Commercial Business Fire Damage

8/9/2022 (Permalink)

The premiums for a bar, garage or a conventional office building may vary widely based on the difference in fire risk levels. Businesses that use hazardous or flammable equipment may have higher insurance premiums. These operations may involve

• Alcohol
• Chemicals
• Cooking equipment
• Smoking
• Vehicles 

Structural Components - A building made of combustible materials such as wood may pose a greater fire risk than a structure that is built out of fire-resistant materials. Owners should consider the risk of fire in the primary structure in addition to any additions or modifications. The degree to which building materials may succumb to fire and the distance of a business from the nearest fire station may drive up the cost of a commercial insurance policy. Fire Safety Equipment - It is also crucial that a business be equipped with fire safety equipment. This may include

• Alarms and detectors
• Fire extinguishers
• Sprinklers

Some regional building codes require hardwired fire alarms. These systems should also have a battery backup in case of power failure. Battery-powered smoke detectors should also be regularly tested and the batteries should be changed. Have fire suppression systems and equipment such as extinguishers periodically inspected to ensure that critical components will function in the event of a fire. All of these factors may impact the costs of commercial insurance coverage for a business located in Santa Maria business owner may want to compare commercial policies to find the right level of coverage for fire damage.

Should You Restore or Replace During a Loss?

8/9/2022 (Permalink)

When your commercial or residential property has been damaged by fire or water, SERVPRO of Santa Maria's mission always has been to provide the best customer service possible, to support your business or home during the mitigation process, and to make it "Like it never even happened". Our team works to provide this service as quickly as possible and at the lowest possible cost to you. We understand that time is money and our team makes it their job to help you get life back to normal. Part of recovering the belongings in your home or business includes identifying which items and structures can be preserved. Our team strives to restore the items in your life that may have more meaning. Sometimes it is actually more of cost savings to restore something than it is to completely replace it. This also allows our team to maintain those items which have sentimental value. Did you know that according to research conducted by the insurance and repair industries, restoring property after fire and water damage is less expensive than replacing it? Restoring is also less disruptive to your home or business, allowing you to stay in their homes or continue conducting your business throughout the process and rapidly return to normal.  Our team is trained to identify when restoring can be performed with the high-quality outcomes that our clients deserve as a preferred mitigation and restoration partner for most major insurance companies. This "repair" rather than "replace" mindset can help you save money while keeping family treasures, keepsakes, and other impossible or prohibitively expensive items to replace. If your home or business has been impacted by water or fire damage, call the professionals at SERVPRO of Santa Maria.

Fire Tips for your Santa Maria, CA Home

8/9/2022 (Permalink)

Our team knows what it feels like to lose a home.

It can leave someone with so many emotions and just the thought can be scary. Our team wants you to understand that there is a lot you can do to prevent fires from starting. Accidents can happen, but you can learn how to avoid a fire from starting and spreading through your home. Before the Fire

• Install smoke alarms that combine flashing lights on every level of your home. Test them monthly and change the batteries every six months.
• Keep grills, cookers, and fryers at least 3 feet away from your house and shrubs or bushes.
• Always turn off heaters when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Service your chimneys, fireplaces, wood stoves, and central furnace once a year.
• Store a fire extinguisher on every level of your home.
• If an electric appliance smokes or has an unusual smell, unplug it immediately, then have it serviced before using it again.
• Never smoke in bed
• Always stay near cooking to monitor it closely. Keep cooking areas clear of combustibles, and wear clothes with short, rolled-up, or tight-fitting sleeves when you cook.
• Use only child-resistant lighters and store all matches and lighters up high, where kids can't see or reach them, preferably in a locked cabinet.
• Never leave burning candles unattended
• Look for frayed wires and damaged cords. If you see any exposed wires, unplug the electronics, and replace them immediately.

Make sure you talk with your family, talk through situations and what you can to prevent these tips we have listed. Always remember it is the best practice to create an escape plan and practice them with your family. Do it together!

How Should I Handle Hail Damage?

8/9/2022 (Permalink)

What Exactly is Hail?

The NOAA defines hail as a form of precipitation consisting of solid ice that forms inside thunderstorm updrafts. Hail can damage aircraft, homes, and cars, and can be deadly to livestock and people. Creating what is called "Hailstones". Hailstones are formed when raindrops are carried upward by thunderstorm updrafts into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere and freeze. Hailstones then grow by colliding with liquid water drops that freeze onto the hailstone’s surface. If the water freezes instantaneously when colliding with the hailstone, cloudy ice will form as air bubbles will be trapped in the newly formed ice. However, if the water freezes slowly, the air bubbles can escape and the new ice will be clear. The hail falls when the thunderstorm's updraft can no longer support the weight of the hailstone, which can occur if the stone becomes large enough or the updraft weakens.

How Does Hail Damage Your Roof?

Hail can cause significant damage to the structural integrity of your home, no matter how sturdy your roof may seem. One of the most common types of hail damage is denting of aluminum and metal roofing. A dented, misshapen roof is a malfunctioning roof. If you notice such damages to your metal roof after a hailstorm, it’s important to contact the experts at SERVPRO of Santa Maria as soon as possible. Asphalt shingle roofs can also be damaged by hail, but in the form of punctures, tears, fractures, and granular displacement. Repairing your asphalt shingle roof after hail damage is vital. Holes in the protective layers of your shingles could mean instantaneous or gradual leaks, which eventually lead to water damage. Additionally, the granules on your asphalt shingles provide a protective layer from the sun, so when there is a loss of granules, the shingles are more susceptible to UV light degradation, eventually causing cracks, blisters, leaks, and more. A swift response to hail damage is crucial to the safety of your home and health.

Repair Hail Damage with SERVPRO of Santa Maria

As a locally operated business here in Santa Maria our team is able to respond quickly to your hail storm damage emergencies. When you call SERVPRO of Santa Maria, our disaster recovery team will immediately tend to your needs, as a fast response is important to prevent further damage. The faster the response, the better. If you think you might have roof damage, it is safest to avoid going up on your roof to check for damages, because it might not be sturdy. Our professionals have the experience and tools necessary to safely inspect your roof after damage occurs. No matter the size of the project, the professionals at SERVPRO of Santa Maria will arrive quickly, prepared to repair your roof damages.

Water Heaters Tips for the Home

8/9/2022 (Permalink)

Did you know that in a home, the water heater accounts for about 18% of the energy used?

As a result, a water heater is one of your home's most critical and costly appliances. Proper water heater maintenance is necessary to guarantee that it continues to function properly and does not cost you too much. Checking on your water heater in the spring is an excellent idea. Water damage can occur quickly, so it's crucial to ensure sure it's in good operating order. Our team has put together a few tips to keep your water heater running at peak performance.

• To determine if your anode rod needs to be replaced, inspect it every two years or if the warranty has ended every year.
• Attach a garden hose to the valve at the base of the water heater tank every six months to remove sediment. Please turn off the electricity and run the hot water until it cools down for safety.
• A plumbing specialist should perform a yearly check of the shut-off valve and all piping. Broken valves, loose or moist joints, and rust are signs that more severe harm is on the way.
• Turn the temperature down to one. There is no reason to keep your water heater above it. At that temperature, you can do everything you need. But, of course, keeping your water heater hotter can cause it to break down much faster.

If you experience water damage, SERVPRO of Santa Maria has a team of highly trained professionals to help you 24 hours a day!

Where Should Home Fire Alarms Go?

8/9/2022 (Permalink)

While many homes in Santa Maria come already installed with all the smoke alarms you need to make sure you are keeping your family safe. As more research has been conducted over the years on fires and how they spread, requirements have changed. Many older homes do not meet these standards which can be dangerous in the case a fire does occur. Keep your family safe by ensuring a fire alarm is located in the following four locations! Bedrooms - The National Fire Protection Association suggests the placement of a fire alarm in every bedroom of the house. This ensures that if a fire occurs while your family is asleep, the alarms will wake quickly wake up everyone. Outside Every Sleeping Area - Not only should alarms be inside every bedroom, but there should also be a smoke alarm right outside the room or any other sleeping areas as well. This is so you can react and start to escape before any fire or smoke even enters your room. 10 Feet From Your Kitchen - Kitchen fires result in approximately 50 percent of all home fires, many of which result in serious fire damage to your home. Make sure a fire alarm is located 10 feet from your kitchen rather than inside it since smoke or steam from cooking can easily trigger it. Every Level of Your Home - Ensure that there is as least one smoke alarm on every level of your home. Don’t forget your basement! Serious fire and smoke damage can occur from an undetected fire that starts in the basement. It doesn’t take long for a house fire to quickly get out of hand! That’s why it is so important to have all the required fire alarms installed so you can quickly get everyone out of your house and get in contact with the fire department and a fire restoration company to minimize the fire damage to your home.

Various Storm Damage

8/9/2022 (Permalink)

Storm season brings a wide range of storm types.

Anyone of these storm types could easily cause damage to your home or business. It is important to know the different damages that a storm can cause and also be prepared for wind, flooding and lighting that can cause to your home. 

Wind Damage  

Storm damage sometimes includes severe wind damage. Roof damage in this situation may range from a missing roof due to strong winds that may loosen flashing. This can cause your roof shingles to be removed from your home or business causing leaks. Even a subtle roof leak can produce damp, moldy conditions. One of our restoration experts can help property owners address storm damage and roof damage more effectively. 

Flooding Damage 

Flooding may disrupt municipal water systems which call for experts to assess groundwater and evaluate the condition of pipes following flood damage. Our team can assist in your cleanup process after flood damage has occurred. 

Lighting Damage 

When a storm occurs, many times it brings the loud sounds of thunder which mean lighting is striking. Your home or business may have objects attached to the building that can attract a lightning strike that can cause a fire. A bolt of lightning can reach temperatures of roughly 30,000 kelvins (53,540 degrees Fahrenheit). Lightning strikes, or discharges of massive charges of static electricity, cause about 2% of all fires.

Uninvited Guest

8/9/2022 (Permalink)

Imagine going on a trip of a lifetime for a week only to come home to find your furniture
floating in water. When you left, everything was in its proper place and all areas were clean.
Three days into your trip, an unwanted guest shows up…a broken toilet supply line. The next
two days he feels the freedom to eat your snacks, drink your tea, sit on all the furniture, and
sleep on your beds. This is no way to end a vacation. SERVPRO of Santa Maria has water mitigation experts
standing by 24/7/365, ready to evict this type of guest. We have the appropriate equipment to
extract all of that water and dry all your things so you can restore your home to the peaceful
place it was before you left. Our team is certified in water mitigation. The standards we use
are adopted industry-wide by all the major insurance companies. We know what's expected
and what is needed to get the job done. So, when an uninvited guest shows up at your
house, call SERVPRO of Santa Maria, the eviction team that's “Faster To Any Sized Disaster”.

Choose SERVPRO After A Home or Business Fire

5/20/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has over 50 years of restoration service work and understands the value of your home or business, and it's something we strive to get you back into as quickly as possible. Getting your life back to normal is what we strive for after a fire takes place. 

With the newest in equipment and the best in technology, SERVPRO of Santa Maria is able to make it, “Like it never even happened.” With fire restoration trained staff and industry experience we excel at getting it cleaned and repairs quickly.

In addition to our fire remediation crew, we also carry a Reconstruction Division that is able to put the finishing touches to make the home move-in ready. Plus a full service laundry division that specializes in removing tough smoke and soot odors.

There's only one company able to handle an entire fire damage claim, from cleaning/restoring, to building it back and laundry services and that's SERVPRO of Santa Maria at 805-922-5457

What to Avoid After a Flood

5/20/2022 (Permalink)

Keeping Yourself Safe During a Flood

In the midst of a storm, water can invade your home and cause considerable damage to your property in the form of flooding. However, your main priority should always be to keep yourself, your family members, and your pets to safety. Let the storm pass and when conditions are safe, you can return to assess the damage, and then begin the cleanup process. Below are some things you should not do when returning to the site of a flood:

Do Not Make Contact With the Water-

Floodwater can contain many different types of contaminants including bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and debris. Help protect your skin from harmful water by wearing rubber boots and gloves and keeping your hands and face from making contact with the water. If contact occurs despite your best efforts, wash immediately with soap and clean water.

Do Not Enter Standing Water-

After a flood, homes, yards, streets, and other areas can be covered in standing water. Powerful winds often accompany heavy storms, so it is not uncommon to find downed powerlines after a storm. Since water from a flood is usually murky, you cannot always tell what lies beneath the surface. If the water has been electrically charged, you could experience an electric shock if you enter a flooded home. Rubber boots will help protect against the risk of electrocution.

Do Not Let the Water Sit

The longer water sits, the more time bacteria have to multiply. When items are left to sit in water for long periods of time, the structural integrity of those items can begin to break down. The water should be safely extracted as soon as possible. By cleaning the water faster, you can help to lessen any water damage to your home. Since mold can begin forming in as little as 24 to 48 hours, it is important to begin the drying process as soon as the water has been extracted.

By following a few precautions, you can help keep yourself safe from the dangers of floodwater.

If you ever experience a flood or some type of water damage in Santa Maria, a professional restoration company like SERVPRO can help get your home back to its original condition- or better. Call us 24/7 at 805-922-5457 for a free assessment and quick help!