Protect Important Documents from Disasters with Our Safety Tips

1/6/2022 (Permalink)

Natural disasters can occur at any given time, sometimes, even without warning. If one has damaged your home, don’t hesitate in calling SERVPRO.

Since 1980, the US has sustained 308 weather and climate disasters, causing many losses for American citizens. And while these losses included property damage and certain valuables, some of the most devastating amongst them were important documents.

We rely on certain documents to carry important information and prove our identities. So when they’re destroyed in a natural disaster, it can be stressful trying to recover lost data. 

But if you’re worried about important information being damaged from a flood or a hurricane, don’t worry. 

SERVPRO can provide you with the best Fort Worth fire damage restoration around. But moreover, they also have the best tips you can follow to protect important documents from disasters. 

Tip #1: Create Backups

In today’s advanced technological age, it’s much easier to protect your important documents than ever before. This is mostly due to the invention of digital backups, allowing people to save files with crucial data in the Cloud or other devices.

If you possess important information that’s sealed within digital documents, you should consider making backups if you haven’t already. Doing so will guarantee an extra measure of security in the event that your computer or other storage device has been damaged due to a natural disaster.

Tip #2: Purchase a Strong File Cabinet

If your important documents are actual physical copies, you should invest in a strong filing cabinet if you haven’t yet. Filing cabinets are a great way to protect important documents and keep things organized.

Don’t just purchase any filing cabinet though. Buy one that is highly durable. Remember, you want to protect your physical copies as much as possible in the event of a natural disaster, so don’t get a cheap or flimsy filing cabinet.

If you own a durable filing cabinet that has been damaged by a fire recently, call SERVPRO right away. Our Fort Worth fire damage restoration team will save your filing cabinet if it’s still salvageable.

Tip #3: Make Copies

Backups are truly a lifesaver in many situations. But if you want that extra measure of protection, make copies of your important documents. Create extra files on your PC and place them in another storage device that’s safe from harm’s way. Also, make physical copies and place them in your filing cabinet or another form of storage.

When making physical copies, place them somewhere where you think they will be most safe from floods, fires, or other natural disasters.

Has a Natural Disaster Devastated Your Home? Call SERVPRO

Natural disasters can occur at any given time, sometimes, even without warning. If one has damaged your home, don’t hesitate at all in calling SERVPRO. We’re known far and wide for our Fort Worth fire damage restoration. But besides that, we can also help with water damage and mold remediation.

Call us at (817) 589-1499 or visit our contact page.

What Can Cause Commercial Fire Damage?

12/9/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is always available to provide the Fort Worth fire damage restoration you need.

Fires can cause tremendous losses for property owners. In fact, 2020 saw an estimated $21.9 billion loss from fires in the US. But while this is a significant number, this doesn’t mean you have to succumb to the problems of fire damage as well.

Understanding what can cause commercial fire damages will serve as the fine line between saving your property and paying a lot of money for repairs. 

While our Fort Worth fire damage restoration services are cost-effective, we always do our best to help clients know how they can stay safe. Continue reading below to know what causes commercial fire damage and how you can prevent them.

What Causes Commercial Fires?

Fires can be caused by just about anything these days. For commercial fires, however, the most common causes include:

Cooking

Some commercial properties are designed with cooking areas for employees or other occupants to whip up a meal. During the day, when cooking something, it’s likely that some individuals will leave the stove or oven to tend to something else. 

When that happens, the possibility of a fire starting increases exponentially. So, you should always advise your occupants to be mindful when cooking and to never leave food unattended. 

Electrical Malfunctions

While they are the least likely to cause commercial fires, electrical malfunctions are still common in commercial properties. These can occur due to faulty wiring or overloaded circuits. 

On a regular basis, make sure to inspect the wiring in your commercial property. Even better, hire a professional to inspect for you. They will provide you with a list of areas you should address. 

Smoking

If anybody in your building is smoking a cigarette or a cigar, make sure to dispose of those items properly. It’s common for employees to want to take a smoke break, but make sure they’re aware of how to safely extinguish and throw away their smoking materials. 

Typically, ashtrays are the best way to dispose of smoking items. So, you may want to have some available at your business if your property isn’t a smoke-free facility.

Heating Equipment

Some commercial property owners will use heating equipment depending on the surrounding climate, including:

• Furnaces
• Radiators
• Boilers

Regardless of their design, these types of equipment can overheat from time to time, which can cause a fire.

The best way to prevent heating equipment fires is just to simply maintain them and turn them off from time to time. Also, it’s best to keep combustible items far away from heating equipment.

What Should I Do After a Commercial Fire Occurs?

The aftermath of a fire can be devastating. Fire damage can destroy expensive merchandise, furniture, walls, floors, and even textiles. But the damage can be corrected when you hire Fort Worth fire damage restoration services.

Such services can provide the restoration you need. And after their work is done, your commercial property will look as good as new.

In Need of Damage Restoration? You Can Trust SERVPRO

SERVPRO is always available to provide the Fort Worth fire damage restoration you need. When you’re in need of our service, call us at (817) 589-1499. Or visit our contact page.

Business Interruption Insurance in Fort Worth, TX: What You Need to Know

7/2/2021 (Permalink)

Business interruption insurance covers you from financial losses incurred during, well, a business interruption.

Insurance from natural disasters, fires, and floods should be enough to protect your commercial property from monetary losses fully, right? But unfortunately, commercial property insurance isn’t always the most robust safety net. 

What about the money you’d lose while you wait to get back on your feet and operations running again? That’s where business interruption insurance comes in. 

Business interruption insurance covers you from financial losses incurred during, well, a business interruption. So, for example, while commercial property insurance would pay for roof repairs from hurricane damage, it wouldn’t cover the money you'd lose waiting for the roof to get repaired. 

That’s where business interruption insurance comes in. 

Here's what else you need to know about business interruption insurance in Fort Worth, TX. 

How Business Interruption Insurance Protects Your Fort Worth Company

Commercial property insurance pays out claims for direct damage to your property. Say your business was flooded, and you have damaged equipment that needs replacing. The insurer would cover the costs of replacing the equipment. But the policy wouldn’t cover your losses from waiting for that equipment to arrive and employees to learn how it works and operate it. 

While it’s essential to carry a commercial property insurance policy, this type of insurance wouldn’t help you recover losses from interruptions to your operations. 

Business interruption insurance would protect you from these types of financial setbacks:

• It covers profits you’d have earned during a temporary closure
• Pays for operating expenses (wages, utilities, maintenance, repairs, etc.)
• Covers training costs for staff that need to learn how to use replaced equipment

Also, business interruption insurance in Fort Worth protects your finances from disruptions that aren’t the result of property damage. For example, a business interruption policy would pay for your operating expenses and profits lost from forced closures, like street closures from public events or evacuations from natural disasters. 

How Long Does Business Interruption Insurance Last?

This particular type of insurance policy is not meant to cover long-term financial losses. Usually, a business interruption policy lasts for a few weeks or months. The policy is intended to help businesses weather a temporary interruption and isn't designed to carry a company during an economic downturn. 

What’s Typically Covered in a Business Interruption Policy?

Most business interruption insurance policies cover the following financial losses:

• Losses from sudden, personal incapacitation
• Losses from unforeseen natural disasters or local government mandates (e.g., flood and fire damage, storms, road closures)
• Monetary losses from theft or vandalism
• Disruptions from technological failures

Unlike other types of commercial property insurance, business interruption insurance doesn’t insure tangible goods. Therefore, for an accurate assessment of potential losses due to business interruptions, you’ll need a firm and quantifiable grasp of how much your company earns.

Fully Protect Your Commercial Property and Business From the Unforeseen

A robust business owner's policy that includes coverage for business operations can fully protect your company from financial setbacks due to disasters and forced closures. 

At SERVPRO North Richland Hills, we’ve been helping commercial property owners restore their buildings to pristine, safe conditions after fires, floods, and storms. If your business has been damaged, contact us today or call us at (817) 985-4815 for a free estimate on our Damage Restoration Services.

Commercial Air Duct Cleaning in Fort Worth

6/24/2021 (Permalink)

Our Commercial Air Duct Cleaning Services are available 24/7.

The average person spends 90% of their time indoors. Unfortunately, harmful contaminants in indoor air can be 5X higher than in outdoor air. For commercial building managers and owners, ensuring a clean and safe environment is a top priority. 

It’s one of our top priorities, too. At SERVPRO North Richland Hills, we’ve been leveling up the indoor air quality of Fort Worth businesses for many years. Our Commercial Air Duct Cleaning Services are available 24/7. 

Give us a call today at (817) 985-4815 for a free estimate.

Why Poor Indoor Air Quality is a Serious Health Issue

Your HVAC system works hard all day and year-round to keep your building a comfortable environment for customers and employees. Unfortunately, dirty air ducts can wreck the party and spoil the atmosphere. 

Air ducts can trap many contaminants and irritants. When the HVAC is running, dirty air ducts move pollutants around the building, kicking up allergy-inducing dust, pollen, dander, and unpleasant odors. 

Indoor air pollutants and particulate matter can cause the following:

• Itchy eyes, nose, and scratchy throat
• Coughing, sneezing, watery eyes
• Headaches, dizziness, and fatigue

For occupants with asthma, unclean air ducts that move pollutants around the building can trigger attacks. 

To prevent health effects and keep occupants safe and comfortable, we recommend Commercial Air Duct Cleaning Services for your Fort Worth building every three years. For facilities where occupants smoke inside or house pets, we recommend more frequent cleanings. 

What if Your Building is Being Restored?

If your building has been damaged in a fire or a flood, we highly recommend air duct cleaning as well. 

Smoke particulates and mold from water damage can become trapped inside the air ducts. Turn those on once you’re open for business, and you’re inadvertently pumping harmful contaminants into the building and people’s airways. 

While you’ll want to conduct a regular, routine air duct cleaning about every three years, you’ll need to clean the air ducts after damage occurs. 

If your building is undergoing mold remediation, we also recommend additional air duct cleaning. Mold spores hang out in air ducts and use them to travel throughout your building. 

How Long Does Commercial Air Duct Cleaning Take?

For extensive damage from fires or flooding, commercial air duct cleaning can take several days. In these cases, the HVAC system can not be turned on until fire and flood damage are remediated. In mold infestation cases, air duct cleaning typically takes one day. 

We’re available 24/7

We understand that cash flow is a top priority for our commercial partners. Our SERVPRO North Richland Hills Air Duct Cleaning Services are designed to work around your schedule, so you can continue operations. 

We’re available:

• Overnight
• Weekends
• Holidays 
• 24/7

Is Your Facility Due for Commercial Air Duct Cleaning?

Servicing your air duct units will result in a cleaner environment and healthier indoor air, among other benefits:

• Improves energy efficiency
• Reduces and prevents mold growth
• Eliminates offensive odors

Call us anytime, day or night, at (817) 985-4815 for a free estimate on your commercial air duct cleaning.

SERVPRO Specializes in Fort Worth Commercial Restoration and Reconstruction

4/5/2021 (Permalink)

Our team of professionals at SERVPRO of Fort Worth is here to support you in your commercial restoration and reconstruction project.

Any disruption of business comes at a cost. For every hour your business is shut down because of damage to your facilities, you lose revenue and your workers lose hourly pay. Fort Worth SERVPRO understands how every precious second counts until your operations are stabilized. We leverage our decades of experience to get Fort Worth’s businesses up and running as soon as possible.

One way we save time and costs is to have one team handle various aspects of the recovery. Rather than hire several contractors and commercial services (which you will need to keep track of), hire just one commercial restoration and reconstruction company to handle it all!

Comprehensive Cleaning

Even if you have a cleaning staff, that’s not always enough to cope with emergency cleanup. Cleaning crews are limited on what they can do for a number of reasons such as set work hours, being unqualified to handle biohazard waste, etc.

In many cases, we can clean your facility from floor-to-ceiling in a fraction of the time than your cleaning crew. You need your cleaning staff for maintenance, but we’re here to support you for those urgent matters that may arise from time to time.

We clean all surfaces (floors, walls, and everything in between), HVAC systems, and perform mold remediation, and attend to COVID-19 exposure. Our goal is to leave it better than how we found it. 

Water Restoration

We use water to clean our hands, dishes, bathrooms, and so much more, but water does make a huge mess sometimes. Our team of water damage specialists know how to quickly assess a water damage situation and come up with the most efficient attack plan.

Water damage emergency management starts with finding the source of the problem. We work tirelessly to make sure no more water gets in to cause further damage. Next, we use high-powered extraction equipment to get every ounce of water out of your facility. We use forceful equipment and advanced drying techniques to rid your pace of any moisture.

We restore your facility to preloss condition be it a replacement of carpet, cleaning of soft goods in our Esporta wash system, or a reconstruction of construction material too soaked to save.

Among our very top priorities is making sure your facility is free of toxic mold. Mold begins to colonize within the first 48 hours of a flooding event, so we get to work to remove moisture so mold doesn’t have a chance to take root.

Fire Restoration

Fires are rare, but they come on unexpectedly and can decimate a structure in under an hour. Whether it’s a little bit of damage or a lot, fire damage restoration Fort Worth works best when a team of professionals can respond.

We work to remove all damaged objects and materials from the facility. Soot and smoke damage are removed from all surfaces with industrial-grade cleaners to remove all damage from the environment. We replace what can’t be salvaged with brand new materials through commercial reconstruction. 

Storms and Major Events

Many storms blow through North Texas, especially during the summer months. SERVPRO is ready to respond immediately to disasters caused by strong winds, flooding, tornadoes, and the rarer fire by lightning strike. Commercial water damage restoration and fire damage restoration action steps will be provided accordingly.

Contact SERVPRO For Your Commercial Property Restoration Needs

Whether it’s a one-time emergency or an ongoing issue, SERVPRO of Fort Worth is here to support our local businesses (read our testimonials). We work around the clock to work around your schedule to minimize interruption. Call us 24 hours a day, 365 days per year with your questions, or for a free estimate at (817) 589-1499.

Fort Worth Commercial Property Damage Restoration After Water Damages

4/5/2021 (Permalink)

When your commercial property floods, call the experts at SERVPRO of Fort Worth to get your business back to normal ASAP.

Every day you walk into a clean and dry workspace, but sometimes mishaps and emergencies happen that have you asking, “Where did we put the yellow caution signs?”  Fort Worth SERVPRO is here to clean up after any flooding or water damage event whether it’s from a plumbing problem or a natural disaster.

We understand that disruption of your operations easily leads to revenue loss. That’s why we’re always available to support businesses in Fort Worth, Texas get back to normal as soon as possible. Our team of IICRC Certified Technicians is on standby around the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Fully Equipped

Buckets and mops can only handle so much. SERVPRO steps in with the best tools in the industry to make the space clean and dry faster and more thoroughly than can be done with consumer-grade supplies.

Step 1: Locate the Source of the Water Damage

If the source of the water damage has not yet been resolved, we are prepared to mitigate any further damage by solving the issue on the spot. We must make sure the water source is contained before we proceed with cleaning.

Being a full-service restoration team, we can do many repairs to plumbing, appliances, and other water systems. 

Step 2: Remove the Water

We evict gallons of water from your facility in no time by using powerful submersible pumps along with industrial-strength wet vacuums. Also at our disposal are truck-mounted and portable extraction units.

When the area is carpeted, we inspect it to see if it can be saved with our thorough drying process or if it needs to be replaced. The more carpet is soaked, the more likely it is that it should be replaced (especially when the padding is drenched). If not, mold and bacteria will move in and make your floors unsanitary.

Step 3: Complete Drying

Using high-powered fans and scientifically-proven drying techniques we make sure every ounce of moisture is eradicated. This is how we prevent secondary damage and stop mold from taking root. The last thing property owners want to deal with is ongoing mold and mildew problems.

To treat the space for lingering moisture, we use desiccants, moisture detectors, hygrometers, and other meters. We look for “hidden” water behind walls and ceilings with the aid of infrared cameras.

Step 4: Cleaning

Just because an area is completely dry doesn’t mean that it’s clean. We use EPA-registered industrial cleaners to disinfect and deodorize the entire affected area.

We’ll also monitor for biohazardous material that may have entered the premises by way of storm waters. We have the expertise and the appropriate personal protective equipment needed to approach hazardous waste so that you won’t have to.

As for fabrics such as drapes or furniture, we restore these to preloss condition using our upholstery cleaning expertise. Our Esporta Wash System is state of the art and cleans all soft goods to food-grade cleanliness.

Step 5: Reconstruction

Our goal with any job site is to make it, “Like it never even happened.” To save you money and the pain of loss, we work tirelessly to restore rather than replace, but sometimes materials are too warped or contaminated to salvage. No need to hire a contractor as our reconstruction team will replace construction and flooring with the closest matching materials available.

Call SERVPRO When Your Facility Floods

SERVPRO is here to support your business and get you back to normal ASAP with our full-service commercial Fort Worth water damage restoration services. We work around your schedule so you have minimal downtime. We even work directly with your insurance company on your behalf. Save our number and call us at (817) 589-1499 when you have a water damage emergency. 

Preparing Your Business for a Winter Storm

3/11/2021 (Permalink)

If your business is damaged in a winter storm, contact our Fort Worth SERVPRO location for commercial restoration services.

When severe winter weather is imminent, the media tends to focus on how it affects homes. But what should you do to prepare in a business setting? While damage to your home affects your personal life, damage to business property interferes with your ability to keep your operations afloat.

As the restoration team known for being “Faster to any size disaster,” SERVPRO of Fort Worth is all about helping the community be best prepared for any weather event. This quick guide gives you tips on how to prepare your business for a winter storm event.

Be Winter Storm Ready

Here are some select tips for business owners who have a goal in mind to protect their assets, protect people, and mitigate interruption of operations.

• Take a risk inventory - As a business owner, you are all too familiar with risk factors. What could go wrong and how likely is it that it will happen?
• Assess liability - Who is responsible for damage to your property, both inside and outside including potential injuries on the premises? Do you need better insurance coverage for these risk factors?
• Have a contingency plan - For scenarios that seem likely to happen, have a plan in place with your support staff well informed on what you plan to do should these hypotheticals occur.
• Communication plan - Who’s responsibility is it to keep staff updated and instructed? What should they know ahead of time and what information needs to be relayed during the event?
• Do a safety inventory - What needs to be done inside and outside of your facility to make things safer? Do you and your staff need a refresher on safety training and OSHA rules?
• Safety and backup supplies - Acquire items for and replenish your emergency supplies kit for business.

While the above list will help you get started, we recommend that you consult both the Emergency Preparedness Checklist for Small Businesses from the Red Cross and the Winter Weather Preparedness Checklist from the Small Business Administration.

Consider SERVPRO of Fort Worth

Even the most ironclad plans are no match for extreme weather circumstances. We highly recommend you have a Fort Worth water damage restoration and storm recovery service in mind in advance.

SERVPRO has helped many Fort Worth area businesses get back to normal. Our goal is to minimize any interruption to your operations and because we have 24-hour operation, we work around your schedule. Give us a call (817) 589-1499 to go over our commercial services for storm recovery. We’re prepared to be your point of contact for your contingency plan.

How SERVPRO Helps with a Smooth Commercial Restoration Project

2/12/2021 (Permalink)

For a smooth commercial restoration, contact our Fort Worth SERVPRO. We'll help you get your business back to normal as soon as possible.

Fort Worth businesses encounter emergencies and other unexpected situations all the time. The longer you have to keep your building shuttered, the more revenue you stand to lose. SERVPRO is here to streamline the recovery process so you can resume normal operations as soon as possible.

Instead of hiring several different services to do commercial restoration, hire SERVPRO to do it all. Since we are a full-service cleaning and restoration company, we coordinate multiple issues at once: biohazardous material cleanup, crime scene management, graffiti removal, fire damage, water damage, mold infestation, etc.

Comprehensive Cleaning

Sometimes businesses don’t have enough staff or the necessary equipment for deep cleaning. We sanitize the facility from floor to ceiling - even the HVAC system! Our team of experts goes to work to leave it better than we found it.

We’re also equipped to handle COVID-19 and biohazard cleanup with the best EPA-registered cleaning products available.

Once the project is complete, you can display our branded signage to let the public know your business has been professionally cleaned by a trusted brand!

Water Restoration

Thousands of businesses count on us for Fort Worth water damage restoration. We’re prepared to go to work immediately to remove all the water and repair the water damage. The area is dried thoroughly to prevent mold growth. 

If a mold problem has already developed in your building, we are equipped to do complete mold remediation.

Fire Restoration

Fire damage restoration can be a long and complex process. Because we are equipped to handle all the aspects (including reconstruction) the recovery time is as efficient as possible. 

Storms and Major Events

Flash floods, tornadoes, and criminal activity can hit a business at any time. That’s why we’re here 24/7 for emergency contact. We work quickly to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Contact SERVPRO for a Free Commercial Restoration Project Quote!

Our top priority is to have your business back to normal as soon as possible. Because of our extensive experience in commercial restoration and our capability to handle all the different aspects of it at once, the downtime of your business is minimal. The cost savings of our efficient process is passed on to you! 

We also work around your business hours so we won’t be in the way of the operation you have in place. Crews can be scheduled overnight and on weekends - whatever works best for you. 

It all begins with a free consultation. Let us put together a custom plan that works best for your situation. Call (817) 589-1499 today to get started!

Professional Fort Worth Warehouse and Industrial Cleaning Services

2/11/2021 (Permalink)

Contact our Fort Worth SERVPRO for professional warehouse and industrial cleaning services

Many Fort Worth area facilities find it difficult to cope with cleaning demands: not enough staff coverage, time constraints, inadequate equipment, shortage of personal protective equipment, etc. Others need a periodic deep cleaning to maintain standards or comply with industry regulations.

That’s where SERVPRO comes in. We have the proper equipment and the highly-trained staff needed to support all your warehouse or industrial facility cleaning needs. 

We understand that warehouses and industrial facilities have compliance issues, so we’re here to handle the tasks appropriately so you can check this off your to-do list.

SERVPRO’s 3 C’s

SERVPRO of Fort Worth is equipped to clean any size facility from floor to ceiling - even the HVAC systems. We can scale any of our cleaning services, including Fort Worth fire damage restoration. 

We deliver unparalleled warehouse cleaning services by consistently following these foundational principles:

Consult: Every warehouse or industrial facility has its own unique set of circumstances. By way of a comprehensive consultation, we customize a bespoke cleaning program to suit the needs of each individual facility.

Clean: We deep clean surfaces with our proprietary EPA-approved hospital-grade cleaning treatments. We understand the regulatory issues surrounding industrial sites, so we adhere to our own high standards that include CDC cleaning and decontamination guidelines. We are also equipped to properly clean up biohazardous material.

Certify: When you display our branded signage on your facility, the public is assured that your facility has been properly cleaned a trusted leader in the restoration industry.

Yet another “C” has arrived - COVID-19. Coronavirus maintenance is a challenge to keep up with, so we are here to support Fort Worth facilities that need help structuring or implementing a COVID-19 cleaning plan. We address the public health needs of each scenario such as schools, nursing homes, fully-staffed warehouses, retailers, etc.

Contact SERVPRO for All Your Warehouse and Industrial Cleaning Needs in Fort Worth

SERVPRO is a reputable industrial cleaning service. Many Fort Worth warehouse and industrial facility managers have trusted us to carry out specific cleaning procedures according to each unique circumstance.

Not all cleaning companies have the capacity to meet your facility’s needs. A trustworthy cleaning company will be honest and transparent about its abilities. We won’t start on the work until we have a sustainable action plan in place.

Confidently established service agreements begin with a free consultation.  Call us today at (817) 589-1499 to set up a meeting.

Church Cleaning and Sanitation Services for Places of Worship

5/26/2020 (Permalink)

Cleaning Services for Churches and Places of Worship

More than ever, the people in the DFW area need a place for healing. For centuries, places of worship have served as a place to be spiritually fed and where the downtrodden can go for support. 

Churches, temples, and synagogues are pillars of the community as they comfort the suffering through prayer and togetherness as well as providing basic necessities like food and shelter.

Because faith-based organizations are so important to our communities, SERVPRO of North Richland Hills is here to support our places of worship so that they may continue to serve their members and neighbors.

We offer disinfection and sanitization guidance as well as complete church cleaning services for faith communities in our area so you may all worship together once again!

How to Clean Your Place of Worship

Your cleaning plan consists of both daily cleaning and scheduled routine cleanings. This accounts for every square foot of the worship center with special attention directed to those areas most frequently used by those who work, regularly attend, or visit the church.

Germ Prone Areas of the Church

• Lobby and entrances
• Nave and Sanctuary
• Fellowship Hall 
• Kitchen or Food Service Areas
• Staff and Administrative Offices
• Classrooms 
• Nurseries
• Restrooms
• Basement Storage Areas
• Baptismal area
• Choir and orchestral areas
• Pulpit, stage, and seating areas on stage
• HVAC Systems 

Having a complete sanitation maintenance plan is fundamental to instill confidence in your member base about the cleanliness and safety of your church.

This plan starts with an inventory of what should be cleaned, what needs to be disinfected, and what equipment is required to safely clean your religious facility. 

If your church has been closed for some time (at least seven days) the facility will need a thorough cleaning and disinfection before reopening. There needs to be special attention given to the “high touch” areas but also cleaning of areas that are rarely or never touched.

It helps to map out the entire church property to account for all spaces. Mark off those areas where human activity and contact most commonly occurs. Areas that are frequently touched and thus germ-prone are known as “high touch” areas.

Examples of Common High Touch Areas:

• Countertops
• Desks
• Door handles
• Faucets and sinks
• Toilets and bathroom fixtures
• Pews and chairs
• Safety rails
• Keyboards and tablets
• Touch screens
• Light switches
• Phones
• Tables

Once all cleaning areas have been mapped out, they are ready to receive priority and be part of your church cleaning checklists. “Hot spots” should receive an increase in cleanings.

Go over all areas inside and outside for surfaces that look dingy, grimy, or otherwise unclean. For best effectiveness, all of these surfaces with soap and water before applying disinfectants.

Porous materials such as textiles, rugs, seats, etc., should also be cleaned and disinfected using the appropriate methods. Launder cloth items according to label instructions with the right strength of detergent and the warmest water temperature possible. Fabrics and rugs are to be completely dried before using them again.

Consult the health and safety directives from regional organizations specific to your denomination and meet with leadership to determine how to create the best action plan.

Use of Disinfectants

Disinfectants should be used throughout the properties, but more frequently on high touch areas. Cleansing with soap and water first makes disinfectants more effective as it removes most of the germs and exposes remaining germs so the disinfectant can finish the job.

We highly recommend using EPA-approved disinfectants for regular sanitation. (Refer to the EPA guide and list of SARS-CoV-2 disinfectants). 

For any disinfectant product, read the directions thoroughly before use. Some may require prepping the surfaces, use of PPE (personal protective equipment), or ventilation.

Products with at least 70% of alcohol or bleach solutions may be used as alternative disinfectants proactive toward fighting against the Coronavirus. 

Make sure the bleach product is appropriate for disinfection (some laundry bleaches are not) and that the bleach is not expired. Bleach solutions should sit for at least one minute to sanitize surfaces. As with all cleaning products, read the directions carefully before use and wear the appropriate PPE.

Bleach Solution:

4 teaspoons bleach to a quart of water

OR

5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach to a gallon of water.

For some cleaning solutions and procedures, special PPE or gloves may be required. Fumigants or fogs may need special equipment or trained specialists to safely use these products.

Our SERVPRO of North Richland Hills team is qualified to properly use such industrial disinfectants.

Ensure that your church cleaning crew is properly trained to follow label directions exactly. They should wear the appropriate PPE when mandated, maintain proper ventilation, and most importantly thoroughly wash their hands after handling disinfectant products. 

How to Handle Persons Who Are Sick

While worshiping with those who share your faith is like medicine for the soul, it’s important to remind members that those who are sick should remain at home until they are well again (symptom-free for 10 days without the use of fever-reducing medication).

Remain vigilant about symptoms specific to COVID-19:

• Cough
• Sore throat
• Losing the ability to taste or smell
• Difficulty breathing
• Chills/shaking with chills
• Muscle aches
• Headache
• Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100F
• Diarrhea
• Close contact with a person confirmed to have COVID-19. Those who have been in contact with someone who is likely to have COVID-19 or is a confirmed case of such should self-quarantine for 14 days before leaving the house again)

Should an affected person enter your facility, you do not need to necessarily close the entire building down. Block off any area the sick person has been in contact with. Once those areas have been closed off for 24 hours, you may thoroughly clean and disinfect the surfaces and items.

If feasible, restrict airflow out of the affected area by turning off HVAC systems.

Establishing and implementing policies that promote health and safety reassures your congregation that your place of worship is safe and is concerned about their well being.

We do this by faithfully fulfilling the set cleaning procedure (daily is best), encouraging social distancing, and enforcing policies that only allow well people to attend services.

Resources for Current Advisories and Religious Facility Operations Guidance

• Checklist for Community and Faith Leaders
• General CDC Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Businesses
• Preventative Practices for Faith Based Leaders
• City of North Richland Hills
• Tarrant County
• State of Texas
• US Government
• CDC

Expert Religious Facility & Church Cleaning Service in Fort Worth, TX

SERVPRO of North Richland Hills understands that our community leaders want the safest environment for their community.

Professional cleaning reassures the church staff, congregation, and visitors that you’ve taken proactive steps to ensure that your place of worship is safe and secure. 

What We Offer:

• SERVPRO performs all cleanup and bioremediation in accordance with guidelines set in place by the CDC and local authorities.
• SERVPRO’s proprietary cleaning agent, SERVPROXIDE, is an EPA-certified, hospital-grade disinfectant that has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19) on hard, non-porous surfaces.
• HVAC and air duct cleaning to improve and ensure air quality
• Trained cleaning experts who have experience in attending situations involving positive cases of coronavirus who also use the proper PPE and equipment to handle COVID-19 situations. 

Free Consultation Plus Free Religious Facility Cleaning Plan

We understand that each place of worship is sacred and unique.

With our free consultation service, a sanitation specialist meets with you on site to put a customized plan together that is respectful to your faith. We tailor this plan to the specific needs of your facility at no additional cost.

This plan may include the following:

• Cleaning and decontamination of non-porous surfaces such as pews, chairs, tables, etc. 
• Our detergent cleaner eliminates all of the dust and grime. 
• We then decontaminate these surfaces by applying sanitizer either with a ulv fogger or a sprayer.
• We thoroughly clean carpets and upholstery by vacuuming and/or deep washing. We follow up with applying sanitizer to these porous surfaces.
• We use SERVPROXIDE (SERVPRO’s proprietary cleaning agent). This is an EPA-certified, hospital-grade disinfectant that has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19) on hard (non-porous) surfaces.
• HEPA air scrubbing and air duct cleaning with new A/C filters

Call us at (817) 589-1499 to get started on your free church cleaning services plan or submit a request with our quick and easy contact form.

Why Choose SERVPRO for Church Cleaning in Fort Worth, Tx?

SERVPRO North Richland Hills is prepared to thoroughly and conscientiously provide complete church cleaning services. We are a top provider of Fort Worth carpet cleaning services and more!

• 34 years of reliable and superior commercial cleaning services in the Dallas Fort Worth area. 
• 24/7 availability means we respond to emergencies (such as confirmed cases of COVID-19 on the premises) and have the flexibility to clean whenever the church is vacant. Since your facilities peak times are likely only a few days a week, we can easily work around your schedule.
• Reverent consideration for sensitive issues concerning your sacred spaces and religious practices.
• Our IICRC trained technicians and industrial disinfectants have been trusted by international airports and federal agencies to prepare spaces for safe and sound use. Our effective disinfecting services meet the needs of any sized facility in any kind of situation. We work around your specific needs.
• Our uncompromising safety and hygiene standards mean our cleaning professionals are trained to adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards. We ensure that our technicians use the proper PPE during cleanings. Some cleaning companies save money by skimping on PPE, but we insist our techs use it when on site. At SERVPRO of North Richland Hills, it’s always safety first!
• Present to the public a certificate that your place of worship has been completely cleaned by SERVPRO - the leading trusted brand in commercial cleaning.
• Social media announcement from us announcing your religious facility has been completely cleaned by us and is safe to worship in!

We’re here to support people of faith in our Fort Worth community! We want to help you provide a safe and secure environment where your congregation will feel at ease as they seek spiritual comfort.

Contact us today with any questions you may have about pricing, COVID-19 sanitation procedures, cleaning products, disinfectant use, etc. We’re here to serve you!

Call us at (817) 589-1499 with your questions for our complimentary consultation. You may also submit your inquiry by filling out our contact form anytime.

Cleaning Services and Coronavirus Disinfection for Dallas-Fort Worth Hotels

5/26/2020 (Permalink)

Cleaning Services for Hotels

Businesses across the state are gradually reopening after lockdown due to public health measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. The Governor’s office has identified lodging an “essential service.”

Even with the governor’s blessing, some Texas hotels have perhaps opted to close or partially close their buildings to guests in compliance with local government orders or directives from corporate headquarters.

Whether a hotel remained open all along or plans to reopen soon, enhancing property cleaning and disinfection procedures is necessary to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. 

Like airports, hotels bring in people from all over who may unknowingly carry the virus. Unlike retailers where patrons shop and go, hotel guests stay for 24 hours or longer increasing the chances of spreading germs.

Because lodging operations experience increased exposure, it’s important to have effective hotel cleaning services. SERVPRO of North Richland Hills is here to support proactive health and safety measures for your properties with advice and commercial cleaning services.

Basic Hotel Infection Prevention Measures

Hotels are known for the art of hospitality including comprehensive housekeeping practices, so you likely already have a rigorous cleaning regimen.

With added Coronavirus concerns, it is important to modify your current standard operating procedure by adopting recommendations from authoritative agencies such as the CDC and American Hotel and Lodging Association.

Recommendation Summary

• Promote increased handwashing by employees and guests with signage.
• Post reminders of respiratory etiquette (cover coughs and sneezes).

(Multilanguage notices are helpful for a diverse clientele.)

• Provide tissues and touch-free hand sanitizer dispensers for the public in key areas of the property. (Product should contain at least 60% alcohol.) 
• Outline “stay at home” and self-quarantine policies for sick employees.
• Discourage employees from sharing devices and equipment wherever possible.
• Remove or reduce courtesy phones. Regularly disinfect the remaining phones.
• Increase guest turnover time to allow more time for thorough cleaning.

Even the cleanest of properties with stellar hotel cleaning services should adjust their practices to mitigate the spread of the virus. Consult the available resources and confer with your staff to create a plan that works best for the special needs of your properties.

Increased Safety Procedures 

Additional Precautions

• Make the reception desk as contact-free as possible. Use whatever available technology you have to minimize employee-customer proximity.
• Raise awareness of your proactive measures including indications that items in the room have been sanitized.
• Increased cleaning of “high touch” areas. “Last cleaned” charts will help keep track of this.
• Post reminders of social distancing practices.
• If pools and gyms remain open, post what your guests can do to keep those areas sanitary. (Temporary closure of these amenities may be better.)
• Buffets and banquets are prone to germs and cross-contamination. Consider putting these configurations on a hold temporarily. Provide individually served and packaged items instead. (“Grab and go.”)

Social Distancing Efforts for Dallas-Fort Worth Hotels

Social distancing continues to be a primary proactive measure against the spread of the Coronavirus. Below are some suggestions on how to maximize efforts.

• Limit how many people can occupy rooms at a time.
• Close or limit occupancy for meeting rooms.
• Encourage guests to keep their distance from staff and use automated check-in methods instead.
• Stagger worker schedules and have employees work remotely whenever possible. Discourage personnel from lingering after shifts and remind them to maintain distance as much as possible.
• Promote contactless room deliveries and coordinate the hotel cleaning staff to have minimal contact with guests and wear PPE (personal protective equipment) as needed.

How to Clean and Disinfect a Hotel Room

Customers staying on the premises longer than they would other businesses (like retailers) means enhanced cleaning procedures are needed.

Below are some cleaning guidelines to consider adding to your protocol.

Hotel Room

• Prep dirty surfaces by first cleaning them with soap and water. This removes excess germs and exposes remaining germs so that the disinfectant can be most effective.
• Use EPA-registered household disinfectants that are effective against the class of viruses related to COVID-19. (Be sure to completely read and follow label instructions for each product).
• Bleach or alcohol solutions may be used as an alternative disinfectant.
• Expired or some laundry bleach products will not be effective as a disinfectant.
• Dilute the bleach as directed, and use in a ventilated area.
• Do not combine bleach with other cleaners.
• Leave bleach solution on surfaces for at least one full minute.

• Regularly clean “soft surfaces” (carpets, rugs, and drapes) by removing visible soiling and then apply the appropriate cleaners.
• Make sure electronic devices in rooms are regularly sanitized according to manufacturer instructions or with alcohol-based wipes/sprays that contain at least 70% alcohol to disinfect “high touch” surfaces. Make sure these surfaces are completely dried.

Hotel Laundry 

Laundry items are prone to harboring germs, so it’s important to enhance washing practices.

• Avoid shaking out linens. This will release germs into the air.
• Wash items according to manufacturer’s instructions with the appropriate detergents. Wash with the warmest water setting allowed and allow items to dry completely before use. 
• Hampers and laundry carts should also be regularly cleaned and disinfected.

Should you ever have a special case of soft material contamination, SERVPRO of North Richland Hills offers bioremediation laundry cleaning services with our advanced technology Esporta system.

Choose Our Experts for Hotel Cleaning Services in Dallas-Fort Worth 

SERVPRO of North Richland Hills is here to support you with hotel cleaning services including Fort Worth carpet cleaning services and professional air duct cleaning.

• We are a trusted name in commercial cleaning for the DFW area with 34 years of superior cleaning and sanitation services.
• 24/7 operations to respond to emergencies (confirmed case of COVID-19 on-site) and flexibility to work around your operating schedule.
• We have attended sites with confirmed COVID-19 cases and professionally cleaned thousands of square feet affected by the virus. Our IICRC trained technicians and industrial disinfectants are trusted by first responders, airports, homes, and many types of businesses (shipping, manufacturing, healthcare, etc.). We’re fully prepared to be your hotel cleaning company.
• SERVPROXIDE (SERVPRO’s proprietary cleaning agent) is an EPA-certified, hospital-grade disinfectant that has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19) on hard (non-porous) surfaces.

• Facility refresh services include:
• Air duct cleaning with new A/C filters
• HEPA air scrubbing
• Upholstery cleaning
• Carpet cleaning

We’re here to answer any questions you may have about the special needs of your properties, cleaning products, and procedures related to COVID-19. We also offer a complimentary consultation!

Call us anytime at (817) 589-1499. You may also submit your inquiry by using our quick and easy contact form anytime.

Reopening Day Coronavirus Cleaning: What Businesses Should Know

5/5/2020 (Permalink)

Reopening After Coronavirus

Texas is gradually yet cautiously reopening businesses after many weeks of statewide closures due to the Coronavirus. We look forward to easing back into our familiar activities and habits, but we must do so in a way that avoids a spike in COVID-19 cases.

If and when they are ready, the following businesses are allowed to reopen starting May 1st (per phase one of Governor Abbott’s reopening plan): retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and malls at 25% capacity. The next phase will allow additional categories of businesses to reopen.

Public use spaces are of the utmost concern when assessing the risk of viral spread. Since areas where people congregate are most susceptible to spreading the virus, we must ensure these places are properly managed.

Examples Of Businesses With Communal Area Risk:

• Restaurant dining areas
• Churches
• Hotels
• Venues
• Theaters
• Daycare centers
• Private schools
• Bars
• Gyms
• Arcades
• Bowling alleys

Implementing standard operating procedures that are proactive against the spread of disease improves the chances of businesses reopening and remaining open. We do so by abiding by standard practices set in place by the CDC reopening directives.

Working together as a community to make reopening efforts a success, we must continue to abide by health and safety practices such as social distancing, staying home when ill, frequent handwashing, etc. 

We’re amazed to see how our local businesses have been able to adapt to a new normal. We are here to do our part to help businesses safely and confidently prepare for reopening.

Steps to Create an Effective Cleaning Guideline for Your Business

1. Develop Your Plan

A complete and thorough plan accounts for every square foot of the business facility with special emphasis on areas most frequently used by humans - both workers and customers. 

Having a comprehensive hygiene and safety plan in place is essential to a successful reopening. This consists of both the cleaning process before opening as well as ongoing sanitary maintenance.

As staff and patrons acclimate into a new normal, having a solid plan in place that includes thorough cleaning guidelines and best practices are essential. Your plan is fundamental in reestablishing confidence in resuming the use of your space. 

We begin this plan with an inventory of what needs to be cleaned, what requires disinfection, and what equipment is needed to promote safe operations. 

Determine What Needs to Be Cleaned

Businesses that have been shut down for a while will need a thorough top to bottom cleaning - especially the “high touch” areas but also areas that are rarely or never touched.

It may help to print out a map of your entire facility including the exterior property. Mark off the places where most human activity and contact occurs. 

A map allows you to account for all areas of the premises to ensure that each and every section has been clean. Then you can refer to the specially marked hot spots that need more concentrated attention for sanitation.

The CDC put together an at-a-glance cleaning and disinfection decision tool for national reopening operations. It provides core cleaning guidelines and instructions for properties in general.

Refer to guides specific to your industry and consult with your colleagues to get a complete cleaning plan together.

Determine What Needs to Be Disinfected

Surfaces should be cleaned with EPA approved disinfectants that are specifically intended to combat COVID-19. Closely follow the product directions for maximum effectiveness. (Refer to the EPA guide and list of SARS-CoV-2 disinfectants).

The CDC advises the public to be mindful of “the high touch areas” when it comes to public spaces. Frequent contact with these areas requires increased sanitation for both routing surface cleaning and persistent hand washing.

Examples of Common High Touch Areas:

• ATM machines
• Countertops
• Desks
• Doorknobs
• Faucets and sinks
• Gas pump handles
• Handles
• Keyboards
• Light switches
• Phones
• Tables
• Toilets
• Touch screens

Seek checklists specific to your business type and consult with your staff to account for all areas that are known for harboring germs and what ought to be sanitized most frequently.

Determine What Equipment and Items are Needed

Once you understand what needs to be clean, double-check that you have everything you need to complete a thorough job.

For some cleaning solutions and procedures, it’s necessary to use special PPE (personal protective equipment) or gloves. When the use of fumigants or fogs is required, this may require special equipment or specialists trained to safely use such products.

Our SERVPRO team is equipped and has the professional expertise to conduct a thorough commercial cleaning (including processes that require complete PPE).

Unsure if you have everything you need? Give us a call at (817) 589-1499. We are happy to answer any questions you have about supplies and procedures.

2. Implement Your Plan

Once you’ve integrated all the necessary information to finalize your complete plan and cleaning guidelines, it’s time to execute your reopening plan.

We start this procedure by cleaning areas that appear to be dirty and use the appropriate cleaning products.

Clean Visibility Dirty Surfaces

Inspect all areas inside and outside for surfaces that look dingy, grimy, or otherwise unclean. 

To prepare for the disinfectant application, clean all of these surfaces with soap and water.

Remember to properly clean porous materials such as textiles, rugs, seats, etc., using the appropriate methods. 

For example, launder cloth products according to washing instructions with the appropriate strength of detergent at the warmest temperature possible. Make sure fabrics and rugs are completely dried.

Remember to use proper PPE and thoroughly wash your hands after you’ve finished cleaning.

Use Appropriate Disinfectant and Cleaning Products

Once the dirty surfaces have been washed and dried, we can begin using disinfectants on these same surfaces. 

Read the complete cleaning instructions for the proper use of the disinfectant including the use of proper PPE. 

Train your staff to use the disinfectant as explicitly directed by the instruction details. This ensures worker safety and optimal effectiveness. Remember to use proper ventilation when using chemicals.

Remind your staff to wash their hands thoroughly after handling disinfectant and cleanse any skin that may come in contact with the disinfectant. 

Carefully use disinfectant wherever needed and per the directions safeguards staff and patrons from hazards (both germs and cleaning products).

3. Maintain and Revise Plan

New habits are created through repetition and accountability.  These efforts stem from a commitment to consistently follow through with the new standard operating procedure.

Auditing your process with daily checklists, inspections, and training drills will help solidify the new policies that work to prevent the spread of viruses.

Health and safety practices should also include stay at home policies for sick employees and customers. Be proactive to ensure that symptomatic employees and customers are promptly directed away from public spaces. 

CDC guidelines advise that employees with symptoms of COVID should self-isolate for 7 days, and return to work once they have been symptom-free for at least 3 days (without medication).

But we remember that because of COVID-19 so much changed practically overnight. Texas businesses have already adapted to change, but we must remain vigilant and flexible to emerging issues.

Be resolute with your best practices, but also prepared to modify these plans when necessary.

Follow National and Local Government Guidance

One very important reason to be ready for plan modifications is the possibility of policy change at the city, county, state, and national levels.

Monitor the following websites for updates:

• City of North Richland Hills
• Tarrant County
• State of Texas
• US Government
• CDC

Other regulatory organizations specific to your industry may be of high relevance to your business practices. Stay up to date with those resources as well. 

Signing up for alerts and following social media accounts is also helpful to keep up with urgent announcements.

Coronavirus Cleaning and Decontamination Services for Reopening

SERVPRO of North Richland Hills has been promoting public health in the Dallas Fort Worth area with 34 years of superior industrial cleaning services including biohazard cleanup.

We’re honored to put our decades of experience to good use by cleaning hundreds of thousands of square feet in areas affected by confirmed cases of COVID-19.

We’ve come to the aid of homeowners, first responders, airports, as well as many types of businesses including shipping, manufacturing, healthcare, etc.

Some cleaning companies may charge less for services and this is typically due to workers not using proper PPE. Because health and safety are our highest priority, we don’t cut corners on protection equipment for our frontline workers. We ensure that our technicians have sufficient protective equipment.

Our professional technicians have everything they need to perform complete bioremediation services that thoroughly clean, disinfect, and sanitize properties.

What We Have To Offer Our Local Businesses:

• 24/7 emergency cleaning services. This means we work around your hours of operation. If it works best for you to have the job done overnight, we make it happen.
• SERVPRO continues to be the most renowned cleaning, decontamination, and restoration brand in the country. International airports and federal agency operations have trusted our IICRC trained technicians and industrial-grade disinfectant to properly sanitize affected properties. 
• No matter the size of the job site, we have the right services and equipment to see it through.
• Effective and professional bioremediation services will completely clean, disinfect, and sanitize the job site.
• Perform the work with uncompromising safety and hygiene standards.
• We apply CDC-recommended & EPA-registered disinfectants to all porous and non-porous surfaces, such as walls up to 8 feet. 
• We are cautious with moisture-sensitive surfaces and carefully wipe such items with a disinfectant-wet towelette. 
• Wipe down high-touch surfaces. 
• Issue a certification that your property was professionally cleaned by SERVPRO of North Richland Hills. 
• Social media announcement to inform the public that your business was cleaned by SERVPRO of North Richland Hills and is ready to re-open to patrons.
• Our refresh services include:
• Air duct cleaning with new a/c filters
• Carpet cleaning
• HEPA air scrubbing
• Upholstery cleaning

Our SERVPRO of North Richland Hills mission is to support our local businesses in adapting to the new normal and in reopening their facilities in a safe and conscientious way. 

Our goal is to empower your business to reopen with confidence! The staff and the patrons may be a bit unsure about returning to a business that has been closed for a while, but we believe that a thoroughly cleaned premises with a proactive maintenance plan in place goes a long way in bringing peace of mind for all involved.

We’re here to support you in your reopening! Call us today with your questions at (817) 589-1499 or complete our quick and easy contact form anytime.

CORONAVIRUS: Preventative Methods

3/9/2020 (Permalink)

Coronavirus - Preventative Methods in your North Texas facilities

Any business in the North Texas area that receives shipments from overseas is extremely likely to be exposed to the most recent outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic. If you have employees that have recently traveled out of the country, the chance of them bringing it back with them is very likely. Our teams have recently been trained on how to properly decontaminate an area that could be/has been affected by COVID-19.

There are 3 categories of treatment that SERVPRO of North Richland Hills offers.
To learn more about what we can do to help prevent a COVID-19 outbreak in your facility, call our office today.

Visit our SERVPRO of North Richland Hills Facebook page or Instagram page to learn more about the categories of threat.

CDC Coronavirus information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html

Making Sure You Are Ready to Start Rebuilding After Water Damage in your Commercial Building

2/7/2020 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of North Richland Hills if your business has suffered from water damage!

Once waters from flood or leaks recede and clean up has been done, most folks just want to get back into their business office and start rebuilding. However, one problem is that materials submerged in water have probably absorbed a large amount of water. Rebuilding or renovating too quickly after a flood can cause continuing problems like mold growth, insect infestations, and the deterioration of walls, flooring, wood and wall coverings. Flood waters are not going to be clean, either. Therefore, most porous building materials must be removed and replaced with new materials.

Here is a checklist to refer to if your office experiences water damage:

Safety first!

• Inspect for outside structural and electrical damage to determine if it is safe to enter. Fire hazards and gas leaks will need to be identified, as well. Use battery-powered light sources.
• Wear sturdy shoes, rubber gloves, and eye protection. Watch for fire ants, snakes, or other animals.
• If mold is present, wear a respirator that can filter spores.

Next steps:

• Contact your insurance adjuster immediately.
• Begin cleanup, salvage, and drying as soon as possible, and be sure to take photos for use for inventory. All steps suggested on this page can be taken before an adjuster arrives. Keep damaged materials for proof of loss. 
• The adjuster will assess all office damage, and as the owner, you will need to sign a proof of loss statement. 

Electrical Systems:

• Check that all electric and gas services are turned off before entering the premises for the first time. 
• Have an electrician check for grounds and other unsafe conditions before reconnecting the system.

Furnishings and Carpets

• Remove all furniture, bedding, and carpeting and bring it outdoors to be cleaned and dried (or discarded).
• Flooded carpets and rugs should be replaced since flood water may contain contaminants, and affected carpet pads should always be discarded and replaced. Remove these items within 48 hours after flooding subsides. 
• Thoroughly dry the carpet and subfloor as quickly as possible. If carpet is installed when damp, it can mildew.
• All upholstered furniture and mattresses contaminated by flood water should be discarded, and solid wood, metal and plastic furniture may be cleaned and restored.  Hose off any mud, then clean, sanitize, and let your furniture dry completely out of direct sunlight.

Walls

• Open flooded walls, even if they appear undamaged, to prevent mold, odor, and structural decay. Remove water from the structure as rapidly as possible and ventilate.
• Remove baseboards and cut holes in wallboard to drain uninsulated walls, and remove the interior surface of insulated walls to a point above water height. Discard flooded drywall. Remove and discard all wet fibrous insulation. Clean out mud. Wall studs and plates may be sprayed with disinfectant (1 cup bleach/gallon water) to kill any existing mold and fungi.
• Speed dry with dehumidifiers and fans. Leave walls open until they have thoroughly dried, which may take up to a month.
• Select replacement materials that will withstand future floods (such as rigid foam insulation, removable wainscoting, ceramic tile, etc.).

Here at SERVPRO of North Richland Hills, we are experts at cleanups after water or fire damage, no matter the size of the event. If your office has been affected by water damage, either from a leak or a flood, we are here to help. We are mold remediation specialists, too!

Generator Safety

1/28/2020 (Permalink)

Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent carbon monoxide (CO) buildup in the home.

If you have a generator on hand for power outages during severe weather, follow the safety tips below provided by the American Red Cross. 

Never use a generator, grill, camp stove, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawl space, or any partially enclosed area. 

To avoid electrocution, keep the generator dry and do not use it in wet conditions. Operate it on a dry surface under an open canopy like structure, such as under a tarp held up on poles. Do not touch the generator with wet hands. 

Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent carbon monoxide (CO) buildup in the home. Although CO can’t be seen or smelled, it can rapidly lead to full incapacitation and death. Even if you cannot smell exhaust fumes, you may still be exposed to CO. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air immediately. 

Install CO alarms in central locations on every level of your home or property and outside sleeping areas to provide early warnings.

Planning for Disaster in Commercial Buildings

12/18/2019 (Permalink)

No one plans on disaster, but we can help plan for disaster.

An Emergency READY Profile, or what we like to call an ERP, is one of the best things that SERVPRO of North Richland Hills has to offer the community. This is a pre-planning guide to help Commercial businesses prepare for anything that could happen to their facility. One of our professionals takes the time to come walk the property with whoever has requested this assessment and take all of the information and turn it into a concise document that call be printed into a folder to keep in the building and set up within an app so that the information can easily be shared with multiple people within that business. An ERP consists of the following.

• A property overview: photos of where this is for verification, property details such as an address, phone number, etc.
• Building Access Points: where SERVPRO employees are supposed to enter and exit the building, where they can park the SERVPRO vehicles and where they can not, plus floor accesses
• Information on utilities
• Information on building personnel
• Emergency Contacts
• Any additional information that the business owner would like to be included. (Ex. Any SERVPRO employees that are working on this property must check in at the front office every day to get a badge.)

All of this information prepares our team ahead of time, so that when the time comes for services, we are full prepared and have already asked all of the tedious questions and can focus completely on restoring the damage and taking care of the bigger issues. Call our office to set up an ERP consultation today! 817-589-1499

Cleaning Commercial Duct Work

12/5/2019 (Permalink)

Clean Commercial Duct Work

Dust is something that most people do not consider important when it comes to cleaning. It’s one thing to clean the surface of the items that have a layer of dust from the week, but it’s another to check one of the main sources of the dust: the air. If you're an engineer in charge of maintenance, it is important to keep your duct work clean.

When it comes to commercial buildings, especially those that produce plastics, metals, and other industrial material, it is VITAL for commercial air ducts to be cleaned. Some residue that comes from industrial machines are combustible in large quantities. Keeping those quantities to a minimum can be attained by scheduling quarterly duct cleanings with SERVPRO of North Richland Hills. Duct cleanings are a preventative measure that many businesses take in order to avoid a much more costly accident in the future.

Our project managers are well informed as to what needs to be done and are more than willing to walk through with you on what this service looks like and answer any questions you might have! Feel free to call our office at any time to speak to a professional and get an estimate for what needs to be done to your duct work.

All About Communication

11/14/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Richland HIlls response vehicles ready to assist you 24/7!

Here at SERVPRO of North Richland Hills we take pride in our communication with our clients.  In fact, did you know that we provide both written and oral daily communication to all our commercial clients! Co-Owner Kristi Stokes stated recently “When a business suffers a loss and is dealing with potentially loss of income, employees and customers complaining; the last thing they should have to deal with is a mitigation company that does not provide daily updates with a high level of professionalism.”

As a business owner or property manager this should be your expectation.  You need a company that will get your building restored correctly and quickly and during this time you need excellent communication throughout the process.  Included in the daily communication, SERVPRO of North Richland Hills provides before, during and after pictures, a daily burn rate of the cost and a daily journal of the work that was performed and the work that will be performed in the future.  Additionally, a scope of work is provided and if any change orders are needed the scope of work is updated once approval is received.

Anthony Robbins once said, “The way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives.”

If quality of life is important to you then SERVPRO of North Richland Hills is your answer…..

Why should you select an IICRC Certified Firm to Mitigate your damages?

11/14/2019 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO ofNorth Richland HIlls 24/7 next time disaster strikes your property (817) 634-5509

According to Wikipedia  “The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, more commonly known as the IICRC, is a certification and standard-setting nonprofit organization for the inspection, cleaning, and restoration industries. The organization formulates health and safety related industry standards for built environment. As an American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-accredited standard-development organization (SDO), the IICRC works with the Restoration Industry Association(RIA) to develop consensus-based standards.”

With an IICRC certified firm you have the peace in mind that the correct guidelines are being followed to restore your property.  In the commercial world health and safety concerns are of upmost importance.  As an IICRC Certified Firm, SERVPRO of Denton follows the proper guidelines to restore your property to its preloss condition while at the same time providing you with the peace of mind that SERVPRO takes on the liability of doing so.

Along with being an IICRC Certified Firm, SERVPRO of North Richland Hills has individually IICRC certified technicians that are background checked and uniformed.  Why is this important? As a business owner or property manager this provides additional peace of mind that not only is your property going to be properly restored, but that your employees, tenants and contents will be safe.

Save yourself some heart ache and contact SERVPRO of North Richland Hills the next time disaster strikes your property. Give us a call at (817) 634-5509

Ten Reasons to Have Carpets Cleaned Year Round

11/12/2019 (Permalink)

Carpet cleaning

SERVPRO of North Richland Hills recommends for commercial building owners that have carpet that you should clean the carpets year-round. SERVPRO are specialist in assisting commercial building owners in cleaning and water and fire restoration

 Properly cleaning and maintaining carpets:
 
1) Prolongs the life of carpeting. Regular carpet cleaning using the extraction method can increase the life of carpets significantly, protecting your floor-covering investment.

2) Protects indoor air quality. Carpets trap airborne pollutants; however, eventually those pollutants must be removed in order to protect the carpet and maintain indoor air quality.

3) Makes carpets easier to maintain. Most carpet soiling is made up of dry soils; when carpets are kept thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis, most dry soils can be removed with regular vacuuming.

4) Removes spots and stains. As with other soils, spots and stains can attract more soiling. Removing them promptly protects carpeting from damage.

5) Prevents buildup of allergens and bacteria. Moist soiling of carpets can result in the buildup of several unhealthy contaminants.

6) Enhances the appearance of any room. Clean, well-maintained carpets speak volumes about the overall cleanliness of a home or facility.

7) Improves worker morale. Workers feel better about their work environment when it is clean. This includes the carpeting.

8) Makes carpeting look and feel clean and fresh.

9) Removes dust mites and bedbugs that may have found a home in carpets.

10) Maintains the carpet’s warranty. Most carpet warranties require that carpets be cleaned using the extraction method within a specific amount of time, usually every 12 to 18 months.

For more information call SERVPRO of North Richland Hills at (817) 589-1499

Make Your Facility Brand New!

10/19/2018 (Permalink)

We are the premier leader in air duct and HVAC cleanings!

Has your business just opened after recent construction? Do you have debris left from renovations and need to clean your building? You are in luck!

Here is How SERVPRO Can Help You!

SERVPRO of North Richland Hills specializes in Air Duct and HVAC cleaning to eliminate the extra dust and dirt in the air, creating a healthier environment to breath in.

We also do deep cleanings in carpet, upholstery, drapes and blinds to remove embedded dirt and hidden bacteria.

If you don’t have carpets in your facility, we also deep clean hard floors types, as well as less cleaning places that may need some extra TLC like walls and ceilings.

Any additional smells that may be lingering in your new facility, we offer deodorization to create a pleasant work atmosphere.

Think that you want your building to be deep cleaned from top to bottom, or to make your facility as good as new? Give SERVPRO of North Richland Hills a call!

Get To Know Us!

SERVPRO of North Richland Hills specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after damaging event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility for regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. SERVPRO wants our team to be part of your team! Call us at (817) 589-1499 or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

Four Steps to an Effective Business Contingency Plan

8/30/2018 (Permalink)

Fire damage to a business in Fort Worth, Texas

Regardless if it’s fire or water, planning ahead at your business mitigates a large amount of risk when handling a disaster. A contingency plan requires a bit of forethought and preparation, but it is worthwhile to plan now to prevent significant consequences later. With these four steps, your business can have its own plan to counteract disaster.

1. Consider All Risks to Your Business

This step involves inclusive brainstorming. Getting multiple perspectives from your employees allows you to identify risk you may’ve otherwise missed. This offers perspective on the different effects of a disaster on certain sectors of the business. For example, an IT professional may know something about the risks for servers or computers that you do not.

2. Complete a Draft of the Plan

Starting with the largest risk, begin drafting your contingency plan. This requires gauging what should be done to effectively minimize losses. Responsibilities and communication should be assigned for every important procedure like an evacuation plan.

The plan should be written in straightforward steps, so everyone can understand the process if the time arrives to act. You can ask employees to proofread your draft for readability and potentially missed steps.

3. Complete Your Plan and Distribute It Afterwards

Ease of access is key, so ensure that the completed plan is readily accessible. With the prevalence of online mobile devices, these documents can be stored on a remote cloud server or a specialty offline phone app. Regardless of digital availability, they should also be kept as hard copies on the grounds.

4. Update the Plan As Your Business Changes

Your business continues to grow and change, and your plan should too. Keeping it up-to-date prevents anyone no longer in a position from being assigned key responsibilities. It’s worthwhile to revise the plan once a year to add any new considerations.

A contingency plan will keep your Watauga, TX, business safe from unnecessary loss. Any damage sustained, despite proactive measures, can be restored by a professional commercial damage restoration crew. The cost of a disaster can be minimized extensively with your planning and the assistance of expert repair.

2 Ideas on Keeping Your Break Room Fridge Mold-Free

8/13/2018 (Permalink)

The moisture inside your break room’s refrigerator and the presence of spoiling foods are ideal conditions for mold growth. Since you don’t have much control over the fridge’s condensation, you need to address the expired foods. 

1. Be Accountable

Everyone who uses the communal refrigerator should keep track of what they put in, when they put it in, and when it needs discarding. If employees have difficulty remembering, they can put date labels on each item. By following this simple suggestion, mold growth may be discouraged.

2. Perform a Weekly Purge

Choose one day each week to examine the contents of the fridge and get rid of anything that doesn’t pass inspection. Make sure to sanitize afterwards, as disinfecting the fridge is important for avoiding mold growth. Schedule this housekeeping every Friday so nothing goes bad over the weekend. No one wants to return to work on Monday and deal with fridge mold.

Know How To Protect Your Office From Flood Damage

6/14/2018 (Permalink)

In North Richland Hills, TX, damage from flooding can be prevented.

Take back control of your office space and know how to prevent flooding that can result from storms and improper maintenance of the building. Here are three areas to focus your energy on to make sure your company is protected and prepared.

1. Seal the Roof and Windows

Regularly checking the condition of the roof and windows can go a long way in protecting your building against water damage due to rainwater leaking in. Using proper sealants and checking for loose shingles will help prevent flood damage.

Similarly, ensure that doors and windows seal properly to prevent damage from stagnant water sources after a storm. Improper maintenance can result in black water accumulating in the office space, which is unsanitary. These routine maintenance checks are a small price to pay for peace of mind during the rainy season.

2. Protect HVAC Systems

Each HVAC system is different, but all can be damaged by flooding from storms. Ensuring the roofing is sturdy can help protect the ductwork for your HVAC system, as roof leaks can become pipe and ductwork leaks. Also, placing outdoor HVAC units in an area that is on higher ground can be a smart choice. Even though outdoor units are designed to withstand the elements, rain or shine, extensive flood damage can destroy the internal electrical wiring.

3. Maintain the Plumbing

Ensuring proper maintenance is done on the building’s plumbing can save you a headache later on. Periodic checks and regular upkeep, particularly when your building uses a septic tank, is vital for preventing black water damage. That level of water damage can require a more thorough cleanup as the water has become unsanitary and is full of harmful bacteria that can be a danger even after the water is gone.

In North Richland Hills, TX, damage from flooding can be prevented, but if your commercial property ever suffers harm from floods, be sure to contact restoration professionals to make your space like new. For more information, visit http://www.SERVPROnorthrichlandhills.com/.

Commercial Duct Cleaning

2/12/2018 (Permalink)

Has your office been hit by the flu? With the flu, officially an epidemic, have you considered duct cleaning for your facility? Duct cleaning can eliminate an array of issues your facility or office may be experiencing, such as odors, dust, pollen, dirt and debris, along with numerous other contaminants. 

The benefits go beyond just breathing in better cleaner and better smelling air but also, saves money and increase efficiency with your HVAC system. 

The best way to determine of your facility of office needs this-Have one of our professionals come out to inspect your HVAC system and ducts. We can put together a free estimate for you. We also will work with your schedule, as we know shutting down business to be cleaned; may not always be doable. We will work with your schedule and do what is best for you, your employees, work schedule and your overall needs. Call us today to schedule!

What To Do If You Suspect Mold Growth In Your Commercial Building

8/11/2017 (Permalink)

If you suspect mold in your commercial business call the professionals at SERVPRO of North Richland Hills!

As commercial buildings are become more energy efficient often these energy efficient buildings do not have proper ventilation or air exchanges. Poor air quality then becomes a perfect breeding ground for mold and other contaminants. Even as you’re HVAC systems become more energy efficient, costly, and with the addition air filters exposure to indoor mold has become a major hindrance. Fortunately, there are several different solutions to this issue. When mold growth does occur, it is very important to know the right steps for properly removing it from an indoor environment, and ensuring that it doesn't re-occur.

Any area that contains the right levels of water has lack of light, and no exposure to fresh air can cause mold to begin growing in as little as 48 hours. Since mold tends to grow in cramped, closed, and damp spaces, the reality is that for every visible colony of mold that you see, there could be several more square feet (millions of spores) of mold in areas that you do not. Simply put; an area that can hold moisture and no easy access is vulnerable, especially in commercial buildings where there are numerous places mold can grow, and are often difficult to locate.

If you suspect that your building has mold growth you should call a licensed professional

It’s a task which should be firmly limited to qualified professionals who have the proper knowledge and equipment to safely remove mold and mold contaminated materials. Just inhalation or exposure to mold could cause significant health problems.

The Steps for Removing Mold:

 Plan and Prepare. Contact a licensed mold remediation company such as SERVPRO to safely remove mold and mold contaminated materials. Just inhalation or exposure to mold could cause significant health problems.

Identify, and Protect. When remediation is performed, take special care in inspecting “unseen” areas where mold could potentially grow, and have them cleaned accordingly. Protect your building by having any water damage completely remediated by a water mitigation company such as SERVPRO of North Richland Hills and by having air inspections to detect spores that could cause resurgence in mold growth.

Act Quickly. Mold begins growing within 48 hours, but some can begin colonizing a surface even sooner, so don’t wait when it comes to contacting a mold remediation professional such as SERVPRO. If you have had an area flood with water, water removal and potential remediation needs to begin as soon as it is detected or mold is a real possibility.

Turn Off the HVAC. Mold is spread through airborne spores, and your HVAC can transport those spores throughout a building. It can also grow in any ventilation shaft where there's condensation to feed growth. Until the mold has been properly removed, don’t give the mold potential routes of access throughout your building, or you could be dealing with a much more extensive growth.

If you think you have mold, it’s time to call a trusted licensed mold remediation company such as SERVPRO of North Richland Hills. SERVPRO has the skills, staff, certifications and equipment to handle your mold project. 

For more information call SERVPRO Of North Richland Hills at 817-589-1499

Is your Business Ready For A Disaster?

5/31/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Disaster Trailer

When we think of disasters the first thing that comes to mind is earth quakes, storms, fire, floods or a Polar Vortex but if you are a business owner you should know that there is also a new age of disaster such as computer have terms like hacks, computer viruses, or false posts on social media. This is why it is very important to have a Business Continuity Plan. 

Businesses large or small and Government agencies are under a constant threat that something could happen on any given day that could affect them financially or shut them down permanently. 

As a business owner or facility manager you should be asking yourself am I prepared to stay in business and how quick can I open my facility after a disaster hits? According to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 40% of businesses that face a major catastrophic event will not recover will that be your business? A business continuity plan could be your answer.

A business continuity plan is different than a disaster plan in such that a disaster plan is how to survive at that moment and the safety of your employees. The continuity plan is how will the business or facility resume operations, service customers, fulfill contracts and stay in business after the disaster.

To develop a business continuity plan it takes leadership and a team of professionals. The game of what ifs has to be played with your team so that your plan will have maximum effectiveness. Having a Business Continuity plan is one of the most important things you can create for your business or facility. SERVPRO of North Richland Hills can help you with the first piece of the plan by doing our part in creating an Emergency Ready Profile for your business or facility.

SERVPRO of North Richland Hills specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. 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. SERVPRO wants our team to be part of your team! Call us at 817-589-1499

For more information click on ready.gov for more information on how to protect your business.