When Disaster Strikes Your Business, We Step Up | SERVPRO of Northwest Vegas

2/21/2024 (Permalink)

When disaster strikes your business, the aftermath can feel overwhelming. Call SERVPRO of Northwest Vegas today. We are here to help!

You put a lot of your time, effort and passion into running a successful business in the Las Vegas community, and it sure shows! We have so many great restaurants, entertainment venues, arts opportunities and commercial properties in the area, and we have you to thank for that.

We also know that it can be a ton of work to run a business. Dealing with the daily schedules, managing employees and planning for disasters can be a lot, and sometimes it can just be simply overwhelming. Thankfully, our team is here to ensure you don’t have to do everything yourself. We proudly offer our restoration and cleaning services to our local businesses and commercial properties. 

Our Restoration Services 

While you may have a plan in place for dealing with disasters, they can still take you by surprise and leave you with serious damage to your property. A catastrophic warehouse fire, impact damage from a fallen tree or even a busted water line that was left to leak overnight can leave you with extensive damage and some really important decisions to make. 

Our team can help you recover no matter how destructive or extensive the damage is. We have a large-loss recovery team that will handle your entire restoration from the initial planning all the way through to the final repairs. 

We know that every minute during an unexpected closure can have serious effects on the success of your business now and in the future, so we work hard to be as efficient as possible during this process. 

Our Specialty Cleaning Services

We would assume that your cleaning responsibilities may not be your favorite part of owning a business, which is why you rely on your janitorial staff to help you along the way. However, your custodians may not have the tools and equipment to tackle every cleaning job that you have. Our commercial cleaning crew can help you with those more specialized cleanings.

We can handle anything from deep carpet cleanings to odor removal and everything. When was the last time you had your air ducts cleaned? We can handle that, too. Our goal is to help keep your business clean so you can focus on other important tasks. 

Cleaning Up Biohazards 

Planning for disasters is one thing, but planning for the unexpected or emergencies is entirely another. Suffering a crime at your business or discovering a sewage leak may be overwhelming, but it can also be dangerous. 

Biohazard substances should always be cleaned up by a professional because they can be dangerous or even toxic to handle without the proper training and safety gear. 

Our team will take care of everything from start to finish so you stay safe the entire way through. Animal waste and remains, hoarding situations, crime scene residue, bloodborne pathogens and sewage leaks are just some of the situations we are trained to handle. When the unexpected happens and you are left with a dangerous situation, give us a call. 

What are you waiting for? Schedule one of our commercial services at SERVPRO of Northwest Vegas today.

Fire Commercial Cleanup Process

10/5/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial fire damage

Commercial Cleanup After Fire

After a fire, most businesses want to get back to normal as quickly as possible. However, the fire restoration process can be lengthy and difficult. A professional cleaning company can help you get back to business faster by restoring your building's structure, contents, and environment. The first step in this process is often soot removal from everything from floors to walls.

Soot Removal

Soot is a major cause of damage to property. If you've ever seen the aftermath of a fire, you know that soot can cover a wide range of surfaces and objects.

Soot can be removed with a variety of cleaning solutions, but it's important not to confuse soot with smoke. Soot tends to stick more strongly than smoke does. It also has different textures: soot is typically powdery or grainy, while smoke tends to be more liquid in nature (though both are still formed from gases).

Soot can be removed from walls, floors, and ceilings; as well as furniture and other items made out of soft materials like fabric or carpeting.

Smoke Cleaning

We are trained and experienced in the restoration of fire damage. We have the tools and expertise necessary to clean up smoke-damaged areas.

Smoke cleaning is done by specialized equipment, which can pick up micro-particles as small as one micron. We use HEPA vacuums, air scrubbers, and other devices that will help get rid of contaminants in your home or office. Our technicians are also trained on how to properly dispose of these items after they're removed from your property by using an industrial-strength incinerator.

Here are some important things to know about smoke cleaning:

• Using specialized equipment allows us to remove any remaining residual particles that may remain after a fire has been extinguished; this includes both visible and microscopic particles
• Your home or commercial space will be thoroughly cleaned before we leave so you’ll know it’s safe for you and your family members to return

Structure Cleaning

The first step in a structure fire cleanup process is to inspect the damage and determine its extent. The second step is to use a powerful vacuum to extract the soot, debris, and other contaminants that have been released into the air by the fire. This process may be repeated until all affected areas are thoroughly cleaned of soot and other pollutants.

It is important to note that even after extensive cleaning, some soot may remain on surfaces due to its ability to integrate into porous materials like wood or stone. For example, if you were involved in a house fire where your family lived on top of an open-air attic area (with rafters), most of your personal belongings would likely suffer from significant smoke damage because they were exposed directly or indirectly to this material type during the course of events leading up to such an incident taking place at home.

SERVPRO of Northwest Vegas Is Your Local Expert

SERVPRO of Northwest Vegas has specialized training and equipment to quickly restore your business to pre-fire condition. Our IICRC-certified technicians are trained in fire and water damage restoration, mold remediation, and asbestos abatement. We also have extensive experience cleaning up after fire damage, which allows us to help you get back to business as quickly as possible.

If you need commercial fire damage restoration, SERVPRO of Northwest Vegas is here to help. Call us now at (702) 453-8870.

What To Do When Your Business Floods

7/18/2022 (Permalink)

Flooded building in Northwest Las Vegas, NV.

How to Respond to a Flood at Your Business

Flooding in your Northwest Las Vegas, NV, business can cause major problems. However, the sooner you act, the less likely you are to suffer mold growth and other damage.

Flood Dangers
Standing water poses several threats. The major ones are the following:

• Structural damage
• Mold infestation
• Electrical shock
  
  

Some items, such as wood furniture, can be permanently disfigured by water damage. The sooner you begin drying out the items, the better chance you have of salvaging them. Additionally, mold growth can begin within as few as 24 hours, so it is important to dry the affected area as soon as possible. However, do not turn on any appliances or use any outlets that have come into contact with water without first speaking to an electrician. Doing so could be dangerous.

Flood Cleanup
Every water damage scenario is different. For example, water from different sources will have different types and amounts of bacteria present. While it is important to tailor the cleanup process to fit the situation, the following steps outline the basic process:

• Remove standing water.
• Throw away items that cannot be salvaged.
• Dry and sanitize remaining items.
• Repair and replace damaged objects.
  
  

You can use special pumps or vacuums to remove most of the water. Afterward, you can use dehumidifiers or fans to dry out the rest of the water. It is important to remove everything that cannot be fully cleaned and sanitized so that it does not grow mold and contaminate other objects. The contamination level of the flood water and the nature of the wet object determine which cleaning solution you should use, but commercial detergent is fine for many items. After everything is clean and dry, you can begin repairing and replacing water-damaged items.
If you feel overwhelmed by the idea of cleaning up water damage, you can hire a certified restoration company to help you. They can address water damage, mold growth and many other problems.

5 Essential Steps of Restoring a Space After a Fire

6/7/2022 (Permalink)

Protecting your business from water after a fire in Las Vegas, NV.

Restoring a Space After a Fire

If a fire has set your Las Vegas, NV, home, or business ablaze, restoring the damaged building back to normal is just as much a priority as the safety of those impacted. Here are the five crucial steps in any fire restoration process.  

1. Initial Safety Assessment
Once the flames have been extinguished, rely on a fire damage mitigation company to assess the property and begin drawing up a restoration plan. They will take necessary safety precautions to prevent further damage, such as boarding up the property. 

2. Remove Water
If a space got drenched with water to put out a fire, it then needs to be dried out. Professionals will remove the water and use industry-standard equipment to fully dry the structure to alleviate the risk of mold. 

3. Smoke Damage Cleaning
Once the area is cleared of any water damage, a smoke damage assessment will be performed for cleanliness purposes. This involves specialized products and techniques to free impacted surfaces from smoke and soot. 

4.  Deep Cleaning
Trusted fire rebuilding services want to restore any item they can to its prior condition. This is often achieved through a professional sanitizing process that can also include odor removal. 

5. Full-Scale Fire Restoration 
The final step is restoring the property itself. This will vary depending on the extent of the damage but may include structural overhauls like reconstructing portions of a building or replacing drywall. It can also include more cosmetic repairs, such as replacing carpets or putting new paint on walls after they've been cleaned of smoke damage. 
A fire rebuild project can be overwhelming, but with the help of a professional fire restoration company, the process is made easier. After performing safety evaluations, removing water, and cleaning soot and surfaces, your Las Vegas, NV, home or business can be fully restored back to normal. 

How To Protect Your Employees During Mold Remediation

5/17/2022 (Permalink)

Mold containment in Las Vegas, NV.

How to Keep Your Employees Safe During Mold Removal

You've made a wise decision to call a commercial mold remediation team to handle mold removal at your business in Las Vegas, NV. Since you couldn't tell how extensive the problem was, you knew that a professional service would be your best bet for getting every last bit of mold removed. Now you wonder how to continue running your business during the mold cleanup process. Here are three ways that the professionals will protect you.

1. Air Filtration
As the team cleans, they will use specialized vacuums and "air scrubbers" to prevent mold spores from spreading throughout the building. Everything will be vented outside, away from your offices.

2. Containment Chambers
Professional mold removal involves the use of containment chambers. These chambers are most often created by hanging up plastic sheeting to seal off the area that is being cleaned from the rest of the building. A/C units, heating, and fans will be turned off, and vents and doors will be sealed. Depending on the size and severity of the mold growth, negative air pressure and an antechamber for changing out of PPE may also be used to fully contain the mold.

3. Remediation Strategies
The first step to remediating mold is to ensure that the environment that causes the mold growth has been addressed. If this is a leak from a pipe or a roof, previous flood damage, or a poorly ventilated space, these issues must be handled first. There's no merit to cleaning mold if the cause of it hasn't been managed. Then, visible mold types, such as black mold, will undergo antibacterial and antimicrobial cleaning procedures to ensure that no pockets of mold remain behind to regrow. If needed, certain materials such as carpets and drywall will be removed and replaced. Other items can be cleaned and restored.
A professional mold removal team will take every precaution to protect you and your staff from mold exposure during the cleaning process. Always follow their advice for the best outcome.

Infrared Cameras and Mold Detection

4/8/2022 (Permalink)

While infrared cameras are technically not mold detectors, they are highly useful when trying to locate nasty spores.

Mold Detection with Infrared Cameras

Although you may be unable to see it, any mold smell inhabiting your office may be an indication of a fungal problem. Before tearing apart walls to find out if you have harmful growths in Northwest Las Vegas, NV, use an infrared camera to determine whether hiring a professional mold removal team is actually necessary.

Mold Detection Via Smell

Any variety of fungus smell is cause for concern. Action must be taken if you detect odors that are:

• Talked about as being earthy
  
• Could be characterized as meaty
  
• Reminiscent of wet socks
  
• Similar to rotten wood
  
  

If you identify stenches that fit these descriptions, an investigative inquiry should be undertaken before additional mold damage has an opportunity to develop. An infrared camera can help you target the source of the disturbing mold smell you are experiencing and aid in locating it.

Mold Detection Via Infrared Camera

While infrared cameras are technically not mold detectors, they are highly useful when trying to locate nasty spores. They do so by visually representing colder areas that can be caused by water intrusion. When combined with a suspect mildew smell, the odds of fungal growth being present are significantly greater.

IR cameras are only useful in buildings with air conditioning, the reason being that temperature variations in spaces without indoor temperature controls are too insignificant to be of use. When sweeping your office, point your device toward exterior walls and roofs, as well as the foundation where moisture tends to collect.

It is important that users of thermal imaging realize the temperature differential caused by insulation. Elevations are another issue that needs to be recognized. Because heat rises, overloaded electrical boxes and transformers may display subtle unexpected temperature variations. Any misdiagnosis could trigger unnecessary construction work or failure to identify where mold exists.

A mold smell inside your office may be a warning sign of a situation that needs to be addressed. Utilize technology to be certain you have a problem ahead of turning your workspace into a construction zone.

3 Effective Flood Damage Prevention Alternatives to Sandbagging

2/5/2022 (Permalink)

Inflatable flood dams use water itself as a prevention method.

Alternatives to Sandbagging

Traditionally, sandbagging has been used to guard businesses and homes from the damage floods cause. However, they are labor-intensive to set up, ineffective compared to other methods, harbor harmful contaminants, and are difficult to dispose of. Fortunately, there are other methods of protection that can be are much more effective at giving the storm damage cleanup company less work to do and are environmentally friendly. Next time you attempt to protect your business in Las Vegas, NV, from flooding, consider ditching the sand bag altogether and try one of these three alternatives.

1. Self-Activating Flood Barrier

For a flood damage prevention method that is less labor-intensive, flood barriers are a great alternative. Since they self-activate when wet, there’s no need to worry about filling them with any materials. Like sandbags, these barriers work by absorbing water, but they are a non-toxic option and do not need to be treated as hazardous waste during the disposal process.

2. Inflatable Dam

Unlike sandbags and other methods that absorb water, inflatable flood dams use water itself as a prevention method. Some models require you to fill the dam with hose water ahead of time while others are filled with air and replaced with floodwaters as they arrive. They then create a barrier that keeps floodwaters away from your business.

3. Water Gate

Although they are a more expensive option, water gates are much more effective and eco-friendly than a sand bag. They create a transportable flood barrier using durable materials that will keep flood water out with or without anchoring. They can also be stored and reused after a flood. Watergates are the ideal option for large properties and sections of businesses or residential areas.

There’s no need to use the traditional sand bag method and risk damage to your business and exposure to contaminants! Next time a flood is headed toward your business, try one of these three alternatives.

The Benefits of Interruption Coverage for Your Business

1/5/2022 (Permalink)

Whether you own or rent your building, business interruption insurance is necessary.

The Advantages of Business Interruption Insurance

A fire in your commercial building can wreak havoc on your business plan. In addition to calling fire restoration services as soon as possible to get repairs started, you need a good business interruption policy to help sustain you until those repairs are finished. Interruption coverage for your business in Las Vegas, NV, has several benefits.

Monthly Expenses

Even if your building is out of commission, that doesn’t mean those monthly bills magically disappear. You are likely still responsible for many of the same expenses that you have when your building is fully functional. These expenses may include:

• Employee wages
  
• Insurance premiums
  
• Rent
  
• Equipment leasing
  
• Business loan payments
  
  

A solid business interruption policy can cover your expenses. This means you don’t have to worry about whether or not you can stay current on your financial obligations.

Relocation Costs

Depending on the severity of the damage sustained from the business fire, you may need to move the daily activity of your business elsewhere for a while. If damage is extensive, it may take weeks to get your business up and running in its rightful location again. Most businesses cannot afford to be out of commission for that long a period of time. Your interruption insurance can help with the costs of temporary relocation, allowing you to continue operations while your building is being restored.

Revenue Guarantee

Even if you do relocate your business, the change is likely to result in a dip in your income. While your property insurance covers the actual fire cleaning process, an interruption policy can cover any revenue you lose as a result of the fire. The insurance company takes into account projections of how much you would have made if the accident had not occurred to determine how much it will pay.

Whether you own or rent your building, business interruption insurance is necessary. It can protect you from financial loss from a delay in operations in the event of a fire, flood, or natural disaster.