What To Do If Your Business Has Smoke Damage

10/7/2022 (Permalink)

Smoke damage in a building in Boston, MA.

What to Do If Smoke Damage Occurs in Your Business

Smoke damage is something that can be difficult to clean up. The truth is that the damage caused by smoke has the potential to spread over large portions of your home and office building. That’s why it’s important to get help from professional cleaners, like our SERVPRO of Boston Downtown team, as soon as possible after a fire occurs. We know how overwhelming it can be when tragedy strikes in your home or business in Boston, but there are steps you can take right away that will make things easier down the road.

The process of cleaning up after a fire can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. 

When a fire occurs, there are a few things that you need to do right away. The first thing is to make sure everyone is out of harm’s way, and then call the fire department. It’s also important to shut off any sources of power in your building so that they don’t reignite the fire or cause you other problems while you wait for help.

Next up: after the emergency services have come through, it’s time to start cleaning up the mess! How do we know when smoke damage has been done? There are two signs—soot damage on walls and ceiling surfaces as well as visible smoke residue on surfaces like floors, walls, ceilings, and carpets. When these elements combine with bacteria from dirty hands and feet (even shoes left outside), it can create an environment where mold can form rapidly—causing further damage to your property.

Smoke damage and soot damage will quickly spread throughout your property

Smoke damage will be present in your building no matter where the fire occurred. Soot damage is damage that has sunk into porous materials, such as carpet and upholstery, wallboard, and drywall.

Your building will likely require professional cleaning of soot and smoke-damaged areas before they can be reoccupied. Soot can also cause problems if it turns out to be toxic or if it contains asbestos fibers. Asbestos fibers need special handling to prevent health problems for future occupants. The process of cleaning and restoring these areas requires highly trained and experienced professionals.

Time is of the essence

Smoke damage is a serious problem, as it can cause permanent discoloration and odor. The soot that you see on walls and ceilings is a fine black dust that can be seen by the naked eye. Smoke particles are extremely small, making them far more difficult to remove than other household dust.

Smoke particles tend to stick to the surfaces in your building more than they would otherwise, including vents and air conditioning ducts. Therefore, it’s important not just to clean up smoke damage quickly before it sinks into more porous materials like drywall or wood; but also, because removing these particles requires specialized equipment that isn’t as readily available as a vacuum cleaner would be!

We are here to help with the process of smoke damage restoration.

We are here to help with the process of smoke damage restoration. Smoke is a very difficult substance to remove and can cause serious harm to your building. Don't worry, though; we've seen it all before. Our technicians will be there for you during this difficult time, including after hours and on weekends and holidays. 

We hope this article answers some of your questions about smoke damage in buildings. We understand that the process of cleaning up after a fire can be stressful, but we want you to know that we are here for you when tragedy strikes. If disaster strikes, don’t hesitate and give our SERVPRO of Boston Downtown team a call today!

What To Do When Your Business Loses Power

8/31/2022 (Permalink)

Three Ways To Continue Working When You Lose Power

Storm season in Neponset, MA, can cause unplanned interruptions in your utility service. When power lines are down, you need a way to continue your business without losing important information. A power outage doesn't have to bring your operations to a halt. Here are three ways you can continue working even if you are temporary without your normal power or internet sources.

1. Seek Alternate Locations

One convenient thing about the internet is that you can access it from almost anywhere. If you know your business is going to be without power for a few hours, use some creative restructuring to get work done. Allow employees to work from home until power is restored in your building. Take a working lunch to a restaurant with a strong Wi-Fi signal. There are many places where you can work comfortably while technicians are repairing power lines and restoration experts are fixing anything wrong with the building.

2. Use Backup Power

If you are able to stay in the building to work, a backup power source can help you do so. A portable generator or battery backup can get you through a temporary power outage. Use an uninterrupted power supply to avoid losing data on an unsaved document during a sudden outage.

3. Follow Internet Tips

If you have a data plan on your phone, you can use your plan as Wi-Fi by turning on the personal hotspot. This can help you finish what you have started if you experience a momentary lapse of service in your building. If power is limited, make sure that you only use the essential services you need. You may be tempted to log on to check social media or play games while you are waiting on the power to come back, but this can drain the small reserves you have quickly. Conserve energy by only using what you need until you have full service again.

A power outage can be frustrating, but it doesn't have to be devastating. Having a backup plan can save data and allow your business to continue functioning.

3 Reasons Why Your Building Needs Fire Insurance

5/21/2022 (Permalink)

Protect Your Building Against The Risk Of a Fire

Many business owners struggle to manage the expensive premiums they pay on various insurance policies. You may wonder if you really need all the coverage you are paying for.
In the case of fire insurance for your building, reducing or declining coverage is a risky and potentially catastrophic decision. Protecting against the risk of fire is a necessary step every business in Financial District, MA should take. 

1. Fires Can Happen to Any Business
Fires can stem from any number of sources, including heating equipment, cooking appliances, electrical components and lighting. 
No matter what kind of equipment your building contains, the smoke and flames from a fire can spread rapidly and damage property that is essential to the operation of your business.

2. Fire Expenses Without Insurance Can Be Devastating
Although the immediate damage to property is obvious, the financial damage from a fire is not limited to the initial blaze. Materials used in fighting fire, such as foam and water, also damage property.
In the event of a fire, the expenses add up quickly. If you have not obtained adequate coverage, your business may need to pay for fire restoration and smoke cleanup without financial assistance.

3. Fire Insurance Helps Your Business Maintain Financial Goals
The best way to move forward with confidence is to make sure that you have accounted for the various risks associated with owning a business. An uninsured fire has the potential to wreak havoc on your business's finances, and you may even struggle to maintain essential business operations in the aftermath of a fire.
Having fire insurance goes a long way in protecting your finances and providing peace of mind. A fire is something you hope never happens, but maintaining the right coverage allows you to manage the risk and take control of your business's financial future.

How To Check for Moldy Air Ducts

4/15/2022 (Permalink)

After cleaning microbial growth in ducts

How To Check For Mold

Mold is present everywhere. Outdoors, it's safe and natural; indoors, it can be problematic. One area of your business in Back Bay, MA, that may have escaped your mold prevention efforts is your HVAC system. Mold readily grows in moist environments, and the ductwork, drip pans, and coils of your heating and cooling system could provide the ideal climate for mold growth. Here are a few ways to check for mold during your monthly HVAC cleaning regimen.

1. Follow your nose

A musty or mildew smell is often one of the first signs of mold growth. If you notice a moldy odor, turn off your HVAC system for a little while. If the smell dissipates when the system is off but comes back as soon as you turn it on, you likely have mold growing somewhere in the air ducts or drip pans. While it may be tempting to clean all of the parts that you can teach yourself, there are parts of an HVAC system that could be damaged by improper mold cleanup methods, so leave the HVAC cleaning to a pro.

2. Trust your eyes

Plan time for a regular visual inspection of the accessible elements of your heating and cooling system. Are there signs of mold growth? A blocked drain, pooling water, or condensation on the exterior of your air ducts could all be signs of potential mold growth.

3. Call a professional

Whether you see signs of mold or think you smell it, the best thing to do is call a mold remediation specialist to complete a thorough assessment. They will have a plan for cleaning vents, drain pans, and coils. They can also provide tips and strategies for preventing future mold problems.
Regular HVAC cleaning and maintenance will help to prevent most mold problems. However, if you think that your HVAC system could have mold, hiring a professional to complete a thorough assessment is the best bet for proper remediation.

3 Ways To Prevent Mold in a Rental Property

3/20/2022 (Permalink)

Ways To Keep Your Property Mold- Free

As a landlord, you know that mold prevention is important for both you and your tenants. You should encourage your renters to limit mold growth by immediately drying wet clothes and regularly cleaning the bathrooms. However, there are other steps you can take to keep your Theatre District, MA, property mold-free as well.

1. Install Exhaust Fans

Kitchens and bathrooms typically contain lots of moisture. This is why they are common locations for mold. You can install exhaust fans in these rooms to keep them dry. If your tenants frequently use their kitchens, you may also want to purchase hoods that suck up any excess grease and moisture during the cooking process.

2. Reduce Humidity

Even everyday humidity in the air can cause mold to grow. A dehumidifier is thus a good mold prevention tool. You can also buy a hygrometer to monitor the humidity level in your building and make sure it remains between 30% and 50%.

3. Regularly Check for Leaks

Even a small leak in your property can cause water damage to the floors or walls. The water may also encourage the growth of mildew or mold.
Unfortunately, leaks often occur in hidden locations. By the time you notice a leak, it may have already caused major harm. You should perform regular inspections of each unit. Be sure to check under the sink and radiator, as these are common sites of undetected mold growth.
You can even give each tenant a smart detector that notifies you if a leak occurs. Once you do discover the leak, have the problem fixed right away. You may also want to call mold remediation specialists to make sure any small patches of the fungus near the leak are removed immediately.
Neither you nor your tenants want mold to grow in your property. You should work with your renters to enact mold prevention strategies.

Fire Remediation: Where Did All the Water Come From?

1/4/2022 (Permalink)

Fire Remediation

It is odd to consider water cleanup in association with fire remediation, but it is a common pairing. After experiencing a business fire, it can be hard enough dealing with the charred remains of your property, but to also find water damage in areas that weren’t touched by the flames is frustrating and confusing. The fact is, firefighters, take many precautions to ensure the safety of others.

1. Putting Out the Blaze

Depending on the size of the fire, firefighters may have multiple hoses aimed at your property within minutes of arrival. These hoses operate at 400 psi and douse the flames in gallons of water per second. Additionally, firefighters will break out windows surrounding the blaze to hit the fire from above and below, causing massive amounts of flooding within your building.

2. Limiting the Damage

In an effort to limit the damage of a fire, firefighters will attempt to contain the fire to the initial area. However, this means that they will likely break through windows and doors of other rooms, flooding these areas with water to prevent the fire from spreading throughout the building but simultaneously expanding the water cleanup in its aftermath.

3. Restricting the Spread

Beyond dousing unaffected rooms, firefighters will soak the exterior of your property to limit the possibility of the fire jumping to surrounding buildings. This means your entire property is being doused, but it is a good thing. The water protects you, your property and your neighbors.

4. Walking Through the Facility

Once the fire is out, emergency services will walk your property looking for embers, using fire extinguishers on any remaining sources of heat. Between the hoses and the extinguishers, the fire cleanup is a massive undertaking requiring the assistance of a disaster restoration specialist in the South Boston, MA, area. These professionals are also experts in smoke cleanup.

While not often considered, water cleanup after a fire can be extensive. The fire hoses alone will contribute to a significant amount of water buildup, but when coupled with extinguishes and other suppression systems, it is likely necessary to hire a remediation specialist.