Commercial Cleaning Checklist

8/2/2022 (Permalink)

Every business should be taking measures to keep their building clean even if they do not employ a professional cleaning service. It can become hard to keep track of exactly what you should be cleaning regularly. Here is a checklist to make it a little easier to ensure your workplace stays neat and tidy.

• Monthly Cleaning List:
• Dust all surfaces in the office
• Clean the fabric chairs
• Vacuum all fabric chairs, vents
• Deep clean all surface areas

• Weekly Cleaning Lists
• Sponge all glass windows, both on the outside and inside
• Clean the refrigerator
• Disinfect all trash bins
• Buff and polish all hardwood surfaces, including conference tables, floors, etc.

• Daily Cleaning Lists
• Empty waste bins and add new liners
• Vacuum daily debris from all floors
• Clean painted surfaces as well
• Wipe baseboards, light switches and door handles
• Clean all reflective surfaces, mirrors, and brass
• Put some room freshener down after cleaning

When Storms Hit Monroe & Pike Counties, SERVPRO is Ready!

7/22/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Southern Monroe County specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.  Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today 570 424-2290

Tips For Your Car in Winter Months

7/22/2022 (Permalink)

Driving in the colder months can bring its own set of challenges, depending on where you live.

The days are getting shorter and the weather is getting colder, making driving conditions a little trickier.

With all the holiday travel you’re sure to be doing, it’s important to make sure you have the right emergency supplies in your car.

The most important items to have are things that will keep you warm, like gloves, wool socks, and hand warmers.

Blankets are great to have on hand. If it’s really cold, you can use them to insulate your car – putting them in the windows helps prevent the cold air from getting in.

And make sure you have a cellphone charger and a flashlight with extra batteries.

Cold weather maintenance is also important.

AAA has a list of tips to ensure your car is in good running order when temperatures drop, including:

• Make sure the battery is in good condition and clear of corrosion
• Checking tire treads and installing snow tires where needed
• Confirming that all lights and signals work
• Verifying that brakes are in great working order

Taking care of your car can mean the difference between life and death on the road

Pipe Break Damage

7/22/2022 (Permalink)

When the weather gets too cold in the winter up here in the northeast pipes tend to freeze up. Which can be an irritable situation that no one likes to deal with. Temperatures getting into the low twenties and teens can cause pipes to freeze up and halt utilities from traveling through the pipeline to where they need to go, especially water pipes. Frozen pipes can be bad, but the thawing of the pipe can be the most horrific part of cold weather affecting pipes. Heat and cold will cause the expanding and contracting which will then lead to a rupture in a pipe. Depending on how big the pipe is and what type of utility passing through it, you may have a major mess on your hands (and feet). If you experience anything similar to this you should call SERVPRO. We have the know-how, manpower, and equipment to get the job done right. We want our customer's water damage to be "Like it never even happened.”®

Understanding The Three Categories of Water

7/22/2022 (Permalink)

When dealing with water damage in your home or place of business, there are different types or classifications of water that we can use.  Using this classification system, we can determine what health risks are associated with the water, and properly prepare to bring with us all necessary safety equipment and uniforms.  In this blog article, we are going to focus on three types: Clean, Gray, and Blackwater. 

Clean Water: This is water that does not contain contaminants. It includes broken water lines, malfunctioning appliances, toilets holding tanks, snowmelt, and rainwater. Over time, however, clean water can progress and become gray water within 48 hours, if left untreated.

Gray Water: Gray water does contain a slight chemical or biological contaminants, and may pose a health risk. Gray water can discharge from dishwashers, washing machines, sinks, showers, aquariums, and waterbeds, or come from a clean water source that leaked through a ceiling. It can also be clean water that was left untreated (and became gray water). Gray water can also progress to the next stage (Black Water) if left untreated within 48 hours.

Black Water: This water is a health risk as it is highly contaminated. Blackwater is presumed to contain multiple potentially harmful contaminants including fungi, bacteria, chemicals, viruses, and more. Black Water is typically caused by sewage damage, flooding, or any type of natural disaster. Blackwater should always be treated by a trained and certified professional.

For any type of water damage, it is always best to treat it quickly so as to avoid further contamination and the risk of mold growth. There can be many dangers associated with attempting to clean water damage on your own.  If ever you spot any type of water in your home or business, call SERVPRO of Southern Monroe County.  We are faster to any size disaster and will have our highly trained team over to your house or place of business within the hour!  Remember, it's best to not wade into any unknown water source without the proper protection.  Give us a call 24/7 at (570) 424-2290

SERVPRO of Southern Monroe County is an IICRC-Certified Firm.

How Great is it to Know That You Can Call One Company to Get The Job Done?

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO offers reconstruction services for all mitigation damages! No need to find someone else to perform your restoration portion of the water, mold, or fire damage! After we come in and perform the cleanup services, we can smoothly transition into the reconstruction services to help restore your home or office back to good condition!

With our new Reconstruction division, we are excited to offer the following services during the reconstruction process: 

• Structural repairs
• Electrical
• Plumbing
• HVAC
• Windows/Doors
• Interior Design
• Flooring Replacement (all types)
• Ceilings
• Roofing
• Drywall
• Siding
• Exterior Finishes
• Carpentry
• Framing
• Tile Work

The Best Way To Minimize a Disaster at Your Home or Business is to Plan For it NOW!

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

As many as 50% of businesses may never recover following a disaster, according to the latest industry 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. 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.

Are You Ready? Preparation is a key component for making it through any size disaster, whether it’s a small water leak, a large fire, or an area flood. The best time for planning for such events is not when the event happens, but well before it happens. No one ever plans on a disaster, but you can plan for it. Now is the time to ask yourself, “Are you ready for whatever could happen?” The SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile is a startup approach that provides the critical information needed to begin mitigation and recovery services. It is designed to serve as a quick reference for important buildings and contact information. By working with SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Profile, your business will receive the benefit of over 40 years of experience in reducing the impact of any natural or man-made disaster. SERVPRO® is a leader in water and fire damage response and can help you quickly get your property back in working order.

• A no-cost assessment of your facility.
  This means there is no need to allocate funds, giving you 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 is 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.

Why SERVPRO?

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Southern Monroe County, we care about our customers. We are an emergency restoration company so we know we need to get to our jobs fast. Minutes could turn minimal damage into very dangerous damage to structures. We are open 24/7 which gives the customer someone to call at any hour of the day for emergencies. This is a huge advantage because many other restoration companies are not open 24/7. We are a well-trusted franchise and we strive to live up to this rating even at the smallest jobs. After we are finished a job we would love a rating on Google. This would be greatly appreciated! SERVPRO of Southern Monroe County is here to help. Give us a call at (570) 424-2290 for more details. 

Tips for Dealing With The Aftermath of a Business Fire

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

A hot fire that gains momentum can leave a building in ruins with virtually nothing left to save. In many cases fire is stopped before it leaps out of control; this often results in many items that can be saved and restored. A partial fire loss leaves the business owner with a lot of decisions about what steps to take to save money, speed up recovery, and clean up the mess. Contacting a professional fire remediation service in Southern Monroe County is the first step.

An Inspection Is Critical

A thorough inspection by experienced technicians is the quickest way to know where you stand and to gauge the level of fire loss. The inspection should cover the following areas of your business:

• The structural integrity of your roof
• The extent of smoke damage in the building
• The condition of the walls and flooring
• The state of electrical and computer systems
• The functionality of the heating and plumbing systems
  
  

For insurance purposes, all of the damage should be documented. It's also important to file a timely claim and to understand your policy and your rights. Don't settle for work that is shoddy, that does not match the original and that does not address hidden damages such as soot, water, and smoke damage.

A Good Cleanup Is Essential

A stellar fire restoration process will proceed quickly and restore items that can be cleaned of odors and grime. A reputable remediation team will have advanced equipment and a variety of cleaning techniques to get your building back in shape. The company will take the guesswork out of what can be saved and what should be thrown away and bought new. In many cases, clothes and upholstery can be restored to excellent condition again. The fire loss might not be as extensive as originally thought.

The Clam Before The Storm: Preparing Your Roof Against Hailstorms

12/28/2021 (Permalink)

NOAA’s Severe Storms database records over 5,396 major hail storms. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Storm Prediction Center, National Weather Service, Texas ranks first at the Top Five States By Number Of Major Hail Events. For hail-prone areas, it’s best to be ready for any circumstances that could happen.

Once the storm starts, there is pretty much nothing you can do except to stay inside. It’s safer to double-check everything beforehand, including the things that you can minimize damage to. Safe-proof your home before hail season starts and take precautions that could help lessen the damages.

For everyone’s safety, stay indoors. Pay attention to weather reports to be prepared and shop for groceries, flashlights, and batteries. Close your doors and windows and stay away because of the risks of flying glass.

GUTTER CHECK!

Drains and gutters could easily be filled by fallen leaves, debris from trees, and hailstones. They stop water flow due to clogging and cause damage due to the lack of proper drainage. As a solution, drain these areas. Keep your gutters free from debris that could cause water to back up and potentially cause leaks in the future. This is to ensure that water could drain normally.

MAINTAIN YOUR LAWN.

Amid a really bad hail storm, branches and plants can pose a threat to your home. Tree branches could hit your windows and shutter glass. For safety reasons, trim tree and shrub branches that could potentially cause extensive damage to your property. Maintaining your lawn helps eliminate the risks of the upcoming storm.

TAKE YOUR STUFF INDOORS.

Branches and shrubs aren’t the only things that pose a threat to your windows. If possible, take your outdoor furniture and decoration indoors to avoid them becoming hailstone targets and projectiles.

A HAND IN REPAIRS: YOUR INSURANCE POLICY.

After the storm and the damage has been done, check in with your insurance company before authorizing repair work needed. Document the damages and call the company as soon as possible.

INSPECT YOUR ROOF (DO IT PERSONALLY, OR GET A SECOND OPINION).

Before anything else, contacting a professional roofing company to inspect your roof and prepare you against the future dangers of the storm might be better.

Your roof protects you against heavy rain and the scorching sun. It also protects you against hailstones. As it is everyone’s first line of defense against the hail season, repairs are a must. Make sure to inspect your roof regularly. Check for loose or missing shingles and have them repaired as soon as possible to prevent future problems. Loose shingles could cause possible leaking due to the upcoming hail season. If there are small dents in the area, have them inspected. Or consider improving your current option to a material that’s much more resistant.