How a Fire Can Cause Water Damage In Your Business

10/7/2022 (Permalink)

How a Fire Can Damage Your Business With Water

When a fire takes place, a lot of damage can occur. The majority of the damage can actually be caused by the water used to put out the fire. This water can damage your floorboards and drywall as well as your furniture and other personal belongings. It is important to get a solution to this problem as fast as possible.

When a fire takes place, a lot of damage can occur.

When a fire takes place, it can cause extensive damage to the structure as well as everything inside of it. Water used to put out the fire will also cause further damage in many cases. In addition to smoke damage and soot that gets into your walls and carpeting, water used by firefighters or in attempts to extinguish the flames can cause even more trouble. The water could leak into other rooms through cracks in walls or if part of your ceiling collapses onto another room below it. 

A fast cleanup prevents the water from spreading through your entire home.

Water damage is a serious problem. Water can quickly lead to mold and mildew, which pose several risks to your home or business. If you suspect that you have water damage, it's important to address the issue as soon as possible.

If you've experienced a fire in your home, it's critical to call an emergency restoration company right away. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that water will spread throughout the house through pipes and other connections between rooms. This makes cleanup more difficult—and therefore more expensive—for everyone involved!

The best way to prevent this type of damage is by having a plan in place ahead of time so that everything runs smoothly when something goes wrong.

Water damage cleanup can mitigate many of these problems.

After a fire, it is important to have the water damage cleaned up as soon as possible. Water damage can be especially destructive in a fire environment due to the high temperatures and chemicals that are present. If you wait too long, you could end up with mold growth or even electrical hazards which could cause further problems for your home's condition.

If you're worried about how much this process will cost you, don't worry! Often times professional companies will offer free estimates so that they can give you an idea of what they think it will take to complete your project before they start working on it. Companies such as SERVPRO will work with your insurance company to ensure that the entire claims process is taken care of from start to finish.

It is important to get a solution to this problem as fast as possible.

Water damage is a serious problem, and it should be treated as such. It is important to get a solution to this problem as fast as possible. Don’t wait for the water to dry out on its own; instead, contact your local SERVPRO team as quickly as possible. 

When this happens, you will want to hire professionals who specialize in treating water and fire-damaged properties so that they can help you get your home cleaned up appropriately before any lasting effects occur.

If you have any questions or comments about getting your home back in order after suffering from this type of damage, please do not hesitate to reach out! We are always happy to help our customers with whatever they need.

Getting the water and fire damage cleanup done quickly and correctly will help you avoid further problems down the line. It is important to take care of this problem as soon as possible because it can lead to mold growth if left untreated. If you want more information on how we can help with your water damage cleanup needs call us today!

Taking Care of a Roof Leak

8/29/2022 (Permalink)

Take Action and Consider the Following Three Tips

When the storm blew through Apponaug, RI, the intense, high winds potentially hurt the building's exterior, in particular creating a roof leak. These are not always obvious, often appearing down the road only weeks after water has built up in the ceiling. As a business owner, you'll want to have the rooftop inspected and repaired as soon as possible, avoiding major problems and potential shut downs. Protect your establishment. Take action, and consider the following three tips.

1. Get an Inspection
As soon as the system finishes, contact a roofer to look over the top, seeking any cracks, holes or missing shingles. These weaknesses need immediate attention, covered with a tarp to avoid additional water absorption. At this point, a water remediation team should be called and asked to evaluate any trouble. You'll need to understand how much moisture entered the ceiling and the rooms underneath. Tests can be done, determining humidity exposure as well as mold development.

2. Secure and Clear the Area
While the outside is tested, begin looking for any internal complications deriving from the roof leak. Is the carpet soggy? Are walls or ceiling tiles showing stains? Notify the crew of any issues. Then, work with them to safely remove electronics and furniture from the rooms, avoiding further loss. Do not allow others to enter; in fact, post signs warning of issues.

3. Seek Water Restoration
Your experts need to tear out any water-logged structure from the damaged roof. The section is repaired, and then the location needs to be dried thoroughly to avoid microbial growth. With that completed, cleaning occurs, along with an application of antimicrobial spray. Finally, the team begins to tackle repairing anything else that was ruined. Ceiling tiles and drywall get patched, and a fresh coat of paint is applied.
It's important to check for a roof leak anytime a severe storm passes through. By finding and fixing damage early, your company can minimize destruction.

Top 5 Places Where Mold Forms in Businesses

5/26/2022 (Permalink)

Five Places Where Mold Grows

One big aspect of mold prevention is early detection. Although it is impossible to completely eliminate the possibility of fungal intruders in Pilgrim Park, RI, uncovering growths that have recently begun to develop grants you an opportunity to stop infestations from worsening. Here are five locations within your office that should be checked regularly.

1. HVAC Drain Pans
Air conditioning pans are located near your temperature control system’s cooling coils. The sweat that develops as air moves through the coils drips into the pan. When flow rates become too high, the collected condensation can overflow. This runoff sometimes soaks ductwork, making mold a possibility.

2. Ducts
Air moving through ductwork contains heavy moisture. When this buildup condenses, it gets absorbed into duct linings. Besides checking for growths, ensure that your system’s airflow rates are optimal as an additional form of mold prevention.

3. Ceilings
Because they tend to be porous, mold sometimes grows in ceiling tiles. Those adjacent to HVAC system vents are particularly vulnerable. Mold in ceilings can also result from roof leaks. When this happens, the eventual water damage gives good reason for hiring an expert roofing repair team. Such professionals are also typically capable of safely removing mold growth.

4. Carpeting
Carpets are susceptible to spills, floods and leaks. Look underneath yours to determine whether dampness exists. A wet vacuum should be employed when water is discovered. Follow this step with a good steam cleaning. Fans and dehumidifiers may also be used to accelerate the process.

5. Wallboard
Flooding, groundwater and mechanical system leaks are common causes of damp wallboard. Get rid of compromised wallboard by cutting at least 20 inches above the water’s high point. Make certain that all wall and ceiling cavities are thoroughly dried before installing a fresh set.
An important part of mold prevention is rapid discovery. Halt the progress of fungal invasions by regularly checking your building’s most common trouble spots.

Why Mold Smells Bad and What That Means for Your Business

4/14/2022 (Permalink)

Don't ignore a mold smell at your business.

Why Mold Can Smell?

Recently, you've noticed a musty smell when you first walk into the office in the morning in East Greenwich, RI. You're suspicious that it could be mold, but you've checked the likely places — bathrooms, under plants, the lunchroom refrigerator — but you haven't seen anything that looks like mold. What now? Typically, if you notice a mold smell, it's a sign that there is mold somewhere. Here are the three reasons why mold can smell and how to find out if it's hiding in the walls.

1. What Is Mold?

Mold is a fungus that happily grows in warm, moist environments. Mold exists everywhere — indoors and outdoors — so spores are always present and ready to move in and grow anywhere when they find a suitable location. Mold can grow on many surfaces, especially on porous materials, and comes in many colors.

2. What Causes the Smell?

The fungus smell or musty odor that you notice is caused by compounds that mold produces and releases into the air; mold itself does not smell. Because the presence of mold causes bad smells, it is important to call a mold remediation specialist to come and do an assessment soon after you notice a mold smell. Even if you can't see it, mold is likely present somewhere and needs to be addressed.

3. How Can You Find Hidden Mold?

When the remediation professional comes, they will do a visual inspection like you did, but they also have access to top-of-the-line tools, such as thermal cameras that allow them to look behind your walls to find areas of moisture that may be a breeding ground for mold. Thermal cameras measure the energy that is emitted from an object. The professionals will be able to tell if a pipe is leaking or if a crack in the foundation is allowing moisture to seep into the building. Then, they will be able to advise you on what needs to be done for proper mold cleanup.
Don't ignore a mold smell at your business. Even if you can't see mold, a mildew smell is a strong indicator of a mold problem.

3 Common FAQs About Mold in the Workplace

3/31/2022 (Permalink)

Mold FAQs

When you discover mold at your East Natick, RI, business, you might be alarmed about the possible damage it might have already done. Mold growth can affect drywall, carpeting and your building’s HVAC system and sometimes grow out of sight until its musty odor alerts you to its presence. Calling in a professional mold mitigation and removal service can help you eradicate the mold, and there are a few questions you can ask before the process begins.

1. What Causes Mold?

There are usually two main factors that cause mold to grow: high humidity and moisture. For example, a toilet overflow in the employee restroom that was not cleaned up properly might cause mold to grow behind a toilet or a leak in your HVAC system might allow warm air to seep in and create a humid environment there. Floods and leaks are usually the catalysts for mold growth.

2. Are There Different Types of Mold?

While there are several dozen different types of mold, the one that usually follows water damage is black mold, so-called because of its dark green or blackish color. This mold is prolific and can grow as soon as 24 hours after standing water is allowed to stagnate in a flooded area. You might see it on drywall, paper documents and stored office furniture. If you recognize this type of mold, it is wise to seal off the area until professional help arrives.

3. Why Does Mold Smell?

Mold gives off an odor because as the spores attach to moist areas and begin to eat and grow, they give off a waste product called mycotoxins. This creates a musty odor, which smells like wet dirty laundry, you might associate with fungi growth. Your mold removal and restoration team can help you pinpoint the source if you can smell the problem but cannot see it.
When mold growth affects your East Natick, RI, business, knowing where to begin with cleanup efforts can be a challenge. However, when you know which questions to ask, you may feel more confident about the outcome.

How To Take Care of Belongings After a Commercial Fire

1/25/2022 (Permalink)

How to Care for Your Personal Property After a Commercial Fire

Dealing with a commercial electrical fire in Hoxie, RI is no business owner’s ideal way to spend an afternoon, but being prepared for the ins and outs of the aftermath can help ease the process. Depending on how extensive the fire is, any number of belongings and structural areas may have been severely damaged. Treating those belongings will be up to the restoration company either you or your insurance company has chosen, but knowing the process can go a long way toward alleviating concerns, as well as helping determine the difference between a reputable and not-so-reputable restoration company.

Content Restoration

A truly professional restoration company will have a “restore” mindset rather than “replace” when it comes to the contents in the affected area, but that’s not to say that all items will be salvageable. A reputable restoration company will do everything in its power to restore salvageable items to their pre-fire condition. Depending on the type of damage, restoration workers will use a number of methods to restore items, including wet, dry, foam, abrasive and immersion cleaning, as well as a spray and wipe method.

Pack-Outs

Sometimes, if an electrical fire affected a large enough area, items will have to be packed out of the room or rooms in order to assess the damage more effectively. Not only does this speed up the remodeling process, but it also protects damaged contents from further damage during the restoration process.

Electronic Cleanup

With an electrical fire, perhaps the items most likely to be unsalvageable are the electronics that started the fire in the first place. This decision varies case by case, however, and it’s important to leave it up to the professionals to assess whether or not an item can be salvaged. When it comes to television or computer cleanup, it’s important to act quickly to prevent further damage. It’s also important that you do not attempt to turn on or operate any electronic device that has been damaged by fire until a restoration professional has inspected or restored it.