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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived Commercial Blog Posts

Make Sure You Understand Your Commercial Insurance Policy

7/5/2022 (Permalink)

Our team at SERVPRO Burlington/Middlebury often works with commercial clients who find themselves with various damages affecting their businesses. According to the Insurance Information Institute, for small businesses without specialized risks, a Business Owners Policy (BOP) may offer the basic property and liability coverage that you need. However, if your company is growing in size and complexity or you face specialized risks due to the nature of your business you may want to consider purchasing a Commercial Package Policy, or CPP for short.

Customized insurance under one policy

Like a BOP, a CPP enables you to bundle various types of coverage within a single policy. However, while a BOP has limitations, it is only available for certain types of smaller businesses and covers only a few types of risk. Commercial Package Policies are available for a wide range of businesses and can be better customized to the specific needs of your business. Most CPPs begin with:

  • Property insurance- Covers damage or destruction of buildings, equipment, inventory and more.
  • General liability insurance- Covers costs if someone is injured at your business or from using your product or service.

From there, you can add a range of coverages to your CPP, including:

  • Business income insurance- Also known as business interruption insurance, this replaces lost revenues and covers extra expenses if your business has to shut down or relocate due to fire, wind damage or other covered losses.
  • Business vehicle (or fleet) insurance- Covers vehicles owned and used by your business.
  • Business crime insurance- Covers losses from burglary, computer fraud, employee dishonesty and other business crimes.
  • Commercial umbrella liability- Increases and broadens liability coverage, filling in gaps left by other coverages.
  • Electronic data processing coverage- Covers costs associated with the loss or damage of electronic data processing media or equipment.
  • Equipment breakdown—Also known as boiler and machinery insurance, this covers losses from the malfunction of heating, electrical, air conditioning, telephone systems and other equipment.
  • Employment practices liability—Covers costs tied to disputes with employees over termination, discrimination, sexual harassment and other employment issues.
  • Inland marine—Covers the transport of goods over water and land, providing comprehensive protection for assets that are moveable or mobile in nature, while in transit—such as from a warehouse to a store—or in storage.
  • Pollution liability—Covers costs related to pollution, including clean-up and personal injury.

A range of other types of insurance covering professional liability, supply chain risk, terrorism, farming or ranching losses, and more can also be included in a CPP.

What a CPP doesn’t cover

A CPP can provide your business with coverage against a broad range of risks. That said, it’s important to recognize that your CPP will not include:

  • Directors and Officers (D&O) liability
  • Health and disability
  • Life insurance
  • Workers compensation

These coverages must be purchased separately so make sure to discuss your additional insurance needs with your insurance professional in order to obtain the protection you need.

Vermont State Employee Credit Union

6/14/2022 (Permalink)

Drying out the 2nd floor at the Vermont State Employee Credit Union

Water damage emergencies resulting in flooding don't always happen during normal business hours which is why SERVPRO of Burlington/Middlebury is available 24/7 to help you in your time of need.

Flooding and water damage are very invasive disasters. Water quickly spreads throughout the structure and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture and more. SERVPRO of Burlington/Middlebury will always arrive quickly after being contacted and start the water extraction process immediately. This immediate response will help to minimize the damage and the overall restoration costs.

Our most recent emergency water loss call came when a local credit union in Montpelier realized upon opening that a hot water heater on the third floor had sprung a leak. This means that the water damage itself was present on all three floors as it had made its way down to the ground level. Our team at SERVPRO of Burlington/Middlebury was called in panic and we were there to help in under an hour. Our team of experts came in with a can-do attitude to save this company any further damage.

SERVPRO of Burlington ready for Commercial

11/30/2021 (Permalink)

Soot lurking near lights after a heavy fire in a machine shop in downtown Burlington.

SERVPRO Provides Smoke and Fire Damage Cleanup for Commercial Buildings in Vermont

In many situations, fires can be extinguished relatively quickly in a Vermont commercial building. However, the fire department must ensure that the fire is extinguished and not lurking in recesses or ceilings. They may demolish or open up areas to check, leaving a lot of secondary damage. In addition, there are smoke residues on everything in the place. Building managers need to begin cleanup and restoration as soon as possible to return the commercial space to normal operations.

SERVPRO Burlington/ Middlebury provides fire damage restoration services for Burlington and surrounding areas. Once the fire department leaves, it is time for our professionals to take over and restore your building to its preloss condition. Damaged drywall and insulation are bagged and removed. We inventory commercial contents as they are either cleaned or removed for disposal. Items that can be cleaned of smoke residues and restored are moved to a staging area for later use.

Our building services team can assist with fully restoring your building after cleaning, drying, and odor removal is completed. We coordinate and handle the entire process saving your company time and expenses to return your commercial building to normal operations as fast as possible.

Our SERVPRO team is dedicated to providing the help you need after a fire:

  • We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.
  • Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration and Cleanup
  • Full range of building restoration services to save you time and money

We also provide emergency protective measures such as boarding up damaged windows and doors and placing tarps on the roof to prevent further damage from weather and animals.

Call the SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury for commercial fire damage restoration in Burlington and surrounding areas. We can help 24/7. Call us @ (802)497-7436

Kitchen Safety Tips!

11/30/2021 (Permalink)

This Company knew that one of their top priorities was fire safety in their commercial Kitchen so they installed a high tech fire suppression system!

Restaurant kitchens are filled with open flames, electrical equipment, and fast-moving employees, which unfortunately can all serve as fire hazards. In fact, the National Fire Data Center reports that the United States suffers from approximately $165 million in damages every year, with the cost of each fire ranging from an average of $1,000 to $60,000, depending on the severity. More than just property damage, fires threaten the safety of your employees, customers, and profitability of your business as a whole.

Even though accidents happen, you want to make sure that you and your team are best suited to prevent a disaster before it occurs and minimize any possibility of harm.  

Here are some of the top fire safety tips for restaurant owners:

Know The Risks of Your Facility

You should take time to inspect any unique risks or hazards in your facility. This includes taking note of potentially flammable liquids, electrical equipment, or combustible materials. When inspecting your property, make sure that all fire safety equipment, like fire extinguishers, are up to date and in the correct place.

Regularly Inspect Fire Extinguishers and Equipment

For fire extinguishers, you should check their functionality at least once a month and up to fire code standards. It is important to test fire alarms and make sure they are functioning properly to alert your staff and customers in case of an emergency. This also includes inspecting your exit signs and emergency lights to ensure they work if the power is cut off. Making sure all of these measures are functioning properly can ensure the safety of everyone.

Conduct Staff Training

Around 75% of Americans have never actually operated a fire extinguisher. For fire safety, all of your staff should go through hands-on training, so they know what to do in an emergency. In some cases, local fire departments may be willing to conduct fire safety training with your team. Your staff should also be aware of basic kitchen fire safety tips such as never throw water on a grease fire, clean up grease regularly, and the proper storage of flammable liquids.

Install a Fire Suppression System in the Kitchen

Due to the fact that over half of restaurant fires occur as a result of mishandling of equipment, a fire suppression system is necessary to control these accidents. A fire suppression system is used to control or extinguish fires and release clean gases to put out a fire when a hazard is detected. Your fire suppression systems should be inspected and maintained by a professional at least twice a year. These automatic systems can be a literal life saver during an emergency.

At the SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury, we have decades of experience in fire damage repair and restoration. When disaster strikes, we are the local company that you can count on to make things right. If you experience a fire in your Commercial Kitchen make sure SERVPRO of Burlington is your first call @ (802)497-7436.

Maintaining Sewer Drains is Important!

11/30/2021 (Permalink)

This company called us right in when they realized that the drains in their facility were not operating correctly!

Blocked sewer drain is relatively common in commercial properties!!

 Backed up sewers can cause thousands of dollars in damage to floors, electrical systems, walls, etc. Learn about the most common causes of sewer backups, and what you as a commercial property owner can do urge your residents or your co-workers of steps to take to ensure there are no sewer line issues. Be aware of these four things that may be an indicator you have a sewer line problem.

Odors:

Be aware of any odor around drains. If after clearing a clog you smell sewer gas, you may want to call a plumber for an inspection, as strong sewer smells can be an indicator of issues further in the line. 

Clogged Drains :

A blocked sewer will not only cause unpleasant odors to occur in your building, but the blocked pipe can also cause frequent clogging of your drains and toilets. This problem may also cause sewer backups into your facility. 

Indentations in Landscaping:

Also, while you may not have any clogging issues, it is still possible that your sewer lines have failed. Pipe breaks may cause indentations in your landscaping, like divots in the lawn. If the break is severe enough, it is possible that sewage is leaking into the grounds of your property. Eventually, this can also lead to a sewage backup in your building. 

Deformations in Landscaping:

In addition to indentations in the lawn, you may notice perpetual puddling in certain areas. You may also see that areas of your parking lot have sunken or cracked along with sidewalks. Depending on how close the break is to your building, you may even notice cracks in the foundation. These issues often require the expertise of a disaster restoration specialist to resolve, which depending on your insurance policy may be covered. Be proactive! Here are two things to do on a day to day basis to ensure there are no sewer problems for you and your commercial property. 

  • Properly dispose of grease.

Cooking oil should never go into the drain. You should let the grease cool off and then dispose of in the garbage can.

  • Properly dispose of paper products.

Paper towels, feminine hygiene products, cloth diapers, and hygienic wipes, etc. do not deteriorate quickly and can become a major problem.

If you have an issue with your sewer lines backing up into your building, Call a plumber immediately, then, call the professionals at the SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury @ (802) 497-1101!

Essex Warehouse Set Straight

11/30/2021 (Permalink)

This Skiing Supply company called us in quickly and we had them back on their feet within hours!

This Essex warehouse suffered a water damage when the head of a water sprinkler broke.  Approximately 50,000 sq feet were affected in a matter of minutes.  These business owners decided to wisely contact the SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury to handle their their commercial water loss.

There’s never a convenient time for flooding or water damage to strike your business. 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 and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

The SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury has the training, experience, and equipment to handle large commercial flooding or water damage emergencies. Whether your water emergency occurs in a small office building or big box store, we will respond quickly to mitigate the damage and manage the restoration project through to its completion.

Water Damage or Flooding in your building? Call Us Today @ (802)497-1101

The dangerous Mold

5/12/2021 (Permalink)

This was a surprise to find after a water loss, but our team knows just what to do!

Stachybotrys Chartarum is the type of mold often called “black mold” or “toxic mold”. Sensational news reports warn about the dangers of black mold and these stories can be alarming and confusing. Any mold in your business should be treated with caution for the safety of your customers and employees – stay out of affected areas and don’t touch or disturb the mold.

Call our Williston team of professionals to check out the source and corresponding issues to confirm an action needing to be executed. 

How Do I Tell If It’s Black Mold?

Since many types of mold can produce allergens and irritants, you should contact a qualified mold remediation company regardless of the color or type of mold. In many instances, multiple types of mold can exist in the same building or structure. If you suspect that you have a mold problem, contact our SERVPRO Franchise Professionals immediately. 

If you see Signs of Mold, Call Us Today 802-497-1101

Commercial Water Damage Restoration

5/12/2021 (Permalink)

This basement bar needed some attention after water came through the floor

Water damage can strike your commercial property at any time. Damaging goods and production and can sideline your business, regardless if the damage occurs from a major storm event or a broken water line. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when you have an emergency water event, SERVPRO Burlington/ Middlebury offer fast, 24 hour emergency services, 365 days per year.

  • 24 hour emergency service
  • Faster to Any Size Disaster
  • A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry with over 1,700 Franchises
  • Highly trained water damage specialists

Water Damage or Flooding? Call Us Today (802) 497-1101

Commercial Water Restoration Presents Unique Challenges

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals have the training, experience, and equipment to manage water and flooding damage. Whether you have a large water emergency or a small water damage event, they will respond quickly to mitigate the damage and manage the restoration project through to its completion. Learn more about our training @ IICRC.com.

  • Water Damage Restoration Technician
  • Applied Structural Drying Technician
  • Odor Control Technician
  • Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician

For Hotels and Inns

11/25/2020 (Permalink)

This was hidden between two walls and our company quickly took care of the source and the problem for this customer.

Travelers typically expect a refreshing and clean hotel room to rest. What they do not expect is mold infestation. If your Vermont hotel has mold damage, you should hire a restoration company like SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury to eliminate it so that your guests and employees do not experience health effects.

Why should I hire a professional mold cleanup service?

When you notice the signs of a mold present in your hotel, it is vital to seek assistance from professionals. Although mold treatment devices and cleaners are available in hardware stores, you cannot be sure which ones are effective. Additionally, you do not want to expose yourself to mold unnecessarily. Professionals have proper training and advanced mold remediation products and equipment.

What causes mold to grow?

Mold enters a building as tiny spores that need moisture, nutrients, favorable temperatures, and oxygen to start growing, digesting, and destroying. Molds grow best in areas with lots of moisture or humidity. The bathroom is the likeliest place where mold grows in hotel rooms. Humidity and moisture from constant use allow mold to grow between the grout. Molds can grow on many surfaces, including:

  • Ceiling tiles
  • Wood
  • Paint
  • Wallpaper
  • Sheetrock
  • Carpet
  • Insulation

Hotels usually rely on repeat customers and word of mouth referrals to remain in business. Mold in your hotel can lead to loss of customers because of negative reviews. Our SERVPRO team can take the right measures to eliminate the mold.

What does mold remediation involve?

Mold remediation is the process of removing or cleaning up mold from an indoor environment. When removing mold, it is vital to understand that when you disturb it, its spores can get into other areas of the building, creating new mold problems. Before we remove the mold, we can build a containment using negative pressure. We also wear the right personal protective equipment and follow the stipulations of the IICRC with regards to mold removal.

Our team can eliminate the mold by physically removing the affected porous materials and drying the environment effectively. We can also use disinfectants to remove some molds. Direct contact between certain molds and some disinfectants inhibits or slows mold growth.

How long does it take to remove mold?

The time it takes to remove mold depends on various factors like where the mold is growing, how much mold is present, and the materials it is growing on. Mold removal can take anywhere from one to five days.

If you need to remove mold from your hotel, call SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury, (802) 497-1101. Our staff is certified in mold remediation and mold removal by the IICRC.

Here to help Vermont small business owners!

11/25/2020 (Permalink)

In order to preserve type of space you need to have the SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury at the ready!

Many potential threats could always lurk during the extreme weather expected during the winter months here in Vermont. Biting cold snaps rarely deter travelers from stopping by your bed and breakfast as they take in the sights of New England in the winter. However, flooding in your accommodating house can lead to cancellations, bad reviews, and damaging publicity. Our SERVPRO professionals can help you to manage these emergencies quickly to reduce the spread and severity of the situation when possible. 

While snowmelt alone can lead to some compromising flood damaged homes and businesses, there are more direct paths for substantial water losses. The more aware you are of your B&B’s potential inadequacies in areas like insulation, the better able to protect it from these debilitating disasters when conditions become ideal for permitting them. 

Ice Dams 

It is always ideal to ensure that your bed and breakfast stays adequately heated for the patrons using your facilities for the evening. Inadequate insulation on the attic floor can make heating your upper rooms a challenge but also overheat the attic space, which can lead to ice damming on the roof. This phenomenon is a result of melting snow by heating the roof internally in frigid temperatures outside. This frozen dam continues to back up, damaging shingles and allowing water to flow back into the property. 

Frozen Pipes  

The basement area of your property is often the most susceptible to freezing, and when pipes burst, it can be impossible to provide adequate service to your guests. Our SERVPRO professionals can help with fast water extraction and drying techniques, but this cannot recover damages fast enough to preserve a ruined reservation. It is important to know the condition of your pipes and how well insulated they are against cold snaps. 

Water loss incidents inside of your bed and breakfast can be damaging to your reputation. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster, so if you are already dealing with a flood loss in your business, we work to make sure that it does not affect more of your reservations moving forward. It is our business to get you back in business, and our SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury team can help by calling (802) 497-1101. 

Commercial Fire Damage

11/2/2020 (Permalink)

This was a fire mitigation that that we handled in Southern Vermont after a stovetop caught fire.

Vermont is known for its ingenuity and business innovation. But these advantages come at a high cost. Time is always something we could use more of and a fire damage on your commercial property can be emotionally and financially devastating. 

At SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury, we understand that every hour spent in the cleanup and fire restoration process of your business means lost revenue and productivity. This is why the SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury is a trusted emergency restoration company that will walk you through the entire process by dealing with your insurance company as well as your preferences for your business restoration.

After a fire occurs, make sure to notify your insurance agent so you can begin itemizing your losses. You want to be sure to understand your options and go over your policy carefully in order to make the right decisions. We will help you through your insurance paperwork and manage your property’s fire restoration process from start to finish. Our goal at the SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury is to have your business restored quickly and efficiently.

SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury gives you access to IICRC-industry certified technicians.  Our highly trained staff have a combined 46 years of experience assisting business owners just like you with excellent service. Regardless of how the fire began, or what materials exist in the affected area, you want to have the right company for the job. Restoring your property after a fire damage, can be a lengthy and confusing process. For these events, you will need professionals that are on your side to walk you through the necessary steps to restore your property. We will treat your property as if it were ours, with respect and care.

To increase the chances of having your business restored successfully, trust the SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury to cleanup and restore your commercial property. Our team of professionals, have the resources to help you take control of your business again. We provide fire restoration & smoke restoration (remediating smoke damage or soot damage). Have questions about fire, smoke, or soot damage to your business? Call us today at (802) 497-1101.

Large Loss Restoration

11/2/2020 (Permalink)

This condo association asked us to come in and perform a mold mitigation on bottom units in their building after suffering an unnoticed broken pipe.

This term refers to commercial buildings, schools, nursing homes, multi-unit buildings and can even mean residential property if it is of a usually large size. It includes events such as fire, smoke, burst pipes, heating unit puff-backs, biological occurrences such as bodily fluids, sewer back-ups mold/growth infestation; odor problems and even animal invasions or inhabitants.

We understand how overwhelming everything can seem in a time of crisis. 

SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury is here for you with IICRC trained professionals to make it "Like it never even happened."

Commercial/Large Loss Restoration Services Include:

  1. Securing the building/facility.
  2. Temporary utility services (Power, Lights, Heating, Plumbing)
  3. Debris removal.
  4. Complete or partial pack-out of electronics, belongings, documents, equipment, etc. as required.
  5. Water extraction and drying/dehumidification.
  6. Structure and content cleaning.
  7. Deodorization, disinfection, and odor removal.
  8. Repairs and reconstruction.

Restoration Process:

Once the emergency is dealt with; damaged materials removed, content protected, packed and stowed and the drying equipment installed, we move onto the restoration phase. This is where we work with insurance adjusters, specialty tradespeople, owners, and property managers to identify the necessary repairs, develop a scope of work and estimate the costs.

Estimating Process:

The estimating process is actually a fairly smooth process because SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury, Insurance adjusters and many tradespeople use the industry standard software, Xactimate, which provides pricing, calculating formulas and concise descriptions that define the materials and services with each line item. This insures everyone is "comparing apples to apples".


Because time is critical in protection materials and content, you want to hire a company that is experienced, knowledgeable and equipped to do necessary work. Quickly and correctly. Thus, getting your company/facility/business back up and running with the least interruption.

That company is SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury!

For more information on our Commercial/Large Loss services; give us a call today at 802-497-1101

"Like it never even happened."

Hotel Water Loss

5/18/2020 (Permalink)

Water staining after a bathroom leak in a hotel

Did your business recently have some water damage? Did it get dried correctly? Do you have yellow staining on your ceilings or walls? Call SERVPRO of Burlington/Middlebury (802)497-1101!

Letting water damage go untreated can cause serious damage to a structure of a building. The wood framing can rot, the drywall will start to deteriorate and crumble, and bacterial growth can and will start forming. All of this can not only cause structural damage to your home, but this can also cause potential health hazards in the future. 

When we get a call from a business or homeowner saying that they have recently had a water intrusion and have water in areas of their home or business, we want to get to this quickly. Being prompt and getting the wet areas cleared out and start the drying process is incredibly important. Not only does it save you time, it can also save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Drying water damaged drywall and carpet its much less costly than later having to repair damage caused by bacterial growth. 

If you notice water, or wet areas in your business or home, please call SERVPRO of Burlington/Middlebury at (802)497-1101 and it will be "Like it never even happened."

Small business during a disaster

5/18/2020 (Permalink)

We love visiting our homegrown stores and restaurants, especially as a locally-owned franchise. SERVPRO of Burlington/Middlebury understands the appreciation for small business. We also understand the risk involved with opening the doors of your own business. It doesn’t take much to close those doors again.

According to FEMA 25% of small businesses that shut down operation due to a disaster never open them again. That’s a mind-boggling percentage! 

We may not be able to stop disasters from happening, but we can prepare ourselves so that they’re less disastrous.

Plan

Take time before a destructive event happens to think about what needs to be done if things go wrong. If the pipes burst, if a fire breaks out, or if a storm strikes, what steps need to be taken and who will take them? There are multiple tools available to guide you through these questions.

Research

Talk to your insurance agent to learn the details of what is covered and what isn’t. Find out what information you will need to have on hand if you need to file a claim.

This is also the time to find out what companies are available in your area to restore your business after something goes wrong.

When an unexpected event forces your business to close, time is of the essence. FEMA statistics tell us that if a business is closed for more than 5 days, there is a 90% chance that it will fail within a year. It’s important to know who you can trust before you know you even know you need them.

Maintain

Prepare your facilities as well through maintenance. Make a checklist of every element in your building that could compromise service—plumbing, electrical, structural—and routinely review your assets to make sure that they’re fully functioning.

Your time is valuable, but your business is worth the investment. Prepare now for a disaster later.

Call SERVPRO of Burlington/Middlebury (802)497-1101 and let us help you prepare, so you're not shutting your doors!

Retail store basement flood

11/26/2019 (Permalink)

Keeping items off the floor could prevent them from damage!

One night over the summer, we received a call that a retail bookstore had discovered a flood in their basement. We dispatched our team and headed down to their location. 

Upon arrival, we discovered that it was in fact two retail stores. The customer who called has the bookstore and the neighboring unit was a clothing retail store, luckily owned by the same person.

We extracted the water, took care of the inventory in both stores, and set our equipment up to dry the two units. After a few days both of the stores were dry and happy to be open. 

Because the owner caught the flood fairly quickly, none of the inventory was damaged, and they were able to operate as normal. 

As a business owner, if you know your building is prone to flooding, or backups remember to check the basement regularly. Make sure inventory and valuables are off the ground and out of the line of fire. 

Is your business prepared for an emergency?

11/26/2019 (Permalink)

When something like this happens, and ERP means we already have a plan!

Here at SERVPRO of Burlington/Middlebury we offer a program called ERP's or an Emergency Ready Profile. What does this mean for you as a business owner? 

The SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile serves as a quick reference of important building and contact information or can be an ideal supplement to any well-designed emergency preparedness or existing contingency program.  Rather than simply reacting to disaster situations, most prefer proactive measures to establish a relationship with a restoration services company. 

As a part of the community SERVPRO of Burlington/Middlebury wants to help you make sure you are prepared when disaster strikes. We want all of our community members to feel safe and taken care of. So don't wait for disaster to happen, call SERVPRO of Burlington/Middlebury today and let us help you take the worry away! 

Fire in local manufacturing plant

10/31/2019 (Permalink)

This fire started as a chemical fire

What happens when you have a fire in your place of business?! You call SERVPRO to get the job done!

When a local manufacturing business had a fire in their warehouse, they knew to call SERVPRO and we would be there every step of the way. 

Just as the local firefighters were rolling out in their firetrucks, our fleet of SERVPRO vehicles was rolling in. Ready to get to work, our crew started by assessing the damage. In order to make a plan to get this business back on it's feet and running again, we would need to know a few things. First, what caused the fire? Were there chemicals involved? Next, what was used to extinguish the fire? Having these two pieces of information are key as there are multiple ways such as water, and or foam used to extinguish different fires. 

When water is used to extinguish the fire, we then have to think about secondary damage caused by the water, not just the fire itself. Checking for moisture in different areas of the building is crucial to not having problems in the future. 

Our crew jumped right in and began the cleanup process, and within no time this company was up and running again.... Like it never even happened!

Gear up!

10/31/2019 (Permalink)

Kitchen of apartment A, the more heavily affected

We received a call that a couple of apartments below a pizza restaurant had a recent pipe burst. No big deal, we can be right there and get this place dried out. That is what we do, right? 

As soon as we opened the door, we knew this has been an ongoing problem. The front door was swollen and hard to open. Immediately as you open the door the odor, and the physical signs of bacterial growth were obvious. At this point we knew what we were going to have to do. This was going to be a big project, as it affected two apartments at the very least. A pipe had gotten clogged somewhere in the lines, and shot water out of the kitchen for a VERY long time!

Commercial Flooding

5/7/2019 (Permalink)

Nobody is ever ready for a flood especially at work! Water intrusion may be more severe in commercial buildings than in a residential setting, and the effects more extensive. Many commercial structures have a larger volume water entering the premises through plumbing supply lines, and at a higher water pressure. The quantity of outgoing sewage is greater than a typical residence, as well. Also, commercial buildings tend to be of larger square footage than a home, so entry points for water intrusion through areas like the roof, exterior walls or windows are commensurately greater in number.

Water intrusion in commercial buildings can damage high-value equipment like computers and building services such as HVAC, lighting, elevators and security equipment. Common long-term consequences of water damage; like the growth of toxic mold, may be even more problematic than in a home due to the larger occupancy of a business or commercial enterprise. When a greater number of people with a wider range of sensitivity are exposed to mold and bacteria spores, health impacts may be significantly magnified, perhaps leading to an enforced closure of the facility until the situation is fully remediated.

Typical issues from water intrusion in the commercial environment include:

  • Water from roof leaks penetrating through ceilings. Chronic leakage through the roof may proceed unnoticed for long periods, hidden by suspended ceiling panels or in electrical or HVAC service areas above.
  • Ruptures of water supply lines typically release clean (white) water.  Sewage backups or leaks in drain pipes release toxic (black) water that may be a biohazard and require evacuation of the premises.
  • Flooding from external sources can result from heavy rains, storms such as hurricanes, rapid snow melt or local overflowing lakes or rivers.
  • Moisture intrusion through the building envelope is typically more subtle. Humid outdoor air may be drawn in through structural cracks and gaps. Over a period, chronic dampness forms in spaces like wall voids, unventilated attics and service areas, spawning hidden mold growth that persists unseen.

For professional remediation of water intrusion in commercial buildings and secondary damage such as mold growth, contact SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury at (802) 497-1101

Mold work in your business!

5/7/2019 (Permalink)

When water affects your life getting dry is our number one goal. After a flood and water damage getting dried out is a number one priority to minimize dangerous after effects. Did you know that there is a science behind the drying process?

Having the knowledge of physics metrics is essential to restoring a water damaged structure to its preloss condition. While your initial reaction may be to run for the towels and grab a few fans. SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury Professionals are trained in the science of drying and follow strict industry approved standards. If your business suffers from water damage, our beaches SERVPRO Professionals will:

Inspect the building to detect every component that is wet, to help prevent secondary damage from happening.

Measure how much moisture is in the wet materials and monitor whether the materials are drying properly.

Speed up mother nature by using professional drying equipment. A wet building will always seek equilibrium an try to dry naturally. When materials are wet moisture will naturally move to drier air. The problem is nature takes too long and secondary damage, like mold can occur while you are waiting for your professional building to dry. We use state of the art monitoring equipment and a proven drying process to speed up the drying time in your business.

Green Clean!

10/22/2018 (Permalink)

The SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury is going "GREEN"!

Everyone knows that SERVPRO is Green. Our franchise has green emergency service vehicles, our employees are dressed in green, and all our restoration equipment is green. SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury is taking it one step further in 2018. Our teams will have access to  “green” environmentally friendly chemicals!

SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury will now have the option to use Carpet & Upholstery Green Clean (chemical #251) on all commercial and residential properties. This product is pH Neutral, biodegradable, and contains zero phosphates, solvents, dyes, or fragrances.

SERVPRO will also be using All Surface Green Clean (product #250). This product is pH neutral, contains no dyes or fragrances, and is non-toxic / phosphate free. All Surface Green Clean is volatile organic compound compliant and rapidly biodegradable.

The last new product we would like to introduce you to is the Window Green Clean (Product #249). This glass cleaner is environmentally friendly, volatile organic compound compliant, rapidly biodegradable, and is premixed with soft water to eliminate spotting and streaking.

For more information about “green” products, visit our website @ SERVPRObtv.com or visit http://www.epa.gov/dfe/

Don't forget, our advice and opinions are always free! Call our office at 802-497-1101 to see how SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury can help you today.

We Do Commercial Too!

10/22/2018 (Permalink)

When owning a commercial property, you want to be able to maintain a professional look. With any source of damage, it can ruin the appearance that appeals to your associates and customers. In an untimely water damage, leaving water needing to be mitigated and the amount of time it usually takes to fully restore the property, it can cause a loss to the business and start to effect revenue if it isn’t handled properly. There had been a recent water loss at a commercial building caused by a failing sprinkler system. The caller had been slightly unsettled with the situation and was not sure on how to handle it. Here at The SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury, we make sure to take great care of our customers. We assured them that we were here to help and take the matter into our own hands. Being a commercial building, many of the tenants were worried about cancelling appointments and losing clients. With that in mind, our experienced technicians mitigated all the water off the property without disrupting day to day business. No job is too big or too small. With any emergency situation, The SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury will be ready 24/7, 365. Our friendly team will be here, ready to assist you when needed. Give us a call @ 802-497-1101 or visit our website @ SERVPROBTV.com.

SERVPRO + Construction

10/19/2018 (Permalink)

The SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury works with a number of commercial businesses in the area to assist with what we call post construction clean-ups.  Whenever a commercial business experiences some kind of water damage that requires demo, additions or remodeling you will come across construction dust throughout the area.  Contractors will cut flooring, trim work and will have to sand drywall in the area they are working.  As a result, there is a fine powder that will be on all horizontal surfaces.  When the construction portion is complete and all repairs or remodeling are done, the commercial business will contact us to schedule a crew to come out and clean the space before returning it to their tenant or customer.  We come in and do a thorough cleaning of the area, cleaning walls, baseboards, window sills and flooring.

If you have a commercial property and need the SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury, we're only a phone call away @ 802-497-1101!

Commercial Biohazard Work

10/19/2018 (Permalink)

At the SERVPRO Burlington/ Middlebury, we understand that any type of exposure to biological and chemical contaminants can pose some serious health threats and consequences. In a commercial setting, any type of sewage backup, blood cleanup or even chemical spill, can place YOU and all of the inhabitants of the area at risk. Upon recognizing the situation, your primary focus should be safety. After the area has been critically assessed, you should be well versed in the do’s and don’ts after a contamination.

What to Do After a Contamination

  • Stay out of affected areas.
  • Call emergency service personnel if the situation is life-threatening.
  • Treat all bodily fluids as if they are contaminated.
  • Turn off the HVAC system if there is sewage damage.

What Not to Do After a Contamination

  • Don’t leave wet fabrics in place. Hang furs and leather goods.
  • Don’t leave books, magazines, or other colored items on wet carpet 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 ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.

Situations that contain any bio-hazardous material or spills, should not be handled lightly. At the SERVPRO Burlington/ Middlebury, we care about our local Burlington community, as well as all of those that live in Vermont. If you have any questions, or would like to contact one of our professionals, please call 802-497-1101 or visit our website @ SERVPRObtv.com

Commercial Disaster Service

4/9/2018 (Permalink)

The culprit

When owning a commercial property, you want to be able to maintain a professional look. With any source of damage, it can ruin the appearance that appeals to your associates and customers. With the water needing to be mitigated, and the amount of time it usually takes to fully restore the property, it can cause a loss to the business and start to effect revenue if it isn’t handled properly. There had been a recent water loss at a commercial building caused by a failing sprinkler system. The caller had been uneasy with the situation and was not sure on how to handle it. Here at SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury, we make sure to take great care of our customers. We assured them that we were here to help and take the matter into our own hands. Being a commercial building, many of the tenants were worried about cancelling appointments and losing clients. With that in mind, our experienced technicians mitigated all the water off the property without disrupting day to day business. No job is too big or too small. With any emergency situation, SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury will be ready 24/7, 365. Our friendly team will be here, ready to assist you when needed. Give us a call at (802) 497-1101.

Always think: Safety First!

4/9/2018 (Permalink)

Help is here!

After a flood in your commercial building there are several things to consider.

First, consult with a qualified water damage remediation expert from SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury before re-entering a flood-damaged building to make sure other, more lethal threats such as live electricity and potential structural collapse have been mitigated.

While damage to a building after a flood is a given, flood contamination risks often come as a surprise to occupants of a building affected by water inundation. There’s more to worry about than just wet carpets, so keep flood contamination risks in mind when contemplating the clean-up of a flooded building.

Sewage Contamination

Work under the assumption that any water you contact may be raw sewage or tainted by raw sewage. The SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury always recommends:

  • Wear protective clothing including, boots, gloves, eye protection and some sort of approved face mask to protect against respiratory illness.
  • Wash your hands frequently while you’re in the home. Don’t eat or drink without thorough washing first.
  • Don’t eat any food contacted by water during the flood. If you need water, use bottled water until the safety of the local drinking water has been verified.
  • Clean and bandage any minor cuts or scrapes immediately before continuing any clean-up work.

Chemical Contamination

Industrial chemicals that overflow during a flood, pesticides picked up by flood waters and gasoline and oil are all common contaminants that pose a threat after flood waters recede. Local toxic waste disposal sites inundated by a flood may also release dangerous substances into the water.

  • Wear protective clothing, gloves, boots, eyewear and respiratory protection.
  • Be alert to any symptoms of exposure to toxic chemicals, including headaches, dizziness, nausea, and skin rashes. Discontinue clean-up work and seek medical help immediately.

Remember, help is just a phone call away. Give your local SERVPRO of Burlington/ Middlebury a call @ (802)-497-1101 24 hours a day. 

FedEx Mold Mitigation

10/19/2017 (Permalink)

Mold in the shower of FedEx women's bathroom.

Our local FedEx office and warehouse located in Williston, VT had SERVPRO of Burlington/Middlebury perform a mold mitigation on both their men's and women's bathrooms. This project started as a emergency water loss and during the restoration process the technicians found mold in both of the bathrooms, especially around the shower areas. SERVPRO of Burlington/Middlebury was able to get the job done quickly and efficiently without bothering the staff and customers at FedEx while allowing them to stay open and operate during their usual hours. We we're allowed a whole year to finish the project, but our hard working technicians had it done within two weeks (one week per bathroom) during not only FedEx's time of business but during SERVPRO's regular business hours as well. This is an example of a large commercial mitigation that SERVPRO was able to handle and have done in a timely manner.

Colorlab Cosmetics

10/19/2017 (Permalink)

Drying out during the water restoration process

A cosmetics factory, Colorlab Cosmetics, located in Williston, VT had an emergency water loss over night. The employees didn't know about the loss until they were walking into work the following morning. A pipe had burst in the factory over night and flooded through the warehouse, the office, and the storage areas leaving a huge mess of water and make up stains. Not only did SERVPRO of Burlington/Williston respond immediately to restore the water loss, they had did a thorough clean because of all the make up/ingredients that were damaged and stained into carpets and walls. Like with many other water losses, after inspecting the building mold was found. At this time, the large water loss turned into a mold mitigation as well. By the time SERVPRO of Burlington/Middlebury was finished it looked "Like it never even happened." and even better than before the loss.

Home Depot's Fire and Safety Day

10/18/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Burlington/Middlebury's van parked at Home Depot's Fire and Safety Day

SERVPRO of Burlington/Middlebury was invited to join local police, fire crew, American Red cross, and many more at the home depot parking lot located in Williston, VT on Saturday October 14th 2017. This expo was created to allow community members to walk around and meet the members of the different teams/companies and learn more about what they do. The event had workshops available for kids to learn and be hands on while allowing them to see the inside of the different types of vehicles such as police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, and our very our own SERVPRO van/truck mount that we use for large water losses and for jobs that require us to bring a lot of equipment. SERVPRO members handed out SERVPRO rubber ducks to kids, and for the adults we had coffee tumblers available. These types of events allow us to get to know community members, give them more insight to what it is we do, and also gives us a change to advertise and give out free items and business cards.

Commercial Services

10/12/2017 (Permalink)

A loss due to a snow storm that made it's way inside a senior living facility. SERVPRO responded immediately to ensure the well being of the seniors.

SERVPRO of Burlington/Middlebury offers cleaning and the restoring of commercial properties no matter if it’s a small locally owned business or a huge corporation. We have technicians with the training and experience needed to handle any of your property needs. Along with the trained techs, we also have the most effective equipment to get the job done. SERVPRO of Burlington/Middlebury has all the resources and expertise to give you excellent results while minimizing the disruption to your clients. Some examples of commercial properties that have used our services include:

  • Small Office Buildings
  • Large Office Buildings
  • Apartment Buildings
  • Restaurants
  • Retail Stores
  • Large Big-Box Stores
  • Manufacturing & Industrial
  • Government/Military
  • Hotels
  • Churches
  • Schools

Whether it’s a large mold mitigation, water loss, fire, or just a small carpet clean SERVPRO of Burlington/Middlebury is just a call away at 802-497-1101

Flooded Church Basement in Montpelier

9/7/2016 (Permalink)

This flooded basement was caused by a recent storm

We recently responded to a large commercial loss in Montpelier.  The check valve failed during heavy rains, causing category 3 water to back flow.  This before picture shows the mess left behind after the water had receded. The building owners were overwhelmed with the challenge faced in cleaning up this mess and called on the experts to get it cleaned up and dried out. 

SERVPRO of Burlington/Middlebury was called in to clean up the aftermath!  We cleaned and sanitized the area, removing affected building materials and dried out the structure.  Our crews worked tirelessly to get the structure back to a clean and sanitized area so that the rebuilding of their space could occur.  The owners are getting back to normal following our mitigation services.  

Panera Bread rings in the New Year

1/19/2016 (Permalink)

Panera Dining Room

We may have missed the ball drop for the new year, but we were absolutely not going to drop the ball for our friends at Panera. 

 

When a roofing leak caused water to drip in the main dining room of this establishment, we were called in to assist with the clean up and dry out.  Within an hour we were onsite and assisted the business with the mess at hand, and helped to make sure they were able to stay open during a very busy holiday time!  We erected a containment to keep the work area separate from the areas patrons were able to access and within a few days Panera was back to utilizing the dining room space with no difficulty and minor repairs to get back to normal!