Tips for Small Business Owners to Manage Risks

10/16/2023 (Permalink)

When you own a business, a natural disaster puts more than just you at risk. For many small business owners, their commercial property is essential to their livelihood, and thus it is vitally important that they are able to continue operations even during the worst of circumstances.

One of the best ways to do this is by preparing for a disaster in advance, as the frequency of natural disasters continues to increase around the world. Knowing what your unique risks are, having a plan in place for the worst-case scenario and knowing what to do after a disaster are all important aspects of staying safe and recovering quickly.

<h3for-a-disaster-at-your-small-business">Preparing for a Disaster at Your Small Business

1. Double-Check Your Insurance
While small business owners often believe they have adequate insurance coverage, many are disappointed to find out that this is not necessarily the case as far as natural disasters are concerned. Excessive damages, such as those from a flood, often require the purchase of extra business insurance in order to provide complete coverage for disaster scenarios.

2. Create Your Action Plan
Planning for what you will do when a natural disaster is imminent is a wise choice, as it will help you mitigate risks to your business. Being aware of any machinery shutdown requirements and saving important documents are ways you can help your business stay safe while learning about evacuation routes and local shelters is a great way to keep yourself safe should a disaster occur.

3. Rehearse Drills and Prepare Staff
If you manage employees on the property, it is important that you uphold your duty to care for them by preparing them for a disaster scenario. Be sure they are aware of the company’s official disaster proceedings and practice your building evacuation regularly and with varied scenarios so everyone can feel more at ease.

4. Choose a Restoration Company to Work With
When a disaster hurts your small business, it has also hurt your livelihood—which is why reopening quickly is so important following a disaster. By picking the restoration company you will work within advance of a disaster scenario, you can call them the moment you discover damage so your restoration process can begin right away.

If you need to pick a commercial restoration company that’s right for you, call us today! We can tell you all about what sets our process apart.

Look For the Cause

5/5/2022 (Permalink)

Mold needs water or moisture and oxygen to grow. Water does not have to flow into the building for there to be enough moisture to promote the growth of mold. Although one-time leaks or burst water pipes may not be a problem if repaired, even a one-time leak, if not properly addressed, can cause unacceptable mold growth. There are a number of potential causes of moisture or water entry:

• Lack of building maintenance
• Poor building design or construction
• Using wet building materials
• Leaky pipes, windows, or doors
• Regular, or even one-time flooding
• Simple plumbing mistakes
• Excessive humidity and condensation
• Improper landscaping design or maintenance outside the building, causing water to flow toward the building
• Any other serious water related problem
• Address Moisture or Water Issues Promptly

for more info visit ehstoday.com

Sprinklers: the primary line of defense, the secondary cause of damages

5/5/2022 (Permalink)

Fire prevention and protection are an aspect that cannot be overlooked when running a successful business. The fire marshal comes, and codes and standards are enforced. Once all of this happens; in a perfect world, all is well, right? It is not enough to simply HAVE fire extinguishers on-site if nobody knows how to use them. (Always remember, P.A.S.S., Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep, and aim at the base of the fire.) It is not enough to simply have a fire alarm if it’s not tested. It’s also far less than ideal to simply have a sprinkler system installed, if you aren’t aware of how to use and maintain it.

Automatic sprinkler systems are truly innovative within the world of fire protection. Each sprinkler head has a vacuum-sealed liquid-filled glass tube. At 135º-165º the liquid expands and the bulb bursts, releasing the plug that holds back the flow of water. Once the bulb bursts and the water pressure forces the plug out, the water sprays over a deflector plate, spreading the reach of the water and distributing it in an even pattern.

Sprinkler head activation is isolated to the heated areas. Often, only 1 or 2 sprinkler heads are needed to cool the fire source and prevent the heat from triggering more sprinkler heads. Knowing where your water shut off is crucial in a time like this. (Ask your local SERVPRO of Ames representative about identifying your business’ shut-offs and developing an Emergency Ready Profile, so your commercial business is ready for whatever happens)

Over time, a sprinkler system can get broken or malfunction. Sprinklers can even get activated without the presence of a fire, leading to 8-24 gallons of water per minute flowing all over the interior of your business, or consuming your products. Issues such as these tend to unfortunately compromise your business operations. While this amount is around 10x less than the water flow from a fire hose, it is still unwanted water.

Maintaining your business’s sprinkler system is an essential part of impactful facility management. Ensuring your system is ready and fully operational will allow it to be an excellent safety device, defending against property damage, injury, or even death.

When a sprinkler is activated, bumped, or malfunctions, causing water damage, it’s important to stabilize the surrounding environment. Once the water has stopped, what do you do? SERVPRO of Ames is on call 24/7 and will be able to help get the restoration process started. SERVPRO of Ames will provide an initial inspection, as well as an assessment of the damages before assembling a team of professionals in order to remove the stress from any mess.

Our restoration experts will extract the damage-inducing water, begin structural drying of the affected areas through use of our state-of-the-art equipment, as well as techniques to dehumidify the surrounding environment. Those actions will take place while our restoration team simultaneously controls the nearby temperature in order to promote rapid and thorough drying, as well as prevent further potential growth of mold.

Sprinkler systems overall, are a blessing and a huge benefit to have installed within your commercial business. In order to receive further information relating to the topic of sprinkler systems, Visit the National Fire Sprinkler Association at nfsa.org for more insight.

If you have any questions about sprinkler system water damage, or any property damages your commercial business may have experienced, contact SERVPRO of Ames 24/7 at (515) 233-4544 and our restoration specialists will help you get started on the road to an efficient disaster recovery.  

Large Loss Commercial Restoration

2/24/2022 (Permalink)

Disaster takes no time striking, so neither do we! Call or send us a message today.

As the #1 choice in the cleanup and restoration industry, SERVPRO of Ames can help your commercial property or business throughout every step of the process, we are faster to any size disaster. From immediately after the disaster, to returning your property to its preloss condition, we want to make the process run as smooth as possible in as little time as we can. Call SERVPRO of Ames today at (515) 233-4544 for immediate assistance. You can also reach out to us anytime on Facebook at SERVPRO of Ames. 

Catastrophic Restoration Specialists

Available 24/7

Commercial Large Loss Division

Personal Attention

Easier Insurance Claims Process

Winter Maintenance Tips For Commercial Buildings

2/4/2022 (Permalink)

Stay safe this winter by keeping your commercial building prepared for the cold!

The end is near for our current Iowa winter & even though groundhog day predicted 6 more weeks of winter earlier this week, many people already spend their days fixated on warmer ones ahead. With that being said, our homes and commercial buildings still have to withstand the freezing temps for just a little bit longer. The season where all you want to do is hunker down and hibernate until Spring is almost over. It is important to make sure that your commercial building is ready for the cold winter weather. Here are several tips to make sure that your building is winter safe:

Inspect your Heating Systems:  When the weather changes and you turn on your heating system it is important to have it inspected and that all maintenance is done.  If there is a buildup in the flue-pipe or vent than there is a chance of carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep your customers and employees warm in your building, so if your furnaces are over 10 years old, consider replacing them for efficiency and safety.

Setting your Thermostats- It is important to make sure that your employees are warm during the winter, but it’s also imperative that your building stays warm too. Blistering winds can freeze pipes especially if your heating system isn’t working. Also, by calibrating your thermostats, you’ll make sure your heating systems are operating efficiently, which saves you money on your heating bill.

Inspect Doors and Windows– If you have gaps in your doors or windows it is a good idea to use weather stripping.  Doors and windows are prime entrance ways for cold, water and pests to enter your building and can cause damage to your interior items. The warm air can also escape causing your heating bill to rise.

Entrance Mats- It is cost efficient to have proper winter weather mats at all entrances and exits of your building. Did you know 80% of the dirt found in buildings such as offices and shopping spaces was tracked in on people’s shoes? The cost to have carpets cleaned or floors stripped and waxed can cost a lot of money.  A good guide is that people entering should have three steps on a mat with each foot. The mats should give a little traction and should be rubber underneath to alleviate potential slip hazards.

Salt your sidewalks– One of the biggest hazards during the winter may happen outside your office and that is the icy, slippery sidewalk and driveway that poses a slip risk for employees and customers.  You should consider de-icing options, such as rock salt or deicing liquid. Be sure to follow the directions, otherwise you might end up damaging areas around your building.

Following these safety tips will help keep your building, employees and customers safe from emergency weather situations this winter season. If you are needing a commercial cleaning and restoration company to clean your winter grime, call SERVPRO of Ames today at (515) 233-4544 or send us a message on Facebook anytime at SERVPRO of Ames. 

Janitorial Cleaning Services in Story, Boone & Greene County

2/2/2022 (Permalink)

Let us help clean your office or commercial business with SERVPRO of Ames janitorial cleaning services today!

SERVPRO of Ames offers office cleaning plus disinfecting services to commercial businesses throughout Story, Boone, and Greene County. We target the grime, odor and moisture that gradually wear and tear at your office. It is important during this current state of affairs relating to the Coronavirus that your janitorial company has the ability to disinfect the high-touch surfaces in your commercial property. SERVPRO of Ames uses the CDC recommended hospital-grade cleaners, targeting harmful pathogens and bacteria.

High touch surfaces include:

• Doorknobs

• Countertops

• Tables

• Light Switches

• Handles

• Desks

• Phones

• Tablets

• Keyboards

• Toilets

• Faucets

• Soap Dispensers

• Sinks

• Remotes

SERVPRO of Ames Janitorial Cleaning Services

• Spot Clean Carpet, i.e. Spills
• Detail Vacuum All Carpet
• Detail Vacuum-Corners and Edges
• Dust Mop Hard Surface Floors
• Damp Mop Hard Surface Floors
• Clean All Ceiling Vents
• Vacuum Walk-Off Maps
• Vacuum or Brush Upholstered Furniture
• Clean and Sanitize Telephones
• Clean Sinks ~ Per Instructions
• Clean and Polish Drinking Fountains
• Clean Refrigerators, Empty Contents if Requested
• Damp Clean Exterior and Interior of Microwaves
• Empty and Remove Trash

Additional Services for Special Projects

• Carpet Cleaning
• Upholstery Cleaning
• Duct Cleaning

For further information regarding both residential and commercial cleaning, as well as restoration services offered by SERVPRO of Ames, contact our office anytime by phone at (515) 233-4544 or send us a message on Facebook at SERVPRO of Ames. 

Restoring Your Story County Commercial Property After A Winter Storm

1/13/2022 (Permalink)

Restoration needs this Winter? We are here to help 24 hours.

Winter weather scenarios can be both damaging and unpredictable events in Story County. Commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, such as pipes freezing during these cold months, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. This leads us to the fastest possible route to full restoration. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of both legal and environmental concerns, and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that 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 arrive quickly with the help you need.

About SERVPRO of Ames

SERVPRO of Ames specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. Contact us anytime at (515) 233-4544 or on Facebook at SERVPRO of Ames.

Is Your Business Protected With Fire Extinguishers?

11/19/2020 (Permalink)

Make sure your business has fire extinguishers and your staff knows how to use them.

It doesn’t happen often, but when a fire breaks out at a place of work, employees are often the first line of defense to keep a small fire from becoming a large disaster. It’s best to be prepared for fires that are manageable with the use of a fire-extinguisher. 

Every type of building except a one- or two-family house is required by the National Fire Protection Association to have fire extinguishers. Whether you have a simple seamstress shop or a tool making business, it’s important to know how to use one.

Your fire extinguisher must be located where people can easily get to it. It also needs to be visible. If it’s in a cabinet or under a sink, signs must clearly indicate where to find it. 

Types of Fire Extinguishers

Depending on the kinds of fire hazards in your business, you may need one or more of the following types of fires extinguishers:

Type A: For combustible solid materials such as wood or fire. If you have an office or shop with a low level of fire hazards, a type A extinguisher is probably enough.

Type B: For flammable liquid or gas. If you run a business that includes or kitchen or uses flammable liquids like paint or grease, you need a type B extinguisher.

Type C: For energized electrical sources. Businesses ranging from server farms to welding shops that use a large amount of electricity or electronics need type C fire extinguishers, which can be used for electrical fires.

Type D: For combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium and sodium. Businesses like factories, auto body shops and industrial companies need type D extinguishers.

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

Fire extinguishers are not difficult to use.

1. Pull the pin.
2. Point the nozzle at the base of the fire.
3. Squeeze the handle.
4. Swing back and forth until the fire is out.

It’s recommended that a how-to infographic is displayed near your fire extinguisher and that training is provided for office staff with regular reviews.

If you own a business in Boone or Story County, contact SERVPRO of Ames to help your business prepare for a disaster like a fire with a free SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile. And if you do experience a fire, call us anytime, day or night, to help restore your business so it’s “Like it never even happened.”

Call SERVPRO of Ames to Help Prepare Your Business for Flooding

11/11/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Ames can help you develop an Emergency Ready Profile to make sure you're prepared for flooding or any other kind of disaster.

For commercial business owners who do not operate in a floodplain, it may seem odd to prepare for flooding. However, national disasters include flooding around 90% of the time, and many affected areas are those not traditionally prone to flooding.

It’s smart for business owners to plan for the possibility of a flood, to keep their employees safe and to get their business reopened more quickly after a disaster.

What to Do Ahead of Time
By addressing the risk of flooding, training employees and planning ahead, business owners will be much more prepared and will know how to stay safe. Some key points to plan for include:

• Referencing the FEMA Flood Map to get an idea of your risk levels
• Copying all paperwork and records to a safe, external server or cloud-based storage
• Drafting your own Emergency Action Plan and training employees 
• Clearly marking the office evacuation route
• Considering the purchase of flood insurance if it is something your business insurance does not handle
• Assembling an emergency kit for the workplace in the event you and other employees are stranded for a time
• A plan to relocate valuable assets to the highest possible areas if flooding becomes imminent

The Documents to Preserve
In order to restore and reopen your business as soon as possible, it’s crucial to back up all important documents and data to a safe off-site or cloud-based location. Some of these essential documents include:

• The continuity plan for how you will resume operations
• Contact information for employees, as well as their emergency contacts
• Your insurance policy for the business and flood coverage, if applicable
• Vendor information, along with contact information for suppliers and any other third parties that may be crucial to operations
• Guidelines for how to recover files from computer backups
• Any pertinent financial documents

Call SERVPRO of Ames at 515-233-4544 to help you set up a SERVPRO® Emergency Ready Profile. We’ll make sure you’re prepared for flooding or any other kind of disaster that can affect your business. It’s FREE and can make the difference between the life and death of your Boone or Story County business.

SERVPRO of Ames Takes on Any Size Commercial Disasters

9/2/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO's large loss team can take on any commercial disaster of any size.

SERVPRO of Ames takes on commercial disasters, no matter how large, whether from a tornado, hurricane, fire, flood or a derecho like we recently experienced here in central Iowa. We’re part of a nationwide network of more than 1,700 strategically positioned SERVPRO franchises on standby and ready to mobilize when large disaster teams are needed.

We Have the Right Team for Big Jobs

We start by assessing the damage. In the event we need more feet on the ground and extra resources, we contact the SERVPRO Commercial Large Loss Division, staffed by elite large-loss specialists who are prequalified to handle any size disaster. They immediately dispatch any needed personnel to the site and set up a local command center with a commercial operations manager to supervise the loss and ensure communication is seamless and remediation is completed as quickly as possible. 

For example, we recently received a call about a large commercial fire near Ames. We immediately contacted the SERVPRO Large Loss Division to help complete an assessment and put together a scope of estimated work. SERVPRO was there within hours and was the first company on the scene with a large loss project manager to work directly with the client and the insurance company and quickly present an evaluation and estimate. 

Our National Team Knows What It’s Doing

When you call SERVPRO of Ames with a large loss, you’re also calling a national disaster team — one of the best you can get. We’re different than other large response teams because we quickly and efficiently dispatch professionals who have the same high-level training. That’s why so many hotel owners, property managers, universities, municipalities and even the Pentagon have relied on SERVPRO for recovery from large disasters. 

Call us right away at (515) 233-4544 if your commercial business, school, city or township in Boone or Story county experiences a large loss. You can be sure we’ll respond immediately with all the staff, resources and experience needed to handle the recovery process smoothly and efficiently.

Trust SERVPRO of Ames to Disinfect Your Ames Area Business or School for Covid-19

6/16/2020 (Permalink)

Don’t trust just anyone to disinfect your business, school or organization. SERVPRO of Ames is highly-trained and certified to do the job.

SERVPRO of Ames is answering an increasing number of calls to clean and disinfect area businesses in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

While few businesses and organizations have had an employee test positive for the virus, many companies are asking us to help them prepare for reopening and maintain a clean environment for their staff and customers.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned – Our Viral Pathogen Cleaning Program

Don’t trust just anyone to disinfect your business, school or organization. SERVPRO of Ames is highly-trained and certified to do the job. 

We offer Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, a proactive and Covid-19 emergency response cleaning program that goes way beyond janitorial or carpet cleaning. This is tested and proven viral pathogen cleaning that meets the highest standards.

Our staff specializes in biohazard cleaning and decontamination for porous and non-porous surfaces – always adhering to the cleaning and decontamination standards set by the CDC. 

We use EPA-approved products that don't harm your work environment or your employees, clients or students. These include our proprietary cleaning agent SERVPROXIDE, a hospital-grade disinfectant that is NSF certified for direct food surface use.

Let SERVPRO of Ames Help You Maintain a Sanitized Environment

We can sanitize every space in your business, school or organization, including:

• offices 
• retail spaces 
• fitness rooms 
• playgrounds
• food areas (break rooms, school kitchens, cafeterias)

We’re locally owned and operated and available 24 hours/7 days per week, serving all of Boone and Story County. So we’re nearby and ready to take care of you right away.

Give us a call at (515) 233-4544. 

Get A Free Emergency Ready Profile for Your Business From SERVPRO of Ames

5/14/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO's free Emergency Ready Profile will help your company get back on its feet faster after a disaster and is accessed through an easy-to-use app.

We’re heading into storm season here in the Midwest. Is your business ready to handle severe tornado or flood damage? What about a disaster that can happen any time of year, like a fire or a water line break?

No one can prevent every disaster from happening, but if your business is prepared with a SERVPRO® Emergency Ready Profile (ERP), you’ll recover more quickly. You’ll also give your business the best chance of reopening. About 50 percent of companies never reopen after extended interruptions from disasters.

Insurance companies know this too, which is why most recommend that businesses make an emergency response plan part of their overall contingency plans.

Let SERVPRO of Ames Help You Put Your Profile Together

We enjoy the process of putting together ERPs, and we do it for FREE. It gives us a chance to get to know you and your business so we can serve you in the best possible way should a disaster ever strike. 

Jeff Short, our General Manager, or Don Stokesbarry, our Operations Manager - both highly certified technicians - will work closely with you to develop your profile containing all the critical information you’ll need in the event of an emergency.

What’s In the ERP?

This well-organized document includes:

• Primary staff and local emergency contacts
• Primary contractor/vendor contacts (electrician, internet provider, HVAC, etc.)
• Utility shut-off locations with photos for fast identification
• All needed information for your insurance company 
• Property overview with maps, photos, and structural descriptions
• Building access information
• Ability to add extra reports of your own (evacuation floor plans, lead/asbestos reports)

Access Your ERP With an Easy-to-Access Mobile App and Web Portal

Once we’ve captured all your information, SERVPRO of Ames will make it all available to you through our quick and easy-to-use SERVPRO® Ready Plan mobile app and web portal. Ready Plan is password secured and allows you to manage your profile and share your information with people you choose, such as property or facility managers. 

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

The sooner you call us, the sooner we’ll create your ERP, which can make the difference between the life and death of your business. 

Call 515-233-4544 to set up an appointment as soon as possible, before a disaster hits.