Busiess Owners Must Have a Disaster Recovery Plan in Place to Limit Loss

4/21/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO will be ble to get your company back up and running quickly after a disaster strikes!

In the past few years, disaster has struck Nashville in many different forms. In 2008, a major flood crippled our city and caused residents to rebuild their lives. More recently in 2011, an EF-4 tornado touched down in East Nashville causing widespread destruction throughout the area. These events are happening more frequently than ever before and it's important for business owners to have a plan in place if disaster strikes again. Contacting SERVPRO when these disasters strike is crucial because they will be able to get your company back up and running quickly!

Top Ways to Be Prepared for a Disaster

-Find a safe location to store the company's documents in a waterproof container.

-Create a checklist to be used when disaster strikes. The checklist should include different things such as where to find important documents and maps of the surrounding area.

-Learn how to shut off utilities when disaster strikes. Identify the water valves, gas shut off, and power switches for when disaster strikes.

-Learn how to effectively clean up after a disaster that has struck your business, such as water damage from floods or fire damage from fires that have been put out.

-Utilize an alarm system so you will know when you have been touched by a natural disaster to minimize any further risk of loss.

If your business experiences damage from a disaster, contact SERVPRO so they can help you with the cleanup process. If the natural disaster is water-based, SERVPRO will have to first dry out all of the environment so that any more damage does not occur. The company will come in with clean-up equipment and personnel to help remove any remaining water or moisture for your company to selectively reoccupy the space.

If your business experiences fire damage - not only can the fire damage wreak havoc on a company but the damages from fire are not limited to the actual fire. Smoke can infiltrate nearly any nook or cranny, causing lingering poisons that can persist long after the fire is extinguished. SERVPRO recognizes this and offers a full suite of fire damage solutions for both emergency and post-fire scenarios.

When it comes to fire damage, SERVPRO is your one-stop-shop for all your restoration needs. SERVPRO's fire remediation services include everything from fire damage clean up to complete reconstruction.

It's important to be prepared for disaster. No matter what size disaster, SERVPRO can help. SERVPRO specializes in water, fire, and mold damage clean up, so no matter the type of disaster, they have the expertise to get you back on your feet.

Contact SERVPRO of East Nashville, Madison/Goodlettsville when disaster strikes at (615) 868-5324

Animal Safety During Remediation

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

Trust in SERVPRO to help insure pet safety during remediation

SERVPRO of East Nashville, Madison/Goodlettsville

During a home remediation project, you might find that your pet is scared, nervous, or in danger. This is why SERVPRO wants to make sure all aspects of your home and family are safe. SERVPRO has been proven effective in the field of home restoration due to its dedication to animal care when it comes to service calls.

If you know you'll have people coming in and out of the house for any reason, make sure that your pet is in a safe place. You can also ask for assistance when taking your pet outside to relieve itself.

Try to keep your pet in a room that is familiar to them. Give your pet plenty of toys to play with and feed them in their usual place. For some pets, it's best to just leave them in the room. Try to provide hiding places for your pet in case they feel scared or need to take cover from anything stressful. Try not to overwhelm your pet with attention because this could make them too anxious or stressed out.

Ensure the animal communicates with the stranger before you attempt to introduce them to one another. If your pet doesn't have a lot of experience around other animals, then give them time to grow accustomed to their surroundings first. This way they are more likely to feel comfortable roaming around the home without feeling too unsure.

In addition, to making sure that your pets are safe during a home remediation project, SERVPRO has also been proven effective in the field of home restoration due to its dedication to animal care when it comes to service calls.

SERVPRO is committed to catering to the needs of animals and their owners. They will work with you on a customized plan for your home and pets, which may cover a variety of areas from escape routes to new furniture.

SERVPRO is committed to your satisfaction with our services and wants you to know that we will always treat your pets as if they were our own.

For more information on what you can do to ensure your pet's safety when a crew is working on your property, please read SERVPRO's animal care tips!

What To Do in a Grease Fire

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

Know how to eliminate fire hazards from a grease fires and how to put them out.

FIRE - SERVPRO East Nashville - What To Do in a Grease Fire

It's hard not to panic when you see flames in your kitchen, but if you do end up with a grease fire damage in East Nashville, there's a good chance you can put it out yourself if you know what you’re doing. If you detect a grease fire, learn how to put it out and take all the measures necessary to prevent another grease fire from developing in the future.

Safely Putting out a Grease Fire

If you smell burning grease, act quickly by covering it with a metal pan lid or a cookie sheet on top. You may also use baking soda or salt to put out a grease fire. Whatever you do, DO NOT attempt to extinguish the fire with water. You'll only end up spreading the flames throughout your kitchen in the process.

You don't want to burn yourself with searing hot handles or splash oil when your pan catches fire, so don't try to move it or pick it up. If you have a big fire or the flames begin to spread, don't put yourself in danger trying to stop it. Simply evacuate and notify 911.

Preventing a Grease Fire

A recent study found that fat, grease, cooking oil and similar types of substances that could be associated with grease were first ignited in 53% of the home cooking fires that began with cooking materials. This is why the safest method for putting out a grease fire comes with doing everything possible to not have on in the first place. Here are a few tips to help you keep your kitchen from being struck by a grease fire:

• Add things gradually to prevent splatters.
• Keep anything that might catch fire away from your stovetop.
• When frying, grilling, boiling, or broiling food, stay in the kitchen.
• Do not put frozen foods in hot grease.
• Remove as much moisture as feasible from the dish before immersing it in hot oil.

If You’ve Been Affected by a Grease Fire

As you can see, most of the advice about how to sidestep a dangerous grease fire comes down to being careful and mindful in the kitchen. If something does happen to your property where a grease fire does occur, make sure to call SERVPRO of East Nashville immediately after a grease fire at (615) 868-5324 to get a team dispatched to your property that understands the importance of fire damage restoration. The SERVPRO staff's techniques and experience will ultimately be the difference maker in your house's future.

Water Damage Caused by Ice Dams

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

Once snow melts and has been frozen on your roof, it can cause water damage to your home

Frozen water dams are very dangerous and can cause significant damage to your property. If you don't know what they are, it is important that you read on! Frozen water dams occur when ice accumulates at the dam of a body of water. This accumulation causes an increase in pressure which leads to the dam breaking free from its mooring or base. When this happens, waves will move downstream with great force which can destroy anything in their path. Unfortunately, there is no way to fix a frozen water dam once it has happened so prevention is key!

Frozen water dams are dangerous, but you can do things to make sure they don't happen. First, be sure to remove all snow or ice from your dam. Second, don't let the water level get too high in your dam. If it's higher than the top of the dam put some rocks on top of it so it doesn't break.

A frozen water dam can cause water issues in your home if your dam breaks free from its mooring or base. The water will then rush downstream with great force and destroy anything it touches. To avoid this, remove the snow and ice before it accumulates at the dam, maintain a reasonable water level in your dam, or place rocks on top of the dam so that the accumulation doesn't break free.

Be sure to clear snow and ice from the dam; don't let the water level in your dam get too high; if it's higher than the top of the dam,

Remember, before the freeze comes - remove all snow and ice from your dam. Second, avoid letting water in your dam get too deep. If you see any potential for this (i.e., when river levels start exceeding or nearing heights of dams), place some rocks on top of it so that buildup does not occur at the crest - which is where accumulation will result in a frozen water break.

To prevent frozen water breaks: Make sure there's no snow or ice at the center of your body of water (the most common cause). Keep an eye out for the unusually high rivers.

If you do experience a water issue of damages caused by a water dam call SERVPRO of East Nashville, Madison/Goodlettsville 615-868-5324.

Shut-off Valve for Your Business

4/4/2022 (Permalink)

Do you know where the "wye" valve is in your business?

A disaster can happen at any time, anywhere. It's important to be prepared for the worst-case scenario when it does. One of your biggest concerns will be shutting off utilities if there is a break in the stormwater pipe or gas line. To help you prepare, we have compiled information on where commercial shutoff valves are located and how to locate them during an emergency situation. This way, you'll know what needs to get turned off in order to prevent further damage from happening!

Commercial shut-off valves are located in a variety of places inside a building. They might be in the basement, in the yard, or even inside the building. The location will depend on what type of business you have and if there are high-pressure gas lines that need to be shut off. Below are some helpful hints to finding your valves:

Look for an opening where there is a handle and a piece of pipe that goes up through the wall. This is known as an "wye" valve and you'll need to shut off both sides of it to stop water or gas from leaking into your building if there is a break.

If you don't find any valves on the outside of your property, look inside your building for valves located near hallways or other interior passages. Now, find out what type of business you have so that you can identify which valves will need to be shut off and in what order.

If you can't find your commercial shut-off valves, call SERVPRO of East Nashville, Madison/Goodlettsville at 615-868-5324.

Are You Prepared for a Disaster?

3/25/2022 (Permalink)

Don't question yourself on who to call if you experience a disaster, Call SERVPRO!

Are you prepared for a disaster? If not, then it's time to get ready. In order to be prepared for any type of emergency, there are things that businesses can do. This blog post will go over the basics of what a business should have in place before an emergency happens and why it is important. All businesses should take these steps so they don't lose money or miss out on opportunities during a disaster.

- Have a plan: Business owners should have an emergency plan in place for their business. This includes knowing where to go if the office is unsafe or if it's destroyed, which employees need to be contacted during an emergency and when they should arrive at work, and how customers will be notified of any disruptions with service.

- Get insurance: Insurance is a must for any business, but it's even more crucial if there has been damage to the building or property. Most businesses will have insurance on their business assets and equipment, however, not all policies protect against natural disasters like floods and tornadoes.

- Practice drills: Drills are an important part of emergency preparedness. These drills help employees know what to do in case of an emergency. Drills also improve communication between staff members and their supervisor which is crucial if the building has been impacted by a disaster or there are electrical issues that prevent phone use.

- Keep supplies on hand: Any business should have extra food, water, batteries, flashlights, blankets, and other items on hand in case of emergencies.

- Secure a backup location: This is an important step that many businesses forget to do, but it's critical for any company. If the office has been impacted by a disaster then employees need to relocate to another space nearby or at least within their area of coverage so work can resume as soon

In the event of a disaster at your commercial business, contact SERVPRO in East Nashville, Madison/Goodlettsville (615) 868-5324 as soon as possible to set up a technician to visit and begin restoration on your business.

What can SERVPRO do to help my house after a storm?

3/25/2022 (Permalink)

A storm caused this tree to fall.

A solid downpour can have damaging consequences for your property if you don’t take action quickly to resolve the damages. If water and wind are getting into your home, the best thing to do is to immediate reach out to a storm restoration company that is expertly vetted in Nashville, TN instead of standing around waiting for help. Learn how SERVPRO South Nashville can help you clean up any damages that you have incurred following a severe storm and what you can do to help the process.

SERVPRO East Nashville, Madison/Goodlettsville Immediate Response

It’s important to understand that the quicker your storm restoration process can start, the faster your family can get back into your home and back on with your lives. Our highly trained technicians understand this better than anyone. They make it a point to respond immediately to your residential or commercial emergencies and are dedicated to providing you with the highest level of service by responding quickly, listening to your needs, and taking action to mitigate the damage to your home or commercial property.

Our Team Does What it Takes to Rid Your Property of Flood Waters

After the necessary prep work has been executed, the real expertise of the flood damage restoration specialists comes into play. Water extraction takes great knowledge of water damage, fabrics, materials, and equipment to adequately remove moisture from all affected areas. Drying out the flooded areas, including everything from furniture cushions to drywall to carpeting to carpet padding, makes it possible for you and yours to have your possessions and property cleaned, sanitized, and restored to avoid the growth of mold, infection, or disease.

Getting in Touch With Our Team Following a Storm

Our Certified Water Damage Restoration Crews are professional water damage experts have the knowledge, expertise, and equipment to handle any size disaster cleanup. When the time comes to choose between which storm restoration company to choose in the Nashville, TN area, the choice should be simple: SERVPRO East Nashville, Madison/Goodlettsville. Get in touch with our team by calling us at (615) 868-5324 to schedule your initial assessment!

What can I do to prepare for a storm in Nashville?

3/10/2022 (Permalink)

Be sure to include your umbrella in your storm emergency kits!

Meteorologists do their best to predict the weather. They study patterns and history to determine what is going to happen or what is most likely to happen. They don’t always get it right though because sometimes the weather plays by its own rules. Learn more about how you should expect to prepare for severe weather in Nashville, TN and who you should always call to restore your property to its original luster after storm damage occurs.

What Constitutes Severe Weather

Severe Weather can be any storm or condition that causes stress, destruction as well as disruption of services that prevent you from living your normal day-to-day lives. Severe weather can be anything from heavy rainfall that produces areas of flooding, to earthquakes and hurricanes. These can cripple an entire city in a matter of moments as Nashville, TN residents found out in the 24 hours following March 2^nd, 2020.

How to Prepare for a Nashville Storm

 There is nothing we can do to stop severe thunderstorms, lightning, tornadoes or floods from developing. However, there are things that everyone can do to minimize the impacts of severe weather on our lives:

• Create an emergency kit: This may include bottled water, flashlights, crank- or battery-operated radio, non-spoilable food, extra clothing, sleeping bags and blankets. These items can come in handy if you have to leave your home and temporarily move into a public shelter.
• Create a home inventory: Having an inventory or list of your possessions will expedite insurance claims after the storm. Keep it with your important papers off-site. It's much easier to file a claim with an existing inventory rather than trying to create one during the stressful post-storm period.

• Take shelter in a safe location: Move to the middle of your home or basement, away from windows and glass doors. Try to take cover under a staircase or a heavy piece of furniture.

• Board your residence up: Board up windows and glass doors with shutters or plywood to minimize damage from broken glass, in case of high winds.

• Remove risky tree branches: Prune branches that might break off during the storm and either hurt someone or cause damage to your home or vehicles.

Storm Damage Restoration

Preparation can only go so far when it comes to severe storm preparation. If you’re caught in a severe storm and have incurred property damage, then calling SERVPRO East Nashville at (615) 868-5324 for a property assessment is your best bet. Our team uses advanced water damage inspection and extraction equipment to help them find the moisture and to remove it as quickly as possible. Call us today!

What is the worst storm months in Nashville?

3/10/2022 (Permalink)

Be cautious when storms arise.

Living in the Midwest puts you in a position that is up-close-and-personal with severe storms every year. Even though much of the inclement weather occurs during the Spring, Mother Nature sometimes throws a curveball. As many Nashville, TN residents found out in 2020, the weather is often unpredictable except for several trends that are very cyclical. Learn what these severe weather trends are, how to prepare yourself to ride out severe storms in this region and who to call if you’ve experienced storm damage in Nashville, TN.

Spring Showers Are Much More Severe in Nashville

In many parts of the U.S., Spring is seen as the season when the gloomy skies part and sunshine starts to make its way more into the forecast. Unfortunately for Nashville residents, Spring is often the season when the most severe storms take place. Based on precipitation alone, May ranks as the month where Nashville residents receive the most amount of rainfall in any month of the year (5.5 inches). Then again, in late March 2021 and early March 2020, Nashville played host to severe storms that took the lives of many Nashville residents.

How to Prepare for Severe Storms in Nashville

Once you catch wind of a severe storm on the horizon, it’s essential that you act quickly to protect yourself and your property. Start by unplugging your appliances and removing any trees that are within falling distance of your home. Take extra care in turning off any propane tanks that you have and make sure to purchase some fire extinguishers and check on your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms to ensure they are functioning. If you have the financial means to do so, spring for a backup generator so that if the power gets knocked out by the storm that you’re not in the dark.

In the event of heavy winds or a hurricane, you’re going to want to board up your windows and doors. If there is a possibility of flooding, place sandbags around the base of your doors, low windows, or any other entry points. In the event of a prolonged winter storm, insulate your house and make it cold weatherproof.

Who to Call When Storm Damage Hits Your Property

Being alert and prepared for a severe storm can only take you so far. When storm damage affects your property, it’s essential that you turn to SERVPRO East Nashville to restore your property to its pre-storm state. Make sure to call our team at (615) 868-5324 to schedule a consultation as soon as you’ve noticed storm damages.

How to Prepare for Storms and Flood Damage So You're Ready If Your Business Gets Hit

3/10/2022 (Permalink)

Is your Business protected if flooding were to occur?

A storm is on the horizon. You know that your business could be in its path, but don't have a plan for what to do if it does get hit with some damage - you're not alone. Fortunately, SERVPRO of East Nashville is here to help! No matter where you are located in the region we will be able to come out and help restore your business back to normal as quickly as possible so that you can continue operating without any disruptions.

No one likes to think about the possibility of their business getting flooded, but it is a reality that many Tennesseans face on a yearly basis. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) estimates that there are approximately 1,000 homes and structures flooded annually within the state. These floods can be caused by natural disasters such as tropical storms or tornadoes or even from localized events like broken water pipes or sewer backups.

3 Main Things You Should Do If Your Business Experiences Water Damage

1. Contact SERVPRO as soon as possible
2. Put your water damaged items in a plastic container, dry them out, and store them for later
3. Document the damage so you have it on hand for when you speak with our water damage professionals

It's always a good idea to have a plan for when your business experiences water damage or flood damage, but it's especially important when natural disasters are looming. At SERVPRO of East Nashville we have extensive experience with storm and flood damage repair and would be happy to help you no matter what the timeline. Contact us today so that you can give yourself some peace of mind knowing that whatever disaster may happen, we'll be there to help restore your property back to normal.

Contact SERVPRO of East Nashville at (615) 868-5324 24/7 - 365.