3 Reasons You Need Business Insurance

7/19/2022 (Permalink)

You'll be glad you have a good business insurance policy to cover the cost of restoration

Here Are A Few Reasons You Need a Solid Business Owners Policy

There are many monthly expenses that you should include in your budget. Good business insurance is one of them. Water damage in your commercial building in Cherokee, NC, can be very expensive to repair. If you have the right coverage, however, it doesn't have to be devastating. Here are a few reasons you need a solid business owner's policy.

1. Protect Your Investment

You invest a lot of time and money into your commercial property. It just makes sense to have the insurance coverage you need to take care of it. Broken pipes and leaks can cause a lot of damage. By insuring your building, you can be assured that you have the resources to get the mitigation you need.

2. Save Money

It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you won't have to worry about water damage in your building. After all, if you conduct frequent inspections and keep up with maintenance, you can avoid most problems. You can't predict emergency issues, though. While a monthly premium may seem expensive, it's a drop in the bucket compared to the potential cost of repairs if a large disaster strikes.

3. Avoid Lengthy Interruptions

Having a good insurance policy to fall back on can help expedite the repair process. When you call your insurance company to report a problem, a representative can probably suggest reputable water cleanup professionals in your area. The technicians and your adjuster can work together to make sure your building is restored as soon as possible. The less time you have to spend waiting on repairs, the sooner you can get back to business as usual.
No matter how well you care for your building, water damage from a leak or busted pipe can happen. When it does, you'll be glad you have a good business insurance policy to cover the cost of restoration

What Causes Sewers To Back Up After a Storm?

7/12/2022 (Permalink)

If you have sewer back up in your facility contact a commercial restoration service.

What Leads To Sewer Backups Following a Storm?

Storms can cause sewers to back up and send black water into structures through drain pipes. There are two main causes of a sewer backup that commercial property owners should consider when planning for possible sources of water damage. Understanding this information can help to prevent backups from occurring during storms.

1. Sanitary main blockage: A blocked sanitary main may lead to backups in commercial properties. This process tends to happen relatively slowly, but you should contact a plumber and utility service to resolve the problem as soon as possible.

2. Sewer lateral blockage: A property owner is responsible for maintaining the pipeline that connects his or her building to the sanitary sewer main. Tree roots may penetrate old lines and cause cracks that allow rainwater to seep into the system and cause backups. This blockage may also be caused by the disposal of unsuitable substances or items.

There are several ways to prevent sewer backup from occurring during a storm. Property owners should consider taking these three preventative steps to reduce the likelihood of this source of water damage:

1. Replace the lateral line with a plastic pipe. This can prevent tree roots from entering the line.

2. Properly dispose of grease or paper products. Proper disposal practices can go a long way toward preventing clogs and backups at any time.

3. Install a backwater prevention valve. This valve can be installed on a drain or sewer line to prevent backflow, and it should be regularly maintained.

Sewer backup is not covered by many standard business insurance policies. Additional coverage is necessary to account for potential sewage loss. You may want to factor in whether one or more of these preventative steps or the cost of an additional insurance rider is more cost-effective for your business. If a backup situation does occur due to a storm in Maggie Valley, NC contact a commercial restoration service that specializes in black water damage.

3 Ways To Limit Damage From a Sewage Backup

6/25/2022 (Permalink)

Sewer backup in a bathtub in Bryson City, NC.

Three Ways To Stop Flooding From Main line Backup

A sewer backup can contaminate building materials and contents with Category Three black water containing solid waste. It may be possible to reduce the extent of mitigation and restoration by taking measures to limit the spread of damage. Here are three ways to stop flooding from spreading from a bathtub backup, flooded toilet, or main line backup that affects basement floor drains or a sewer trap.

1. Stop the Spread of Contaminated Water

Homeowners may want to try to prevent contaminated water from making contact with carpet, drywall or other porous contents. Any materials that are exposed to this type of damage must be disinfected. As it is difficult to thoroughly clean porous materials, it may be necessary to tear out and replace these items to reduce the risk of bacteria or mold growth.

2. Block a Tub Drain

It may be possible to prevent a bathtub backup by blocking a tub drain. This measure may help to make cleanup less extensive. Be sure to plug drains before attempting to clear clogs with a plunger or auger.

3. Clear the Blockage As Soon As Possible

A homeowner should find a way to stop a sewer backup as soon as possible. If DIY efforts to snake a toilet, floor drain, or drain cleanout are not successful, he or she should contact a plumber for blockages that seem to originate at a property. Get in touch with a sewage company for flooding that originates from a municipal main. The sooner the problem is solved, the lower the risk of further damage.

These measures may reduce the severity of residential sewer damage. Homeowners can attempt to clear secondary line blockages and clean up minor damage on their own. A main line sewer backup that results in major damage may require the expertise and equipment of a plumber or sewage company and restoration specialists in Bryson City, NC.

3 Reasons Businesses and Insurance Agents Love SERVPRO

6/14/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Haywood & Transylvania Counties can restore your business back to pre-storm condition.

Three Reasons Businesses and Insurance Agents Love SERVPRO

Commercial property owners need restoration services after a storm, and they rely on their insurance companies for help. For most insurance companies, SERVPRO is the preferred provider of storm restoration services in Brevard, NC. Here are three reasons businesses and insurance agents love SERVPRO

1. National Network
SERVPRO leverages its presence in the United States and Canada to coordinate flood damage cleanup services. SERVPRO employs its Customer Care Center, a national call center, to dispatch restoration requests to its local franchises. And with its network of over 1900 franchises, SERVPRO can mobilize its Disaster Recovery Teams and set up local command centers to help wherever and whenever needed.

2. Storm Response
Due to its national network, SERVPRO’S response time is unrivaled. SERVPRO’S Disaster Recovery Teams address storm damage quickly so that businesses can get back to serving their customers with as little downtime as possible. SERVPRO also offers an Emergency Ready Plan that enables companies to create disaster recovery plans ahead of time. Then, when extreme weather occurs, SERVPRO can arrive on the scene with much of the paperwork already taken care of so they can clean up and restore the property.

3. Claim and Restoration Services
SERVPRO brings insurance agents and storm restoration specialists together with their National Accounts Division. This team processes claims accurately and restores damaged property promptly. Towards this end, SERVPRO'S highly trained professionals photograph damaged valuable goods and conduct an inventory of all destroyed possessions. With everything accounted for, SERVPRO and insurance agents can work together to decide which items to repair and which to replace.
SERVPRO has earned its stellar reputation. With its national network of disaster recovery professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, it is no surprise that insurance companies and businesses depend on SERVPRO for storm restoration services in Brevard, NC.

4 Steps to Recover from Wind and Hail Damage

6/2/2022 (Permalink)

Missing roof shingles in a home in Waynesville, NC.

Four Steps To Take After a Storm

The roof of your Waynesville, NC, home is vital for protecting everything underneath it. When hail and high winds blow through, it may mean a roof repair is needed. The longer you wait to deal with the wind damage, the more chances of the damage spreading. To avoid that, below are four steps to take after the storm passes.

1. Assess the Damage
Understanding the extent of damage provides a guideline for how the following steps will unfold. Complete an assessment of the damage to the best of your ability, ensuring safety always comes first. Signs of immediate trouble include missing shingles, cracked fascia, standing water in the attic, and crooked chimneys.

2. File a Claim
Once you have an idea of what you are dealing with, it’s time to call your insurance provider. Keep in mind that it may take time for the adjuster to come to your home. While you wait, document all the damage to help speed up the process.

3. Conduct Roof Damage Remediation
An essential component of weathering the storm is to make any temporary roof repair that will mitigate secondary damage, such as mold growth, from forming. This may be as simple as tarping up a hole or area in the attic with visible signs of water damage. A vital component of this step is starting the water extraction and drying processes.

Call in the Professionals
Another step to take while waiting is to call a company that is certified to complete mold, storm and water damage restoration repairs. A trusted professional will complete an assessment of the damage within 48 hours and work with your insurer to ensure that all repairs are handled quickly and the right way.
The weather has a way of wreaking havoc on homes. If the latest storm requires a roof repair, the above steps make it easier to get back the protection your home needs.

3 Steps for Making a Fire Insurance Claim

5/24/2022 (Permalink)

Residential fire damage in Dunns Rock, NC.

Making a Fire Insurance Claim in 3 Easy Steps

After a fire damages your Dunns Rock, NC, home and the fire trucks leave, you are likely left-facing smoke damage, charred building materials and lost possessions. While this can seem overwhelming, gathering details to make a fire insurance claim can put you on the path to rebuilding your home, from calling in a fire restoration company to replacing lost items.

1. Contact Your Representative
Once the fire is out, the first step to take is to contact your local insurance representative and let him or her know what happened. Note when the fire broke out, how many stories of your home suffered damage and the overall severity of the fire. If your home is safe to enter, you may also want to take photos to send to your representative before any fire restoration efforts take place.

2. Compile a List of Damages
You may be able to streamline your claim by making a comprehensive list of damages and whether they can be restored. For example, if some of your damaged furniture can undergo smoke cleaning, the cost of the restoration may be less than the cost of replacing that item. Try to photograph as many objects as possible and provide your representative with copies of purchase receipts for expensive items, such as electronics.

3. Meet With an Insurance Adjuster
Your insurance company will likely send out an adjuster who will survey your home’s damage, collect documentation and let you know whether the cost of a fire restoration service is covered under your insurance policy. You can prepare for this meeting by having a catalog of losses and photos ready to submit and by making a list of services you might need to begin the restoration and rebuilding process.
Facing the aftermath of a fire at your Dunns Rock, NC, home can make you feel helpless. Knowing how to proceed with an insurance claim may help you feel more confident about facing the future and repairing your property.

Protecting Your Business With Income Coverage

5/19/2022 (Permalink)

Restoring your property after a fire.

Why You Need Interruption Insurance

Responsible property owners carry property insurance. If you ever experience a fire in your building in Clyde, NC, your policy generally covers your expenses associated with repair, replacement, and reconstruction. With an insurance plan that covers physical damage to your property and its contents, you might think you’ve covered all your bases. How about the temporary loss of income? Here’s why you need interruption insurance as part of a comprehensive plan.

Understanding Business Interruption Coverage
Also known as business income insurance, this policy covers the loss of income you may experience following a fire or other disaster. This income loss may be due to the closing of your facility as a direct result of the fire or reconstruction during the fire restoration process. Interruption insurance is designed to cover the profits that you would’ve earned if you hadn’t incurred the loss that interrupted your business. A typical policy covers the following:

Profits: Usually based on previous monthly financial statements
Fixed costs: Operating expenses and costs that are still incurred
Temporary relocation: Covers costs of temporarily relocating to, and operating at another location
Commission and training: Costs associated with training workers to operate equipment replacements
Additional expenses: Other reasonable costs necessary for a business to continue operations during restoration
Civil authority ingress and egress: Government-mandated closures that result in loss of revenue, such as curfews

Your insurer determines the time period covered, usually from the date of disaster to the date that your property is restored to pre-disaster conditions.

Considering Your Options
Interruption insurance policies can be purchased either as standalone plans or part of a comprehensive package of a business owner’s policy. Some companies purchase a contingent policy that provides coverage if suppliers and customers experience damage that interferes with doing business. Think carefully about your specific needs as a commercial property owner.
Having a fire disaster plan is more than just property insurance and knowing which professional restoration services company to call. It’s also about having coverage that includes the loss of revenue or income after a disaster. This coverage protects your business, including customers, workers, and partners.

3 ways To Prevent Water Damage From a Broken Pipe

5/5/2022 (Permalink)

There are many reasons why your pipes might break.

Why Pipes Break and How To Avoid The Damage

Every homeowner in Retreat, NC, shares a common nightmare: having water in home walls and on floors due to broken pipes. Consider the three main reasons why pipes break and how to avoid the damage those breaks can cause.

1. Earth Shifting Can Lead to a Broken Pipe

Earthquakes can happen almost anywhere in the U.S. The seismic forces generated by the movement of the earth can easily break buried pipes and leave water in home spaces. Living in an area near an active fault line requires having a professional inspect your plumbing regularly to avoid an expensive pipe cleanup job. Additionally, nearby construction can cause shifting underground, which can lead to damaged pipes. Asking the construction crew to be wary of your pipes may help to minimize problems and avoid water damage repair.

2. Water Pressure Increasing Can Cause Bursts

Water pressure above 80 psi causes product warranties to be voided and insurance companies to cease covering damages. The closer you are to the water source, like a water tower or pumping station, the higher the pressure. Also, the pressure is highest at midday when everyone is at work. Installing a pressure relief valve is one good way to avoid this problem and properly regulate the water pressure in your home.

3. Temperatures Dropping Can Freeze Pipes

Freezing temperatures occur in many parts of the country, but especially in Retreat, NC. Fortunately, proper insulation can ensure freezing does not cause your pipes to break and pump water into home walls and throughout the rooms. Be sure to cover all outside valves with a fitted insulation cap and use pipe insulation or a blanket and straw for any exposed pipes, such as a sump pump discharge.
There are many reasons why your pipes might break, but with a little forethought, you can reduce the chances of having to deal with every homeowner's worst nightmare.

How To Maintain Your Commercial Roof

4/22/2022 (Permalink)

How often do you keep your gutters clean?

Commercial Roof Maintenance

It is easy to ignore the roof of your commercial building. After all, you do not typically look at the roof during a given workday. You probably focus your maintenance and repairs on the walls and floors that you can easily examine. Yet your roof needs plenty of attention, as well. A roof leak during a storm could be disastrous for your Hazelwood, NC, business.
With regular upkeep of your roof, you can reduce the risk of flooding during a severe weather event. This, in turn, should limit your need for emergency restoration services. Here are some tips for maintaining your commercial roof.

1. Keep It Clean

A worn-down or dirty roof is more likely to fail during a storm. To make sure your roof is strong enough to withstand rain, snow and wind, you should remove any debris immediately. A buildup of leaves and other items could cause the growth of algae and mold that weakens the roof.
Keeping the drains and gutters clear is also important. A clog in either of these areas can cause a roof leak.

2. Trim Trees

Storms do not just bring rain and snow. Wind damage is also quite common. If trees are too close to your building, branches could blow off those trees and onto the roof. You should thus have the trees pruned regularly. This should also prevent nuts and leaves from falling into the gutters.

3. Get an Inspection

A professional contractor will notice potential trouble spots on your roof that the untrained eye could miss. Have the pro inspect your roof at least twice per year. The expert should specifically look for sagging areas or cracks. He or she should also check near the eaves, vents and skylights.
Even a minor roof leak can cause a lot of harm over time. If you clean the gutters, trim nearby trees and hire an inspector, your roof should sustain minimal storm damage.

How To Remove Smoke and Soot After a Fire

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage in a home in Dellwood, NC.

How to Get Rid of Soot and Smoke After a Fire

After a house fire in Dellwood, NC, the lingering effects of soot and smoke damage can be difficult to fully remediate. Fortunately, there are a variety of tactics available to get fire-damaged homes back to normal.

Smoke Cleaning

There are several methods of smoke cleaning used today. Three of the most popular are the following:

• Air scrubbing
  
• Ozone generation
  
• Thermal fogging
  
  

As the air circulates, an air scrubbing machine traps the odorous particulates. Ozone generation releases ozone into the home, and the ozone combines with the smoke particles to create a new particle that no longer smells like smoke. Both air scrubbing and ozone generation are effective odor removal techniques. However, some situations call for thermal fogging. If smoke odor is trapped in porous surfaces, the other techniques may not be able to fully address the problem. In a fire, the heat causes some surfaces to expand. When the fire is extinguished, the surfaces cool and contract, trapping some of the smoke particles. Thermal fogging re-heats the area, causing surfaces to expand again and allowing the odor-eliminating fog to reach the smoke particles and neutralize the odor.

Soot Cleaning

In addition to smoke damage, your home is likely to suffer soot damage after a fire. The type of soot that remains after a fire has burned depends on the nature of the fire and the makeup of the items being burned. The following are four types of soot often left behind after a residential fire:

• Dry soot
  
• Wet soot
  
• Protein residue
  
• Oily soot
  
  

Dry soot is generally the least troublesome and can often be removed by using a HEPA vacuum on the affected surface. Wet soot, protein residue and oily soot are all more difficult to remove. Improper cleaning techniques can lead to further damage. An experienced restoration service can determine the type of soot present in your home and choose the best cleaning method.
Soot and smoke damage can wreak havoc on your home. However, thorough and careful remediation can fully remove all soot and smoke from your fire-damaged home.

What To Do When Floodwater Gets in the Furnace

4/8/2022 (Permalink)

One area of damage that can be easily overlooked is a furnace flood.

When Floodwater Infiltrates the Furnace, What Should You Do?

When floodwater gets into the furnace of your Cherokee, NC, property, everything the water touched must be cleaned and restored, so you can avoid further damage. One area of damage that can be easily overlooked is a furnace flood. When the flooded furnace and any affected HVAC ducts aren't professionally restored, the secondary damage could be even more of a problem than the original flooding.

Act Quickly To Avoid Further Damage

There are several steps you should take as soon as you notice water, whether it's a furnace flood or a burst pipe:

Shut off the water to your building from the main stopcock. This prevents more water from spreading throughout your building. It also reduces the risk of water and electricity combining.
Turn off the electricity. Even if a small amount of water can cause serious electrical trouble.
Move items away from the water. You may have large pieces of furniture that you can safely move to a dry location. Don't move electrical appliances; leave these items to the professionals.
Remove as much water as possible. The longer the water sits, the more damage you could experience.

When water damage and cleanup professionals arrive, they will use powerful water extraction tools and chemical cleaners that have been developed specifically to protect your flooded furnace and other appliances from further harm.

Contact Professionals for Necessary Repairs

These professionals can also complete air duct cleaning, address soggy carpets, and repair other parts of your property. If the services of a plumber are required, the cleanup technicians or your insurance provider may suggest a reputable professional in your area.
A furnace flood can cause a lot of upset and inconvenience, but with quick action and the help of professionals, you won't have to wait long for a solution. As you have the furnace and ductwork cleaned and maintained, you'll breathe much more easily in the days to follow.

3 Reasons Why Mold Keep Growing In the Same Spot

3/30/2022 (Permalink)

A water leak can quickly progress into a full-blown mold infestation in your business.

Three Reasons Mold Continues to Grow in the Same Place

At your office in Maggie Valley, NC, you receive a maintenance request to address some mold growth under the sink in one of the staff bathrooms. Diligently, you shut off the water to inspect the pipes, tighten a few things, test for drips, and clean up the small moldy spot. A couple of weeks later, another request comes through about the same issue. Rinse and repeat a couple more times. Finally, you overhear some employees speculating that you've probably never dealt with the problem at all because the mold is still there. What gives? Here's why mold might be growing in the same place again and again.

1. You Still Have a Leak.

Likely the main reason that the mold keeps returning isn't your lack of attention to the problem. You still have a leak. Even if you can't see it right below the sink, there is likely a problem with a pipe inside of the wall. If that's the case, water damage and moisture are spreading which create ideal conditions for mold. Contact a local mold remediation specialist to help identify the source of the leak.

2. You Are Using the Wrong Products.

People commonly believe that you can kill mold with bleach or vinegar. The reality is that while it may solve the mold growth problem at the moment, it doesn't prevent its return. That can only be solved by addressing the source of the moisture that is encouraging mold to grow in the first place.

3. You Haven't Ventilated Well.

It's important to keep high humidity areas properly ventilated. Because mold spores love a moist, warm environment, running a dehumidifier or fan to dry the area out completely helps to prevent the return of mold once you've addressed any leaks.
Mold growth will continue to occur until you address the source of the problem and follow up with prevention tips that are recommended by a professional.

Nor’easters: 5 Things You Should Know

3/24/2022 (Permalink)

Nor’easters can cause everything from flooding to power outages.

5 Things to Know About Nor'easters

As a Bryson City, NC, resident and homeowner, you need to be aware of nor’easters and their potentially damaging effects in your part of the country. Here are five facts to know before you find yourself facing a nor’easter.

1. These storms are most common between September and April. Nor’easters can occur at any time of year, but you can expect them to be a bigger threat around fall and winter. The reason for this is that cold and warm air is more likely to combine during this time period and create the perfect storm.

2. They aren’t just about snow. This may be one of the lesser-known nor’easter facts - rain, heavy winds, and damaging coastal waters are all possible. Snow is very common, especially since many of these storms occur in the wintertime, but it is important to remember that hurricane-like effects are quite possible when a nor’easter hits.

3. Nor’easters are common in Bryson City, NC. These storms are mainly a threat to the Northeast, particularly along the East Coast.

4. They are dangerous. Nor’easters can cause everything from flooding to power outages, and roads tend to be unsafe during and even after such a storm. Make sure that you stock up on supplies and listen to what local authorities are saying throughout such an event.

5. No official scale exists. There is an informal intensity scale called the Dolan-Davis scale that measures nor’easters, but it is not widely popular.

If the possibility of a nor’easter makes you worry about storm damage from floods, remember that professional help is available if destruction should occur. If you find yourself facing one of these infamous weather events, wait until the chaos calms down and call your local storm damage restoration service. Many technicians can arrive quickly to help with emergencies and begin creating a cleanup and repair plan right away.

What’s an ERP?

3/19/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Haywood & Transylvania Counties responding to a large water loss.

Many business owners wonder if they are ready for an emergency. The easiest way to prepare your company for a disaster is to start an emergency profile or an ERP.

Who does ERPs?

SERVPRO is a company that consists of independently owned and operated franchises around the country with one right in Brevard, NC. They have been around for many years and are one of the top restoration companies in the United States. Some key facts about the company include:

• Many insurance companies trust them
  
• They have many franchises scattered across the continental US
  
• They can quickly handle different disasters
  
  

Is Your Business Ready?

Many businesses have a plan for what they will do in the event of emergencies. However, this often doesn't account for what they will do after the event has ended. The good news is that proper planning allows companies to survive these disasters and quickly get back on their feet. While an emergency profile is not a full plan, it makes developing one much easier. Full contingency plans cover incident response, disaster recovery, and business continuity. An ERP handles the incident response and disaster recovery aspects of this. If you don't think your company would survive, your business could probably benefit from an ERP. This can easily be conducted over the mobile app.

How Does an ERP Help?

An emergency profile helps because it can minimize the time it takes for disaster restoration professionals to begin working on your business after an event. This is because your ERP provides detailed instructions of what must be done, how to do it, and who to contact in the event of an emergency. The timely mitigation and restoration that results mean your business will face less downtime and long-term damage from a disaster.
ERPs are a significant benefit for businesses that are working on their contingency plans. Downloading the ERP app is the first step to unlocking the timely mitigation and reduced downtime associated with having a profile.

Get the Lint Out! 3 Tips for Cleaning Your Dryer

2/16/2022 (Permalink)

Clothes dryers contain lint traps that can build up and create a fire risk without proper maintenance.

Remove The lint! 3 Cleaning Tips For Your Dryer

The laundry room may seem like an unlikely place for fire risk, but it is. Clothes dryers contain lint traps that can build up and create a fire risk without proper maintenance. Read on to learn just how to clear your dryer exhaust and lower the risk of lint fire in your Waynesville, NC, home.

Understanding the Risks

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, more than 2,900 home fires are started by clothes dryers each year, due largely to the buildup of lint in the dryer. This lint builds up in:

• Lint traps
• Dryer vents
• Duct work

Lint is combustible, so when it combines with heat, the stage is set for a lint fire. What is a homeowner to do?

Clean the Lint Trap

This may seem obvious, but many of us are doing it wrong. After every load, remove the lint from the screen and wipe the edges. Periodically place it in a sink of hot water and scrub with a bristle brush to get it completely clean and prevent a dryer fire.

Invest in A Brush

A dryer lint brush is a long-handled brush that will help reach the nooks and crannies. Remove your dryer lint filter, stick the brush inside and gently loosen built-up lint. This will remove big chunks of lint that you can gather and discard. Run the dryer on air only to remove any small leftover particles.

Check Your Exhaust

Once a year, unplug your dryer and get a good look at where your exhaust vent connects. Remove that piece, reach inside and use your vent brush to get out as much lint as possible.

Whether it’s from clothing or even dryer sheets, lint is going to build up in your dryer, creating a risk. With proper maintenance, however, you can cut lint fire risk and make sure you are not a fire damage victim.

Looking to Get Involved in a Disaster Recovery Business? SERVPRO Is the Ideal Choice

2/16/2022 (Permalink)

Build your business with a SERVPRO franchise. You’ll work alongside some of the most respected colleagues in the emergency cleanup industry.

Interested In Working In The Disaster Recovery Industry? SERVPRO Is The Best Option

Are you an entrepreneurial-minded person? Are you itching to start a business or franchise in an existing company? A SERVPRO franchise could be the opportunity of a lifetime. There’s a lot to like about this disaster restoration company from a customer standpoint, but it’s also a prime pick from a business perspective. You can join up with a local franchise in Bryson City, NC, and get on the path to a satisfying venture with a top-notch organization.

Enviable Qualities

When you’re seeking first-rate service from a disaster relief company, SERVPRO has what it takes: fast response, qualified professionals, excellent customer service, experienced, skilled technicians and more. As a business owner, you would join a team you can trust. It has the following characteristics:

• Locally owned
• Honest and full of integrity
• Communicates effectively
• Professional

National Footprint, Local Presence

SERVPRO is a nationwide, certified disaster restoration and cleanup company that strives to assist client recover from major catastrophes. Though the company operates throughout the country, it also has a local office to meet the needs of local residents who face the direst circumstances.

Honesty is Key

Like any good organization, a SERVOPRO franchise operates like its parent company and delivers honest, trustworthy service to clients. You can be a part of a team that oversees the inspection, evaluation, tear-out, cleanup, restoration, and replacement of homes where disastrous fires and flood wreaked havoc. SERVPRO believes is giving people accurate, truthful information and estimates at every step in a project.

Communicates Well

Not only does SERVPRO communicate effectively with clients, but local franchises also have the support of the home office. As a franchise owner, you know you can also turn to corporate leaders for help.

Professional

In every interaction with clients and fellow SERVPRO representatives, you can expect professional conduct. This will manifest itself through hard work, reputation, and appearance.

Build your business with a SERVPRO franchise. You’ll work alongside some of the most respected colleagues in the emergency cleanup industry.

Disaster Preparation: Ensuring Your Business Survives

2/16/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can respond quickly to any emergency. We have trained professionals who specialize in specific damages. Call us!

Preparing For Disasters: Ensuring That Your Business Survives.

Disaster preparedness and business preparedness go hand in hand. In fact, knowing how you will respond during a disaster is more critical than most business operations because a lack of an emergency plan may result in the end of your business. Therefore, to ensure that your business survives a potential disaster, make sure you are prepared.

1. Backup Critical Data

In the digital age, it is essential that a company backup all of their critical data. However, while backups on internal servers may sound like a decent plan, what happens if your facility burns to the ground? Data should be saved and stored off-site or even using secure cloud storage.

2. Contact Suppliers and Clients

One of the keys to disaster preparedness is making sure you have a list of all critical contacts. For businesses, this list should include the numbers and names of suppliers and contacts so that you can keep them abreast to your business’ disaster recovery.

3. Check Your Coverage

Do you currently know how well you are protected in the event of a disaster? Will your insurance policy cover fire, water and other property damage? If so, to what extent? Knowing the content of your insurance policy means that you will have a better understanding of your financial responsibilities should a disaster occur.

4. Create an Emergency Plan

While there are disaster restoration specialists in the Maggie Valley,NC, area who can help you develop an emergency response plan, the basis of such a plan is simple. You want to establish a list of emergency contacts who can help you mitigate and restore your commercial property. You should also seek out a company that can respond quickly to reduce the risk of other potential problems, like vagrants or mold growth.

Disaster preparedness can seem like a secondary concern for many business owners and managers. However, the truth is that when a disaster happens, you need to know how to manage the critical operations of your business even outside of having a facility.

3 Potential Reasons You Have Noisy Pipes

1/24/2022 (Permalink)

Noisy pipes can be unbelievably annoying.

Three Reasons You Have Noisy Pipes

Your home in Bryson City, NC, should be a comfortable and quiet place. If you have a noisy plumbing system, though, knocks and creaks could keep you up at night. While avoiding a pipe break is likely your primary concern, you may want to quiet your loud pipes. Here are three potential reasons you have noisy pipes in your home.

1. You Have Copper Pipes

Copper pipes tend to expand when hot water passes through them. When you switch to cold water, copper pipes quickly contract. This expansion and contraction can make your plumbing system noisy. While you probably don’t have to worry about a pipe burst, the noise may annoy you. By lowering the temperature on your water heater, you may be able to effectively stop the creaks and pops.

2. A Water Hammer Hits Your Valve

A water hammer occurs when pressured water hits the shut-off valve. Unlike noises from copper pipes, a water hammer may cause a pipe break. You may be able to fix the problem by tinkering with the air chamber in your plumbing system. If the water hammer causes a break, you must fix the broken pipe. Then, work with a water cleanup service to be sure you successfully control flood damage.

3. Water Pressure Plagues Your Plumbing System

Finally, you may have too much water pressure surging through your pipes. While high pressure is good for washing dishes, filling water bottles and showering, it can wreak havoc on your plumbing system. If you think water pressure is the source of your noisy pipes, adjust the pressure regulator.

Noisy pipes can be unbelievably annoying. Depending on the cause of pipe noise, your loud pipes could be a sign of a bigger problem with your plumbing system. By understanding what causes pipes to creak, moan and snap, you can develop a plan for protecting your home’s plumbing.

What Do Mold Removal Professionals Do?

1/18/2022 (Permalink)

A water leak can lead to mold growth in your home.

The Mold Removal Process

Unless you have been through the mold remediation process, it is difficult to imagine all the steps required to get a professional job done. That is why the mold removal process can cost anywhere between $500 and $30,000. The following list includes just a few of the steps a certified team takes to vanquish the unsightly foes from your home.

1. Water Elimination

Although flooding water is not always the culprit when it comes to mold, water is almost always at the root of a blooming colony of mold. That means materials infested with mold or soaked with water must be removed from the home.

2. Area Disinfection

The first step in attacking the mold is often cleaning the area with an industrial disinfectant. This typically includes floors, walls, and any other surfaces that are in the mold-infested room. The professional mold elimination team knows that spores can cover every surface in the area.

3. Deep Removal

One of the most unpleasant parts of the mold removal process is tearing into the walls and boards of your home’s interior in Brevard, NC, to locate the hidden colonies and begin the black mold removal. This process can not only be labor-intensive; it can be very costly.

4. Extensive Reconstruction

After the mold is completely removed, the area can begin to be rebuilt. Floors, walls, and windows can be added to the room to make it functional once again. This process can take some time, but the room can be redone to your specifications.

5. Zone Completion

Once the area has been repaired, the cleanup process can begin. Many companies will use a high-efficiency particulate air filtration vacuum to finish the process. The HEPA filter has been shown to capture any remaining mold spores in the air.

Mold removal is about killing what mold can be seen, removing what is beneath the active colony, and repairing the damage made by the fungus. Trusting the professionals to diagnose the issue and then treat it can save you time, and money.