How Weather Can Disrupt A Business

7/9/2024 (Permalink)

There are many different ways weather can impact your Business...

For example if an electrical storm occurs it can knock out power.  A snow storm could do the same and make it impossible to operate your business. It could also damage your building and make it necessary to shut down. You could lose business capabilities for a period of time. Thankfully, insurance will cover many of these problems.

Business Disruption Insurance is Crucial

General commercial insurance may not cover these problems if you do not include business disruption coverage. This type of insurance coverage is designed to help cover losses when weather or damages impact the operation of your business. It will help get your business get back up and running and minimize personal and businesses losses in an effective manner. As weather-related damage is considered an act of God, specific coverage like this is needed for your business.

Important Considerations

When purchasing this type of insurance, it is important to choose a type that covers all possible damage. For example, it should cover emergency repairs to your building, equipment breakdown, food spoilage, loss of power, tree damage, loss of water, wind damage, snow damage, and winter storm damage. These types of weather damage are hard to predict and must be covered as much as possible.

Call SERVPRO of Babylon/Deer Park at 631-661-3802. We are open 24/7 for your emergency service needs!

A Commercial Property Uses Coinsurance

7/9/2024 (Permalink)

Coinsurance clauses are found in a wide range of insurance policies, but serve varying purposes depending on the area of insurance. When used in the context of property insurance, coinsurance is defined as "the percentage of the value of the property that a policyholder is required to insure." Coinsurance clauses are included in commercial property policies in order to ascertain that policyholders are purchasing a sufficient limit of insurance, and penalizes those who do not. If the policyholder fails to purchase an adequate amount of the value for their insured property, then their claim payment is reduced and they may not be fully covered in the event of a disaster. When this happens, the insurer compares the policy’s limit at the time of the loss against the amount required by the coinsurance percentage to calculate what will be paid out on the claim. 

Let's illustrate this in an example: Say a building is valued at $1,000,000 and the insurance policy contains an 80% coinsurance clause. This clause would specify the policyholder insures the building for $800,000. If the policyholder were to only purchase $600,000, they would be subject to penalty in the case of a property loss.  Continuing the above scenario, if only $600,000 of property limit is purchased and a fire occurs that causes $300,000 in damage repair, the claim payout would be calculated by dividing the actual insured amount ($600,000) by the required insured amount ($800,000), or 75%.  That percentage is then multiplied against the $300,000 loss, so the policyholder would only receive $225,000 minus any applicable deductible. Insuring the property at an amount less than the coinsurance clause percentage detracts from the claim payout. 

Coinsurance does not affect you until a loss is suffered, but it is essential to be aware of the inclusion of this clause when purchasing a policy as it will directly impact the coverage you receive in the event of a disaster.  

Here at SERVPRO of Babylon/Deer Park, we are open 24/7 for emergencies. Please give us a call at 631-661-3802. "Like it never even happened."

Getting Ready for a Storm

7/9/2024 (Permalink)

After experiencing a long winter we welcome the spring and summer seasons.  Both seasons don't always warrant sunny and warm weather.  In fact, both  seasons are notorious for bringing heavy rains, lightning, thunder, and even tornadoes. Protecting your home, business and its employees by being prepared is your first line of defense against the potential for spring storm damage. Your second is the right package for your business, which is complete with a Business Owner's Policy (BOP), commercial property coverage and general liability protection.

Emergency Checklist

First, establish a chain of command, a communication plan, and an exit strategy if you should need one. Involve your staff members in the emergency instructions so that everyone is on the same page. Next, ensure your staff members are familiar with tornado procedures.

Prepare For Power Outages

  Here are some steps you can take to manage  and prepare for power failures.

• Clearly label circuit breakers
• Keep a generator on site
• When severe storms come, unplug computers and other equipment that could be damaged by the surge
• Install surge protectors
• Service emergency equipment prior to storms to ensure it will work when you need it
• Keep backup digital files for critical information

Protect Your Home Or Office

Take an inventory of your important items before a storm. This will help to report lost or damage property after a severe spring storm. Ensure all latches and supports are in good working order and that heavy items are secured. Next, find a home for loose items, especially important documents.

Here at SERVPRO of Babylon/Deer Park, we strive to keep our customers satisfied and provide them the right information and advice to help them in these situations. Please call us at 631-661-3802. We are an emergency service company. Here for you 24/7.  We always Here to Help®

"Like it never even happened."

How to Prevent Basement Flooding

6/18/2024 (Permalink)

Basement flooding can be prevented if you take the correct measures.

Here at SERVPRO of Babylon/Deer Park, we know better than most that having water damage in your basement is an unfortunate event to happen in your home.  We want to share some ways to prevent water damage: 

Check for Leakage

• Check for dark spots under pipes inside sink cabinets, stains on ceilings, toilets that rock, and of course, drips.
• It is very important to inspect your roof at least once a year. Repair missing, loose, and damaged shingles. Repair any cracked caulking and check for leaks around flashing

Sump Pumps

Make sure you test sump pumps regularly to ensure they will work during a flood. Here is how to do test them. 

• Slowly fill the sump pump pit with water. Watch for the “float” (similar to the float in your toilet) to rise, which should turn on the pump. Then watch to make sure the water level falls.
• Test your backup pump the same way, but unplug the main pump first.
• You want your sump pumps to work to prevent any floods from happening.

SERVPRO of Babylon/Deer Park is always here to help with any Water Damage issues. 24/7.  Just give us a call at 631-661-3802 "Like it never even happened." 

Cleaning Your Home After Water Damage

6/18/2024 (Permalink)

Drying out room after water damage has occurred.

A very important step to take after a water damage is that you maintain the cleanliness of your home to prevent mold growth. This is not only for mold growth but just in general. Here are tips to help the process of cleaning your home or business after water damage.

• Disconnect the power, unplug any electronics, and remove electronics, furniture, and movable items immediately.
• Get rid of the water as best as possible
• Dry out the affected area to prevent more mold growth 
• Disinfect the affected areas to prevent mold growth 
• Dispose of damaged items responsibly. The damaged items can be taken to a recycling center instead of to the landfill. 

Here at SERVPRO of Babylon/Deer Park we are Here to Help® clean up and restore your home or business after water damage to prevent mold growth. Call us at 631-661-3802. 24/7

Fire Damage in your Home

6/18/2024 (Permalink)

Fire Damage on Floor of Basement

One of our customers from SERVPRO of Babylon/Deer Park had fire damage in their home. Our crew was there to help and take care of the situation. Obviously, fire damage in your home is very devastating.

Before the professionals start your fire damage restoration project, here are some things to do after a fire:

• Limit activity and foot traffic in your home. Staying off of carpet, furniture, and upholstery is key to preventing soot, dirt, and other particles from getting trapped all around your home.
• If you do need to get around your home, put down clean towels or sheets on the floor and furniture.
• If possible, change filters in your home to keep dirt and soot from circulating.
• Don’t try to wash the walls or carpet — leave that for the professionals to avoid permanent damage.
• Don’t try to clean kitchen appliances yourself. After a fire, electrical connections and wiring may be damaged and could cause further problems if not cleaned carefully and correctly. Leave it to professionals to take care of that 

SERVPRO of Babylon/ Deer Park is always Here to Help®. Issues of fire, mold, water at your home and/or your business. Please give us a call at 631-661-3802. 24/7

Frequent Mold Q&As

6/18/2024 (Permalink)

Some Mold Questions and Answers:

Q: Do I have to clean everything in my house or just the major things like clothing and furniture?

A: You should have a professional clean everything to ensure it's all gone and will not come back, specifically the places that had the most mold. 

Q: Which places have the highest rates of mold exposure?

A: Saunas, showers, greenhouses, homes that have a water intrusion issues, etc. 

Q: How do I get rid of mold in my home/business?

A: Some mold spores will be found floating through the air and in house dust. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. You must fix the water problem completely otherwise the mold will grow back.  

Mold can happen anywhere and happens to us all.

Here at SERVPRO of Babylon/Deer Park we are professional and certified in Mold Remediation!

SERVPRO of Babylon/Deer Park can help in all 911 emergencies. When it comes to Fire and Water Damage also.  

Please give us a call at 631-661-3802. We are Here to Help® ~ 24/7 "Like it never even happened."

Preventing Water Damage at your Business

6/18/2024 (Permalink)

Many restaurants in the Babylon/Deer Park area rely on dishwashers to keep business moving efficiently and ensure a regular supply of clean crockery for their customers. However, just like any appliance, a dishwasher might break down and cause water damage to your premises. A leak is inconvenient and even costly if you have to close down during cleanup.

SERVPRO® recommends all restaurant owners take the following steps to take care of their automatic dishwashers and reduce the risk of water damage from leaks.

• Tell Staff Not to over fill 
  It is tempting to put lots of crockery and cutlery in the tray to get cleaner in each load. However, instruct your staff not to crowd the rack, as an over-filled dishwasher is much more likely to leak. It is better to do a couple of smaller loads than trying to fit everything into one big load.

• Do Regular Maintenance On Doors 
  Loose hinges, misaligned door latches, or broken seals, can all cause leaks. Sometimes the problem can be fixed by simply adjusting and tightening a few screws. You could use an epoxy patch kit to remedy minor seal breaks. However, if it is not possible to right the door or seal, it is better to replace it.

• Check The Tub And Hose 
  The bathtub and hose can both develop faults over time. Constant use might corrode the tub and make a hole, and aging hoses can become unstable or cease to fit properly. Check all the components of the unit regularly and replace it at the first sign of wear and tear.

• Use The Correct Detergent 
  Make sure every staff member knows which detergent is best to use. Always use a dishwashing detergent/soap, and always follow the manufacturer instructions. The incorrect dishwashing detergent or too much of the correct cleaning agent might cause suds or even a blockage.
  
  In the event of a leak, SERVPRO’s IICRC-certified technicians are on hand to help with cleanup. We extract water from your premises and use dehumidifiers and air movers to dry the surrounding area so you can resume business as soon as possible.
  
  For help with Water Damage Remediation in Babylon/ Deer Park and surrounding areas, call SERVPRO of Babylon/ Deer Park at (631)-661-3802. We are always Here to Help® 24/7, "Like it never even happened."
   

A Big Mess is in Need of a Cleanup

6/18/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Babylon/Deer Park is not only there for our community and customers in time of emergencies but also there for cleanups.  The problem for many homeowners is the massive amounts of their belongings piled up from years and years of accumulating! Whether its a landlord cleaning out a tenants mess left behind or a homeowner's belongings accumulating thru the years. Dirt and dust starts to form on the items in the basement. Here are some steps to help clean up this problem that might be happening in your home: 

• First off, if you left most of those things in the basement for years you probably do not want them anymore, THROW IT OUT! 
• After you have thrown out all the unwanted things its time to remove any carpet or flooring that was too damaged to be salvaged. 
• Next, the floor and ceilings must be cleaned to make sure it's ready for any new carpet or flooring you want to put in 
• Lastly, new flooring or carpet has been added to your room and you MUST maintain this in order to prevent another cleanup.

SERVPRO of Babylon/Deer Park is an emergency fire, water, cleanup and restoration company. We are always Here to Help® 24/7 for emergency services. "Like it never even happened."

Please give us a call at 631-661-3802  

How to Dry Water Intrusion in your Home or Business

6/18/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO was called for mold remediation

This photo was taken at a home that had mold mold damage. Unfortunately, mold damage can occur from anything related to water in the area that there was mold found. Anything, from a leaky pipe to a flood, mold damage can happen at the most inconvenient times. It is highly important that the mold is cleaned and taken care of properly.

Here are some tips to properly dry the water intrusion to prevent mold growth:

1. Moisture levels in all affected building components should be measured to determine where the water damage has occurred.
2. Hidden moisture, such as in ceiling plenums and wall cavities, must be tracked and measured.
3. The right equipment for the job must be properly placed for rapid drying.
4. Daily moisture readings should be recorded and reported (a critical defense in case of health effects).
5. Determine the building’s normal moisture level and document goal attainment.

We hope mold growth never occurs in your home or business, but if it does SERVPRO of Babylon/ Deer Park is always Here to Help® 24/7 for emergency services. "Like it never even happened." Call us with any questions, estimates, concerns and more information at 631-661-3802.