Common Causes of Commercial Roof Damage | SERVPRO® of East Mecklenburg/Matthews

6/17/2022 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO® of East Mecklenburg/Matthews help your business take measures to reduce the time that your company is closed after a disaster

What may seem like a minor leak on the ceiling from the attic or roof, may actually be a much larger problem waiting to sprout up. Water damage can cause rotting and make your roof more susceptible to leaks and damage in the future.

Other signs of roof water damage can include cracking, gutters clogged with insulation, and more. Because of this, it’s important to know how to tell if your building has roof damage and how to find its true extent.

Here in North Carolina, we see all kinds of natural disasters from flooding to hurricanes to the general thunderstorm that can still do hefty amounts of damage. Being closer to sea level also means that we are at a greater risk of flood damage than a lot of Americans.

According to data gathered by FEMA, on any given day, over 14,000 people will be affected by a water damage emergency in the United States. In addition, the cost of flood damage has quadrupled since the year 2000, showing that our risk of damage is greater than ever.

This information will hopefully help you solve and prevent the causes of roof and water damage in your business:

Ready Your Business for a Fire Emergency | SERVPRO® of East Mecklenburg/Matthews

6/2/2022 (Permalink)

Having a team on your side after a disaster is a big relief. SERVPRO® of East Mecklenburg/Matthews is your local commercial restoration expert.

When it comes to commercial emergencies, it is important for all employees of a company to be on the same page. Not only does a lack of preparation endanger your employees, but it also jeopardizes your entire business. The consequences of not being prepared for an emergency can be detrimental to your East Mecklenburg/Matthews business.

According to FEMA, 40% of businesses do not reopen following a disaster. Preparing your company for disasters such as fires before they occur can reduce your risk of damage. (Having a partner like SERVPRO on standby to repair your property if a fire breaks out can also help your business stay on track!)

Here’s how you can ready your business for a fire:

Install smoke alarms. Smoke alarms are one of the most effective investments in fire prevention. And yet smoke alarms were not present in 52% of major business fires, according to one study. Having functional smoke alarms throughout your business could alert your employees to a fire before it wreaks havoc.

Watch out for fire hazards. Inspect your workplace for potential fire hazards such as cables, flammable objects such as paper, overloaded extension cords and electric appliances. Communicate these hazards to your staff and establish rules to ensure that all appliances and other devices are used as intended. A property clear of fire hazards can lower the chance of accidental fires within your company.

Preserve important documents. Be sure to back up data like customer information, financial records and registration data. Keep your data in a secure location like a fireproof box or digitize your documents and store them safely online. Businesses that have a backup plan are more likely to recover after an emergency.

Who Do I Turn to if My Business Suffers Fire Damage? SERVPRO understands that not all crises can be avoided and that damage can occur even when precautions are taken. If fire damage ruins your business, we can repair any damage caused by the flames and the efforts to extinguish them. When it comes to running a business, time is money, which is why we offer 24-hour emergency services to begin restoration as soon as possible.

Our team works with advanced equipment to repair, rebuild and deodorize your business property after a fire emergency. We have the tools to effectively restore your business and have it back up and running in no time.

There is never a convenient time for a fire damage emergency in the workplace. If your business experiences a fire, count on your local SERVPRO to restore it to pre-fire condition.

Your Next Steps After Spotting Mold in the Workplace | SERVPRO® of East Mecklenburg/Matthews

5/25/2022 (Permalink)

Don't let mold slow your business down. Contact SERVPRO® for all your mold remediation needs.

You were looking for something in the storage closet at your office when you smelled something that was just “off.” Then you looked down and saw the tell-tale green hue of a patch of mold. What now?

While there’s no existing OSHA standard related to mold in the workplace, it’s still important to get it cleared out as soon as possible. If you spot it—or smell it—get in touch with our team of experts. We’ll immediately get to work.

The Difference Between Mold Removal & Remediation

When you see mold, you might naturally think it needs to be removed. But the reality is that “mold removal” is a bit of a misnomer. Mold spores are found nearly everywhere, both indoors and out, so it’s not possible to fully eradicate them.

That’s why SERVPRO of East Mecklenburg/Matthews offers mold remediation. Our remediation process is guided by expertise in how mold and mold growth work—eliminating the causes of mold infestation and containing the mold that’s present.

What Happens When You Call Us About Mold

The first step in our mold remediation process is for you to get in touch with us! We’re available 24/7, 365 days of the year for a reason—prompt action is important.

Once you’ve gotten in touch with us, a technician will come out to inspect your business and conduct a mold damage assessment. This step helps us determine the steps that follow.

Step 3 is to contain the existing mold. This minimizes the risk of mold spreading into other parts of the room or beyond, and it also limits the amount of time people are exposed to mold.

From there, we’ll filter the air in the space, remove mold and mold-infested materials, and focus on cleaning the contents of your office space.

If mold growth in your business was spurred by water damage, we’ll also work with you to determine water damage restoration needs. This comes first in many cases, since the presence of any amount of water, including invisible moisture, can keep mold growing.

Ready to put our mold remediation process into action? Get in touch today to get help from a team of experts.

The Importance of Commercial Emergency Lighting Systems | SERVPRO® of East Mecklenburg/Matthews

4/20/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Mecklenburg/Matthews has an emergency team available at all times. Call to begin the restoration process immediately.

The primary objective of emergency lights is to ensure that building occupants have a safe escape in the case of a power loss. That being said, exit signs and emergency lighting are often overlooked when it comes to commercial fire safety.

Without routine maintenance and inspections of your emergency lighting systems, you could be putting your employees and tenants at risk of serious injury—or worse.

By law, emergency lighting systems must be capable of running for a minimum of 90 minutes in the event that your building’s power goes out. It’s important to ensure that your emergency lighting system is ready and functioning when it needs to by completing monthly and annual inspections, tests, and maintenance in accordance with legal requirements.

Emergency lighting is supplied in two major methods. One is to install an emergency generator and automatic transfer switch in the building, which will power a section of lights in the event of a power outage.

Monthly

Conduct a 30-second test of your emergency lighting every month. This is also known as a “fast check,” and it ensures that the system transfers from your electrical infrastructure over to battery power and ensures that the lights function properly when in battery mode.

Annual

Testing your emergency lights annually is an excellent technique to keep the battery in good condition. The test will require fully discharging the batteries for 90 minutes and then fully recharging them, which strengthens the batteries.

Therefore, if your building’s power goes out, your system will light up and direct you to the closest escape to safety. It is critical to ensure that your systems are tested on a monthly and annual basis as part of your company’s safety protocol.

When doing your monthly 30-second test and inspection as well as verifying that the entire 90-minute test was done within the previous 12 months, ensure sufficient documentation was kept for these tests to confirm that all required testing was performed.

If your commercial property takes on fire damage, SERVPRO of East Mecklenburg/Matthews is here to help. We have emergency teams on deck at all times ready to take your call and begin the restoration process immediately.

Do You Need Commercial Cleaning Services? | SERVPRO of East Mecklenburg/Matthews

2/18/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage comes in many shapes and sizes. If you experience any loss, SERVPRO of Mecklenburg/Matthews is here to respond immediately.

Business can get a little messy sometimes. You, your employees and customers all bring in different dirt, grime, allergens and even pathogens that settles into the carpets, upholstery and other surfaces.

SERVPRO helps commercial customers with a wide variety of cleaning, construction and restoration projects. Our professionals are trained in a specialty cleaning procedures for carpets, drapery, blinds, upholstery and floors.

We have more than 50 years of experience in the cleaning and restoration industry and have the training and equipment to give your business a higher level of cleanliness that you and your customers deserve.

Carpet & Upholstery

Our professional carpet and upholstery cleaners can remove deep-seated dirt and grime to keep your carpet looking fresh and extend its lifespan. Carpets and upholstery alike can collect dust and dirt from daily traffic in your facility.

Carpets get the most use of any surface in your business, and upholstery is often the most neglected of surfaces when it comes to cleaning. You can keep your carpet and upholstery looking good for years with SERVPRO’s carpet and upholstery cleaning services.

Drapes, Blinds & Windows

Window coverings such as blinds and curtains may accumulate dust, dirt and allergens among other things. It is suggested that they be cleaned about every two years in order to keep them looking fresh.

When it comes to inspecting and cleaning fabrics, SERVPRO’s highly-trained specialists know how to identify which of the various cleaning procedures is best suited for each specific material and will work with you to identify which approach best matches your requirements.

Ceilings, Floors & Walls

One area of cleaning many business owners neglect is the ceilings, walls and floors. Because they make up the frame of every room, they get exposed to the common irritants of daily business.

Your facility’s HVAC system can also distribute these common irritants throughout the building, so maintaining these surfaces should be a part of your routine maintenance.

No matter the shape or size of the cleaning job your commercial space needs, we can handle it. Call SERVPRO of East Mecklenburg/Matthews today to take the burden off your shoulders and leave it to the experts.

Commercial Solutions for Businesses Struck By Disaster | SERVPRO® of East Mecklenburg/Matthews

11/2/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Mecklenburg/Matthews is the industry leader in cleanup and recovery. Contact us for any restoration needs.

It’s hard enough running a business on a perfectly normal day. As a manager or owner, you have things on every side, vying for your attention mentally, physically and financially—and keeping those things under control is enough to push anyone to any number of limits.

So it stand to reason that when a disaster or unexpected disruption takes place, you’re going to need some help; that’s where we come in.

SERVPRO is the industry leader in cleanup, recovery and restoration for businesses of all kinds, from mom and pop corner shops to malls, casinos and athletic venues. And while your focus is your product and customer experience, ours is getting you back on track after any kind of disaster.

Let us help you deal with damage from…

Fire and smoke. Businesses are victimized by over 100,000 fires per year, to the tune of over $2 billion in losses. We can deal with the rebuilding, restoring and reopening of your space, right down to the removal of smoke odor.

Water damage. Pipes burst, toilets overflow and unexpected issues render carpets soaked, drywall ruined and sometimes even structural integrity damaged. Whatever the cause and whatever the result, we can get you in the dry again.

Storms and natural disasters. As many as one in three small business owners are impacted by natural disasters, and many businesses are unprepared. You can change that by setting up a SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile, setting you up for a fast response and recovery to get you back on track after a tornado, flood or other weather event.

Mold. Realizing toxic mold has set up shop in your workspace is realizing that your workforce and customer base are at risk. Cleaning it won’t work, nor will painting over it; mold outbreaks need complete remediation under the care of a professional team. Fortunately for you, there’s an expert SERVPRO team right here in Mecklenburg County fit to handle it.

Whatever the disaster type or size, we can aid you in your recovery, so you can get back to business faster. Just reading this article means that you’re halfway there—now take the next step and set up your Emergency Ready Profile with SERVPRO today.

When you’re ready to get the industry leader in cleanup and recovery on your side, contact SERVPRO. Whether you need help preparing or recovering from a disaster, we’re here to help.

Recovering at Your Business After a Disaster Strikes | SERVPRO® of East Mecklenburg/Matthews

7/1/2021 (Permalink)

If your business is hit by a disaster, Contact SERVPRO of East Mecklenburg/Matthews. We are here to guide you through the process.

Careful planning and strategizing is a key part of being a business owner, both for all of your everyday business decisions and when it comes to emergencies. Disasters devastate businesses every single year, leaving many business owners confused and unsure of how and if they will be able to reopen. Through careful planning, you can mitigate quite a bit of this uncertainty.

When you are considering how a disaster could impact your business, the first thing to be aware of is safety. Plan ahead to make sure you and your staff will be safe when a dangerous situation arises, and then consider how you will recover if there is damage to your building. Your restoration provider, your insurance company and your customers will all want to keep in touch, and you will have many resources available to you from organizations for financial assistance.

Ensuring Your Business Can Recover From a Disaster

Make contact with your insurance and restoration providers. No two commercial insurance policies are the same, so getting in touch with your insurance provider quickly after damage occurs is recommended. The process of filing a claim will vary, but once you get the details settled with your insurance company, you should reach out to your restoration provider as quickly as you are able so they can begin working on the damages.

Give customers updates on your status. Because of social media, it is easier than ever to keep in touch with your customers in real-time—and after a disaster, you absolutely should. Consider providing updates on your reopening timeline and any options customers have for supporting you while you work to recover (i.e. purchasing gift cards, making online orders, etc.).

Consider all your options for assistance. While a disaster is always a difficult thing to endure, business owners do have plenty of resources available for recovery through the Small Business Administration. Their disaster loan program is quite possibly the biggest help, as it is easy to qualify for, offers flexible repayment solutions and provides financial assistance for a variety of post-disaster expenses incurred.

If your business has been damaged due to a disaster, we’re here to help. Contact us at any hour to report your damage or to learn more about our commercial restoration services.

East Mecklenburg/Matthews Business Owners Can Count on Us During the Pandemic and Beyond | SERVPRO® of East Mecklenburg/Matthews

6/28/2021 (Permalink)

If you need cleaning assistance at your business, we’re here. Contact SERVPRO® of East Mecklenburg/Matthews to learn more.

Did you know that we’re a locally owned and operated business?

That means we’re members of the Montgomery community, too. Our team is here to help business owners when they need us. We’re invested in helping our community thrive.

We understand that it takes planning, research and hard work to get your business going. And there’s even more to be done as your business opens and starts to grow.

But not every situation or circumstance can be controlled. For example, the global COVID-19 pandemic has changed how most of us interact with clients, add value and meet our customers’ needs.

Many businesses have already opened their doors again, and others have found new ways to work remotely or offer products and services digitally. Regardless of how you and your employees have decided to move forward, there’s help out there for you.

Tips to Help You Keep Working During the Pandemic

The good news is that many people (not just your loyal customers) are invested in helping you succeed. You can find great tools including more information about business loans and tips, advice, and more from sources you can trust.

Taking all the precautions you can to see that your business is clean and safe is important, too. That’s where we can help you.

We can help you get your space “Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.” What does that mean? We’ll explain it to you.

It starts when we consult with you. We’ll use what we learn to create an individualized plan for your business.

Next, our experts will clean your space. They’ll use a high-level system to ensure you’re ready for customers to come back. Our teams work with proprietary EPA-Approved Hospital-Grade cleaning solutions. Plus, we use cleaning and decontamination standards directly from the CDC.

Finally, we’ll certify your space. And you can open your business with confidence.

If you need cleaning assistance at your business, we’re here. We have crews who are available ²⁴⁄₇ in the event of an emergency. Contact us at any time to learn more about our cleaning services and how we can help you.

What to Do After the Storm When Your Home Is Damaged | SERVPRO® of East Mecklenburg/Matthews

5/14/2021 (Permalink)

The storm season is gearing up. SERVPRO of East Mecklenburg/Matthews are on call and ready to help you though any disaster.

It’s hard to think about your home being damaged by severe weather, but it happens to millions of Americans every year.

In places like Matthews, where strong spring and summer thunderstorms and tornadoes are always a risk, you need to know the first steps to take if your home suffers storm damage.

This type of damage isn’t always preventable, but there are things you can do afterward to make the recovery process easier for you and your family.

Our team members have years of experience dealing with storm damage and restoration, so we know the things homeowners can do to make the process easier.

Do This If Your Home Is Damaged During a Storm

Learn the steps you should take if your home is damaged by a storm now so that you can be prepared later if you ever need the information.

If you have natural gas, turn it off. This step is important because damaged natural gas lines and gas leaks are hazardous. You can potentially lessen the damage to your home, property and the surrounding areas by turning off your natural gas if your home is damaged.

If you can, open your windows and start running fans. This will help stop water damage from worsening during the cleanup process.

Use caution and follow emergency guidelines. Be sure you’re careful if you’re cleaning up the damage, and don’t enter areas the authorities have asked people to stay away from. Even if your home is damaged, you and your family must stay safe.

Document the damage. This is the type of information your insurance company will need to help you file a claim.

If a fire, flood or any other cause damage to your home, you can always count on us for restoration assistance. We are available ²⁴⁄₇ in the event of an emergency. Contact us at any time to learn more about our restoration services and how we can help you.

How Our Cleaning Technology Makes a Difference for Your Business | SERVPRO® of East Mecklenburg/ Matthews

5/12/2021 (Permalink)

Our cleaning technology can help put business concerns at ease. If you need a deep cleaning contact SERVPRO of East Mecklenburg/Matthews.

Operating a business during a pandemic is a challenge. And it’s one that business owners here in Matthews are meeting with resilience.

Because we want to be a resource and support for business owners during this unprecedented time, we’ve pulled together tools and information you can use to keep your doors open.

Pandemic Resources You Can Use

The Mecklenburg County government has helpful resources for business owners and other residents to track the prevalence of COVID-19 in our county. You can find the latest information about Mecklenburg County here.

Business owners can also get information they can trust from the Small Business Administration. Their website includes information that can also help you deal with added pandemic stress. The SBA recommends setting realistic goals for the pandemic, among other things.

And of course, you want to know who to turn to if your in-person business needs a deep-cleaning after any type of exposure. Here in Matthews, you can call on SERVPRO for that help.

We have advanced technology that can be used to ensure your business is clean and ready for customers. Our technicians use an electrostatic sprayer.

How Our Electrostatic Sprayer Works

You may not have heard of an electrostatic sprayer or understand why having this powerful technology in our arsenal makes a difference. Let’s take a closer look at how it works.

Our sprayer charges the disinfectant we use with a positive charge. That allows the particles to make a 360-degree coating on objects. So we can use less product and still get a powerful result.

Additionally, our sprayer allows us to provide touchless disinfection services. That means you can rest assured nothing else is introduced into your business while we’re cleaning the space.

We’re here to help you at any time if your business needs powerful touchless disinfection services. We’re here early mornings, nights and weekends if you need us. Don’t wait to call.

If you need cleaning assistance at your business, we’re here. We have crews who are available ²⁴⁄₇ in the event of an emergency. Contact us at any time to learn more about our cleaning services and how we can help you.

Building a Solid Evacuation Plan for Your Mint Hill Business l SERVPRO® of East Mecklenburg/Matthews

2/18/2021 (Permalink)

Here are some helpful tips we’ve put together to help you build a solid emergency plan. Contact SERVPRO of East Mecklenburg/Matthews to learn more.

Every business needs an evacuation plan in case of a fire or another disaster. In many cases, OSHA requires it and even publishes their own standards to check your emergency plans against.

Plus, it’s a good way to ensure both your employees and your customers are safe if something unexpected happens. (And, considering everything that happened in 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic, planning for the unexpected now certainly seems wise.)

We’ve put together some tips to help you build a solid evacuation and emergency plan if your business should need it. We’ve worked in the disaster restoration and recovery business for years, so our team understands how these processes can work.

Things to Consider

We use the term “emergency” or “evacuation” plan, but it should be more than one plan in reality. Here’s why:

Some disasters require you to shelter in place. In the event of a fire, of course, you’ll want to have the routes out of the building posted and employees trained to help with the process. But in other cases, sheltering in place is the right call. That usually is the best option if a severe storm or tornado has been spotted in the area. So, you’ll want to have a plan in mind that covers all types of disaster scenarios.

Your employees’ roles can change. You’ll want to talk with your employees about head counts, evacuation routes and their role in leading people out. You may also want to establish a set meeting place to ensure that everyone you know is in the building has gotten out. Or if they haven’t, how many people first responders should be looking for inside the building.

Some special equipment may be required. Depending on your business and the type of disaster you’re dealing with, respirators and other equipment may be required.

If your business is damaged due to fire, water or any other cause, you can always count on us for restoration assistance. We have crews who are available ²⁴⁄₇ in the event of an emergency. Contact us at any time to learn more about our restoration services.

Ways That Business Owners Can Better Prepare for Disasters | SERVPRO® of East Mecklenburg/Matthews

10/19/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Mecklenburg/Matthews is your go-to in case a disaster occurs. Get in touch with us to learn more.

For business owners, disasters are more than just an inconvenience—they can interrupt your livelihood and even ruin your chances of continuing operations if they cause damage to your business. While planning for something this dramatic is difficult, it is a must to ensure that you have a good chance of being able to reopen after a disaster occurs.

The key to being able to reopen is to streamline the recovery process, which can be done by planning ahead as much as possible. There are many resources to help you do this, from local government to the Small Business Administration, and it is wise to make use of all the resources that you can.

Preparing for Disasters When You Own a Business

Communicate with your employees. Keeping everyone safe is so important as a business owner, so be sure to have a plan in place for emergencies that is communicated to employees. Things like evacuations, emergency supplies and communication plans are all necessary to think through to make sure you can keep everyone safer and reduce panic in the moment you find out a disaster is imminent.

Check your insurance coverage and upgrade if necessary. You can get insurance to cover nearly anything, but if you just have basic commercial coverage, you may be surprised at what is not covered by your insurance provider. Checking in advance is a good way to ensure you do not run into this unfortunate scenario—things like flooding, income interruption and damage to company vehicles will often need to be covered with additional policies.

Consider who you will use for restoration. Once you start the insurance process, having the damage to your business handled as quickly as possible is key. Damages left unattended can cause even more issues, so be sure you are confident in the company you are choosing to call. Try to find a company that is available 24 hours a day, so you can be certain that they will be there no matter when a disaster occurs.

We are here to be your go-to in case a disaster occurs, so get in touch with us to learn more about how we can help your business with commercial restoration. We are here ²⁴⁄₇ to take your call—contact us today.

Faster to Any Size Disaster

3/9/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Mecklenburg / Matthews is here to quickly help get your business back up and running after a disaster. When you need a quick response, call us! We understand there's no such thing as a small emergency when it can negatively impact occupant safety, revenue loss and business continuity. 

Timely mitigation is key to minimizing damage, business interruptions and recovery costs. You and those who depend on you will appreciate the rapid response, expertise and training that enables SERVPRO of East Mecklenburg / Matthews to help get your facility back into operation quickly. 

We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The sooner we arrive, the better chance we can reduce damage and save money. 

If your business in the Mecklenburg or Matthews area suffers a water or fire loss, call us at 704-847-8001.