What To Do After a Fire.

10/13/2022 (Permalink)

If your commercial building suffers fire damage call SERVPRO of Central Ft. Myers. We are here to help.

What To Do After a Fire.

After a fire, it's very hard to know what to do first. There are many steps you need to follow to make sure that your home is secure and safe after a fire has occurred. If you're prepared and know what to do after a fire, it makes the process much easier!

After a fire, it's very hard to know what to do first.

Fire can be devastating to a home. After the fire is out and you have time to take stock of your situation, you might be overwhelmed by what to do next.

If you're wondering "What should I do after a fire?" then here are some tips that can help:

• If possible, check if there's water damage or smoke damage in the area where the fire took place (for example, in an oven). 
• If there is water damage or smoke damage, clean up quickly—taking care not to make things worse with your cleaning supplies—to prevent mold growth or other problems from developing later.
• If possible, check if there's visible smoke residue left over from the fire. You may want to vacuum any areas where this residue was deposited; otherwise, it could attract dust particles or insects that could make their way into your home and cause problems later. 
• Check whether any electrical devices were damaged in the fire: outlets/switches/fans/heaters/light fixtures etc... If so, contact an electrician for advice before repairing them yourself. 
• Take photos of any damaged items so you can refer to them when filing insurance claims.

Call your insurance company as soon as you can.

It's important to call your insurance company as soon as you can. Your agent will be able to help advise on the extent of the damage that is covered under your insurance policy. 

If it's a large-scale emergency response where professionals are needed, do not try to restore the area on your own — harmful odors and chemicals left over from the fire could cause complications. Instead, seek out a reliable restoration company that can remove the damaged items and thoroughly restore the affected area. 

Board-up services might be able to help secure your home after a fire.

Sometimes, the heat of the flames can shatter windows and compromise Board-up services are a good idea if you need to secure your home after a fire. It's important to make sure the boards are secure and that they don't have any gaps, because any intruders could just push open the loose boards. If you're not sure about this, ask someone who knows how to do it right (like our friendly service providers).

After securing your Central Fr. Myers home with professional board-up services, we recommend having another trusted party come by and check on the outside of your house in case anything needs repairing.

Get cleaning services on-site ASAP.

The sooner you can get cleaning services on site, the better. The longer it takes, the harder it will be to remove any lingering smoke or odor. You should not attempt to clean up yourself with a mop and bucket—you need trained professionals for this job.

If your home or commercial property has been damaged by fire, you will need to make sure that you don't spread the fire further by spreading ashes from your vacuum cleaner around other areas of your home.

If you're prepared and know what to do after a fire, it makes the process so much easier.

The best way to handle a fire is to have a plan in place. If you know what to do after a fire, it makes the process easier. 

We've outlined some of the most important steps below:

• Make sure everyone is out of your house and then call 911
• Check on all family members who were inside at the time of the fire; look for any signs of burns or smoke inhalation
• If anyone injured needs medical attention, make sure they get it immediately

There's no doubt that when your commercial property has been damaged by fire, you're going to be shocked and upset. But if you don't know what to do first, it can make the process even more difficult. Follow these steps, and the process will be much less stressful!

Who Should You Call After Property Damage?

5/1/2022 (Permalink)

Relying on SERVPRO for mitigation, cleanup and restoration can ensure that work is done properly based on a single estimate and schedule.

Who Should You Contact If Your Property Has Been Damaged?

A property owner may debate whether to contact an insurance representative or restoration company first after property damage occurs. In order to make a claim, it is necessary to document the full extent of damage suffered by a residential or commercial property in Buckingham, FL. Restoration services that provide information to insurers via electronic claim services can be the best first response service.

Emergency Response Services

In the event of a fire, a property owner should call the nearest fire department. Once a blaze has been extinguished or for damage caused by a storm or water leak, a nearby franchise of a national restoration company can arrive on site within a matter of hours and provide several services:

• Inspection
  
• Documentation
  
• Mitigation

It is necessary to determine and document the full extent of damage. Photographs, videos and written materials can then be used to inform a restoration estimate and claim services.

Mitigation and Cleanup Professionals

A full-service restoration company can also mitigate damage. This may involve boarding up a structure damaged by fire or pumping standing water out of a flooded property. Insurers are more likely to cover a claim if mitigation takes place in a timely manner.

A One-Stop Restoration Shop

Relying on SERVPRO for mitigation, cleanup and restoration can ensure that work is done properly based on a single estimate and schedule. An all-in-one service also prevents lines from getting dropped due to a lack of communication between multiple service providers, which can end up requiring rework or secondary damage restoration.

A local franchise of the leading restoration company has the personnel and equipment necessary to respond quickly to any disaster in Buckingham, FL. Whether a large loss situation has damaged numerous properties or a single home, business or commercial property, a company that offers electronic claim services can maintain the open lines of communication necessary for fast recovery.

Who Should You Call After Property Damage?

3/21/2022 (Permalink)

Relying on SERVPRO for mitigation, cleanup and restoration can ensure that work is done properly based on a single estimate and schedule.

Who Should You Contact If Your Property Has Been Damaged?

A property owner may debate whether to contact an insurance representative or restoration company first after property damage occurs. In order to make a claim, it is necessary to document the full extent of damage suffered by a residential or commercial property in Buckingham, FL. Restoration services that provide information to insurers via electronic claim services can be the best first response service.

Emergency Response Services

In the event of a fire, a property owner should call the nearest fire department. Once a blaze has been extinguished or for damage caused by a storm or water leak, a nearby franchise of a national restoration company can arrive on site within a matter of hours and provide several services:

• Inspection
  
• Documentation
  
• Mitigation

It is necessary to determine and document the full extent of damage. Photographs, videos and written materials can then be used to inform a restoration estimate and claim services.

Mitigation and Cleanup Professionals

A full-service restoration company can also mitigate damage. This may involve boarding up a structure damaged by fire or pumping standing water out of a flooded property. Insurers are more likely to cover a claim if mitigation takes place in a timely manner.

A One-Stop Restoration Shop

Relying on SERVPRO for mitigation, cleanup and restoration can ensure that work is done properly based on a single estimate and schedule. An all-in-one service also prevents lines from getting dropped due to a lack of communication between multiple service providers, which can end up requiring rework or secondary damage restoration.

A local franchise of the leading restoration company has the personnel and equipment necessary to respond quickly to any disaster in Buckingham, FL. Whether a large loss situation has damaged numerous properties or a single home, business or commercial property, a company that offers electronic claim services can maintain the open lines of communication necessary for fast recovery.

3 Ways SERVPRO Helps With Insurance Claims

3/7/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO supports insurers in a variety of ways, a suite of electronic claims services and an all-in-one approach to mitigation and restoration.

SERVPRO Can Assist With Insurance Claims In Three Ways

Insurance companies prefer to work with mitigation and restoration companies that make it easier to process and settle claims. SERVPRO supports insurers in several ways, including an internal company-wide Participation Agreement that identifies Preferred Vendors, a suite of electronic claim services and an all-in-one approach to mitigation and restoration.

1. Preferred Vendor Program

Insurance jobs are only available to franchises that meet the terms of a 21-point Participation Agreement administered by the national corporation. Franchise owners must agree to perform background checks on employees and maintain insurance coverage. Insurers should also make sure that a franchise has an Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification.

2. Claims Information Center

Insurance agents and adjusters should be able to access claim information and estimates online. The Claims Information Center is an electronic resource designed to reduce communication delays and promote faster claim processing and settlement. A full suite of claim services makes it easy for insurance representatives to compare individual claims with local, regional and national data on causes of loss, job costs and emergency response times. This resource provides access to claim documentation for clients as well as data for a franchise location in Fort Myers, FL.

3. Combined Mitigation and Restoration Services

Insurance claims that involve separate mitigation and restoration companies are likely to be more complicated. In addition to multiple estimates, insurers and clients may also encounter issues such as delays, scheduling discrepancies or miscommunication. Given the time-sensitive nature of limiting and restoring damage, any of these issues may result in a less successful recovery effort. Combining these services allows for a more accurate initial estimate and prevents delays and dropped lines of communication.

These are only three of the ways in which SERVPRO facilitates the processing and settlement of an insurance claim. Property owners and insurance representatives can rely on helpful claim services throughout the mitigation and restoration process.

How Does Pretesting Affect Claims?

3/5/2022 (Permalink)

What Impact Does Pretesting Have On Claims?

Pretesting can help to determine the full extent of damage to a property before mitigation starts. This preliminary step may increase the accuracy of an initial estimate and could ultimately reduce the total amount of an insurance claim. Learn more about how early testing can potentially impact a claim.

Improving Estimate Accuracy

Preliminary testing can determine the types and precise extent of damage at a property in Lehigh Acres,FL. This method goes beyond visual inspection. Mitigation experts may take any of the following measures:

• Testing surfaces for damage
• Searching for signs of secondary damage
• Inspecting adjoining areas

Pretesting can identify the presence of additional damage that might otherwise be overlooked. Undetected damage could result in serious problems or significantly increase an estimate if it is discovered during mitigation or restoration.

Identifying Additional Damage

Preliminary testing can also determine whether other types of damage are present. In the case of a fire, this may involve additional smoke or soot damage that has traveled through ductwork to other parts of a structure or water damage from extinguishing efforts. In the event of water or storm damage, mold or other secondary damage could be identified through early testing. This damage can then be factored into an initial estimate and work schedule.

Keeping Work On Schedule

If any additional damage is discovered in the midst of mitigation or during restoration, it may add time to the duration of the process. This may result in higher claim amounts for property insurance and possibly also business interruption. Preliminary testing can account for all of the damage that is present at the start of the process.

All of these factors make pretesting well worth any additional expense or time. A property owner or insurance agent should insist on the importance of a thorough initial inspection, particularly when dealing with major damage caused by fire, water or storms.

3 Types of Repairs You Can Expect During Storm Damage Restoration

1/31/2022 (Permalink)

During Storm Damage Restoration, There Are Three Types Of Repairs To Expect.

When powerful storms impact Fort Myers, FL, they can cause a considerable amount of damage to your commercial property. Downed trees, broken branches and flooding can wreak havoc both inside and out and leave you needing professional help with cleanup efforts, such as tear out and water drainage services. Knowing what to expect before the restoration process begins can help you feel more confident about the outcome and the future of your business.

1. Flood Water Draining

Violent rainstorms can cause localized flooding as creeks and streams overflow their banks and neighborhood sewers back up and overflow into your building. This can cause different types of water damage to your businesses’ building materials, particularly carpeting and drywall. When your remediation service arrives, the first step the technicians will likely take is to drain away the water to prevent mold growth and other types of long-term damage that can be difficult to remove.

2. Removal of Damaged Materials

Once flood water is removed from your business, your storm restoration technicians will probably inspect affected areas to decide which walls and flooring will need tear out service. Removing porous building materials that have been soaked by dirty water can prevent them from weakening over time and trapping foul sewer and mildew odors.

3. Drying and Restoration

Your flood damage and restoration service may bring in tools to dry flooded areas before the technicians begin to replace damaged floors, walls and ceilings. Drying these areas thoroughly can prevent the development of mold, which thrives in damp, humid environments. Once exposed interior walls and floors are properly dried, your technicians will likely finish the job by restoring them and ensuring no trace of the flood remains.

It can be difficult to know what kind of services you need when your Fort Myers, FL, business is damaged by violent storms and flooding. From tear out services to water removal, talking to restoration professionals and understanding the process before they begin may give you greater peace of mind about the repairs.