The Power of Master Service Agreements: Fast Response and Strong Relationships

8/23/2023 (Permalink)

In the fast-paced world of business, rapid response is essential, especially during emergencies. Picture this: a national heatwave causes an abrupt A/C outage, with the potential to turn a hospital into an oven of stress and panic. In times like these, having a Master Service Agreement (MSA) in place can be the lifeline that transforms panic into a strategic, well-managed solution.

A Race Against Time

SERVPRO® Team Nicholson's Scott Askew and his crew proved the power of an MSA recently. Within hours of receiving the call, our team was on-site, ready to help. Seven hours later, cooling equipment was up and running - thanks to our subcontractor, Coastal Mechanical. We even had a team of welders fabricating quick hose connections in the hospital parking lot in order to connect the mobile chillers to the hospital's existing cooling system.

By the evening, the hospital was cooling to a comfortable temperature, all without displacing patients or disrupting critical operations. The team avoided an evacuation and multiple diversions, where a hospital has to transfer patients to another hospital. In the end, all this was possible without having to tell an MSA client, "no," — the word doesn't exist in our vocabulary anyways.

Building a Bridge to Swift Solutions

The MSA is more than just a contract - we become your logistics team, your trusted solutions provider. The last thing a business owner wants is to face a double emergency – the primary situation and its repercussions. Like the scramble to evacuate patients, and to secure specialized equipment, like chillers, at odd hours in order to prevent high temperatures from spoiling medication. An MSA eliminates the chaos, minimizing the complexity and severity of interruptions to business.

The Value of Strong Relationships

In the realm of crisis management, strong relationships are worth their weight in gold. Our connections with clients, subcontractor partnerships, and a network of SERVPRO teams across the nation, our bonds serve as the cornerstone of effective and efficient solutions. When challenges arise, leveraging our network's capabilities means clients have access to additional equipment and resources quickly.

In a world of emergencies, a Master Service Agreement isn't just a contract – it's a promise - to provide rapid response, leverage strong relationships, and transform potential chaos into smoothly managed solutions. It's the assurance that when a crisis arises, our team of professionals is ready to shift the perspective - becoming your total solutions provider for whatever happens.

3 Reasons You Need to Replace Your Pipes

7/24/2022 (Permalink)

Reasons to Upgrade Your Plumbing System to Something New

While the plumbing system in your Bartlett, Tennessee, or Cordova, Tennessee, building is made to last, whether made from steel or polybutylene, it certainly won't last forever. It may cost some time and money, but it is a good idea to have these replaced occasionally. Here are a few reasons to upgrade to something new.

1. They're Old

One apparent reason to have your pipes replaced is, they have gotten old. Even the most sturdy system will deteriorate over time. How long your system will last before you need to install new plumbing will depend on the materials used, so it is a good idea to keep this information in mind. Whatever the material, if it has been several decades since your pipes were installed, it's probably time to have them replaced.

2. They're Damaged

Broken pipes can cause massive water damage, so you should have them replaced as quickly as possible. Pipes can break as the result of deterioration, freezing during cold weather, or even the growth of tree roots nearby. If your pipes are relatively new, you will likely not need to replace the whole system and focus only on the affected area.

3. They're Made from Polybutylene

If your plumbing system was installed between the 1970s and 1990s, they were possibly made with Polybutylene (PB) pipes. PB pipes were often used because they were easy to install and were relatively inexpensive. However, over time, it became apparent that they broke too quickly and could leach chemicals into the water. If you have PB pipes, replace them as soon as possible.

While you should try to replace your pipes before they cause any damage, accidents can happen. If you have suffered from water damage to your business, SERVPRO of Bartlett / Cordova can help. They can perform cleanup and repairs to restore your building quickly.

SERVPRO Secures and Restores Memphis Property Contents After a Flooding while Mitigating the Structural Damage

5/23/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Packs Out Your Business’s Items After Storm Waters Flood Your Property

The chaos and stress of post-storm flooding at your business’s property is paralyzing. With water, debris, and quite possibly severe damage to your roof, windows, doors, and siding—you need fast, reliable help. Our team of disaster remediation experts has proven strategies to help you and your family through this difficult time. 

What is a Pack-Out?

We often recommend a pack-out after flood damage. A SERVPRO pack-out is when furnishings, household or office goods, documents, and personal possessions are moved to a dry and safe space on your property or transported to our production facility to be restored. Removing the items permits our crews to clean flooded areas in your home, unimpeded; extracting water, doing demolition if and where needed. This helps technicians dry out the structure faster without the need to work around belongings.

SERVPRO uses a detailed and secure Content Claims Inventory System (CCIS) to document and track the items we move out. Lists, digital pictures, and barcoding ensure we have a complete record of the articles. We collaborate with your insurance company to make sure the efforts we make to clean, dry, and restore the pack-out inventory are covered to the extent of your contract. It is typically less expensive to restore items than to discard and replace them. We help you save time, money, and memories.

Innovative Restoration

Our production facility technicians are skilled with innovative techniques such as freeze-drying for document and picture restoration. Floodwaters can be contaminated, so we work to ensure the packed-out items receive effective disinfectant treatment. SERVPRO provides temperature and humidity-controlled smaller chambers to dry out furnishings and electronics. Be advised that modern electronics often need precise cleaning from specialty companies. We have piston-driven Esporta washing equipment to clean soft items and immersion tubs and ultrasonic equipment to loosen flood debris soiling from blinds and intricately detailed decor and other items.

SERVPRO crews secure the exterior damage with boards and tarp, moving on to extracting, containing, and disposing of the floodwaters according to local regulations. We can spray and treat soiled areas with EPA-registered disinfectants before using commercial-quality air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers to ready your home for the return of the packed-out items, "Like it never even happened."

Call Us Today

SERVPRO of Bartlett / Cordova awaits your call at (901) 382-0900. Contact us to evaluate your flood damage and rapid remediation of your home and a professional pack-out of floodwater-damaged items.

What Is Cat 3 Water Loss? What About Cat 1 and Cat 2?

4/24/2022 (Permalink)

Have commercial water damage? Call SERVPRO of Bartlett / Cordova.

If you experienced a natural flood or sewage break at your home, you might have been told your property sustained Cat 3 (Category 3) water damage. So what is Cat 3 water damage? And what are the other 2?

Water Damage Categories

They are classified as follows:

• Category 1 damage, also known as “white water” (clean water)
• Category 2 damage, also known as “gray water” (clean water that sat for a while)
• Category 3 damage, which is known as “black water” (usually from flood water)

Category 3 water is not only contaminated, but it can also cause damage to your home. Professionally trained technicians can, fortunately, help you clean and decontaminate the building and items after a Cat 3 water incident.

Cleaning Procedures

When facing water damage caused by a contaminated liquid, your safest plan usually involves contacting a local restoration company. Professionals are trained to arrive quickly, assess damage accurately, and work safely and efficiently to clean, restore and construct your property.

After the assessment, the following cleaning steps typically occur:

1. Removal of water
2. Humidity reduction and drying of wet surfaces
3. Sanitation and cleaning of damaged areas
4. Remediation of damaged property through deep cleaning and reconstruction

The professional you choose may also offer digitization services for wet financial documents or photographs that need to be preserved. Additionally, trained technicians on the scene may have suggestions for a preservation method or a long-term storage situation for items that are priceless and irreplaceable, yet not entirely salvageable.

Being Prepared

Help us help you persevere in the face of such a nightmare. SERVPRO of Bartlett / Cordova is a local professional in the cleaning, restoration, and construction industry. Our technicians follow OSHA and EPA protocols to help transform an unsafe environment back into a clean, safe home or business. For a free estimate, call us today.

How to Fix Air Quality in My Memphis Home

1/13/2022 (Permalink)

If you or your business needs more in-depth cleaning for air ducts, mold, upholstery, call SERVPRO of Bartlett / Cordova today at (901) 382-0900.

Air Quality Is Important in Every Memphis Home

If you live in Tennessee you understand that poor air quality is an unfortunate element dealt with on an everyday basis.

Not only is it humid and sticky, but one minute the sun is shining, then the next minute the rain is pouring down—seemingly out of nowhere! Improving the quality of air in the home or the business is important to keep that so-called "bad" air outside!

Some like to compare the air quality of Tennessee to Vegas, although Vegas is hot, it tends to much dryer than Tennessee—which seems to create fewer problems, as far as humidity goes.

Understandably, some consequences are unavoidable, but some can be mitigated. A person should take every precaution to keep their home as sealed up as possible.

There are a few simple tricks a person can do to help improve the air quality in a home.

If the quality is improved it will keep allergies, a smoke smell, or any bad odor away!

Keep The Dirt Out

Place a doormat right on the outside of the door, and right at the entrance of the home. That way when people come to visit, they can scrape off their feet and leave whatever dirt and particles they have on their shoes behind. Just make sure to wash the doormats regularly otherwise those particles will linger.

Clean Air Ducts

One tip that can not be stressed enough is to have furnaces, heating, and cooling equipment cleaned periodically, such as air duct cleaning. If they are not cleaned periodically, then when the air conditioner or heater is turned on, all the dirt that is caught in the filter is being blown out along with the air. It is also important for air duct cleaning to be done by a professional to ensure it is done properly.

Turn On The A/C

If a person lives in the Bartlett or the Cordova area they are very familiar with the wonderful invention that is air conditioning. It is important to use a dehumidifier along with an air conditioner to keep indoor humidity in the 30-50% range. Keeping the humidity at this range creates a more comfortable environment and helps keep allergies and dust mites away.

Clean Clean Clean

On hardwood or tile surfaces, try moping after vacuuming. It may seem like extra work, but it will help clean up contaminants left behind. Also, do not forget the walls! Often, people forget walls when it comes to their cleaning routine, and it can be important because dirt and particles stick to walls just like any other piece of furniture or flooring.

Out With The Smoke

One of the biggest tips that can be given is to not let people smoke in a home. It can be nearly impossible to get a smoke smell or a bad odor out of a home.

Air quality is vital to a happy, healthy home. Try some of the above tips and tricks. If you or your business needs more in-depth cleaning for air ducts, mold, upholstery, call SERVPRO of Bartlett / Cordova today at (901) 382-0900.

Where Does Mold Grow in Commercial Business

1/13/2022 (Permalink)

Crew discovered this mold growing on the lower half of the wall. Call SERVPRO of Bartlett / Cordova today at (901) 382-0900 if you have similar mold.

From the musty smell and discoloration it causes to the water damage that often accompanies its presence, mold growth has no place in your business. Mold can pop up in some of the most unlikely places, but if you have a good understanding of where to begin your search, you stand a much better chance of getting it under control.

Here are its three favorite hiding spots.

1. Bathrooms

Wherever there is high humidity, you will likely find mold. This becomes even more likely if the bathroom has hot water, since warm temperatures are another key ingredient for mold growth. Mold likes to find nice, shadowy corners of dark cavities behind wet walls to do its dirty work.

2. Water Heaters

Since warmth and water are likely to encourage mold, it comes as no surprise that water heaters are a favorite hangout spot for mold. As water heaters age, they often begin to rust. This can then lead to rupturing and leaks. If these leaks go ignored, not only can the mold problem worsen, but water damage is now a concern.

3. Air Conditioners

Yes, believe it or not, your beloved A/C units invite mold. Like water heaters, they can leak or create condensation on their unit, allowing just enough moisture for mold to grow. This can lead to mold in the HVAC system's drain pans, the enclosed space the unit sits, it terminal units or ductwork, or beneath the carpet of a floor often dampened by the dripping of a wall unit overhead. Like water heaters, this constant dripping from AC units can also lead to water damage over time.

Mold growth in commercial buildings of Bartlett/Cordova can prove extremely problematic, but knowing the most likely places mold pops up is an excellent proactive start to finding a solution. Still, for those times when the damage is already done, it’s good to know there are restoration companies to get things back to normal. Call SERVPRO of Bartlett / Cordova today at (901) 382-0900.

What is SERVPRO’s Cleaning Process for a Commercial Large Loss?

12/22/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bartlett / Cordova crews are ready to clean after a commercial large loss. We can handle large restoration jobs in Memphis, TN.

SERVPRO Cleaning Process After Catastrophic Commercial Emergencies

From 1980 to 2020, on average, the U.S. endured 7 severe climate events per year. Throughout the past year, that number has more than doubled, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information. Although statistics help describe the destruction brought on by natural disasters, no measurement can quantify the loss and trauma to individuals, families, and communities. The struggle of those involved as they work to rebuild a sense of normalcy is often not seen.

SERVPRO of Bartlett / Cordova is proud to assist by offering Commercial Large Loss and Disaster Recovery services after any catastrophic emergency in the United States. With the resources of 17 SERVPRO franchise licenses in 6 locations throughout 3 southern states, we are well-positioned to respond to any disaster.

Our flexible, efficient team can tackle damage at private businesses, hospitals, schools, government facilities, and more. SERVPRO of Bartlett / Cordova professionals are highly trained in fire, storm, and water damage mitigation. When mitigating damage on a large scale, our team uses the following framework:

Control the Environment

Commercial-sized desiccant dehumidifiers remove water from the air and dense materials while increasing the air temperature, further drying the structure, and helping to better control the environment.

Remove Contaminated Material 

To ensure a safe and efficient clean-up, SERVPRO of Bartlett / Cordova crews will remove contaminated material and items that are beyond repair and remove restorable items for off-site cleaning. 

Dry the Structure

Various sized air movers and dehumidifiers are strategically placed throughout the structure to accelerate the drying process. 

Our crews can be ready at a moment’s notice, deploying cutting-edge drying equipment and service vehicles that feature truck-mounted water extractors that operate even without electricity. Response time is critical for communities to get up and running again. When disaster strikes, we are ready to answer the call and make it “Like it never even happened.”

How to Create a Fire Evacuation Plan for Your Business

7/8/2021 (Permalink)

Few people expect to see their commercial property engulfed in flames. No one expects to see a grease fire in the break room, either. No matter what size fire occurs at your place of business, having a contingency plan can help save lives, valuable records and equipment, and money. Here's how to make one.

1. Assign Roles

Delegating tasks and responsibilities now, when things are calm, can reduce the confusion and chaos accompanying an event such as an office fire. Consider assigning roles such as the following:

• Fire extinguishers that'll use the actual fire extinguishers to snuff out small blazes.
  
  
• Get-out guides that'll keep exit routes clear and make sure everyone is out of the building before they leave.
  
  
• Attendance takers that'll perform a roll call outside to ensure that everyone is accounted for.

Having a job to perform and having others point you in the right direction may reduce the urge to panic.

2. Plan, Post, and Practice Your Evacuation Route

It's important to have multiple ways to exit your building if a fire occurs. Plan these escape routes ahead of time so that your contingency plan can be posted and regularly practiced by all employees. That way, if the unthinkable happens, you and your staff will know exactly where to go, thanks to your well-rehearsed evacuation plan.

3. Set Up a Clear Chain of Communication

In a fire, knowledge is power. To keep misinformation from spreading, it's often wise to devise a clear communication plan. A straightforward method is to create a chain of command, unlike an old school phone tree, where individuals are tasked with relaying information to those underneath them on the tree. It's smart to have a single spokesperson who communicates with the public or news outlets.

A fire doesn't have to spell catastrophe for your commercial property in Bartlett, Tennesse, or Cordova, Tennesee. By creating a plan in advance, you can better protect your employees' safety. After everyone is safe, you can leave the fire cleanup to the professionals. Contact SERVPRO of Bartlett / Cordova at (901) 382-0900.

Electrical Equipment and Smoke Damage

5/26/2021 (Permalink)

During a fire in a commercial building, located in Bartlett, Tennessee, or Cordova, Tennessee, there's often the significant damage of smoke and soot easily visible. However, other damage will be almost invisible and hard to detect.

Electrical Equipment Damaged by Smoke

Every electrical item, especially the big ones, has fans to draw in air to cool it and keep it from overheating. During a fire, these fans run overtime to keep the machine cool and draw in acrid smoke. The smoke will then leave soot within the electrical item that eventually will eat at the copper and plastics slowly. When your office or commercial building has a fire, give SERVPRO of Bartlett / Cordova a call. We can assess the damage, do the cleanup, and rebuild any damaged areas from a devastating fire.