Don’t Throw Out Water-logged Documents

10/3/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can help you recover sensitive documents.

After a fire or a flood, your house or business is probably a mess. Not only is there structural damage, but you now realize you have books and important paper documents that are soaked. How will you get these items dried and restored?

SERVPRO is here to help. We are trained and certified in document drying and restoration and can help in stopping the damage from getting worse. Time is of the essence as the longer the documents are soaked or charred, the faster they will deteriorate.

Our technicians box up your damaged items and have them sent to our Document Restoration Team. We have special vacuum freeze-drying technology to salvage your items books and/or paper records. We use the same technique the Library of Congress uses to dry water-damaged books. 

Vacuum freeze drying is the most effective way to revive water-damaged documents and is called sublimation — a technique that turns the moisture in the object directly into vapor, skipping the liquid stage to avoid causing more damage. The process can recover even the most delicate items — from documents to photographs and X-rays, to entire business archives. Our Document Restoration Team employees are HIPAA master certified and, once your items arrive at our SERVPRO facility, they are under 24/7 video surveillance to ensure safety.

And if your items may have been exposed to a Category 3 situation (sewage or flood water), we put the items through gamma irradiation, which is a process that cleans and disinfects the documents. This decontamination eliminates all types of bacteria at the molecular level, causing the death of any organisms. And the gamma process does not create residuals or impart radioactivity on to your items.

SERVPRO understands how important it is to preserve important documents and our line of services ensures that you don’t have to worry about what happens to your paper assets when disaster strikes.

If you need sensitive materials restored, contact SERVPRO of Gainesville West/Alachua County West today at 352-374-6589.

Exterior Maintenance Tips to Prevent Water Damage

9/19/2022 (Permalink)

Ensuring your gutters are clean and not full of debris is a great way to prevent potential water damage.

With Hurricane season not over just yet and the constant afternoon downpours North Florida has been experiencing this summer, it is a great time to learn about how you can prevent possible water damage to your home or business.  

SERVPRO of Alachua County West/Gainesville West has been serving the community for more than 15 years and has seen its fair share of water damage and all its causes.

Today’s tips focus on exterior maintenance to prevent water damage from rainfall, because heavy rain is a part of living in our area of Florida. Follow these tips for routine inspection and maintenance to help prevent costly water damage.

Clean Your Gutters and Check for Proper Drainage

Clean gutters will drain water off your roof and away from the foundation. Make sure your gutters are clear and remove any leaves and other debris that may have accumulated over the winter. Check that water drains properly through your gutter and out the downspout.

The downspout should direct water away from your home or business. You can purchase an extension that attaches to the downspout so that rainwater will be directed farther away. These are inexpensive and available at any hardware store.

Check Window Seals

This is another inexpensive project. Walk around the outside of your home and inspect the seals around your windows, because improperly sealed windows are another potential source of entry for moisture and rainwater to get into your home. Look for missing/cracked caulk on the outside. From inside the house, visible mold spots or crumbling/peeling walls next to the window can signal leakage in that area.

Increase the Grade of Soil Closest to Your House or Business

Fill in any holes or gaps in landscaping around the exterior where water can pool back toward the home. Replace the dirt with the highest level at the property and gently slope down to the rest of the yard to promote drainage.

Inspect Your Roof

Your roof is potentially a significant point of entry for rain. Check for any loose or damaged shingles and replace them if necessary. Unlike the other projects mentioned, due to the risk involved, you may want to hire a professional roofer to handle this job every few years.

Even with proper maintenance, sometimes Florida’s heavy rains during thunderstorms or even hurricanes create leaks or flooding. If you suspect water damage or experience flooding, give us a call at SERVPRO Gainesville West/Alachua West right away. Not only do we want to help with water damage mitigation quickly, but the faster you address the water damage, the less likely you are to develop mold problems.

We are available 24/7, 365 days a year. Give us a call at 352-374-6589.

A Few Steps Can Go a Long Way to Protect Your Family

9/12/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO offers an Emergency READY profile to help you stay prepared.

September is National Preparedness Month and Hurricane Season is still in full swing, which runs until November 30. While this season has been relatively quiet, with the Atlantic only having five named storms so far, it’s still best to always be prepared.

The key to disaster preparedness is having an emergency plan in place before disaster strikes. The following simple steps can go a long way to protect your family and your property in a weather-related disaster.

Build Basic Emergency Supply Kit

A basic kit should be stocked to supply you and each of your family members with water and food for at least three days. Consider including food for pets, as well as any necessary medications in your kit. Recommended emergency supply kit items include:

• Water (one gallon/person per day)
• Three-day non-perishable food supply
• Manual can opener
• Battery-operated radio, preferably a NOAA Weather radio
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle (to signal for help)
• Dust masks or bandanas
• Local maps
• Important documents, such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account information
• Matches (in a waterproof container)

Make Family Emergency Plan

You may not be home or with family when disaster strikes. Plan in advance where you will meet and how you will contact each other. Visit ready.gov to access a Family Emergency Plan template to assist in your planning.

Stay Informed

Learn the elevation level of your property

This will help you know how your property could be affected by heavy rainfall and whether it is prone to flooding. Know your community evacuation routes and determine where you would go and how you would get there if evacuation becomes necessary. Finally, listen to local authorities for direction.

Prepare Your Property

In the event of a hurricane or severe storm, you may need to prepare your home for impact. You can do this by covering all of the windows in your home. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with plywood. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking. Keep trees and shrubs around your home trimmed to make them more resilient in high winds. Clear any debris from gutters and downspouts. Secure all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and any other items not secured.

Establish a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile for Your Business

SERVPRO developed the SERVPRO^® Emergency READY Program to help business owners create an Emergency READY Profile (ERP) for their facility, at no charge. You will work with a SERVPRO of Gainesville West/Alachua County West to gather and document important information about the facility which will become critical if a disaster strikes. Once the ERP is created, business owners have access to their information 24/7 online and by using SERVPRO’s free smartphone app.

Prepare for Emergencies

9/7/2022 (Permalink)

Being prepared before a disaster strikes will help ensure your business can reopen as soon as possible.

September is National Preparedness Month and Ready.gov lists more than 25 types of disasters to prepare for.

Disasters can take many forms and the financial cost of rebuilding after a disaster can be overwhelming. If you’re prepared for emergencies, you’ll be in a better position to recover and continue operations should disaster strike.

Be prepared

Step 1: Assess your risk

Every business has unique vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Knowing which disasters are most likely to affect your business can help you to return to operations faster. A back-to-business self-assessment can help you to assess your risks for common hazards such as hurricanes, wildfires, flooding, or even cyberattacks.

Statistics say that 25% of businesses won't open again after a disaster.

Step 2: Create a plan

Your response plan is your roadmap to recovery, so it should be tailored to your business’s specific needs and operations.  It should address immediate priorities and be easy to access.  Checklists and online toolkits are effective resources to help you develop your plan. 

Consider the following:

The IRS guide on preparing your business for a disaster

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) emergency preparedness checklist and toolkit

Focus on disasters that pose a realistic risk to your small business.

Statistics say that 25% of businesses won't open again after a disaster.

Step 3: Execute your plan

Practice your plan with your staff so you’re ready when a disaster occurs.

If disaster does strike, SERVPRO of Gainesville West/Alachua County West is here 24/7 to help your business get back up and running.

Prepare for Emergencies

9/7/2022 (Permalink)

Being prepared before a disaster strikes will help ensure your business can reopen as soon as possible.

September is National Preparedness Month and Ready.gov lists more than 25 types of disasters to prepare for.

Disasters can take many forms and the financial cost of rebuilding after a disaster can be overwhelming. If you’re prepared for emergencies, you’ll be in a better position to recover and continue operations should disaster strike.

Be prepared

Step 1: Assess your risk

Every business has unique vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Knowing which disasters are most likely to affect your business can help you to return to operations faster. A back-to-business self-assessment can help you to assess your risks for common hazards such as hurricanes, wildfires, flooding, or even cyberattacks.

Statistics say that 25% of businesses won't open again after a disaster.

Step 2: Create a plan

Your response plan is your roadmap to recovery, so it should be tailored to your business’s specific needs and operations.  It should address immediate priorities and be easy to access.  Checklists and online toolkits are effective resources to help you develop your plan. 

Consider the following:

The IRS guide on preparing your business for a disaster

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) emergency preparedness checklist and toolkit

Focus on disasters that pose a realistic risk to your small business.

Statistics say that 25% of businesses won't open again after a disaster.

Step 3: Execute your plan

Practice your plan with your staff so you’re ready when a disaster occurs.

If disaster does strike, SERVPRO of Gainesville West/Alachua County West is here 24/7 to help your business get back up and running.

Prepare for Emergencies

9/7/2022 (Permalink)

Being prepared before a disaster strikes will help ensure your business can reopen as soon as possible.

September is National Preparedness Month and Ready.gov lists more than 25 types of disasters to prepare for.

Disasters can take many forms and the financial cost of rebuilding after a disaster can be overwhelming. If you’re prepared for emergencies, you’ll be in a better position to recover and continue operations should disaster strike.

Be prepared

Step 1: Assess your risk

Every business has unique vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Knowing which disasters are most likely to affect your business can help you to return to operations faster. A back-to-business self-assessment can help you to assess your risks for common hazards such as hurricanes, wildfires, flooding, or even cyberattacks.

Statistics say that 25% of businesses won't open again after a disaster.

Step 2: Create a plan

Your response plan is your roadmap to recovery, so it should be tailored to your business’s specific needs and operations.  It should address immediate priorities and be easy to access.  Checklists and online toolkits are effective resources to help you develop your plan. 

Consider the following:

The IRS guide on preparing your business for a disaster

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) emergency preparedness checklist and toolkit

Focus on disasters that pose a realistic risk to your small business.

Statistics say that 25% of businesses won't open again after a disaster.

Step 3: Execute your plan

Practice your plan with your staff so you’re ready when a disaster occurs.

If disaster does strike, SERVPRO of Gainesville West/Alachua County West is here 24/7 to help your business get back up and running.

Prepare for Emergencies

9/7/2022 (Permalink)

Being prepared before a disaster strikes will help ensure your business can reopen as soon as possible.

September is National Preparedness Month and Ready.gov lists more than 25 types of disasters to prepare for.

Disasters can take many forms and the financial cost of rebuilding after a disaster can be overwhelming. If you’re prepared for emergencies, you’ll be in a better position to recover and continue operations should disaster strike.

Be prepared

Step 1: Assess your risk

Every business has unique vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Knowing which disasters are most likely to affect your business can help you to return to operations faster. A back-to-business self-assessment can help you to assess your risks for common hazards such as hurricanes, wildfires, flooding, or even cyberattacks.

Statistics say that 25% of businesses won't open again after a disaster.

Step 2: Create a plan

Your response plan is your roadmap to recovery, so it should be tailored to your business’s specific needs and operations.  It should address immediate priorities and be easy to access.  Checklists and online toolkits are effective resources to help you develop your plan. 

Consider the following:

The IRS guide on preparing your business for a disaster

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) emergency preparedness checklist and toolkit

Focus on disasters that pose a realistic risk to your small business.

Statistics say that 25% of businesses won't open again after a disaster.

Step 3: Execute your plan

Practice your plan with your staff so you’re ready when a disaster occurs.

If disaster does strike, SERVPRO of Gainesville West/Alachua County West is here 24/7 to help your business get back up and running.

Prepare for Emergencies

9/7/2022 (Permalink)

Being prepared before a disaster strikes will help ensure your business can reopen as soon as possible.

September is National Preparedness Month and Ready.gov lists more than 25 types of disasters to prepare for.

Disasters can take many forms and the financial cost of rebuilding after a disaster can be overwhelming. If you’re prepared for emergencies, you’ll be in a better position to recover and continue operations should disaster strike.

Be prepared

Step 1: Assess your risk

Every business has unique vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Knowing which disasters are most likely to affect your business can help you to return to operations faster. A back-to-business self-assessment can help you to assess your risks for common hazards such as hurricanes, wildfires, flooding, or even cyberattacks.

Statistics say that 25% of businesses won't open again after a disaster.

Step 2: Create a plan

Your response plan is your roadmap to recovery, so it should be tailored to your business’s specific needs and operations.  It should address immediate priorities and be easy to access.  Checklists and online toolkits are effective resources to help you develop your plan. 

Consider the following:

The IRS guide on preparing your business for a disaster

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) emergency preparedness checklist and toolkit

Focus on disasters that pose a realistic risk to your small business.

Statistics say that 25% of businesses won't open again after a disaster.

Step 3: Execute your plan

Practice your plan with your staff so you’re ready when a disaster occurs.

If disaster does strike, SERVPRO of Gainesville West/Alachua County West is here 24/7 to help your business get back up and running.

Prepare for Emergencies

9/7/2022 (Permalink)

Being prepared before a disaster strikes will help ensure your business can reopen as soon as possible.

September is National Preparedness Month and Ready.gov lists more than 25 types of disasters to prepare for.

Disasters can take many forms and the financial cost of rebuilding after a disaster can be overwhelming. If you’re prepared for emergencies, you’ll be in a better position to recover and continue operations should disaster strike.

Be prepared

Step 1: Assess your risk

Every business has unique vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Knowing which disasters are most likely to affect your business can help you to return to operations faster. A back-to-business self-assessment can help you to assess your risks for common hazards such as hurricanes, wildfires, flooding, or even cyberattacks.

Statistics say that 25% of businesses won't open again after a disaster.

Step 2: Create a plan

Your response plan is your roadmap to recovery, so it should be tailored to your business’s specific needs and operations.  It should address immediate priorities and be easy to access.  Checklists and online toolkits are effective resources to help you develop your plan. 

Consider the following:

The IRS guide on preparing your business for a disaster

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) emergency preparedness checklist and toolkit

Focus on disasters that pose a realistic risk to your small business.

Statistics say that 25% of businesses won't open again after a disaster.

Step 3: Execute your plan

Practice your plan with your staff so you’re ready when a disaster occurs.

If disaster does strike, SERVPRO of Gainesville West/Alachua County West is here 24/7 to help your business get back up and running.

Prepare for Emergencies

9/7/2022 (Permalink)

Being prepared before a disaster strikes will help ensure your business can reopen as soon as possible.

September is National Preparedness Month and Ready.gov lists more than 25 types of disasters to prepare for.

Disasters can take many forms and the financial cost of rebuilding after a disaster can be overwhelming. If you’re prepared for emergencies, you’ll be in a better position to recover and continue operations should disaster strike.

Be prepared

Step 1: Assess your risk

Every business has unique vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Knowing which disasters are most likely to affect your business can help you to return to operations faster. A back-to-business self-assessment can help you to assess your risks for common hazards such as hurricanes, wildfires, flooding, or even cyberattacks.

Statistics say that 25% of businesses won't open again after a disaster.

Step 2: Create a plan

Your response plan is your roadmap to recovery, so it should be tailored to your business’s specific needs and operations.  It should address immediate priorities and be easy to access.  Checklists and online toolkits are effective resources to help you develop your plan. 

Consider the following:

The IRS guide on preparing your business for a disaster

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) emergency preparedness checklist and toolkit

Focus on disasters that pose a realistic risk to your small business.

Statistics say that 25% of businesses won't open again after a disaster.

Step 3: Execute your plan

Practice your plan with your staff so you’re ready when a disaster occurs.

If disaster does strike, SERVPRO of Gainesville West/Alachua County West is here 24/7 to help your business get back up and running.