Recent Posts
How Do You Safely Handle Electronics And Appliances After A Flood?
9/25/2023 (Permalink)
Many of your household and workplace items may be affected by a flood, whether from a leaky pipe, a failed appliance, or a weather event.
Especially concerning will be your electronics; if these items aren't handled correctly, they can be destroyed, leaving you with the project of replacing them. Your insurance will cover these items in most cases, but the replacements can take time, which may mean inconvenience or loss of business!
Wet electronics can also be dangerous to handle, so it's vital that you know how to deal with this situation so that no one gets hurt. Keep reading to learn more about safely handling electronics after a flood.
Is It Dangerous To Handle Wet Or Damp Electronics And Appliances?
Water and electricity don't mix.
- It may be tempting to start up your washer and dryer if they have been affected by flooding to dry wet clothes, linens, or other washables, but don't do it. No matter how clean, water can damage an appliance's inner workings, including the motor. You'll want to contact a qualified service and repair expert to assess the damage.
- One of the worst things homeowners can do after a flood is attempt to air-dry their appliances and then turn them on. This can cause the device to short-circuit or, worse, shock the user, resulting in severe and life-threatening injury if there's moisture in the electrical components.
- Call in an expert to assess the situation and give you a diagnosis of your HVAC before using it. You'll likely need to replace your home's HVAC system if it's been damaged by water instead of having it repaired. Water corrodes, and this corrosion often leads to safety and reliability issues with your furnace, water heater, AC systems, gas, and electric.
Why Should I Rely On SERVPRO Of North Nashville To Help Me Recover My Electronics And Appliances?
Water-damaged electronics can present a serious hazard. Do not attempt to turn on or operate any electrical device you suspect has been damaged by water. We will coordinate the restoration of your electronics, including:
- Television sets
- DVD players
- Computers
- And more
The key to restoring electronics is taking prompt action to prevent further damage. We start by cleaning the exterior of electronic devices to help stop further corrosion and damage. Electronics will be cleaned and inspected by a qualified electronics technician.
Here at SERVPRO of North Nashville, we care about you, your family, and your property. If you sustain water or storm damage, we are here to help.
We maintain the equipment and skills necessary to get you back to normal after any disaster, regardless of its size. We handle mold and mildew, too!
Call us at 615-242-9391 today!
This franchise is independently owned and operated.
What Are Some Effective Storm Damage Prevention Tips For My North Nashville Location?
9/18/2023 (Permalink)
It may still be hot outside right now, but winter is on its way. As a savvy North Nashville home or business owner, you know it’s best to prepare for stormy weather beforehand. Debris, power outages, and standing water can create dangerous situations during winters here in Middle Tennessee. Now is the perfect time to put some preventative measures in place for your North Nashville location!
Let’s discuss ways to prevent and handle any damage you may experience.
What Important Preventative Measures Can I Take For Stormy Weather In North Nashville?
Here are some helpful tips to consider when planning your storm damage prevention:
- Safety should be everyone’s top priority. Whether you’re considering the well-being of your loved ones or your workforce, consider these safety steps to help you ensure no one gets hurt by damages from a winter storm. If you or a loved one are over 65 years old, place an easy-to-read thermometer indoors where you will see it frequently. Our ability to feel a change in temperature decreases with age. Older adults are more susceptible to health problems caused by cold weather. Check the temperature of your home often during the winter months.
- Weatherproof your home. Insulate any water lines that run along exterior walls so your water supply will be less likely to freeze. Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows and insulate walls and attic. Install storm or thermal-pane windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside. Repair roof leaks and cut away tree branches that could fall on your home or other structure during a storm.
- Have your chimney or flue inspected yearly if you plan to use a fireplace or wood stove for emergency heating. Ask your local fire department to recommend an inspector or find one online.
- Install a smoke detector and a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector. If you use a fireplace, wood stove, or kerosene heater, install a smoke detector and a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector near the area to be heated. Test them monthly and replace batteries twice a year. Keep a multipurpose, dry-chemical fire extinguisher nearby. All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside.
- Before each winter season, have your furnace system and vent checked by a qualified technician to ensure they function correctly.
How Can SERVPRO of North Nashville Help Me Get Back To Normal After A Storm?
SERVPRO specializes in storm damage recovery, and we are equipped to handle these events immediately.
- Our personnel have been trained and have all the necessary training to assist in a storm event.
- Our team knows what to do. Every crew member has experienced a storm damage restoration event.
- Our warehouse is well-stocked with equipment that can meet all your needs.
- The past few decades have seen rapid advancement in the technology and techniques used in the restoration industry. These advancements allow the SERVPRO of North Nashville Professionals to restore your property to preloss condition quickly, reliably, and more effectively.
Cleaning up after a significant weather event can be challenging. Here at SERVPRO of North Nashville, we manage all kinds of damage to your North Nashville home or business so you can return to normal as soon as possible. We handle storm damage restoration, water damage, and mold remediation and prevention. You can call us anytime at 615-242-9391!
This franchise is independently owned and operated.
What Is The Best Way To Ensure The Structure Of My Home Is Safe After Fire Damage?
9/11/2023 (Permalink)
A fire in your North Nashville home can compromise its structure, making it dangerous to venture inside. If you experience a house fire, your priority will be the safety of everyone who lives there, including ensuring that the structure of your home is safe.
Determining the safety of your structure may require hiring a professional restoration company like SERVPRO of North Nashville. You can count on us for fast, 24-hour service to help with any disaster or accident at your home or business.
What Are Some FAQs I Should Know About Fire Damage To My Home?
What are some of the damages a fire can cause to a home? Here are a few helpful FAQs:
- In wood-frame buildings, all structural members are combustible. Those built with manufactured and composite materials like I-joists and trusses fail more quickly than sawn lumber.
- In ordinary brick-and-joist buildings, beams, floors, and roofs are combustible. Load-bearing walls are composed of masonry that can collapse as the combustible members burn away.
- The forces and acts of a fire can cause the redistribution of building loads and create loads normally carried straight down through the center of the wall or column to be carried down the side of the wall or column or to twist the wall or column. These shifts can overload structural members, cause the failure of the connections, and cause local or global structural collapse.
As you can see, there's a lot to consider regarding the safety of your structure after a fire!
What Should I Do After A Fire Occurs At My North Nashville Location?
After safety is established and you have called SERVPRO, here are some steps you can take to prevent damage in your home:
What To Do After A Fire:
- Try to limit your movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.
- Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls, and woodwork.
- Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery, and carpet traffic areas.
- If the electricity is off, empty the freezer and refrigerator and prop the doors open.
- Clean and protect chrome with a light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
- Wash houseplants on both sides of the leaves.
- Change the HVAC filter.
- Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.
What NOT To Do After A Fire:
- Don't attempt to wash walls, painted surfaces, or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting us.
- Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat, or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
- Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat, or water.
- Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet; the wiring may be damaged.
- Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.
Our team here at SERVPRO of North Nashville is highly-trained and skilled in handling fire damage. We use the latest technology to ensure you return to normal immediately.
In addition to fire damage, we handle damage from water, storms, mold, and much more! Call us today for help with disasters of all types and sizes at 615-242-9391.
This franchise is independently owned and operated.
What Does It Mean To Have IICRC Certified Technicians On Staff?
9/4/2023 (Permalink)
When you experience a disaster at your North Nashville home or business, you want to work with the best in restoration. You can waste a lot of time and money working with an improperly trained and outfitted company.
There are many restoration companies to choose from, but we strive to be the best here at SERVPRO! One of the ways we do that is by maintaining a high level of disaster restoration training for all our technicians.
What Type Of Training And Certification Does The SERVPRO Of North Nashville Team Of Technicians Receive?
The SERVPRO of North Nashville staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s Corporate Training Facility to regular IICRC industry certifications, rest assured our team is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. Our training program includes the following:
- IICRC Training
- Employee Certification Training
- Initial Franchise Training
- e-Learnings
- Continuing Education Classes
What Is IICRC Training And Certification?
The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) certifies and sets the standards for the cleaning and restoration industries. Our Professionals study IICRC standards and best practices in water restoration, fire restoration, mold remediation, carpet and upholstery cleaning, and other cleaning and restoration courses.
Working with SERVPRO of North Nashville for all your restoration needs means you’re getting the best in the restoration industry! In addition to maintaining a highly trained team, SERVPRO is also committed to:
Here at SERVPRO of North Nashville, we understand that disasters can affect your North Nashville home or business with minimal warning. We’re committed to being ready to help at any time. If you have experienced fire damage, storm damage, water damage, mold damage, or any other kind of issue, no matter the size, contact us so we can begin your restoration immediately!
Business owners can learn more about our commercial restoration services here. Find out what some of our previous clients say about working with us here.
This franchise is independently owned and operated.
How Do I Restore My Commercial Kitchen After Fire Damage?
8/28/2023 (Permalink)
A commercial kitchen fire can cause a lot of damage to your business. Fire can break out unexpectedly in any kitchen setting, especially in a commercial kitchen. The National Fire Prevention Association reports fire departments will respond to nearly 3,500 commercial fires annually, according to a national study.
If you experience a fire in your Nashville commercial kitchen, you can count on the restoration professionals at SERVPRO to help you return to normal as quickly as possible!
What Steps Should I Take To Begin Fire Damage Restoration At My Commercial Location?
When beginning fire damage restoration, there are some essential factors to consider and some “must-dos,” too.
- The safety of your staff and clientele is your priority if your Nashville commercial kitchen experiences a fire. After calling the fire department, ensure that everyone is present, accounted for, and out of the building before you do anything else.
- Call your insurance company immediately post-disaster to report the incident and start your claim process.
- If you are leasing the space, let the owner or property manager know the severity of the damage and possible repair costs.
- Wait for the fire department to give you the all-clear to enter the building before assessing the damage and removing necessary items.
- Call fire damage restoration professionals like SERVPRO of North Nashville to come and begin assessing the damage and planning your recovery process.
- Document everything by taking photos and videos of the damage for your insurance claim.
What Does The SERVPRO Commercial Fire Restoration Process Involve?
When your commercial business experiences fire damage, returning to business quickly is vital to avoid lost revenue and productivity. The SERVPRO of North Nashville team has years of experience restoring commercial properties damaged by fire, and we will help you make the right decisions to get your business up and running as soon as possible. Our team will:
- Board up and tarp the affected areas to minimize further damage
- Remove and dry the water used to put the fire out
- Clean any soot and smoke left behind
- Clean and sanitize all restorable items
- Remove any odors on soft surfaces
SERVPRO of North Nashville is your trusted leader in commercial fire damage restoration. When you call us at (615) 242-9391, one of our fire damage specialists can assist you with getting your cleanup and restoration process started.
In addition to fire damage restoration, we also handle other commercial services, such as commercial water damage restoration, commercial mold remediation, commercial cleaning, and more.
This franchise is independently owned and operated.
What Should My First Steps Be After Flooding At My North Nashville Location?
8/21/2023 (Permalink)
When flooding occurs at your North Nashville location, you must handle the aftermath immediately. The excess water left alone will seep into flooring, walls, and foundations, creating severe issues over time. Warm, moist conditions are perfect for a mold colony, too. Any one of these issues can be dangerous.
At SERVPRO of North Nashville, we care about your safety and the conditions you live and work in - it's why we do what we do! Whenever you experience flooding in your home or business, call us at (615) 876 9551, and we'll help! We're faster to disasters of any size.
What Can I Do To Handle Excess Water While I Wait For SERVPRO?
After any water damage situation, your primary focus should be safety first:
- Is it safe to stay in the house?
- Electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns.
- Only do activities that are safe for you to perform.
- Wet materials can be VERY heavy. Be careful!
What To Do After Flooding
- Remove excess water by mopping and blotting.
- Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing lamps and tabletop items.
- Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions.
- Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
- Turn the air conditioning on for maximum drying in summer.
- Remove colored rugs from wet carpeting.
- Remove art objects to a safe, dry place.
- Gather loose items from floors.
What Actions Should I Avoid After A Flooding Event?
What NOT To Do After Flooding
- Don't leave wet fabrics in place. Hang furs and leather goods.
- Don't leave books, magazines, or other colored items on wet carpets or floors.
- Don't use your household vacuum to remove water.
- Don't use television or other household appliances.
- Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.
Check out our Water Repair Process page to learn what to expect when we arrive!
The SERVPRO of North Nashville team is available anytime to help you with disasters of all types and sizes. In addition to water damage, we handle damage from fire, mold, unpleasant odors, and much more.
Call us today at (615) 242-9391 for more information on ways we can help "make it like it never happened!"
This franchise is independently owned and operated.
Why Is A Rapid Response Vital When Handling Storm Damage Restoration?
8/14/2023 (Permalink)
With intense storms and severe weather comes water, and a lot of it. Flooding and water damage from damaged roofing, windows, and siding will often occur. You may experience flooding in your basement or garage due to improper drainage or flooding waterways near your property.
Whatever your situation, you must receive prompt, professional attention when your North Nashville property experiences storm damage! Learn more about the water damage timeline here.
What Are Some Of The Dangers Of Neglecting Rapid Storm Damage Restoration?
Here are a few of the dangers you might encounter if you don’t take the necessary steps to manage the storm damage on your property:
- As mentioned above, water damage may be a part of your experience. Allowing your location to remain damp gives mold a place to land, bringing a host of serious issues! Call SERVPRO of North Nashville for professional mold remediation.
- Your building may be compromised, possibly leaving you in a dangerous position. You’ll need a restoration professional to assess your premises to see if any damages must be restored immediately. Our storm damage technicians are here to help.
- Some water from flooding or burst pipes can be contaminated. A professional water damage restoration company like SERVPRO of North Nashville can be onsite at your location immediately to assess water quality.
What Is The SERVPRO Storm Damage Restoration Process?
We provide our clients with the best in storm damage restoration, and we are committed to getting to you quickly! Our process is as follows:
The restoration process begins when you call us. Our representative will guide you through the crisis and may ask several questions to help us better understand the equipment and resources.
We determine the scope of your water damage at this stage. We inspect and test to determine the extent of damage and how far the moisture has traveled to ensure proper and complete restoration.
The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes most of the water. We use powerful pumps and vacuum units to quickly remove hundreds or thousands of gallons from your property, which helps prevent secondary water damage and mold growth.
We use specialized equipment to remove the remaining water that is harder to access. Our Professionals will use room measurements, temperature, and relative humidity to determine the optimal number of air movers and dehumidifiers needed to dry your home or business.
We clean all of the restorable items and structures damaged by the water. We are adept at cleaning contents using several techniques. Our professionals are trained to provide sanitizing treatments, remove odors, and deodorize your property.
Restoration is restoring your home or business to its pre-water damage condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall and installing new carpet, or may entail major repairs, such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.
SERVPRO of North Nashville can be onsite immediately, day or night, to start your restoration process. In addition to storm damage and water damage, we also provide restoration services in the event of a fire, unpleasant odors, and more.
We also offer commercial restoration services for North Nashville area business owners.
This franchise is independently owned and operated.
How Do I Clean My Furniture And Upholstery After A Fire?
8/7/2023 (Permalink)
There’s no smell worse than smoke after a fire in your home or business. The odor gets into textiles, carpeting, and upholstery and can be extremely difficult to remove by yourself.
Soot from a fire will stain and discolor your belongings and can harm your health. Studies show that around 40,000 people die in the U.S. annually due to soot exposure, among other air pollutants. Unless you’re a professional, handling soot can be dangerous.
As you can see, it’s wise to call a professional fire damage restoration company to handle this type of damage immediately. Most insurance companies will have a representative to recommend a restoration company if you don’t already have a relationship with one.
How Can SERVPRO Help Me Recover My Furniture And Carpeting From A Fire?
Since each smoke and fire damage situation differs, each requires a unique solution tailored to the specific conditions. The soot and residue resulting from a fire require a particular cleaning procedure depending on the burned materials.
Read about our fire damage restoration process below - for information on restoring your furniture, carpeting, and other textiles, please refer to Steps #5 and #6.
Step 1: Emergency Contact. The restoration process begins when you call us. Our representative will ask questions regarding the fire damage event to 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 most 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 the restorable items and structures damaged by the fire. We use various 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 major repairs, such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.
What Other Restoration Services Does SERVPRO Of North Nashville Provide?
In addition to fire damage restoration, we provide the North Nashville community with services that include:
SERVPRO of North Nashville can be at your location immediately to help you begin your restoration process, no matter the time of day or the size of the disaster.
From burst pipes to large-loss disaster recovery, we’re here to get you back to normal like it never even happened!
This franchise is independently owned and operated.
How Can SERVPRO Of North Nashville Help Me With Summer Storm Damage?
7/31/2023 (Permalink)
Preparing your North Nashville home or business for the severe weather that occurs during summer is the most effective way to avoid undue damage and related costs and stay safe. Maintaining your buildings will definitely lower the chance that you will have severe damage during a storm.
The professional storm damage restoration team here at SERVPRO can come to your location and assess your property to see if any vulnerabilities need to be addressed.
Contact us today to set up an appointment!
How Can I Ready My North Nashville Property Ahead Of Summer Storm Season?
Here are some things you can do to ready your North Nashville property before the summer storm season begins:
- Complete maintenance requirements on your building and surrounding areas; this includes inspecting the roof, structure, and equipment and repairing any areas of weakness you find that may put the building and property at risk for damage; this will remove vulnerabilities that can become dangerous during a summer storm.
- Review your residential or commercial business insurance policy ahead of time to ensure current coverage.
Remember, SERVPRO® specializes in storm damage recovery, and we are equipped to handle these events immediately.
- Our personnel have been trained and have all the necessary training to assist in a storm emergency event.
- Every crew member has experience with a storm event in the past, so they know exactly what to do.
- Our warehouse is well-stocked with equipment that can meet all your needs.
How Do I Prepare My Family And Loved Ones For Severe Summer Weather?
We’re also sharing resources today to help you create an emergency preparedness plan, another necessary action to take when preparing for severe weather. Each resource listed contains vital information you can use when deciding your plan.
- FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) offers a website that maps historical flooding.
- NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) offers a site that provides images of historical hurricane tracks and one for hurricane preparedness.
- The National Weather Service offers the StormReady site covering thunderstorms/tornadoes, hurricanes, floods/flash floods, fire weather, and tsunamis.
- The CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) offers tornado emergency planning.
Here at SERVPRO of North Nashville, we understand that summer storms can negatively affect your North Nashville home or business, even when you’re prepared. If you have experienced storm damage, water damage, mold damage, or any other kind of issue, no matter the size, contact us so we can begin your restoration immediately!
This franchise is independently owned and operated.
What Are The Common Causes Of Mold In A Commercial Building?
7/24/2023 (Permalink)
Mold is an organism that is part of the fungi family. It grows indoors as well as outdoors. Outside, molds are an essential part of our ecosystem. They help break down plant and animal matter. Mold spores occur naturally almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
When mold grows inside, it can sometimes be problematic. It can cause allergies and infections in some people. Many misunderstandings surround the topic of mold and mold remediation. Some restoration businesses claim they can remove all mold from a building, but this is a fallacy.
What Are The Facts About Mold?
Here are some facts about mold that you should know.
- Mold is present almost everywhere in our environment.
- Mold spores are microscopic, float in the air, and may find a way into your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or come inside on your clothing, dog, or cat.
- Mold spores thrive on moisture and can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to moisture. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.
- Before starting the mold remediation process, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed, or the mold may return.
- Mold often produces a strong, musty odor, so following such odors can lead you to possible mold colonies.
- Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth, so you can avoid an infestation by keeping indoor humidity below 45 percent.
How Can I Keep Mold From Infesting My North Nashville Business?
The most common cause of a mold infestation is a failure to address areas that remain warm and wet for long periods. Here are some ways to prevent a mold infestation:
- Keep humidity levels as low as possible—no higher than 50%–all day. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep the level down, or invest in a meter to check humidity. Humidity levels change over a day, so you must check the humidity levels more than once a day.
- Be sure the air in your location flows freely. Ensure there are exhaust fans that vent outside the building.
- Schedule the repair of any leaks in your business's roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to establish a colony.
- Clean up and dry out your premises thoroughly and quickly after a flood.
- Use paint with mold inhibitors.
- Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.
- Replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and allowed to remain wet for a period of time. Choose not to use carpet in bathrooms or lower levels with much moisture.
SERVPRO of North Nashville proudly serves the Nashville business community for all their commercial cleaning and restoration needs.
In addition to our deep cleaning offerings, we also provide the following:
If you need commercial cleaning or restoration services, you can count on SERVPRO of North Nashville! Call us today at (615) 876 9551 or contact us online.
This franchise is independently owned and operated.