Recent Why SERVPRO Posts

What You Should Know About Post-Damage Document Restoration

8/15/2022 (Permalink)

Post-Damage Document Restoration

Documents are a critical component of any business, regardless of size, industry, or location. Whether it’s the documentation required to operate a company, certifications to do work, or client files, paperwork is a fundamental part of your operations. If your property or workplace in Imperial, MO, experiences damage from a fire or other disaster, important company documents could also be damaged. You need to consult a professional restoration services provider who specializes in document restoration. 

The Professional Approach to Document Restoration
Time is critical when it comes to restoring documents that have been damaged. The sooner you can get the pros involved the better. Hiring professionals offer several advantages:

Knowledge of how to pack up books, photographs, and other documents for safe delivery to the restoration facility
Knowledge of special restoration techniques and document drying methods
Application of restoration based on damage type, for example, mold vs flooding vs smoke
Access to special technology and equipment for cleaning and restoring documents

Restoring your property and affected items to preloss conditions is the goal. This is usually accomplished through repair and special cleanup approaches, which can help save money, especially for documents that are very expensive to replace.

Comprehensive Preparedness
SERVPRO of Arnold/ North Jefferson County is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to your damage cleanup needs. We’re not just your partner for remediation and restoration. We also help you develop disaster recovery plans in advance, including ensuring that there’s a plan for preserving, backing up, and accessing critical paperwork for your business.
When you’ve got a document restoration expert on your side, you can recover books, photos, and other files after a disaster. We bring the knowledge, expertise, and tools needed to restore your business files. We also assist with disaster recovery plans that minimize business interruption.

Our Newest General Manager!

6/21/2022 (Permalink)

Employee photos. Congratulations to our newest general manager, Steve Burgdorf!

It’s time to announce our newest General Manager, Steve Burgdorf! Starting as a part-time employee over ten years ago, owner Kevin Thole says Steve has been instrumental to our mission and growth, rising through the ranks to his newest position.

In addition to his glow-up (featured above??), Steve has gained invaluable wisdom in the world of restoration and serving others. A typical day in the life of Steve includes showing up early and working late, solving problems and making sure operations run smoothly and efficiently. And while he’s great at those things, Steve’s favorite part of the job is helping people who have had their lives upended from property damage get back on their feet. There’s always something new, and the opportunity to see others reach their personal and professional goals gets Steve excited every day.

Steve is inspired by the positive and optimistic people around him — an optimism he also reflects — and relishes a challenge. Even when days are long and tough, Steve says that it is rewarding to know you’ve made a positive difference in people’s lives, and that makes everything worth it.

Thanks for all you do Steve! You’re a rockstar!

Stay tuned for an announcement regarding Steve’s other promotion this week!

Best Way To Fix a Flooded Basement

6/14/2022 (Permalink)

Flood Response

A commercial basement is an important space; it holds extra inventory and supplies to ensure continued operations. Unfortunately, a basement flood can put all of that storage in jeopardy. However, according to water mitigation professionals in Byrnes Mill, MO, a business that is rapid to respond will often suffer less damage than others. Thankfully, the fundamental steps of flood response are well-documented.

1. Get the Water Out
One of the primary issues with insurance coverage is the barriers to claims approval. Most insurers require property owners do as much as possible to mitigate further damage. Therefore, the most critical step after a flood is to get the water out. Mitigation services will use pumps, shop vacs, and pump trucks to remove excess water from the property.

2. Throw Away Appliances and Electrical Items
A flooded basement is not a kind environment for appliances and electricals. If the water level submerges any components, you should discard them. Water damage can make electrical devices act unpredictably, which can be dangerous to the property owner.

3. Repair Structural Damage After a Basement Flood
When the water is removed, you should throw away any contaminated debris and make a flood cut. The flood cut will expose the damage in the wall cavities, allowing you to see any potential structural damage. You want to make any necessary structural repairs before moving on to upgrades.

4. Install Preventatives
A flood exposes the weaknesses of a property. However, the disaster also provides a blueprint for prevention. You can install backflow valves or vertical pipes to protect against such tragedies in the future. Consult with a licensed plumber to discuss options.
A basement flood does not necessarily mean the end of your business. By taking the above steps, you can rebuild your business. The important thing is to get advice and assistance from licensed professionals.

Why Does Black Mold Thrive in Showers?

1/26/2022 (Permalink)

Why Shower Mold Is a Common Problem

A shower provides the perfect combination of conditions for black mold and other varieties of fungus to thrive. Find out why shower mold is a common problem and how to discourage mold growth in a bathroom.

Showers Are Moist

Mold requires moisture in order to grow. If water is left to linger in a shower or bathroom after bathing, colonies of fungus may form. There are several ways to lower moisture levels:

  • Use a ventilation fan rated for the size of the bathroom
  • Use a squeegee to remove water from shower walls or doors
  • Ensure that grout lines are sealed to prevent leaks

These measures can reduce a major factor in mold growth. It is also important to keep bathrooms clean.

Organic Material Is Available

Fungi require food in order to multiply. This nutriment comes in the form of any type of organic material. In addition to maintaining low moisture levels when a shower is not in use, there are several shower mold prevention measures homeowners should take:

  • Regularly clean and scrub bathroom surfaces
  • Deep clean tile grout one or two times a month
  • Use an anti-mildew product or a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water

Consistent bathroom maintenance combined with drying measures and proper ventilation can prevent mold from becoming a problem. Any one of these factors may reduce the likelihood of fungal growth, but all of these methods should be combined to banish bathroom mold.

The presence of moisture and food sources allow for the growth of shower mold. A homeowner who wants to prevent black mold or other types of fungus should take measures to promote drying and keep a shower and bathroom clean. If a shower leak results in a persistent moldy smell, this may indicate the presence of hidden mold. Contact a water damage restoration and mold remediation service in Byers, MO.