Recent Commercial Posts
Employee Spotlight: Welcome Our New Business Development Manager
6/22/2022 (Permalink)
Welcome to our team, Brain Sharp!
We would like to formally introduce one of our newest team members! Brian Sharp has been selected and has accepted the role of commercial business development manager for both of our franchises, SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville and SERVPRO of Bay St. Louis/Diamondhead.
Brian is a native of St. Tammany Parish. He has lived most of his life in either Abita Springs or Folsom. He began his career in law enforcement in 1998 with the Abita Springs Police Department. After a few years, he joined the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office where he retired in 2019. His career in law enforcement includes multiple assignments, such as criminal patrol, training, detective, crime scene investigator, and crisis intervention. Prior to joining our team, Brian was most recently the director of operations of a locally owned service business in Covington, Louisiana.
Brian has many unique hobbies to keep him busy in his spare time. Most notably, Brian propagates a small animal farm in Folsom. He raises hogs and knows how to make his own sausage. Brian has also been a student of Asian Martial Arts since 2006.
When asked why he choose to begin a career in the restoration industry, Brian explained “the thing I love most about my career in the restoration industry is it gives me the privilege to serve others when they are suffering due to a catastrophe. I can live a life of service and subsequently prosper.” His response is exactly why we knew Brain would be a perfect fit for our team. Brian’s commitment to living a life of service is a core value at SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville. We do more than just restore homes and businesses following disasters. We help put people’s lives back together while guiding them through very difficult situations. His background as a leader, trainer, and director of operations will certainly ensure his future success with us as well. We are thrilled to have him on our team!
5 Tips for Avoiding a Post-Construction Disaster
4/26/2022 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville provides post-construction cleaning services for St. Tammany Parish businesses and non-profits.
Remodeling your business can be an exciting project. Maybe you need more office space or maybe you’ve decided to modernize your property. Whatever the reason is, you know the finished product will be worth the construction process. However, if proper cleaning measures aren’t taken, then you may be left with a mess of construction dust and debris. As cleaning and restoration professionals, we have a few tips for avoiding post-construction disasters.
5 Tips to Minimize Construction Dust and Debris
- Contain the construction area. Close doors and create plastic dust barriers at entryways.
- Close off air vents in working areas. Secure plastic sheeting over vents to avoid dust/debris entering the HVAC system.
- Clean up after each day of work. Vacuum all dust and debris from work areas.
- Run an air scrubber when work is not being performed to remove contaminants from the environment.
- Do not wet clean flooring until the project is complete and all drywall dust has been removed.
Once your project is complete, the cleanup process may seem overwhelming. Don’t worry. Our professionals cleaning technicians are happy to assist with post-construction cleaning. SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville can help with air duct cleaning, HEPA vacuuming structure and contents, tile cleaning, providing air scrubbers, and more. Call our office today to learn more about our post-construction cleaning services and to request a site visit today.
SERVPRO Cleaning Services | Post-Construction Cleaning
4/22/2022 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville provides post-construction cleaning services for all commercial properties.
Are you planning a renovation or remodel for your business or non-profit office? Have you recently completed construction and now notice left behind drywall dust and debris? SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville can help with a post-construction clean. Our professional cleaning technicians apply the same level of detailed cleaning to remove post-construction dust and debris as we do when cleaning soot and fire damages. Utilizing air scrubbers, HEPA vacuums, and our professional cleaning products, your space will look and smell fresh and clean.
Our team will first assess the level of cleaning warranted. One of our project managers will conduct a site visit to determine if heavy or light cleaning is needed and if any special services are required such as tile cleaning or air duct cleaning. Then, our project manager will create a proposal for the necessary services and present you with an estimate. After agreeing upon our proposal, our project manager will schedule your post-construction clean. Depending upon the size of your space, post-construction cleans usually take only a few days to complete. Properties 10,000 square feet or larger may require a week or two to clean. Please contact our office if you’re interested in learning more about post-construction cleaning or scheduling a site visit today. From storm damage cleanup to post-construction cleans, SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville is happy to help make any size disaster “Like it never even happened.”
Commercial Project Spotlight: Water Loss at Historic Property in New Orleans
4/11/2022 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville expertly crafts mitigation plans to suit historic property in New Orleans.
On April 6th, our team received a phone call from a client requesting emergency mitigation services at their historic property in New Orleans. This once vacant building located off St. Charles Avenue is currently undergoing renovations. Upon pulling into the parking lot to start the renovation project for the day, the property owner noticed water flooding out of the front door onto St. Charles Avenue.
Once inside, the property owner discovered the water was spewing from the building’s water heater located on the second floor. No one noticed water in the building the previous few days. So, they determined the leak must have occurred overnight. In just a matter of hours, all ten thousand square feet of this property were covered with standing water.
Our water mitigation team quickly sprang into action. First, our project manager assessed damages and communicated a response plan with the property owner. Then, our water mitigation production team utilized our professional extraction equipment to remove all standing water. Next, we strategically placed dehumidifiers and air movers to dry the remaining structure to preloss condition.
For this project, we needed to adapt our drying process because of specific historical features in the structure. If we dried the building too quickly, then certain materials like one-of-a-kind wood paneling could crack and be ruined. However, if we dried the structure too slowly, then secondary damages like microbial growth could occur. Our project managers relied on their decades of experience in the restoration industry to calculate the best plan for a safe, efficient drying process. Each day, our crew returned to monitor progress and make necessary adjustments until the project was completed.
No two jobs are the same in the restoration industry. Each property and disaster present its own unique challenges. Restoration professionals must rely on IICRC industry standards, previous mitigation experiences, and critical problem-solving skills to successfully restore properties. This commercial project spotlight is the perfect example of how our team expertly crafts each mitigation plan to accommodate special circumstances. No disaster is too large or complex for our SERVPRO pros!
Hurricane Ida Recovery: Commercial Project Spotlight
11/24/2021 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville provides flood damage cleanup services following Hurricane Ida.
On August 29th, 2021, Hurricane Ida made landfall as a Category 4 Hurricane in Port Fourchon, Louisiana, causing significant damages throughout the state. The most severely affected areas were our coastal communities including Houma, LaPlace, Lockport, Grand Isle, and New Orleans. Dozens of SERVPRO franchises and large loss disaster recovery teams rushed in from all over the country to lend a hand in helping Louisiana homeowners and business owners recover.
While our team focused primarily on storm damage recovery throughout the Northshore, we did complete storm damage mitigation projects on the Southshore as well. One of our commercial clients in LaPlace incurred flood water and debris throughout their 4,000 square foot office. Upon notice of loss, our team quickly responded to begin mitigation. Our storm mitigation team removed all affected drywall, carpet flooring, and insulation. We applied an antimicrobial agent to the remaining structure and utilized professional drying and dehumidification equipment to prevent future damages while running air scrubbers to filter the air. The mitigation process was complete in one week. Our customer was thrilled we were able to get them ready for rebuild faster than any other business on their block!
SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville Becomes an Elite Sponsor of LASHFM
8/23/2021 (Permalink)
Professional organizations are a great way to stay up to date on industry news, network, and collaborate with trusted, accredited industry partners. For over a decade, SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville has maintained membership in numerous professional organizations including Professional Insurance Agents of Louisiana (New Orleans and Northshore Chapters), Louisiana Claims Association (New Orleans and Northshore Chapter), St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce, and Covington Business Association.
This month, SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville joined the Louisiana Society for Healthcare Facilities Management (LASHFM). LASHFM brings together healthcare management professionals and industry partners to exchange ideas on the latest healthcare issues. As an emergency restoration vendor for commercial properties like healthcare facilities, we chose to sponsor this organization to assist their mission.
The upcoming meeting will be held in Lafayette on August 26th. Contact our marketing manager Kayla Theriot if you are interested in attending a meeting or joining LASHFM.
Cleaning and Disinfecting with SERVPROXIDE
6/1/2021 (Permalink)
SERVPROXIDE is a safe and effective cleaning and disinfecting agent.
As a leader in the restoration industry, we employ various professional chemicals to effectively clean and restore properties. One of our most utilized products is SERVPROXIDE. SERVPROXIDE is a hospital-grade non-bleach surface disinfectant safe for commercial and residential properties. SERVPROXIDE kills harmful bacteria, viruses, mold, and mildew on both hard and soft surfaces including air ducts. It is an EPA-registered product (82972-1-93012) and NSF-listed (156316). SERVPROXIDE boasts the EPA’s lowest toxicity rating, does not require PPE for general purpose use, and is safe for everyday use. Our cleaning professionals easily apply SERVPROXIDE by using a spray bottle or an electrostatic sprayer. SERVPROXIDE is safe for use around food, children, and pets. It is also a 100% biodegradable surfactant. A couple of the common projects we use SERVPROXIDE on are mold remediation and COVID-19 disinfecting. Please contact our office if you would like to know more about the professional cleaning and disinfecting products we use or to schedule a service.
SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville Offers a Variety of Commercial Cleaning Services
5/20/2021 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville manager cleaning and disinfecting local gym in Covington, Louisiana.
While SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville is most notably known for our emergency services, our cleaning and production technicians are happy to help keep your commercial property clean year-round. We are able to offer more unique services than the typical janitorial company because of the complex and tedious nature of our water and fire damage projects. We utilize the most sophisticated professional cleaning equipment to optimize effectiveness and efficiency. From water and fire damage to dirty air ducts, our team can make any size disaster seem "Like it never even happened."
The following are some of the commercial cleaning services we offer every day:
- Air duct cleaning
- Mold remediation
- Carpet and tile cleaning
- Deep cleaning and disinfecting
- Deodorization
- Biohazard cleanup
- Vandalism cleanup
- Post-construction cleaning
Please contact our office to request an estimate.
Insurance Continuing Education Class - Restoring Contaminated Buildings
4/19/2021 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville teaches quarterly continuing education classes for local insurance professionals.
We invite all local insurance agents and adjusters to register for our upcoming continuing class. Please see the details below. Send an email to kayla@SERVPROofcovington.com to reserve your spot.
Restoring Contaminated Buildings - Continuing Education
Date: May 21st
Location: SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville
68424 James Street, Mandeville, LA 70471
Registration time: 8:00 am
Class time: 8:30 am - 10:30 am
Course hours: 2 Credit Hours
Cost: Free for all local insurance professionals
Breakfast and coffee will be provided.
Course description:
This course has been specifically designed to teach and explain the special procedures used by professionals in storms, large losses, and contaminated water events. Storm events may significantly impact the local area they strike, causing not only property damage but also chaos and confusion. While the cleanup and restoration following a storm event can be a long, tedious effort, mitigation efforts must begin quickly to prevent storm-damaged properties from escalating to contaminated properties. We will discuss how the response required in a storm event or large loss must meet the challenges and complexities of those situations while focusing on safety for everyone involved – the restorer, the workers, the property owner, and the adjuster. We will also discuss the differences in responding to a contaminated water event and the special procedures required.
SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville Wins Northshore's Best Emergency Restoration Service Provider
4/1/2021 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville wins best Restoration service provider in Sophisticated Woman's Magazine
Since 2006, Sophisticated Woman Magazine has asked readers to vote for Northshore’s best businesses in certain categories to support local community entrepreneurs and business owners. The categories include Restaurants, Arts & Entertainment, People, Shopping, Services, Sports & Leisure, and Nightlife. Each category is also broken down geographically to specify East St. Tammany Parish, West St. Tammany Parish, Tangipahoa Parish, and Washington Parish.
This year was the first year “Restoration” was added to the service category list. We are proud to announce that SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville was voted the best Restoration service provider in West St. Tammany Parish. We thank all our friends, customers, and local business owners who voted for us. We are proud to be a part of this community. Our mission is to be your trusted partner before, during, and after an emergency. From helping local business owners better prepare for storms to responding 24/7/365 to water damage claims, our team is happy to be here when you need us the most. Thank you for your support!
Is Your Business Ready?
11/2/2020 (Permalink)
Is Your Business Ready?
Is your Business Ready?
A disastrous event can be detrimental to your brand and can put your property and customers at risk. Disasters, emergencies, and crises can happen anywhere and at any time. Business owners need to prepare for the impact of all potential hazards including hurricanes, fires, floods, mold growth, and other perils.
How quickly your company can get back to business after a disaster happens depends on emergency planning done prior to the incident. According to the latest industry research, it is estimated that 50% of businesses may never recover following a disaster. This is mostly due to improper emergency planning. Preparing and pre-planning will give you an ease of mind knowing when a disaster happens you and your team are properly prepared to mitigate damages.
Here at SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville, we offer all local businesses our emergency planning services at no cost. Our disaster response experts work with business owners and risk managers to create detailed SERVPRO Emergency READY Profiles for each of their properties. By developing a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile for your business you will be able to mitigate damages in a timely manner, saving you money when disasters happen. Timely mitigation minimizes the effect of damage, allowing your business to be restored sooner, lessening business interruption and loss of use.
Emergency READY Profile Advantages
No cost assessment of your facility
One benefit of creating a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile is that it is of no-charge. When you request an ERP, one of our risk assessment experts will identify main utility shut-off valves for your building including the water, gas, and electrical shut-offs. They will also work with you to document all critical information needed after a disaster like emergency contact information, chain of command reporting, and nearby resources. Our time and disaster response expertise are complimentary for all local businesses because we believe in helping our community remain resilient throughout any size disaster.
Profile document that contains critical information needed in the event of an emergency.
By organizing all critical information into one Emergency READY Profile, you and your employees will know exactly who to call and how to respond most efficiently. Creating an ERP with one of our disaster response experts will take less than one hour to complete!
Saves time during initial damage assessment.
By working with SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville to manage your risk, you can rest assured knowing our team is only one call away should you need our services. Our team will be familiar with your property and your unique challenges in the event of a disaster, allowing us to respond quickly and address all of your concerns immediately.
Identifies the line of command for authorizing work to begin.
The sooner mitigation work begins, the less likely secondary damages may occur, saving you time and money. When creating a profile with our team, you will decide a clear line of command for responding to emergencies. This will be shared with your team so that everyone understands how to appropriately alert others of an incident and to speed up the response efforts.
Contact SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville to get your Business Ready
SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville is well-versed in disaster recovery and mitigation. Our highly trained and knowledgeable team is always ready to make any loss seem “Like it never even happened.” 24/7/365. Call us today to schedule an appointment to create an Emergency Ready Profile for your business.
Insurance Agents- What You Should Know About the Claims Process
8/17/2020 (Permalink)
As a leading restoration vendor in the insurance industry, our experts will guide agents and insureds through the claims process.
When an individual experiences serious water or fire damage to their home or business, they often do not know what to do. Feeling overwhelmed and unsure, they often rely on their insurance agent for answers. Their initial questions are who they should call for help and if the insurance company will cover the restoration costs.
As an insurance agent, it is important for you to provide clear answers about the restoration process and encourage them to begin mitigation as soon as possible to avoid future damages. Each individual loss and claim will have their own unique challenges and scope of work. However, general cleaning and restoration processes remain the same.
The Water Restoration Process
Step 1: Emergency Contact
Our emergency restoration team is available 24/7/365. For assistance, please dial 985-871-5375.
Step 2: Water damage inspection and assessment
A water restoration project manager will assess the extent of damages and define the scope of work to be performed.
Step 3: Water removal and extraction
All standing water will be extracted, and any unsalvageable materials will be removed.
Step 4: Drying and dehumidification
Fans and dehumidifiers will be strategically placed to stabilize the environment and dry wet materials. The drying process is usually complete in three days.
Step 5: Cleaning and sanitizing
All the affected floors will be cleaned. When necessary, an antimicrobial agent will be applied to prevent future damages. SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville is registered with the state to apply all chemicals used during the cleaning and restoration processes.
Step 6: Restoration
After mitigation, our rebuild team at Complete Restoration Services can replace the removed materials and make it “Like it never even happened.”
The Fire Restoration Process
Step 1: Emergency Contact
Our emergency restoration team is available 24/7/365. For assistance, please dial 985-871-5375.
Step 2: Fire damage inspection and assessment
A fire project manager will assess the extent of damages and define the scope of work to be performed.
Step 3: Roof tarp and Board-up service
When necessary, our team will provide board-up and tarping services to prevent further damages from weather or vandals.
Step 4: Water removal and drying
Oftentimes, the water used to extinguish the fire causes more damages than the fire itself. Our water restoration team will extract loose water and initiate the drying process.
Step 5: Smoke and soot surface removal
Utilizing specialized equipment and techniques, our fire restoration team will remove smoke and soot damages from the building structure.
Step 6: Cleaning and repair
Our team will determine which contents can be cleaned and restored and which contents need to be replaced. We will clean what is determined salvageable and discard the rest. Nothing will be thrown away without our customer's approval.
Step 7: Restoration
Once our fire cleaning team has completed their scope of work, our reconstruction team, Complete Restoration Services, will begin the rebuild process.
Our Commitment to Insurance Agents
Insureds have the right to choose any contractor they like to perform mitigation and restoration services. By recommending SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville, insurance agents can rest assured knowing our team will provide the best customer experience. Locally owned and operated, our restoration team has served this community since 2009. Our technicians are highly trained and IICRC certified. Whether the loss is seemingly insignificant or a large disaster, SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville can make it seem “Like it never even happened.”
We work with all major insurance companies and are a preferred vendor for numerous third-party claims management companies. With extensive knowledge of the insurance industry, we can guide insurance agents and their insureds through the claims process. We work with adjusters to determine the best solution for the home or business owner.
SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville also offers no charge continuing education classes for insurance professionals to help educate them on the restoration and claims processes. For more information regarding claims, restoration, or continuing education classes, please send an email to kayla@SERVPROofcovington.com
Phase 2 Reopening Louisiana - Cleaning Services
6/8/2020 (Permalink)
On June 5, 2020, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards announced we will be moving into phase two of reopening businesses.
According to gov.louisiana.gov-
BUSINESSES THAT CAN OPEN:
Businesses that will be able to open at 50 percent occupancy include:
- Restaurants, cafes and coffee shops
- Shopping malls (including food courts, following restaurant guidance)
- Gyms and fitness centers
- Barber and beauty shops and nail salons
- Movie theaters
- Racetracks (not open to spectators)
- Museums (including children’s museums), zoos, aquariums (no tactile exhibits)
- Bars and breweries with LDH food permits
- Massage establishments, spas, and tattoo establishments (under strict guidance from LDH), esthetician services (under strict guidance from the Cosmetology Board)
- Pool halls, bowling alleys and skating rinks (children must be accompanied by an adult)
- Event Centers and wedding venues
- Outdoor playgrounds and play centers (children must be accompanied by an adult)
The following businesses remain closed: carnivals, amusement parks, water parks, fairs, contact sports, children’s indoor play centers, theme parks, concert and music halls, and other similar businesses. Live entertainment is not permitted inside any building or indoor function.
The Governor encourages businesses that can allow employees to work remotely to consider doing so, especially if an employee is at high risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 or shares a household with a high-risk person.
Is your business prepared to reopen? Are you confused about which additional cleaning and disinfection measures you should take to keep employees and customers safe? SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville can help. Our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program can help fill in the gaps of your current cleaning plan or provide all the cleaning services you need. Our cleaning technicians are trained in both proactive cleaning and COVID-19 reactive cleaning. Contact our office today to learn more - 985-871-5375
Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned – a defensive cleaning program
5/14/2020 (Permalink)
Is your business Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned?
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 the 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 Greater Covington and Mandeville today at 985-871-5375 for your Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation.
* #1 Choice in cleanup & restoration based Commercial Attitude & Usage Tracking study. Polling 816 commercial business decision makers on first choice for future needs related to cleanup & restoration work. 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.
6 Tips for Preventing Water Damages in Apartment Complexes and Multi-family Residential Properties
3/19/2020 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville utilizes commercial drying equipment to properly dry apartment ceiling affected by water damage.
Throughout the past couple of decades, many Greater New Orleans region natives, including both East Bank and West Bank locals, decided to move to the Northshore. A large wave of families moved after Hurricane Katrina either damaged or destroyed their homes and businesses. Many other families have slowly found their way to the north side of Lake Pontchartrain for a variety of other reasons, including the award-winning St. Tammany Parish school system, ample outdoor recreational activities, and the benefits of living in smaller, less crowded cities. And now that St. Tammany Parish industry is thriving, our population is growing exponentially.
In Covington, several apartment complexes have been built to accommodate the growing residential demand. Multifamily unit properties can present a higher risk for catastrophic damages, be that fire, water or mold damages. Water damages like those caused by broken pipes under kitchen sinks and overflowing toilets seem to be the most common. Apartment complex and multi-family residential property owners and property managers should take additional measures to help protect their property and save money in restoration costs.
Tips for Preventing Water Damages at Apartment Complexes and Multi-family Residental Properties
- Inspect buildings regularly and address any needed repairs immediately. Roof damages and faulty window sealings are common causes for slow water and moisture intrusions. Have a maintenance manager or hired professional inspect around the buildings a few times a year. Before and after hurricane season are two important times to do this to minimize storm damages.
- Check on vacant units once a week to detect any issues early on. Both time and money can be saved by quickly discovering accidents like a broken pipe leaking water or a water heater that has exploded. Open cabinets under sinks and inspect areas around water sources to uncover any slow water leaks. If a problem is found, then stop the water source immediately.
- Clearly mark all water supply and fire suppression system shut off valves. Make sure tenants are aware of their locations and how to properly turn them off in the event of a water leak or system ignition.
- Notify tenants of any potential issues, like a sensitive sewer system or hidden water supply lines. Our team once received a call for help because an apartment resident had accidentally nailed into a fire suppression line while trying to hang a photo on the living room wall. The tenant assumed the fire suppression line ran horizontally and not directly down the center back living room wall. Thankfully, our team was able to able to respond quickly, drying the affected materials within a few days.
- Remind tenants not to flush anything other than toilet paper down the toilets. This is a common cause of sewage backups resulting in overflowing toilets.
- Have a clear emergency response plan and communicate this with your tenants. Revise the plan as needed and update tenants once a year. Tenants should know how to respond quickly and efficiently in an emergency.
Please send an email to kayla@SERVPROofcovington.com for assistance with creating an emergency plan for your property or for water damage restoration help.
SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville is Here to Help
3/16/2020 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville is here to help.
SERVPRO® professionals are trained in adhering to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.
SERVPRO® of Greater Covington and Mandeville professionals offer cleaning services including the removal of biohazard contaminants. We have the specialized training and products to get your property back to business.
About Coronavirus
The CDC is responding to an outbreak of a respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and has spread to 60 locations internationally (as of this publication), including cases in the United States. The virus known as “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”)i is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person or through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
Scope of Cleanup Protocol
SERVPRO professionals can perform a proactive cleanup that involves facility or structure cleaning and disinfection where the customer states that there is no active known threat of COVID-19 contamination or exposure. The customer will be required to acknowledge that cleaning and disinfecting will only apply to the current state of the structure and contents. The structure would not be protected from future COVID-19 contamination if an infected person was to enter and occupy the building.
Cleanup Scope of Work and Planning
The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and tables at a minimum. These same surfaces are mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces as well, including:
• Kitchen/Food Areas
• Bathrooms
• Schools/Classrooms
• Offices
• Retail Spaces
• Water Fountains
• Shelving and Racks
• Sales Counters
• Carpets and rugs
• Stair Handrails
• Elevator Cars
• Playground Equipment
• Fitness Equipment
Cleanup and Disinfecting Procedures
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 waste.
The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar type organisms to COVID-19.
SERVPROXIDE™, SERVPRO’s proprietary disinfectant, is a hospital-grade disinfectant that has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to SARS-CoV-2 on hard, non-porous surfaces. In addition, SERVPROXIDE™ currently has dozens of EPA-approved claims including Feline coronavirus, Canine coronavirus, Staphylococcus (MRSA), E. coli, Salmonella, Rotavirus, Swine flu (H1N1) and more.
Porous surfaces that are not water-sensitive, such as carpet and other fabric material, cannot be disinfected but can be sanitized using SERVPROXIDE™.
Works Cited:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/transmission.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fguidance-prevent-spread.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-business-response.html
Water Damage Restoration at Local Senior Living Facility
1/21/2020 (Permalink)
Water restoration technician extracting water at local senior living facility.
When a water damage event strikes your home or business on the weekend, you can't wait until regular business hours to begin mitigation. Most insurance companies require insureds to take reasonable mitigation measures to defend against secondary damages, like mold and mildew growth. At SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville, we always have a team of highly trained and certified water damage restoration technicians on call to respond to emergency situations. Our commitment as the locally owned and operated trusted restoration vendor is to respond to an emergency as quickly and efficiently as possible. No matter the time of day, our team will respond to an emergency call within the hour of receiving notice of the loss.
This picture was taken at a local senior living facility. On Saturday, their general manager contacted our on-call water damage restoration project manager because they noticed water leaking from the ceiling. Our crew was then dispatched to inspect the issue and begin the restoration process. Upon arrival, our project manager noticed the leak was coming from their sprinkler system. That problem was addressed and our water restoration technicians began extracting all standing water. Then, our technicians strategically placed drying equipment to restore wet materials back to normal moisture levels. The drying process was complete in just a matter of days.
Most water damage events are caused by accidents like this one. Knowing a reputable restoration vendor who will respond quickly is key to minimizing interruption. Our team can be reached any time or day by dialing 985-871-5375.
Continuing Education Classes for Insurance Professionals
1/14/2020 (Permalink)
Once a quarter Stuart Andrus, owner and operator of SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville, teaches either one three or four hour continuing education class or two shorter two hour classes. All local insurance agents and adjusters are welcome to attend the classes free of charge.
For the first quarter of 2020, we would like to seek requests for which class most attendees would be interested in. The following options are all two hour long continuing education classes:
- Understanding Mold in the Restoration Industry
- In this class, the insurance professional will learn about mold, mold growth requirements and the goals of mold remediation followed by professional vendors. They will also be educated on the science of mold and the dangers/health effects of mold exposure.
- Restorative Drying for Water Damage
- In this class, the insurance professional will learn about the restorative drying process following a water damage event. This class provides a better understanding of psychrometrics (the science of drying), inspection services, and emergency services.
- Cleaning & Restoring Smoke-Damaged Contents
This course explains the different tools used by restoration professionals to clean and restore smoke-damaged contents. The insurance professional will be provided with an overview of various smoke-damaged contents cleaning methods, and the products used to clean smoke-damaged contents. This class provides a better understanding of processes a restoration professional employs to scope, estimate, clean and restore smoke-damaged contents. Key issues related to moving a customer’s smoke-damaged contents to a remote location for cleaning will also be discussed.
- Bio-hazard Cleanup
- In this class, the insurance professional will learn about the process of cleaning residential and commercial property that are or may be contaminated with viruses or blood borne pathogens.
To request which class you would prefer or if you have any questions, please send an email to kayla@SERVPROofcovington.com.
All classes are taught at our office located at 68424 James Street, Mandeville, LA 70471.
Ethics Continuing Education Class
8/13/2019 (Permalink)
Attention all local insurance agents and insurance adjusters:
By popular demand, the next continuing education class we will be teaching will be Ethics on September 12, 2019. This is a three hour class that will be taught at our office located at 68424 James Street in Mandeville. Registration will begin at 8:00 am. The class will begin promptly at 8:30 am and end at 11:30 am. There is no charge to attend the class. We are also happy to provide breakfast and coffee for attendees. After the class, your credits will be filed with the state within the week.
This class is limited to thirty insurance professionals. To reserve your spot or for more information, please send an email to kayla@SERVPROofcovington.com.
Blood Drive at SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville Office
8/5/2019 (Permalink)
Every 2 seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood and just one donation can potentially save up to 3 people. Did you know our community is currently in dire need of blood donations? If you're able to donate blood, then please swing by our office on August 23rd to do so. The Blood Center's Bloodmobile will be parked in our parking lot from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm taking donations. We will provide snacks and drinks for those donating.
Networking on the Northshore
6/20/2019 (Permalink)
Northshore Young Professionals Luncheon
Yes, “Northshore” is one word here. The Greater New Orleans Northshore area is comprised of St. Tammany Parish, Tangipahoa Parish, and Washington Parish. This region has become known not only as an idyllic place to live and visit, but also a community where both small and large businesses can thrive. St. Tammany Corporation explains, “St. Tammany boasts low business costs, successful workforce development initiatives, and responsive incentive programs”. As a small, locally owned and operated business located in Mandeville, the team at SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville is proud to be a part of this community and we believe working with other Northshore businesses has contributed greatly to our success throughout the past ten years.
According to the United States Small Business Association’s 2018 Small Business Profile, 30.2 million businesses in the United States are small businesses, accounting for 99.9% of all United States businesses. This statistic rings true for the Northshore’s business economic makeup as well. A casual stroll throughout charming downtown Covington or historic Old Mandeville will serve as proof. As the marketing and sales manager for SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville, small business owners and entrepreneurs often ask me about networking events and referral groups around town. Everyone is surprised to hear me say that if you really wanted to, you could attend a networking event almost every day of the week on the Northshore. From networking opportunities specific to a particular industry to events more inclusive of businesses from a certain neighborhood, the Northshore hosts dozens of organizations focused on helping businesses grow. Below is a list of local organizations focused on helping business owners and entrepreneurs grow their businesses.
Northshore Networking Organizations:
St.Tammany West Chamber of Commerce
The St.Tammany West Chamber of Commerce is a 5 star accredited chamber of commerce. Their mission is to help support and promote local businesses. The St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce offers members networking opportunities, seminars, business counseling services,industry-specific roundtables, and other member perks. Each month members can attend no cost networking events like Business After Hours, Business to Business meetings, and ribbon cuttings for new businesses. Membership prices are determined by the company size. For information regarding membership, please send an email to meredith@sttammanychamber.org.
Northshore Young Professionals
The Northshore Young Professionals organization is a subcommittee within the St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce that promotes networking for young professionals within our community. NYP membership is available to any young professional who is a St.Tammany West Chamber of Commerce member free of charge. Admission to networking Pop-Ups is $15.
Covington Business Association
The Covington Business Association (CBA) is a nonprofit organization that works to raise awareness of businesses operating in Covington and to advance their interests. At the monthly CBA meetings, local business owners and entrepreneurs can network and receive updates about local projects and upcoming events. Annual membership dues are $120. To join or for more information, please send an email to treasureer@gocovington.org.
Old Mandeville Business Association
Old Mandeville Business Association (OMBA) is a non-profit organization made up of a network of businesses in the Old Mandeville area and resident members which share the same commitment to serve, support, and advance the interests of local commerce while remaining true to the unique, soulful spirit of the Old Mandeville community. Throughout the year OMBA hosts a handful of networking happy hours and a few very well-attended events, like the Girod Street Stroll and Empty Bowl. Yearly membership dues are $125 for businesses and $45 for residents. For more information click here.
Referral Groups
If you’re looking to join a networking organization that meets more frequently and is strictly focused on passing referrals between members, then maybe joining a referral group would be best for your business. Two of the more notable networking referral groups in our community are BNI and Master Networks. BNI, Business Network International, is a popular international networking organization based upon the principle that “givers gain”. There are thousands of BNI “chapters” around the world and dozens located throughout the Greater New Orleans area. For more information about local BNI chapters please visit bnilouisiana.com. Master Networkers is also a referral based networking organization. While Master Networks is a referral based group, their mission “is to lead a movement of learning-based, service-orientated, entrepreneurs and business leaders”. For more information about local Master Networks groups go to masternetworks.com.
Industry-Specific Organizations
Joining an industry-specific group is another way to network with like-minded business professionals. Besides being kept informed with recent events or legislature concerning your industry, most organizations host luncheons, continuing education classes, happy hour networking events, and fundraisers throughout the year.
A few industry-specific organizations with chapters located throughout New Orleans and the Northshore area include:
I told you that if you wanted to, then you could spend almost every night of the week at a networking event around town! Hopefully, this list helps inspire you to get more involved with the networking scenes on the Northshore, Southshore, or both sides of the lake. For questions regarding a specific organization or upcoming event, please feel free to send an email to kayla@SERVPROofcovington.com.
Kayla Theriot
Marketing and Sales Manager
Create an Emergency Ready Profile for Your Business and Enter to Win Jazz Festival Tickets
3/6/2019 (Permalink)
2019 Jazz Festival Ticket Drawing
At SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville, we often see disasters become major issues because of a lack of readiness. This is why we offer free emergency planning services to every business owner and property manager in our area. Our disaster planning services help businesses mitigate damages following a storm or accident while ultimately saving them time and money on restoration. This month, in an effort to promote business continuity within our community, we've decided to give away a pair of Jazz Festival tickets to one lucky person who participates in our Emergency Ready Program.
All local residents, business owners, and property managers are eligible to win. To enter the drawing you must create an Emergency Ready Profile for your business or for a property that you manage with our marketing coordinator Kayla Theriot by April 12th. You can also refer a local business to create an Emergency Ready Profile. If that business completes an Emergency Ready Profile, then both you and the business owner will be entered into the drawing. Again, this service is free and only takes about thirty minutes to complete. We will choose one winner on Monday, April 15th.
Together let's make sure every business is ready to respond to any size disaster! To learn more about our Emergency Ready Program or to schedule an appointment with Kayla please send an email to kayla@SERVPROofcovington.com.
No Job Too Big for SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville
2/25/2019 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville specializes in water damage restoration, mold remediation, and fire and soot damage restoration for both residential and commercial properties. We are also a leading restoration vendor for catastrophic storm response. With over 1,800 SERVPRO franchises and hundreds of SERVPRO large loss disaster recovery teams strategically placed throughout the country, help is always nearby. SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville is able to provide immediate disaster restoration services for any size property any day of the year.
We are committed to helping businesses recover faster following a disaster and to helping business owners better prepare for an emergency. SERVPRO's Emergency Ready Program was created to help business owners prepare for any size disaster by understanding their risks and formulating a plan of action. To learn more about our Emergency Ready Program please send an email to kayla@SERVPROofcovington.com.
Responding Quickly to a Commercial Water Loss
1/9/2019 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville specializes in commercial water damage restoration.
While renovating a new space at this shopping center a contractor accidentally broke one of the sprinkler heads. Gallons of water began spewing out of the fire suppression system and leaked into the neighboring retail store. Once notified of the situation the property manager called us for help. Our water damage restoration crew was on site within twenty minutes. We quickly extracted all of the water and then properly placed drying equipment where needed. In just three days both affected retail spaces were completely dry!
SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville believes in the 1-4-8 customer service promise. Within one hour of receiving notice of an emergency one of our project managers will schedule a time to meet our customer at their home or business. Within, four hours of the original phone call our team will be on site assessing damages. And lastly, within eight hours one of our project managers will communicate our plan of action to our customer. We uphold this promise 24/7/365.
Sewage Loss at Church in Picayune
1/3/2019 (Permalink)
Sewage Loss at Church in Picayune, Mississippi
On Sunday, December 30th our marketing coordinator received notice from one of our clients of a sewage loss at a church in Picayune, Mississippi. The sewage pipe system had malfunctioned and raw sewage was flowing from underneath the wall into the church sanctuary. Luckily, someone was able to quickly respond and shut off the water supply to the building. One of our project managers and part of our water damage restoration team was on site as soon as possible to help. As you may notice in the picture, only a small portion, approximately seven hundred square feet, of the main space was affected. Our crew removed all affected materials, including carpet, sheetrock, and insulation. The remaining materials were sprayed with a biocide to disinfect and prevent future damages.
If your home or business has experienced a sewage loss, then please do not attempt to clean the affected area by yourself. Please call our trained and highly certified technicians to properly clean up and restore your property.
Is Your Business Hurricane Ready?
8/3/2018 (Permalink)
Is your small business prepared for an emergency? How would your employees respond? How soon after a hurricane warning do you need to close your business?
Anyone who has lived in South Louisiana long enough has probably learned basic tips for preparing their homes and family members for a hurricane:
- Know your evacuation plan
- Fill up your gas tank
- Gather necessary supplies (food, water, flashlights, radio, etc.)
- Bring all important documents with you when evacuating
However, not everyone creates an emergency plan for their small business. Creating an emergency plan will help you communicate better with employees and reopen as fast as possible after a storm.
Tips for readying your business for an emergency:
- Inspect building and make any necessary repairs at the beginning of hurricane season
- Make a list of emergency contacts for employees and establish where each person plans on evacuating to in an emergency
- Create an inventory list of your business and office contents for insurance purposes
- Assemble insurance documents and financial records and bring with you when evacuating
- Relocate company vehicles to a safe area not prone to flooding
For more information on how to prepare for a hurricane please visit ready.gov.
Commercial Sewage Loss in St. Tammany Parish
6/18/2018 (Permalink)
In March of 2018, the sewage system backed up at a retail store in East St. Tammany Parish. The property manager for this commercial building reached out to us for help as soon as she received notice of the disaster. The building is little over ten thousand square feet and almost seven thousand square feet were affected by contaminated water. We definitely had our work cut out for us. Within an hour of receiving the phone call, our crew was on site assessing the damages and creating a plan of action. We began by moving the clothing racks and extracting the water. We placed drying equipment and dehumidifiers in position at the end of the first day. Later, the retail business's facilities manager asked us to remove all of the carpet. The store was outdated by at least decade. The managers decided to make lemons out of lemonade and to use this time to renovate the store. Our crew removed all of the carpet, properly dried the structure and all remaining materials, applied an anti-microbial agent to prevent further damages, and cleaned and disinfected all affected areas. In less than two weeks, we were able to complete the job and release the space for the next phase of renovations. Both the tenant and the property manager were extremely pleased with the work our team did.
Disaster Preparedness Tips for Commercial Property Owners
3/5/2018 (Permalink)
Successful business owners are thoroughly prepared for any possible disaster or business interruption. In the event of a disaster, how ready are you to respond appropriately?
To help mitigate losses during a disaster follow these tips:
- Regularly review and update emergency plans
- Regularly inspect buildings for repairs
- Finding and addressing issues, such as leaking roofs or windows, can prevent unnecessary water damage or mold growth.
- Create an emergency contact list with approved vendors for repairs and restoration
- The emergency list should include contact information for approved contractors, plumbers, electricians, water and fire damage restoration vendors, and other helpful vendors.
- Communicate well with employees
- Communication is key to mitigating losses after a disaster. Each and every employee should your emergency plans and how to respond to a disaster, like a broken pipe or sprinkler system malfunction.
- Educate employees on how to prevent unnecessary water, fire, or mold damages
- For tips on responding to a water loss please click here.
- For tips on responding to fire damage please click here.
- For tips on preventing mold growth please click here.
If you would like to learn more about emergency planning for property managers please send an email to kayla@SERVPROofcovington.com.
Disaster Preparedness Tips for Property Managers
2/19/2018 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville specializes in water, fire and mold damage restoration for both residential and commercial clients.
Successful property managers are thoroughly prepared for any possible disaster or business interruption. In the event of a disaster, such as a hurricane or fire, both commercial property owners and tenants rely on their property managers to facilitate an emergency plan.
To help mitigate losses during a disaster follow these tips:
- Regularly review and update emergency plans
- Regularly inspect buildings for repairs
- Finding and addressing issues, such as leaking roofs or windows, can prevent unnecessary water damage or mold growth.
- Create an emergency contact list with approved vendors for repairs and restoration
- The emergency list should include contact information for approved contractors, plumbers, electricians, water and fire damage restoration vendors, and other helpful vendors.
- Communicate with clients
- Communication is key to mitigating losses after a disaster. Both property owners and tenants should be well aware of disaster recovery and evacuation plans.
- Educate clients to prevent unnecessary water, fire, or mold damages
- Commercial property tenants should be taught how to mitigate losses and prevent water, fire, or mold damages.
- For tips on responding to a water loss please click here.
- For tips on responding to fire damage please click here.
- For tips on preventing mold growth please click here.
If you would like to learn more about emergency planning for property managers please send an email to kayla@SERVPROofcovington.com.
Business Owners: Start This New Year Right
1/10/2018 (Permalink)
A broken pipe caused water to leak into several rooms of this office building.
In times of a disaster, like a broken water supply line or suspected microbial growth, are you equipped to respond quickly and appropriately as a business owner? Creating a plan and familiarizing yourself with certain utility shut off valves for your property can help save you time and money when an accident occurs. Knowing how to shut off the main water supply line to the building can minimize the water damage if a pipe were to break. Likewise, knowing how to turn off the sprinkler system can be helpful if the sprinkler system malfunctions or is broken. We have encountered many business owners who did not know any of this and unfortunately had to learn the hard way when something went awry. SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville can help any local business owner in the Covington, Mandeville, Abita Springs, Lacombe, and Ramsey areas better prepare for an emergency by creating an Emergency Ready Profile for their business. This profile is free of charge and takes about an hour to complete. Our Marketing Coordinator will teach you, the business owner, how to respond to water, fire, and mold damages in your building and how to educate your employees on such situations. Knowing your risks and how to mitigate your losses can make or break a company after a disaster. If you are interested in learning more about creating an Emergency Ready Profile for your business, please call our office today at 985-871-5375.
What Business Owners Should Know in Case of an Emergency
1/8/2018 (Permalink)
We all know accidents happen, especially when you least expect them to. Being prepared to respond quickly can help you mitigate the damages and save yourself time and money. For example, imagine the sprinkler system in your building malfunctioned or was initiated accidentally. What would you do? Do you know how to turn off the sprinkler system? What if you were not there? Do any of your employees know how to turn off the sprinkler system? Not responding to this accident in a timely manner can result in excessive water damage to your property. This scenario happened to a client of ours earlier this year. Only one employee was present when a sprinkler head was broken and starting spewing water at an impressively fast pace. For the next thirty minutes, said employee ran around the building searching for the shut off valve for the sprinkler system. In that time, about 100 gallons of water were released into the building. Luckily, after the water was shut off the general manager called us to swiftly extract the water and start the drying process.
Being prepared as a business owner or property manager means having a general understanding of your building. You should know how to turn off the main water supply, sprinkler system, and the gas line. You should also know who to call in case of an emergency. Do you have a vendor list prepared for your building? Again, if you were not present and your employee could not reach you, then who would they call for help if something like a pipe were to break or the sewage system backed up? We often receive phone calls from business owners who are on vacation and learn an emergency has happened to their property. Trying to facilitate the clean up and restoration while unprepared and out of state or country is no easy task for a business owner.
SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville can help you be prepared for an emergency by creating an Emergency Ready Profile for your business. This is a free service we offer to all local business owners in St. Tammany Parish. Our marketing coordinator, Kayla Theriot, will help you create a plan for your business in case of an emergency. This process takes less than an hour and can help save you time, money, and the stress of not knowing what to do when something goes wrong. If you are interested in learning more about an Emergency Ready Profile, please send an email to kayla@SERVPROofcovington.com.
Tips For Preparing Your Business For A Hurricane:
8/15/2017 (Permalink)
Is your small business prepared for an emergency? How would your employees respond? How soon after a hurricane warning do you need to close your business?
Anyone who has lived in South Louisiana long enough has probably learned basic tips for preparing their homes and family members for a hurricane:
- Know your evacuation plan
- Fill up your gas tank
- Gather necessary supplies (food, water, flashlights, radio, etc.)
- Bring all important documents with you when evacuating
However, not everyone creates an emergency plan for their small business. Creating an emergency plan will help you communicate better with employees and reopen as fast as possible after a storm.
Tips for readying your business for an emergency:
- Before a storm inspect building and make any necessary repairs
- Make a list of emergency contacts for employees and establish where each person plans on evacuating to in an emergency
- Create an inventory list of your business and office contents for insurance purposes
- Assemble insurance documents and financial records and bring with you when evacuating
- Relocate company vehicles to a safe area not prone to flooding
For more information on how to prepare for a hurricane please visit ready.gov.
Restoring Your Commercial Property After a Water Damage Event
8/9/2017 (Permalink)
Flooding and water damage events at Covington and Mandeville 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 Greater Covington and Mandeville
SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville 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.
To learn more about the commercial restoration process click here.
Broken Sprinkler Floods Local Indoor Sports Complex
3/3/2017 (Permalink)
Commercial water damage
Late last night, around 8:30 pm, we received a phone call from a local indoor sports facility. During a indoor soccer match, someone kicked the ball into a sprinkler head located on the ceiling. Immediately, water began flooding the AstroTurf covered building. Thankfully, someone in charge acted quickly to turn off the water supply and called us for help. When we arrived on the scene, water was covering a good portion of the soccer field and the gym area. We acted fast and began to extract the flowing water. Thanks to our professional equipment, we were able to swiftly remove over seventy-five gallons of water. Our equipment allows us to rapidly extract water from many types of flooring, such as carpet, hard wood, AstroTurf, basketball courts, and tile, without causing any damage. Thanks to our team at SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville this local company will be back in business as soon as possible. Don't let a little accident cause your business a lot of money. We are open 24/7/365 to help make any size disaster seem "Like it never even happened."
Post-Construction Cleanup
2/15/2017 (Permalink)
When the drywall dust settles, your new floors can look anything but clean.
A few weeks ago, we received a call requesting our floor cleaning services. The home owner was in the process of remodeling their living room and kitchen. During the construction project, drywall dust began to settle on top of their new floors. Drywall dust will quickly move into every nook and cranny amidst construction projects. This mess is especially troublesome to remedy. Drywall dust can not be cleaned up with a standard residential vacuum and mop. The fine particles of dust will eventually clog and destroy a home vacuum cleaner.
Our highly trained technicians and commercial equipment can cleanup drywall dust with ease. SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville specializes in more than just fire, water, and mold damage cleanup and restoration. We offer post construction cleaning services for both residential and commercials buildings. If you have a mess too big to cleanup yourself, then give us a call at 985-871-5375 and let our professionals take care of it.
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