Archived Commercial Blog Posts
8 Places You May Forget to Clean in Your Business
8/8/2022 (Permalink)
Make your commercial business shine!
Keeping your commercial business’s image as reputable as possible is a very important task, as well as a big one! A spic and span commercial property is one way to maintain a great name! SERVPRO knows a thing or two about clean, that’s why we want to present you with a resource we think might assist you when it comes to making your workspace shine!
When it comes to cleaning, we know you all probably do the vacuuming, dusting, and tidying up of those office files and paperwork, but what about the nitty-gritty details?
Here are 8 areas in your commercial business that you may be overlooking, and could use a nice scrub down!
- Your breakroom microwave: When lunchtime rolls around, it’s easy to quickly throw your food into the microwave without a second glance not realizing the microwave could use a good wipe down. You may walk away to make that cup of coffee, or use the restroom. PS: You should never walk away from a running microwave, but that’s a lesson for another time!
- Your printer surface underneath: Our office printers very often sit static for most of their lifetimes. Dusting off any extra debris will also keep your printer in tip-top shape! Go that extra step, and every so often wipe down the surface that your printer sits on to ensure everything is pristine!
- Ceiling fans: We all know how a fan blade can collect dust. Enough said.
- Vents and Air ducts: This one is very important because it will also help prevent potential fires!
- Plants: Office plants and foliage can be one of the biggest dust collectors. Using a damp paper towel, you can easily wipe off any leaves and plants and it will add that extra level of cleanliness to your office space!
- Door Handles: Everyone knows this is one of the most highly touched areas in any commercial business. Help reduce the spread of germs by taking this step!
- Office Phones: Same thing as door handles!
- Carpets: Getting your carpets cleaned every few years, or maybe even every year is a great way to keep your business as possible! If you have a very high-traffic storefront, you could consider doing it more often.
If you are reading this and you think any of these areas in your business have been needing some love, you’ve come to the right place and we’re glad to be a resource!
If you ever have a mess that you need assistance with, call SERVPRO! We are here to help!
A Perfectly Timed Disaster
7/12/2022 (Permalink)
Contact SERVPRO today to schedule your FREE ERP!
Getting a call to re-schedule a meeting an hour before it is to occur, can leave you a little jolted. But not as much as canceling the meeting only to SCHEDULE a water cleanup instead! I can’t make this stuff up…I was literally going over to the property manager’s office to explain how their SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile (ERP) would assist them at their 72-unit apartment complex in times of trouble when they called for help!
A contractor had pulled some baseboard off, ripping a nail out of a water line. Water was taking over the room quickly. The property manager remembered where the SERVPRO water shut-off tag had been placed the week before by us and ran to stop the flooding.
She was very thankful for the time and steps taken to prepare her in this means.
SERVPRO’s ERP & Education to the rescue!! Even though we would never expect it to be needed this soon.
PREPARE WITH AN ERP
Preparing for a catastrophe is crucial. I’m not talking about worrying, negative thinking, or doomsday prep. But just being aware and putting into place contingencies will bring peace of mind, in case something were to happen.
Unfortunately, we know IT does happen, hence the story above.
E.R.P.> Emergency Ready Profile app by SERVPRO is just that- gets you ready in case of an emergency. By documenting the important areas of your home or business through photos and compiling necessary phone numbers & insurance information ALL IN ONE PLACE, this free app is accessible anywhere you go!
You can take time to celebrate, once your ERP is in place! I know I have offered before, but please take me up on this and call to set up a time for me to come and walk you through your very own ERP- let’s start with your work office!
Back In Business!
7/1/2022 (Permalink)
Water cleanup and restoration is one of our specialties!
The refrigerator… A wonderful creation, it keeps your food fresh and your beverages cold. It seems as though your fridge could do no wrong.
A commercial business that we are doing a job for begs to differ! When a fridge waterline broke in their office, water leaked for several hours. All through the office and down into the basement - there was water damage.
SERVPRO is here to help in situations like this and we will get you back in business!
GETTING STARTED
Our team had to extract all the affected areas to get this commercial business out from underwater. The trim was pulled and equipment was set to get the drying process into action!
DAILY READINGS
Daily readings are taken to ensure that things are beginning to dry. Not even 24 hours later and our team had made great progress on the drying process.
Later in the week, most of the rooms were reading dry. To learn more about this process, you can read our blog on wet checks! There was still one room showing moisture, so equipment was moved around to attack that area.
On the next visit, our team was able to pull all equipment, and our Construction Manager reinstalled the baseboards finishing the job off!
GREEN TEAM
Our certified technicians are highly educated, and with the help of state-of-the-art equipment, they will get you back in business!
Call SERVPRO today at 319.268.1521
Sewer Backup, Not Part of the Phone Plan
5/17/2022 (Permalink)
What will you choose?
A call to a friend, check-ins with a loved one, a happy birthday message, a congratulations-- these are the kind of calls that we like to get in life. A call due to sewage backup is one of the least fun calls that a commercial business owner has to make. It is not fun for the owner, and while we are in the restoration business, we never want anyone to be going through a mess! We always work to prepare and prevent.
SEWER BACKUP COMES RINGING
The SERVPRO crew worked on a job at a local phone store after sewage backup came ringing.
When these catastrophes arise, we understand how important it is to get the mess cleaned up so your commercial business can be back up and running with no stinky mess.
That is what we did for this local commercial phone store.
Our team ensured that the sewage was cleaned thoroughly. You might think that counts as a job well done, however, at SERVPRO of Black Hawk County, we thoroughly inspect to make sure there are no other damages. In this case, there was more to it. Along with the sewer backup, came significant water damage that required drying equipment.
The technicians on the job went back to check on the drying process throughout the process and even drilled some holes into the drywall to ensure that the moisture was completely addressed. When all the readings showed that the structure had been completely dried, the job was now done.
SERVPRO ON SPEED DIAL
While some disasters are non-preventable there are ways to limit damage, and it is best to always be prepared in the event that they happen. Put SERVPRO’s number into your phone so as soon as that sewer backup comes ringing, we can be out there to address the problem at hand and minimize damage!
319.268.1521
Here to Help!
The Importance of an Emergency Plan!
4/7/2022 (Permalink)
It's time to get prepared!
Having a plan when things go array is very important when you own a commercial business. Not only does this make you more aware of your property, but could save you some dollars in the long run if you are prepared and can take immediate action!
IF THAT ISN'T REASON ENOUGH, HERE ARE A FEW MORE:
- Promotes safety & shows that the organization is committed to keeping its workers safe.
- You will be more prone to taking immediate action, which could result in a less severe loss.
- Being prepared can reduce fear, stress, and anxiety.
FREE EMERGENCY READY PROFILE
Yes, you read that right, FREE!
SERVPRO offers a free ERP or Emergency Ready Profile that you can use for your business. There is a mobile application that is used to gather all crucial information and help during and after a disaster occurs.
Recommended information to store in your ERP.
- Emergency contact information
- Building information and description
- Contact information for local emergency services, utilities, municipalities, and vendors
- Map of your business
- Collections of images of important rooms and expensive equipment with an area to add notes or instructions
- Emergency instructions in case of a fire, water, or storm disaster
You can add as many images, instructions, and details to this mobile app as you want! Get started right now!
https://ready.SERVPRO.com/home/mobileapp
TO SUM IT UP
Whether it's through our ERP program or through means of your own, we hope that you get your emergency-ready plan in place. If something goes wrong, you are going to be in a much better position to get back into your building faster! If everything is smooth sailing, then you still get peace of mind that you are prepared!
If you have any questions or would like to request a walkthrough of your business to begin the ERP, give us a call! (319) 268-1521.
Springing into Warmer Weather: Commercial Property Maintenance
3/4/2022 (Permalink)
Protect your commercial property!
As the seasons change, business owners are always looking ahead to what is coming next. The next campaign, the next project, the next meeting, the list is pretty much endless.
What commercial business owners might not think about is how to prepare their buildings for the thaw.
Cold temps, snow, ice, and sometimes even salt, can cause seasonal damage to structures. Due to the way that water expands when it freezes, it can cause cracks and then proceed to melt causing areas of moisture within your structure. The dreaded ice dam can also be a perpetrator of damage. You can read all about Ice dams in our blog on What to Know About Melting Snow!
INSPECT YOUR BUILDING FOR DAMAGE
After the bitter cold has started to subside, one of the first, most crucial steps to getting your commercial building in tip-top shape, is doing a proper inspection. Make yourself a list of things to check for and bring a camera with you for documentation while thoroughly looking over your property. Some things to look out for are:
- Cracks in foundation, pathways, parking lots, and patios
- Lose or damaged pavement
- Missing shingles
- Chipped paint
- Leaking or drafty windows
DO A MAINTENANCE CHECK
In addition to doing a damage inspection, It is also wise to do a proper maintenance check. This includes things such as:
- Getting your air conditioning units looked at
- Replacing air filters
- Flushing your water heaters
- Put fresh batteries in smoke and CO2 detectors
CALL A PROFESSIONAL
If you are unsure of where to begin when getting your property ready for the thaw, make sure to connect with a local professional who can give you guidance on the next steps.
For your cleanup and restoration needs, SERVPRO is here to help in any way that we can! We are simply a phone call away!
It's Time for your Water Shutoff Scavenger Hunt!
2/18/2022 (Permalink)
Injecta-dry units hard at work, drying out this commercial building!
A lot of times we hear about disasters that occur in a home or business when no one is present. In certain situations, things can go array right in front of your eyes. The ONLY positive spin in that scenario, is that immediate action can be taken to help prevent a bigger mess that usually occurs. That is if you are PREPARED!
COMMERCIAL VALVE MALFUNCTION
Recently, we have been working on a job where a toilet was flushed and the valve let loose. The toilet immediately started spraying water everywhere, and in the 35 minutes it took to get the water shut off, it had already flooded three floors of this commercial business. The moral of the story is, know where your water shutoff is located!
A SCAVENGER HUNT FOR YOU
Everyone should know where their main water shutoff valve is located, so in the case of an emergency, you can stop the flow of water, and save yourself the stress of a much larger mess!
Click Here to find a guide to where your shutoffs are! Have fun and make it a scavenger hunt!
SERVPRO 2021 Convention
8/18/2021 (Permalink)
2021 SERVPRO Convention
Last year the SERVPRO Annual Convention was moved to an all-online platform in the midst of COVID. This year, the convention took a Hybrid approach after the lasting effects of the pandemic. While these changes stemmed from trying to navigate in a world where our “normal” has been changing frequently, the outcome has been something that we have embraced.
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
This year, our owners, Scott and Libby Demuth, took their family down to Orlando Florida where they got to fully submerge themselves into the buzz and excitement of all things convention. Getting to experience the lights, music, and time spent with other business owners is something that comes with a lot of advantages. Owner, Scott Demuth, says his favorite part of convention is “Networking with other owners on things that they are doing and meeting the vendors of our suppliers”.
Meanwhile, back at the office, we had the privilege of sitting in on a handful of the live presentations virtually. This Hybrid method really gave us the best of both worlds! We were able to hear from some great speakers all within the comfort of our desks, where we could easily absorb and take notes!
We are looking forward to seeing what next years Annual SERVPRO Convention has in store!
Property Managers, Look No Further!
8/17/2021 (Permalink)
We have our own chemist!
It’s that time of the year when college students are flocking back to Black Hawk Country to return to school. There are a few things that come with the return of students, especially college-age. Stores are preparing by stocking their shelves with college must-haves, the university is getting their buildings ready for students to begin learning, and last but not least property managers are in need of flipping their buildings for students to move in.
Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned!
That’s where we come in! Whether you are a property manager or not, there is always a need for a clean and safe living environment, and we’re “here to help”! From carpet cleaning, all the way to mold remediation, no matter how big or small, SERVPRO has you covered!
Here you can read all about our specialty services when it comes to commercial cleaning!
Call SERVPRO to turn your apartments, your residents will thank you!
Restoring Contents for a Local Bowling Alley
7/15/2021 (Permalink)
The soot from the fire left a lot of equipment in need of restoration
It has been over a year since a local bowling alley burned down due to arson. The fire was meant to be a distraction as some thieves made their escape but the fire quickly took hold of the building causing major fire damage to the property. SERVPRO of Black Hawk County received the call to help.
SERVPRO to the scene
A few days after the incident, we were on the scene ready to pack up all their contents and set down equipment to begin the process of possibly cleaning the structure. The structure received irreparable damage to the front of the building and the interior walls so our team worked hard to fill dumpsters with debris. The metal roof and some of the exterior walls did stay intact but the building needs extreme construction.
We were able to facilitate some of the structure cleanings by garnet blasting the soot but our biggest role in helping this business was CONTENT CLEANING.
SAVING MEMORABILIA & PRECIOUS CONTENT
When news got out about the fire, so many customers of the bowling alley quickly contacted the owners to find out about their lockers and bowling balls that were kept there for them. They received the sad news that the fire affected all the content that was inside but the good news was that SERVPRO was taking care of cleaning the content.
For the past year, we have done our best to remove smoke odor and clean off smoke and fire damage from more than 50+ bowling balls, bowling-specific antique décor, and neon signage. This content has been returned to its owners and all the décor that we were able to clean and save will be making their appearances in the new building!
HERE TO HELP.
POST COVID- Back in Business: Are you ready for the Next Disaster?
7/15/2021 (Permalink)
A look into our ERP mobile app!
As each day passes, what seemed to be our new normal is now once again changing. Has everyone just dropped their face masks off at Goodwill and bid them all “Good day”? Seems so! This could mean that we are almost out of the weirdness of being a part of a pandemic in the 21st century. We are all just so excited to be with people in close proximity.
Back in Business
As a business owner, you may also experience everyone’s excitement as they rush back into their social life especially during the weekend. That is amazing news!
We don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade but as a business that works closely with cleaning up after disasters, we want to make sure that our local businesses are prepared in case of another one. Here’s a practical and proactive way to prepare for one.
EMERGENCY READY PROFILE
We recommend setting an ERP or Emergency Ready Profile for your business. This is ABSOLUTELY FREE!! This ERP is a mobile application used to gather important information for your home and/or business that can help during and after a disaster. Here’s the type of information you can add to the app.
Recommended information to store to your ERP.
- Emergency contact information
- Building information and description
- Contact information for local emergency services, utilities, municipalities, and vendors
- Map of your business
- Collections of images of important rooms and expensive equipment with an area to add notes or instructions
- Emergency instructions in case of a fire, water, or storm disaster
You can add as many images, instructions, and details to this mobile app as you want! Get started right now!
https://ready.SERVPRO.com/home/mobileapp
If you have any questions or would like to request a walkthrough of your business to begin the ERP, give us a call! (319) 268-1521.
Prepare your home or business for selling
5/27/2021 (Permalink)
Call SERVPRO to help get your property ready to sell.
It’s a hot market out there for buying residential properties. We know a few realtors who have been blessed with a rise of homes being put on the market and selling like hotcakes! Is that not the case for your home or business? As a restoration business, we have found ourselves partnering with homeowners, property managers, and realtors in preparing their property before putting it on the market. Here are a few preparation tips by SERVPRO of Black Hawk County.
7 Tips to Selling your Home or Business
- DECLUTTER – After occupying a space for a long period of time, it is natural to start collecting items. Before selling, take the opportunity to throw away broken items, donate old or unused items, and have a garage sale! The fewer things in your property, the bigger it will look and feel.
- CLEAN – A clean space can communicate a place that's been taken care of.
- REMOVE BAD ODORS – Carpet and Upholstery can absorb a lot of odors. Consider removing bad odors especially if you’re an animal owner or like to cook a lot.
- DEODORIZE – It is important to only deodorize after you remove the bad odors. Deodorizing can help freshen up a place but if it’s too overpowering or is mixed in with a bad odor, it can be off-putting and bring suspicion to the buyer.
- CHECK HIGH HUMIDITY AND MOLD – Check your home, especially the basement and attic, for high humidity and mold. Add a dehumidifier in the room to avoid a mildew smell and remediate any mold.
- DOCUMENT – Gather all documents on repairs, appliance manuals, or even fire escape plans.
- REPAIR – Consider doing repairs on the structure or doing some updates. It’s important to repair anything that might cause water or fire damage such as electrical issues or plumbing issues.
SERVPRO CAN HELP!
Give SERVPRO of Black Hawk County a call if you need help with carpet cleaning, content cleaning, mold remediation, odor removal & deodorization, or reconstruction. We would love to assist in making your property more desirable and selling it quickly.
Call 319.268.1521.
Reconstruction for Home and Businesses after Disaster
3/10/2021 (Permalink)
"Like it never even happened," with RECONSTRUCTION.
Got Construction? Yes, we do! New Division of Service Opens for SERVPRO of Black Hawk County.
After SERVPRO cleans up from a water or fire disaster in a home or business, construction work will be necessary. More times than not, clients want us to arrange the reconstruction. SERVPRO of Black Hawk County is making good on living up to its national tagline, “Like it never even happened,” by announcing the new division of work, Reconstruction Services.
Dennis Larson, Construction Manager for the division, joined the team in September of 2020. He brings 25 years’ worth of skills & standards that align and complement SERVPRO’s core values. Dennis is the project manager that directs team members AND completes the work, literally putting homes and businesses back together again. Clients can, of course, recommend or choose a preferred subcontractor but having Dennis onboard- dedicated to SERVPRO projects only- speeds up recovery time and eliminate scheduling conflicts. This is favorable as it equals saving money & moving back in sooner!
COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL
Structural repairs, carpentry, and framing, along with installing windows and doors are part of the Reconstruction Division work. Flooring, as well as kitchen and bathroom cabinets, are a common area of need that Dennis and his team will address. He will work with the owner in the selection of materials and designs to restore the business or home.
COMMUNICATION IS KEY
Communication is vital from the start. A plan is outlined and approvals secured, including estimates to an insurance adjuster, if the loss is part of an insurance claim. As the rebuild activities progress, Dennis will communicate timelines and expectations to the best of his ability. Consistency is a benefit of working with one contractor, like Dennis, during the entire rebuild.
"Like it never even happened,"® can be part of your experience with SERVPRO of Black Hawk County with our new division of Reconstruction Services.
Discover more about our reconstruction division on our website.
True or False: Ozone effectively kills viruses and “bleaches” the air.
8/19/2020 (Permalink)
Research COVID precaution’s validity.
We want to educate our community about ozone generators. We have recently received a lot of calls about renting out our ozone generator as a COVID precaution. While it is great that many organizations are trying to find ways to keep their members healthy and safe, there might be a misperception of what an ozone generator can do. So, does ozone effectively kill viruses and “bleach” the air?
Truth is that there’s not enough evidence to give you a definitive answer. So, MAYBE? There may be businesses selling the notion that this is what ozone generators can do for you but it’s not completely accurate.
What are Ozone Generators and their functions?
Ozone Generators is a machine that emits ozone into the air. According to the Unites States Environmental Protection Agency, ozone is a molecule with three atoms of oxygen, in which “Two atoms of oxygen form the basic oxygen molecule--the oxygen we breathe that is essential to life. The third oxygen atom can detach from the ozone molecule, and re-attach to molecules of other substances, thereby altering their chemical composition.” (EPA)
SERVPRO uses an ozone generator for the main purpose of Odor Removal and Deodorization. In our experience, a smelly room or smelly contents that has been affected by a concentration of ozone has proven to be non-smelly after the fact. We believe it’s the altering of the odor’s composition. The concentration of ozone is extremely dangerous to living things. Although scientifically, there is not enough research to prove that it “removes” odor, we have used this method for several fire, smoke, and mold loss because we have seen it, first hand, alter the smells. Now this method is used after first cleaning the content or room.
We do not use ozone generator as a means to “bleach” or remove pollutants from the air because that’s not what it does. An air cleaner or air purifier may be a better solution as a COVID precaution because its purpose is to clean air. The best solution is to practice safety measures such as quarantining, social distancing, wearing protective equipment, avoiding touching high-touch surfaces, and personal hygiene.
CLEAN HIGH TOUCH SURFACES FREQUENTLY.
We understand the importance of setting up a COVID precaution for the maintaining of your business but please research your methods to see if they are effective. We have a great Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program that may fit well for your business. The focus is to frequently clean, disinfect and sanitize high touch surfaces.
Need COVID Cleanup or Proactive Cleaning. Call 319.268.1521
Resources:
https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/ozone-generators-are-sold-air-cleaners
https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/will-ozone-generator-protect-me-and-my-family-covid-19
Back to School during Pandemic… Thoughts?
8/19/2020 (Permalink)
Clean Schools = Safe Children
Back to normal school. Praying for wisdom and safety for your families.
Summer vacation went by so quick and yet, there were probably moments that felt like it would never end. The thought of resuming school during this “COVID era” is a very provoking and overwhelming one. We understand that. Our own employees are in the same position as other parents.
We want you to know that we are thinking of you and praying for protection over everyone in the school systems. Our schools have a huge responsibility to do what is best for the community. Let’s continue to be gracious and grateful towards them. They are doing the best they can. You are doing the best you can. WE are doing the best we can. We’re praying for your physical health AND especially for your mental health and your children’s mental health.
We are currently cleaning and sanitizing some schools that asked us to come alongside them for a little extra peace of mind. If you know an organization or school that may benefit from some extra help in a proactive cleaning program, please consider suggesting SERVPRO. We are here to help our families and communities feel safer and at peace with our new defensive pathogen program. Thank you for trusting SERVPRO.
We are hopeful for the new school year!
2020 SERVPRO Annual Convention & Special Guest, Kevin Brown.
7/16/2020 (Permalink)
Let your leadership linger in other’s lives.
Every year, franchisee owners and top leaders are invited to an annual convention event hosted by SERVPRO corporate. This year, the convention was in Boston, or at least it was scheduled to be in Boston but changes were made for the safety of our SERVPRO family. So instead, the 2020 SERVPRO Annual Convention was held VIRTUALLY, and we participated right from our small office in Waterloo, IA.
We are proud to be a part of this ONE TEAM.
SERVPRO corporate really went all out in entertaining, encouraging, and educating us. They displayed perseverance and patience as they learned something new, relying heavily on technology with scheduling live events, scheduling a full production team, pre-recording several workshops, monitoring chat rooms and so much more. It was a successful event!
We even had a great guest keynote speaker, Kevin Brown! Kevin Brown is a successful motivational speaker that helps “people expand their vision, develop their potential and grow their results.” (https://kevinbrownspeaks.com/bio) He worked at SERVPRO for several years before he focused full time on speaking.
Here are just a few of our favorite one-liners!
- You can get there from here.
- Smile. Connect.
- Do not allow stress and pressure to blind you from your potential to do great things.
- Be Enthusiastic Ambassadors.
- Be careful of the vision you cast for yourself and others.
- See them as what they can be not what they can’t be.
- Rewrite your storyline.
- It doesn’t matter what everyone thinks, it matters what you believe.
- Let your leadership linger in other’s lives.
- Can you look in the mirror and see those who influenced you the most?
- Create a world-class experience when you serve others.
- No pain, no perspective.
- Your past is a place of reference not of residence.
- Who looks in the mirror and sees you?
If you ever have a chance to listen to Kevin Brown speak, we recommend you go for it. We are so grateful that the convention was not canceled considering everything that 2020 has thrown at us. We look forward to next year’s convention!
Trauma Cleanup
7/16/2020 (Permalink)
There is strength in asking for help.
*Warning: This is sensitive content.
This blog is not meant to sell you a product and service. This blog is to let you know that there are businesses out there that can help you in the aftermath of something really painful and traumatic. We are a cleaning and restoration business for disasters and unfortunately, a disaster we have cleaned up too often is suicide. One is far too many. Our condolences are for those who had to live through this traumatic experience. We can’t begin to imagine what this feels like but we are willing to listen and help in the ways that we can.
Trauma Cleanup is not something that we advertise. In the past two years, it has come to our attention that we need to inform our first responders about this service. SERVPRO can be a resource for cleaning to those who may need it. Biohazard contaminants are left behind from an accident scene and who is left to clean it? We know that sometimes this cleaning need is not dealt with because people are unsure how to proceed. It is not a simple task, physically or psychologically for anyone. Still, some people have had to eventually push through and clean up themselves There is no doubt that these individuals are beyond strong but there is also strength in asking for help.
As we mentioned, this educational piece isn’t meant to sell you a service… it’s meant to give you an option when you need help. SERVPRO of Black Hawk County is certain we can help in trauma cleanup. Whoever you choose, we recommend looking for a local cleaning business. We have been told stories of out-of-state businesses charging an insurmountable amount, making matters worse.
In closing, know that your home insurance may cover the cost of this type of cleaning. Give your insurance provider a call and find out. You can expect our team to have specialized training for biohazard cleanup, wear proper protective equipment, clean affected area, and content, dispose of any unsalvageable material, and even finish with construction if needed. Our team will continue to be empathetic and professional throughout the whole process. Again, we are sorry for your loss.
Here to help.
Are you ready to open your business?
5/27/2020 (Permalink)
SERVPRO is here to bring peace of mind.
What an unusual year this has been. From staying at home to canceling school and vacation trips. Recently our governor, Kim Reynolds, announced more openings for businesses in Black Hawk County, previously closed because of the pandemic. Great news, but now to figure out what steps are necessary and the right way to proceed? Business owners and management staff may be carrying a lot of burden because of this very question. It can be overwhelming. Still, WE GOT THIS.
SERVPRO of Black Hawk County can help!
WE CAN CLEAN YOUR BUSINESS BEFORE RE-OPENING.
We understand that during the closure of many stores and offices, some may have had the chance to take time to deep clean their business. For those who did not have this opportunity, please allow SERVPRO to clean for you. Here are a few things you can implement when working with us to become a new normal.
- Schedule regular cleaning that best fits your needs.
- Get our Emergency Ready Plan (ERP) put in place- No charge!
- Sign up for our newsletter that contains safety tips that can save you money.
- Ask for signage to let your customers know your location has been SERVPRO cleaned.
Giving you Peace of Mind.
We are here to help, so please just give us a call for any questions you may have. We are an industry leader in cleaning and restoration. Our team is ready to help re-open your business.
Call 319.268-1521
Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned – a defensive cleaning program
5/18/2020 (Permalink)
Our defensive cleaning program gives your business a way forward by providing your employees and customers ongoing safety and assuredness.
Let us help you get back to business
As our communities re-open, we’re all moving back toward a new kind of normal. The expectations of visitors, customers, and employees who come into our establishments have evolved, and staying safe and well is a top concern. The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed what it means to be clean, and we’ve developed a program to help your business meet the new higher standard of clean that is now expected.
Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is a defensive cleaning program we’re offering to businesses and commercial locations to address the current COVID-19 pandemic. This proactive viral pathogen cleaning program goes well beyond janitorial or carpet cleaning. By choosing Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you, your employees, your customers, and your community can rest assured that you’ve selected a higher cleaning standard – you are Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.
Extensive training and specialized products
As the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration*, we stand on more than 50 years of experience and expertise to help your business become Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned. Beyond fire & water, SERVPRO professionals are trained and experienced in biohazard decontamination and chemical spills – always adhering to the cleaning and decontamination standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local authorities.
From formulating and creating our proprietary cleaning products, like SERVPROXIDE, at our headquarters in Gallatin, TN, to taking the utmost care while disinfecting, we will ensure you and your business are set up to inspire consumer confidence as the economy continues to reopen.
3 C’s – Consult, Clean, and Certify
When the stakes are this high, you want a partner who has developed an industry-leading, proprietary training program, cleaning solutions, and remediation processes over decades. We’ve cleaned up some of the most challenging biohazards imaginable. Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned reflects our unique experiences and capabilities. The program is grounded with our unique 3 C’s: Consult, Clean, and Certify.
- Consult – Every business is different, which is why you’ll be assigned a Cleaning Protocol Consultant who understands your business and will create a cleaning program to meet your specific needs. This program will be developed based on your business type, size of space, amount of high-frequency touchpoints, foot traffic, and congestion points.
- Clean – Based on your specific business needs, your location will undergo a thorough, deep clean, using exclusive cleaning products, according to protocols set forth by the CDC. Our employees have years of experience, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff performs. Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for cleanup process, and disposal of hazardous materials. In the event of a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 event, we will be there cleaning within 24 hours to ensure you get back to business as quickly as possible.
- Certify - Once your business location has been Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you will gain access to proprietary signage, digital emblems, and other collateral that communicates that you’ve selected a higher standard of clean available to help protect your employees and customers. And because we add the day, month, and year to that proprietary stamp of clean, your guests will know that not only did you choose Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, but that your location is being cleaned regularly at this standard.
Call today for a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation
We’re Here to Help – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – until life is back to normal in the communities we all call home.
Call SERVPRO of Black Hawk County today at 319-268-1521 for your Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation.
* #1 Choice in cleanup & restoration based Commercial Attitude & Usage Tracking study. Polling 816 commercial business decision-makers on the first choice for future needs related to cleanup & restoration work. A study conducted by C&R Research: October 2019
Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned means professionally trained SERVPRO franchises perform the requested cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection services according to proprietary SERVPRO protocols and recognized industry and CDC standards with EPA approved cleaning products to deliver a SERVPRO certified cleaning experience. Each SERVPRO franchise is independently owned and operated.
Emergency Ready Plan for Senior Living Businesses
3/9/2020 (Permalink)
ERPs can help reduce interruptions in senior living homes.
What is an Emergency Ready Plan?
The Emergency Ready Plan (ERP) is a complementary tool that we offer as a community service to businesses. The ERP is a mobile application to input important information (emergency contacts, location of the main water shut-off valve, etc.) This will come in handy in case of a disaster such as flooding or fire. You can access the app at any moment, plus, share it with the necessary personnel.
Benefits of having an ERP
Here’s what you can store in an ERP app.
- Contacts (Vendors, Utilities, Municipality, Insurance, etc.)
- Directions for contractors (parking location, entry, exits, etc.)
- Image & Location Description (Water Shut-Off Valve, Gas Shut-off Valve, Elevators, Floor Plan, IT Tech room, valuable contents, safe, etc.)
- Property Overview (Building Type, Square feet, Number of Floors, Type of flooring)
- Emergency Action Checklist (A checklist that will help keep people safe and reduce business interruption.)
People who should have access to your ERP are:
- Owners
- General Managers
- Facility Managers
- Local SERVPRO*
*Privacy is important. You will have access to your ERP with your own login and password. We help with the initial walk-through to fill the general request of the app on our own app and then share the profile with you to access and edit as you wish. If you desire to add more information such as passwords you can lock your profile.
Senior Living Business
We have completed ERPs to various senior living businesses in Black Hawk County. Senior living housing is more than a business, to its residents, it’s home. That’s why we think it is so important to reach out to them and offer this no-cost service so that the residents do not have to go through a long and distressing interruption in their lives. This is a tool that you can use as a resource but it’s also a pro-active way to get SERVPRO’s help faster, more efficient, and to make a disaster look “Like it never even happened.”
Need to Schedule an ERP?
We are happy to schedule an ERP walk-through. This will take about 30 mins – 1 hour. We will start the profile with the property overview before the initial visit. We will need a manager, owner or facility employee who can walk with us through the back ends of the facility. We look forward to getting you prepared with an ERP!
To schedule, call at (319) 268-1521 or email Debbie Robeson.
Water Loss in Apartment Building
1/7/2020 (Permalink)
We restore after water damage in commercial buildings.
Disasters do not sleep.
On December 17, we received a phone call during the evening about water damage at a local apartment building in Waterloo, IA. Water damage was due to a small grease fire in one of the apartments that activated the sprinklers. We responded to that call and within an hour, we had a team on site. We understand that fire and water damage happens in the most inopportune times, even when its dark outside, but we are ready to help when disaster strikes.
We provide 24/7 Emergency Services.
SERVPRO of Black Hawk County schedules and rotate 2 employees after hours to guarantee that someone can respond to any emergency due to fire or water damage. In this case, the apartment building is active with residents so, for a faster restoration process, we decided to expand the team that evening. Our owner reached out to 3 other employees who were not on the on-call schedule. We are so grateful for the can-do attitudes of our employees. We had four of our production technicians, a project manager, and our owner all working hard on getting the job done right. Our SERVPRO truck was packed with our water extraction machine, dehumidifiers, and different types of air movers and driven to the job site location. The last employee left the site around 4:30 am in the morning after water was extracted and all air movers and dehumidifiers were purposely set in several places for faster drying.
We provide services to Apartments, Hotels, Schools and many other commercial buildings.
For the next few days after the initial call, our team routinely checked the equipment, monitored the humidity levels and took moisture readings of all the affected areas. Our employees are all trained professionals and take the necessary actions to ensure a job well done! Water damage is usually covered by your insurance but it should always be dealt with immediately to prevent further issues.
If you are a landlord or an apartment owner and you suspect water damage, give SERVPRO of Black Hawk County a call at 319-268-1521.
Cleaning up a School in Wapsie Valley during the Summer
7/23/2019 (Permalink)
There’s been a spotting of our van in Bremer County.
Have No Fear, SERVPRO is Here!
Last year, we had a superintendent reach out to us for fear of mold issues in one of the schools. It was a very busy time because of flood and storm damage in our area but our owner, Scott, went to inspect the school right away. Careful examination and testing occurred to validate a full deep cleaning of the entire school.
We understand the importance of having a safe and clean place for children to learn.
At that moment, because of so many ongoing jobs, we wondered if we had enough equipment available. Scott quickly put a plan into action. As a dad, he understands the importance of having a safe place for children to learn and also peace of mind for the parents, so he made a few phone calls. He reached out to SERVPRO of Fort Dodge, who had a project manager available to help co-supervise the team of workers. Scott’s dad, Joe (sweetest person ever), drove to SERVPRO of Cedar Rapids with our truck to borrow extra equipment. It’s one of the bonus’ of being a unified company, working together. Scott also made an investment and purchased additional dehumidifiers and air movers for this project.
Let’s get down to Cleaning!
Needless to say, cleaning the school from top to bottom was a success. Such a success, we were invited back this summer to strip and wax the floors! We are happy to return to the Wapsie Valley Community School district to get them ready for the end of August. BACK TO SCHOOL will be here in no time!
Wax off, Wax on- Learning a new skill, STRIP AND WAX FLOORING.
7/18/2019 (Permalink)
The technician is buffing or stripping the wax with degreaser and a Global Foor Machine.
No, we aren’t talking about Karate but that would be pretty cool. Our cleaning technician added a new trade to their repertoire called Strip and Wax Flooring. While we usually do a lot of commercial and residential work, it is usually just carpet or upholstery. We are now able to clean, buff, AND wax hard surface floors!
What’s the Process Like?
A close friend of ours and experienced expert in the field took the time to educate our technicians on this trade. We had all the equipment on hand from another type of work we do so it just made sense to learn this! These are the steps for Strip and Wax.
- Clean the hard floor surface.
- Soak with water.
- Buff or strip wax with a degreaser.
- Wet vacuum all water.
- Set air movers to dry the flooring.
- Apply 3 layers of wax.
Voilà! Floors are shiny and ready to reenact the “Risky Business” dance move. We find it important to grow in our knowledge so that we can continue to help your cleaning and restoration needs.
If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, we recommend you do so!
Commercial Business References: “Tooting Our Own Horn”!
6/20/2019 (Permalink)
Water extraction taking place in a storage room after a water pipe broke and flooded a commercial department store.
‘Tooting your own horn’, bragging about what someone has accomplished, is often frowned upon. We are taught to be humble and modest when it comes sharing about ourselves. But when you need to know who to reach out to in certain circumstances, you DO want to hear of their accomplishments! It’s one of the top ways we make decisions when choosing almost anything these days. We read reviews and ask for referrals, convincing ourselves of one’s merit.
Since 2012, SERVPRO of Black Hawk County has been cleaning up commercial businesses in the Cedar Valley as well as in nearby cities as close as Janesville, north to New Hampton, and south to Grundy Center- and every town in between. We want to showcase the businesses and the wide scope of work we have had cleaning up:
- Warehouses: ConAgra in Waterloo, Metal Fab in New Hampton, Black Hawk Engineering in Cedar Falls
- Hotels & Event Centers: Courtyard by Marriott & Days Inn in Waterloo, the Suburban in Cedar Falls, Prairie Links in Waverly
- Hospital, nursing homes, apartment buildings: MercyOne in Waterloo, NewAldaya in Cedar Falls, President Hotel & Pineview Apartments in Waterloo, Evansdale emergency service building
- Offices: Braceabiltiy in Cedar Falls, TechWorks in Waterloo, Pioneer in Grundy Center, LSB in Hudson and Reinbeck
- Stores: HyVee, Gordmans, & Slumberland in Waterloo, Tires for You in Sumner
- Restaurants: Swan Lake in Independence, Tipzy Bar & Grill in Raymond, Tokoyo in Waterloo, Godfathers in Waverly, Los Cabos in Cedar Falls
- Churches in New Hampton, Fredsville, Cedar Falls, Waterloo, Reinbeck, Aplington
- Elementary, middle schools & high schools in Northeast Iowa
CALL SERVPRO of Black Hawk County, 319.268.1521, for additional references.
LOOK at our website, www.SERVPROblackhawkcounty.com and see the work we have completed.
READ the reviews commercial business owners have written.
TRUST that we can help your commercial business during a water or fire crisis.
Borrowing Equipment from other SERVPROs
5/29/2019 (Permalink)
We're only as good as the equipment we have on hand. That's why it's essential we have a backup plan when all of our equipment is in use.
Picture This:
You’re in the middle of making cookies when you realize you’re short a cup of sugar. Without thinking twice, you call up your neighbor and ask if they can spot you the cup of sugar. Of course, they say, “Absolutely! Come on over.”
How does this translate to SERVPRO?
This is similar to what happens when we are preparing to help a homeowner or business. We take inventory of what equipment we have, and if we happen to be a few air movers short, we call up our SERVPRO neighbors in the surrounding area and do a switch-a-roo! SERVPRO is actually the only restoration franchise that teams up to help each other out in times of need. All other franchises are owned and operated independently without association with one another.
So what?
This buddy system we have in place allows us to help YOU faster, and we know from experience that response time is critical in emergencies. If we can get to you even a day sooner, you’ll be much better off, and the damage will be significantly less because of the response time.
In addition, with this buddy system, we’re able to take on bigger jobs because we know our SERVPRO neighbors are waiting at the sidelines to step in at a moment notice to lend a helping hand.
What can we say? We’re here to help.
SERVPRO Professional Cleaning Products Division
5/19/2019 (Permalink)
Our cleaners are not something you can buy off the shelf. They are exclusive to SERVPRO franchises.
The SERVPRO Professional Cleaning Products, LLC (SPCP) team works diligently to help SERVPROs across the nation succeed with top-notch cleaning products. Our SERVPRO Corporate Headquarters offers an extensive cleaning product and agent line to the local SERVPROs in your community.
They produce 89 cleaning products on site throughout the year. They also have 61 cleaning products from outside vendors (which are a lot of aerosols since we don’t have the capability of making those on campus.) Combined, the SPCP team offers a total of 150 cleaning products to assist your local SERVPRO.
Why is this important?
When SERVPRO production crews are out on a job, they are likely using SERVPRO’s proprietary products. This allows us to own the cleaning and restoring products by offering an exclusive line available only to SERVPRO customers. The SPCP team motto is, “Supporting Franchises through research, development, testing, and production of high-quality cleaning products."
SPCP has 6 Team Members:
- Gary Slagle
- SERVPRO Professional Cleaning Products Manager
- Hugh Lloyd
- Tom Jennings Jr
- Brian Adams
- Michael Houghton
- Jennifer Berry
A Win for us is a Win for You:
Having these valuable individuals on our team is what makes us different from other restoration companies. We’ve put in the time and dedication to develop our own cleaning products and find the best methods and practices to meet your cleanup needs. This reduces the time it takes to fully restore your home or business and put your life back together.
We are extremely thankful to these bright team members for keeping us SERVPRO Strong.
We Care About More Than Your Home or Business
3/25/2019 (Permalink)
Our "Be Ready" kits are the perfect fix for seasonal colds and allergies.
SERVPRO of Black Hawk County cares about more than just your home or business. We also care about YOU as a person.
Although we all try to be superheroes on a daily basis, we sometimes fall short because we’re human. Our strong, but vulnerable, bodies cannot always fight off illness when we are thriving 110% of the time.
Going the Extra Mile for You
Since we formulate Emergency Ready Profiles (ERP’s) for businesses and homes regularly, we decided to do something similar for the business and homeowners. This led to our “Be Ready” packages.
We included the following items:
- Sprite: settles an upset stomach
- Chicken Ramen Noodles: clear broth soup and noodles are hydrating because they contain water and salt, and those two together are good properties for hydration especially after the stomach flu
- Applesauce: a bland food is easy to digest, ensuring your stomach stays settled
- Jell-O: easy to swallow on a sore throat
- Chamomile Tea: lowers stress levels & helps with sleep
- Cough Drops: temporarily relieves cough
- Chapstick: moisturizes dehydrated lips
Self-Care is the Best Care
These are the items that are typically needed when people are feeling under the weather but are not always on hand. The last thing anyone wants to do when they’re sick is run to the store to pick up a “few” items.
As always, we do it because we “CURE” about you!
Ringing in the New Year of 2019
1/2/2019 (Permalink)
As we settle into the new year, we wanted to give you an update on your local SERVPRO location.
New Team Members:
At the tail-end of 2018, our team gained four new compassionate team members who made the courageous decision to put peoples’ lives back together. Keiland Woodson, Jeremy Towsley, Chuck Frost, and Adam Koch have all jumped in as Production Technicians. We’re overjoyed to have them on board with us.
New Equipment:
That’s not all that’s new. After a year of being good little helpers, Santa brought us a new piece of equipment! The Ultrasonic Cleaner has proven to be an efficient tool in the short time that we’ve had it. The superpowers of our Ultrasonic Cleaner include restoring fire, water, and mold damaged items and electronics back to their original state using non-toxic cleaning bubbles.
Prior to having this asset, our Production Technicians had to spend a large sum of time in our warehouse cleaning items by hand or in a small tub of SERVPRO cleaning solutions. However, now, we are able to send our Production Technicians out in the field at a faster rate. We anticipate using this piece of equipment for both residential and commercial losses because of its time-saving capabilities.
Emergency Ready Plan
7/23/2018 (Permalink)
Download the SERVPRO Ready Plan app today.
When thinking of a disaster, you hate to think that one would ever happen to you. However, it is very likely at some point in your life, you will be faced with some sort of loss in your home or business.
Have a plan.
SERVPRO has put together a program to prepare you for these life-changing events. It’s called the Emergency Ready Plan (ERP). This tool essentially collects the following information:
- Emergency contacts (name, phone, email)
- Main utility information (shut off locations for electric, gas, and water)
- Additional utility contact info (alarm systems, sprinklers, IT server, etc.)
- Insurance contact info
- Property overview (can include contents)
- Additional notes page for ANYTHING else homeowner/business owner wants to be included
The ERP boosts communication between all individuals alike involved in the restoration process.
To put it simply:
Think of an ERP as the key to get back into your house or business after a major loss. You probably already had an emergency exit plan, but what about the reentry process? No need to worry. That’s where the ERP comes to the rescue.
Convenience:
The ERP can be uploaded to your phone, home computer, or tablet via the mobile app called, “Ready Plan”. It is important to be able to access this information at any given time because life happens. One day your house is fine, and the next it’s not. You’ll want all this information handy and ready to go in case of an emergency.
Disclaimer:
By filling out an ERP, you are not married to doing business with us. In fact, we hope you never have to, but if you do, we’ll be ready with all the proper information ahead of time.
One last thing:
Perhaps the most important detail is that filling out the ERP takes 20 minutes, and it’s completely FREE. Not to mention if you have any questions, SERVPRO of Black Hawk County is here to help you fill it out because we care. We really do.
You can be RUINED, or you can be READY! Choose to be ready.
Visit https://ready.SERVPRO.com/Account/Register to fill out your ERP today.
SERVPRO 49th Annual Convention Takes Place in Florida
7/18/2018 (Permalink)
We brought the brand to life at the 49th Annual SERVPRO Convention!
Every year our SERVPRO Corporate Headquarters hosts a national meeting where franchises gather together to learn and network. Scott Demuth, owner of SERVPRO of Black Hawk County, and his family attended the week-long convention on behalf of our franchise.
The convention had many workshops during the week and was segmented for marketing, human resources, finance, production, office and technology, and executive departments. SERVPRO Corporate Trainers dedicate a majority of their time in the year to preparing for this convention to deliver the most relevant and helpful presentations.
One of the major points of the convention was integrating more advanced technology into our routine. For example, the use of iPads is a wonderful tool that many franchises take advantage of. Corporate suggested using this technology to take initial measurements, readings from equipment, and notes while onsite instead of the traditional pad and paper. SERVPRO of Black Hawk County has already taken the steps to fully integrate this method by the end of the summer. How exciting!
In addition to education and networking, this convention serves as a time to recognize hard work and dedication. This year SERVPRO awarded the Oregon/Northern CA/Western NV and the Woodlands/Conroe of Texas as the Franchisees of the Year.
We’re excited to celebrate SERVPRO’s 50th Annual Convention next year!
Using technology so you are READY not RUINED when disaster happens!
5/25/2018 (Permalink)
Preparing for the WORST, using technology, is the BEST way to be READY!
According to ready.gov, when a business suffers from a disaster the likelihood of reopening is only 60%.
When disaster comes, you can be ruined or you can be ready with the help of technology. The difference between those who make a comeback and those who don’t is preparedness. Here are some of the best ways to prepare for the worst.
- Backup online: Various services such as Google and Dropbox offer secure, online document storage. Backup your important computer files and/or images of important documents online where they can be recovered immediately.
- Stay informed: Follow local news, local government, FEMA and SERVPRO of Black Hawk County on social media such as Facebook and Twitter.
- Mark yourself safe: Keep your family and friends up-to-date. Use Facebook’s Safety Check, or The American Red Cross’ Safe & Well site to mark yourself safe after you’ve been caught up in a natural disaster, or crisis situation.
- Update Contact Info: Maintain current contact information in your e-mail and phone for family and friends you may need to contact in the event of an emergency.
- Stay charged: Keep a portable charger charged up and ready to go in your home and vehicle. Solar powered chargers are available as an alternative to portable chargers. Solar chargers don’t require recharge and may be more reliable in the event of a natural disaster or crisis situation.
- Get an Emergency READY Plan (ERP) put together by SERVPRO of Black Hawk County.Give us a call to make an appointment to have an ERP- Ready Plan put together for YOU!
- Your local SERVPRO of Black Hawk County marketing department is specially trained to assist you in preparing an Emergency Ready Plan for your business. Our READY Plan software is available at no cost and once completed you can manage in online yourself through the READY Plan mobile app.
Restoring Your Black Hawk County Commercial Property After A Water Damage Event
1/5/2018 (Permalink)
Extracting water from a broken water pipe after it floods a business's basement before an event.
Flooding and water damage events at 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, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. 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 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 be there fast with the help you need.
About SERVPRO of Black Hawk County
SERVPRO of Black Hawk County 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.
http://www.SERVPROblackhawkcounty.com/water-damage-restoration
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