Accidental Activated Sprinkler System?

4/6/2022 (Permalink)

Most typical business owners don’t spend time thinking about the effects of flooding due to their fire sprinklers being activated. However, it happens, and it’s an issue that could quickly get out of control and cost you tens of hundreds of thousands of dollars. The obvious solution is prevention, but first you need to know what could cause this to happen.

Four Reasons for Accidental Activation

Contrary to popular belief, the modern sprinkler system is not activated by fire alarms or even smoke caused by burnt food in your breakroom. They actually have to be subjected to extreme heat that either bursts the red liquid bulb or melts the sensor on the device. There are several things that can cause them to accidently activate, here are some reasons this could happen:

• Vandalization of the sprinkler system
• Improper installation of the system
• An accident
• The sprinkler heads being used inappropriately.

Here are some Immediate Steps to take Prevent Loss

The first step to take in an emergency flooding situation is to turn off the water. Multiple people within your organization should be capable of doing this. Once the water is shut off then cleanup can begin. It’s possible that hundreds of gallons of water have been released in a short time, so damage to machinery, walls and floors can happen quickly. The best plan is to contact an experienced and reputable water restoration company like SERVPRO of Wayne County. They’ll be able to quickly and correctly dry each surface and reduce the risk of mold.

What’s the Long Term Approach?

With the initial cleanup underway, the next step is to contact your insurance company and prevent the problem from occurring again. Your employees should be trained to never hang anything from a sprinkler head or even touch it. The ideal placement for sprinkler heads is in a location which is difficult for a person or even a machine to accidentally contact it.

Flooding in your business may seem inconceivable, but there are steps you can take to prevent and minimize your damages. But an experienced restoration company like SERVPRO of Wayne County can get your facility looking “Like it never even happened.”

Is your business prepared for disaster?

4/5/2022 (Permalink)

As the spring season begins, North Carolina is prone to storms and potential tornadoes. With these types of weather events, comes damage and wind, water and mold damage are just a couple things that can disrupt your business.

Did you know that over 50% of businesses who are affected by a disaster may not recover? That’s HALF, and the number one reason a business DOES survive is because they have a plan in place for when a disaster does strike.

SERVPRO of Wayne County is here to help your business be prepared for any type of disaster by creating an Emergency Readiness Plan (ERP) for your business. By developing an ERP, you can reduce interruptions because you will have an action plan if and when disaster strikes. Knowing what expect and do is key to minimizing how fire, water and mold can affect your business.

What’s in an Emergency Readiness Plan (ERP)?

• A list of priority contact information for the business
• A list of personnel, their contact information and responsibilities after the disaster
• Building details such as where are the breaker boxes, floor plans, shut off valves and any other items that may need immediate attention

• A file containing critical information that would be needed in the event of an emergency such as username and passwords to office equipment, file servers, bank accounts, etc.
• A list of external groups that could be available to assist you and your business
• And finally, a plan to help you get back on site, and then back to work

For more information on how to put together an Emergency Readiness Plan for your business, call SERVPRO of Wayne County and one of our trained professionals can help you.

Commercial Building Fires and What Can Cause Them

4/4/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial buildings, just like residential properties, face many potential risks of fire. There are many contributing factors that can lead to an accidental fire that can easily decimate a business in a matter of minutes if not quickly and properly handled. 

Although proper insurance can help a business recover financially, no business owner wants to experience a loss due to fire. It is important to understand, and proactively work to prevent, situations that can lead to a commercial fire of any kind. Keep in mind that many businesses house combustible items. 

We’ve put together a list of potential issues that can lead to a fire. Becoming aware of these risks and contributing factors can help lower the chances of a fire. Whether it’s faulty equipment or flammable materials, identifying these common causes of commercial building fires will help you in the long run and allow you prevent accidents before they happen. 

Faulty or Inadequate Wiring of the Building
Fires caused by inadequate wiring are caused by overheating. In order to prevent this, make sure that all wiring is properly installed and equipped with proactive, fire prevention features. 

Flammable Liquids

Some businesses house flammable liquids that can spontaneously combust, causing a chemical fire. This occurs when there is a reaction of certain chemicals with oxygen providing enough heat to ignite. Be mindful to store chemicals, fuel, and other liquids in proper containers to prevent overheating. 

Heating Appliances
Even small heating appliances like personal space heaters and baseboard heaters can cause a commercial fire when in the presence of fabrics or other combustible items. To prevent a fire, we recommend to never leave a space heater running while unattended. 

Electrical Equipment

A short circuit in electrical equipment can cause a spark that could ignite materials in the business. Because they are hidden in location, short circuits are difficult to locate which can cause a fire to start before anyone is even aware of the situation. Make sure that all electrical equipment is properly maintained.

If your commercial property does experience a fire, call the professionals at SERVPRO of Wayne County. Our team is here to help you repair your business

Water Damage is our Business

4/2/2022 (Permalink)

You never know when water will disrupt your business! Call us to get back open faster!

When business owners visualize water damage, they often picture a massive storm wiping out power lines, flooding offices, and shutting down businesses for days at a time. It is true that commercial water damage is often the result of floods and water that stems from weather events and storms. 

 
However, many entrepreneurs and business space renters forget that storms and severe weather aren't the only causes of floods and water damage. Here are some of the typical causes of water damage to commercial buildings. 
 
1. Outdated Sprinkler Systems 
Some older office and retail buildings still have outdated sprinkler systems that work in conjunction with fire protection systems. While such sprinklers can come in handy during a fire emergency, they can also cause commercial flood damage if they are faulty or in need of replacement. This could easily damage inventory and business assets.

2. Damaged Appliances and Equipment 
This cause of commercial flood damage is more common in restaurants and catering facilities, as well as any business that has appliances and equipment that make use of water. If the appliance fails and sends water across your building, especially during late hours when no one is around, you may come back to work and face a water emergency. 
 
3. Busted Pipes and Plumbing 
Just like in a residence, if the plumbing system in your workplace fails water damage could be the result. 

4. Backed Up Sewer Lines 
This is another cause of commercial water damage that often catches business owners by surprise. Should the sewer line to your building back up or become damaged, realize the potential dangers of contaminated Black Water which can cause health effects and ruin products and office furnishings. 
 
If your business has suffered commercial water damage, SERVPRO of Wayne County and we'll get you back up and running again. Call us anytime 24/7 at (919)751-5353

Is your office energy efficient?

9/18/2020 (Permalink)

1. Purchase energy-efficient office equipment. Before you buy or lease office electronics, check to see if they are ENERGYSTAR-rated. An ENERGYSTAR-rated appliance has been evaluated and deemed energy-efficient, which can save you money and help you manage your small business energy costs, especially in the long run.
   
   
2. Reduce Peak Demand. One of the best ways to save electricity in an office is to reduce your peak demand. The phrase “peak demand” refers to the hours in a day when energy usage is at its highest. Peak demand times are typically normal office hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). You can reduce your demand during this time by staggering work hours / start times, running heavy equipment and factory equipment during the evening and early morning hours, and conserving energy throughout the day. 
   
   
3. Program your thermostats. This is one of those office energy saving tips that is especially relevant for a 9-5 workplace. You don’t need to heat or cool a workplace after everyone has gone home for the night. Even if your team’s hours vary, using programmable or smart thermostats to manage the temperature during “off” hours can make a big difference.
   
   
4. Turn off lights when not in use. It might seem like a no-brainer, but in a typical office, lights stay on in areas like break rooms, bathrooms, or conference rooms, even when those spaces aren’t being used. Sensor lights can help to keep the lights on when needed, but off when they’re not.
   
   
5. Use energy-efficient light bulbs. It's one of the easiest and simplest energy saving ideas in the workplace: switch out your regular incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs such as CFL or LED. This will help you use a significantly less amount of electricity.
   
   
6. Take advantage of natural sunlight. If you’re fortunate enough to have an office space where there’s abundant natural light, use it! On a sunny day, you might not need to turn on the lights at all in areas where windows can give all the illumination you need. While using passive solar heating might not seem like one of the ways to save energy at work, it really does help. The fewer kilowatt hours of energy you use, the less you have to pay.
   
   
7. Start running fans. You can reduce your energy usage in the workplace simply and easily by running fans in offices, warehouses, showrooms and kitchens. Fans keep air flowing so your HVAC unit can run more efficiently.
   
   
8. Power down computers and other office equipment at the end of the day. If computers are not being used through the hours when your staff aren’t working, have your team be in the habit of shutting them down before they leave. Turning off and unplugging as many devices as possible at the end of the day is a simple way to cut back. This includes energy efficient coffee makers, toasters, and similar appliances.
   
   
9. Prevent “Phantom energy”. Phantom energy is the energy that is still being used by equipment that remains plugged in but not in use. A great office energy-saving tip is to have your computer peripherals (printers, monitors, etc.) connected to power strips (aka “surge protectors”) so that the flip of a single switch can shut down several devices at a time.
   
   
10. Think outside your building. Are you in control of the landscaping around your business? If so, you have a great opportunity to create energy-savings for your small business with energy efficient landscaping. Strategically planting trees to block winds or provide shade on hot summer days can help reduce your heating and cooling costs. 

When Disaster Strikes!

9/2/2020 (Permalink)

Don’t let disasters derail your business!

Whether it is a fire, flood, busted pipes, or faulty wiring, water and fire damage has the potential to take an outsized bite out of your business. Don’t let a little bad luck drag your business down.

With fire or water mishaps, you don’t just need cleanup. You need someone to correctly assess the damage, think through the details, and help you get quick help from your insurance carrier to cover the costs. That’s where our expertise makes the difference.

More than just a clean-up service, SERVPRO of Wayne County is your restoration partner.
Our expert technicians can deploy to your business 24/7, helping you assess the damage accurately, and provide photographic documentation that can be sent to your insurance agency. We have standing relationships with most of the insurance providers in the North Carolina and surrounding areas and understand what kinds of paperwork are required to submit your insurance claim.

When Disaster Strikes!

8/19/2020 (Permalink)

When business owners visualize water damage, they often picture a massive storm wiping out power lines, flooding offices, and shutting down businesses for days at a time. It is true that commercial water damage is often the result of floods and water that stems from weather events and storms. 

 
However, many entrepreneurs and business space renters forget that storms and severe weather aren't the only causes of floods and water damage. Here are some of the typical causes of water damage to commercial buildings. 
 
1. Outdated Sprinkler Systems 
Some older office and retail buildings still have outdated sprinkler systems that work in conjunction with fire protection systems. While such sprinklers can come in handy during a fire emergency, they can also cause commercial flood damage if they are faulty or in need of replacement. This could easily damage inventory and business assets.

2. Damaged Appliances and Equipment 
This cause of commercial flood damage is more common in restaurants and catering facilities, as well as any business that has appliances and equipment that make use of water. If the appliance fails and sends water across your building, especially during late hours when no one is around, you may come back to work and face a water emergency. 
 
3. Busted Pipes and Plumbing 
Just like in a residence, if the plumbing system in your workplace fails water damage could be the result. 

4. Backed Up Sewer Lines 
This is another cause of commercial water damage that often catches business owners by surprise. Should the sewer line to your building back up or become damaged, realize the potential dangers of contaminated Black Water which can cause health effects and ruin products and office furnishings. 
 
If your business has suffered commercial water damage, SERVPRO of Wayne County will get you back up and running again. Call us anytime 24/7 at (919)751-5353

Water damage and your business

6/2/2019 (Permalink)

When business owners visualize water damage, they often picture a massive storm wiping out power lines, flooding offices, and shutting down businesses for days at a time. It is true that commercial water damage is often the result of floods and water that stems from weather events and storms. 

 
However, many entrepreneurs and business space renters forget that storms and severe weather aren't the only causes of floods and water damage. Here are some of the typical causes of water damage to commercial buildings. 
 
1. Outdated Sprinkler Systems 
Some older office and retail buildings still have outdated sprinkler systems that work in conjunction with fire protection systems. While such sprinklers can come in handy during a fire emergency, they can also cause commercial flood damage if they are faulty or in need of replacement. This could easily damage inventory and business assets.

2. Damaged Appliances and Equipment 
This cause of commercial flood damage is more common in restaurants and catering facilities, as well as any business that has appliances and equipment that make use of water. If the appliance fails and sends water across your building, especially during late hours when no one is around, you may come back to work and face a water emergency. 
 
3. Busted Pipes and Plumbing 
Just like in a residence, if the plumbing system in your workplace fails water damage could be the result. 

4. Backed Up Sewer Lines 
This is another cause of commercial water damage that often catches business owners by surprise. Should the sewer line to your building back up or become damaged, realize the potential dangers of contaminated Black Water which can cause health effects and ruin products and office furnishings. 
 
If your business has suffered commercial water damage, SERVPRO of Wayne County and we'll get you back up and running again. Call us anytime 24/7 at (919)751-5353

Commercial Buildings? We handle that too!

5/21/2019 (Permalink)

When commercial property has been damaged, time is of the essence. The professionals at SERVPRO of Wayne County understand the importance of getting to the site of the damage, quickly assessing the situation, and then getting the big gear down there to stop the spread of damage, contain the work area, and get to fixing things up quickly and efficiently so you can get back to profitable work as quickly as possible.

What Can We Handle?

Our company can tackle a wide array of various challenges. No matter what the situation, we have experienced and well-trained specialists on hand to tackle every aspect of repair.

• Asbestos removal
• Repairing fire and smoke damage
• Water damage
• Mold remediation
• Environmental cleanup
• Full reconstruction

We have the tools, the skills, the experience, the dedication, and the training to get the job done. There are many different challenges when it comes to restoring your commercial building, and that’s all the more reason you shouldn’t rely on just anyone. You need professionals who know how to handle these types of work environments and are committed to providing you with the absolute best service each and every time.

We Can Take Care Of Your Business Buildings!

Our trained staff can handle a wide array of damage restoration work, for any type of building or business. We have served restaurants, factories, medical centers, retail stores, office buildings and more. We give a full analysis to you of the damages and what actions might have to be taken for a full restoration.

Commercial restoration work is just what we do. We’ve been in this business for years and have seen every type of job site imaginable.

Call the professionals at SERVPRO of Wayne County at 919-751-5353 to see what old school work ethic looks like, and rest easy knowing we can make it "Like it never even happened."

Thinking of making a charitable donation? Read this first.

5/1/2019 (Permalink)

As a business owner, you are always being solicited for donations. Here at SERVPRO of Wayne County we are giving a few tips to avoid being scammed when giving donations to charitable organizations. 

1. Do not donate through your email account. Scammers can send phishing emails to get your credit card number, debit card number or other personal information.

2. Never donate money in cash. The best way is to pay by check or credit card so you will have access to a history of your transactions. Be cautious of any charities asking for cash donations or to wire them money because you will have no record of the transaction and no way to get back to you if it is a scam.

3. Pay attention to email solicitations. Be cautious of emails that say they have pictures of disaster locations that are email attachments. Those emails could contain viruses, so only open attachments only if you know who the sender is.

4. Pay attention to website addresses. The most reliable charities will end in .org instead of .com. Another red flag is that legitimate charities do not normally solicit donations through money transfer services.

We at SERVPRO of Wayne County want you to understand these valuable tips so your donations get to those who are in desperate need of them.

Addressing Mold in Leases and Purchases of Commercial Buildings

5/1/2019 (Permalink)

Given the increased attention to toxic mold, owners & tenants of commercial buildings and their attorneys are starting to address mold prevention and remediation directly in leases and purchase agreements. And, due to the current lack of scientific knowledge and regulatory uncertainty, the focus should be on risk assessment and prevention of mold problems.

Tenants and purchasers considering a transaction should have an assessment for toxic mold performed by a competent consultant with experience in industrial hygiene, mold sampling and mold remediation. This protocol should become part of their due diligence process. An assessment of indoor air quality for the presence of toxic molds will establish baseline conditions and, if necessary, allow the parties to correct a pre-existing mold problem.

Practices and customs for assessing toxic mold risk and indoor air quality are still developing. Some building owners may develop protocols for regular testing and may provide results to prospective tenants or purchasers. However, most retailers contemplating a lease or purchase transaction will likely have to request permission to perform a toxic mold assessment.

When Water Damage Occurs At Your Business

5/14/2018 (Permalink)

Pictured is some of commercial equipment used in large loss. We can help if the need arises call us at 919-751-5353!

When business owners visualize water damage, they often picture a massive storm wiping out power lines, flooding offices, and shutting down businesses for days at a time. It is true that commercial water damage is often the result of floods and water that stems from weather events and storms. 

 
However, many entrepreneurs and business space renters forget that storms and severe weather aren't the only causes of floods and water damage. Here are some of the typical causes of water damage to commercial buildings. 
 
1. Outdated Sprinkler Systems 
Some older office and retail buildings still have outdated sprinkler systems that work in conjunction with fire protection systems. While such sprinklers can come in handy during a fire emergency, they can also cause commercial flood damage if they are faulty or in need of replacement. This could easily damage inventory and business assets.

2. Damaged Appliances and Equipment 
This cause of commercial flood damage is more common in restaurants and catering facilities, as well as any business that has appliances and equipment that make use of water. If the appliance fails and sends water across your building, especially during late hours when no one is around, you may come back to work and face a water emergency. 
 
3. Busted Pipes and Plumbing 
Just like in a residence, if the plumbing system in your workplace fails water damage could be the result. 

4. Backed Up Sewer Lines 
This is another cause of commercial water damage that often catches business owners by surprise. Should the sewer line to your building back up or become damaged, realize the potential dangers of contaminated Black Water which can cause health effects and ruin products and office furnishings. 
 
If your business has suffered commercial water damage, SERVPRO of Wayne County and we'll get you back up and running again. Call us anytime 24/7 at (919)751-5353