
Some experts say that a family has one minute or less to get out of a home in the event of a fire. Having a smoke alarm in the house in one of the most effective ways to save you and your family’s lives. Keep in mind the following smoke alarm safety tips:
Make sure your alarm system is interconnected so that when one alarm goes off they all do
Check your smoke alarms every month to make sure they are functioning correctly
Get new smoke alarms installed every 10 years
Smoke alarms should be installed both inside and outside of all bedrooms or other sleeping areas
Smoke alarms should be installed on each level of the home
Replace smoke alarm battery at least one time a year (9-volt battery)
Practice a fire drill in the event that the alarm goes off
Once the smoke alarm sounds, everyone must get out of the house fast
An estimated 3,000 people are killed each year in the United States due to fires. Ensure that you and your family are taking every measure to be protected from fire danger. The first step in safeguarding your home is to deploy the above smoke alarm tips right away. If your home has suffered any fire damage, contact the professionals at SERVPRO today to learn more!
Springtime is a wonderful time of year where the temperatures are perfect and spending time outside is ideal. With every spring, however, inevitably comes summer and that means South Florida residents must aware and educated on looming hurricanes. Hurricane season begins on June 1st every year and spans through September, most often reaching its peak in the month of August. As such, springtime is the right time to begin storm preparation. Homeowners in South Florida are no strangers to hurricanes and the storm damage that they can cause. Therefore, having a plan in place is essential to keep you, your loved ones, and your property as safe as possible.
Hurricane forecasts are always frustrating. Early predictions can have the storm heading right towards your area and late forecasts can change the direction completely. As a result, hurricane preparation must involve getting ready for the unexpected. Keep these hurricane season preparation tips in mind this month:
Make a realistic evacuation plan and make sure your family understands it
Purchase supplies like water, food, clothing, and blankets now and store them in an accessible place
Know your insurance coverage and change it if you are not covered for things like flooding
Do a full backup of your most important electronic devices
Keep extra chargers and batteries with your packed supplies
Keep copes of important documents (financial, medical, legal, etc.) in a safe, secure place
Check your shutters and generators now to ensure they are functioning properly
Communicate with your family so they know the status of your preparation and the steps to take right before the storm hits
It may seem early so start thinking about hurricanes again, but being prepared now will alleviate a ton of stress come hurricane season. Plus, things like stock piling supplies will put you at an advantage when stores start to run out in pre-hurricane panic. If your home has suffered any storm damage, it is critical to fix it now, before hurricane season strikes again. Contact our SERVPRO storm damage and restoration team today to learn more!
Mold damage is all too common for South Florida homeowners. Thriving in damp areas, mold growth can occur in dark spaces with minimal air circulation. In South Florida, rainy seasons bring moisture that can get trapped in areas of your home, eventually causing mold growth and a number of potential issues. First and foremost, mold growth in your home can be a health hazard for you and your family members. When a home suffers a water damage event, a mold infestation can quickly arise and spread throughout a home in 48-72 hours. Because mold can produce allergens and irritants, you will want a professional that has training and experience to properly resolve the mold infestation.
Being able to recognize mold presence early on is critical to addressing the problem right away. Therefore, it is important to be aware of some challenging areas of the home to be on alert for mold growth. The following are the most common places for mold in your home:
Shower floors and corners of shower walls
Bathtubs
Ventilation ducts
Below kitchen sink
Under carpets that have become wet
Under or behind refrigerators
Below bathroom sink
Walls near plumbing
Near air conditioning unit
Near window sills
The garage and attic are also problem spots for mold growth in Florida homes. Every mold damage scenario is different, and requires a unique solution, so contacting professionals to assess the damage is very important. As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of North Miami is close by and ready to help with your mold-damaged property. We are proud to be an active member of the North Miami community and want to pitch in and help make our community the best it can be.
While we just welcomed the spring season, South Florida residents know that the rains are about to come. From the spring to the summer months, our region of the state is often deals with afternoon showers on a daily basis. Protecting your commercial property form severe storms is critical for business owners of all kinds. Last year, Hurricane Irma was a reminder of just how serious Florida storms can be. When a big storm is approaching, the best strategy for business owners is to be proactive it preparedness in order to protect your employees, your property, and your business as a whole.
Minimizing damage is essential for your business in the event of a major rainstorm. Things like high winds and heavy rain can do a lot more damage than many would think. As such, it is important to take careful note of the following tips for keeping your business protected in storms:
Remain watchful of storm forecasts to give yourself plenty of time to prepare
Make sure that your employees all have specific action plans in place
Keep your staff contact list updated and readily available
Check your utilities to make sure that your lines are not connected
Ensure that your landscaping is trimmed and prepared for storm winds
Unclog your gutters
Double check your fire protection equipment
Remove any potential debris from the commercial property
Give your staff ample time to leave and prepare their own homes
With heavy rains and high winds, it is important to prepare sooner rather than later. Commercial water damage can be stressful, but SERVPRO is here to make sure that you can go back to business as usual as soon as possible following a large storm. Our team of commercial property damage professionals will take care of your property like it’s our own! Call us today to learn more!
Water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of North Miami provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including holidays.
In many cleaning and restoration situations, immediate action is needed. An immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs:
Within Minutes
Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.
Hours 1 - 24:
Drywall begins to swell and break down.
Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
Furniture begins to swell and crack.
Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
A musty odor appears.
48 Hours to 1 Week:
Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
Metal begins to rust and corrode.
Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
Paint begins to blister.
Wood flooring swells and warps.
Serious biohazard contamination is possible.
More Than 1 Week:
Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
Structural safety, mold growth, and bio-hazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.
The majority of fires are believed to be caused by candles and cooking incidents, yet it is best to have knowledge of the unexpected household items that may cause fires, to prevent them in advance:
Cooking Equipment- Pots and pans can overheat and cause a fire very easily if the person cooking gets distracted and leaves cooking unattended. Always stay in the room, or ask someone to watch your food, when cooking on hotplates.
Heating- Keep portable heaters at least one meter away from anything that could easily catch fire such as furniture, curtains, laundry, clothes and even yourself.
Smoking in bedrooms- Bedrooms are best to be kept off limits for smoking. A cigarette that is not put out properly can cause a flame, as the butt may stay lit for a few hours. It could burst into flames if it came into contact with flammable materials, such as furniture.
Electrical Equipment- An electrical appliance, such as a toaster can start a fire if it is faulty or has a frayed cord. A power point that is overloaded with double adapter plugs can cause a fire from an overuse of electricity. A power point extension cord can also be a fire hazard if not used appropriately. Double check the appliances and power points in your home.
Candles- Candles look and smell pretty, but if left unattended they can cause a room to easily burst into flames. Keep candles away from any obviously flammable items such as books and tissue boxes. Always blow a candle out before leaving a room.
Curious Children- Kids can cause a fire out of curiosity, to see what would happen if they set fire to an object. Keep any matches or lighters out of reach of children, to avoid any curiosity turned disaster. Install a smoke alarm in your child’s room and practice a home escape plan with your children and family in case there was a fire. Teach kids understand the “stop, drop, cover and roll” drill as well as knowing their address.
Faulty Wiring- Homes with inadequate wiring can cause fires from electrical hazards. Some signs to see if you’ve bad wiring are: 1) Lights dim if you use another appliance; 2) For an appliance to work, you have to disconnect another; 3) Fuses blow or trip the circuit frequently.
Barbeques- Barbeques are great for an outdoor meal, but should always be used away from the home, tablecloths or any plants and tree branches. Keep BBQs regularly maintained and cleaned with soapy water and clean any removable parts. Check the gas bottle for any leaks before you use it each time.
Flammable Liquids- If you have any flammable liquids in the home or garage such as petrol, kerosene or methylated spirits, keep them away from heat sources and check the label before storing. Be careful when pouring these liquids.
Lighting- Lamp shades and light fittings can build up heat if they are very close to light globes. Check around the house to make sure. Lamp bases can become a hazard if they are able to be knocked over easily, and so should be removed if they are. Check that down lights are insulated from wood paneling or ceiling timbers.
In the case that any home or business fire occurs, contact SERVPRO of North Miami to assist you in leaving your home "Like it never even happened."
A fire in a home can cause serious damage. The building and many of the things in your home may have been badly damaged by flames, heat, smoke and water. It is important to know what to do after the fire has been turned off:
Personal Safety- Do not enter a damaged home or apartment unless the fire department says it is safe. Fires can start again, even if they appear to be out. Watch for damage caused by the fire. Roofs and floors may be damaged and could fall down.
Secure the premises- Board up any open windows or doors that may have been damaged during the fire to prevent looting.
Contact your insurance agent- Ask what to do about the immediate needs of your home. This includes pumping out water and covering doors, windows and other openings. If you do not have insurance, there organizations that may be able to assist you in the time of need; such as American Red Cross, Religious organizations, Public Health Department, or State emergency offices.
Finances- Finances Get in touch with your landlord or mortgage lender ASAP. Contact your credit card company to report credit cards that were lost in the fire and request replacements.
Restoration- Contact SERVPRO of North Miami to begin restoring your home to habitable living conditions. The restoration process for a fire may be lengthy depending on the severity of the damages but SERVPRO will facilitate the process and will leave it "Like it never even happened."
Hurricane Irma was a category 4 hurricane when it struck the west coast of Florida, leaving a lot of damage along the way. Yet, the real work begun once the hurricane passed. Immediately SERVPRO's technicians rushed to the warehouse, waiting for the calls to come in, and they came in by the bulk. SERVPRO crews were dispatched from various franchises; which came from all over Florida and even out of state. The first week was strictly handling mitigation of the wet materials left behind by Hurricane Irma, but once the second week rolled in, the remediation process took place. This was the case for a majority of the jobs that were called in for several months after. SERVPRO is always prepared to handle any size disaster.
A trusted leader in the industry with over 1,700 franchises, when tragedy strikes SERVPRO® is always here to help.
SERVPRO® of North Miami has been serving the community since 1991. We are dedicated to helping our customers when disaster strikes and the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration service. Helping to make it “Like it never even happened.” we are ready 24/7, 365 days of the year, at (954) 921- 8992. We are certified mold assessors, remediators, and contractor.
Our crews are readily available to assist in any size disaster, whether it is a water, mold, or fire damage. We also provide, duct cleaning, upholstery cleaning, carpet cleaning, and general cleaning for your home and business.
The biggest mistake made by unit owners during water damages is to assume that if there is no visible water then there are no affected materials. Yet, water travels through porous materials in unbelievable ways. On the initial day of the water loss, walls may read dry. But the next day the walls can show that they are wet due to the water traveling its way down through the drywall. That is why it is important to let SERVPRO technicians perform proper inspections each day that they return to the unit to monitor the equipment already in place. A thorough inspection is done with the use of infrared cameras that detect humidity and moisture meters that penetrate the surface of materials that may possibly be affected.
Rain is necessary to help flowers and trees bloom, and that’s great! But sometimes all that water can cause damage to your home or business.
Yet there are ways to prepare.
Take a look at rain gutters. Clogged gutters will cause rainwater to backup, damaging your roof and walls.
Do a roof inspection. Are any shingles loose or damaged? Replace any that could be an issue to protect attic or work space from water damage.
Check interior walls and ceilings for signs of water damage; this could be an indication of roof leaks.
Trim any trees and bushes next to your business. Be sure to cut back branches that could break off, damaging property.
Ensure that all doors and windows are secure, and that weatherstripping is in good condition.
Make sure the city drains near your business are clear of debris and earth. Call the Public Works Department if you think there may be an issue.
Preparedness in the event of any kind of extreme weather is always a good idea, to protect your business and property from loss and damage. Taking the time to assess your situation and thinking ahead about what may come is a good way to keep your investment secure.
Flash Flood Warning: Take Action! A Flash Flood Warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you are in a flood prone area move immediately to high ground. A flash flood is a sudden violent flood that can take from minutes to hours to develop. It is even possible to experience a flash flood in areas not immediately receiving rain.
Flood Warning: Take Action! A Flood Warning is issued when the hazardous weather event is imminent or already happening. A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.
Flood Watch: Be Prepared: A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for a specific hazardous weather event to occur. A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.
Flood Advisory: Be Aware: A Flood Advisory is issued when a specific weather event that is forecast to occur may become a nuisance. A Flood Advisory is issued when flooding is not expected to be bad enough to issue a warning. However, it may cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.
When mold is not visible, SERVPRO recommends to hire a hygienist to perform an air quality test to properly determine the affected areas in the home or business. But when the mold has spread more than 10 square feet then there is a process that begins towards addressing it properly and efficiently:
Assessment-Your property will be carefully inspected for signs of mold and the water sources possibly causing it. Mold feeds on cellulose and water and can be hidden from plain view.
Containment- Different containment procedures will be placed to prevent the spread of mold, like physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process.
Air Filtration- Specialized filtration equipment captures microscopic mold spores out of the air. SERVPRO technicians use air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in progress.
Removing- The process of mold remediation depends on the amount of mold growth and the type of surface it's on. Antimicrobial treatments will be used to eliminate mold colonies and help prevent new ones from forming. Removing and disposing of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and flooring, may be necessary.
Cleaning- SERVPRO cleans your furniture, decorative items, and other restorable items affected by mold. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to clean and sanitize your belongings.
Restoration- Depending on the level of mold damage, some building materials may have to be removed. Restoration may involve minor repairs or major repairs.
When homeowners believe they have mold, immediately they may think of calling SERVPRO. But, in some cases, a hygienist may be needed first before the remediation process may begin, if necessary at all.
"As of July 1, 2010 the state of Florida Prohibits anyone from performing or offering to perform any mold remediation to a structure on which the mold assessor or the mold assessor's company provided a mold assessment within the last 12 months."
Due to the conflict of interest, SERVPRO of North Miami does not provide the service for mold testing, but rather the remediation and repairs.
A hygienist will take air quality samples, swabs, or both, which will be sent to a lab for testing. It usually takes between 2-3 days to receive a report reflecting the affected areas, the spore count, and the kind of mold that is present.
Once a mold report has been established then SERVPRO of North Miami will follow the given protocol to address the affected areas and a post test is performed to provide clearance of the job completed.
Whether it is for a home or business, it is important to always be prepared for a fire or water damage emergency.
SERVPRO has set in place an app called "The SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile." Which you create to condense all necessary information within one easy to access plan both you and we can view and follow. No time needs to be lost in those critical minutes and hours after the firefighters leave the premises when your ERP is current. We assess your apartment complex prior to any disaster at no cost, helping you identify the things that will be most important to get you and your tenants back into the building, safe and healthy. Everything from identifying key personnel within your business to authorize work up to where shut off valves are located to be readily available to our commercial restoration technicians so we can move forward with no hesitation or delay in beginning the restoration process.
Maintaining a hotel property is an important, yet often daunting task. From keeping guests happy to keeping all of the day-to-day functions of the hotel operating smoothly, running a hotel efficiently is imperative to keeping business afloat and successful. When it comes to the upkeep of a hotel property, water damage is one of the most challenging issues to overcome. With thousands of people coming in and out of a hotel and using its amenities, even the slightest of water damage can become a huge setback. Issues like flooring damage and electrical wiring damage can be costly in a variety of ways.
Not only does the hotel need to handle the costs of water damage restoration, but they must also deal with the potential lost income of closing down or reducing the number of available rooms during the repairs. In addition to dealing with damages to the actual hotel, hotel staff must also consider the issue of damaged personal belongings of their guests. Keep in mind the following common causes of water damage in hotels:
Overflowing bathtub or bathroom sink
Toilet leaks
AC unit overflow
Water heater leaks
Broken shower drain
Sewer line back ups
The consequences of hotel water damage are far-reaching, especially when not handled immediately. Something that may start as a simple carpet repair can turn into ceiling damage below, electrical wiring issues, mold growth and more. As such, hiring a trustworthy, professional hotel water damage repair and restoration team is imperative. At SERVPRO, we are dedicated to providing expert commercial building restoration services for hotel water damages of all kinds. Contact our hotel water damage recovery team today to learn more!
Water damage of any capacity is a struggle for commercial property owners of all kinds. From structural damage to lost profits and from damaged products to added stress, being a business owner in South Florida means paying attention to the potential of water damage from heavy rains, storms, or a variety of natural disasters. Restaurant owners must be particularly aware of this potential threat to their business for a multitude of reasons. First and foremost, restaurants use a lot of water, especially compared to other businesses. Secondly, restaurants serve food and therefore must be hyperaware of the quality of their food inventory. Finally, the health codes, safety procedures, and sanitary standards of a restaurant are closely monitored and a water damage issue can mean shutting down the business for days or weeks at a time.
The consequences of water damage in a restaurant are far-reaching and the costs associated with renovation could be sizable, depending on the exact severity of the water damage incurred. From sanitation concerns to fiscal worries, restaurant owners should be proactive in preventing water damage from occurring in the first place. Unfortunately, however, some restaurant water damage is unavoidable. A few of the most common causes of water damage in restaurants include:
Cracked, leaking, or bursting water mains
Restaurant sprinkler systems
Flooding from heavy storms or hurricanes
Water overflows in the kitchen or bathroom
Clogged drains in the kitchen or bathroom
No matter what the cause of the restaurant water damage may be, tackling the problem immediately is essential. From mold growth to structural damage, hiring a professional commercial water damage company is vital to removing water and saving both time and money. At SERVPRO, our team of water damage experts specialize in cleaning up and restoring water damage in restaurants. Reopening a restaurant after water damage depends largely on the quality of the restoration and our team is dedicated to providing the expertise and professionalism that it takes to get a restaurant back up and running in no time. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help!
Water damages occur spontaneously which is why they quickly cause structural damages. Yet there are numerous ways to minimize the damages until SERVPRO arrives on site:
Shut off the main water line from your home or business if the cause of loss is a burst pipe.
In case of a large flood, disconnect any appliances that are affected to prevent electrical issues.
Begin removing standing water. The longer the water sits, the more damage it will cause.
Place aluminum or wood blocks between furniture and carpet flooring to prevent staining.
Once SERVPRO crews are on site, the damages will be assessed, any standing water will be extracted, the necessary materials will be removed and equipment will be set to facilitate the drying process. Our crews will leave the job site as "if it never even happened."
Leaky appliances are one of the most common causes in water damage for both homes and commercial spaces. Unfortunately, many people do not recognize that a leak is occurring before the damage has been done. What often starts as a small, unnoticeable leaks turns into a major problem with serious damage. Things like mold growth, wood rot, and damage to carpets, flooring, and drywall typically follow water damage. On top of that, structural damage might be caused which can be extremely costly for a homeowner or commercial property owner. As such, being aware of the appliances most likely to leak is essential to preventing damage from happening in the first place. When attentive to appliances that are vulnerable to leaks, you are putting yourself in a position to recognize an issue immediately and thus minimize the water damage.
Household appliances each pose a unique threat when it comes to possible leaking and water damage. Far too often a homeowner fails to identify when an appliance is not functioning at full capacity. In this case, the problem is only clear when there is a puddle on the floor in the laundry room or in the kitchen. It is important to be aware of the appliances most likely to leak, they are as follows:
Washing Machine
Refrigerator
Water Heater
Dishwasher
Kitchen Sink Drain Line
Heating and Cooling Equipment
Most Florida homes have all of the above appliances. The most common causes of leaks are things like broken seals, damaged pipe joints, clogged lines, loose water connectors, corrosion, high water pressure, quick changes in temperature, and tree roots interfering with water lines. If you believe you may have a leaking appliance in your home or commercial property, it is important to contact our team of highly trained water damage specialists right away. Call us today if you have any type of flood damage or water damage and our SERVPRO experts will respond immediately.
Water has an interesting way of traveling throughout the drywall of a home. In numerous occasions homeowners believe that the only areas affected are those with visible water marks or visible water on the floor. Therefore, they refuse to grant access to other areas for inspection. That is where mold begins to grow and feeds from the moisture retained in the material. Mold can begin to grow between 24-48 hours after a material has been exposed to high levels of moisture. The mold will eventually become visible but by then the damages are more extensive to the home and it becomes a health hazard as well. It takes technicians minutes to make an assessment of the affected materials. As the saying goes "it's better to be safe than sorry."
Home fires in the United States are continuously a safety issue. In fact, more than 80 percent of all fire deaths occur in home fires. As such, being as educated as possible about home fires is important to protecting your loved ones and your house from potential fire hazards. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, each year throughout the country over 2,500 people die and 12,600 people are injured as a result of a home fire. While they certainly range in severity, fires are something that must be treated seriously no matter the size. Most natural disasters are scary due to their unpredictability, fires, on the other hand, are entirely preventable. The ability to prevent a fire from occurring lies largely in one’s fire education.
Keeping in the mind the following facts about fire can make a huge impact on staying safe in the event of a fire emergency or in preventing a fire from starting in the first place:
60 percent of home fire deaths happen when there are no smoke alarms or the smoke alarms are not working
Every home should have a fire escape plan in place, but only 30 percent of Americans have one
Each day, an average of 7 people in the U.S. die in a home fire
The leading cause of home fire deaths is smoking materials
The leading cause of home fire injuries is cooking equipment
About 50 percent of home fires deaths are reported between the hours of 11pm and 7am
The risk of dying in a fire is cut in half when there is a working smoke alarm present
In the event of a home fire, everyone must get low to crawl under the smoke towards the nearest exit of the home
Once a smoke alarm goes off, you only have a few seconds to escape the home
It is important to remember that after a fire no one should go back into the building unless instructed to do so by a firefighter. Fire damage can be especially upsetting and destructive for your family to process. You may feel stressed, confused, and vulnerable, so you’ll need a caring expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO specializes in fire damage restoration and we’ll treat you with respect and empathy, and we’ll always treat your home and belongings with care. We have the specific damage restoration training, personnel, and equipment and can quickly restore your home to pre-fire condition.
Water damage in a residential property is often caused by things like water leaking or flooding that goes unnoticed for a long period of time. Damage of all kinds can wreak havoc on your property when excess water starts to pool in an area of the home. Unfortunately, most homeowners are unaware of the signs and warnings of water damage and therefore leave the issue unresolved, eventually causing further damage. Water damage restoration is the process of removing the water, drying and dehumidifying, clean and sanitizing, and then restoring the area to its original state. From minor repairs to carpet replacements, identifying water damage early is the key to minimizing potential damage to your home.
The ability to recognize signs of water damage is the first step in keeping your property in top condition. As such, it is important to understand the most common causes of water damage in your home. They are as follows:
Leaking pipes, bursting pipes, or broken hoses
Malfunctioning air conditioners or other HVAC issues
Broken dishwashers, washing machines, or other household appliances
Sewer backup, clogged drains, or general plumbing problems
Water buildup in areas like attics or crawl spaces
Natural disasters like hurricanes or rainstorms that cause flooding
Running toilets
Bathtub overflows
Malfunctioning fire sprinkler system
No matter what the water damage cause may be, addressing the problem immediately is imperative to reducing damage and restoring the area back to optimal condition. At SERVPRO, our water damage specialists have the experience, expertise, and equipment to restore your property quickly and efficiently. From floods to leaking pipes, our water removal and cleanup process will make your home look “Like it never even happened”. Contact our office as soon as possible to learn more about how our Disaster Recovery Team can help you and your home today!
Keeping Your Commercial Property Safe This Holiday Season
December is the time of year for holiday cheer, friends, family, and wonderful social gatherings. Unfortunately, this season also marks a time for potential safety issues in commercial buildings of all kinds. Criminal activity often spikes during the holiday months and this can mean anything from property damage to fraudulent acts. While it is important to keep your office or retail space safe the entire year, taking extra precautions this season will help to ease your mind, keep your employees safe, and ensure that you have a happy, stress-free holiday.
There is nothing quite like feeling of peace of mind when you lock up your commercial space every night. Business owners have enough to worry about on a daily basis. As such, the safety and security of their property should be one thing you can check off of your list. Keep the following tips in mind in order ensure that your commercial property is safe this holiday season:
Invest in a great alarm system
Install security cameras
Integrate your security system with your phone or tablet to keep an eye on the building at all times
Purchase high-security locks
Make sure that all of your employees are well-versed on the protocols associated with closing down the store each night
Take regular inventory of your property
Make sure the property is well lit
Keep a minimum amount of cash in your commercial space
Post signage to inform the public of the security measures that you are taking
As a business owner, your commercial property is almost as important as your residential property. Therefore, it is important to be on high-alert this holiday season to ensure that you are keeping your business and your staff as safe as possible. Once you have a safety plan ironed out, it’s time to consider your storefront’s exterior and interior look. Your commercial property’s appearance speaks volumes to your clients. So, when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services, SERVPRO of North Miami has the training and expertise to help make it “Like it never even happened.”
There is a time period with mold, where it is already present yet not visible. Mold growth can begin 48-72 hours after the materials have been exposed to and are retaining the moisture. At times, the time period may be longer but the mold is continually growing and expanding within the drywall; without being seen on the outside surface. That is why it is important to perform air quality testing to remove any doubt of existent microbial growth in the vicinity. Also, air quality tests allow a mold report to be provided which will let the insured know the type of mold present as well as the spore count of the area affected. This ensures that the affected areas are addressed accordingly, and the insured is aware in case there may be an individual in the home or work space who may be allergic to specific threads of mold.
Let friends and family know you’re safe - Register yourself as safe on the Safe and Well website
If evacuated, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so.
Continue listening to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio for updated information and instructions.
Stay alert for extended rainfall and subsequent flooding.
Caring For Yourself & Loved Ones
Pay attention to how you and your loved ones are experiencing and handling stress. Promote emotional recovery by following these tips.
Do not use water that could be contaminated to wash dishes, brush teeth, prepare food, wash hands, make ice or make baby formula.
Watch animals closely and keep them under your direct control.
Help people who require additional assistance—infants, elderly people, those without transportation, large families who may need additional help in an emergency situation, people with disabilities, and the people who care for them.
Returning Home Safely
Stay out of any building that has water around it.
Keep away from loose or dangling power lines. Report them immediately to the power company.
Take pictures of home damage, both of the buildings and its contents, for insurance purposes.
Cleaning and Repairing Your Home
Wear protective clothing, including rubber gloves and rubber boots, and be cautious when cleaning up.
Learn more about how to clean up after a hurricane, including the supplies you’ll need, how to deal with contaminated food and water, and how to repair water damage.
Don’t just repair your home, build in hurricane-resistant features to help protect against future storms:
Smoke alarms can save lives. In order to protect your family, pets, and yourself from injury or death during a fire, smoke alarms are essential. Below, you’ll find the best tips for ensuring that safety at all times:
A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home.
Smoke alarms should be interconnected. When one sounds, they all sound.
Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.
Test your smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
There are two kinds of alarms. Ionization smoke alarms are quicker to warn about flaming fires. Photoelectric alarms are quicker to warn about smoldering fires. It is best to use of both types of alarms in the home.
When a smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside.
Replace all smoke alarms in your home every 10 years.
In some fires, the damages caused by the flames turn out to be the least of our customer's concerns. Fires can also trigger damage to residential and commercial properties in ways many would not expect, water damage. This could be a result of the efforts to put out the fire or from the heat itself. Fire can melt and break metal faucets and plumbing due to its extreme temperature, causing profuse leaks and ruptures wherever it crosses a water fixture. Although these do not often release enormous amounts of water, they can cause considerable damage to floors and walls in the surrounding areas. Even though both forms of damage are just as important; the water mitigation needs to be addressed immediately to prevent secondary damage to the structure.
The Latin American Association of Insurance Agencies is an association of insurance professionals whose purpose is to protect the rights of its members for the benefit of the consumer through education, information, networking and active participation in the political environment and community service. SERVPRO of Hollywood/ Hallandale/ Aventura/ North Miami was proud to participate in the 47th LAAIA Annual Convention. It was an event full of surprises and charismatic individuals. There were company merchandise being given away, raffles in numerous booths and several booths even had entertainment available. From Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream stands to music and photo booths. SERVPRO of Hollywood/ Hallandale/ Aventura/ North Miami had such a great time at this year's convention that we look forward to participate once again next year.
Tropical cyclones are rotating low pressure weather systems with thunderstorms but no fronts. When these cyclones reach 74 mph or higher, they become hurricanes. Once the storm becomes categorized a hurricane, they get rated between 1 to 5, depending on the maximum sustained winds. The higher the category, the greater the hurricane's potential for property damage. A six year rotating list of names, update and maintained by the World Meteorological Organization, is used to identify these storms. "Hurricane Season" begins on June 1st and ends on November 30th, although hurricanes have occurred outside the time frame. NOAA's (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) National Hurricane Center predicts and tracks these massive storm systems, which occur, on average, 12 times a year in the Atlantic Basin.
Thunderstorms may seem minor since they are common but they produce lightning and heavy rain which may be dangerous. Even though there are not ways to prevent them, there measures to take before one arrives to minimize damage to your property or self:
Build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan. (In case of outages)
Remove dead or rotting trees and branches that could fall and cause injury or damage during a severe thunderstorm.
Postpone outdoor activities.
Secure outdoor objects that could blow away or cause damage.
Get inside a home, building, or hard top automobile. You are much safer inside a vehicle than outside.(the steel frame of a hard-topped vehicle provides increased protection if you are not touching metal.)
Shutter windows and secure outside doors. If shutters are not available, close window blinds, shades or curtains.
Unplug any electronic equipment well before the storm arrives.
Although uncommon, tornadoes are storms to be kept on our personal radars at all times. A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground and is often visible as a funnel cloud. Tornadoes cause extensive damage to structures and disrupt transportation, power, water, gas, communications, and other services in its direct path and in neighboring areas. The extent of destruction caused by tornadoes depends on the tornado’s intensity, size, path, time of day, and amount of time it is on the ground. Tornadoes can strike in any season and at any time in the day, but occur most often in the spring and summer months. If a tornado was to form over a body of water then it is referred to as a waterspout, yet has the same features.
Mold growth may begin 48-72 hours after a surface has been exposed to high levels of moisture. The key to mold prevention is the removal of these scenarios that cause or lead to excess moisture. Water leaks, high humidity, and condensation all may lead to mold growth. Therefore, if you have a roof leak, fix it. If there are high humidity levels, invest in a dehumidifier to control the environment. If you experience a flood or leak, have it properly dried with the corresponding equipment to verify there is no humidity left behind. Also, make sure there is proper ventilation in areas such as bathrooms, laundry, and attics. Another key component in controlling the environment within your home or office is to maintain the AC at 78°, whether or not you are in town to prevent humidity levels from accumulating.
There is a sense of tranquility to candles, but we need to keep in mind that they are an open flame and a potential fire hazard. There are several things to keep in mind to properly monitor a burning candle, as stated by the National Candle Association:
Never touch or move a burning candle. Never move a votive or container candle when the wax is liquefied.
Don’t burn a candle all the way down. For a margin of safety, discontinue burning a candle when 2 inches of wax remains (1/2 inch if in a container).
Place burning candles at least three inches apart from one another. This is to make sure they don’t melt one another, or create their own drafts that will cause the candles to burn improperly.
Extinguish a candle if the flame becomes too high or flickers repeatedly. Let the candle cool, trim the wick, and check for unwanted drafts before re-lighting.
Always keep the candle within your sight. If you are going to leave the room, be sure to first blow out all candles.
Always burn candles in a well-ventilated room. Don’t burn too many candles in a small room or in a “tight” home where air exchange is limited.
Never use a candle as a night light.
Be very careful if using candles during a power outage. Flashlights and other battery-powered lights are safer sources of light during a power failure. Never use a candle during a power outage to look for things in a closet, or when fueling equipment – such as a lantern or kerosene heater.
Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire. Keep burning candles away from furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper, flammable decorations, etc.
Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets. Do not place lighted candles where they can be knocked over by children, pets or anyone else.
Some of these points may seem obvious at first but it is better " to be safe than sorry." All preventative measures should be considered when dealing with an open flame, no matter how small it is.
Bathroom mold is ugly, disgusting, and unhealthy. And, unfortunately, it often seems an ever-present nuisance that even the most fastidious home owners must deal with. However, mold doesn't have to greet you every morning as you step into the shower. These preventative measures and cleaning tips will help you get rid of the mold and mildew that collects in showers, baths and sinks.
Do Your Drains Drain? First, make sure that you have good drainage in your sink, tub or shower. If the water does not drain as quickly as you run water, you have a present (or building) problem. When water doesn't drain properly, it stands, creating an environment that is moist for longer periods of time. These types of environments are those in which mold thrives. Use a bleach solution, a chemical specially formulated to unclog drains, or call a plumber if the drain stoppage is particularly bad. It will be impossible to maintain a clean bathroom without properly working drains.
Thorough Cleaning When you go to clean your bathroom, make sure that you remove all products first. Use a quality cleaning product and spray or wipe on all stained, soiled, damp, and moldy areas with a sponge - brushes can scratch surfaces, reducing their life and appearance. Use an old toothbrush to clean around faucets, drains, and in crevices. For moldy showers, it's possible to use a mild solution of bleach to kill mold and prevent its immediate regrowth. However, never mix bleach with any other cleaning solution, as this could produce toxic fumes.
Before putting the products back, wipe them with a moistened cloth that contains some of the same cleaning solution. This will deter mold by removing any already present around the bases of bottles and jars, kill germs, and prevent the already sanitized surface from being re-contaminated with mold and bacteria.
Commercial Building Automation Market - Global Industry, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024
One of the major factors driving the market for commercial building automation is increasing demand from key end user such as retail, healthcare, offices and hospitality sector among others. According to UNEP (United Nations Environment Program), buildings contribute to about one third of the total greenhouse gas emissions, mainly due to the usage of fossil fuels. In addition, a slow but gradual evolution of IoT sensors based technology has resulted in the emergence of solutions which are significantly more intelligent and have the ability to analyze granular aspects of buildings such as space utilization, gauging occupant's comfort levels and similar derive business intelligence.
Global Commercial Building Automation Market: Segmentation
Power supply, interfacing components, room automation, HVAC systems, security & surveillance, illumination & light sensors and others sectors are the various product types of the commercial building automation market. The power supply market is further segmented into UPS, battery modules and others. The interfacing components is further sub segmented into router, couplers and others. The room automation is further being sub segmented into I/O module, actuators & actuators module, controllers and others. Based on the various product types of commercial building automation, the HVAC systems segment constituted the biggest market share, followed by the security and surveillance segment, in 2015. Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) System is a technology used in building automation for vehicular and indoor environmental comfort. The heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) are largely served in offices, healthcare, retail and hospitality sector among others, therefore, it holds the largest market among all the segments in the commercial building automation market.
By type of material, the market is divided into lighting control and regulation, interfacing and inter-working with other building systems, blind and shutter control , temperature control and regulation, energy and load management, security and fault monitoring, visualization & remote control and monitoring, reporting, display. In 2015, based on material types, the temperature control and regulation segment held the largest market share followed by the lighting control and regulation segment.
The commercial building automation market has been segmented on the basis of end use into offices, retail, hospitality sector, healthcare and others. The retail segment constituted the largest market share, followed by the offices segment, in 2015. The major reason for this growth is attributed to the ability of commercial building automation to raise profit by reducing energy and operating costs in retail shops. In addition, adoption of building automation in retail stores makes life easier. It not only smoothens the management of the retail store regulating system, such as temperature and light, but also provides a host of other services such as video surveillance, HVAC services, easier energy management, and efficient security system.
Moreover, the use of building automation in retail shops represented the largest market share in the global commercial building automation market in 2015. This is primarily due to an increase in the use of building automation in enclosed malls and individual shops. Commercial building automation in retail stores has a number of uses, such as providing security to the owner of parked cars, to conserve energy and offering a great ambience.
By geography, the commercial building automation market has been broken down into four regions namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW). Presently, North America held the major share of the market, followed by Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World (RoW).
Global Commercial Building Automation Market: Key Trends
Government initiatives for constructing green buildings and rise in green building construction by several different companies are the major factors driving the market for commercial building automation market during the forecast period of 2016 – 2024. Green buildings are constructed using recycled waste resources from construction sites. Increased demand for green building materials has been observed in the residential buildings and office & commercial buildings segments. The other factors driving the market for commercial building automation market is increasing awareness about the advantages of green building which in turn boosting the commercial building automation market during the forecast period of 2016 – 2024.
Global Commercial Building Automation Market: Key players mentioned in the report
Key players profiled in this report include ABB Ltd. (Switzerland), Cisco Systems Inc. (United States), Honeywell International Inc. (United States), Hubbell Inc. (United States), Ingersoll Rand Plc. (Ireland), Johnson Controls International plc. (United States), Robert Bosch GmbH (Germany), Schneider Electric SE (France), United Technologies Corp. (United States) and Siemens AG (Germany).
The segments covered in the Commercial building automation market are as follows:
Global Commercial Building Automation Market: By Product Type
Power Supply UPS Battery Modules Others Interfacing Components Router Couplers Others Room Automation I/O Module Actuators & Actuators Module Controllers Others HVAC Systems Security and Surveillance Illumination and Light Sensors Others
Global Commercial Building Automation Market: By Material Type
Lighting Control and Regulation Interfacing and Inter-working with other Building Systems Blind and Shutter Control Temperature Control and Regulation Energy and Load Management Security and Fault Monitoring Visualization and Remote Control Monitoring, Reporting, Display Others
Global Commercial Building Automation Market: By End Use Type
Global Commercial Building Automation Market: By Geography
North America U.S. Canada Mexico Europe U.K. Germany France Italy Rest of Europe Asia Pacific India China Japan Rest of Asia Pacific Rest of the World (RoW) Middle East Latin America Africa
Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4662495/C
In general, a house is one of the biggest investments you will make in your lifetime. In order to protect that investment, you should vigilantly look out for household problems and address them before they worsen.
One such dreaded homeowner issue is water damage. If left unattended, residential water damage can detrimentally impact the structure or spawn other complications, including mold that poses a health risk to inhabitants. Here are several methods for detecting water damage within your house.
1. Check the Floors No matter what kind of flooring you have, it will manifest signs of water damage. For tile and wood, look for cracked, buckling or warped flooring. When it comes to carpet, be wary of damp spots, gradual rises, soft spots or the smell of mold and dampness.
2. Look for Stains Water stains on the floor around the bathtub, toilet or sink, as well as stains on ceilings and walls, are some of the most obvious signs of water damage. Unusual stains could indicate there is a leaky pipe or drain inside the wall. Cracks in the drywall or areas that appear swollen and are soft to touch also may signify trouble. Peeling paint is another sign of loose water within wall spaces. As the drywall gets saturated, paint can lose adhesion.
3. Inspect Outside Observe the exterior of your house. What you want to look for are pools of standing water that can indicate poor drainage in the yard, gutter spouts that aren’t transporting water far enough from the house or leaky rain gutters. Any of those issues could threaten the foundation of your house. Additionally, common signs of water damage on the roof may include pools of water; cracked, curled or missing shingles; or broken flashing.
4. Watch for Rust and Mold Inspect your water heater and check for rust on the tank or damp spots on the floor. A rusted tank could indicate a slow leak. Additionally, corrosion around pipe connections could be caused by water seepage. Visual signs of active mold growth mean moisture is contacting microscopic mold spores, often in the nooks and crannies of your home. Finally, don’t rely solely on sight. When water stagnates, mold and bacteria can grow, producing a musty, unpleasant smell.
Since your ductwork is essentially the “lungs” of your home, you need to make sure it is kept clean of as many airborne hazards and pollutants as possible. Any kind of harmful pollutant in your ductwork will inevitably get carried throughout the air in your home. This includes mold contamination within the ductwork of your home. Exposure to mold from your within your ductwork can create some very unhealthy conditions for you and your family. If you believe there might be a mold problem in your air ducts, it is very important to have the ductwork checked out and have any contaminants removed.
Why is there mold in my ductwork? Molds and fungi can be found virtually anywhere where excessive moisture accumulates indoors. This problem can be even worse when there is excessive moisture in the home over an extended period of time. When a surface or material in your home is holding moisture and mold spores from anywhere land on it, the mold begins to grow. As long as the source of moisture is present the mold will continue to grow on the surface, whether it’s in your drywall, wood beams, or even in your duct system. The problem will continue to expand until the source of moisture is eliminated and the mold is properly remediated.
Why is mold in my ductwork dangerous? Your ductwork is the system in the home which distributes fresh air throughout the home to keep it comfortable year-round. When mold begins to grow and has contaminated the ductwork, vents, or registers, the mold spores begin to quickly be spread throughout the home.
The spreading of the mold spores throughout the air in your home can cause the infiltration of mold to show up in other places where there is moisture present and can cause respiratory allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to mold. The reaction that many people experience from a mold allergy can be similar to seasonal allergies.
Stop the mold contamination in your ductwork! Professional Duct Coating and Duct CleaningIf you have mold in the duct system in your home it is important to have the air ducts thoroughly cleaned and remediated by a professional duct cleaning company. They will use a HEPA Vac and a HEPA Air Sweeper to properly clean your ductwork of all major contaminants.
After the ductwork is cleaned your duct cleaning company may offer you a duct coating service to prevent future spreading of mold. The ducts can be coated with an anti-microbial coating which protects the spread of mold and odor causing bacteria on the interior surface of your HVAC duct system.
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Emergency situations can arise due to causes such as natural disasters, floods, earthquakes, fires, workplace violence, terrorism or crime. Planning for an emergency has a number of benefits. Staff and volunteers know what to do in the event of an emergency. They can assist clients and visitors in evacuating the building and they can be of assistance to emergency personnel when they arrive on the scene. At the very least, they should know to evacuate the building and stay outside until the ?all clear? is signaled. Emergency Evacuation Planning Emergency action plans are required to describe the routes to use and procedures to be followed by employees. Also procedures for accounting for all evacuated employees must be part of the plan. The written plan must be available for employee review. Where needed, special procedures for helping physically impaired employees (and service recipients must be addressed in the plan; also, the plan must include procedures for those employees who must remain behind temporarily to shut down critical plant equipment before they evacuate. The preferred means of alerting employees to a fire emergency must be part of the plan and an employee alarm system must be available throughout the workplace complex and must be used for emergency alerting for evacuation. The alarm system may be voice communication or sound signals such as bells, whistles or horns. Employees must recognize and respond to the evacuation signal. Should evacuation be necessary, staff members should know to go to the nearest exit or stairway and proceed to an area of refuge outside the building. Most stairways are fire resistant and present barriers to smoke if the doors are kept closed. Do not use elevators. Should the fire involve the control panel of the elevator or the electrical system of the building, power in the building may be cut and you could be trapped between floors. Also, the elevator shaft can become a flue, lending itself to the passage and accumulation of hot gases and smoke generated by the fire. Training Training of all employees in what is to be done in an emergency is required. Supervisors must review the plan with newly assigned employees so they know correct actions in an emergency and with all employees when the plan is changed. Evacuation Checklist Shut down computer. Turn off lights. Close windows. Assist clients and other staff, as needed or assigned. Close doors behind you as you leave (do not lock). Follow escape route. Meet at predetermined assembly point. Have an alternate location identified if for some reason the primary assembly point is either unavailable or unsafe. Make certain everyone is accounted for (those on vacation, at meetings outside the building, at home, ill and present). Do NOT go back into the building. DO report where any unaccounted for person routinely would have been when the alarm rang to a person with authority, who will tell the firefighter. Where required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), organizations with more than 10 employees must have a written emergency action plan; smaller organizations may communicate their plans orally. (See 29 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Part 1910.38(a) for further information.) Essential to an effective emergency action plan are top management support and commitment and the involvement of all employees. Management should review plans with employees initially and whenever the plan itself, or employees responsibilities under it, change. Plans should be re-evaluated and updated periodically. Emergency procedures, including the handling of any toxic chemicals, should include: Escape procedures and escape route assignments. Special procedures for employees who perform or shut down critical plant operations. A system to account for all employees after evacuation. Rescue and medical duties for employees who perform them. Means for reporting fires and other emergencies. Contacts for information about the plan. Emergency Response Teams Members of emergency response teams should be thoroughly trained for potential emergencies and physically capable of carrying out their duties; know about toxic hazards in the workplace and be able to judge when to evacuate personnel or depend on outside help (e.g. when a fire is too large for them to handle). One or more teams must be trained in: Use of various types of fire extinguishers. First aid, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The requirements of the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard. Shutdown procedures. Nose Counts A system should be established for accounting for personnel once workers have been evacuated with a person in the control center responsible for notifying police or emergency response team members of persons believed missing. Duplicate Records Effective security procedures, such as cordoned off areas, can prevent unauthorized access and protect vital records and equipment. Duplicate records for essential accounting files, legal documents and lists of employees? relatives to be notified in case of emergency can be kept in off-site locations. Training Every employee needs to know details of the emergency action plan, including evacuation plans, alarm systems, reporting procedures for personnel, shutdown procedures, and types of potential emergencies. Drills should be held at random intervals, at least annually, and include, if possible, outside police and fire authorities. Training must be conducted initially, when new employees are hired, and at least annually. Additional training is needed when new equipment, materials, or processes are introduced, when procedures have been updated or revised, or when exercises show that employee performance is inadequate. It is essential that first aid supplies are available to the trained medical personnel, that emergency phone numbers are placed in conspicuous places near or on telephones, and prearranged ambulance services for any emergency are available.
Hurricanes begin when areas of low atmospheric pressure move off Africa and into the Atlantic, where they grow and intensify in the moisture-laden air above the warm tropical ocean. Air moves toward these atmospheric lows from all directions and curves to the right under the influence of the Coriolis effect, thereby initiating rotation in the converging windfields. When these hot, moist air masses meet, they rise up into the atmosphere above the low pressure area, potentially establishing a self-reinforcing feedback system that produces weather systems known to meteorologists as tropical disturbances, tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes.
Fortunately, fewer than 10 percent of disturbances grow into hurricanes. Development of a full-fledged hurricane requires a rare combination of atmospheric events. First, the tropical disturbance must produce converging air masses. Second, the converging air must rise — but not in an area where there are either strong winds or descending air masses aloft. Hurricane development requires both an organized pattern of convection that is destroyed by upper atmosphere winds, as well as unstable air masses in the upper atmosphere that can carry rising surface air away from the upper end of the developing storm.
If these three phenomena occur together, a self-sustaining circulation develops in which moist surface air rises and its moisture condenses, releasing latent heat that warms the upper atmosphere. The heated atmosphere creates lift that extends the low pressure area upward and further reduces its already low pressure. As winds in the upper atmosphere carry moist air away from this growing cylinder of low pressure, dry warm air from above can enter the center of the cylinder, ultimately reaching the sea surface and forming the cloud-free area known as the eye of the hurricane.
A system of this type will continue to intensify as long as the upper-level outflow of air exceeds low-level inflow. The relationship between inflow and outflow is controlled by the heat content of the ocean water and the latent heat contained in the moisture in the rising air. In other words, once formed, hurricane circulation will continue as long as the storm is over warm water, has access to moist air, and doesn’t drift into areas where upper-level winds can tear it apart.
Florida Forest Service Sets National Prescribed Fire Record
The Florida Forest Service has announced that more than 246,000 acres of Florida state forests were treated with prescribed fire last year, the highest number ever reported by any state forestry agency in the country. The Florida Forest Service administers the top prescribed fire program in the nation. Prescribed fire is a safe way to apply a natural process, ensure ecosystem health and reduce wildfire risk.
"Fortunately, there were many days last year that exhibited conditions favorable for prescribed fire. Conditions can change quickly and drastically in Florida, so the Florida Forest Service has made it a priority to take advantage of favorable conditions whenever they are present,” said Jim Karels, Florida State Forester and NASF President.
Prescribed fire is an important land management tool used to protect Florida’s homes, structures and valuable natural resources by reducing the buildup of flammable plant materials. The reduction of this hazardous buildup results in increased wildfire safety for surrounding areas. In addition, many of Florida’s plant and animal communities, such as its deer and quail populations, are dependent on the regular occurrence of fire for a healthy existence. Prescribed fires mimic this natural process, returning nutrients to the soil, providing better forage for wildlife and livestock, and helping control certain plant and tree diseases. Prescribed fires also help preserve rare and endangered plant and animal species including as the Yellow Fringeless Orchid found on the Blackwater River State Forest.
Because of prescribed fire’s important role in Florida’s ecosystems, the Florida Forest Service works hand-in-hand with private landowners and partnering agencies to promote the use of prescribed fire throughout Florida. In addition to its record breaking state forest prescribed fire program, the Florida Forest Service boasts the most active overall statewide prescribed burning program in the nation.
As the managing agency for all outdoor burning within the state of Florida, the Florida Forest Service provides a unique program that trains and verifies individuals as Certified Prescribed Burn Managers. This program helps to promote and increase the use of prescribed fire on private forest lands in Florida. Anyone who uses prescribed fire or conducts controlled burns on a regular basis should consider enrolling in this useful and educational program.
Certified Prescribed Burn Managers receive certain extra privileges such as liability protections, additional burn time and permission to obtain nighttime burning authorizations (when favorable conditions are present). Certified Prescribed Burn Managers also have the advantage of being able to submit open burn authorization requests online. Further information and application forms can be found at www.FloridaForestService.com or by contacting the Withlacoochee Training Center at (352) 797-4172.
The Florida Forest Service manages more than one million acres of public forestland while protecting 26 million acres of homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire. To learn more about Florida Forest Service programs, visit www.FloridaForestService.com.
- See more at: http://www.stateforesters.org/news-events/blog/florida-forest-service-sets-national-prescribed-fire-record#sthash.TutqbDGs.dpuf
When it comes to leaks in a structure, whether that structure is an office or a home, timeliness is of the utmost importance in minimizing the cost of a leak. Leaks not only add to the cost of a utility bill, the damage caused by water intrusion into the structure can require thousands of dollars of remediation and repair. For many common leaks, finding and fixing the source of the problem is relatively straightforward. For example, a leaky faucet or shower head might require the tightening or replacement of a seal, and the source of the leak is in plain sight. However, not all leaks occur in simple, easy to reach or see spots. Sometimes, water intrusion occurs in places where you cannot immediately see it, such as behind a wall or in the ceiling, where the visible signs of a leak might not appear right away.
Moisture meters are a very helpful tool for detecting the presence of moisture in building materials, and for helping to pinpoint the source of that moisture intrusion, even when the origin point may be out of sight.
“How so,” you ask?
Tracing Leaks in Dry Plaster, Brick, and Concrete Masonry materials such as dry plaster, brick, and concrete typically have very little moisture in them. Sometimes, when these materials are tested with a moisture meter in a reference scale mode, there is so little moisture that the meter cannot detect it. Thankfully, if you find moisture in one of these materials, there’s a trick you can use to pinpoint the origin point of a leak in masonry materials. To pull it off, you’ll need the following:
A nail, one made of a ductile metal. Insulated wire. A pin-type moisture meter such as the BD 2100. To start the process, drive the nail into the area of the masonry that you know to be wet. Then, attach the insulated wire to the nail and one of the meter’s contact pins. Once the wire is attached to one of the contact pins, apply the other pin to different parts of the wall where you suspect the leak may be originating from. If the meter gives a “wet” response, the wall is wet between the two contact points. If the meter gives a “dry” response, the material is not in the path of a leak.
Repeat the test until you’ve identified the limit of the “wet” response area.
This trick should help you pinpoint the origin point of a leak behind a masonry wall.
Testing Insulation for Moisture Wet insulation loses its ability to keep a building's temperature stable, and can become a mold colony if given enough time.When loosely-packed insulation gets wet, the moisture not only ruins the value of the insulation as a means to keep the temperature of a building stable, that insulation becomes a potential host for mold. Over time, the moisture trapped in insulation will begin to affect the structures that the insulation is in contact with, causing damage. To test insulation, you will want to use a moisture meter with extended-length probes such as Delmhorst’s 21-E electrode with #608 pins, which are insulated pins that penetrate to 3 1/4” deep (6” penetration type also available). Because only the tips of these pins are uninsulated, you’ll be able to identify just how deep into the insulation the moisture pocket goes.
While you won’t have to tear down the whole wall to get at the insulation to start testing, you will need to drill two holes that are 3/16” in diameter, set one inch apart in your siding or drywall. Once the holes have been drilled, push the pins into the holes and start taking readings at different depths using the reference scale setting of your meter. The reference scale setting will give you a qualitative reading of whether or not moisture is present in the material being tested.
When you’re finished taking readings, seal the holes that were drilled with an appropriate filler.
Depending on the distribution of moisture in the insulation, you may be able to establish whether the moisture is the result of a leak or if it is caused by condensation.
In side walls and roof insulation, moisture intrusion is generally the result of leaks in the roof or other structural defects in the side walls that allow water (such as from melting snow & ice) to penetrate the structure. During cold weather, water vapor in the air will condense, with some remaining trapped in the insulation.
Generally speaking, when moisture intrusion comes from a pipe leak in the wall, you’ll see much higher concentrations of moisture below the pipe, with little moisture being present in material above the pipe.
By using moisture meters to help you pinpoint the location of a leak in your structure, you can save time and money by letting your plumber or restoration professional know where the leak is coming from. The less time they have to spend looking for a leak, the lower your cost for labor will be.
Whether you are the Head Honcho or one of the all-important cogs that makes the wheels of efficiency and profitability turn smoothly you have some measure of responsibility for keeping your workplace safe. Many fire departments provide special training for businesses. As the slogan goes, learn not to burn!
Employees in small and large businesses have responsibilities related to fire and life safety. Employers and supervisors must be certain their co-workers are well informed, trained and prepared. Fire can happen anytime anywhere. Every business has potential fire hazards. All employees should keep fire protection and fire and life safety near the top of their list of concerns.
Perhaps your fellow workers should conduct a survey to gather ideas about potential hazards unique to your workplace. Meanwhile, here’s a list of things every business should consider:
Does your workplace have a fire safety plan? When was the last time your fire safety plan was reviewed and updated? Is the staff trained based on the plan? Do you have a well-rehearsed evacuation plan? Do employees know where to gather after an evacuation? Does your workplace or business take advantage of fire and safety services training provided by the fire department? Are differently abled employees prepared and capable of evacuating safely? Are their fellow employees ready to assist them if necessary? Are your local fire protection professionals aware of any potential hazards in your workplace? Do you have a functioning and regularly tested fire alarm system? Do employees know how to activate the fire alarm? Are employees familiar with the sound emitted by the fire alarm system? Are smoke detectors and sprinkler systems in good working order? Are electrical outlets overloaded? Are heat generating office machines and other devices placed safely and operated according to manufacturer’s instructions? Are flammable materials labeled correctly and stored safely? Are your stairways uncluttered and safe? Are your hallways and passageways kept free of flammable materials and clutter? Are all exits clearly marked and free from obstructions? Do employees know what to do when they smell smoke? Do employees know not to use elevators if a fire breaks out? Do smokers on your staff practice fire safety? Are employees trained to use fire extinguishers? Do employees know a fire extinguisher is only effective on small fires? When was the last time your fire extinguishers were inspected?
The most important thing to consider when entering a flood damaged property is safety. There can and will be hazards all around, from problems with electrical items and natural gas appliances to contaminated water, mold and much, much more. This is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of precautions, but a list of things you might not think about. Please use common sense before entering the property. If it doesn’t appear safe, DO NOT ENTER. Call a professional to make sure.
Before you turn anything on or plug in an appliance, have an electrician check the house wiring and appliances to make sure it is safe to use. If any of the appliances have been under water, have them dried out and reconditioned by a qualified service repairman. Do not use any electrical appliance that has not been checked out or reconditioned because it poses an electrical shock hazard and could overheat the appliance and cause a fire. If you use any electrical equipment for cleanup, i.e. wet-dry vacuum, power tools etc. be sure they are plugged into a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). Do not allow power cords to be submerged or wet. Never remove or bypass the ground pin on a three-pronged plug in order to insert it into a non-grounded outlet. Electrical circuit breakers and fuses that have been submerged need to be discarded and replaced with new. Have all gas appliances (LP and natural gas) inspected and serviced before using. This includes gas furnaces, water heaters, cook stoves etc. If they were underwater have the gas controls replaced. Water and silt can damage gas controls and cause them to not operate properly. If you smell gas or hear it escaping, turn off the main line valve, open windows, and leave the area. Call the gas company and report the problem. Never use any electrical appliance, turn lights on or off, light a match, or us the telephone. These all may produce sparks. Smoke detectors need to be tested before and after any work is done in the house. Smoke detectors can save your life in case of fire or smoke. Many deaths have occurred during cleanup work while burning charcoal for cooking and staying warm. Never burn charcoal appliances inside homes, mobile homes, garages, cars, trucks, tents, or campers. Charcoal gives off carbon monoxide when burned. Carbon monoxide is odorless and can kill you. Remember to keep household chemicals and medicines locked up or stored out of children’s reach.
Stormwater runoff is generated from rain and snowmelt events that flow over land or impervious surfaces, such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops, and does not soak into the ground. The runoff picks up pollutants like trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment that can harm our rivers, streams, lakes, and coastal waters. To protect these resources, communities, construction companies, industries, and others, use stormwater controls, known as best management practices (BMPs). These BMPs filter out pollutants and/or prevent pollution by controlling it at its source. The NPDES stormwater program regulates some stormwater discharges from three potential sources: municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s), construction activities, and industrial activities. Operators of these sources might be required to obtain an NPDES permit before they can discharge stormwater. This permitting mechanism is designed to prevent stormwater runoff from washing harmful pollutants into local surface waters. Authorization Status for EPA's Stormwater Construction and Industrial Programs – Most states are authorized to implement the stormwater NPDES permitting program. EPA remains the permitting authority in a few states, territories, and on most land in Indian Country. Population growth and the development of urban/urbanized areas are major contributors to the amount of pollutants in the runoff as well as the volume and rate of runoff from impervious surfaces. Together, they can cause changes in hydrology and water quality that result in habitat modification and loss, increased flooding, decreased aquatic biological diversity, and increased sedimentation and erosion. The benefits of effective stormwater runoff management can include: protection of wetlands and aquatic ecosystems, improved quality of receiving waterbodies, conservation of water resources, protection of public health, and flood control. Traditional stormwater management approaches that rely on peak flow storage have generally not targeted pollutant reduction and can exacerbate problems associated with changes in hydrology and hydraulics.
Post-Construction Cleanup Ensures a Spic-and-Span Environment for Your New Building
Your new building or remodeling is finally complete, after months and months of planning and construction. So you’re all ready to move in, right?
Not so fast! Good contractors clean up their supplies and tools, dispose of the trash and remnants of their materials and get your new space to a point where it’s considered “move-in ready.” But that doesn’t mean it’s ready for people to sit down and work. You need one last thing before opening the doors: a post-construction cleanup.
When a construction team leaves a site they also leave behind things not always noticeable (but sometimes very noticeable), like dust, grit, wood particles, window film and other dirt that needs to be cleaned before you invite employees into the space.
Giving your new area a thorough once-over will not only make everything clean, but it will make employees feel even better about their new digs. When Jack’s Maintenance performs a post-construction cleanup, we take care of these and other areas, some of which you might not expect to gather dust and grime (but that certainly do!):
Inside cabinets and desks. Much of the drywall dust and sawdust will end up in these spots, so we vacuum or wipe until it’s gone Ceiling tiles, vent covers and exposed pipes. Another spot where dust lands and recirculates through the air – not ideal, especially for people with allergies or respiratory problems Furniture surfaces, frames and padding. New or old, your furniture will attract and hold dust and grime, particularly the padding. We wipe and/or vacuum ‘til it shines! Some of these items will have adhesive labels affixed to them, and a good post-construction cleanup will involve using the right products to remove them safely Light fixtures. Ceiling fixtures and desk lamps both attract dust, which can reduce the efficiency of the bulbs. We use the right techniques to remove anything left behind by the contractor Carpet and flooring. This is usually the last spot we clean when we do post-construction cleanups because it’s the dirtiest by far! All the traffic, dust and dirt lands here, so we take special care to get them in top shape Stairwells. Railings and steps tend to get lots of use even during construction, so we get every nook and cranny prior to you occupying the building Elevators, interior and exterior. This over over-looked spot gets plenty of foot traffic and fingerprints, so we wipe it all down until it’s sparkling clean Walls. Believe it or not, walls hold on to dust, and certain wall textures hold on to it better than others. We’ll wipe or dust the walls to remove any drywall dust that’s hanging on Windows. Windows grab on to particles in the air and will eventually look filmy. We focus on the window itself and the sills and tracks, where the “real” dirt is Post-construction cleaning leaves a place smelling fresh, looking “shiny new,” and prevents all of that dust and grime from dulling the finishes and eroding the appearance of your new space. If you’re in the process of remodeling or building a new facility, don’t forget the critical last step of getting it cleaned and ready for work!
Whether you are a large company or a one-man business Commercial Cleaning is something you cannot ignore. For big business not having a clean environment for your staff to work in is one of the worst economies you can make. A dirty work area is bad for moral, wastes valuable work time and can be detrimental to the health of your staff. As a worker if you work in a dirty environment there is only so much you can take, so after a while you have to stop your paid work to clean up. Emptying bins, washing cups or just generally dusting machinery and work surfaces, has to be done sometimes. No one enjoys picking up a dirty phone or dialling on a grease covered keypad. These are the sort of things that build up when proper cleaning services are not used. As a worker it distracts you from what you are paid to do and as a boss, why are you paying trained or qualified staff to empty bins? If you are the boss cleaning your own work space, then this is an unproductive waste of your time.
When you are on a tight budget as everyone is nowadays, cleaning may seem to be a big outlay for no return, but the actual return you gain is more productivity from your staff, more focussed work and direct action. Everyone needs to drink liquids through the day, so eventually the cups have to be washed and someone has to do it. So what you need to consider is exactly what you need cleaners to do. This may seem obvious but when you start to look at cleaning companies in the area you start to realise not every corporate cleaning company is the same.
First what needs doing to keep your offices clean and tidy? Do the bins need emptying daily or twice weekly? Do you need the carpet hoovering and the floor moped in the kitchens or dining areas, and how often? Who washes the mugs, or do you use vending machine cups and if so does this cause a need for more bins to be emptied. Do your kitchens stay fairly clean or do people leave them in a mess? If they are in a mess they can definitely be a health hazard if not cleaned daily. The toilets are another area that really need cleaning daily in a big company. This is an area that should not be left to chance and if you are a really big company or in the food business then more than once a day may be necessary.
How the right Commercial Cleaning Company Can Increase your Sales
As studies show that a clean workplace can improve moral and increase productivity of the workers, it is important to know that your workplace is as effective as it can be in this regard. An office can seem to be busing along at full efficiency on the surface, people are sat nose to the grindstone working hard and “getting on with it”, but is that actually what is going on or is this image just what is expected? If people are not happy in their workplace they often hunker down and look very busy, but the truth may be totally different. If the person who is hunkered down is suffering from low morale, feeling unappreciated and does not want to be there, how would you tell and would it really matter if they are getting on with their job? Well actually yes it does matter, it matters a lot.
You see someone who is feeling like that is working hard but they are not being as productive as they could be. Their mind is distracted. They would rather be somewhere else, anywhere else but here, and that is ticking along in the back of their mind. They are robotically carrying out procedures and completing tasks but there is no flair, no imagination and most importantly no incentive. To be honest they do not really care whether what they do is constructive or not. You see people who have to work in a dirty environment feel that the bosses do not care. They feel like numbers not people and as such they have no real loyalty to the business or drive to excel.
If this was true of your sales office you would not be making many sales. Sales people need to have energy and drive, they need to have a desire to pull in the customers and to seal that deal. They can only do this in a clean fresh environment. Even if they come in first thing in the morning all rearing to go, a dirty environment will gradually bring them down. Not even consciously, but by mid-morning or lunch time they will be feeling deflated as they look for things behind and around yesterday’s dirty mugs, or paper cups that will not fit in the recycling bin.
So it is very important that your employees have a clean workplace, clean toilets and clean rest areas and kitchens. This will not only improve their moral, lift their energy and make them feel pleased to work here, it will also keep germs at bay so that people are working in a much healthier environment and this will show by less absenteeism.
Having seen the detriment, it can do to a business to not have a clean and healthy workplace. Then it makes so much sense to have a good cleaning regime. If you think your cleaning regime is not doing the job, then we are happy to talk to you about what could be done to improve the working environment of your staff.
Three Actions to Take Now to Prepare for Hurricane Season
Today we released the 2016 National Preparedness Report, an important guidepost in our work to build a stronger, more resilient America. The findings of this year’s report are significant. This vital information is analyzed to gauge the progress that community partners—including all levels of government, private and nonprofit sectors, faith-based organizations, communities, and individuals—are making to prepare for a wide array of threats and hazards. We should be prepared for all hazards, from hurricanes and tornadoes to earthquakes and terrorist attacks.
The good news is that this year’s report shows an increase in community resilience over the past three years. This matters because we know that the more resilient communities are before a disaster hits, the faster and stronger they’ll bounce back if disaster strikes. The bad news is that this year’s report also shows that the percentage of Americans who have developed and discussed a household emergency plan with their families has fallen for two years in a row. We must avoid becoming complacent in taking deliberate steps to be prepared for the unexpected.
Being prepared for disasters is a shared responsibility among all of us. And today, as we mark the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season, I want to encourage everyone – families, communities and businesses - to take action now to prepare.
We’ve been lucky over the past several years. The United States has not had a significant impact from a hurricane or tropical storm since Hurricane Sandy struck in 2012. But luck isn’t a strategy when it comes to being ready. As we’ve seen too many times before, all it takes is one major hurricane or tropical storm to devastate a community, neighborhood, or family.
When a hurricane hits, it can bring high winds, heavy rainfall, coastal and inland flooding, rip currents, and even tornadoes. Storm surge produced by hurricanes poses the greatest threat to life and property along the coast. The destructive power of storm surge can travel several miles inland, and large battering waves can result in loss of life, buildings destroyed and road and bridge damage along coastal areas. That’s why if you live in an area where hurricanes are a threat, you need to know where you’d go before the danger arrives and makes evacuation impossible.
We are not powerless against the threat of these disasters. Here are three simple steps you should take today to prepare:
Know your evacuation zone. Evacuation zones are areas that may be impacted by hurricane flooding. Many communities have designated evacuation zones and routes to get citizens to safety. This information can often be found on the websites of your state, county, or town emergency management offices. If a hurricane threatens your community and local officials say it's time to evacuate, don't wait. Download the FEMA app. With the FEMA smartphone app you’ll have all the information you need to know what to do before, during, and after a hurricane. You can also receive weather alerts in your area from NOAA’s National Weather Service, find lifesaving safety tips, and have access to disaster resources should you need them. You can download the app from the Apple App store or the Google Play store. The FEMA app is also available in Spanish. Make a plan and build a kit. When a hurricane hits, communications systems can go out, transportation can be limited, and it could be days before emergency responders are able to reach your community if you need help. Making a plan - and practicing that plan - helps to ensure you and your family are safe and ready for these challenges. Your plan should include: Family communication plan: Talk with your family members about how you will contact one another in an emergency. Know how you will check in with family members in different locations, how you will care for children or members with access and functional needs, and how your family will get in touch if cell phone, internet, or landlines don’t work. Emergency Supply Kit: A ‘go kit’ is a bag that contains basic items you and your family may need, during an emergency. Kits should contain non-perishable food, water, and other supplies, such as flashlights, local maps, and a battery-powered radio, to last you and your family for at least 72 hours. Visit Ready.gov for a complete list of items. Pets: Many local shelters do not permit pets, but laws require them to accept service animals. Know what you will do with your pet if you need to evacuate. We want everyone to enjoy the summer without having to worry about what to do when severe weather threatens. The best way to do that is to prepare now and know what you’re going to do in the event of a hurricane. Planning ahead gives you more options and better control over situations that could become chaotic at the last moment if you’re not ready. To learn more about how to prepare for a hurricane visit ready.gov/hurricanes.
lack mold can be an insidious problem for homeowners, potentially leading to a costly removal process and even a host of health problems. But by learning how to get rid of black mold safely and effectively, you can protect the health of your family and the value of your home, without breaking the bank.
Mold Can Be Unhealthy and Dangerous SEE ALL PHOTOS
Removing black mold is a step-by-step process that requires patience, an investment in protective gear and black mold removal products, and, of course, the courage to brave dark, cramped spaces inhabited by toxic fungus.
First, you must remove the source of any moisture from the affected area. If any leaks or persistent condensation aren't alleviated, the mold will likely reappear after removal.
Next, seal any doorways or other openings leading to other areas of the home, place heavy plastic over them, then seal the plastic in place with duct tape. If there are outdoor openings in the room, place an exhaust fan near them to help remove mold spores from the room.
Wear a respirator or a facemask rated for black mold spore protection, and cover arms, legs and hands to avoid contact with mold spores. Use soap and a sponge to remove visible mold. If the moldy area is dry, lightly spray with water, as this will reduce the incidence of airborne mold spores during cleaning. Next, use commercial black mold removal products, which can be found in most hardware or home repair stores, to disinfect the moldy areas, in addition to any adjacent areas. If you use bleach, make sure it won't discolor the material or surface. Place all sponges, equipment and other materials used in cleaning in a heavy duty garbage bag, and if possible, remove the bag through an nearby exit as opposed to the main house, to avoid distributing mold spores.
Mold Remediation and Restoration:
Any home or business can quickly become infested with mold with the introduction of a water source, like a roof or plumbing leak. Mold can spread throughout a property in as little as 48-72 hours, and can produce allergens and irritants that have the potential to cause other health effects.
If you suspect that your home or business has a mold problem, SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals can inspect and assess your property. If mold is found, they have the training, equipment, and expertise to handle the situation.
Please refer to our Mold Damage Tips to learn more about mold and what to do until help arrives.
Recovering from a fire can be a physically and mentally draining process.
When fire strikes, lives are suddenly turned around. Often, the hardest part is knowing where to begin and who to contact.
Contact your insurance company or agent right away.
Ask your agent:
What to do about the immediate needs of your home. This includes pumping out water and covering doors, windows, and other openings. What you should do first. Some companies may ask you to make a list of everything that was damaged by the fire. They will ask you to describe these in detail and say how much you paid for the items. Entering the home after the fire:
Do not enter a damaged home or apartment unless the fire department says it is safe to go in! Fires can start again even if they appear to be out. Soot and dirty water left behind may contain things that could make you sick. Do not eat, drink, or breathe in anything that has been near the fire’s flames, smoke, soot, or water used to put the fire out. SERVPRO technicians are experts in cleaning and/or restoring your personal items.
Residential and Commercial Restoration and Cleaning Services
SERVPRO of Hollywood / Hallandale / Aventura provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any size disaster. Our highly trained technicians can respond immediately to your residential or commercial emergency.
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Do new rules make Florida water safer or more toxic?
The agency charged with protecting it says it's very safe, especially with the approval this week of a new rule that imposes limits on 39 additional toxic substances and updates allowed limits on 43 other chemicals dumped into Florida's rivers, streams and coastal waters.
"Each and every criterion protects Floridians, according to both EPA and the World Health Organization," the Department of Environmental Protection said last week after the governor's Environmental Regulation Commission approved the new water quality rule on a narrow 3-2 vote.
But environmentalists are so convinced that Florida's water will be further harmed, they are ready to go to war.
They say the new rules allow for higher levels of carcinogens and chemicals that can disrupt natural hormones to be discharged into Florida waters. They claim that weak enforcement by the Department of Environmental Protection already fails to shield Florida's drinking water from health-harming contaminants.
"That policy now says that more Floridians are expendable to cancer and other serious health diseases in order for industries to be more profitable," said Linda Young, executive director of the Florida Clean Water Network, which tried and failed to get the commission to reject the DEP's proposed rule.
The rule updates the state's water quality standards for the first time since 1992 by allowing for 23 toxics, including 18 carcinogens, to be discharged from industrial polluters at higher levels. The chemicals are among those released by oil and gas drilling companies, dry cleaners, pulp and paper producers, electricity plants, wastewater treatment plants and agriculture.
Under the new rules, at least 10 chemicals will now be allowed to be discharged into drinking water sources in amounts that exceed current drinking water standards.
"That means, if the new criteria goes into effect, then those waters could have higher levels of those chemicals than it is legal to send to homes for drinking," Young said. "So the utilities would have to get those chemicals out before putting it in our tap water.''
The Clean Water Network and numerous other environmental groups are asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reject the rule and order the state to revise it.
Florida regulators test the water bodies once every five years. They allow industries to release toxics into rivers and aquifers daily based on permits. The industries report to the DEP on how well they meet the discharge goals, and the agency orders corrective action if it believes a company has exceeded the limits.
If the EPA approves the new rules, chemicals such as benzene, beryllium, trichloroethane, dichloroeylene and at least six other toxic substances will be allowed at levels higher than what the state considers safe for drinking water, agency records show.
If there are more toxics in Florida's drinking water sources, utility companies must clean the water before piping it into homes, said Dee Ann Miller, a DEP spokesperson.
Take benzene, for example. The chemical is used as a solvent and degreaser of metals and is often found in oil and gas drilling operations, in gasoline and has been found to get into groundwater from leaking underground petroleum tanks.
The federal government uses two rules to regulate benzene and dozens of other hazardous chemicals in water. One is the Safe Drinking Water Act and the other is the Clean Water Act. EPA's recommended standard for benzene in tap water is 0, but the maximum level it will allow is 0.005 micrograms per liter.
Florida has set its benzene standard for drinking water higher than zero but lower than the maximum allowed by EPA. The DEP has set the safe standard at 0.001 parts per million, or 0.001 micrograms per liter.
That means that water coming out of your tap must have no more than 0.001 micrograms of benzene per liter "to reduce the risk of cancer or other adverse health effects," according to the DEP.
Under federal Clean Water Act standards, benzene and other chemicals are allowed at higher levels — ranging from a low of 0.58 micrograms per liter to 21 micrograms per liter, said Miller.
The current law allows for 1.18 micrograms of benzene per liter in drinking water sources. The new rules would double that level to 2 micrograms per liter, forcing water companies to clean it even more than they currently do.
Bart Bibler, a former water regulator at the DEP and former bureau chief of the water program at the Department of Health, warns that while the new regulations assume that water utilities will remove the higher levels of chemicals from Florida waters, there is nothing that protects the 4 million Floridians who rely on private water wells.
"These wells aren't tested; they're essentially unregulated," Bibler said. "Nobody is notifying them to be on alert that the chemical compounds are increasing."
“Water, water, every where, nor any drop to drink.” Unlike Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s Ancient Mariner, who was surrounded by undrinkable salt water, most Americans have an unlimited supply of clean water to quench our thirsts.
Yet many of us turn a blind eye to it and instead reach for other beverages throughout the day, like sodas, juices, coffee, and tea, despite warnings from health experts over recent years about the added calories in sweetened beverages and the health benefits of plain water.
Now a recent study in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics provides even more evidence that we should choose water over other drinks if we want to control our weight. For the study, researchers from the University of Illinois looked at data on the eating (and drinking) habits of 18,311 adults as recorded in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2005 and 2012.
Survey participants were asked to recall their dietary intake over two separate days. They reported their consumption of plain water (which included tap water, water from fountains and water coolers, and bottled water) as well as their consumption of other beverages like soda, fruit drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks, and sweetened bottled waters. Participants were also questioned about their intake of “energy-dense, nutrient-poor” foods, like cookies, ice cream, chips, and pastries.
On average, participants drank 4.2 cups of plain water a day and took in 2,157 calories. About 125 of those calories came from sweetened beverages, and about 432 calories came from energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods.
The researchers found that the participants who drank the most plain water in their daily diet consumed fewer total calories, drank fewer sweetened beverages, and took in less total fat, saturated fat, sugar, salt, and cholesterol. In fact, they discovered that increasing plain water consumption by one to three cups a day could decrease calorie intake by 68 to 205 calories a day. That could add up to a lot fewer calories over time — and result in significant weight loss.
These results support prior research on this topic, which has shown that drinking water before meals and that substituting water for sweetened beverages can cut down on calorie intake and improve weight control. That means people interested in losing weight and improving their overall health could benefit from incorporating more plain water into their daily diet.
So next time you’re thirsty, instead of ignoring your kitchen sink at home or the bubbler at work, take a moment to savor the one drink that’s free, refreshing, and actually good for us: plain old water.
Floods are one of the most common hazards in the United States. Flood effects can be local, impacting a neighborhood or community, or widespread, affecting entire river basins and multiple states.
Not all floods are alike. Some develop slowly, sometimes over a period of days. But flash floods can develop quickly, sometimes in just a few minutes and without any visible signs of rain. Flash floods often have a dangerous wall of roaring water that carries rocks, mud, and other debris and can sweep away most things in its path.
Be aware of flood hazards no matter where you live, but especially if you live in a low-lying area, near water or downstream from a dam. Every state is at risk from this hazard.
BEFORE A FLOOD
Avoid building in a flood-prone area unless you elevate and reinforce your home.
Elevate the furnace, water heater, and electric panel if susceptible to flooding.
Install "check valves" in sewer traps to prevent water from backing up into the drains of your home.
Contact community officials to find out if they are planning to construct barriers (levees, beams, floodwalls) to stop water from entering the homes in your area.
Seal the walls in your basement with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage.
DURING A FLOOD
If a flood is likely in your area, you should:
Listen to the radio or television for information.
Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of that in your area, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move.
Be aware of streams, drainage channels, canyons, and other areas known to flood suddenly. Flash floods can occur in these areas with or without such typical warnings as rain clouds or heavy rain.
If you must prepare to evacuate, you should do the following:
Secure your home. If you have time, bring in outdoor furniture. Move essential items to an upper floor.
Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so. Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
If you have to leave your home, remember these evacuation tips:
Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
Do not drive into flooded areas. If flood waters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and the vehicle can be quickly swept away.
AFTER A FLOOD
The following are guidelines for the period following a flood:
Listen for news reports to learn whether the community’s water supply is safe to drink.
Avoid flood waters; water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
Avoid moving water.
Be aware of areas where flood waters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
Stay away from downed power lines, and report them to the power company.
Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by flood waters.
Use extreme caution when entering buildings; there may be hidden damage, particularly in foundations.
Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewage systems are serious health hazards.
Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals.
Floods and flash floods occur within all 50 states and can be extremely dangerous. They are the most common and widespread of all natural disasters next to fire, so knowledge and preparation is extremely important and will help keep losses to a minimum.
Flooding can be a scary, dangerous disaster, and if not dealt with swiftly and properly after the fact, you could be in for even more lingering effects. It is recommended to bring your home back into good repair as soon as you can, so as to protect your health (such as from mold) as well as preventing further damage.
But how do you do that? Great question. Let’s dive in (pun intended) and learn more about what you should do following a flood. Floodsmart.gov has many great suggestions, some of which we’ll be looking at in this article.
Take Pictures
While you will probably want to share your experience on social media, the pictures you take of the damages can - and should - be used by your insurance company when processing your claims. So before you start cleaning out and clearing up, make sure you photograph the mess your home is in, or else risk losing out on some coverage.
Stay Healthy
Floodsmart.gov recommends boiling all water for drinking and cooking until local authorities deem your water supply is safe. Because flood water can bring in a host of contaminates (including sewage, muck, and other things you don’t want in your system), you’ll want to make sure you have a way to treat your water before drinking it. Otherwise, be prepared to get a lot of bottled water from the store.
Since flood water can be super nasty, it’s best to wear rubber boots to keep the water away from your skin. Likewise, wear gloves and other protective clothing while working to clear your house of leftover water and debris.
Keep Power Off
If you’re wading around in your flooded home, the last thing you want is to be zapped by a live current. Turn your power off and you’ll be just fine.
Make sure you get rid of all your wet belongings to avoid as much as possible. Washing walls and floor will also help keep mold out. Unfortunately, in order to clean floors, you might have to tear it out and replace it. But that’s better than leaving a flooded floor inside and having mold grow underneath it, which will cause health problems later on.
File an Insurance Claim
This goes without saying, but you need to have a flood insurance policy before you can actually file a claim. And remember, that policy needs to be purchased at least 30 days before a flood, or else the claim is void.
Remove Water
Unless you’re happy with your new built-in swimming pool, it’s time to remove the water from your home. Buckets are one way to bail out your home, but a more effective way is to use a sump pump. You can find these at most home supply stores. A wet vac is also necessary to dry up that water, which will also help reduce mold growth.
Avoid Flooded Water
Lastly, avoid flood water in streets, yards, or anywhere else. Dangerous debris can harm you. If you get cut while standing in that water the dirty, deadly contaminants and organisms can creep in to your wound and infect it, compromising your health. Flood waters may also continue to have a strong current, and even shallow water can sweep you off your feet. So be very careful around flood waters.
Floods are the most common disaster in the United States and can be very dangerous and devastating. Make sure you know what to do following a flood before it happens, so when it does come you can go right to work.
It must be fire safety month at Safe Sound Family, because clearly, I have fire on the brain. I don’t want to be alarmist (haha), as that is truly not my intent. It’s just that my parents once taught me that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and I can’t think of many situations in which that idiom rings truer than it does with fire prevention and safety.
So think of today as your Cliff’s Notes to fire safety – a quick & dirty guide to protect your family from the dangers of faulty electronics, flammable goods, lightening storms, and wayward appliances.
Educate Your Kids
Kids have an awesome capacity for learning and understanding, so school them in fire safety. Children do really well with mnemonics and mantras and other tools to jog their memories in case of emergency. (For some specific tips, check out our article on fire prevention for kids or our comprehensive guide to Fire Safety for Kids.)
Smoke Alarms & Fire Extinguishers
You should have at least one smoke alarm per level of your home, plus extras in every sleeping area and near the kitchen. You should also have at least one fire extinguisher in your home, and preferably one per floor. Check smoke alarm batteries & extinguisher pressure regularly, and change batteries at least twice a year. (Read more about smoke detector placement & maintenance.)
Fire Sprinklers
Did you know you can get fire sprinklers installed in your home? I know, sounds fancy schmancy, but they’re actually quite affordable. In fact, once you factor in insurance discounts and increased property values, home fire sprinklers are actually a great investment in your family’s safety.
Kids are great – and eager – allies in your family’s fire safety plan
Plan Your Escape
You may not want to think about it, but you do need to create an emergency escape plan in case of fire.
Appliances & Electrical Safety
Nearly half of all house fires are attributed to faulty appliances, electronics, and electrical wiring. Practice proper electrical safety at home, including regular safety checks.
In the Kitchen
Okay, the number one fire safety tip in the kitchen is never leave your cooking unattended! Even if it’s just a turkey roasting for hours in the oven, don’t leave the house. If you’re using the stovetop, take extra precautions and move flammable materials (napkins, oven mitts, etc.) to a safe distance.
Smokers, Be Safe
If you smoke, you need to follow extra safety precautions. Keep lighters and matches out of reach of little hands. Always be sure to stub out your cigarettes thoroughly (or douse them in water). Never smoke near oxygen tanks, aerosol cans, or other flammable materials. Don’t smoke in bed.
Lightening
I don’t know about you but for me, lightening is both awesome and terrifying. A lightening storm, especially at night, is absolutely gorgeous. But it’s also potentially dangerous, so remember to stay inside. Stay away from water (don’t even wash your hands). Don’t use electronics. And if you feel your hair stand on end, lightening is about to strike. Duck! (Not kidding.)
Fire Protection Systems
Think of it like this: fire protection is to smoke alarms what a home security system is to DIY door sensors. In other words, a fire protection system links your smoke alarms to a security company, so they can monitor your home while you’re at work or on vacation, or can call the fire department in an emergency. Fire protection means someone else is looking out for your family, too.
Mold and humans can be a winning combination: experts estimate that penicillin has saved more than 80 million lives since it was discovered in the 1940s. However, penicillin isn’t the type of mold growing in your bathroom. At Tidal Wave Response, our teams know the mold that is likely to grow in damp places like bathrooms can have serious health consequences for the people exposed to it, including throat irritation, coughing, eye irritation and nasal stuffiness.
This is one reason it’s critical to remove and treat any area of your home if you discover mold growing there. Professional mold removal services in Alpharetta use a variety of techniques to eliminate toxic mold from homes. Removal techniques largely depend on where the mold is growing. Here are a few of the ways the pros deal with the problem.
Drywall
Mold growing on unpainted drywall can’t be eliminated. The drywall must be removed and replaced. That doesn’t necessarily mean knocking down walls; if the mold growth is recognized in a timely fashion, affected portions of the drywall can be carefully sliced out using a utility knife. And then it’s simply a matter of patching the spot.
When mold appears on a painted or primed all, the mold is likely just growing on the surface. Removing it may be as simple as using a mold-killing cleaning solution to wipe down the wall.
Carpet or Rugs
If you noticed mold growing on wall-to-wall carpeting, you’ll have to toss the carpet. There is no way to eliminate mold from fixed carpets, and allowing it to remain or ignoring the problem isn’t really an option either as mold will continue to grow.
Rugs can be cleaned, however. Professionals use a mold-killing solution to douse the rug and then scrub the mold away. Typically, they’ll take the rug outdoors to allow it to dry in the sun. Once it’s completely dry, the rug should be vacuumed with a HEPA vacuum to remove any mold spores that may have been left behind.
Tiles and Grout
Mold growing on tiles or in the grout require elbow grease and a mold-killing cleaning solution. Tiles are scrubbed completely, but if there’s much mold in the grout, the grout may have to be bleached to remove mold stains. Once the stains and mold are removed, professionals may apply a grout sealer to prevent the growth of mold in the future.
In some instances, it’s impossible to remove mold or mold stains from the grout. It can be replaced if necessary.
Depending on how much and how toxic the mold is, professionals may recommend a thorough cleaning of HVAC systems to remove mold spores and toxins from the air in the home.
Mold can seriously damage a home and the health of its occupants.
After volunteering at the homeless shelter last Thursday, I felt a call to help more. Everyone does food/pantry drives at this time of year, so I decided to do a travel-size toiletry drive.
As I was saying my goodbyes to the homeless people leaving the shelter after they had their meal, I helped give away either a pair of socks or a razor to each person. I think I would take the razor, but can you imagine having to choose?! That really caught my attention. So why travel-size toiletries? Most seemed to choose razors over socks. Hygiene is so important. I saw the need, and I saw how these people wanted to take care of themselves the best they can, but they do not have the resources to.
We are so fortunate! To actually physically be in the presence of this kind of poverty and see these men, women and children in such need, it was absolutely eye-opening. I am bringing my brothers with me to help serve one night. They need to be aware of how blessed they are! (It was a good reminder for me, too!)
If you would like to donate some new travel-size toiletries – razors, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo – or help in any way, email me! I would like to deliver the items by Wednesday November 23rd so if I can receive the items by Tuesday November 22nd that would be great. Also, please feel free to pass this email on to anyone who would be interested in helping.
Thanks!!
Posted by: Margaux
November 16, 2011
SERVPRO® of Hollywood, Hallandale/Aventura & SERVPRO® of North Miami works with many communities to provide help through donations and by landing a hand (time). We are proud of our team who constantly continue to look for new places and communities where we can give back.
Residential and Commercial Restoration and Cleaning Services
SERVPRO of Hollywood / Hallandale / Aventura provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any size disaster. Our highly trained technicians can respond immediately to your residential or commercial emergency.
Floods generally occur as a result of bad weather ( for example : storms, cyclones, tornadoes or thunderstorms, heavy or persistent rain), melting snow or ice, or the sudden discharge of water.
These events lead to a rise in the water level of major riverbeds or to an accumulation of flow water, to the resurgence of underground rivers or to thaws in low-lying areas adjoining stream banks or river estuaries. In mountainous areas, landslides, earthquakes, and avalanches can cause the overflowing or rupture of hydraulic dams or cause unstable blockages at certain points on rivers, and thus threaten or destroy people and the infrastructure located in the lower parts of valleys.
Bursting or overflowing of hydraulic dams, as well as seismic/tidal waves are special cases which require specific protective measures.
Damage caused by floods can vary greatly according to the nature of the phenomenon at the origin of the flood. They can affect whole regions or certain limited sectors. Moreover, their impact will vary according to whether the event is sudden and violent or a steady but relatively slow rise of flood waters which will inundate a vast area, especially plains situated near or at the mouth of rivers.
The danger is obviously highest in mountainous areas or steep valleys where depressions will be totally levelled or momentarily drowned then covered in debris carried by the flood water (rocks, sand, gravel); this will result in the destruction or burial of all or some of the dwellings, of the economic infrastructure and of vital installations (energy grids, communications and drinking water). This also happens when torrential rainstorms occur in arid regions and deserts where the water cannot penetrate the impermeable soil and, depending on the topography, runs off as surface water destroying homes and settlements over a wide area.
AIl types of floods have grave consequences, mainly because of their secondary effects. Localized flood, or one involving a small rise in water level can lead to large-scale damage, to the interruption or destruction of communication routes (road, rail, etc.) or the loss of infrastructure and damage to the environment (economy, supplies, crops).
Preventive and protective measures
As opposed to other natural phenomenon (landslides) or the causes of certain floods (tidal waves, bad weather), the risk of flood from rising water levels is predictable, although it is difficult to know when it will occur. It is therefore possible to determine the areas at risk.. This is also true in the case of hydraulic dam bursts or overflows since their consequences can be calculated from the volume of water held, the slope and topography of the valley, and the absorptive capacity of the rivers located below.
Long-term preventive and protective measures will essentially consist in regulating the layout of the areas at risk by legislation calling for a systematic appraisal of potential natural dangers, and taking these into account when defining areas that can be built on, and when granting planning permission. These preventive measures will, as far as possible, be completed by an obligation to replant and maintain forests and vegetation, and by the control of upland water streams and rivers. To this end, it can only be recommended that a national hydrological or geological institute responsible for studying these problems and coordinating preventive measures be set up.
At the community level general preventive measures can be summarized as follows:
- Permanent monitoring of the risk of flooding (establishment of a network to measure the water levels of streams/rivers).
- Setting up one or several information and flood warning centers for the population especially with regard to large capacity hydraulic dams.
- Issuing regulations banning building, residing in, and access to identified risk zones and implementing specific protective systems such as alarm signals.
- Building and developing infrastructure that will prevent, avoid or limit floods and protect the population.
- Planning the evacuation of the population likely to be at risk, and instructing them on how to behave in case of a flood.
- Forming well trained and equipped management and rescue teams.
- Lowering water levels in hydraulic dams and increasing the flow of rivers ) preventive measures.
A Trusted Leader in the Water Restoration Industry
Locally Owned and Operated
Advanced Water Inspection, Extraction, and Drying
Equipment
When your Hollywood home has water damage from flooding or leaks, we have the expertise and equipment to properly restore your property. The water removal and water cleanup process is completed by our highly-trained technicians who will document the drying process. This validates that your property has been dried properly and thoroughly.
We live and work in this community too; we might even be neighbors. As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Hollywood / Hallandale / Aventura is close by and ready to respond to your flood or water damage emergency. We are proud to be an active member of the Hollywood community and want to do our part to make our community the best it can be.
Why Choose SERVPRO of Hollywood / Hallandale / Aventura?
We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster
Immediate action is crucial when dealing with water damage. With over 1,650 U.S. and Canadian Franchise locations, we are strategically positioned to be faster to any size water emergency, so Hollywood residents can expect an immediate response, day or night.
We are water damage specialists who get started promptly to get your property dry and back to pre-water-damage condition. Using advanced water removal and drying equipment and scientific drying principles to get your property dried quickly, we document the drying process to validate your home or business is ready. Learn about our water damage training and certificates.
We invest in the latest technology and equipment because it helps us restore your home more quickly and to minimize cost. This equipment allows us to detect hidden moisture and extract standing water quickly and efficiently. We also utilize professional-strength cleaning, sanitizing, and deodorizing products to cleaning and sanitize the affected water damage area for your comfort and safety.
Since every flood and water damage scenario is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions. However, the overall water restoration process remains the same. The steps below detail our restoration process for the typical water-damaged property.
The term "earthquake" or seismic tremor is a good description of the natural phenomenon which suddenly strikes an area causing damage that varies according to the intensity of the quake and local geological conditions. Close to the epicenter of the quake, the damage is direct, resulting in immediate destruction, such as collapsed buildings and other infrastructure, and indirect or secondary, resulting, for example, in fires, landslides, ruptured water and gas mains, interruption of electricity supplies, floods, etc..
It should be noted that the main quake is regularly followed by after-tremors, which may occur a few hours, days or even months later and which can be as violent as the initial earthquake. These can cause considerable additional damage which, unless protective measures are taken by the political authorities and their intervening bodies, can result in numerous victims.
Seismic waves (usually known by their Japanese name, "Tsunamis" or tidal waves) are caused by severe underwater earthquakes, or by collapsing sea or lake beds which often result from an earthquake or volcanic eruption. The waves produced spread in all directions at high speed (several hundred kilometers an hour) and, even after having travelled several hundred kilometers from their underwater epicenter, may become very high (tens of meters) when they reach shallow coastal waters or narrow bays. They thus give rise to major dangers for the exposed population and coastal infrastructure, such as hotel resorts, port installations and buildings on the coast.
Preventive and protective measures
Because man has no control over earthquakes they must be considered as unavoidable events.
The damage they cause can, therefore, only be limited by taking long-term security measures to avoid the collapse of homes and important infrastructure, such as, for example dams, nuclear power stations, reservoirs of toxic or inflammable materials, power lines, communication networks, bridges, etc. It is the same for tsunamis. It is clear that such long-term security measures will be adapted to the major dangers that threaten different regions. This is notably the case for areas subject to high tectonic pressure or situated over geological faults, the main causes of high seismic activity (for example the areas situated around the Pacific Ocean and the Mediterranean).
It is up to the governments of the states at risk to establish local seismic building standards ensuring that buildings are resistant to earthquakes, having a solid base and foundations with shock absorbers or dampers that can reduce the effects of seismic tremors. Building should also be flexible and resistant to horizontal and vertical tensions. However, the recent earthquakes in Kobe and Los Angeles have shown that full protection from earthquakes does not exist.
It should be noted that states with civil protection shelters for use in wartime have at their disposal an additional safety measure to protect their citizens in case of an earthquake and, more particularly, from the aftershocks.
Logically, precautions against tsunamis can only consist in the establishment of an observation and warning system along the coasts which have been shown in the past to be subject to this type of disaster.
A Trusted Leader in the Water Restoration Industry
Locally Owned and Operated
Storm and flood damage require specialized restoration techniques and equipment. When a storm hits your Hollywood home, you need the company with storm damage experience and expertise. SERVPRO of Hollywood / Hallandale / Aventura can respond immediately to storm and flooding conditions.
Why Choose SERVPRO of Hollywood / Hallandale / Aventura?
We're Faster to Any Size Disaster
We’re dedicated to responding immediately to water and storm damage emergencies. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces cost.
We specialize in flooding and storm damage restoration, the cornerstone of our business. We have extensive water damage and storm restoration training that allows us to get your home back to normal quickly.
We Have the Resources to Handle Storms and Disasters
We can scale our resources to handle any size storm or disaster. We can access resources from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams strategically located throughout the country.
Locally Owned Company with National Storm Resources
We live and work in this community too; we might even be neighbors. As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Hollywood / Hallandale / Aventura is close by and ready to respond to storm and disaster events. We are proud to be an active member of the Hollywood community and want to do our part to make our community the best it can be.
Molds are small organisms found almost everywhere. They can be black, white, orange, green, or purple. Outdoors, molds play an important role in nature, breaking down dead leaves, plants, and trees.
Molds thrive on moisture and reproduce by means of tiny, lightweight spores that travel through the air. You’re exposed to mold every day.
In small amounts, mold spores are usually harmless, but when they land on a damp spot in your home, they can start to grow. When mold is growing on a surface, spores can be released into the air where they can be easily inhaled. If you're sensitive to mold and inhale a large number of spores, you could experience health problems.
Here are the beginning signs of mold to look for:
Peeling or cracked paint
Discoloration and bulging on drywall
The smell of a moldy odor
Small mold spots on any surfaces
Controlling Mold:
It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors. Mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem.
· Alternaria -found in showers or under sinks with leaky pipes. Also common in buildings that have had water damage. This type of mold can easily spread through an entire condo unit and into adjacent units.
· Aureobasidium– found in units that has wooden surfaces, wallpaper, painted surfaces and window frames. It is pink and black.
· Botrytis – grows in areas with high levels of humidity, like bathrooms with poor ventilation. Chaetomium – usually grows on drywall with water damage. It can usually be identified by its musty odor.
· Cladosporium –Can grows on fabrics, like carpets, and on wood surfaces, like cabinets and floorboards.
· Trichoderma– This usually grows on damp carpet or wallpaper.
· Stachybotrys- chart Arum-This is more commonly known as “black mold” because it is slimy and black. This can be a very toxic mold, producing toxic compounds that cause severe health issues. This grows in areas that are consistently damp and in air conditioning ducts with leaking pipes or high levels of condensation.
Any home or business can quickly become infested with mold with the introduction of a water source, like a roof or plumbing leak. Mold can spread throughout a property in as little as 48-72 hours, and can produce allergens and irritants that have the potential to cause other health effects.
If you suspect that your home or business has a mold problem, SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals can inspect and assess your property. If mold is found, they have the training, equipment, and expertise to handle the situation.
Please refer to our Mold Damage Tips to learn more about mold and what to do until help arrives.
WorldOceans Dayis a global day of ocean celebration and collaboration for a better future. This site serves as the central coordinating platform for World Oceans Day, with free resources and ideas for everyone – no matter where you live – to help expand the reach and impact of World Oceans Day on June 8 and year round.
This year's theme is “Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet” and individuals and organizations across the planet are taking action for prevention of plastic pollution in our ocean.
World Oceans Day has grown tremendously each year since The Ocean Project started coordinating it in 2002. With hundreds of partners involved, and the United Nations officially recognizing June 8 as World Oceans Day in 2008, we have reached millions worldwide.
SERVPRO® of North Miami can help sellers resolve trouble spots you may have before listing your property up for sell or schedule for inspection. Homeowners can choose to handle these issues themselves to avoid filing an insurance claim for the damage because it may not be covered under the home's policy.
Whether the problem is a water stain on a hardwood floor or a mildew smell in a room, reassure your clients that your SERVPRO® of North Miami Franchise Professional can get their home in top show condition and ready to sell.
It's a fact: A clean, fresh smelling home sells faster. Unfortunately, not all homes are maintained in the same way. Nearly all realtors are faced, at some point, with a diffcult listing to sell.
Veteran realtors encourage clients to keep their homes in top condition for very important reasons:
•Increased market value
•Reduced list to sale conversion times
•Enhanced reputation for quality listings and quick sales
The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is a non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety in the home, school, and workplace. To commemorate National Electrical Safety Month, ESFI spearheads an annual campaign to educate key audiences about the steps that can be taken in order to reduce the number of electrically-related fires, fatalities, injuries, and property loss. ESFI's National Electrical Safety Month 2016 campaign features a comprehensive collection of new and updated resources to help facilitate an effective electrical safety awareness campaign for your community, organization, school, or family. Included is an extensive collection of useful fact sheets and related safety tips, plus templates and tools you can use to promote electrical safety and National Electrical Safety Month in your home, school, community, or workplace. We have even provided media outreach materials and social media content to further spread our life-saving campaign messages.
Raising awareness about electrical hazards is the key to reducing home electrical fires, injuries and death, which is why we developed ESFI's 2016 National Electrical Safety Month Electrical Safety Advocate Guide. Together, we can reduce the number of electrically-related deaths and injuries – one home, one school, and one workplace at a time.
Hurricane season is around the corner, therefore it is important to always be prepared for any major catastrophe. Here are some basic preparedness tips to stay safe from the READY Gov:
Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the local hurricane evacuation route(s) to take and have a plan for where you can stay. Contact your local emergency management agency for more information.
Put together a disaster supply kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, first aid supplies, and copies of your critical information if you need to evacuate
If you are not in an area that is advised to evacuate and you decide to stay in your home, plan for adequate supplies in case you lose power and water for several days and you are not able to leave due to flooding or blocked roads.
Many communities have text or email alerting systems for emergency notifications.To find out what alerts are available in your area, search the Internet with your town, city, or county name and the word “alerts."
SERVPRO provides a perfect prevention plan which will allow you to avoid any catastrophies or any emergencies. The ERP (Emergency Ready Profile) will help you to minimize business interruptions and be prepared for this hurricane season.
Each year, Earth Day-April 22-marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. The idea for a national day to focus on the environment came to Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, after witnessing the ravages of the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California.For more information: Earth day history Air pollution weekApril 25 - 29 Held the last week in April, Air Quality Awareness Week is an annual opportunity to engage school communities in conversations on air pollution and children's health.
Check out the link below to find study topics for each day of the week:
Monday: It's not just ozone, particle pollution matters, too
Tuesday: Know when you can breathe easy - on World Asthma Day
Wednesday: Particle pollution can harm your heart
Thursday: Where there's smoke, there's particle pollution
Friday: You can help keep the air cleaner and your family healthier
Influenza (also known as the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The flu is a different and enhanced form of a cold. The flu usually comes about in an abrupt manner. People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:
Fever* or feeling feverish/chills
Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle or body aches
Headaches
Fatigue (tiredness)
Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
Intrusion of water into your home or place of business can result in mold growth. Water intrusions can reslut from storm damage, plumbing, or equipment failures, long-standing leaks, and poor humidity control. When water intrusions are not addressed right away, the resulting damage can present increased risk of harmful mold growth. Some amount of mold spores are normally present in most environments.
If the Humidity and moisture levels in a water-damaged environment are not promptly returned to normal, mold spores may grow and multiply. Organic materials found inside a building, such as wood, drywall, paper, and insulation provide food sources for mold to flourish. Excessive mold growth can lead to indoor environmental conditions that may cause health effects.
SERVPRO has trained professionals in mold remediation. Don't wait any longer to have your home, office, or building inspected for call. Call SERVPRO of North Miami for more information (305) 895-4880.
Since the ventilation system is often the biggest culprit in poor indoor air quality, inspecting the ductwork should be a high priority. In most cases, the HVAC system has been operating for some time without much attention. Dirty ducts can circulate odors, contaminants such as mold and irrigating dust throughout your building, office, or home.
A routine part of a SERVPRO franchise Professional's service is inspecting the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit (HVAC). Keeping the HVAC system and ductwork clean can potentially extend the life span of the equipment by allowing it to operate at peak condition, which may save you money. Apart from helping financially, a clean HVAC system will also permit your home's air quality to remain in pristine condition.
Exposure to biological and chemical contaminants can pose serious health consequences. A failure to properly remove such substances can contribute to unhealthy and dangerous environments. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals are trained to safely clean and remove biohazardous substances and dispose of them properly in accordance with OSHA and health regulations.Equipped with the necessary safety apparatus and cleaning products, SERVPRO Franchise Professionals are here to help transform any unsafe environments back into clean, safe homes and offices.Please refer to our Biohazard Emergency Tips- Until Help Arrives Guide and follow these tips to protect yourself and your property.
Vandalism
"Actions involving deliberate destruction of or damage to public or private property"Properties can help prevent vandalism using the following methods:1. Using good lighting in and around your property . This ensures that potential vandals are more visible and increases their chances of getting caught.2. Use unbreakable fixtures or glass when possible. This reduces a person's opportunities to vandalize.3. Lock any gates, garages and external doors around your property to prevent unauthorized access. Also lock up any equipment or tools that may be easy targets for vandals.4. Clean up any signs of vandalism as soon as they appear. This may involve repairing broken or damaged signs or equipment.5. Keep Landscaping trimmed so that no hiding or obscured areas are created. Bushes and trees can enhance your property's curb appeal, but they can also create a haven for criminals dodging passing vehicles or police. Well-trimmed landscaping that is designed to work you lighting will make your property less attractive to offenders 6. If you see someone committing an act of vandalism, report it to the police.
As a FIRE prevention Month, SERVPRO of North Miamiwould like to share some tips and facts about preventing from any FIRE disasters.
The first 48 hours after a FIRE damage can make the difference between restoring versus replacing your property and personal belongings. SERVPRO . SERVPRO'S 1-4-8 Service Response Guidelines can help prevent FIRE DAMAGE from creating long-term problems. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals provide timely response with MITIGATION services ranging from FIRE, SMOKE AND SOOT REMOVAL to contents claims inventory and document restoration. these services help ensure your property, belongings and memories are restored to preloss condition when possible. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals are available 24-hours a day, 365 days a year to help you regain control quickly. WHAT YOU CAN DO UNTIL HELP ARRIVES
Limit movement in the home to prevent SOOT particles from spreading and additional damage from occurring
Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
Place clean towels or old linens on rugs and high traffic areas and UPHOLSTERY.
If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the United States and can happen anywhere. How to Prepare for a Flood explains how to protect yourself and your property, and details the steps to take now so that you can act quickly when you, your home, or your business is in danger.
WHAT:
Flooding is an overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. Flooding may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop.
WHEN:
Flooding can occur during any season, but some areas of the country are at greater risk at certain times of the year. Coastal areas are at greater risk for flooding during hurricane season (i.e., June to November), while the Midwest is more at risk in the spring and during heavy summer rains. Ice jams occur in the spring in the Northeast and Northwest. Even the deserts of the Southwest are at risk during the late summer monsoon season.
WHERE:
Flooding can happen in any U.S. state or territory. It is particularly important to be prepared for flooding if you live in a low-lying area near a body of water, such as a river, stream, or culvert; along a coast; or downstream from a dam or levee.
HOW:
Flooding can occur in several ways, including the following.
Rivers and lakes cannot contain excessive rain or snowmelt.
Excessive rain or snowmelt cannot be fully absorbed into the ground.
Waterways are blocked with debris or ice and overflow.
Water containment systems break, such as levees, dams, or water or sewer systems.
Strong winds from tropical storms or hurricanes cause a storm surge by pushing seawater onto land.
The speed and duration of flooding can vary significantly.
Flooding can occur slowly as rain continues to fall for many days. This type of flooding, sometimes called a slow-onset flood, can take a week to develop and can last for months before floodwaters recede.
Rapid-onset floods occur more quickly, typically developing within hours or days. These types of floods usually occur in smaller watersheds experiencing heavy rainfall, particularly in mountainous and urban areas, and the water usually recedes within a few days.
Some rapid-onset floods known as flash floods occur very quickly with little or no warning, such as during periods of extremely heavy rain or when levees, dams, ice jams, or water systems break. Densely populated areas are at a high risk for flash floods. In urban areas, flash floods can fill underpasses, viaducts, parking structures, low roads, and basements.
The strong winds of a tropical cyclone or hurricane can push large amounts of seawater up onto the land, causing a storm surge. A storm surge combines with the ocean’s tide to produce a storm-tide surge. Storm-tide surges have been registered as high as almost 35 feet above normal sea level and can cause significant flooding across a large area. This generally occurs over a short period, typically 4 to 8 hours, but in some areas, it can take much longer for the water to recede to its pre-storm level.
IMPACT:
The physical destruction caused by flooding depends on the speed and level of the water, the duration of the flood, terrain and soil conditions, and the built environment (e.g., buildings, roads, and bridges).
Flooding can cause fatalities and serious injuries for people who are trapped or swept away by wading in, driving through, or boating across floodwaters.
Transportation routes, power, water, gas, and other services may be disrupted.
Commercial supplies and government support systems may be temporarily unavailable.
Drinking water supplies and wells may become polluted.
Floodwaters can cause erosion, which can damage roads, bridge structures, levees, and buildings with weak foundations, causing their collapse without warning. The floodwaters may carry the worn-away mud, rocks, and other sediment.
Landslides and mudslides can occur.
Even a few inches of floodwater in a home can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage.
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