You Need Proper Flood Damage Mitigation Allowing Your Family to Move Back into Your Home Safely

4/4/2023 (Permalink)

After flooding occurs in your home, you want everything dealt with properly. Contact SERVPRO for certified professionals to help you.

SERVPRO Provides the Services to Mitigate Flood Damages

Before and during a flood, your family's reaction can often reveal how much stress and shock they feel. At times, it might seem as if the flooding event equals the end of as they know it and that nothing can ever bring things back to normal again. SERVPRO wants to assure you that we can help your family by remediating most things affected by the flood and helping you manage your belongings so that your family recovers as quickly as possible.

Our services include taking an inventory of your belongings that we box up while in your home to protect you from any damage Items that you disclose to SERVPRO workers that require special handling or that your family needs during the mitigation process receive priority treatment so you can relax and take care of other issues affecting your family.

After your home's mitigation process comes to a conclusion and the time for your family to return home comes closer, we begin returning your belongings so your family can easily find them. After we begin cleaning boxed items in our warehouse, we rebox them according to matching labels, keeping things orderly for your convenience. When we return your family's belongings to your home, we place each box or larger item back in the place designated at the time we packed it for cleaning, drying, and other restorative work. This inventory control helps reduce confusion and keeps things neat and tidy for unpacking items. We catalog non-salvageable items in a CCIS, Contents Claim Inventory Service, providing assistance with your insurance carrier and protecting our customer's interests.

Flooding can cause problems with plumbing, gas lines, and electrical systems. Before your family's arrival, experienced and IICRC-certified technicians and other specialists that SERVPRO partners with thoroughly checked to ensure these all met safety code and other standards of safety. Air vents and ducts in positions below the water line also required cleaning and disinfecting. All materials in your home are now in a preloss state, "Like it never even happened," and safe once again for all members of your family.

SERVPRO of Burlingame, Millbrae can assist you and your family from start to finish when flood damage threatens your home. Call our emergency services hotline at (650) 651-7290 so we can help you through the entire process of damage repair and mitigation.

Steps to Help Prevent Trees from Falling on Your Home?

4/4/2023 (Permalink)

When people are looking to purchase a new house the curb appeal, amount of acres, and layout are the primary focus. Counting the number of trees that surround the house is possibly the last thought on a prospective buyer’s mind. It’s essential, however, that house hunters do take into account how many trees there are near or on the property for the protection of their investment. Severe weather may pose the most likely risk to that investment through the possibility of ice storms in the winter and powerful winds in the spring. 

An ice storm and powerful winds may cause weakened trees to fall on your property; through a window or even the roof. Pertaining to ice storms a quarter-inch of ice may begin to weigh down branches and a half-inch of ice may even lead to them breaking. Likewise, powerful winds from a hurricane, tropical storm or any other strong system that has the potential to spawn tornadoes may result in the down of trees. Especially if the ground is saturated from recent rainfall.

To help reduce the possibility of a tree falling on your home our team has listed several steps you can take below. 

1. Look to see if there are any trees on your property or even near it that may be weakened and pose a risk to your home. Perform this task regularly, especially at the beginning of the winter and spring. 
2. Consider having a professional tree service company cut down trees that are weakened or are in close proximity to your property. 
3. Continuous severe storms can cripple a tree’s integrity leaving it vulnerable to a strong ice storm or hurricane completely toppling it over. After every storm makes sure to examine the trees around your home for abnormalities. 
4. Check with your home insurance provider to ensure you’re properly covered if a tree does fall on your roof. 

If your home or business is in need of our services whether for fire, water, flood, mold, or storm damage; perhaps even deep cleaning services, call the experts today – SERVPRO of Burlingame, Millbrae (650) 651-7290  

Commercial Insurance for Flood-Related Damage

8/17/2022 (Permalink)

What To Look For In Terms Of Flood Insurance

Any attempt to make an insurance claim for flooding on a standard commercial insurance policy will quickly reveal the need for a separate flood policy. Find out why general property insurance often excludes flood damage and what to look for in terms of flood insurance for a commercial building in Burlingame, Millbrae.

Most General Policies Exclude Flooding
Primary commercial property insurance policies often exclude incidents in which external water breaches the interior of a structure, with the exception of leaks in an otherwise well-maintained roof. Check to see whether the following types of damage are cut out of a general policy:

• Flooding
• Sewer backups
• Storm surges
  
  

It is necessary to obtain endorsements or supplemental policies to cover this damage. Flood policies typically cover storm surges, but an additional rider or policy is required for cleaning and restoring sewer damage. The National Flood Insurance Program
The NFIP is a relatively easy way for commercial property owners to get coverage for flooding. Property must be located in a community that participates in the program. If the owner of a property located in an area with a high flood risk has a mortgage from a federally-backed lender, flood coverage may be a requirement. This policy may include up to $500,000 in coverage for a structure and up to $500,000 for business or personal content.

Private Commercial Insurance
If the NFIP is not available in a particular area, a property owner may want to obtain an independent flood policy through a private insurer. Check to see whether a primary commercial insurer also offers flood coverage.
If you own a commercial building in Burlingame, Millbrae you should be aware of the extent of your insurance coverage. General property insurance, flood insurance, and additional policies or riders to cover interruptions can keep a business afloat in the event of major flooding or other storm damage.

Summer's Natural Disasters

6/14/2022 (Permalink)

Every summer, the U.S. goes through an “active weather” season. The middle of spring through summer is a prime time for hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, thunderstorms, and fires. Here at SERVPRO, we’ve already begun to see the impact of the severe weather. In California, we have already experienced a massive amount of fires. Luckily, our SERVPRO team is here for any natural disaster. We respond to water, wind, and fire damage! Here are some weather events to look out for during the spring and summer months:

• Hurricanes–Hurricanes, with the accompanying wind, water, and flood, cause a lot of destruction in areas where they hit. When hurricanes gather strength, buildings, trees, and water infrastructures are commonly destroyed. The storms can also knock down power lines, posing a risk of electrocution.
• Tornadoes– Tornadoes are characterized by whirling winds and debris and can endanger life and property. They are common from spring until the middle of summer but can occur any time of the year.
• Floods– Floods are becoming more common in the U.S., with flash floods as the top weather-related killer. A few inches of water could bring extensive damage to homes and buildings. Heavy rains, levee breaches, and tsunamis cause floods. Many floods occur in areas that cannot absorb rainwater.
• Fires– The heat of the summer and the years of drought experienced in many parts of the country can precipitate massive forest fires that, in many instances, affect dwellings. Spontaneous combustion, volcanic eruption, and faulty electrical wires are other common causes of fires.

 Call SERVPRO of Burlingame, Millbrae if you are ever in need after a natural disaster!

4 Reasons You Should Have A Business Emergency Plan

5/20/2022 (Permalink)

Always have an evaluation plan for your business in case of an emergency.

Have you ever thought about what you would do if your business was affected by floodwaters after a storm? A business continuity plan can help you prepare for the worst-case scenarios. As a business owner in Burlingame, Millbrae you may want to create this type of emergency plan for a number of reasons:

1. Figure out who to call. If you never think about the possibility of storm damage hurting your property, you may not know who you should call when disaster strikes. In your business plan, you can outline which insurance provider needs to be informed of any impending claims. You can even pick a commercial storm damage cleanup expert you would want to work with this type of situation.

2. Think about how to keep the business running. The continuity plan should also go over what you would do to help keep your business running. If floodwaters made your building off-limits, would you have to shut down until it is fixed or could you rent a temporary workspace?

3. Consider the financial impact of natural disasters. Flooding can also affect the finances of your company. Not only could you lose inventory and business, but you also have to pay for damages. When you create a business plan, it gives you a chance to make sure you have the best insurance policies for your commercial property.

4. Help you prepare employees. This type of plan can also help you think about evacuation methods. You can train employees on where to go in the event of flooding, fires, or other emergencies. You can also outline who they should call if you are not around.

As a business owner, you want to be prepared for any type of situation. Creating a business continuity plan helps you think about the what-ifs associated with owning commercial property. You can become better prepared for any damages caused by storms.

How Does a Pack-Out Work After a Property Disaster?

5/4/2022 (Permalink)

Our pack-ins are tailored to original records so that your space looks "Like it never even happened."

Move-Outs/Pack-Outs

If your home requires extensive restoration or cleaning after storm and fire damage, SERVPRO of Burlingame, Millbrae can conduct an organized, efficient pack-out of the affected area. Pack-out will provide several benefits such as a quicker remodeling process and protection of your items from potential damage.

By itemizing, recording, and relocating your contents to a secure location, the pack-out will provide several benefits, including:

• A quicker remodeling process.
• Protecting items from potential damage.
• Provide extensive restoration to contents.
• Protecting contents from further on-site damage.

The pack-out process usually consists of six steps:

1. Video and photograph the job site.
2. Perform an initial scope & job estimate.
3. Electronically inventory items.
4. Pack, tag, inventory, and sort clean and claim items.
5. Move to a warehouse, clean, deodorize, and repack.
6. Claim list suggestions from the customer.
7. Pack-in: Move items back to the customer's property after remodel.

When restoration is completed, SERVPRO of Burlingame, Millbrae will work with you to coordinate the move-in/pack-in according to your needs. Our pack-ins are tailored to original records so that your space looks "Like it never even happened."

Keep in mind:

• After the initial inspection, we will let you know whether or not an item can be restored.  You will find that most items can be brought to preloss condition. All contents will be inspected and any pre-existing damage will be documented before being packed out and restored. Our electronic documentation helps to estimate the losses and facilitates the filing of your insurance claim.
• When the transportation begins, items will be loaded and secured in a covered box truck using pads and the appropriate packing protocols.
• Small items will be individually wrapped in paper, boxed, labeled, and inventoried. This includes kitchen utensils, dishes, pots, storage containers, etc.
• Large items like upholstery and wooden furniture will be carefully inspected, often using high-intensity light to detect all damages that existed before the disaster.
• In some cases, affected items are cleaned in place to prevent acidic residues from causing any further damage.
• If an item does not require packing out, it will be secured and protected while structural repairs are made to the property.
• The restoration process is constantly monitored and you will be informed of the status of your claim before the items are ready to be sent back to your property.
• You will receive a copy of every inventory sheet with noted preexisting damage.

SERVPRO of Burlingame, Millbrae processes and returns contents as quickly and conveniently as possible while caring for your items as if they were our own. Contact SERVPRO of Burlingame, Millbrae after a disaster to make sure you are getting the best care!

Are you prepared?

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

1. What’s in your basement that you would be devastated to lose? MOVE IT!

• Tubs are helpful but not a ‘for sure’ method of something being saved because they can flip upside down!
• Be sure your sump pump is on its own electric circuit. Have a battery-operated one for a true backup!
• Keep it at least 3-4ft off the floor. Shelving at these heights can be more helpful for storage.

2. Where are your important documents, pictures, passwords/usernames, codes, and keys?

• Make sure you have copies in a lockbox at a different location than your home.
• Use flash drives, DVDs, or CDs along with a notebook entry. Keep a copy with someone else and in the lockbox.

3. How many items do you have plugged into electrical outlets?

• Do you regularly leave your phone charger plugged in WITHOUT the phone? A growing number of fires are caused this way!
• Know the amps available in your home. Just because there is an outlet doesn’t mean you can plug multiple items into all of them and carry the load without it causing an issue.

The lesson is don't keep your most important items in your basement because it's the most likely place to endure a loss.

For further questions, contact SERVPRO of Burlingame, Millbrae at (650) 651-7290

Protect Your Home Against Flooding

4/18/2022 (Permalink)

Clean storm drains at least once a year.

Keep Your Home Secure Against Flood Damage

Flooding of your Burlingame, Millbrae, home can cause major problems. Fortunately, there are ways to protect your home from heavy rains.
Maintain Existing Flood Prevention Structures
Many homes have common flood prevention features, such as gutters and sump pumps, already installed. It is important to maintain this equipment. The following are some routine maintenance activities that will help keep your home secure against flood damage:

• Clean and inspect gutters (fall and spring)
• Clean storm drains (at least once a year)
• Test sump pump and clean screen (every season)
• Inspect roof (every year)
  
  

When completing the above tasks, be sure to check for damage such as loose gutters or missing shingles. The suggested frequency for each task will vary depending on your specific situation. For example, if you have trees near your home, you will likely need to clean your gutters more often. If you suspect that you will be unable to do any of these jobs, you may wish to hire a professional contractor for some or all of your home's routine maintenance tasks.

Consider Home Improvement Projects

In addition to maintaining whatever flood-proofing systems your home already has, you may decide to do some home improvement projects to further protect your home from flooding. The following are some common improvements that you can make to keep your house safe in heavy rains:

• Install any of the above items (gutters, storm drain, sump pump) that you do not already have
• Grade your lawn so that it slopes away from the house
• Upgrade seals around windows and doors
  
  

Employ Temporary Solutions

Even well-prepared homes may need additional protection during very heavy rains. If a severe storm is headed your way, you may want to install sandbags or other flood protection devices such as inflatable dams.
The above suggestions will help protect your home from flooding. However, even the most well-prepared homes can suffer storm damage. You may need to enlist the help of experienced restoration professionals to get your home back to normal quickly and safely.