Archived Commercial Blog Posts
Urban Fire Safety: Crafting an Emergency Plan for Your Business in Charlotte | SERVPRO of Northeast Charlotte
10/15/2024 (Permalink)
Protect your business with a safety plan! Contact SERVPRO® for expert guidance on fire prevention and ensure your employees and property stay safe.
In the vibrant community of Northeast Charlotte, fire safety is a critical concern for local businesses. With the unique challenges posed by urban environments, having a comprehensive fire safety plan is essential for protecting your employees and assets.
Here’s how to develop an effective emergency strategy tailored to your business needs.
Identifying Hazards and Resources in an Urban SettingThe first step in creating your fire safety plan is to assess potential hazards within your business. In urban areas like Northeast Charlotte, risks can include nearby flammable materials, electrical overloads, and crowded workspaces. Conduct a thorough inspection of your facility to identify these hazards, ensuring you address any potential fire risks.
Once you’ve identified hazards, evaluate your existing fire safety resources. Are your fire extinguishers easily accessible and regularly maintained? Are smoke detectors and sprinkler systems operational? Understanding the specific risks your business faces, along with the resources available to you, will allow you to tailor a fire safety plan that meets your unique needs.
Developing Clear Evacuation ProceduresAfter assessing risks and resources, the next step is to establish clear and efficient evacuation procedures. Designate primary and secondary escape routes that are easily identifiable and accessible to all employees. Ensure these routes are well-marked and free of obstructions that could impede a swift evacuation.
In a bustling urban environment, consider the diverse needs of your workforce during an evacuation. Implement a buddy system to assist employees who may need extra support. Conduct regular drills to practice these procedures, fostering familiarity and confidence among your team.
Emphasizing Training and CommunicationAn integral part of your fire safety plan is ongoing training and open communication. Schedule regular training sessions that cover fire prevention strategies, the proper use of fire extinguishers, and emergency reporting protocols. A well-informed team is your best defense against potential emergencies.
Additionally, create clear communication channels for employees to report hazards or safety concerns. Encourage a culture of vigilance where everyone feels empowered to speak up about potential risks. Proactive communication can help identify and address fire hazards before they escalate.
Creating a fire safety plan tailored to your Charlotte business is vital for ensuring the safety of your employees and protecting your assets from the devastating effects of fire. By identifying hazards, establishing clear evacuation procedures, and prioritizing training and communication, you can foster a strong culture of safety within your organization.
At SERVPRO of Northeast Charlotte, we are committed to helping local businesses prepare for emergencies. If you have questions about fire safety or need assistance in developing your emergency plan, reach out to us today.
Preparing Your Commercial Business for Fall: Essential Steps | SERVPRO of Northeast Charlotte
8/15/2024 (Permalink)
Preparing your commercial property for Fall is easy with these helpful tips and tricks from SERVPRO of Northeast Charlotte!
As the fall season approaches, businesses must prepare for potential challenges that come with changing weather conditions. From unpredictable storms to power outages, being proactive can mitigate risks and ensure continuity of operations.
Here are key strategies to safeguard your commercial establishment this fall.
Assessing Vulnerabilities and RisksThe first step in preparing your commercial business for fall is to conduct a thorough assessment of vulnerabilities and risks. Start by reviewing your building’s infrastructure, including the roof, windows, and doors. Check for any signs of wear and potential leaks that could worsen during heavy rain or wind. Addressing these issues preemptively can prevent costly repairs and downtime later.
Additionally, consider your business’s location and surroundings. Are there trees near your building that could pose a threat during storms? Are there drainage systems in place to prevent flooding? Identifying and mitigating these risks can protect both your property and your employees.
Updating Emergency Plans and SuppliesOnce vulnerabilities are identified, update your emergency preparedness plans accordingly. Review evacuation routes and emergency contact information with employees to ensure everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency. Assign roles and responsibilities, such as who will shut down equipment or secure sensitive documents during a power outage.
Stock up on emergency supplies such as flashlights, batteries, first aid kits, and non-perishable food items. Having these essentials readily available can make a significant difference in maintaining safety and comfort during unexpected disruptions.
Maintaining Communication ChannelsEffective communication is crucial during emergencies. Ensure that communication channels are established and tested regularly. This includes having updated contact information for employees, clients, suppliers, and local emergency services.
Consider setting up alternative communication methods in case primary channels are disrupted. Furthermore, stay informed about weather forecasts and potential hazards specific to your area. Subscribe to alerts and notifications from local authorities to receive real-time updates and advisories. Proactive monitoring allows you to take prompt action and protect your business and personnel.
Preparation is KeyPreparing your commercial business for the fall season involves proactive planning, assessment of risks, and updating emergency protocols. By addressing vulnerabilities, updating emergency plans and supplies, and maintaining effective communication channels, you can safeguard your business against potential disruptions and ensure continuity of operations.
As fall approaches, take the time to review and implement these strategies to protect your commercial establishment and support the well-being of your employees. Preparedness today can mitigate risks tomorrow, ensuring that your business remains resilient in the face of unforeseen challenges.
Contact SERVPRO of Northeast Charlotte for expert guidance and assistance in preparing your commercial business for the fall season. Our experienced team is Here to Help® you safeguard your property and ensure readiness for any emergency.
Tackling Business Damage After a Disaster | SERVPRO of Northeast Charlotte
2/15/2024 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Northeast Charlotte is here for your business every step of the way, from ERPs to disaster recovery.
Even though you hopefully don’t dwell on the potential for disasters every day, the chance is unfortunately always there. A simple water leak, serious fire or disastrous flood could leave you with extensive damage and a lot of questions.
Thankfully, SERVPRO of Northeast Charlotte is here to make sure your business recovers and reopens quickly no matter what! Read on to learn how our talented team will be there for you from start to finish.
Preparing for the WorstWhile we don’t want the potential of a disaster to consume our thoughts, it is important to have a plan. If your team knows what to do before, during and after a disaster situation, you can stay in control and respond as an organized unit instead of devolving into chaos.
Communication is key when it comes to disaster responses, so focus on making sure your employees are connected with each other and that there is a strong chain of command. Your staff needs to know who is in charge of what ahead of a potential disaster.
In addition, they should all be familiar with where your emergency exits are located and how to access water shut-off valves and fire extinguishers. While your custodial staff may have these responsibilities handled, it is important for everyone to have a basic understanding of your building just in case.
Once the disaster has occurred and you have surveyed your building, it is important to keep your staff in good spirits and help everyone figure out where to go in the aftermath. Set up a remote work strategy or have a backup location in mind that your team can go to for the foreseeable future.
Recovering With SERVPRO®Now that your team is secure and everyone is safe, it’s time to turn your attention to your recovery. Without the proper support and recovery plan, it can be really easy to experience long-term or even permanent closures. Call SERVPRO right away so we can get started on your restoration.
Our professional team will take over your space as soon as we get there so you can focus on your staff and your customers. People are naturally curious, and your customers are going to want to know what happened and when you plan on getting back open! The more communication and clear explanations, the better.
Depending on the specific situation, you may even be able to continue working in your building while we are restoring and repairing. You might just need to scale back for a while or adjust how you do things in the meantime. We will work with you where you are at to ensure everyone is successful under your roof.
The best way to avoid serious damage is to prepare ahead of time, but we are always here to help if your situation gets out of control or happens really unexpectedly. Call SERVPRO of Northeast Charlotte for a quick and reliable restoration, and you can expect to be back open like new in no time at all.
Has your business experienced a disaster, or do you want help building an emergency plan? Contact us to find everything you need.
Helping Your Business Through Anything | SERVPRO? of North East Charlotte
3/21/2022 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Northeast Charlotte is your local commercial restoration expert. Contact us today should you experience any damage.
Being your own boss or owning your own business can seem like the perfect job. Reality, though, is that while it does have its benefits, it doesn’t come without risk. The risk we are referring to is that if a disaster or accident were to happen, it could cause major disruptions.
But lucky for you, SERVPRO of Northeast Charlotte is here to cover any recovery needs you have! We can help carry the burden of your business needs when it comes to disasters and emergencies.
Large loss recovery. Fires, storms and flooding are some of the top causes of financial loss for businesses here in the United States. These are the types of incidents that can quickly cause a lot of damage, and even more so there’s a delay in responding. We have someone on call 24 hours a day, so that if you have an emergency, you have someone to call on.
Emergency Ready Plan. You can begin the recovery process before a disaster ever strikes, all you have to do is become prepared! We work to help you create the perfect plan that works for your unique needs. Things like alternate meeting sites or temporary vendors to use during a crisis—these are things that we can help sort out for you.
Cleaning of All Kinds. We are known for taking care of general cleaning needs like carpet cleaning or upholstery restoration, but what you might not realize is that we also handle specialty needs like safe biohazard removal. We have been in this industry for a long time, which means we have seen and done it all.
Restoration Services. Sometimes things happen that are beyond our control—storms bring floods, pipes burst in the winter or a toaster catches fire. Regardless of what may happen, the disaster will require cleanup and restoration. No one can get there faster, or handle it with professionalism better than SERVPRO of Northeast Charlotte.
Industry Specialization. Our highly trained technicians have had decades of experience and training, learning the ins and outs of every type of commercial enterprise. No matter what industry you’re in, we can tackle your cleaning or restoration needs. We also work to enclose the area so that we don’t disrupt your normal business operations.
Whatever your recovery need may be, and whatever your commercial property may require, trust SERVPRO to get the job done. Contact us today to get started on an Emergency Ready Plan or find out how we can serve your business.
The Lowdown on Restoration Services | SERVPRO® of Northeast Charlotte
2/4/2022 (Permalink)
When you need cleanup and recovery of any kind, you can trust SERVPRO of Northeast Charlotte to get the job done.
It’s almost impossible to own a home or business for a long period of time and not experience some kind of natural disaster or damage. It can be anything from a tornado, a lighting storm or something as simple as a busted pipe.
That’s where SERVPRO comes in! We are known best as being a cleaning company, but what some might not be aware of is the full-service, stern-to-stern cleaning, restoration and reconstruction that we provide as well.
Take a deeper look into how SERVPRO defines “full service”:
Water damage recovery. Whether your home or business has been affected by rainwater or a faulty appliance, water damage is likely to happen at some point or another. SERVPRO is always on call and ready to help you get your place fixed up.
Fire damage recovery. Fires happen every 23 seconds here in the United States. This is a part of a 40-year trend downward. And as you can imagine, fires can produce a lot of damage, but we have lots of help to offer you.
Mold removal. After a leak or water damage has exposed your home or business, mold can creep up and threaten the structure. And it spreads quickly and easily. Which is why you should leave that cleanup to the professionals.
Storm recovery. No matter the type of storm that has affected your home or business, it can bring large-scale damage and destruction. Luckily for you, we have technicians on call 24⁄7, so that you can immediately get started on the cleanup process.
Commercial needs. We offer business owners the same services that we provide to homeowners, but we also offer a little more! We can handle specialized cleaning and care, helping you make your business shine.
General cleaning. Whether it’s a residential or commercial property, they all need the normal day-to-day cleaning. But oftentimes we get busy and skip over important things like carpet or upholstery cleaning. That’s why we provide you with a heavy-duty cleaning, so that you can focus on more important things.
Specialty cleaning. We can provide you with document restoration, air duct cleaning or even biohazard cleanup. No matter what it is, if it can get dirty, we can work to get it clean.
Construction. Sometimes, disasters or accidents can take a major toll on your home or business and require a reconstruction rather than a simple restoration! With SERVPRO to call on, you can rest assured that we can handle that and get the facility back to its preloss condition.
Add 24-hour service and an easy insurance process to all this, and the picture becomes clear—when you need cleanup and recovery of any kind, you can trust SERVPRO to get the job done
Follow These Steps for Winter Prep in Milder Climates | SERVPRO® of North Central Mecklenburg County
1/28/2022 (Permalink)
If winter weather should bring damage to your home or business, contact SERVPRO of North Central Mecklenburg County for fast, restorative solutions.
This time of year brings thoughts of the fall color season and prep work starts for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. But it’s always a little strange when the radio starts playing “White Christmas” and our favorite TV stations start advertising winter clothing.
The wintertime weather in Charlotte simply doesn’t fit that idyllic holiday narrative! While we do experience all four seasons and occasionally receive snow, it’s a rare occurrence. We usually don’t need snow tires or salt trucks, and frozen pipes are a concern but not a constant worry.
Even though we don’t receive significant snowfall, we do experience cold temperatures in the winter. And we should still perform preventative maintenance on some items. Let’s take a look.
Maintain and service your HVAC system. Obviously, we will need to use the heat in the wintertime, so you’ll want to know it’s working well and operating safely. It’s a great idea to have a professional come out and perform routine maintenance, replacing any parts that could leave you in the cold.
Prepare the home for winter weather. We average around three inches of rain per month over the winter, making it one of the dryer portions of the year. It’s a good time to inspect and repair the roof system. Check for broken or warped shingles, and replace as necessary. Check, clean and empty your gutters as well, to keep anything from damming up the works and sending water streaming into your home. While you’re at it, inspect and clean out your chimney if you burn any wood or coal.
Reseal doors and windows to eliminate drafts. Air infiltration can make you uncomfortable, so consider adding insulation to your attic and sealing your windows. This can make an impact on the comfort level in your home, not to mention the effect it can have on your utility bills.
Winterize your vehicles. Finally, check your car’s tires and windshield wipers. If you have excessive wear, you may want to consider replacing them. You may not have to deal with driving on snow and ice, but there’s a good chance you’ll end up driving in the rain—and you want to be sure you can do it safely.
If winter weather or unexpected flooding causes water to damage your home, we’re always here to help. Contact SERVPRO to see how quick and easy it is to let the pros handle your cleanup and recovery.
The SERVPRO Difference & Why It Matters | SERVPRO® of North East Charlotte County
1/28/2022 (Permalink)
When you are dealing with any damage, immediate action is crucial. SERVPRO of North East Charlotte County is your local restoration expert.
As a head of household or a person that runs a business, it’s your responsibility to make sure everything runs smoothly.
However, when a disaster happens and the normal routine is disrupted, your responsibilities now shift to disaster recovery. It may not be a role you were ready for, but it’s one that’s been thrust upon you.
That’s where we can help. Disaster recovery is our job not yours. You can trust SERVPRO when life throws you a curve.
Everything Is in Place and Ready
Our job is to be ready for you 24 hours a day. We can respond at a moment’s notice and get to your disaster quickly.
We understand you can’t wait when the office has suffered a fire or water is spraying everywhere from a broken pipe. When a catastrophe happens, we’re ready.
We’ll Be There in a Flash
When a disaster happens, time is critical.
With each passing minute more mold growth, more water damage happens or more smoke smell emerges. A quick response is demanded, and with a local office right here in North East Charlotte County, you won’t have to wait long for us to respond.
Trained and Ready for Your Commercial or Residential Disaster
Disasters are unplanned and can strike when you least expect. Homes and businesses can both fall victim to natural and accidental damage.
We provide a custom solution for each and every situation. We can get your business or home back to normal to you can get back to your routine.
We Leave Your Property “Like it never even happened.”
We take pride in restoring your home or business back to its original condition. SERVPRO has a deep history in the recovery and restoration industry, and we care about your satisfaction.
We’re Always Changing, Growing and Learning
Disease prevention is now a big part of the world we live in! The ability to clean, sanitize and disinfect is highly sought after—and we go well beyond the standard level of cleaning that janitorial services provide.
We can provide you with a hyper-clean space and impart peace of mind at the same time.
Disasters, whether by accident or by nature, will affect all of us at some point. Tornadoes, hurricanes, storms, fires all happen. When disaster strikes, call your local SERVPRO and we’ll take care of putting your property back together.
Regardless of why you need cleanup or disaster recovery, SERVPRO has the tools, the technicians and the training to get your situation under control. When you’re ready to get help from the best, get in touch with SERVPRO of North East Charlotte County.
How Can a Local Water Removal Company Help My Business Recover from a Water-Related Accident?
6/2/2020 (Permalink)
Call SERVPRO to mitigate all of your commercial water damage needs in Mecklenburg.
Mecklenburg County Water Removal Services by SERVPRO Generally Follow a Time-Tested Procedure for Removing Water from Your Commercial Property.
Just the other month, a Charlotte-area office building suffered the effects of a ruptured pipe in its basement. This broken pipe rapidly filled the Mecklenburg County business’ basement maintenance rooms with feet of standing water and forced its owners to shut off the building’s electricity. Unfortunately, this prevented the company from continuing its operations until workers effectively addressed the water issue. The owners, without any forewarning, suddenly faced a costly problem that needed to be solved as soon as possible. They needed to make quick decisions in order to avert an extended business closure and substantial operational losses. In doing so, they contacted a local water removal service for assistance. SERVPRO--We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.
What Procedure Does Water Removal Services Like SERVPRO Follow to Extract Water from My Mecklenburg County Business?
The key to successfully extracting water from a commercial structure is having a proven plan of action. Our team has such a plan and our skilled technicians know what to do at each stage of the process. Once workers find and shutoff the offending water source, they generally do the following things:
- Remove standing water with submersible pumps and large, commercial-strength extractors
- Determine a drying goal, based on moisture levels in unaffected areas, and calculate the right dehumidifier-to-air mover ratio for the most efficient drying
- Quickly and effectively dry interiors using advanced refrigerant or desiccant dehumidifiers
- Inject EPA and OSHA-approved fungicides, disinfectants, and deodorants into even the most difficult-to-reach areas, using state-of-the-art foggers
Ultimately, these tools allow SERVPRO to efficiently resolve your water issue. This time-saving service enables you to get back to work sooner, reducing your overall costs and limiting your losses. Ask us about our ERP Emergency READY Profile Plan, a mobile app, that can prevent or mitigate damage to your commercial enterprise.
Accidents happen and there is not much you can do to avoid them. When they do inevitably occur, protect your business by calling a professional water removal company as soon as possible. If you ever need assistance, call SERVPRO of North Central Mecklenburg County at (704) 596-9700.
We Get You Back In Business In Mecklenburg County After A Flood
3/1/2020 (Permalink)
Our technicians have the state of the art equipment necessary to handle restoring your office building's flood damage right away.
Commercial Flood Damage Brings Mud to Mecklenburg County Office
It is no secret that commercial flood damage hits local businesses hard. Just the loss of revenue during cleanup can take a toll along with the hardship on employees who suddenly do not have a job to go to until the restoration process completes.
When SERVPRO works on commercial flood damage restoration jobs in Mecklenburg County, their goal is to save the business from having to replace as many items as possible and get the company reopened in the shortest amount of time.
Scoping the Loss Area
In a local office, the water was not the most significant issue when groundwater entered a small building. The water soaked the carpet in the reception area and ran down the hallway. SERVPRO technicians found the water receded before going very far into the offices. However, a large amount of mud got left behind, coating the floor.
Extraction and Removal of Loss Items
The glue-down carpet was a loss due to both the delamination and contamination from groundwater. SERVPRO techs extracted the flood damage water to make the carpet lighter to handle and safer to lift for disposal. The baseboards also required removal, and the sheetrock required flood cuts roughly twelve-inches above the floor joints to open up the wall cavities for drying. The use of trash pumps pulled up the thick layer of mud along with the water quickly.
Multi-Layered Drying Methods
SERVPRO techs know that concrete absorbs moisture and requires the power of air movers to release the embedded moisture. This action negates secondary issues such as foul odors or the potential for mold growth. The Injecti-Dry system is beneficial for forcing air into the wall cavities and assists with lowering the interior moisture to expedite the drying process.
Final Wipe Down and Prepping for Repairs
Once the interior confirmed as dry, the techs used their antimicrobial cleaning agents to wipe down the surfaces affected by water loss to leave it sanitized and ready for the replacement of the carpet, baseboards, and sheetrock repairs necessary to get the office reopened.
SERVPRO of North Central Mecklenburg County at (704) 596-9700 stands ready to assist local properties with commercial flood damage cleanup and restoration to make the loss "Like it never even happened."
See more about Mecklenburg County.
How Mecklenburg County Businesses Limit Commercial Water Damage
2/13/2020 (Permalink)
Mecklenburg County, don’t let your business go down due to water damage.
Let SERVPRO help you through your Mecklenburg County business water damage.
Property owners can make preparations against harm to a structure or contents, but some things cannot be 100% prepared for such as commercial water damage.
It does not matter how the commercial water damage occurred in a Mecklenburg County structure, and it needs fast addressing to limit the loss. That is why SERVPRO emergency response teams are available 24/7 and arrive within an hour of the initial call.
First Actions On-Site
When SERVPRO techs arrive, they immediately scope the loss area to determine the scale of the water loss inside. This attention to detail enables them to find areas of water migration that might otherwise get missed. At this time, essential items, papers, and stock may get removed to a secure area or location.
Drying Without Disruptions
When working on a commercial property, the goal is to limit the disruption to the people and daily activities. In many cases, the techs work around the staff going about their work. Large furnishings can be raised on blocks and dried in place while other air movers dry carpet.
There's an App for That
SERVPRO has an easy-to-use downloadable app for both Android and IoS devices that allows business owners to set up profiles for each property. If you have multiple locations, no problem. The Ready Plan app takes care of them all. In each profile, the chain of contact for emergencies gets established. Valuable information such as the location of electrical panels and water shut off valves for the business. Also, the site of essential items to protect or move off-site to a secure location such as important papers, equipment, or stock.
Restorative Cleaning
SERVPRO techs have a host of cleaning agents to address various issues post-water loss. It is essential to use antibacterial and antimicrobial to ensure that surfaces are left both sanitized and disinfected for reuse by the employees and customers.
When commercial water damage is the problem, SERVPRO of North Central Mecklenburg County at (704) 596-9700 is the solution. The certified techs arrive fast and make the water loss to the structure and contents, "Like it never even happened."
To find out more about Mecklenburg County, click here.
Some things are meant to be long term, especially when growing a business- just not MOLD!
12/10/2019 (Permalink)
Once we peeled back the affected area, mold was discovered at this commercial property.
Okay we get it, not everyday can you see leaks that may cause long term damage. In this case, the leak was not noticeable at first. Water has a mind of its own in which the leak was not significant enough to come through the fiberglass reinforced plastic wall panel. Once the water started to come out, SERVPRO of North Central Mecklenberg County was contacted for a professional eye.
Our technicians handled this quickly, as we could tell it had been building up for a while behind the wall. We removed all the bad stuff and replaced it with correct restoration as well as gave some pointers for future issues that they may have.
Call us today if your unsure if your commercial property has suspected mold!
Restoring YOUR Lake Norman Commercial Property After Water Damage
10/16/2019 (Permalink)
We are always on call and ready to go!
Flooding and water damage events at Charlotte or Lake Norman 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 environment 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 at 704-596-9700 and we'll be there fast with the help that you need!
Have a Business that needs a little bit of love? SERVPRO has the answer to your dreams!
9/5/2019 (Permalink)
Our tech proudly cleaning a commercial property
To some, it doesn't matter on how good the service is or how friendly employees are when entering a business. Studies show 9 out 10 people recognize cleanliness immediately when entering an establishment. That means they can quickly determine if your services are wanted.
SERVPRO of North Central Mecklenberg County is here to help you keep your business clean and professional for all of your clientele needs!
Whether its needing carpets cleaned, upholstery steamed, or even just a fresh coat of paint on walls- we are the guys you need! Our technicians are always on call and are always ready to help restore or upgrade your property. Please call us at 704-596-9700 to discuss how we can keep your business look like nothings ever happened!
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