Preparing Your Business for Restoration After a Disaster

7/2/2024 (Permalink)

If a fire, flood or any other cause damages your business, you can always count on us for restoration assistance.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned as the owner of a business? 

Many business owners say they have found it’s not always possible to plan for the future—or to see an event that will impact your business coming. Others say they’ve had to find new ways to engage with their customers and continue providing services.  These are essential lessons that carry on to other parts of the business, too. It’s crucial to have a plan in place to help you deal with the different types of disasters that business owners can face, like fires, flooding or severe storms. 

Because SERVPRO® of Southern McHenry County wants to be a resource for business owners in our area, we’ve put together some powerful tips to help you if you ever need commercial restoration services. 

What You Need to Know About Starting a Restoration Project 

The majority of business owners can open their doors again after a fire or flood damages their business. It’s possible to not only open again but also to be more successful. 

Here’s how we recommend you start the process: 

• Your disaster plan is a crucial component. Invest in a disaster plan before you need it and do everything you can to follow it in the aftermath of a fire, flood or another type of natural disaster. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when your business is damaged, so knowing what you will do in advance helps. You may want to think about moving your business to a backup location so you can continue operating. 
• Document all your damage. You’ll want to take plenty of pre-cleanup photos of your property to show your insurance company. It’s smart to inventory the items inside your business that were damaged, compromised or destroyed. Include the values of these items on your inventory list. 
• Don’t forget to update your community. Providing your suppliers, your employees, your customers and your wider community with regular updates about your progress, a temporary location or your reopening is essential. 
• Set up an ERP with Team Miller. We can prepare an Emergency Response Profile to prevent unpredictable seasonal weather from catching you off guard. The profile sets up priority response, a customized restoration plan before an emergency occurs, a single point of contact for multiple facilities and provides local as well as national coverage. 

If a fire, flood or any other cause damages your business, you can always count on us for restoration assistance. We have crews who are available 24/7 in the event of an emergency.

SERVPRO® Can Help Your Business

7/2/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is to reduce business interruptions and recovery costs.

SERVPRO® is committed to providing expert fire and water cleanup and restoration services to reduce business interruptions and recovery costs. Our team can also provide specialized commercial cleaning services to maintain the best appearance of your facility. 

• Fire, Smoke and Soot Cleanup and Restoration: Pretesting helps us determine what type of fire has taken place. Knowing the types of smoke and their behavior patterns are vital to proper restoration. 
• Water Removal and Dehumidification: Our professionals identify the source and type of water which determines the proper course of action. Drying equipment controls temperature and humidity, minimizing secondary damage. 
• Biohazard and Vandalism Cleanup: SERVPRO franchise technicians are trained to safely and effectively clean biohazardous substances and prepare waste for proper disposal according to OSHA, EPA, and state and local health regulations. 
• Mold Mitigation and Remediation: Our professionals work to control and remediate mold contaminants while protecting your health and safety. 
• Contents Claim Inventory: Accurate inventory helps keep cost low and reduces job completion time. Our professionals can provide an itemized, area-by-area loss inventory. 

Celebrate the 4th of July with Safety in Mind

7/2/2024 (Permalink)

Celebrating the 4th of July can be a blast – literally. When getting ready to celebrate the long weekend, it’s important to take note of the proper safety precautions to avoid series injury or potential fire hazards when grilling or setting off fireworks to celebrate Independence Day. 

Tips for Grilling Safely 

• Keep your grill at least 10 ft. away from the walls of your home, garage, etc.  
• Never leave a lit grill unattended.  
• Never add starter fluid to ignited coals. 
• Use long-handed grilling equipment to avoid getting burned. 

Safely Setting Off Fireworks 

• Stay at lease 500 ft. away from a public, live firework show. 
• Keep a fire extinguisher or a supply of water nearby in case any fireworks do cause a fire. 
• Never hold any part of your body directly over a firework as you light them to avoid burning your hands, face, chest, etc. 
• Keep fireworks out of the reach of children. Always keep children within your sight if they are playing with sparklers. 
• If a firework does not go off, do not attempt to light it again. 

If an unavoidable fire disaster does occur to your property, know that SERVPRO® is available 24/7/365 to help you with every step of the fire restoration process. 

Being Prepared Before A Disaster Strikes

11/3/2023 (Permalink)

Always be prepared before a Disaster Strikes

SERVPRO® franchises have been in business since 1967, meaning 50+ years of disaster recovery experience. In 50 years, over 2,000 franchises have been opened and run all over the United States and Canada. Each franchise is independently owned and operated, but still able to work as a team for large events. We are in your community, Here to Help!

SERVPRO can handle any size job from a small residential disaster to a large commercial facility. We have unlimited staff and resources to take care of the job quickly and efficiently. For commercial properties, we understand the need to limit business interruption after a disaster. Our staff can act quickly to ensure your business is back up and running. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergencies.

The restoration industry is governed by the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) which identifies our standards we must on all cleaning & restoration projects. Our SERVPRO employees are certified as Water Restoration Technicians, Applied Structural Drying, Commercial Structural Drying, Fire Smoke Restoration Technicians, Applied Microbial Remediation Technicians, and several others through the IICRC. Our highly trained staff is Here to Help with any of your disaster recoveries needs to make it “Like it never even happened.” All onsite employees, as well as any subcontractors brought to a job, are all background checked prior to working with our SERVPRO Team.

SERVPRO’s Emergency Ready Profile (ERP)

SERVPRO offers an Emergency Ready Profile (ERPs) to commercial building owners. These profiles are a start-up approach that provides critical information needed to begin mitigation and recovery services. The program was developed to help commercial building owners be prepared before a disaster happens.  

Are you ready for whatever happens? Emergency disasters that interrupt businesses cause devastation. Did you know that about 50% of businesses close and never reopen due to a disaster? Of those businesses that did reopen, most of them had some type of response plan in place. Preparedness is key!

It is not always top of mind to plan for a disaster, but we can help you with that. Emergencies that damage your business will happen when you least expect them, so it is always better to be prepared. Having a plan in place expresses trust in your team members and employees. It provides reassurance to your customers & clients that you are prepared to minimize business interruption. Timing is everything!

Call your local SERVPRO to get an Emergency Ready Profile started. The profile can be completed at your pace with the assistance of one of our SERVPRO team members. It is completely up to you, the business owner, facilities manager, or property engineer to decide what important information you want or need on your profile. There is no cost for the profile, and it is a great value to your business. The profile is easily accessible through a mobile app (password protected) and can even be emailed over as a PDF!

Information that can be included in your ERP to make it helpful in case of a disaster strike includes, but is not limited to, building access information, employee and emergency contacts, utility contacts and shut-off locations, primary contact information, insurance contact information, property owner information, etc. You can decide how much information you would like to include within the app.  Pictures are also available to attach on tabs in the profile to have a visual of shut-off locations, PDFs of emergency action plans, or floor plans.  

Your Local Franchise

SERVPRO of Southern McHenry County has been in business for 22 years. We are locally owned and operated as a small business in the community. We want to ensure we take care of our customers with the utmost respect during the difficult times they may be facing with a disaster in their home or office.

Contact us today to learn more about our services. If you are interested in an Emergency Ready Profile for your business, contact our office, and a SERVPRO team member will call to set up a meeting to start the process.

SERVPRO of Southern McHenry County

847-516-1600

Using Containment to Reduce Mold Damage in Southern McHenry County

11/2/2023 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO technicians can remediate mold damage with advanced equipment and IICRC-Certified training in Southern McHenry County.

SERVPRO Mold Remediation Teams Can Cleanup Infestation

A mold is a form of fungi that grows in humid environments and indoor spaces. Sometimes, this microbial organism may develop in the rooms or structure of your home. Getting rid of infestation usually requires the assistance of professional remediators that have the know-how and expertise to strike at the source of the issue. 

SERVPRO has mold damage remediation technicians in Southern McHenry County. We have decades of experience helping residents and local business owners overcome potential microbial growth issues in their properties. Microbes rely on spores to reproduce, found in almost all environments on earth, including your home. Spores are a relatively benign feature that only becomes a problem when combined with moisture which allows them to grow and reproduce. Correcting a microbial infestation relies on discovering the source of the problem, which is usually a moisture issue. Our technicians are well-versed in the problems that cause moisture issues in a home environment. These are commonly due to structural exposure, for example, faulty roofing, insufficient insulation that leads to condensation issues, or leaking pipes. Using our training, we can rectify the source of the problem to prevent further infestation. 

Once the source of the problem is under control, our technicians can begin to reverse the damage. Depending on the scope of damages, the removal of infestation may involve chemical action, controlled demolition, or abrasive cleaning. A prime candidate for chemical action is when a microbial infestation visibly affects a surface, but the surface remains dry. A dry, moldy surface usually indicates that there was a one-time spillage or leak that allowed fungi to grow but has since dried. Technicians can apply a biocide or antimicrobial chemical directly onto the surface. After a few days, the chemical destroys the infestation, and any residual elements can be cleaned easily using detergents or other rinsing agents. 

Practices for Removing Microbial Growth

• Chemical agents that destroy microbes include biocides like anti-microbial sprays like sanitizer. 
• Controlled demolition involves removing an infested material such as drywall which is then replaced once an infestation is removed.
• Abrasive action can involve corrosive chemical agents or abrasion tools such as sand and soda blasting machines. These remove the surface layers of the material itself along with the infestation. 

Our IICRC MRS-Certified remediation technicians can help identify and destroy mold damaged infested materials in your home. By carefully establishing containment protocols, we can not only remove the existing infestation but decrease the likelihood of it spreading to unaffected areas. A containment protocol is a system of checks and balances that prevents spores from spreading during remediation or removal of moldy materials. Spores are microscopic, which makes them easy to inadvertently spread on items of clothing, airways, or air conditioning systems. 

Setting up effective containment begins with the application of common-sense practices. Communicating areas of infestation and reducing foot traffic in those areas are an example of common sense containment practices. More advanced containment procedures can involve using physical barriers and sealing areas with non-porous sheeting. Furthermore, our technicians can take extra care to avoid spreading spores by removing hazmat suits when entering or exiting the affected spaces. 

Containment and Removal of Microbial Infestation

• When demolishing mold damaged materials, it is vital to pack debris into double-sealed bags for disposal at the appropriate waste disposal facility. 
• Negative air pressure machines can be used during demolition to capture airborne spores from the surrounding air. 
• Replacing older filters on venting ducts and fans or temporarily sealing them can prevent the spread of spores through air conditioning systems.

Remediation can help you get rid of the infestation for good. Contact SERVPRO of Southern McHenry County for mold damage remediation at (847) 516-1600.

Tips for Staying Healthy as COVID-19 and Flu Season Converge

9/26/2023 (Permalink)

The CDC continues to recommend a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged business owners and homeowners alike to find ways to live and work without exposing themselves or others to this highly contagious virus. Now, the approaching flu season is set to complicate that challenge even further. To help control the threat that the one-two punch of COVID-19 and the seasonal flu presents, SERVPRO® of Southern McHenry County urges everyone to be extra vigilant about following cleaning and disinfecting protocols this year.   

Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) believe both COVID-19 and the seasonal flu spread primarily by droplets made when infected people cough, sneeze, or talk. While not as frequent, it is also believed adults and children can contract COVID-19 or the flu by touching a surface or an object that has virus particles on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes. The CDC continues to recommend a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses, but experts also emphasize the importance of cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces daily to help mitigate the potential spread from contaminated surfaces. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks.  

To limit exposure and control the spread of these double threats, SERVPRO® recommends you wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol, keep your hands away from your face, and wear a mask to protect others. For effective daily, routine cleaning at home or at work, we recommend first removing surface grime and dirt with soap and water, then following up with a disinfectant. It is easier to feel comfortable about limiting exposure at home where you can control how clean your surroundings are. It is more difficult out in public; but this year especially, it is important to be aware of the space you are in. You need to learn to recognize spaces where cleaning is – or is not – a priority so you can adjust your behavior accordingly.  

For those home and business owners who have specialized cleaning requirements or who simply want the peace of mind that a professional cleaning service can offer in this stressful time, SERVPRO® of Southern McHenry County can help. While we remain a leader in disaster cleanup and remediation situations, we also provide that same ‘deeper level of clean’ for everyday residential and commercial cleaning. In addition, SERVPRO® offers their "Certified: SERVPRO® Cleaned" program, developed for businesses in response to the pandemic. The high level of confidence that a professionally cleaned space provides offers welcome reassurance to patrons as the flu season intersects with COVID-19.  

SERVPRO® specializes in disaster restoration, cleanup, and repair services, helping to remediate damage, making it “Like it never even happened,” for both commercial and residential customers. For more information on SERVPRO® of Southern McHenry County please call 847-516-1600.

Structural Drying

9/26/2023 (Permalink)

There is never a convenient time for flooding or storm damage to strike your business.

Storms and inclement weather can be devastating to any business. Wind damage, heavy rain, and flooding can occur suddenly and cause substantial damage in a matter of minutes. There is never a convenient time for flooding or storm damage to strike your business. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So, when an emergency situation arises in your business, SERVPRO® of Southern McHenry County will be there fast with the help you need.  

Time is Money  

As a leader in water damage restoration, we know fast mitigation is the key to limiting business interruption. With an unmatched national footprint of over 1,800 franchises, SERVPRO®’s Disaster Recovery Team can provide trained crews faster to any size disaster and can be on-site within a few hours to help reduce the future damage that water can cause. We have the right equipment, procedures, and training to help ensure the structure is dry the first time, saving you time and money.  

Specific Tasks to Include:  

• Containment of damaged areas to reduce in-flow of water.  
• Shrink-wrapping of structures to control inflow of mixture.  
• Water Extraction – to remove excess water from a structure.  
• Moisture Mapping – to determine impacted areas of a structure.  
• Selective Demolition – to remove wet building materials that cannot be economically dried in place.  
• Containment – to ensure potential contaminants do not spread.  
• Evaporation Enhancement – to remove moisture content from building materials.  
• Dehumidification – to remove excess water vapor from the structure.  
• Temperature Control – to assist in dehumidification and to prevent the onset of mold growth.  
• Post-Drying Cleaning – to remove any potential contaminants from dried building materials.

Fire Damage Incidents In Your Southern McHenry County Property

11/1/2022 (Permalink)

The first step to resolving fire damage is calling your local trained professionals at SERVPRO.

Various Reasons Fire Damage Incidents In Southern McHenry County Can Leave Property Uninhabitable

Fires can start anywhere in a property, causing widespread damage. In many cases, such incidents displace the occupants. Although most fires start in the kitchen, fires can start in other parts of the property. Faulty appliances or unattended candles are other likely sources of sparks that lead to fire damage.

Although the extent of a fire damage incident in  Southern McHenry County is the primary determinant of whether the continued occupation of a house is possible, other factors play a role too. Common reasons why house occupants may need to vacate the house for restoration include:

•   Massive residue deposits on surfaces and contents
•   Severe structural damage, including holes in the walls or roof
•   Noxious fumes or bad odor
•   Damaged utilities such as plumbing or electrical lines

A single factor or a combination of several factors can make a house uninhabitable immediately after a fire. Our SERVPRO technicians scope the loss site thoroughly to establish all issues that may affect you or your family if you continue occupying the house. In the case of noxious fumes and aerosols, ventilating the property with axial fans, which move large volumes of air across a wide area, helps remove the contaminated air inside the house faster.

Structural or utility damages can lead to life-threatening situations. Our SERVPRO technicians can handle some of these damages, including boarding up openings on walls and installing tarps on the roof in case the fire leaves a gaping hole. Such stopgap measures help keep a property habitable until complete repairs can be done. In case of severe damage, such as when frames and other structural supports are damaged, we involve construction specialists. The damage to utility lines like power cables and water pipes also varies. Our crews use circuit testers to identify electrical faults. In case of severe damage, we strip off the wires so they can be replaced.

Regaining access to your property after a fire incident is a top priority, although it is not always easy. Call SERVPRO of Southern McHenry County at (847) 516-1600 to help. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

Where Do I Start the Cleanup After a Kitchen Fire in Southern McHenry County?

11/1/2022 (Permalink)

Dealing with a kitchen fire will certainly cause some frustration. Handle the situation with a call to SERVPRO. We are standing by 24/7 for you.

Calling Experts for Fire Restoration in Your Home Puts a Solid Plan into Action for Quality Results

With any kitchen fire, the stovetop is the usual culprit. Whether you had a grease fire or another fire loss, the soot and smoke can be tough to deal with on your own. Instead of going the DIY route, the trained professionals at SERVPRO get to work fast using all of the latest techniques and technology to restore your interior to pre-damage condition.

How Do You Address a Fire Restoration Call?

Once you call us for emergency service, our skilled technicians arrive on the scene to begin the assessment and restoration. After removing all of the fire-damaged materials and debris in your  Southern McHenry County kitchen, such as cabinets, lighting, drywall, and appliances, we then begin cleaning soot and smoke particles. 

•   Wet smoke is generated with lower heat, often coming from burning rubber or plastics. Such smoke residue is often stubborn because it webs and becomes sticky or smears to the touch.
•   Dry smoke develops at a higher temperature and is fast-burning, often coming from burned materials like wood and paper. This type of smoke is often easier to clean.

We know that air-quality and foul odors are an issue with any kitchen fire, so we have a range of deodorization techniques that allow us to make your interior, “Like it never even happened.”

•   Thermal Foggers, also known as dry fogging, helps to vaporize deodorizers that react on a chemical level with odor-causing residues.
•   Air scrubbers are excellent for removing airborne particles and odorous elements from the air.

SERVPRO of Southern McHenry County understands how important it is for you to get your home back to normal quickly after suffering from fire damage in your kitchen. Call us 24/7 at (847) 516-1600 to deploy a team that gets to work fast with specialized restoration services

Post Construction Services

8/31/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO helps ensure your finished projects always look their best.

SERVPRO helps ensure your finished projects always look their best.  

Post Construction Cleaning  

Once the floors are down and the drywall is up, it is time to remove the debris and dirt in order to lay carpet, paint and decorate. SERVPRO of Southern McHenry County can provide debris removal services to prepare the building for interior design.  

Dehumidification and Drying  

During the construction phase, a building can trap moisture. Excessive moisture could result in mold growth. If you think one of your projects may have a moisture issue, rely on our professionals to provide the help you need to eliminate moisture and prevent the potential for mold growth.  

Final Cleaning  

You want the facility to look its best when the doors open. SERVPRO of Southern McHenry County provides cleaning services to give the building that extra shine. Services include:  

• Carpet, resilient and non-resilient floor prep, and finish  
• Ceiling, walls, and fixture cleaning  
• Air duct cleaning  
• Debris removal (if necessary)  
• Window cleaning  

The last thing you need is a fire intrusion, water intrusion, or mold growth slowing down or stopping the completion of one of your projects. SERVPRO provides 24-hour emergency mitigation, cleanup, and schedule quickly. In addition to fast response, our crews utilize industrial grade equipment, training, and electronic communication to help ensure the job is done right the first time, saving your time and money.