How Prepared Is Your Business?

9/27/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Pickens County recommends taking this month to revisit your emergency preparedness plan.

How Prepared Is Your Business? 

September is National Preparedness Month. As a business owner, you might be wondering, what does this month mean to you? SERVPRO of Pickens County recommends taking this month to revisit your emergency preparedness plan. According to the latest research, As many as 50% of businesses close down following a disaster. Below are a few easy steps you can take to increase your emergency readiness for your business. 

Assess Your Risk

The first step in being preparing your business for disasters is to determine your risk. Determine which disasters you are still vulnerable to based on preparedness measures you have already taken. The most common disasters businesses in Pickens County face are flooding, tornadoes, freezing temperatures, and fires. Performing a safety audit is a great way to highlight any areas in your workspace that could present safety hazards during a disaster. Take note of any hazardous materials. Remember to think about any additional risks that could obstruct your evacuation from the building. Remove any heavy equipment or products stored on high shelves. Assessing these risks before a disaster will help better prepare you in the long run. 

Stay Up-To-date On Local and National Emergency News 

Stay up to date on emergency news by ensuring you have a way to listen to your local and national officials. Sign up for local and national alerts as soon as possible. 

Train Your Employees In Emergency Preparedness and Workplace Safety

You can develop the best safety strategy for your workplace, but it means absolutely nothing without proper employee training. You need to ensure you communicate your strategy and communications plans to all your employees. Hold regular safety training, crisis-specific safety drills, and emergency preparedness forums to give your employees a space to ask questions and obtain relevant information precisely when they need it.  

Keep Emergency Supplies On Hand 

As an employer, it is your responsibility to keep your employees safe during an emergency. Have enough emergency supplies to last you and all of your employees at least three days. It’s not a bad idea to invest in a business emergency kit so that you don’t have to spend a ton of time assembling all of your individually-bought supplies into your own. 

Develop A SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile 

It is never a convenient time to deal with natural disasters, water, or fire damage. Every hour you spend cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. Creating a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile (ERP) for your business will help you minimize interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how disasters can affect your business. An ERP is a no-cost assessment of your facility that will help get you back into your building following a disaster. By developing an ERP, SERVPRO of Pickens County will be your designated disaster mitigation and restoration provider. Your ERP will also identify a chain of command specifically tailored for your business; this, in turn, will save you valuable time and money so we can immediately begin work. When your ERP is complete, we compile everything into one document that you have 24/7 access to via our app. 

Ready to Get Started? Call SERVPRO of Pickens County (864) 855 - 3993.   

The Benefits of Cleaning Your Commercial HVAC System.

9/9/2021 (Permalink)

For more information on HVAC and air duct cleaning, call SERVPRO of Pickens County, (864) 855-3993.

The Benefits of Cleaning Your Commercial HVAC System. 

The upkeep and maintenance of your commercial building can be time-consuming. Cleaning an air duct system in your office space or building with no evident issues can feel like an unnecessary waste of your time and money. Cleaning the air duct system in your building is not something you need to do every year, but you cannot afford to ignore it completely. 

Why Should You Clean Your Air Ducts?

Dust entering your duct system can result in poor indoor air quality, inefficient air filtration, and duct leaks. Dust can accumulate so much that it starts to break off and re-enter the air in your building. If you begin to notice your office space or warehouse becoming dusty faster, that is a good indication you need to have your air ducts cleaned. 

High humidity or water leaking into the ducts provides the perfect environment for mold to thrive. These microscopic mold spores will eventually circulate through your air space. Mold exposure can cause health effects for you, your employees, or building occupants. 

Pests and varmin can crawl into your HVAC system and make a home, leaving behind their nesting material, hair, and dead insects. Particles from these containments are blown out of your unit and into the airspace. 

If your building has high air quality and you are using high-efficiency HVAC air filters, the ducts of your building could stay clean for years. However, you will still have to deal with the occasional unexpected issue. You should have your duct system professionally cleaned and inspected once every three or four years.  

The Benefits of Cleaning Your Air Ducts 

Keeping your ducts clean is the best way to protect your heating and cooling system and the health of your building occupants. 

Improved indoor air quality — Clean ducts mean less dust, mold spores, pollen, and pest debris floating around the air in your building. 

Better HVAC system efficiency — Over time, the buildup of debris and dust in the ducts impairs the airflow through your HVAC system. The more dust and debris that collect in your system, the more the fan motor struggles to distribute cool air to your space. After cleaning your air ducts, the air will flow freely, and the fan motor will use less energy disbursing the air. In the summer, clean ducts pay off. Clean air ducts deposit less dust on the evaporator coil in your air conditioner. Even the tiniest amount of dust on the evaporator coil reduces its efficiency. 

Longer HVAC component lifespan — All of the dust and debris that blows through your ducts will eventually find their way to the fan motor and other components. Keeping the ducts clean will prevent excess wear and tear and help your unit last longer. 

Professional Duct Cleaning Makes the Difference - Call SERVPRO of Pickens County.

Duct cleaning isn’t a job to leave up to a regular building maintenance crew armed with a few vacuums. Attempting to clean the ducts without the right tools can worsen your indoor air quality because the debris dislodged will end up floating through your unit and into your rooms. 

SERVPRO of Pickens County will bring in equipment specifically designed to thoroughly clean your ducts without contaminating the air in your building. However, duct cleaning is not always necessary. We will make recommendations about the best way to address any indoor air quality concerns. In turn, this can save you money and provide peace of mind on the health of your system.

For more information on HVAC and air duct cleaning, call SERVPRO of Pickens County, (864) 855-3993.

SERVPRO Of Pickens County Responds Immediately To Office's Water Damage Emergency

7/26/2021 (Permalink)

We are committed to helping you regain production capabilities and minimizing interruptions so that you can get back to doing what you do best!

SERVPRO Of Pickens County Responds Immediately To Office's Water Damage Emergency

There is never a convenient time for flooding or water damage to strike in your office or business. Every hour spent cleaning up water damage is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. Instead of wasting your valuable time trying to mitigate the damage by yourself, streamline the process and call SERVPRO of Pickens County. We'll be there fast with the help you need. We have 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. 

In this Easley office, the toilet supply line decided to burst after everyone had gone home for the night. When the doors were opened the following morning at 8 am, the office staff walked into a mess. Water covered the bathroom floor, and the carpet felt squishy. They discovered the water had seeped out of the bathroom into the carpeted hallway and soaked the carpet and several carpeted office spaces. After the plumber fixed the supply line, the office staff realized they still needed to remove the standing water in the bathroom, hallway, and office spaces. Knowing they could not waste time trying to mitigate this themselves, they immediately gave SERVPRO of Pickens County a call. 

The SERVPRO of Pickens County crew arrived within an hour. Our crew chief scoped the loss, assessed what equipment would be needed, and created a drying plan specifically tailored for this office space. First, our technicians removed the excess water from the bathroom and cleaned the area. The excess water trapped in the carpet was extracted and removed. Dehumidifiers were placed in various areas of the office to aid in the drying process. Thankfully by quickly calling SERVPRO of Pickens County, the carpet in the office did not need to be removed or replaced. The office was dry in a few days. 

SERVPRO of Pickens County can respond immediately to your commercial water damage emergency regardless of the size or scope of the damage. We are proud to be a part of our Pickens County community and strive to provide the residents and business owners in our area with the fastest response times and our best work every day. We are committed to helping you regain production capabilities and minimizing interruptions so that you can get back to doing what you do best! When your small business, mid-size company, or large corporation experiences a disaster, do not waste time. Call SERVPRO of Pickens County (864) 855-3993! 

Tips To Prevent Roof Leaks In Your Commercial Properties

7/20/2021 (Permalink)

Tips To Prevent Roof Leaks In Your Commercial Properties. 

Water damage in a commercial facility can disrupt normal business functions. If not addressed quickly, excess water can cause extensive damage, costly repairs, and disrupted revenue. SERVPRO of Pickens County is committed to helping you regain production capabilities and minimizing interruptions so that you can get back to doing what you do best! No matter the size of the loss your business has experienced, we have the equipment, expertise, and resources to mitigate the damages and restore your facility back to preloss condition.

While most common leaks are an easy fix and do not require the help of a professional, if left undetected, your commercial facility could experience costly damage in the long run. Below are the most common detected leaks in commercial buildings and facilities:

• Plumbing leaks: Deteriorating supply lines or outdated plumbing often trigger leaks in commercial properties. Luckily, these are easy to fix but does require a detailed inspection.
• Toilet leaks: Toilet leaks occur due to wear and tear from use. Toilet leaks are an easy and quick fix. 
• Faucet leaks: Faucet leaks are usually overlooked but are easy to fix. The rubber washer wearing off is the main trigger of a dripping faucet. A dripping faucet can cause hefty bills if not addressed straight away.
• Basement leaks: Lack of waterproofing and substandard concrete can lead to water leaks in the basement of your commercial property. If not addressed quickly, these problems can lead to the deterioration of the structural integrity. 
• Roof leaks: Roof leaks are a headache for commercial property owners. This type of leak is not as easy to fix and usually requires professional assistance. Roof leaks can be from multiple sources including, clogged gutters to surface hairline cracks. 

Unfortunately, roof leaks pose a serious threat to the building’s structural integrity. Below are a few professional tips to prevent roof leaks in your commercial property.

Routine inspections: It is recommended you inspect the roof of your commercial property and related fixtures at least twice a year.

Scheduling an inspection after a storm is the best move that any commercial property owner can make. Consider inspecting the roof of your facility as part of your maintenance routine. 

When inspecting the roof of your commercial facility, make sure you examine the following: 

• Supporting structures
• Roof edging
• Expansion joint covers
• Roof valleys
• Lightning protection systems

Repairs & Upgrades:

Water fixtures supporting roofs such as roof valleys and roof edging are exposed to climate and can deteriorate quickly. It is recommended you repair or upgrade these structures as soon as you notice any damage. Issues like corrosion, cracks, and mold growth always need to be addressed immediately.

SERVPRO of Pickens County 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. Have Questions? Call SERVPRO of Pickens County – (864) 855-3993

COVID19 and Your Upstate Business.

9/10/2020 (Permalink)

COVID19 and Your Upstate Business. 

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has sent the Upstate on a rollercoaster ride this year. We begin to feel relieved as we see a decline in cases, only to stress out again when we see case numbers rise as schools and businesses open back up. One thing that has been consistent, is the number of business owners reaching out to learn more about our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned Program. We've developed plans for all types of businesses to help them keep their staff and patrons safe. The Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned Program provides business owners and their patron's peace of mind when they see our logo on the front door. They can tell and feel that the space has had a high level of cleaning. We sanitize all high touch areas.

Stores, restaurants, office buildings, and commercial buildings are great candidates for the Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned Program. Please call SERVPRO of Pickens County for more information on the Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned Program.

4 Steps To keep You In Business During A Flood

9/8/2020 (Permalink)

4 Steps To keep You In Business During A Flood

With heavy rainfall and stormy weather comes floods. The best way to limit business interruption from a flood is to prepare your business for it. Before storms create floods in your area, follow these steps to protect your Pickens County Business. 

1. Clear Gutters: A blocked gutter can overflow and flood the roof. Remove sticks, leaves, and other debris that could cause a clog. Ensure your gutters are securely fastened. 
2. Cut Back Trees: Cut back any tree limbs before bad weather. This prevents the possibility of loose branches falling into the building during high winds or rain. 
3. Back-Up Data:  Before any bad weather starts, back up any important data. Many companies choose to have a server store their content as a precautionary measure. 
4. Make a Flood Dam: You can build a flood dam with sandbags to protect your property from flooding with blackwater. 

If your business suffers flood or storm damage, do not hesitate to call SERVPRO of Pickens County (864) 855-3993. We'll make it "Like it never even happened." 

Is Your Pickens County Business Prepared For A Fire?

8/4/2020 (Permalink)

Is Your Pickens County Business Prepared For A Fire?

Your employees are a part of your team and an essential asset to your business. You and your employees want to feel safe every time you walk through the doors, and to do that, you must know what to do in an emergency. Below are a few tips that can help you and your employees become more prepared for a fire. 

• Fire Plan: Make sure your employees know what to do if there is a fire. It's a good idea to have a fire drill once a year to keep employees updated on your protocol.  
• Have A Safety Officer: Designate one person as your office's fire prevention officer. Their duties should include calling 911 immediately, composing escape routes and meeting points for employees, as well as keeping all your office safety plans, equipment, and information up to date. 
• Evacuation Plan: If you work in a larger building, display fire evacuation plans in several places around your workplace. When developing the evacuation plan, account for employees who will need additional assistance. 

SERVPRO's Disaster Recovery Team

7/22/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO's Disaster Recovery Team. 

The SERVPRO Commercial Large Loss Division is composed of our best of the best in restoration. Our elite large-loss specialists are prequalified and strategically positioned throughout the United States to handle any size disaster. SERVPRO of Pickens County works hand in hand with the commercial large loss team to make it "Like it never even happened." 

Every large loss is supervised by a commercial operations manager to help ensure seamless communication and timely mitigation.

At SERVPRO, the difference is our ability to dispatch trained production professionals and cut costs through the strategic placement and oversight of temporary labor. Get the professionals, call SERVPRO of Pickens County.

Clients for the Commercial Large Loss program include the following:

• The Hospitality Industry
• Property Managers
• Universities
• Municipalities
• The Pentagon

Should a storm or major event strike, call SERVPRO of Pickens County (864) 855-3993

No One Plans On Disaster But You Can Plan For It!

7/20/2020 (Permalink)

No One Plans On Disaster But You Can Plan For It!

Disasters and emergencies always strike without warning. Planning ahead speaks trust to your employees and clients. In the event your business is affected by a disaster, they don't necessarily have to be. By developing a SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile with SERVPRO of Pickens County, you can minimize the amount of time your business is inactive by having an immediate plan of action. Are you ready for a disaster? 

Why the SERVPRO ERP?

• The ERP is a no-cost assessment of your facility. 
• It's designed to contain only the critical information needed for an emergency. 
• The ERP establishes SERVPRO of Pickens County as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider. 
• Identifies the line of command for authorizing work to begin. 
• The ERP provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas, and priority contact information. 

To start your ERP call SERVPRO of Pickens County (864) 855 - 3993. Please visit https://ready.SERVPRO.com/ for more information. 

Is Your Business Prepared For Emergency Preparedness Month?

9/11/2019 (Permalink)

Is Your Business Prepared For Emergency Preparedness Month? 

Every September is National Preparedness Month. This years theme for National Preparedness Month is "Prepared, Not Scared. Be Ready for Disasters". One way to be ready for disasters is to have an Emergency Ready Profile (ERP) for your Pickens County business or facility. An ERP is a no-cost assessment; all it requires is a little time, which makes it a great value that could save you a lot of time in the future. Preparation is the key to making it through any size disaster, whether it is a small water leak, a large fire, or an area flood.

Having an immediate plan in action can help reduce your business interruption. The ERP is that plan. The ERP gives your Pickens County business top priority in the event of an area-wide disaster. The process of completing an ERP begins with our Disaster Recovery Consultants touring your Pickens County business or facility. During this tour, they locate the shut-off valves and high priority locations. They will also identify a chain of command for authorizing work to begin. Emergency contact information, your facilities electric or gas company, water company, and power company contact information is collected and compiled into a comprehensive document. This document is easily accessible online or through SERVPRO's free Ready Plan app. A copy of this document is also stored at SERVPRO Corporate. In the event of a county-wide disaster, your ERP will be sent to SERVPRO disaster teams. Disasters don't plan ahead, but you can with an Emergency Ready Plan. 

Want an ERP for your business? Call SERVPRO of Pickens County (864) 855 - 3993. 

Your Pickens County Business Has Water Damage - Who Do You Call?

9/6/2019 (Permalink)

Your Pickens County Business Has Water Damage - Who Do You Call?

When business owners think of water damage, they often envision massive storms, flooded offices, and shutting down business for several days. Many Pickens County commercial businesses suffer from water damage as a result of floods, water from weather events, and storms. However, many business owners, entrepreneurs, and business space renters overlook that storms, severe weather, and floods aren't the only causes of water damage. Below are a few examples that can cause water damage in any Pickens County commercial business. 

1. Defective Sprinkler System Older offices and retail buildings can have outdated sprinkler systems. While these systems can work in conjunction with fire protection systems, they can also malfunction and cause flooding. Flooding can damage inventory, business assets, and equipment. 
2. Damaged Appliances and Equipment This cause of commercial flooding is more common in Pickens County restaurants and catering businesses. If the appliance fails and water is sent across your business, especially when no one is around, you could walk into a huge disaster. 
3. Broken Pipes and Plumbing Water damage is an immediate result of a failed plumbing system.
4. Backed Up Sewer Lines This cause of water damage often catches many business owners by surprise. Contaminated water can enter your Pickens County business and cause health effects to your employees and ruin products should your sewer line back up or become damaged. 

 When you need some one to make it "Like it never even happened." - Call SERVPRO of Pickens County 864-855-3993. 

Dryer Fires Are No Problem For SERVPRO of Pickens County.

7/31/2019 (Permalink)

This laundromat experienced smoke and fire damage after a dryer spontaneously caught on fire. After the first responders left, the owner gave SERVPRO of Pickens County a call. Our technicians arrived and began the job with cleaning up and removing the leftover debris. Then they focused their efforts on removing the soot from the machines and restoring them to their previous condition. Our team removed two dryers that were too damaged to restore. The ceiling tiles were removed, cleaned, and put back in their original location. Finally, our crew focused on removing the smoke odor. Fogging and deodorizing equipment was set up to remove the odor. After a few days, the laundromat was ready to be reopened for customers.
Don't let fire and smoke ruin your business - Call SERVPRO of Pickens County 864 - 855 - 3993.

When Disaster Strikes During The Holidays - Call SERVPRO of Pickens County

7/18/2019 (Permalink)

The water heater in this church began leaking, dripping water down the walls. Unbeknownst to anyone, the leak persisted and damaged the walls and carpeted areas. Instead of panicking the church members decided to call SERVPRO of Pickens County. Our crew arrived with equipment in hand, ready to mitigate the water damage. On top of needing mitigation, the church also needed to be open in time for the holiday season. Technicians and crew chiefs worked tirelessly around the clock to have the church back open in time. The mitigation process began with setting up drying equipment to dry out the wet carpeted areas. Our team decided that sections of the drywall needed to be removed for the wall to dry out completely.  Once the walls and carpet were dried out, the areas were prepped for the restoration team to take over. The customer was impressed with our quick turnaround time and that we kept them in the loop with daily updates. 

Have Water Damage to Your Pickens County Business? Better Call SERVPRO of Pickens County

10/17/2018 (Permalink)

Have Water Damage to Your Pickens County Business? Better Call SERVPRO of Pickens County

There is never a convenient time for flooding or water damage to strike your business. Every hour spent cleaning up water and the mess left behind is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency arises in your business, call SERVPRO of Pickens County. We offer 24-hour emergency services, we will respond quickly with the help you need.  

Commercial Water Damage Restoration Presents Unique Challenges

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

Water Damage or Flooding? Call Us Today (864) 855-3993

Preparing Your Pickens County Business for an Emergency

10/17/2018 (Permalink)

Preparing Your Pickens County Business for an Emergency 

It is important for businesses to plan and prepare for a disaster. A large-scale disaster has the potential to disrupt normal business operations and affect employees. It is important for any business to plan ahead in case of a disaster. Below are a few tips you can implement in your business preparedness plan. 

• Include emergency preparedness plans in your business's newsletter, emails, or other communication tools. 
• A telephone calling tree or a voice recording can be used to communicate with employees during a disaster. 
• Set up an out of town number where employees can leave an "I'm okay" message during a disaster. 
• You should talk to your employees with disabilities or functional needs about what their needs may be during a disaster. 
• Plan for payroll to continue.  
• Review and practice what you and your employees intend to do during and after an emergency. 
• Establish facility shut down procedures. 
• Establish warning and evacuation procedures. 
• Make plans for assisting employees who may need transportation. 
• Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio with a warning alarm tone and back up battery. 
• Survey your facility and the outside equipment and make plans to protect them. 
• Make plans to protect your windows. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection. Covering windows with plywood is a great second option. 
• Check if your phone system will work without electricity. If not, set up one phone line that can operate without electricity. 
• Establish an alternate operating location and back up suppliers. 
• Prepare to move records, computers, and other items within your facility or to an alternate location. 
• Consider how to recover any digital data if there is a significant power outage or the servers or computers are damaged. Keep tax, payroll records, inventory records, and essential information at an alternate site. 
• Maintain three to five days of inventory. If a disaster occurs, the loss isn't as great. 

Emergency Planning for Business and Industry

Commercial Storm Damage Restoration For Pickens County

10/4/2018 (Permalink)

Commercial Storm Damage Restoration For Pickens County

Storms and inclement weather can be devastating to any business. Wind damage, heavy rain, and flooding can occur suddenly and cause substantial damage in a matter of minutes. There is never a convenient time for flooding or storm 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 SERVPRO of Pickens County a call and we'll be there fast with the help you need. 

Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today (864) 855-3993 

Commercial Restoration Presents Unique Challenges

SERVPRO of Pickens County has the training, experience, and equipment to handle large commercial storm or water damage emergencies. Regardless of your property type or size, we will respond quickly to clean the property and manage the restoration project through its completion. 

Emergency Ready Profile For Your Pickens County Business

9/6/2018 (Permalink)

When Disaster Strikes, You Can Be Ruined Or You Can Be Ready! 

As many as 50% of business close down following a disaster, according to the latest research. Of the businesses that survive, the overwhelming majority of them had a preparedness plan in place. Pre-planning can serve as an insurance policy aimed at peace of mind. And knowing you are "Ready For Whatever Happens" speaks trust to your clients and employees that in the event your business is affected by a disaster, they don't necessarily have to be. 

The SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile Advantage 

Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business. The SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile is a no-cost assessment of your facility. It provides a concise Profile Document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency. This can help minimize the amount of time your business is inactive by having an immediate plan of action. The SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile provides you with a SERVPRO of Pickens County professional to assist you with your mitigation and restoration process. We save time and can begin working quickly by identifying the chain of command for authorizing work. Your facilities ERP will provide SERVPRO of Pickens County with vital information such as shut off valve locations, priority areas, and priority contact information. 

To get started call SERVPRO of Pickens County (864)855-3993

or visit: https://ready.SERVPRO.com/Home/MobileApp