5 Ways Spring Disasters Can Damage Your Business In Illinois

3/25/2024 (Permalink)

As the seasons change and spring emerges, it's essential for businesses to be prepared for potential disasters that could impact their operations. From sudden storms to seasonal hazards, here are five ways spring disasters can damage your business:

1. Flooding: Spring brings melting snow and increased rainfall, leading to a higher risk of flooding. Floodwaters can damage inventory, equipment, and infrastructure, disrupting business operations and causing costly repairs.

2. Storm Damage: Severe spring storms, including thunderstorms, hail, and tornadoes, can cause significant damage to commercial properties. Strong winds can break windows, damage roofs, and topple structures, leading to business interruptions and safety concerns.

3. Water Damage: Spring rains and thawing snow can lead to water intrusion in buildings, causing water damage to walls, ceilings, and floors. Moisture buildup can also promote mold growth, posing health risks to employees and customers.

4. Power Outages: Spring storms can knock out power lines, resulting in extended power outages for businesses. Without electricity, businesses may experience disruptions to operations, loss of refrigerated inventory, and potential damage to electronic systems.

5. Landscape Hazards: Springtime landscaping hazards, such as fallen branches, overgrown vegetation, and unstable trees, can pose safety risks to businesses. These hazards can cause property damage, injury to employees or customers, and liability issues for business owners.

To mitigate the impact of spring disasters on your business, it's crucial to have a comprehensive disaster preparedness plan in place. This plan should include measures for preventing damage, responding to emergencies, and recovering quickly to minimize downtime. Additionally, partnering with a reputable restoration company like SERVPRO can provide peace of mind knowing that expert assistance is just a phone call away.

Stay proactive this spring and protect your business from potential disasters. By staying informed, prepared, and ready to take action, you can minimize the impact of springtime hazards and keep your business running smoothly.

Spring Safety: Top 3 Fire Hazards Around Your Home

3/25/2024 (Permalink)

As the weather warms up and springtime activities begin, it's crucial to be aware of potential fire hazards that can pose risks to your home. Here are the top three fire hazards to watch out for in and around your home during the spring season:

1. Grilling: Spring often means firing up the grill for outdoor cooking, but improper use can lead to dangerous fires. Ensure your grill is positioned away from flammable materials, such as overhanging branches or wooden decks. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and never leave the grill unattended while in use.

2. Yard Debris: Spring cleaning may involve clearing yard debris such as dry leaves, branches, and dead vegetation. However, these materials can easily ignite if not disposed of properly. Avoid burning yard waste on windy days and always follow local regulations for outdoor burning. Consider composting or using designated disposal methods instead.

3. Electrical Wiring: With spring comes an increase in outdoor activities and the use of electrical equipment such as lawnmowers, trimmers, and power tools. Inspect electrical cords and outlets for signs of damage or wear, and never overload circuits with too many devices. Keep electrical equipment away from water sources and store them properly when not in use.

By staying vigilant and addressing these common fire hazards, you can help protect your home and family during the spring season. Remember to also have working smoke detectors installed throughout your home and develop a family fire escape plan in case of emergencies. For professional fire damage restoration and cleanup services, trust SERVPRO to be there when you need us most. Stay safe this spring!

How to keep your family safe when severe weather hits

1/11/2024 (Permalink)

We are getting into the thick of winter and with that comes snowy conditions and dangerously low temperatures. Here are a few tips to help keep you and your family safe and warm this season. 

Being proactive before extreme weather hits your area

• Put together an emergency kit containing water, food, flashlights, and batteries that can sustain the household for at least 3 days
• Space heaters are a handy source to use throughout extreme weather. Please keep in mind the proper procedures when choosing and operating your space heater at home. A heater that has an automatic shut-off setting can help if you forget to turn it off or if the heater itself falls over. Additionally, keeping all mobile heating units at least 3 feet away from curtains, furniture, and blankets is a safe practice. 

Different ways to ensure safety and prevent damage during extreme weather

• Make sure your home is well insulated and that you have weather stripping around your doors and window sills to keep the warm air inside.
• Ensure your carbon monoxide and fire detector have fresh and working batteries.
• Have a fire extinguisher easily accessible and ensure every household member knows how to use it. Harsh temperatures encourage the use of space heaters, house fires are easily started when the proper safety measures are not taken when operating mobile heating units.
• Keep a steady drip of warm and cold water from all faucets to keep pipes from freezing. Another helpful measure is to open the cabinets under the sink to allow heat access to the pipes. 
• If a pipe bursts from freezing, make sure everyone in the household knows where the water main shut off is and how to turn it off.
• Insulate your home by installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic from the inside to keep cold air out.
• Keep a supply of dry firewood for any wood-burning stoves and/or fireplaces in the home.
• In the event that the power goes out, ensure you have the following:
• Extra blankets, sleeping bags, and warm winter coats
• Flashlights with fresh batteries or at the very least candles with holders per fire safety
• Make sure your cell phone has a full charge or that you have a mobile charger in the event the power goes out

Tips for Protecting Your Commercial Business from Vandalism

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

Local pet supply store broken into and vandalized.

What is Vandalism and Who is at Risk?

The legal definition of vandalism varies from state to state, but the term generally means the intentional damage, defacement, or destruction of someone’s property without the owner’s permission. It is a criminal act and is prohibited by state laws, which may qualify as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the financial damage that is involved. Additionally, there are some states that refer to vandalism as malicious mischief or criminal mischief.

As far as who may be affected by vandalism, the answer is all business properties, especially vacant buildings. Unfortunately, experiencing vandalism can impact a business in numerous of ways. The most obvious is that it creates damage to the property, which will take time and money to repair.

Tips for Preventing Vandalism

While it is impossible to prevent all acts of vandalism, you can prepare your property so that it discourages vandals.

• Maintain good lighting. The property should remain well lit, especially at night.
• Install and properly maintain cameras. If a crime does occur, police can use your surveillance to identify and catch the perpetrators.
• Keep property tidy. An unorganized area tends to attract vandals.
• Plant shrubbery or fencing. Not only do fencing and shrubbery offer cosmetic appeal to any property, but they also function as the first line of defense against potential intruders.
• Invest in break-resistant glass. Utilizing a break-resistant glass will make the act of breaking in more difficult for vandals to break in.
• Don’t ignore it! If you do experience vandalism, don’t put it off. Vandalism encourages more vandalism.
• Contact authorities. Report vandalism to your local department as soon as possible. If it is not reported, nothing will be done. The department may increase the number of patrols in your area if it is known.
• Share information. Check in with the neighboring businesses to see if they have experienced any sort of vandalism. Sharing information helps reveal the criminals’ patterns that could potentially aide in stopping the vandals.
• Join a business watch group. Like neighborhood watch groups, there are resources available to either start a group or join one. It is a good way to reduce crime by keeping an eye on each other’s property.

Has your place of business been affected by vandalism? SERVPRO® of Champaign/Urbana can assist with any damages that have occurred. 

Commercial Insurance Basics

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

Downtown commercial property. Understand what your commercial insurance policy covers.

Property coverage is an essential item in every business budget. Most commercial insurance policies cover damage to your structure in Bolivar, Washington, or Sunflower County, as well as any equipment, furniture or other items that are marred or destroyed in a fire. The answers to the following questions can help you decide which policy to purchase.

What Does a Commercial Insurance Policy Cover?

A basic policy is designed to pay for sudden, accidental occurrences that cause harm to your property. It prevents you from having to pay the cost of fire damage mitigation services out of pocket, and it doesn't just cover the building itself. Other features of your property may be included in the policy:

• Office equipment
• Furniture
• Landscaping
• External structures
• Fences
• Inventory
• Important documents
• Manufacturing machines

What Factors Affect Cost?

Most commercial insurance coverage provides comparable protection, but if there are factors that put your business at a higher risk of fire, your policy will likely cost more. For example, a restaurant owner is probably going to pay more for insurance than someone who runs an office building. Newer buildings with better safety features such as fire-resistant building materials and a state-of-the-art fire suppression system can often get better insurance rates. When you meet with your insurance agent, be sure to ask about the factors that affect the cost of your policy.

Does It Matter Whether You Own or Rent?

If you own property, you need insurance to cover all the items listed above in the event of a fire. If you are renting from someone else, though, you still need to protect yourself. Your landlord's policy will probably only cover the items he or she owns. You still need coverage for the items inside, such as computers, phones and files.
A commercial insurance policy can save you a lot of money in the event of a fire. Make sure you have the right coverage for your business.

Handling Commercial Losses With Ease in Champaign/Urbana

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial Property that uses SERVPRO Champaign/Urbana for any size loss

Handling Your Commercial Loss

When it comes to commercial restoration, you shouldn't leave anything to chance. That's why property managers all over Champaign/Urbana rely on professionals like SERVPRO of Champaign/Urbana. Compared to other restoration companies, our skilled technicians and the advanced equipment we use to take care of any-scale disaster is unmatched. Our use of professional equipment and train technicians allows us to restore your Champaign/Urbana commercial property or retail business back to its pre loss condition quickly, reliably, and more efficiently.

Here are some of the unique tools we have to restore your property:

• Infrared cameras can be used to identify hidden water locations for the thorough removal of moisture that is hidden from the naked eye.
• Sensitive moisture meters/detectors, hygrometers, and other meters measure the extent of moisture saturation.
• Submersible and gas-powered pumps for continuous pumping of high-level water from events like floods. 
• Truck-mounted and portable extraction units perform efficient water removal.
• High-speed air movers cause moisture to evaporate at a faster pace.
• Industrial grade dehumidifiers pull the water vapor from the air.
• Air Scrubbers that are able to filter the air of contaminants and fumes.
• Thermal Foggers and environmentally-safe Deodorization Agents to leave a pleasant scent upon use.

When disaster strikes, you can count on SERVPRO of Champaign/Urbana to take care of your property, so you can put your commercial business back in order. Give us a call at 217-355-0077 24/7!

What Do I Do About Mold in the Kitchen of my Champaign/Urbana Restaurant

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

Mold in your Champaign/Urbana restaurant will reduce sales and reputation. Call SERVPRO for mold remediation.

Our SERVPRO team can help with effective remediation solutions that can keep you going while mold removal efforts continue

You might not realize how likely mold damage and other microbial threats are in your Champaign/Urbana restaurant. With so many pieces of equipment generating heat and creating steam in an already humid environment, you have more than met the conditions necessary for facilitating mold growth. Addressing these concerns might not seem like a pressing matter. Still, in many cases, traditional cleaning methods are ineffective against structural mold.

It is more complicated than remediators showing up and getting the job done regarding mold removal for your Champaign/Urbana restaurant. In the recent legislature, the state of Illinois has mandated that a third party assess the damage that the mold has caused and allow this third party to dictate what efforts must occur to provide a safe working environment for your restaurant again. We can follow up quickly on these decisions to limit anytime that your kitchen might need to stay closed.

What Happens if I Do Nothing About Mold?

Many property owners mistakenly believe that doing nothing for mold growth allows the problem to dissipate naturally. Unfortunately, in many situations, these conditions only worsen as humidity and steam remain persistent problems in the active kitchen.

What Are Effective Strategies for Removing Mold from Brick and Tile? 

Tile is often resistant to mold colonization, but grouted joints surrounding these tiles are not. Brick and grout can both become hosts for active colonization, which can continue to spread beyond the boundaries of your kitchen area. Some of the removal solutions include:

• Soda Blasting
• Wipe Cleaning
• Controlled Demolition

Mold can be an unexpected and threatening presence in your restaurant, but our SERVPRO of Champaign/Urbana team can offer effective remediation solutions. Give us a call anytime at 217-355-0077.

SERVPRO Referral Program

6/27/2022 (Permalink)

Are you a Plumber? HVAC technician? Exterminator?

Contact us to find out more about SERVPRO of Champaign/Urbana’s referral bonus program. We offer referral bonuses simply for referring a potential customer to us.  We enjoy working with other local businesses and will treat your customer with the same care and professionalism that you can come to expect from SERVPRO. 

Often times, there is a mess left over after a technician has resolved the initial issue. This is where SERVPRO comes in. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration.

From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. With a nationwide system of qualified franchises, no damage is too large or too small for SERVPRO of Champaign/Urbana.

For more information or to submit a referral lead, please contact our office at 217-355-0077

Why SERVPRO of Champaign/Urbana?

6/14/2022 (Permalink)

Should you happen to have fire damage or water damage at your property, would you know who to call? Would you know who to turn to?  Across Mid Missouri the majority of insurance agents trust one name in the industry: SERVPRO of Champaign/Urbana. So, why SERVPRO? The same reason local insurance agents choose us.

In a recent survey, local insurance agents said they are extremely satisfied with the results they received from SERVPRO of Champaign/Urbana. That is because we are committed to creating happy customers, happy insurance agents, and happy customers of insurance agents.

Fire and water damage can be highly unpredictable. If it strikes your home or business, you can feel confident knowing SERVPRO of Champaign/Urbana will be there to help you in your dire time of need. We will be there to help you put life back together. We will make the damage, “Like it never even happened.”

You can be equipped with the knowledge that our experienced and qualified professionals here at SERVPRO of Champaign/Urbana will treat you and your customers with the utmost respect, compassion, and dignity. Integrity is a word that we take seriously here at our local franchise. We are Here to Help. We will help you get back in business and back to your life.

If you have fire or water damage at your property, would you recommend us? Or, if you knew a friend or family member who had damage, would you recommend us? Many local insurance agents state that they will always recommend SERVPRO to their clients. Additionally, a majority of local insurance agents say they would recommend SERVPRO to their clients over any other mitigation and restoration company in the business in water or fire claim situations.

For any damage that strikes your residential or commercial space, rely on the premier cleanup and restoration company that local insurance agents choose; SERVPRO of Champaign/Urbana. We are available to you and your customers 24/7, 365 days a year for all your emergency service needs.

Fire Damage Restoration Process

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

A kitchen fire that caused damage to the entire house

After the fire trucks leave, your home likely suffers from fire and smoke damage and extensive water damage from firefighting efforts. SERVPRO of Champaign/Urbana have the specialized fire restoration training needed to restore your home to pre-fire condition.

Have Questions About Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage? Call Today – (217) 355-0077

Every fire damage event is a little different, and requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. The steps listed below illustrate our process for the “typical” fire damage emergency.

Step 1: Emergency Contact

The restoration process begins when you call us. Our representative will ask questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us respond immediately with the appropriate equipment and resources. 

Step 2: Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment

We carefully inspect and test adjoining rooms of your property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action. 

Step 3: Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service

Fire damage can often compromise windows, walls, and roofs. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, we can board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs. 

Step 4: Water Removal and Drying (if water damage is present)

The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. We then use dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining water and complete the drying process. 

Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces

We use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces. 

Step 6: Cleaning and Sanitizing

We clean, sanitize, and disinfect all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to pre-fire condition. We’re also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

Step 7: Restoration

Restoration is the final step—getting your home or business to its pre-fire condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.