The Power of Master Service Agreements: Fast Response and Strong Relationships

9/18/2023 (Permalink)

In the fast-paced world of business, rapid response is essential, especially during emergencies. Picture this: a national heatwave causes an abrupt A/C outage, with the potential to turn a hospital into an oven of stress and panic. In times like these, having a Master Service Agreement (MSA) in place can be the lifeline that transforms panic into a strategic, well-managed solution.

A Race Against Time

SERVPRO® Team Nicholson's Scott Askew and his crew proved the power of an MSA recently. Within hours of receiving the call, our team was on-site, ready to help. Seven hours later, cooling equipment was up and running - thanks to our subcontractor, Coastal Mechanical. We even had a team of welders fabricating quick hose connections in the hospital parking lot in order to connect the mobile chillers to the hospital's existing cooling system.

By the evening, the hospital was cooling to a comfortable temperature, all without displacing patients or disrupting critical operations. The team avoided an evacuation and multiple diversions, where a hospital has to transfer patients to another hospital. In the end, all this was possible without having to tell an MSA client, "no," — the word doesn't exist in our vocabulary anyways.

Building a Bridge to Swift Solutions

The MSA is more than just a contract - we become your logistics team, your trusted solutions provider. The last thing a business owner wants is to face a double emergency – the primary situation and its repercussions. Like the scramble to evacuate patients, and to secure specialized equipment, like chillers, at odd hours in order to prevent high temperatures from spoiling medication. An MSA eliminates the chaos, minimizing the complexity and severity of interruptions to business.

The Value of Strong Relationships

In the realm of crisis management, strong relationships are worth their weight in gold. Our connections with clients, subcontractor partnerships, and a network of SERVPRO teams across the nation, our bonds serve as the cornerstone of effective and efficient solutions. When challenges arise, leveraging our network's capabilities means clients have access to additional equipment and resources quickly.

In a world of emergencies, a Master Service Agreement isn't just a contract – it's a promise - to provide rapid response, leverage strong relationships, and transform potential chaos into smoothly managed solutions. It's the assurance that when a crisis arises, our team of professionals is ready to shift the perspective - becoming your total solutions provider for whatever happens.

We Have The State-of-the-Art Equipment Necessary in St. Petersburg

6/14/2022 (Permalink)

Saving Facilities After Silicone Roof Water Damage in St. Petersburg, FL

As many Florida business owners know, water damage is the second most common type of claim that they can make. A staggering 20% of all insurance claims filed are related to water damage of some kind, whether this is from a pipe malfunction, storm damage, or other water-related issues. Without thorough mitigation and drying, this damage can pose challenges to the structural integrity of your business as well as the safety of employees and customers.

If your office needs commercial water damage mitigation, you can count on a certified SERVPRO team to handle the damages quickly and efficiently, so you can get back to business. No matter how large or small the disaster, professionals are dedicated to restoring your business and ensuring that cleanup is done to code.

Silicone Roofing Risks

While silicone roof coatings can help business owners with flat roofing save on electricity and other costs, there are some risks to consider when implementing this in your space after water damage strikes. These include:

• Abrasion and tear resistance. Compared to other coatings like modified bitumen, silicone roofing is not the most durable. It can get very slippery when wet, which can make it more prone to tears. Foot traffic dropped tools, and other activities can potentially damage the coating. 
  
  
• Attracting dirt. Silicone roofing, which is often white, can get a visible coat of airborne dust and dirt over time, darkening roofing. Clean regularly to maximize the energy-reflective nature of the roof coating and save on HVAC costs.
  
  
• Recoating. While recoating may not be needed as often as it is for other roofing solutions, it is imperative to choose silicone compatible with your current coating. 

How SERVPRO Saves Your Facilities

Suppose you have a roof leak in your facilities. In that case, SERVPRO can use centrifugal air movers and low-grain refrigerant dehumidifiers in tandem to pull moisture off of surfaces and eliminate it, replacing the moist air with air that is warm and dry. To dry a wet ceiling, technicians may open a few ceiling panels on either end of the affected area and position equipment so that air circulates straight up and through the space between your ceiling and roofing. This placement also helps warm, dry air circulate through the affected space for better results.

SERVPRO of Central St. Petersburg / Pinellas Park is here to ensure that your business looks "Like it never even happened." Call (727) 521-2562 today for rapid disaster mitigation.

What is SERVPRO’s Cleaning Process for a Commercial Large Loss?

6/13/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Cleaning Process After Catastrophic Commercial Emergencies

From 1980 to 2020, on average, the U.S. endured 7 severe climate events per year. Throughout the past year, that number has more than doubled, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information. Although statistics help describe the destruction brought on by natural disasters, no measurement can quantify the loss and trauma to individuals, families, and communities. The struggle of those involved as they work to rebuild a sense of normalcy is often not seen.

SERVPRO of Central St. Petersburg / Pinellas Park is proud to assist by offering Commercial Large Loss and Disaster Recovery services after any catastrophic emergency in the United States. With the resources of 17 SERVPRO franchise licenses in 6 locations throughout 3 southern states, we are well-positioned to respond to any disaster.

Our flexible, efficient team can tackle damage at private businesses, hospitals, schools, government facilities, and more. SERVPRO professionals are highly trained in fire, storm, and water damage mitigation. When mitigating damage on a large scale, our team uses the following framework:

Control the Environment

Commercial-sized desiccant dehumidifiers remove water from the air and dense materials while increasing the air temperature, further drying the structure, and helping to better control the environment.

Remove Contaminated Material 

To ensure a safe and efficient clean-up, SERVPRO crews will remove contaminated material and items that are beyond repair and remove restorable items for off-site cleaning. 

Dry the Structure

Various sized air movers and dehumidifiers are strategically placed throughout the structure to accelerate the drying process. 

Our crews can be ready at a moment’s notice, deploying cutting-edge drying equipment and service vehicles that feature truck-mounted water extractors that operate even without electricity. Response time is critical for communities to get up and running again. When disaster strikes, we are ready to answer the call and make it “Like it never even happened.”

Benefits of Large Loss For Your Commercial Business

6/9/2022 (Permalink)

Large Loss Restoration of Your Commercial Property

When a property is affected by a disaster, catastrophic loss occurs. Whether the large, commercial property sustains water, fire, or storm damage, there will be many different moving parts involved to restore the business to its preloss condition. Employing a restoration company that offers significant loss response can be useful for insurance agents and business owners alike. A professional like SERVPRO of Central St. Petersburg / Pinellas Park will be able to make the process run smoothly since we work with the insurance directly and handle all parts of most large loss jobs in-house.

Our services include water extraction, board-up services, HEPA filtration, mold remediation, fire cleanup, contents cleaning, odor removal, biohazard cleanup, construction, and much more.

1. Experts Are Equipped With the Right Tools

When a major disaster strikes a large geographic area, it's common for restoration experts to be overwhelmed with requests and phone calls. Some local restoration companies may not be equipped to handle all types of disasters or at a large scale, and these companies may not have access to specialized tools.

A restoration company with a broad reach and the resources of 18 other locations, can bring in experts with the necessary tools to assist in the cleanup and restoration process of even the biggest and most complex jobs.

2. Experience to Handle Catastrophes

Whether a catastrophic loss occurs due to flooding, storm damage, or a fire, it's essential for business owners and insurance agents alike to know that the professionals restoring commercial properties are experienced. One person alone may not have the experience to respond to a major disaster. However, when numerous people assist in responding to a disaster, everyone's combined experience makes the loss response team equipped to manage many aspects of commercial property damage. 

3. Timely Reactions

When widespread damage occurs to an area, other local restoration companies may not assess quickly enough to be a real help. Unfortunately, a slow response can cause a property to acquire more issues, such as mold growth and structural damage. With our 24 hour emergency response, however, professionals can quickly assess a property, and take next steps. After a thorough assessment, experts can begin restoration. So, the faster the professional gets to the jobsite, the faster your commercial property can be restored to its preloss condition.

There is a reason SERVPRO has ranked number one in the industry for over 20 years. We stand with our work because we really are “here to help.”

SERVPRO® Emergency Ready Profile Helps Prepare Your Company for Emergencies

We want to help your business to be ready for the damaging effects of fire, water, and storm. By developing a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile for your business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate action plan.

Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage affects your business. 

The Emergency Ready Profile (ERP) is a tablet and phone application that allows you to take photographs of important safety and emergency features in your business. Each photograph will have a written explanation of how to turn off the different utility systems. One of our SERVPRO employees will walk you through your business’s safety features and help you establish a plan in preparation for an emergency. Remember Murphy’s law—If anything can go wrong, it will. So, we want to make sure you are not caught unawares. 

For additional information regarding SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile, contact us at (727) 521-2562.

Clean Up Flood Damage: Call a Pro

5/29/2022 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO of Central St. Petersburg / Pinellas Park for professional flood water cleanup, professional drying, and content cleaning.

Professional Flood Water Damage Cleanup

While some water damage events aren’t very predictable, flood damage from storms is comparably easier to forecast. Storm surges, torrential rain, and rising water levels cause massive water damage for those who live along the coast or in low-lying areas. Flood damage is terrible in every instance, but the good news is homeowners and business owners usually have adequate time to prepare their home and/or business for the impending water damage as best they can.

When a storm ends, and it's safe to return to a damaged property, many find the water damage in the home or business worse than they could have imagined. It sometimes seems impossible that water levels can rise so high and cause such devastating damage. In the unfortunate case that this has or will happen to you, follow the following important guidelines for safely handling flood waters and their effects.

Do Not Go Back To the Property Without Permission

Even if your curiosity wants to know how much water is in the property or the kind of water damage; never return to the property without being notified first that it's safe to return by proper authorities. Flood damage and waters can be hazardous, and it's easy to forget that there is so much more than just water on the road or in a home. 

Beware of Bacteria

Before anyone enters a home or office with water damage to begin the water cleanup process, they must know how much danger potentially awaits. The water cleanup process should begin as quickly as possible, but it cannot be done if the area is still unsafe.

1. Live electricity. Don't assume just because the power is out in the town that there's nothing to worry about. The power could come back on at any moment, which means it could cause serious bodily harm to anyone in contact with the electricity or its conductors. Make sure all electricity is turned off at its source before entering any building with standing water.
2. Danger in the water. The second danger is what might be waiting for people in the water. There could be animals like snakes or dangerous bacteria found in feces like E. Coli. Always let the local authorities do a neighborhood sweep before taking steps to prepare for the water cleanup and drying process.

Call the Pros

Restoration companies have powerful equipment designed to allow adequate drying in minimal time. Professional mitigation and restoration are imperative because any missed moisture leads to much larger problems like microbial contamination. Restoration is designed to clear out all the water in places others might not realize it is hiding. 

Call for professional restoration and mitigation rather than handling the drying process without a pro's help to remove water in a business or home. Contact SERVPRO of Central St. Petersburg / Pinellas Park for professional flood water cleanup, professional drying, and content cleaning.

SERVPRO Secures and Restores St. Pete, Florida Residents' Contents After a Flooding while Mitigating the Structural Damage

5/23/2022 (Permalink)

Storm or flooding problems in St. Pete? SERVPRO covers the map for pack outs, cleanup, and restoration services.

SERVPRO Packs Out Your Business’s Items After Storm Waters Flood Your Property

The chaos and stress of post-storm flooding at your business’s property is paralyzing. With water, debris, and quite possibly severe damage to your roof, windows, doors, and siding—you need fast, reliable help. Our team of disaster remediation experts has proven strategies to help you and your family through this difficult time. 

What is a Pack-Out?

We often recommend a pack-out after flood damage. A SERVPRO pack-out is when furnishings, household or office goods, documents, and personal possessions are moved to a dry and safe space on your property or transported to our production facility to be restored. Removing the items permits our crews to clean flooded areas in your home, unimpeded; extracting water, doing demolition if and where needed. This helps technicians dry out the structure faster without the need to work around belongings.

SERVPRO uses a detailed and secure Content Claims Inventory System (CCIS) to document and track the items we move out. Lists, digital pictures, and barcoding ensure we have a complete record of the articles. We collaborate with your insurance company to make sure the efforts we make to clean, dry, and restore the pack-out inventory are covered to the extent of your contract. It is typically less expensive to restore items than to discard and replace them. We help you save time, money, and memories.

Innovative Restoration

Our production facility technicians are skilled with innovative techniques such as freeze-drying for document and picture restoration. Floodwaters can be contaminated, so we work to ensure the packed-out items receive effective disinfectant treatment. SERVPRO provides temperature and humidity-controlled smaller chambers to dry out furnishings and electronics. Be advised that modern electronics often need precise cleaning from specialty companies. We have piston-driven Esporta washing equipment to clean soft items and immersion tubs and ultrasonic equipment to loosen flood debris soiling from blinds and intricately detailed decor and other items.

SERVPRO crews secure the exterior damage with boards and tarp, moving on to extracting, containing, and disposing of the floodwaters according to local regulations. We can spray and treat soiled areas with EPA-registered disinfectants before using commercial-quality air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers to ready your home for the return of the packed-out items, "Like it never even happened."

Call Us Today

SERVPRO of Central St. Petersburg / Pinellas Park awaits your call at (727) 521-2562. Contact us to evaluate your flood damage and rapid remediation of your home and a professional pack-out of floodwater-damaged items.

SERVPRO Conducts Routine HVAC Maintenance and Cleaning

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

Inspecting Your HVAC Unit Can Save You Time and Money

HVAC repair is costly and if the damage is severe enough, it can prevent you from doing business. SERVPRO of Central St. Petersburg / Pinellas Park recommends that business owners schedule professional HVAC inspections each fall and spring. Routine inspections will help you stay abreast of potential problems with your unit, minimize expenses on repairs, and keep your business up and running. 

We have identified some simple maintenance chores that you can do to prolong your system's life and increase its efficiency between professional inspections and maintenance. 

Routine HVAC Maintenance 

1. Get a high-efficiency, pleated air filter for your system.
2. Keep your heating units and AC free of pollen, leaves, and grass.
3. Keep two feet of space clear of your outdoor AC and heating units.
4. Inspect refrigerant lines every month.
5. Replace air filters at least every 90 days.
6. In the summer, turn off the water running to the furnace humidifier.
7. In the fall, replace the humidifier filter and turn the water back on.

Annual HVAC Maintenance

• Replace the carbon monoxide detector battery. 
• Make sure your outdoor AC unit is on firm and level ground. 
• Clean AC condensation with a bleach and water mixture. 

Caring for your HVAC throughout the year will keep your work environment air quality and atmosphere pleasant, which keeps your staff happy and content. It will save you money by improving and maintaining your energy efficiency throughout your building.

We are always ready to inspect and maintain your HVAC system. We're here to answer any questions you might have. Call us today at (727) 521-2562.

What is SERVPRO’s Cleaning Process for a Commercial Large Loss?

12/22/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Central St. Petersburg / Pinellas Park professionals are highly trained in fire, storm, and water damage mitigation.

SERVPRO Cleaning Process After Catastrophic Commercial Emergencies

From 1980 to 2020, on average, the U.S. endured 7 severe climate events per year. Throughout the past year, that number has more than doubled, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information. Although statistics help describe the destruction brought on by natural disasters, no measurement can quantify the loss and trauma to individuals, families, and communities. The struggle of those involved as they work to rebuild a sense of normalcy is often not seen.

SERVPRO of Central St. Petersburg / Pinellas Park is proud to assist by offering Commercial Large Loss and Disaster Recovery services after any catastrophic emergency in the United States. With the resources of 17 SERVPRO franchise licenses in 6 locations throughout 3 southern states, we are well-positioned to respond to any disaster.

Our flexible, efficient team can tackle damage at private businesses, hospitals, schools, government facilities, and more. SERVPRO of Central St. Petersburg / Pinellas Park professionals are highly trained in fire, storm, and water damage mitigation. When mitigating damage on a large scale, our team uses the following framework:

Control the Environment

Commercial-sized desiccant dehumidifiers remove water from the air and dense materials while increasing the air temperature, further drying the structure, and helping to better control the environment.

Remove Contaminated Material 

To ensure a safe and efficient clean-up, SERVPRO of Central St. Petersburg / Pinellas Park crews will remove contaminated material and items that are beyond repair and remove restorable items for off-site cleaning. 

Dry the Structure

Various sized air movers and dehumidifiers are strategically placed throughout the structure to accelerate the drying process. 

Our crews can be ready at a moment’s notice, deploying cutting-edge drying equipment and service vehicles that feature truck-mounted water extractors that operate even without electricity. Response time is critical for communities to get up and running again. When disaster strikes, we are ready to answer the call and make it “Like it never even happened.”

Commercial Mold Removal

7/12/2021 (Permalink)

We received a call from a local property owner to check out a restaurant he purchased to renovate resulted in a large mold job for SERVPRO of Central St. Petersburg / Pinellas Park. Upon entering this abandoned space, it became clear immediately this was a mold remediation job for the experts! So we went to work! With mold covering the walls, the bar area, baseboards, and crown “mold”ing (pun intended), our crew had to suit up with PPE, including respirators and Tyvek suits, to be sure they were protected! Mold remediation is a very tedious job for a home, but it is even more so when it is a commercial property like a restaurant. Containment must be set up to not contaminated unaffected areas. All items with mold exposure had to be disposed of properly. At the end of the demo and clean-up, an industrial hygienist was brought in to ensure that the commercial property was checked out!

Mold remediation in a commercial property is a tedious yet rewarding job, especially when we get to see a building brought back to life!

Did You Know?

7/12/2021 (Permalink)

Residues (such as burning plastics or the soot from furnace disorders) form long chains of ionized smoke particles that assemble in corners or at junctions of walls and ceilings called smoke webs!

Does Your Business Have a Plan?

Check out these tips from SERVPRO of Central St. Petersburg / Pinellas Park. Protect your people: Your employees are your most crucial business asset. These tips can help prevent them from being injured in a fire.

• Fire Plans: Make sure your employees know what to do if there's a fire, including calling 911 immediately. Conduct a fire drill at least once a year to keep employees aware of your workplace fire safety protocol. 
  
  
• Evacuation Plan: In larger buildings, post a fire evacuation plan in several spots around the workplace. Never include elevators in an evacuation plan; always use the stairs. 
  
  
• First Aid: In case of fire injuries, your employees should be familiar with the location of the first-aid kit, which should be kept where possible hazards can occur most-such as in the kitchen.

When This Doctor Needed Help He Called SERVPRO of Montgomery County

7/8/2021 (Permalink)

If your commercial property experiences fire damage, call SERVPRO today!

A Doctor's Office. A Fire. Two Things That Don't Mix.

Fortunately, no one was injured. But we needed to help this practice set up a temporary office so that the doctors could continue to see patients. We know that in a situation like this, time is of the essence. We got the call and responded with plenty of crew to get the damaged contents out and assess what could be cleaned and salvaged and what needed to be discarded. Contents that sustained only light soot damage were quickly and thoroughly cleaned and moved to their temporary office space so that their business could resume somewhat normal activities. Closely working with the client and the insurance company, we packed contents and began the cleaning process at our warehouse and on-site to get their business back up and running as soon as possible.

As boxes of contents were cleaned and ready to put back into use, we transported finished items to their temporary office space. Contents ranged from waiting room furniture and files to high-end instruments and tools needing fine intricate cleaning. Meanwhile, our crew was busy doing a necessary demo in the building areas that had to be removed due to the fire damage. Debris hauling and cleaning the entire structure to remove soot that had traveled through the entire building was ongoing until that portion of the job was complete. Ducts of the HVAC system also needed cleaning as the smoke and soot traveled through these systems as a means of escape. After demo and cleaning, we readied the building for a contractor to come in and build-back the structure to make the offices operational again.

In a fire of this magnitude, the project manager needs to oversee all activities to thoroughly complete the job. And as you can imagine, this process takes months to complete. We know that situations like these require constant communication with our clients throughout the process. It is always satisfying to see a job of this magnitude come to completion. Throughout this process, our goal is to minimize the stress for our customers and get them back to normal business as smoothly and quickly as possible.

When unfortunate circumstances require our services, we do our best to exceed customer expectations. We are always here to help.

3 Facts About Commercial Black Water

7/6/2021 (Permalink)

Did you know these facts?

Your St. Petersburg home commercial building can be affected by flooding from several sources. Water damage can include warped flooring and moldy drywall, but the more immediate issue caused by flooding is the influx of contaminated water. If your business has recently been damaged by flooding, it can help understand how this type of water can cause long-term damage and what you can do to mitigate it. 

1. It Can Contain Dangerous Chemicals 

Environmental experts often call contaminated water that stems from flooding Category 3 or “black water.” This means the water did not come from a sterile source and may contain various hazardous components, including harsh sewer and lawn chemicals that entered the water during flooding. These chemicals can make the water dangerous to touch, so calling in flood damage and cleanup service is the safest way to remove it. 

2. It May Make You Sick 

Category 3 water damage can be dangerous in more than one way. For example, standing black water can grow microbes that may cause a variety of illnesses. Urine and feces may also be present, even if they are not immediately visible, so it is wise to avoid this type of water entirely and wait for professional cleanup services to arrive. 

3. Acting Quickly Can Be Essential 

Because contaminated water can become more dangerous the longer it sits, it is good to call in a cleanup crew right away. This can be important even if you believe the worst of the damage has already been done. Having the water removed may reduce the chances of long-term issues with your building’s affected floors and walls and prevent mold growth, which can be difficult to treat once it takes hold. 

Blackwater damage can harm your Florida commercial building in several ways. However, when you know its dangers and how to combat them, you may be able to prevent the worst of the destruction. Call SERVPRO of Central St. Petersburg / Pinellas Park.

Common Water Issues For Businesses

6/11/2021 (Permalink)

For a commercial property owner in Florida, unexpected water problems can be a big issue. Fortunately, water damage professional can help you assess, clean, and repair damages from any flooding or leaks you may have. Here are a few of the most common water problems a business may face, from leaking pipes to foundation cracks.

Pipe Breaks 

A pipe break can occur in several ways. Over time, the pipe can age and loosen in its fittings, or extensive use can lead to pinhole leaks. Extreme heat or cold can affect a pipe’s integrity. A blocked pipe can lead to pressure buildup and burst.

Plumbing Backup

Blocked plumbing can lead to a toilet backup or sink overflow. Water in blocked pipes can take the shortest path regardless of its intended flow path. Blockages occur, including the buildup of water minerals over time inside a pipe or someone pouring a solidifying material, such as plaster or grease, down a drain.

Weather

Extreme weather conditions can lead to leaking pipes. Cold temperatures can cause the water in pipes to freeze and expand. The expansion puts pressure on the pipe and can create a crack or cause it to burst. If you know cold weather is coming, you can check with a local professional what preventive measures to take.

Foundation Cracks

Foundation cracks can become a problem leading to water damage. Water can seep through any cracks and pool, leading to issues such as mold. Assess any cracks quickly to determine the best course of action.

Water damage can happen to a commercial property. Fortunately, a professional can fix the damage caused by leaking pipes, foundation cracks, a backed-up toilet, or weather and help you repair your property.