Common Problems That Require Commercial Water Repair

7/31/2022 (Permalink)

A broken pipe can cause severe water damage.

Commercial properties share some of the same water damage risks, such as a broken pipe, as residential properties. However, commercial properties also have unique risks because of the size, scale and nature of their operations. These are some of the most common water damage issues in commercial buildings.

Common Commercial Water Repair Issues

Commercial property owners face several common issues that can lead to water damage:

1. Clogged Drains

Because of the large volume of waste passing through drains, commercial properties frequently have issues with clogged drains. Additionally, employees and members of the public may not take the same care when using commercial plumbing systems, leading to additional problems due to objects and substances being flushed down toilets and dumped into sinks that shouldn't be. Clogs may lead to flooding from sink and toilet overflows that require cleanup by a water restoration service in Pueblo, CO.

2. Water Temperature Issues

Commercial water heaters are large and complicated. This makes them prone to deterioration which can lead to issues with water temperatures. Depending on the severity of the problem and the nature of the operations, this could cause minor inconveniences, such as a lack of warm water in the bathroom sink, or major problems, such as water not being kept at the required temperature for industrial processes or regulations.

3. Pipe Damage

Many commercial buildings contain hundreds of miles of pipes that carry thousands of gallons of water. A broken pipe can cause significant property damage and service disruption.

4. Leaks

The sheer number of pipes and fixtures in many commercial buildings can make it difficult to avoid leaks, particularly if regular maintenance schedules are not followed. In addition to sinks and toilets, industrial equipment and sprinkler systems may require pipes and supply lines that cause leaks. Damaged roofs and leaky foundations can also be a source of water issues.

5. Sewage Smells

Dry pipes, clogs and other issues can cause sewage smells to permeate a commercial building. When this happens, businesses may lose customers or be forced to shut down while the source of the problem is investigated and resolved.

6. HVAC Problems

HVAC units can cause water damage due to frozen evaporator coils, clogged drains and improperly connected pipes. Many HVAC problems can be avoided with regular maintenance and inspection.

7. Vacant Buildings

Vacant buildings do not use water in the same way that occupied buildings do; however, when a problem occurs it may not be detected for a long time. Water sources to vacant buildings should be shut off and buildings should be regularly inspected for leaks.

8. Boiler and Machinery Malfunctions

Boilers and other commercial equipment that use water can malfunction leading to leaks, burst pipes and other types of water damage. This equipment must be properly inspected and maintained to avoid problems.

9. Sewage Backup

Sewage backups can be caused by clogs and heavy rainfall. While this type of damage is not as common as other types, it can be particularly severe because of the need to clean and sanitize the impacted areas.

A broken pipe can happen in any type of building. However, commercial buildings face unique challenges that require vigilance from building owners.

First Aid Tips for Burns in the Workplace

7/26/2022 (Permalink)

Learn first aid for burns.

If a fire occurs in your Pueblo, CO, commercial building, your first concern should be the safety of your employees. Before you assess any fire damage, you should see if any of your workers need first aid.

Burn First Aid Tips for the Workplace

Burns are a common cause of injury during a fire. If an employee suffers a burn, you must determine how severe it is. A major burn requires emergency medical intervention. A major burn:

• Swells quickly
  
• Is at least 3 inches or 8 centimeters in diameter
  
• Encircles a leg or arm, or covers the groin, buttocks, feet, face, hands or a major joint
  
• Appears charred, or has brown, black or white patches
  
• Goes deep into all layers of the skin
  
• Makes skin leathery and dry
  

Treating Major Burns

If you suspect that an employee has a major burn, call 911 immediately. While you wait for first responders to arrive, you should raise and cover the burn. If possible, lift the wounded area so it is above the victim’s heart. Then put a clean cloth or gauze on top of the burn.
Since burns often lead to swelling, you should remove any tight belts or jewelry that the victim is wearing. Necklaces, in particular, could choke the victim if the neck starts to swell.
You should also keep a close eye on the victim to ensure he is still breathing. If you do not see or hear his lungs inflating, perform CPR immediately. Burn victims can quickly go into shock, as well. Signs of this condition include shallow breathing, clammy skin and a weak pulse.
Finally, keep the victim away from further harm. If possible, remove him from the source of the fire. Do not take off any clothes he is wearing, as doing so could make the damage worse.

Treating Minor Burns

An employee could also suffer a minor burn whenever fire damage occurs to your property. You should be able to treat this burn with basic first aid. Start by putting the burn under cool running water for approximately 10 minutes. If the burn is on the victim’s face, use a wet, cool cloth to ease the pain.
If blisters start to develop, do not pop them. They help prevent infection. If a blister does burst, apply water and an antibiotic ointment to the wound.
After the burn has cooled, rub a lotion onto the injury. Ideally, the lotion should contain cocoa butter or aloe vera. The lotion relieves pain and hydrates the skin.
Finally, place a clean bandage on top of the burn. Be sure to wrap it loosely so it does not put too much pressure on the burned skin. The victim can also take over-the-counter pain medication if necessary.

Once you have treated all employee injuries, you can move on to the next step of the recovery process: restoring your property. Fire damage cleanup professionals can remove charred items from your building and reconstruct any destroyed walls or roofs.
Immediately after a blaze, you may have to administer burn first aid to one or more employees. By following the above steps, you can limit how much harm the burns cause.

The Importance of Timely Flood Damage Mitigation

7/20/2022 (Permalink)

Roof damage due to a storm can cause flooding and damage to your home.

Having the security of flood insurance after a major storm hits Pueblo, CO, is a relief. If the damage it causes is widespread throughout your area, though, it may be a while before your adjuster arrives to assess your home. There are many reasons not to wait on your provider's representative before starting mitigation.

Reasons Not To Wait for the Flood Insurance Adjuster To Arrive

Under normal circumstances, insurance adjusters are tasked with making sure the information provided by clients on claims is accurate. If your home has extensive damage, though, it may only get worse if you wait to start the remediation until after the adjuster visits. Quick action is necessary for several reasons.

• Accurate Assessment
  

Before any work can be done, you must know the full extent of the problem. The flood damage mitigation experts you hire to fix what's wrong with your home are trained to provide an accurate assessment of the issue. They go beyond the surface for a thorough investigation of potential issues:

• Contamination level
  
• Air quality
  
• Structural integrity
  
• Saturation extent
  
• Secondary damage
  

Adjusters list all the problems they see but certified mitigation experts understand what the actual cleanup process entails. Thus, they know the specific problems to look for and are likely to catch something that the adjuster might miss. They can also take pictures and provide an itemized list of work that needs to be done to aid the adjuster in getting an accurate picture of the original state of your home after the flood.

• Extended Damage
  

Just like any other liquid, water continues to cause problems as long as it's someplace it's not supposed to be, and if you neglect to act in a timely manner, your flood insurance policy may not cover extended damage. Even if you are able to pump the majority of the standing water out of your home, the excess moisture that inevitably stays behind is still seeping into your flooring and your baseboards. The water that is already in your drywall will continue to expand until it's completely cut out. The faster your response, the more likely it is that some materials can be salvaged.

• Mold Growth
  

Another common issue that arises with unmitigated water damage is mold growth. You may think that you have plenty of time to start cleanup, but the truth is that mold damage can occur within as few as 24 hours after the initial flood happens. This is especially true of the spaces in your home that may already be prone to fungus growth, such as the bathroom and laundry room. Waiting for an adjuster to survey your house only paves the way for mold to exacerbate the issue.

Your flood insurance provider is certainly one of the first calls you should make when your home is flooded. If the damage occurs as a result of a storm, though, adjusters in your area may be very busy and thus delayed. Don't wait to start the cleanup process. Your mitigation team can provide the thorough assessment that your insurance company needs while stopping damage in its tracks.

The Facts About Thunderstorms

7/19/2022 (Permalink)

Thunderstorms can pop up at any moment.

When you think about severe weather, hurricanes and tornadoes may come to mind. If you’re thinking globally, things like cyclones and monsoons may also be thought of.

But you may forget all about thunderstorms.

Thunderstorms occur so frequently that we often fail to think of them as dangerous, which can be a problem in and of itself. While many thunderstorms pass without incident, there are those that do not—and between high winds, lightning, hail, flooding and other issues that thunderstorms can cause, there are many ways that the weather can turn dangerous quickly.

By definition, thunderstorms are any storm that involves thunder. By extension, that also means they include lightning, since the two always go hand-in-hand, even if you don’t see the lightning.

Most of these storms are inconsequential, but they can quickly turn severe in the right conditions. Severe thunderstorms are defined as storms that contain hail that is one inch or larger and straight-line winds of 58 miles per hour or more.

Why Thunderstorms Are Dangerous

• Damage and injury from lightning strikes.

We mentioned above that lightning always accompanies thunder. It’s also incredibly dangerous, and it is reported that lightning strikes cause around 300 injuries every year. Bodily harm is one key danger, but lightning strikes can also damage property, both directly and indirectly through things like trees falling on homes after a strike.

• Property damage due to hail.

You probably know what hail is, and you may consider it a danger to your car. But it’s also a danger in other ways. These ice pellets vary in size from tiny to very large. Their size, as well as how quickly they fall, contribute to how dangerous they are. Large hail, propelling quickly, can damage your roof and siding, which may lead to a leak and resulting water damage.

• Harm from flash flooding.

Flash floods can occur any time there is heavy rain for a plethora of reasons—even if storm drains back up or small ditches become filled with water, heavy rain can quickly turn these things into a life-threatening flooding scenario. This type of flood earned its name; they literally occur in a flash, endangering people around the area. If flash flood conditions are present, stay off the road.

Thunderstorms are dangerous and can cause significant damage to homes or commercial spaces in Pueblo, CO. If you have damage due to a thunderstorm, you can count on us to help. C

We’re Ready if You Need Home Restoration Services in Pueblo

7/19/2022 (Permalink)

We’re Ready if You Need Home Restoration Services in Pueblo, CO.

No two home damage claims are the same—even the claims resulting from the same thunderstorm or hail event can be very different.

But all these claims actually have one thing in common. Want to guess what it is?

No matter what kind of damage your home suffers, getting the restoration process started as quickly as possible is vital to making sure your home can be restored quickly and efficiently to its original state.

Time is of the essence in any restoration emergency, but it’s essential when your home is damaged by water. You can notice the effects of water damage within a few hours, including the tell-tale musty odor that signifies the beginning of a mold problem. Within a few days, wood will start to warp, too.

Why Homeowners Need Restoration Services

Homeowners insurance claims include things like severe weather issues, such as wind, hail and rain. While natural disasters can cause damage to more than one home in a city or neighborhood, accidents and appliance malfunctions are also common reasons individual homeowners need restoration help.

Your SERVPRO Team Is Here 24⁄7

Because we understand that it’s vital to get help for your home as soon as possible, we’re available when you need us for emergency restoration services.

That means you can call us on nights, weekends and holidays if you need our assistance. We’ll be here to answer your questions and get your restoration process started.

There are other good reasons to choose SERVPRO, too. Here’s what makes us different.

3 Reasons to Choose SERVPRO

• Our teams are staffed by expert technicians.

We have technicians who are highly trained experts. They hold valid certifications in their fields and will bring their wealth of knowledge about water damage to your home.

• Our teams have access to the best restoration technology.

Our relationship with a trusted national partner like SERVPRO means we can access the latest and greatest in restoration technology. When combined with our technical expertise, that technology gives you an edge when you work with our team.

• We’re a locally owned business.

We want to serve our community and help our friends and neighbors get great results when they need us the most.

If your home is damaged due to fire, water or any other cause, you can always count on us for restoration assistance. We have teams in Pueblo, CO, who are available 24⁄7 in the event of an emergency. 

Creating a Fire Escape Plan for Your Home

6/24/2022 (Permalink)

Create the best Fire Escape Plan following the Tips of our Professionals.

While no one hopes to experience a fire in their home, it’s important to be prepared ahead of time. From carrying homeowners’ insurance to knowing which local fire restoration company to call, you need to have a plan that outlines what to do in the event of a fire. If your home in Pueblo, CO, catches fire while you and other household members are there, do you have a plan for a safe exit? Now’s the perfect time to come up with a fire escape plan. Here’s what you need to know. 

Developing a Fire Escape Plan

Creating an escape plan should be done collaboratively with everyone in the household, including children. Consider the following tips:

• Walk through the home making note of all possible exits from the house, including doors and windows.
• Your plan should also account for exiting the home from upper floors.
• Create a map of the home with exits and smoke alarms for young children.
• Make sure your routes for escape are clear and free of obstacles.
• Confirm that doors and windows are easy to open.
• Determine an outdoor meeting place that everyone will head to. It should be a safe distance from your house and marked on your map.
• Your plan should designate an official assistant for helping infants, the elderly, and anyone with limited mobility escape. Indicate a backup in the event the first designee is not home during a real emergency.

Coming up with a plan allows you to take stock of any changes that need to be made to help everyone exit the building quickly and safely. 

Testing Your Plan

Practice makes perfect, and you’ll need to test your plan to see if it’s effective. Consider these tips for testing your fire escape plan: Practice your fire plan at different times of the day, including the nighttime. Commit to fully exiting the building, making accommodations for those whose mobility is limited.

While you don’t want to frighten young children, it’s important to test your plan when they’re asleep. This lets you know if your smoke alarms are effective at waking them up. Your escape plan may need to designate someone responsible for waking them up.

Test alternate escapes

In a real home fire, the quickest route may not be the safest. Everyone should practice getting low to simulate crawling under smoke. Keep ladders near windows for safe exits from the second floor.

Planning for No Escape

Your fire preparation plan should also account for a situation where home escape isn’t possible. Fire or smoke may block all exits. Come up with a plan for isolating family members from fire or smoke. This includes closing doors, sealing openings, and covering vents to limit the spread of fire and smoke. Household members should also know how to open windows to let in fresh air. Be sure to include flashlights or other devices to direct firefighters to your location.

As a responsible homeowner, you want to make sure you and your household are prepared for a fire. A well-developed and practiced fire escape plan is your best chance for survival. Accidents can happen at any time of the day, so it’s important to practice executing your plan at various times and under different circumstances.

3 Examples of Category 3, or Black Water, Damage

6/17/2022 (Permalink)

Learn More about Water Damage following our Tips.

Water damage happens in many ways and can range from inconvenient, such as a warped countertop, to severe, such as multi-story flooding. It's understandable that in some cases the damage can be addressed by the homeowner, but in other situations, such as black water contamination, the damage requires the services of sewage cleanup experts. As a homeowner in Pueblo, CO, here's what you need to know about this extreme water contamination.

3 Examples of Category 3, or Black Water, Damage

The hazards you can expect from the three categories of water damage range from Category 1 water damage that originates from clean water to Category 3 which contains toxic substances, such as bacteria, pesticides, chemicals, and raw sewage. This type of contamination leads to extensive damage and risk. It can also happen in a variety of situations.

1. Outside Flooding

Storms and heavy rain may cause nearby lakes and rivers to flood. It can raise the water table, leading to flooded basements and ground-level homes. When this happens, the rising water carries feces from rodents and neighborhood pets. It also picks up chemicals from pesticides, garbage, and landscaping treatments.

When this contaminated water flows through your home, those toxic substances are readily absorbed by the structural components of your home as well as by your furnishings and belongings.

2. Sewer Backups

There are several potential causes of sewer backups: clogged and blocked sewer pipes, damaged and aging pipes, tree roots in the system, and major blockage in the municipal lines. As soon as sewage emerges from your toilet, bathtub drain, or sink drain, it's important to reduce the risk to you, your family, and your home.

Don't touch the dirty water and close off the area, so pets, children, and other adults don't move in and out of the area. As water evaporates, many of the chemicals and contaminants from the water will get into the air.

It's important that professionals resolve this situation as quickly as possible. Water damage cleanup and restoration pros have the proper protective equipment and commercial cleaners to remove heavy metals, pesticides, bacteria, chemicals, urine, and raw sewage safely and thoroughly from your home. These technicians have extensive training to protect them and your home from the hazards carried by this contaminated water.

3. Standing Clean Water Flooding

Flooding in your home may originate from a source of clean water. Maybe the bathtub was left running and overflowed. A pipe under the kitchen sink may burst, or a damaged clothes dryer could cause flooding. Initially, this water damage falls into Category 1 and Category 2 contamination, but when that water is allowed to sit for more than 24 hours, the damage will increase until you have black water contamination. This happens because the sitting water absorbs chemicals from the drywall, carpeting, and other materials.

Black water, or Category 3, damage is the most dangerous type of water contamination and should only be cleaned up by professionals with the appropriate protective gear, equipment, and treatments. Your top priority should be ensuring the safety of your family and reducing damage to your home.

How To Identify Contaminated Water and Clean It Up

6/13/2022 (Permalink)

Our specialists can help you with the Water Cleanup.

When a home in Pueblo, CO, experiences water damage, it’s vital to take care of the issue as soon as possible. Prior to jumping into cleanup, it’s also essential to know whether it is clean or contaminated water. The latter requires additional safety precautions and is known to spread more quickly.

Is It Black Water?

The IICRC has determined three types of water categories.

Clean:

Considered sanitary, this originates from a source that poses no substantial risk. This type may come from a water supply line, sink or bathtub overflow, or rainwater. It is typically easy to clean and won’t cause long-lasting damage if mitigated quickly.

Grey:

This category of water may have some contamination but is still considered relatively safe to deal with. Sources that create this type of water damage include urine-only toilet overflow, malfunctioning appliances or a leaking aquarium. During cleaning, an anti-microbial spray will be needed to ensure affected items are disinfected properly.

Black:

This highly contaminated water has the potential to have toxins, pathogens, bacteria, chemicals and microorganisms that require added layers of safety when handling. Since it often contains sewage, underground water or waste line backflow, it is best to leave the cleanup to a water damage mitigation and restoration company.

Prevent the Spread

Even if the problem starts as a Category 1, that doesn’t mean it will stay that way. Any water left standing presents a prime situation for mold to start to grow. Since porous materials wick up moisture, even a small amount of water may be slowly causing hidden issues.

That also means that belongings may slowly be sitting in water, possibly causing irreversible damage. After determining the source of the water, cleanup should begin as soon as possible. The following steps should be taken to minimize additional damage:

• Find the source of the water problem and contain it. This may require turning off the main water valve if it is a broken pipe.
• If the situation is being caused by nature, homeowners will have to wait for the water to subside. In the meantime, belongings that haven’t been affected yet should be moved to higher levels.
• Once the source is resolved, wet belongings that can be relocated should be moved to a safe, secure place to dry out thoroughly.
• The next step is to begin removing the water. The faster that happens, the better the chances of minimizing the damage.
• Once water is removed, the affected area needs to be thoroughly dried. Fans and dehumidifiers should be used to speed up the process.
• After several days of drying, depending on the extent of the damage, cleaning, sanitizing and deodorizing can begin.
• The final step is restoration. That may require replacing the carpet, drywall, ceiling panels and other structural components of the home.

While any unwanted water in a home is unwelcome, contaminated water poses additional issues. Knowing the types of water classifications and their sources makes it easier to know when a professional should be called for help. No matter the source, speedy cleanup and swift action are needed to keep it from spreading.

4 Critical Steps for Roof Damage and Water Damage Mitigation

5/26/2022 (Permalink)

Follow these Steps and avoid Water Damage in your Property.

The roof over your home is in a precarious location. It often takes the brunt of everything from high winds to heavy rains to hail and snow. It is not surprising that roof damage is common after a powerful storm. When this happens, your home in Pueblo, CO, is even more exposed to the elements and quick action needs to be taken. Failure to act could result in another storm sweeping in and pouring water onto the interior of your residence.

To secure your home after an extreme weather event, it is important to get professional help. Working with a storm damage restoration company in your area is a smart choice, particularly if you have gaps in the roof or extensive damage to shingles. A local franchise can arrive quickly and begin to secure your exposed home with appropriate actions.

Important steps to avoid Water and Roof Damage.

1. Roof Tarping Services

The first step could be putting a waterproof barrier in the form of a tarp over your house. This will prevent additional wind damage and keep moisture from ruining carpeting, furniture, personal belongings and insulation. It will place a barrier over your home until more permanent repairs can be made. Erecting a tarp over a home is an inherently risky job so it is best left to professionals who will follow critical safety protocols and use suitable equipment.

2. Roof Damage Inspection

When looking at the roof after storm damage, trained workers will make sure everyone in the home is safe. This could include asking your family to vacate the premises for a time. Other steps could include making sure electrical hazards are addressed and contacting the power company to repair downed power lines. The initial roof inspection will be done from the ground for safety purposes. Only when the roof is deemed safe, will the inspection proceed to go up on the roof.

3. Restoration and Rebuild

Wind damage to shingles and the tearing off of roof boards will require construction services. The goal is to restore the roof to its original condition so it can once again protect your home during extreme weather. A successful job includes completing the roof mitigation on time and within budget. It allows your family to move back into the home and feel secure. A quality construction contractor will coordinate with your insurance company to expedite the claims process.

4. Water Damage Assessment

As roof repairs proceed, workers will also need to inspect the home for signs of water damage. Any standing water will need to be removed from the home and drying equipment will be necessary to remove excess moisture. The severity of the damage determines the most appropriate steps to take. If structural damage has occurred, a remediation and construction plan will be communicated to the homeowner. You should be informed of all steps along the way, and you will not need to be in the home at all times while repairs are being made.

It is an unfortunate event when roof damage exposes your home to the elements. With the proper steps, though, your home can be restored to its original condition.

SERVPRO Is Faster to Any Size Disaster

5/23/2022 (Permalink)

We arrive Faster to Any Size Disaster. For more Information, just contact us.

When disaster strikes you need a restoration team that can begin work immediately. SERVPRO can serve more than 90% of the zip codes in the United States in under two hours, making us faster to any size disaster.

SERVPRO Helps Close Your Insurance Claim Fast

There are several ways SERVPRO helps insurance professionals complete claims fast:

1. Locations Near Most Customers

We have over 1,900 locations in the United States and Canada. No matter where your customers in Pueblo, CO, are located, chances are we can get a restoration professional to them in under two hours.

2. Always Available

An emergency can happen at any time, so you need a restoration company that is always ready to respond. SERVPRO professionals are available 24/7 to provide immediate assistance.

3. Highly Trained Professionals

We have more than 50 years of experience in the restoration industry and all of our professionals are highly trained. Our Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification-approved training facility provides training for new professionals and franchisees, continuing education and training for insurance professionals.

4. One Stop Shop

Most disasters cause more than one kind of damage. Our team is trained to perform restoration for water, fire and storm damage. We can also find and remove mold and provide tarp and board-up service. SERVPRO provides specialty cleaning, air duct/HVAC cleaning and biohazard and crime scene cleaning. Additionally, we can restore documents, remove odors, vandalism and graffiti and clean carpets and upholstery.

5. Competitive Advantage

Our quick and effective services help insurance companies also be faster to any size disaster. When you use SERVPRO, you will enjoy lower claims costs, increased customer satisfaction and lower loss ratios. This gives you an advantage over your competition and helps you retain customers.

6. Customer Focus

Our goal is to restore your customers to preloss condition as quickly as possible. Happy customers mean fewer headaches for insurance companies.

7. Lower Costs

We know that restoring property costs less money than replacing it. We work hard to ensure that all property that can be restored is restored.

8. Trusted Vendors

We work with vendors on your behalf so that you don't have to. We only work with the best vendors in the industry so you never have to worry about subpar work.

9. Guaranteed Quality

All of our work is backed by a two-year labor and one-year materials warranty. If our work fails to meet your reasonable expectations, we will do it again at no additional cost for up to two years.

10. Dedicated Insurance Team

We have a dedicated team whose only focus is keeping our insurance customers happy. We keep the lines of communication open so that any time you have a concern, we are always available to address it.

11. Industry-Leading Standards

We make sure our high standards are always met by conducting internal audits. Only franchisees who meet our more than 21 requirements get insurance referrals. SERVPRO takes meeting the needs of insurance clients and their customers seriously.

No matter how large or small the job, we are prepared to demonstrate why we are faster to any size disaster.