Different Levels of Commercial Damage

5/15/2023 (Permalink)

We are available 24hrs a day, 7 days a week. We are ready to help with any emergency.

One of the areas SERVPRO of Kirkland has the capability to handle is commercial damage. 

There are many factors that can contribute to extensive commercial damage occurring such as fires due to unforeseen circumstances, facility usage wear and tear, down to the most basic of unexpected water damage. No matter what the source of the damage is, this downtime can be costly to your business and your customers.  When unexpected damage at your commercial property happens, how do you know to what level and extent? Below we have described our grading system that we use to determine the level of which your property is assessed and categorized to begin mitigation.

Level 1

Small commercial losses typically involve 15,000 square feet or less of affected floor space. If the facility was completely affected, small commercial losses may include but are not limited to, a stand-alone retail establishment, a small church, a daycare facility, a small shopping center, a small warehouse or manufacturing facility, or an administrative building. A Level 1 loss can also be a small portion of a much larger structure.

Level 2

Midsize commercial losses typically involve 15,000 to 60,000 square feet of affected floor space. The building or buildings involved are usually multi-level or divided spaces. If the facility was completely affected, examples of Level 2 losses may include but are not limited to, a small multi-family property, a midsize church or school, a small shopping center, a multi-tenant administration facility, or a midsize warehouse or manufacturing facility. A Level 2 loss can often be just a portion of a much larger structure.

Level 3

Large commercial loss typically involving more than 60,000 square feet of affected floor space. The building or buildings involved will normally be large multi-level structures. If the facility was entirely affected, examples of a Level 3 loss can include but are not limited to, a large church, hospital, school, or university; a large multi-family property; a mid- to high-rise retail or administration facility; a large industrial, manufacturing, or warehouse facility; or a large strip-style shopping center or shopping mall. At this level it would be appropriate to refer to the project as a “large loss.” 

Once our experienced team determines the level of loss, the property is further assessed, and a strategic crew of appropriate size is dispatched to get the job done quickly and efficiently. If you have damage at your Commercial property...

Give SERVPRO of Kirkland a call at 425.820.0080

Fires Are Not Planned But Your Exit Plan in Case of a Fire Should Be!

5/15/2023 (Permalink)

Get an escape plan in place for your home and business. Make sure everyone knows it. It will save lives.

Is Your Exit Plan In Place?

Every second counts during a fire. In a matter of moments, a small flame can turn really bad, making it critical to be prepared. Having an established escape plan in place is invaluable in these situations. A survey conducted by the American Red Cross shows that only a small percentage ( 6 percent ) of families have developed and practiced a home fire escape plan. Once a plan is developed, it is critical that all family members understand the plan; the best way to do this is by practicing the escape plan at least twice a year. The following are a few good suggestions to help you develop an emergency plan for your family.

Draw a map of each, and every level of your home and make sure that it show all doors and windows. Find two different ways to emergency exit each room. Always make sure that all doors and windows that lead to the outside open easily.

Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas or bedrooms on the second and third floor. Only purchase collapsible escape ladders that have been evaluated by a recognized testing laboratory. Store them near the window where they will be best, and most easily used.

Choose an outside meeting place a safe distance away from your home where everyone can meet after they've exited. Make sure to mark the exact location of the meeting place on your escape plan.

Teach children exactly how to escape on their own in case you cannot help them.

Plan for everyone in your home with special considerations for elderly or disabled family members.

Practice your fire escape plan at night and during the daytime. To make sure that all scenarios are covered, and prepared for.

Escape Planning for Your Business

Although an emergency escape plan is not technically required for all businesses. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends that you should build an emergency action plan to protect yourself, your employers, and your business during an emergency situation. OSHA has suggested the following steps when developing such a plan.

Organize an emergency preparedness procedures review with employees to review your company's emergency plans. You may wish to select an individual or team of individuals or professionals to lead and coordinate your emergency plan.

Once a plan is developed, post evacuation procedures, including routes and exits, where they are easily accessible to all employees. Established good practices are needed to ensure that all exits and routes are clearly marked and well lit, wide enough to accommodate the number of evacuation personnel, and unobstructed and clear of debris at all times.

Conduct office evacuation exercises and drills. It is important to designate a safe spot outside of the facility where employees can regroup, recover and conduct a head count. Once completed, an evaluation of how well the plan worked and if additional training or exercises are needed is very important!

Stay Safe With These Smoke Detector Tips From SERVPRO of Kirkland

5/15/2023 (Permalink)

Don't wait until its too late to check on your smoke detector, it could save your life!

Here's What You May Want to Know

When installing a smoke alarm in your Kirkland, Bellevue, Redmond, Bothell, or Woodinville home, it’s important to follow the recommendations of professionals, including fire damage restoration services, to ensure the alarm functions properly in an emergency. Here’s what you may want to know.

1. Regular Maintenance

It’s very important to maintain your smoke detectors for fire safety. Many professionals recommend checking the batteries in all alarms located in your home once a year at the very least. Usually many choose to do this at daylight savings to keep the maintenance routine consistent. Making sure your units are dust free can help prevent malfunctioning. It’s also recommended to periodically test the unit according to the manufacturer's directions to ensure functionality. With most units, there is a test button you can press to hear the alarm sound. If your alarm is malfunctioning in any way it should be replaced entirely.

2. Alarm Placement

The exact placement of a smoke alarm in your home can also be very important. It’s recommended that at the very least one alarm be placed on each floor of the building. Make sure to place an alarm in high-risk areas such as a workshop or kitchen. Most fire experts recommend that you place one alarm inside each bedroom, and one alarm outside the bedrooms as well. It may be adequate in some situations to place a single alarm outside multiple bedrooms if they share a hall or living area.

3.Operation Life

A smoke detector does have a defined operation life. Many professionals recommend the full replacement of any unit over ten years old to ensure proper functionality during the event of an emergency. Older units often have a higher risk of malfunctioning which could certainly be costly to your home and family.

When installing a smoke alarm in your home it’s important to do regular maintenance of the unit, place the alarm inside and outside each bedroom, as well as in the kitchen area, and fully replace old units. Doing all of these recommended things can help keep your home and family safe.

SERVPRO of Kirkland is Your Best Resource for Your Fire Restoration Needs

5/15/2023 (Permalink)

This fire started outside the home, just outside the garage. The flames and smoke took no time making it inside causing significant damage.

When the firefighters leave, it may seem like the danger has passed and the home is now safe from further destruction, but without trained professionals to help clean the smoke damage, the building may never return to normal. While the principles behind fire restoration are on the surface fairly simple, it requires a lot of experience and manpower to perform adequately, and this means that it should NOT be attempted by a homeowner on his or her own. 

The trained professionals at SERVPRO of Kirkland should be called on immediately.  We clean smoke damage and restore items affected by a fire to pre-fire condition, but we must be called to respond immediately to halt the ongoing issues that ash residue can cause. 

We know that the only way to properly clean smoke and fire damage is to be extremely thorough. Ash residue is easily disturbed and spreads through the building with ease, causing nearly everything to need restoration.

The experts at SERVPRO of Kirkland will not only identify what can and cannot be salvaged, we will remove any built-up ash residue that is coating surfaces. Over time, ash builds up in layers, and may eventually form into a lacquer-like consistency. Once this is done, we will locate the source of the odor, and treat it with specialized detergents that are formulated for neutralizing this kind of odor. Once materials are treated, they may need to be sealed off to prevent any further odor from permeating the air in the future.

For more information on the services that SERVPRO of Kirkland provides regarding water and fire damage cleanup for your commercial or residential property, please visit us at:

https://www.SERVPROkirkland.com/fire-smoke-damage-restoration

Kirkland 24 Hour Emergency Water Damage Service

5/10/2023 (Permalink)

Dishwasher that overflowed in Kirkland home.

SERVPRO of Kirkland is available 24-hours a day, 7 Days a week for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help! 
Call us 24/7 at (425) 820-0080

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of Kirkland has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

·         Your name and contact information

·         Your insurance information (if applicable)

·         The street address of the water damaged home or business

·         When did the flooding or water damage occur?

·         What caused the water damage (if known)?

·         Is there electricity available (onsite)?

About SERVPRO of Kirkland

SERVPRO of Kirkland specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or 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.

Restoring your Kirkland Commercial Property After Water Damage

5/10/2023 (Permalink)

Extracting water from a large commercial loss in Kirkland, WA

Flooding and water damage events at Kirkland commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

About SERVPRO of Kirkland

SERVPRO of Kirkland 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.

Call us Today - (425) 820-0880

Does Your Kirkland Home Have A Mold Problem?

5/10/2023 (Permalink)

Mold discovered in Kirkland, WA home in crawlspace.

Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere, both outdoors and indoors. This makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Therefore, mold remediation reduces the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts:

·         Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.

·         Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.

·         Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.

·         Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.

·         Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.

·         Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today at (425) 820-0080

FASTER to your Kirkland Water Damage

5/10/2023 (Permalink)

Emergency call in the community, a sprinkler had gone off in a retirement home. SERVPRO of Kirkland responded immediately.

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Kirkland provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays.

Faster To Any Size Disaster

Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more.  SERVPRO of Kirkland arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – (425) 820-0080

Water Damage Timeline

Within Minutes

• Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
• Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
• Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
• Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.

Hours 1 - 24:

• Drywall begins to swell and break down.
• Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
• Furniture begins to swell and crack.
• Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
• A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

• Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
• Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
• Metal begins to rust and corrode.
• Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
• Paint begins to blister.
• Wood flooring swells and warps.
• Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 Week:

• Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
• Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.

About SERVPRO of Kirkland

SERVPRO of Kirkland specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or 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.

Certifications

• RRRP - Lead-Based Paint Activities and Renovation
• OCT - Odor Control Technician
• CRT - Color Repair Technician
• WRT - Water Damage Restoration Technician
• UFT - Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician
• LCT - Leather Cleaning Technician
• SRT - Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician
• AMRT - Applied Microbial Remediation Technician
• CCT - Carpet Cleaning Technician
• ECTP - Employee Certification Training Program
• ASD - Applied Structural Drying Technician

Stay Safe and Dry During Rainstorms

5/10/2023 (Permalink)

Roof leak from heavy storms allowed water inside causing damage.

Our home is to protect us from the elements, but heavy rains can weaken that protection. With a little maintenance and a lot of vigilance, it’s not hard to stay safe and dry.

'April showers bring May Flowers'. This is a saying we all grew up with and that we continue to teach our children. Spring rainstorms are unavoidable and are an essential part of keeping Washington green. However, as the rain gets heavier remember to think of the impact all that water might have on your home. The first step is finding and fixing any immediate problems as soon as it’s safe to do so. Then, you’ll want to take measures to prevent those problems from happening during the next downpour!

Where is all that rain going?
Your roof and gutters form a key line of defense for your home - and in a storm, they’re vulnerable, because so many things can damage them. Trees, hail, and other objects can create weaknesses that might lead to leaks in your roof, so check for missing shingles and other issues. And keep your gutters clear so all that water drains properly.

Are you checking everywhere?
Water dripping from the ceiling is hard to miss. Water in your crawl space, however, can easily go undetected because hardly anyone ever checks there. Don’t forget to look down there after a storm (or have a professional do it) to make sure everything is nice and dry. If you do see moisture, you’ll want to get it out with a sump pump as soon as possible.

And don’t just look up - another place to check is your home’s exterior, whether it’s siding, brick, or another material. Weak spots can be hard to see, so look at various times of the day in different lighting conditions.

Of course, you’ll want to make sure your doors and windows are properly sealed to keep the elements out, too.

What about around your property?
Storm water has to go somewhere, and if your property doesn’t drain well, or if runoff goes toward your foundation, you could have problems. So watch for patterns, and grade property so it drains away from your home if possible. Always be wary of hillsides and tilting trees after heavy storms, because the land might not be stable.

And don’t forget to keep storm drains clear of leaves and other debris. This can prevent flooding both on the streets and your own property.

What should you do during the storm?
During powerful storms, stay inside. This is not the time to check your roof, your exterior, or your property unless there’s an emergency and you know it’s safe to go out. Monitor your interior, making sure no water is getting in. If it is, do what you can to alleviate the situation in the moment, even if it means just placing something under a leak to collect the water. For more serious problems, though, remember that safety is the most important thing. If your basement is flooding, for example, don’t go down there - you could be trapped and even drown.

Thankfully, powerful storms only hit once in a while. Preparing for them should be on your mind a lot more frequently, because the next one could be tomorrow.

Steps to Prepare Your Business For Heavy Rains in Kirkland

5/9/2023 (Permalink)

Local Bellevue business flooded during a heavy rainstorm.

If heavy rains, river flooding, or other environmental acts are suspected, you may get a bit of a warning before high waters hit. When flooding is suspected for Kirkland, WA, you want to do whatever you can to get your commercial building ready for the potential damage. You don't always get a warning prior to a flood, so it's a good idea to use this time wisely. Consider using these steps to best prepare for a storm with high waters or river flooding.

Rearrange Your Equipment and Furniture

If there's a potential for storm or flooding damage involving high waters in your area, you want to do what you can to move your important furniture and equipment up high. You can rearrange in a variety of ways, including the following:

* Move as much as possible to upper floors of the building.
* Create stacks of furniture with water-resistant items at the bottom on lower levels of the building.
* Use watertight totes to protect files and equipment.

Moving around office furniture could help you save as much as possible. As you prepare to rearrange your space, think about the items will you be able to easily dry out and clean after a flood. Keep those at the bottom and move other, less water-resistant furniture and equipment first.

Get Sandbags

You can also try to make your building impermeable to flooding or high waters. Stacking sandbags near the doors and windows can help keep water from entering your commercial space. You can also build up a wall of sandbags around the perimeter of your building to help keep water away from the foundation.

Flooding can leave your building unrecognizable. That's why commercial building owners want to do what they can to stop water from damaging their building. If you were unable to prepare for flood damage, you can still call in a flood cleanup team to help you fix the problems caused by the high waters or river flooding.

Visit us at https://www.SERVPROkirkland.com/ for more information or give a call at (425)820-0080.