How Much Revenue Can I Lose After a Fire Damage?

10/12/2022 (Permalink)

How Much Revenue Should I Expect to Lose Following a Fire?

Fire damage is a serious matter for businesses. Not only do you need to deal with the stress of trying to get back on your feet and replace what was lost, but you also have to think about the financial impact that it can have on your business. If you're wondering how much revenue you might lose because of this disaster, here are some things you should know

Lost Revenue in a Fire

In the unfortunate situation where a fire has damaged or destroyed your business, your finances are not only impacted by the restoration costs and lost items. The downtime caused by an event such as this can be very costly as well, when you consider that it can take weeks for a company to recover from even minor damages. The best way to mitigate financial loss is through insurance coverage—and there are several different policies that can help pay for the expenses associated with repairing or rebuilding after a fire damage event

Business Interruption Insurance

Business interruption insurance is a type of policy that covers revenue losses if you're unable to conduct normal operations due to damage caused by an insured peril like a fire. It usually includes reimbursement for lost profits during time spent out of business until repairs are complete (or while waiting on approval from insurance adjusters). Some options also cover additional expenses related to temporarily closing down due to unsafe conditions in order to maintain control over clean-up efforts at property locations during repair periods following major incidents such as these

In order to receive payment from your insurer, you must be able to prove that customers could not access your store or office because of the fire damage. It's also important that you file claims with your insurer as soon as possible after discovering that you have suffered from this type of loss; otherwise, it may end up costing more than necessary because there will be no proof available about how much revenue has been lost during this time period

Business Income Coverage 

Business income coverage offers assistance with paying employees' salaries during short-term absences due to substantial losses caused by specific types of incidents. These incidents can include fires within facilities owned/leased/rented by businesses operating within a variety of industries

We hope this article helped you gain a better understanding of how much revenue you could lose after a fire. It is our goal to educate and inform businesses so that they can make the best decisions for their business and employees

If your Wichita company has been affected by fire damage, call SERVPRO of Northwest Wichita today! We work closely with your insurance company to make sure you get everything covered that is supposed to be covered. We know that dealing with insurance can be stressful, so we are here to help make that a little bit easier for you. Let us help you get back to normal quickly. Call SERVPRO today. 

Ways to Prevent Flooded Toilets in Commercial Buildings

8/27/2022 (Permalink)

Techniques for Avoiding Flooded Toilets in Commercial Buildings

A clogged toilet at a commercial property in Emporia, KS, is not only a nuisance, but it can also turn into a serious problem. Bathrooms can fill with contaminated water, which is unsanitary and potentially harmful. Taking these preventative measures can help you avoid water damage in the building's restrooms.

Buy Thinner Toilet Paper

One of the main reasons that you have a toilet overflow is because it gets clogged up with too much toilet paper. Single-ply paper is thinner than what most people use at home, and it is not as likely to clog up. It is also used in commercial buildings because it is less expensive than the thicker paper.

Put in Waste Baskets

If people do not have somewhere to throw away their trash in the bathroom stall, they may just try flushing it down the commode. The system is not made to dispose of items such as sanitary napkins, so they end up causing a clogged toilet. Installing waste baskets in each stall gives people a discrete way to get rid of unwanted trash and can reduce bathroom flooding problems.

Put up Signs

Many people may not be aware of what can and cannot be flushed down a toilet. They flush damaging debris without even realizing the problems it can cause. Putting up signs that politely ask customers to dispose of feminine hygiene products in the waste baskets may save you from having to deal with another backed up commode. It may also be beneficial to give information on who to contact if someone does clog the toilet or sees that there is a flood in the restroom so that the problem can be taken care of right away.

Although these can help to prevent a clogged toilet from happening, there is no guarantee. If sewage problems do occur, it is best to call a professional restoration service right away. Getting the damage fixed immediately can help avoid further flooding and contamination of the area.

4 Ways SERVPRO Supports Insurance Adjusters and Their Clients

6/13/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial water damage in Wichita, KS.

4 Ways SERVPRO Supports Insurance Adjusters and Their Clients

When disaster strikes at your client's business in Wichita, KS, your role as an insurance adjuster kicks into high gear. You need to provide reliable support to your client from their first call on the day of the disaster to the day the claim is resolved. To do that, you have to trust the companies you recommend to work well with and for your client and communicate effectively with you. Here are four ways SERVPRO supports adjusters and their clients after a disaster.

1. Commit to IICRC Standards
The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification sets strict quality standards for restoration companies. For a company to qualify as an IICRC Certified Firm, it must meet numerous criteria. SERVPRO commits to these standards to provide quality assurance to your clients.

2. Respond Rapidly to Emergencies
You want your clients to receive help as soon as possible when disaster strikes. SERVPRO has many locations across the nation, and there is a franchise within a two-hour drive of nearly every zip code. When you recommend this provider, you can be confident that your client will receive help promptly.

3. Provide Detailed Reports for Insurance Claim
As an insurance adjuster, your industry can get a bad reputation for making the claims process difficult. It doesn't have to be challenging to get all the data you need to process a claim. When you work with a SERVPRO franchise, you can be confident that they will use the latest technology to provide detailed reports and inventories of all damages to you and to your client that will keep everyone on the same page.

4. Train Professionals Regularly
A commercial restoration company is most effective when its cleaning and restoration approaches are current. SERVPRO trains its professionals carefully and often. Many continuing education courses are available and required to ensure that all technicians and owners can provide the best possible services. 
As an insurance adjuster, it's important for you to take care of your clients. SERVPRO earns preferred vendor status with many insurance companies because of its commitment to high standards.

Why Mold Keeps Coming Back

3/29/2022 (Permalink)

What Causes Mold To Come Back?

Microscopic mold spores can enter your home or building through windows, doors, or air conditioning systems. Mold thrives on moisture to grow. If you continue to discover mold growth in the same spot in your home or building in Wichita, KS, despite cleaning it up, it's possible that you aren't addressing the source of the problem correctly.

1. Identify Water Issues

Mold returns when sources of water problems are not properly addressed. Look for leaky pipes, dripping air conditioners, and condensation build-up from high humidity. If you find mold in one of these areas, simply cleaning it up will not solve the issue. You must fix the source of the water issue and prevent further moisture build-up to discourage continual mold growth.

2. Clean Thoroughly

Address the mold spores in the air. Turn off any air conditioners or systems that could be circulating mold spores to other areas and use an air filtration system that can clean the air. Clean and remove all visible mold with antimicrobial cleansers.

3. Remove and Replace Damaged Items

Furniture and possessions infested with mold should be discarded and replaced. Remove and replace any building materials affected by water damage that cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried such as carpets, flooring, or even patches of drywall or ceiling tiles. When mold keeps coming back, it's likely it was never gone. Mold often grows beyond the surface of what you can see. Remove and replace those areas that are repeatedly infested with mold.

4. Use Professional Equipment

If you continue to experience mold in the same areas over and over, your cleaning methods may be inadequate to address the problem. Mold remediation specialists have professional equipment that will effectively scrub the air clean. They are also skilled in identifying and removing mold-infested materials.
Mold growth is invasive and often recurrent. As mold spores are everywhere, it's challenging to rid your home or building of it completely. Address the source of recurrent mold and clean and replace as necessary.

3 Easy Ways To Avoid Frozen Pipes

2/17/2022 (Permalink)

A burst pipe doesn’t equal holiday fun in Fort Scott, KS, but pipes do freeze and consequently break, all winter long. Things like electronics and documents can be destroyed by flooding from a broken pipe in seconds. Buildings that are not inspected after freezing may harbor standing water, which can seriously damage the building itself and endanger human health. Fortunately, frozen pipes and resulting flood damage can largely be avoided with minimal effort.

Preventing Frozen Pipes

When water freezes, it expands. Most water pipes do not, and the force of the freezing water inside often ends in pipe breakage. Follow these three guidelines to keep your water from getting pushy and damaging your pipes:

1. Keep Your Indoor Temperature Up

As long as the water is on, even a vacant building should never have its thermostat set below 55 degrees. In addition, doors to rooms with plumbing should be open if those rooms don’t have their own heat sources. Indoor heat combats the cold that attacks underfloor pipes and those in exterior walls. If the inside temperature is too low, you may wind up with a frozen pipe.

2. Let the Faucet Trickle

On the coldest nights, leaving vulnerable faucets to trickle can prevent a burst pipe. Water freezes fastest when it’s not moving, and a small amount of flow can disrupt the freezing process.

3. Insulate and Install Heating Devices

Pipes located in places like garages and outbuildings are often especially vulnerable. This plumbing may be adequately protected with foam insulation. In colder climates, however, some pipes may require a little extra help. Heat tape is one option. It wraps around a pipe, providing warmth to keep the water inside from freezing via the use of electricity. Other, similar products can be purchased at home improvement stores.

A burst pipe can cause a lot of problems. Nevertheless, frozen pipes are frequently easily avoidable. Keep pipes at a reasonable temperature and let faucet water flow a little when it’s really cold, and you should avert any need for water damage repair this winter or next.

What Insurance Covers After a Fire Affects Your Business

1/4/2022 (Permalink)

What Does Insurance Cover If Your Business Is Affected by a Fire?

Smoke damage from a fire can affect your business in Mcpherson, KS, in many ways, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed if you’re unsure what costs your insurance company will cover. Understanding what expenditures your insurance is likely to pay can help you eliminate stress throughout the cleanup process.

1. Property Damage

After a fire, many items in your business may be destroyed, and insurance should be able to compensate you for your losses. Even if some things in your building were left untouched by the fire itself, water from hoses or sprinklers can damage articles within them. Often, a cleanup and restoration company can assist you in taking inventory and provide you with an estimate of what items have been harmed and what can be repaired.

2. Smoke and Soot

In addition to causing destruction to articles within your building, a fire can leave behind smoke and soot damage. They can affect the structure of your property, and it’s often necessary to thoroughly clean and restore a business that has been rampaged by a fire. In some instances, major soot and smoke damage may require you to replace structures in your building. Luckily, fire insurance should cover the costs of smoke cleaning.

3. Business Interruption

If a business needs to temporarily close in order to make repairs, the costs of lost revenue can quickly add up over time. However, cleaning a building and making important renovations can be time-consuming, and complex repairs should not be rushed. Insurance companies will generally cover the costs of this interruption, allowing you to focus on restoring your establishment to its original state.

When a fire results in property damage, smoke damage and a temporary business shutdown, your insurance company will generally cover the cost of those expenses. If your enterprise requires renovation, it can be helpful to contact the experts in commercial fire damage restoration.