What to Do When Your Fire Sprinklers Go Off Accidentally

11/1/2022 (Permalink)

What to Do When Your Fire Sprinklers Go Off Accidentally

While fire sprinklers are there to protect your building, they can cause major issues such as flooding when they go off accidentally. It is best to have a plan in place in case this problem does occur. If this does happen, follow these guidelines to ensure that the damage is properly dealt with.

Shut off the Water Supply Line

The first thing you should do if you find yourself in this situation is to turn off the water supply line. This will stop the sprinklers from continuing to go off. This step is extremely important because the sooner you shut off the source, the less water damage there will be.

Clean up the Damage

In addition to cleaning up the standing water, you will need to deal with furniture and office equipment, and documents that got wet. You may want to consider calling a professional water restoration company to help you. The flooding needs to be taken care of as quickly as possible in order to avoid mold growth.

Call the Insurance Company

Your insurance company should be able to go over your policy with you to determine what is covered. You need to take pictures of everything that was damaged before you are cleaning up. They are far less likely to pay if you do not have evidence.

Determine the Cause

The insurance company will probably want to know what caused the fire sprinklers to go off in the first place. You may also want this information so that you can avoid having the same thing happen again later on. If you bring them to the manufacturer, they should be able to tell you what the issue was.
Acting fast is of the utmost importance when flooding occurs. Open all windows to begin ventilating the building until a water mitigation expert arrives. You can carefully begin to clean up wet areas, but they should be able to help you with the larger problems, such as wet carpets.

How do You Estimate a Fire Damage?

10/20/2022 (Permalink)

How Do You Estimate the Cost of A Fire Loss?

If you have experienced a fire in your home in St. Louis, we understand that this is an incredibly stressful time for both you and your family. There will be a lot of questions about what to do next and how long it will take for repairs to be completed. Our goal is to make this process as easy as possible by providing you with the answers you need right away.

What Is Fire Damage?

Fire damage can be caused by many different things, such as a fire in your home, business, or vehicle. For example:

• A fire in your home may cause smoke and soot damage to the structure of the place where it started.
• A fire might cause water damage to your home, business, or other nearby structures.

There are many other types of fires that can result in property damage—and each type of fire has its own unique problems associated with it.

The process of estimating a fire damage is an important first step to recovery.

It gives you an idea of the scope of the damage and how long it will take to repair. The estimate also serves as a starting point for negotiations with your insurance company, which can lead to more money for your claim.

The amount that you receive from your insurance company will be based on several factors: what type of structure was damaged by the fire; whether any materials were irreparably damaged; whether or not there were injuries associated with this incident; and what caused the blaze (for example, arson). These factors are all taken into consideration when determining how much money should be paid out by an insurer after they've received an estimate from a certified technician.

How do you estimate a fire damage?

The first step in estimating the fire damage is for us to assess the damage done by the fire with highly trained staff members who have years of experience in assessing properties post fire loss. This assessment is typically done within 48 hours from when it happened so that you will know exactly how much work needs to be done before the insurance claims process can begin.

SERVPRO of St. Louis County NW can estimate your fire loss.

SERVPRO of St. Louis County NW will assess your situation and provide you with a report of your damages and solutions for restoration. The process typically starts when we arrive on site. We'll ask questions about the damage to get a better understanding of what happened, and then begin to assess the property's overall condition.

If your home or business in the greater St. Louis area suffers from fire damage, don’t hesitate, and give our SERVPRO of St. Louis County NW team a call today! Our crew is highly trained and experienced in fire damage cleanup and restoration and offers our services 24/7.

What Should I Consider as Part Of the Fire Damage?

10/11/2022 (Permalink)

What To Do After a Fire

Fire damage can be devastating. The flames, smoke, and water all create a toxic mix that can affect the safety of others who live in your St. Louis home. In addition to being dangerous, fire damage can also be expensive if you don't handle it properly. When it comes to fire and smoke damage, however, there are several things you should consider before hiring a professional restoration company.

Things to Consider

In addition to the fire itself, there are several other things you should consider when it comes to fire damage. These include:

• The nature of the property damage. Fire damage can cause extensive damage to your property, including walls and roofs that have been burned away.
• The cause of the fire. Fires can be caused by many different things, including electrical fires, cooking fires, and negligence.

Contact Your Insurance Company

After you've gathered as much information as possible and given yourself a chance to process the situation, it's time to talk with your insurance provider. Insurance companies want their customers to be protected in case of emergencies like this one, so they can provide useful information on how best to go about getting help and support.

If you're not sure if you are covered for fire damage or if there are certain exclusions that apply (for example, if your policy doesn't cover electrical or lightning-related fires), get an estimate from an expert in your area by asking around for recommendations or by looking online. You should also check with your insurance provider for additional information about what types of assistance may be available under the terms of your policy.

Document all items that are damaged by the fire damage.

Documenting the fire damage is an important step in helping you recover from the fire damage and making sure your insurance claim is paid. Insurance companies will carefully evaluate your documentation, so make sure to get it right!

To help you record this information as accurately as possible, here are some guidelines:

• Write down all of the items you believe have been damaged by the fire damage. This includes things like furniture and clothing, electronics, appliances, and personal effects. If something isn’t listed here but seems damaged by smoke or water (or anything else), write it down anyway—you never know what could be useful later on.
• Make sure each piece has its own line item on your list; if there are multiple items in one room or area that need to be separately documented (for example two sofas), make sure each sofa gets its own line item on your list rather than combining them into one entry under “sofas” or something similar. You may also want to include how much each item cost originally when purchased; if nothing else this should give insurance adjustors an idea about whether or not replacing these items following a fire would be relatively affordable ($5k couches vs $50k antiques) so they can start estimating costs ahead of time before determining whether or not they need further investigation. 

Hire a Professional

You should hire someone who has experience in restoring fire damage. You need to find a company that has experience with these types of restoration projects. They will be able to help you better understand the intricacies of your project and how they can help you restore it properly. SERVPRO of Northwest St. Louis is happy to be that expert for you! 

Fire damage is complex, so it's important to hire a professional that understands it well enough to give you good advice on how best to fix your home or business after a fire.

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to fire and smoke damage. The good news is that by working with experts who have experience in this area, you can have confidence that we handle everything for you. We provide an initial assessment of the damage, then come up with a plan for how best to restore all your belongings. Our technicians will be able to clean up and remove debris from your home so there’s no interruption in living day-to-day life after the cleanup has been completed.

How To Keep Your Business Safe During a Storm

7/12/2022 (Permalink)

How to Protect Your Company During a Storm

If you are expecting a rain storm in Town and Country, MO, it is important to take proper safety precautions. Doing so will allow you and your employees to feel better prepared and more secure. Here are some tips to keep your buildings, and the people inside them, safe during a storm.

1. Trim trees near your building

During a thunderstorm, high winds can cause trees and branches to slam into buildings and potentially cause damage, especially if they are located near windows. Keeping trees trimmed can lower the risk of this damage.

2. Maintain lightning rods around your building.

A severe rain storm is often accompanied by lightning. Using lightning rods can reduce electrical damage to your building, so it is important to have lightning rods inspected and maintained regularly.

3. Make sure employees are kept away from windows and skylights

Windows can be damaged during a storm, especially if there are high winds that can blow debris into them. Employees should be kept away from these areas to eliminate the possibility of harm from shattered glass.

4. Have a safety plan

If you are unprepared, a severe thunderstorm can turn your workplace into a chaotic environment. It is a good idea to have a plan in place for emergencies and to make sure that all employees are aware of any safety procedures.

What To Do After a Storm

The actions that you take after a storm can be just as important as the ones that you take during a storm. After a storm, your building may have sustained some damage and it is a good idea to repair this damage as soon as possible to prevent it from becoming worse. You can call an emergency repair service to take care of this for you. Keep these tips in mind to stay prepared the next time you are expecting a severe rain storm in Town and Country, MO.

4 Ways to Prevent Mold Development

5/25/2022 (Permalink)

Consider running your air unit, fans, and dehumidifiers.

Ward Off Microbial Development

Mold removal takes time and costs money; therefore, business owners in Country Life Acres, MO, should work diligently to fight fungus growth. You'll want to avoid major shutdowns or the loss of revenue when competitors can grab your business. While such a situation can't be prevented completely, proprietors can take certain measures to decrease an infestation's likelihood. Adopt the following four routines to ward off microbial development.

1. Decrease Humidity Levels

Water reacts with spores, encouraging them to multiply; therefore, reducing moisture levels is significant in avoiding trouble. Consider running your air unit, fans, and dehumidifiers. The dryer space is, the less likely fungus can grow. If you have any hard-to-find locations or darker areas, such as closets, consider purchasing absorbent products.

2. Remove Mold Buildup

Fungus spreads within 24 to 48 hours, so act quickly if you suspect even minor issues. As soon as you notice an odd smell or water accumulation, call in experts. Commercial Mold cleanup requires the knowledge of a professional mold remediation company. Have the team not only sanitize the space but trash any structural pieces that contain microbes.

3. Clean the AC Unit

Spores like to hitch a ride in the air circulation, leaving air ducts an easy location to cultivate. Mold removal should include HVAC cleanings, reducing the possibility of it moving to other rooms.

4. Inspect Plumbing Fixtures

Avoid having leaky pipes or water overflows. These are breeding grounds for fungus and necessitate mold remediation assistance. Regularly inspect your bathroom equipment. Ensure that toilets and sinks function properly and that sewer pipes are not clogged. In addition, if you notice drips, have it repaired immediately. Water sitting for long periods of time simply invites microbial advancement.

Be proactive. Stay vigilant, overseeing your property with care. Don't allow moisture to accrue, keep the space dry and have the air unit cleaned. Mold removal, if needed, should be done as soon as possible and with the aid of experts.

Filing a Fire Claim Can Be Easy

5/18/2022 (Permalink)

Keep In Mind The 3 Following Tips

It was painful to watch your life's work go up in smoke. Now that the flames are gone and the air is cleared, how do you rebuild it? For many business owners, it means creating a fire claim and offering some financial relief in a time of hardship. Don't let the thought of working with insurance bring you further down. You can do it. 

1. Make a Call

As you begin the fire restoration stage, take the time to first call your insurer. During the conversation, open a claim, requesting financial assistance for the repairs. In addition, verify your deductible and as well as their coverage. Compare it with your own documentation, just to be sure. While you're on the phone, ask about any specifics that they require or any protocols that must be followed. It's important to be knowledgeable and in control from the beginning.

2. Stay in Contact

With the fire claim open, you now can work with a fire remediation company in Town and Country, MO. During each stage of the process, email your adjuster, letting them know about the progress and getting approval to move forward. At times, you may need to have the agency's inspector look at the building too. The reports are compared, granting permission to receive the funding. In the meantime, request an immediate okay to secure the property. Insurance companies want this to prevent further destruction. It also hinders vandals from entering.

3. Document Everything

The fire damage destroyed so much. While you may not want to see it, you need to have evidence of it. Take pictures of anything and everything, validating your requests for property loss replacement. Save the photos to your hard drive and e-mail them to your insurance agent. Finally, save your receipts. As you purchase items, it's important to note where the insurance money went.
A fire claim can be a lifeline that doesn't stress you out. Use it to get back up and running.

What Is Business Interruption Insurance?

5/13/2022 (Permalink)

Imagine your commercial property in St. Louis, MO burning, flooding, or being swept away in a tornado. Now, picture the devastation caused by the loss of income and business operations during the restoration process. Finally, envision the alternative of being financially stable while your livelihood is being repaired. When your business is closed for an extended period of time, you can rest easier with business interruption insurance.

How Does Business Interruption Insurance Work

Commercial property insurance typically covers cleaning, repairing and restoring your business assets after a fire or a large amount of water damage occurs. Protect yourself further by doing the following:

• Before damage happens, talk to your insurance agent about adding on business interruption insurance. This is not a separate policy, but rather an add-on to your current commercial insurance or part of a policy package. Do not assume you have this type of insurance and do not wait until after fire or flooding occurs to look into this preventative measure.

• After damage occurs, such as from a broken pipe or fire, first call a reputable fire and water restoration company. The experts come to your property, assess the damage and immediately make a plan for cleanup and restoration. Second, call your insurance agent. If the restoration plan is covered by your commercial insurance and entails closing your business for a lengthy period of time, business interruption insurance kicks in.

• Look into the details of your insurance plan. This additional insurance typically covers lost wages, including employee pay, and business operating expenses that occur while the property is closed for reconstruction due to damage.

• Keep the timing in mind. Usually, this insurance takes effect two days after the damage occurs and lasts until the business returns to normal operations. Reopening is likely to occur within thirty days from the time restoration is complete.

When a disaster occurs and your business in St. Louis, MO is on hold, your life moves on. The restoration expert helps your business return to preloss condition after flooding or flames, while business interruption insurance helps you remain financially stable during this period.