Tips for Protecting Your Commercial Business from Vandalism

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

Local pet supply store broken into and vandalized.

What is Vandalism and Who is at Risk?

The legal definition of vandalism varies from state to state, but the term generally means the intentional damage, defacement, or destruction of someone’s property without the owner’s permission. It is a criminal act and is prohibited by state laws, which may qualify as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the financial damage that is involved. Additionally, there are some states that refer to vandalism as malicious mischief or criminal mischief.

As far as who may be affected by vandalism, the answer is all business properties, especially vacant buildings. Unfortunately, experiencing vandalism can impact a business in numerous of ways. The most obvious is that it creates damage to the property, which will take time and money to repair.

Tips for Preventing Vandalism

While it is impossible to prevent all acts of vandalism, you can prepare your property so that it discourages vandals.

• Maintain good lighting. The property should remain well lit, especially at night.
• Install and properly maintain cameras. If a crime does occur, police can use your surveillance to identify and catch the perpetrators.
• Keep property tidy. An unorganized area tends to attract vandals.
• Plant shrubbery or fencing. Not only do fencing and shrubbery offer cosmetic appeal to any property, but they also function as the first line of defense against potential intruders.
• Invest in break-resistant glass. Utilizing a break-resistant glass will make the act of breaking in more difficult for vandals to break in.
• Don’t ignore it! If you do experience vandalism, don’t put it off. Vandalism encourages more vandalism.
• Contact authorities. Report vandalism to your local department as soon as possible. If it is not reported, nothing will be done. The department may increase the number of patrols in your area if it is known.
• Share information. Check in with the neighboring businesses to see if they have experienced any sort of vandalism. Sharing information helps reveal the criminals’ patterns that could potentially aide in stopping the vandals.
• Join a business watch group. Like neighborhood watch groups, there are resources available to either start a group or join one. It is a good way to reduce crime by keeping an eye on each other’s property.

Has your place of business been affected by vandalism? SERVPRO® of Champaign/Urbana can assist with any damages that have occurred. 

Commercial Insurance Basics

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

Downtown commercial property. Understand what your commercial insurance policy covers.

Property coverage is an essential item in every business budget. Most commercial insurance policies cover damage to your structure in Bolivar, Washington, or Sunflower County, as well as any equipment, furniture or other items that are marred or destroyed in a fire. The answers to the following questions can help you decide which policy to purchase.

What Does a Commercial Insurance Policy Cover?

A basic policy is designed to pay for sudden, accidental occurrences that cause harm to your property. It prevents you from having to pay the cost of fire damage mitigation services out of pocket, and it doesn't just cover the building itself. Other features of your property may be included in the policy:

• Office equipment
• Furniture
• Landscaping
• External structures
• Fences
• Inventory
• Important documents
• Manufacturing machines

What Factors Affect Cost?

Most commercial insurance coverage provides comparable protection, but if there are factors that put your business at a higher risk of fire, your policy will likely cost more. For example, a restaurant owner is probably going to pay more for insurance than someone who runs an office building. Newer buildings with better safety features such as fire-resistant building materials and a state-of-the-art fire suppression system can often get better insurance rates. When you meet with your insurance agent, be sure to ask about the factors that affect the cost of your policy.

Does It Matter Whether You Own or Rent?

If you own property, you need insurance to cover all the items listed above in the event of a fire. If you are renting from someone else, though, you still need to protect yourself. Your landlord's policy will probably only cover the items he or she owns. You still need coverage for the items inside, such as computers, phones and files.
A commercial insurance policy can save you a lot of money in the event of a fire. Make sure you have the right coverage for your business.

Handling Commercial Losses With Ease in Champaign/Urbana

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial Property that uses SERVPRO Champaign/Urbana for any size loss

Handling Your Commercial Loss

When it comes to commercial restoration, you shouldn't leave anything to chance. That's why property managers all over Champaign/Urbana rely on professionals like SERVPRO of Champaign/Urbana. Compared to other restoration companies, our skilled technicians and the advanced equipment we use to take care of any-scale disaster is unmatched. Our use of professional equipment and train technicians allows us to restore your Champaign/Urbana commercial property or retail business back to its pre loss condition quickly, reliably, and more efficiently.

Here are some of the unique tools we have to restore your property:

• Infrared cameras can be used to identify hidden water locations for the thorough removal of moisture that is hidden from the naked eye.
• Sensitive moisture meters/detectors, hygrometers, and other meters measure the extent of moisture saturation.
• Submersible and gas-powered pumps for continuous pumping of high-level water from events like floods. 
• Truck-mounted and portable extraction units perform efficient water removal.
• High-speed air movers cause moisture to evaporate at a faster pace.
• Industrial grade dehumidifiers pull the water vapor from the air.
• Air Scrubbers that are able to filter the air of contaminants and fumes.
• Thermal Foggers and environmentally-safe Deodorization Agents to leave a pleasant scent upon use.

When disaster strikes, you can count on SERVPRO of Champaign/Urbana to take care of your property, so you can put your commercial business back in order. Give us a call at 217-355-0077 24/7!

What Do I Do About Mold in the Kitchen of my Champaign/Urbana Restaurant

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

Mold in your Champaign/Urbana restaurant will reduce sales and reputation. Call SERVPRO for mold remediation.

Our SERVPRO team can help with effective remediation solutions that can keep you going while mold removal efforts continue

You might not realize how likely mold damage and other microbial threats are in your Champaign/Urbana restaurant. With so many pieces of equipment generating heat and creating steam in an already humid environment, you have more than met the conditions necessary for facilitating mold growth. Addressing these concerns might not seem like a pressing matter. Still, in many cases, traditional cleaning methods are ineffective against structural mold.

It is more complicated than remediators showing up and getting the job done regarding mold removal for your Champaign/Urbana restaurant. In the recent legislature, the state of Illinois has mandated that a third party assess the damage that the mold has caused and allow this third party to dictate what efforts must occur to provide a safe working environment for your restaurant again. We can follow up quickly on these decisions to limit anytime that your kitchen might need to stay closed.

What Happens if I Do Nothing About Mold?

Many property owners mistakenly believe that doing nothing for mold growth allows the problem to dissipate naturally. Unfortunately, in many situations, these conditions only worsen as humidity and steam remain persistent problems in the active kitchen.

What Are Effective Strategies for Removing Mold from Brick and Tile? 

Tile is often resistant to mold colonization, but grouted joints surrounding these tiles are not. Brick and grout can both become hosts for active colonization, which can continue to spread beyond the boundaries of your kitchen area. Some of the removal solutions include:

• Soda Blasting
• Wipe Cleaning
• Controlled Demolition

Mold can be an unexpected and threatening presence in your restaurant, but our SERVPRO of Champaign/Urbana team can offer effective remediation solutions. Give us a call anytime at 217-355-0077.

SERVPRO Referral Program

6/27/2022 (Permalink)

Are you a Plumber? HVAC technician? Exterminator?

Contact us to find out more about SERVPRO of Champaign/Urbana’s referral bonus program. We offer referral bonuses simply for referring a potential customer to us.  We enjoy working with other local businesses and will treat your customer with the same care and professionalism that you can come to expect from SERVPRO. 

Often times, there is a mess left over after a technician has resolved the initial issue. This is where SERVPRO comes in. 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. With a nationwide system of qualified franchises, no damage is too large or too small for SERVPRO of Champaign/Urbana.

For more information or to submit a referral lead, please contact our office at 217-355-0077

Why SERVPRO of Champaign/Urbana?

6/14/2022 (Permalink)

Should you happen to have fire damage or water damage at your property, would you know who to call? Would you know who to turn to?  Across Mid Missouri the majority of insurance agents trust one name in the industry: SERVPRO of Champaign/Urbana. So, why SERVPRO? The same reason local insurance agents choose us.

In a recent survey, local insurance agents said they are extremely satisfied with the results they received from SERVPRO of Champaign/Urbana. That is because we are committed to creating happy customers, happy insurance agents, and happy customers of insurance agents.

Fire and water damage can be highly unpredictable. If it strikes your home or business, you can feel confident knowing SERVPRO of Champaign/Urbana will be there to help you in your dire time of need. We will be there to help you put life back together. We will make the damage, “Like it never even happened.”

You can be equipped with the knowledge that our experienced and qualified professionals here at SERVPRO of Champaign/Urbana will treat you and your customers with the utmost respect, compassion, and dignity. Integrity is a word that we take seriously here at our local franchise. We are Here to Help. We will help you get back in business and back to your life.

If you have fire or water damage at your property, would you recommend us? Or, if you knew a friend or family member who had damage, would you recommend us? Many local insurance agents state that they will always recommend SERVPRO to their clients. Additionally, a majority of local insurance agents say they would recommend SERVPRO to their clients over any other mitigation and restoration company in the business in water or fire claim situations.

For any damage that strikes your residential or commercial space, rely on the premier cleanup and restoration company that local insurance agents choose; SERVPRO of Champaign/Urbana. We are available to you and your customers 24/7, 365 days a year for all your emergency service needs.

Fire Damage Restoration Process

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

A kitchen fire that caused damage to the entire house

After the fire trucks leave, your home likely suffers from fire and smoke damage and extensive water damage from firefighting efforts. SERVPRO of Champaign/Urbana have the specialized fire restoration training needed to restore your home to pre-fire condition.

Have Questions About Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage? Call Today – (217) 355-0077

Every fire damage event is a little different, and requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. The steps listed below illustrate our process for the “typical” fire damage emergency.

Step 1: Emergency Contact

The restoration process begins when you call us. Our representative will ask questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us respond immediately with the appropriate equipment and resources. 

Step 2: Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment

We carefully inspect and test adjoining rooms of your property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action. 

Step 3: Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service

Fire damage can often compromise windows, walls, and roofs. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, we can board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs. 

Step 4: Water Removal and Drying (if water damage is present)

The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. We then use dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining water and complete the drying process. 

Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces

We use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces. 

Step 6: Cleaning and Sanitizing

We clean, sanitize, and disinfect all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to pre-fire condition. We’re also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

Step 7: Restoration

Restoration is the final step—getting your home or business to its pre-fire condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

Most Common Causes of House Fires

2/28/2022 (Permalink)

Fires can start in the smallest of ways and turn into the biggest problems. It's important to check your home regularly and be aware of the most common ways a fire can start to protect you and your family. 

So, what are the most common ways that a fire can start in your home? 

• Lighting: Most people do not think that lighting can be the cause of a home fire. Make sure that lamps cannot be knocked over, and that lamp shades are not too hot. 
• Cooking: Be sure to not leave foods that are being cooked on the stove unattended to. If you need to leave the kitchen, ask someone to keep an eye on the food. it is very easy to get distracted by a phone call or tending to a child and forget you have food on the stove. 
• Flammable Liquids: Do you keep flammable liquids in your garage? If you answered yes, you are not alone as most people do keep flammable liquids in their garage. Be sure to keep them away from heat sources and check the label before selecting an area for storage. 
• Smoking in Bedrooms: It's best to not smoke in bedrooms as the cigarette bud can still be lit for hours after the cigarette bud has been put out. 
• Bad Wiring in your Home: If you notice the lights go down with you use a certain appliance, this could be an indication that the wiring in your home is bad. To be safe, have an electrician come out to check. 
• Children & Curiosity: Make sure to keep matches, and lighters away from children. Teach your children how to stop, drop and roll just in case!
• Portable Heaters: Be sure to keep portable heaters away from fabrics as they can get really hot and cause a fire. 
• Candles: Candles are a great way to add ambiance to your home and fill the room with your favorite scents! Be sure you don't leave candles unattended to, they're kept away from fabrics, and also kept on sturdy surfaces and away from children. Practice these tips so you can continue to enjoy your favorite scents every season.

Proven Flood Damage Restoration Services

2/28/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Technicians Dry Your Using the Proper Equipment

Now and again we experience the effects of flood damage. Floods can leave behind massive losses worth thousands of dollars. No matter how well we are prepared to face such disasters, there are always incidents that happen and you can’t always plan for when a storm might hit. Champaign/Urbana residents need to work with IICRC certified restoration service providers like SERVPRO when dealing with the aftermath of flooding to ensure you get a timely response and accurate drying procedures.

Using the right equipment makes a big difference when restoring your Champaign/Urbana property after a flood damage disaster. That is the fact that our SERVPRO team understands and in most cases, we analyze each situation differently to determine the most appropriate tools and technology to use when working on your property. Drying as a process requires one to know humidity, temperature, and the various air properties - something that our technicians understand very well.

Timely evaporation of the moisture in your property is vital during the restoration. It all starts by putting in place appropriate measures to reduce the drying time and the use of extractors, air movers and dehumidifiers works towards achieving that. Air movers facilitate airflow and increase the speed of evaporation. As the moisture evaporates from surfaces, it leads to the formation of moist air. That means we have to remove the extra moisture from the air and we do that by using dehumidifiers.

The two main types of dehumidifiers that our SERVPRO technicians use are desiccant dehumidifiers and refrigerant dehumidifiers. Desiccant dehumidifiers use chemicals to absorb the moisture, while the working of refrigerant dehumidifiers has a lot of similarity to how air conditioners work. Deodorization then follows to neutralize the smells.

The goal of SERVPRO of Champaign/Urbana is to restore your contents to their preloss condition no matter the sight of the disaster. We use advanced technology to damaged items that wouldn’t be salvageable otherwise.

SERVPRO of Champaign/Urbana should be your first choice for any residential or commercial restoration needs. Our team of professionals is trained to assess the damage and potential threats, extract and contain the affected area, dry, and restore your property to preloss condition. 

How to Choose Your Commercial Restoration Company

2/21/2022 (Permalink)

The ability to know what to do in certain situations as a business owner defines your business entity's success or failure. Situations such as losses, damage to the business caused by water, fire, and weather-related problems go beyond a business owner's expertise when there is a need for control measures to be taken. A business owner needs a company with a proven track record of solutions to restore the business back to its normal day to day operation. Commercial restoration helps businesses to control the impact of fire damage and water damage.

Some things you must look out for in the search for a commercial restoration company

EFFICIENCY: the key to getting back in business requires swift action. Look for a company that delivers good results in a short period to handle your restoration processes. A good turnaround time helps you to keep your customers serviced and satisfied immediately, and for you to get back into the business.

AVAILABILITY: in the event of fire damage or water damage, the availability of expert damage control experts and commercial restoration companies cannot be overemphasized. They ensure that you get back in business as early as possible to cover your losses.

COMMUNICATION: Because of the resulting disturbances that come with damages resulting from flooding, leaks, and fire outbreaks, actionable plans need to be communicated to the business owner by the restoration company. It helps them to make informed business decisions for long term efficiency.

In all these, SERVPRO of Champaign/Urbana provides you the security that your business needs to stay in production. Our experience as a commercial restoration company during a situation of fire damage and water damage spans across different exercises carried out over the past years. Other damage control plans we have cover damages resulting from inclement weather change, damages from equipment failure, damages from vandalism, accidental damages, and aging property damage control.

Our 24 hours service runs to solve and control your losses to a bare minimum where you will be able to get back in business in a smooth transition. For any questions related to commercial restoration, don’t hesitate to call us at 217-355-0077.